davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-12-30
Getting Itid OF sIaVery---Caradualv W..
Immediate characterization.

Notwithstanding the evils which have fol-
lowed the sudden liberation of four millions
of slaves in the southern portion of our I'm
ion, history has already vindicated the act,
Great as have been the temporary evil results
of this act to certain classes and interests, no
person of intelligence will claim that the con-
dition of the people Of our Southern states,
as a whole would have been better to-day had
the method of emancipation adopted by Pres
ident Lincoln, instead of being instantaneous,
extended over a long period of years, ending,
as systems of gradual emancipation ordinarily
do end, only with the decease of the genera
ton then living. In Brazil and Cuba grad
ual emancipation" drags its slow length along,
with an accompaniment of cruelties, evasions
of statute provisions and general unsatisfac-
toriness. Ten years ago, in September, 1871,
the parliament of Brazil enacted law which
provided not only for the freedom of all
children born of slave mothers thereafter, but
also for the annual liberation of slaves. The
law provided that in the September Of the
following year there should be general reg
istration of slaves, and special registration
a year later, when all slaves not registered by
their owners should go free. Neither of these
registrations is believed to have effected an
accurate census of the slave population. In
1878 another registration was deoreed, but
this was only well carried out in eight prov
inces. These partial statistics, however, show
that, in the provinces complying with the
registered law, there had only been an annual
decrease of u per cent. in the number of
slaves, and this in the face of the fact that
three fourths of the manumissions are volun-
tary acts on the part of owners. The eman-
cipation act commanded the annual applica-
ton of the slave Liberation fund, provided by
law, but it appears that only two distribu-
tions of the fund occurred in the first decade
of gradual emancipation. Summed up, the
gradual emancipation law of 1871 has result
ed in n decrease of not over p per cent. per
annum, including deaths, in the slave popu-
lation, while the $50, 600 of slave children to
whom freedom has been guaranteed by law,
must remain in virtual slavery until reaching
the age of 81 years. Fortunately for Brazilian
honor, there are signs of an awakening of
public Indignation at the continuance, under
the operation of an emancipation act, of some
of the worst features of slavery. Abolition
clubs are organizing, and reputable newspa-
pers are refusing to print advertisements of
runaway slaves. There is reason to hope,
therefore, that the liberation movement in
Brazil is about to receive new impetus, by
which the blot of slavery, which has too long
rested upon its fair escutcheon, shall be
wholly removed.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-12-30

tFrom the Boston Traveller, Grant organ.l
And after all this work against and absence Of work
for, General Grant, IL found impossible to eou-
centrate the majority Of Republicans in Massachusetts,
thus arrayed in hostility to his nomination upon any
other candidate than Senator Edmunds Of Vermont,
himself al incorporating Stdilcdr ghOse personal
preference lCds knOtrn 10 be for Grant
Vermont Republican, of acute knowledge and no
small influence at home, says the delegation from that
state TO the Chicago convention could not have been
carried for Mr.. Edmunds had 1t been generally known
that he Grant man. As turned out, the course
of the Vermont delegation in that convention
concusiyely used for General Grant though 1t had
openly declared for him.-[N. Y. Tribune.
That Vermont Republican must have a short mem
The state convention which elected the Vermont
delegates at large to Chicago before II elected dele
gate, enthusiastically presented Mr.. Edmunds the
CANDIDATE of Vermont Not a man could have been
chosen delegate, by that convention by any of
the district conventions, who needed any carrying
for Mr.. Edmunds. The delegation was for Edmunds
from first to last, and II not conclusvely used
for General Grant as though it had openly declared
for him. good share of delegates had great respect
for General Grantnot essened by the fact that Mr..
Edmunds was General Grants preference for the
head Of the tcket-but they resisted very strong urg
ing from General Grants friends TO declare for Grant
Huntington Free Press
The Free Press is right in what it says, and
it may be added, that, although majority of
the Vermont delegation were personal admir-
ers of General Grant, they did not regard it
an act of wisdom for the Republican party to
place him in nomination for third term
Their vote was held intact to the very last,
ready to be thrown for the right man at the
right time, and it might as well be said that
every vote in the convention not cast for
Grant was las conclusively used for him as
though openly declared for him, as to say it
of the vote of Vermont. The trouble with
the Tribune is that the vote of Vermont was
not cast for Blaine.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-12-30

Remember the Poultry and Pet StocL
Exhibition at Brattleboro, Jan. 10Th, lltb
18th and 18th.
Boys abound on the Branch-a new opa
at j. o. MetcalPs. Weight ten pounds.
X. d. Charters singing school has oo
lapsed. Reason: lack of girls on the Branch
The weather, oh, the weather! Who
can work? Numbers of men in this town
have wood and lumber to move, but cannot
do It for lack Of snow.
Rev. N. Richardson is taking a deem
hold of the hearts of the people by his piety
earnestness, and pleasing manner. The sac.
rament of the Lords supper will be admins.
tered next Sunday.
Mr.. and Mrs. A. NJ. Prouty threw omen
their doors on Monday evening for Christ.
mas tree and goodly number gathered
Most of the families in the district were
represented and there were a few other in.
vited guests w. f. King was present and
acted as master Of the ceremonies and favor.
ed the company with several pieces of music,
Rev. N. Richardson was also present and as.
sisted in the ceremonies. A few pieces were
spoken by the children and the exercises
were all interesting, just long enough to be
enjoyable without being tedious. The pres
ents we're numerous and all seemed pleased.
We understand this to be the tenth gathering
of this kind at Mr.. Prouty's. May they live
to see many more. no.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-12-30

The mildness of the weather and the alb
sence of snow so late in December, reminds
us Of an incident related in the history Of
Charestown, N. H., recently published,
which we read the past summer. In the win
ter of 1923, there was no snow till the first
OF February. II appears from the record that
one Joseph Darrah of that town was engaged
to be married and had arranged with his in
tended bride that their marriage should take
place as soon as there was sufficient snow to
make good sleighing from Chelmsford, Mass,
where the lady resided, TO Charlestown, n.
H., where Mr.. Darrah lived. He waited
anxiously from day to day only to have his
hope deferred. At length his impotence be-
came such that he declared that he would give
a dollar a bushel for snow enough to go after
his intended wife. The snow came at last on
February LIST, the journey was performed,
and the long expected wedding took place.
-Leavitt E. Bond, superintendent Of the
Congregational Sunday school, has been sick
four months. He is now convAlescent, and
il is hoped that ere many weeks pass he will
have gained sufficient health to resume his
accumstomed place in the Sunday school and
the prayer meetings from which he is seldom
absent
The prospects are very favorable for hav-
ing singing school in this place the present
winter Sufficient money for that purpose
has been subscribed, and the school will
doubtless open as soon as q teacher can be
secured. ID. L. M
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-12-30
Farnnera' ceilings .

A circular letter from the secretary of the
Vermont Board of Agriculture says that far
mers' meetings will be held by the united
Vermont and New Hampshire Boards of Ag-
riculture as follows:
Newfane, Vt, Jan. Sd and 4th.
Chesterfield, N. H., Jan. 18th.
Westminster, VT, Jan. 9TH and 9th.
White River Junction, Jan. 10th and 18th.
Lebanon, N. H., Jan. 18th.
Woodstock, Vt, Jan. 18th and 18th.
In our columns to-day "a Brattleboro Far
mer," who is a farmer in fact as well as in
name, mentions some of the benefits which
the farmers may derive from these meetings,
and very pointedly indicates some of the ways
in which men of his calling allow themselves
to stand in the way of their own best good.
Each added year of observation and expert
enee convinces us more and more firmly that
what the farmers of Vermont need is TO learn
to be as wide-awake, diligent and energetic
in their business as men of other callings are
in theirs; they must work with brain as we'll
as with hands they must be on the lookout
for new methods and keep open door for
broadened views. There is no business but
requires laborous, persistent, pushing and
ofttmes wearisome work TO achieve success,
and with this work must come determine
ton to keep up with the times, and to learn
what other men are thinking and doing and
saying. One of the best opportunities for
I'll c farmers in this latter direction is afforded
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-12-30

j. @. Bolster, agent for The PHOENIX, is
ready TO receive subscriptions. Now is the
time to subscribe for the coming year
Golden Rule chapter of the Eastern Star
installed the following officers on Wednesday
evening:
Mrs. Sarah Wheat, W. NJ; Mrs Lucy Cole, A. N;
Mrs. Sarah Houghton, treasurer; Mrs. o. J. STOW.
ell, secretary Mrs. Mary G. Deming, conductress;
Mrs. Sarah Smith, Ruth Mrs. MARY Wheat, Esther;
Mrs. Mary Bacon, Martha; Mrs. Ada Webster Elec
Ia; John Robertson, VIZ
Mrs. Stowell delivered a very able address
On the same evening, Golden Rule lodge elect
ed and installed the following officers
VIM. Cole, W. NJ; VI. b. Kelley, S. W.: L. p. Bal
ley, J. WI VIM. Robertson, Treas; II. W. Cough,
SecIy; F. r. Cobb, S. D.; L. O. Gorham, j, D.; II. ].
smith aud ,. B. Black, stewards; 5. W. Hougnion
Brother Edward Smiley delivered an inter
esting address on "The probabilities Of Ma.
sonry." G. p. Gibson furnished & bountfu
feast, as he always does, which, with the mu-
steal and intellectual entertainment, rendered
the evening one to be long remembered.
Although the weather was unfavorable
the festival held by the ladies of the Congre-
gational society was well attended, and they
realized $75 The Rotations by Miss Brown
of Springfield contributed much to the even
ing's entertainment. R.
Temperance and New Years concert by
the Universalist Sunday school next Sunday
at $3.50 p. N.
The donation party at the town hall on
the 18th inst, for the benefit of Rev. N. D..
Parsons, was well attended in spite of the
storm, aud the good pastor and his wife re-
ceived about $50 in money, besides various
other gifts.
The Baptist Sunday school had Christ
mas tree at the town hall last Saturday even
ing, the gifts from which were distributed by
Old Santa himself. On Sunday Mr.. Parsons
preached a Christmas sermon from Luke IL,
l2-l5.
Rev. n. d. Parsons will preach New
Years sermon at the town hall next Sunday
at o'clock p. NJ.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-12-30
,TLEBoRo FARMER.


1t has been given out by the proper author
tiles that the alleged star route conspirators
are to be proceeded against at once both in
civil and criminal courts. The Dorsey COM
bination will be the first to be taken in hand,
because its recent operations have been more
extended than have those OF Barlow, the San
derson, the Gilmer, Parker and other combi-
nations. In 1878 the Dorsey party held 1874
routes, covering 1887 miles, on which by the
original contract they were paid $l4S, 1863. AZ
per annum. The service on these routes was
subsequently so increased that 1922 sos 81
per annum was paid Twelve of the 1874
routes were discontinued, leaving 122 as the
actual number in force. OF these the pay
was increased after the contracts were made,
On 26 routes the pay was increased by Tex
pedition" from $G5, PIG 81 per annum to $780,
1880. With such facts as the above as
basis for prosecution it seems that the Gov
eminent cannot fail to convict the accused.
If the cases could be tried in some other place
than Washington there would be little doubt
of it.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-12-30
Local Intelligence.


Save time and money all your subscriptions by
dealing with wilcoxs Periodical Agency at Postonce.
ALL ACCOUNTS DUE J. W. Fnosr Co. must be
must be paid. J. W. Frost will be in town until the
Sd or Ath Of January TO settle the same.
Cudworth Chiids, agents Of the Travellers In
surance Co., have recently paid claims for disabling
injuries to J. II. Mctcalf, Andy J. Reed W. II. Roleau
and d. l., Herrick.
Tho grst mill at wiamsville s for sale or TO rent.
II ia ono Of the best mills In the state has two set
Ia burr stones, aud il doing large business. in
quire Of Il. W. Bowker.
FARM wAsrED-I would like to hire good farm,
with stock aud tools, shares for term Of years.
The best Of reference given II required. Address @.
$. Rhodes, so Lebanon ST., Springfield, Mass.
Blooms OF buds, pinks, hellotrope, bouyarda, vio-
let's, panses stevas camellias azaleas, geraniums,
smila1 arranged in bouquets or loose, at Aliens con-
servatores.
special communication Of Brattleboro Lodge No.
1O2 r. IA NJ, will be held at Masonic hall nextMon-
day evening, Jan. q at TIA O'Clock. Work; Second
degree. All Master Masons in good standing are cor
daily invited. BY order Of the W. NJ.
L. sIMoNDs, secy.
Diaries, Registers and Amanacs at Cheney Clapps.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-12-30


The evidence in the Readsboro murder
trial is thus far strong for the prosecution
Several witnesses have testified to having
heard Fuller threaten to "fx" Witham with
cold lead. Benjamin Canady swore on Tues
day to seeing the fight between Fuller and
Witham in November of last year, and to 60
ing home with Fuller. Fuller told him on
the way that he fought to take his gun and
go back and shoot the id cuss !" and at
another time he heard him say, 'that id
pauper could not pound my head for moth
ing and as soon as the snow went of and
the ground was settled, there would be one
town pauper less" At another time he heard
Fuller say that id pauper could not pound
his head for nothing, he would punch him,
and he knew one way he could do, he could
At another time he heard Fuller say ANY
one who would shoot Witham would draw
pension"
A. A. Sheppee swore that he heard Fuller
say on one occasion, II will have more blood
out of him (Witham) before snow flies than
he has out of me-" Sheppee told him that
he had better let Witham alone, as Witham
might get the advantage of him again, and
Fuller replied, HE will not have chance
the next time cold lead will fix him before
anything else"
Charles E. Bliss swore to hearing Fuller
say at the same time Benjamin Canaday tes-
tilted 10, that, ''there would be one town
pauper less when the snow went of and the
ground got settled"
Mrs. Bishop, daughter of John Canady'
testified that she had traced footprints the
morning after the murder from the scene OF
the crime to the defendants house. She de
scribed the peculiar track made, and when
asked If she knew anybody that made such
track, answered promptly, Edison L. Fuller
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-12-30
FOREIGN.

THE TERRIBLE WORK OF CRIMINAL AT WARSAW.
During the celebration of high mass in the
church OF the Holy Gross at Warsaw, Poland
Christmas day, a man was seized while pick
ing pockets, and in order to escape he cried
fire" Immediately great panic seized the
congregation, who rushed for the doors. Dur
ing the confusion 80 persons were crushed to
death, and many others seriously injured
There have been forty deaths in ALL The
pickpocket was soundly beaten by the crowd
He is Jew. The lower class of people are
much excited against his co-religionists, sew
eral of whom have been maltreated and had
the windows of their dwellings broken,
while four shops kept by jews were Quilted
Several policemen were injured by the rioters
The authorities displayed great promptitude
in depressing the disorder. The military are
patroling the disturbed quarters.
ANOTHER PLOT AGAINST THE CARS LIFE.
A plot has been discovered for the assassina-
ton of the ozar in st. Petersburg, on a street
which it was expected he would traverse,
while going from the palace TO the Michael
riding school on the occasion Of a recent
fdte.
There has been an enormously destruc-
tive fire at the naval port of Cronstadt Rus
STA. The fire is believed TO be the work of
Nihilists.
Emperor Francis Joseph will build at his
own cost memorial chapel on the site of the
burned Ring theatre, at Vienna, in which
requiem will be celebrated yearly for the vic
tins of the fire. Queen Victoria has contrib
uted ESQ for the relief of the sufferers.
Fifteen hundred Mormon converts have
been made in England since last August.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-12-30

lfrom Washington ID. C., Paper1
Some of the inhabitants, perhaps not the
oldest, but who have resided hero long
enough to see great DEAL declare that they
have never seen such scramble for office,
such numbers of offce-seekers, as since Con-
gress met. There have been dozens of appli-
cants for every position within the gift of the
House, and when the candidates failed to get
these places many of them turned their at
tention to the departments and besieged
them. One member of Congress says he has
learned that the best and quickest way TO get
rid of office-seekers from his district is to pay
their way home. When one of his constitu-
ents comes to him for his Influence" this
NJ. O. says he at once advises the applicant to
return home, and offers him ticket, provided
he promises to leave at once. A prominent
Senator says; ''This is an office.seeking age,
and seriously, 1 fear that this growing desire
of the people for office may bring harm to us
yet Young men are willing to abandon a
81, 900 year place at homo to get $72O po-
sition in Washington"
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-12-30
GuIINord Censre.

There win be a donation festival at the
benefit of Rev. j. H. Gaylord. Admission
free, supper free, free speech; "freely ye
have received, freely give"- to the minister.
Come.
The Christmas observances in the Uni
versalist church, Dec. "a, were a complete
success. A large audience was present, and
the decorations of evergreen festoons, mot
toes and Christmas emblems ELECTED general
praise. After an entertainment of music, dia-
logues and reeitations, which reflected great
credit on all who took part, gifts from two
heavily-laden Christmas trees were distributed
among the audience, every one seeming to be
generously remembered. Rev. J. Eastwood
who was present received several gifts, and
the pastor, Rev. E. W. Whitney was the re-
cipient of silver butter-dish and cake basket
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-12-30

About 90 guests helped Mr.. and Mrs. S.
f. Albee, who live about mile above the viii
lage, celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary
on Monday evening.
The Times says that Towns hotel is not
closed, though, in consequence of the recent
liquor prosecutions, the proprietors have had
the matter of closing under consideration.
Eight suits have been brought against O.
W. Towns, of Towns Hotel, and Chas. Sulli-
van, his bartender, by the widow of Peter
Good, for damages to herself and seven chill
dren for furnishing him with liquor Thanks
giving evening, thereby causing his death /;
one for the widow for $500O the two young
est children each $500, the other five chill
dren $4,000 each-s total of $40, 900. The
papers were served on Monday and Tuesday,
and the case will come before the March term
Of the county court. The attorneys bringing
the suit are @. A. Weston, j. d. Bridgeman
and @. b. Eddy.
The high water with some ice aud small
Lockwood carried out the trestle-work sup
port under the Sullivan railroad bridge on the
New Hampshire side about o'clock Wednes.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-12-30

Mr.. and Mrs Edwin Willard celebrated
their crystal wedding last Friday evening,
when quite large number of friends were
present. Mr.. and Mrs Willard were the re-
cipients Of good many presents, some Of
which were valuable.
Our Christmas tree proved a success,
and judging from the presents given Santa
Claus must have been very busy.
The man in our town that was attracted
TO Boston by certain loadstone has return
ed and it is the general opinion that it proved
to be not quite so attractive as was anticipat-
ed.
While Mr.. p. stickpey was at work on
his mountain woodland. he slipped on the
ice, falling upon and badly bruising his right
shoulder.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-12-30

[From the Argus and Patriot OF this week.
James II. Langdon has declined to pay his
taxes for 1881, which amount to So, lIS7 rs,
upon the ground chiefly that the law of 1880
is invalid as to the doubling" section. 1t
will be remembered that Mr. Langdon last
spring failed to give the listers a sworn inven-
tory of his taxable property, as is required by
the law of 1880, and that the listers then APP
praised his taxable property, and made out
his grand list upon their appraisal value of
his real estate and upon double their apprais-
al of his personal property, acting in all they
did in accordance with the provisions of the
statute of 1880. They fixed his grand list at
"a, S75. The Constitution of Vermont says
that the rate of taxation shall be uniform.
Mr.. Langdon contends that arbitrarily doub-
ling the value of his taxable property, and
making out his grand list upon that, is not
uniform, but on the contrary causes him TO
pay tax disproportiOnate TO that paid by
others. He also raises several other objec-
tions, technical in their nature some of them
including questions which, if Mr. Langdon
should be beaten in the Courts of Vermont,
may induce him to have the case removed to
the United States Supreme Court on a writ of
error. 1t has not been settled in what form
the litigation will be set on foot, whether
Mr.. Langdon will designate some property
which the town may attach, and which may
be receipted for, whether he will pay the tax
es under protest, and then sue to recover, or
whether he will Iget an injunction from the
Chancellor restraining the town from collect
ing the taxes In one of these forms a case
will be entered at the next March term of
Washington county court.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-12-30

We have always noticed that, when the
DJamer boy gets frightened and anxious
about his own business and subscription
list, he begans to brag about his circulation
and tell malicious little lies about the bust
ness of The PHOENIX. We learned long ago
that intelligent people are not deceived by
such tactics, but it may not be out of place if
we take occasion, as the old year closes and
the new one begins, to say that the circula-
tion and general business of The PHOENIX
were never so large and strong as they now
are. During the whole year there has been
a steady and healthful growth, and the prom
Use for new year was never brighter or the
prospect more cheerful than is the case to-
day. During the year to come we hope to
make the paper more valuable and useful to
our readers than ever before, and to that end
we assure them that they shall have our best
endeavor and untiring exertion.