davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-06
Rus.la,. Political Condition.

The murder of Alexander IL has had the
effect of drawing public attention to the ex
isting condition of Russian society and Rus
sian politics as it has not been drawn before
during the present generation. The result of
this scrutiny-and from many points it has
been carefully made-has not been favorable
to the pretensions of the existing dynasty.
The horrors of Nihilism are realized as strong
ly as ever, but it is now seen, as never before,
that under the imperial despotism, there was
no way open to agitate in favor of liberal in
situations, except by the use of revolutionary
and murderous methods OF what use was it
to petition the car, or to speak or write in
favor of some form of representative govern
ment, when the petitioner, speaker or writer,
in consequence of his boldness, was arrested
and thrown into prison or sent for lifelong
exile to Siberia Shut of from the means of
giving expression to public feeling that are
allowed in almost every civilized country, the
only alternatives left TO the Russian reformers
were submission or sedition. That they chose
the latter is not greatly to be wondered at !;
that they made their attacks upon the car,
personally, was due to the fact that the time
was not ripe for general revolution, and that
he was the head and the seat of government
al power.
The effect of the emancipation of 1860 is
at last showing itself The young race of
Russians who are growing up no longer look
upon the czar as the semi-divine father. They
have in some way acquired the belief that
they are free men, and that, as such, they
have rights which even the car should recog-
nize. This generation of FREE thinkers is still
young, and has not yet acquired an ascendancy
even in the country; but the day is not far
distant when it will have gained this position,
and, if the time for making concessions is de-
layed until then, the czar and his advisers may
find that the golden opportunity has passed,
and that chance for compromise is no long
err at their disposal. 1t is in consequence of
clear realization of the seriousness of the
situation that sentiment is springing up in
Western Europe that the only salvation for
the present imperial family of Russia is in
making such political reforms as shall accord
TO the people of that country the right to
elect representative assembly. The execu-
tive committee of the Nihilists have recently
issued manifesto, in which they ask for this
right and promise to disband as soon as it ia
granted The new car remains secluded at
his country seat, twenty miles from st. Peters
burg, painfully aware, evidently, that there ia
no safety for him at his capital. Threats and
warnings pour in upon him, seemingly with
out the aid of hands, coming even into his
private apartmentsi but as yet he makes no
sign of a concession to his people of the 30
cial and political privileges which are their
divine right. If he attempts to follow dog.
gedly in his fathers footsteps, we may look
for bloodier scenes in Russia than that coun-
try has yet experienced.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-06

The Massachusetts Legislature has made
another, and a rather formidable, attack up
on the liquor-dealers. For some time past
there has been law in that state which pro-
vdes that the keepers of drinking saloons
might be published for failure to obey what
is known as ''the screen act" This was east
ly evaded, and for all practical purposes was
not in force. Now, however, it has just been
amended by provision which makes it obi
gatory upon city and town authorities to see
that from the windows and doors of all drink
ing places there are removed shutters, cur
tains, blinds, and screens of every descrip-
ton which may in any way prevent full
view from the street of the interior of the bar,
its customers, attendants, and contents of
every sort. Still further, the law has been
strengthened by the enactment of a clause
which provides that any liquor-dealer who
shall have any ground or stained glass in his
window which interfereS with the view from
the streets shall be held TO be liable 70 the
penalties Of the act. To expose bottles, casks,
or any other articles in such a way as 10 OBJ
struot the view will in the future be also held
a misdemeanor. The obvious intent of the
law is to frighten OF the very large class of
people, particularly young men. who do not
like or cannot afford on account Of business
concessions to be seen drinking in public.
Already, however, the Boston saloon-keepers
have commenced 10 devise schemes for evad-
ing the new enactment. The most popular
and effective method of doing 80 which has
yet been discovered Is 10 wall up The street
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-06

tune in Bell telephone stock, would respond
from bis ample means in aid of his party in
the lifo-and-death struggle. Said Mr. Gar
field: II determined when entered on the
performance of my duties to have a thorough
investigation Of the alleged star-route frauds.
Having made up my mind to have this, moth
ing could swerve me from my course. l was
above intimidation or cajolery. But, had l
not been, there was absolutely nothing in that
letter TO Hubbell which could cause me mo-
ments uneasiness, much less cause me TO alter
my purpose. The letter having been given
to the world, the investigation will proceed
until its results can be made equally public.
shall maintain my course"
To show what this letter really means, Mr..
Hubbelps note, to which the presidents letter
is a reply, should BIO published. This would
probably indicate in what direction Brady was
expected to "holp effectually." 1t is strong
il not conclusive, evidence that the president
had not consciously solicited any favor from
the star-route ring, that Immediately upon his
accession to power he began the prosecution
of a rigid inquiry into their operations, which
all their threats could not prevail upon him to
dpeiai from
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-06

APPRAISAL OF RAILROADS. The Burlington
Free Press is very severe in its structures on
the action of the state board OF railroad ap-
praisers;
1.-THE law creating the board of railroad ap-
praisers says: I" who shall proceed TO
appraise the road-beds of the several railroad
companies in this state at their true
palue in money! as of the first day of April of
the year such appraisal is made Now tax.
ing the roads running into this city, the true
value of the Burlington and Lamoille road
bed would be about $15, 900 a mile, that of
the Rutland $25, 900 and that of the Vermont
and Canada not less than $50, 900. These
figures are of course rough estimates, but
they approximate the true value of the road
beds per mile. Now, what have the railroad
appraisers Gleason, Colburn and Dwinell-
doneY They have appraised the Burlington
and Lamoille at $250O the Rutland at only
$4,000 and the Vermont and Canada at $1,000.
Is there any reasonable construction of the
law under which such an appraisal can be
considered a compliance with its require
ments? It would appear TO be not only a
plain noncompliance with thelaw, but gross
injustice to other corporate and private tax
payers whose property is really appraised at
its true value"
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-06

The latest charge in the star route business
Is that under contract made by Brady, a
steamboat man last year received $29, $50 for
carrying an empty mail bag on the Mississippi
river between st. Paul and St. Louis. When
the service on the route was ordered the rail-
way postal officials protested that there was
no occasion for it as it would only delay the
mails some four or five days, but in spite of
this the Service" was continued and post
masters were ordered to make up and send
one empty pouch daily. The fraud was kept
up till March 31st last, when Postmaster
General James finally began to get the bust
ness of his department in his grasp. This
seems like very large story and it will be
interesting to find out just how much truth
there is at the bottom of it.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-06

The transition from the dreariness n,
winter 10 the loveliness Of spring was yerv
rapid.
Farmers are In the fields busily enpaosd
in preparing for planting.
Many schools commenced on Mondav
the I'd inst. In district No. 2, village school
Miss Alice Ballou OF Wilmington teaches tbs
higher department and Miss Alice NJ. Ste,-
son Of jacksonville the primary department
Miss Chloe Potter Of Guilford teaches in dis
trict No 3.
Sol. Eason and Otis Pike of this plaes
are engaged in remodeling and painting The
baptist church at Sadawga.
&C. II. Wilcox has disposed of all bis Tin.
ware and left town.
AT the late NJ. f. conference, held A,
Bradford, no one was appointed TO preach AT
Jacksonville and Sadawga.
The farm and personal property belong.
ing TO the estate OF the late Charles Putnam
will be sold at public auction, on the premises
on Saturday, May 9Th, sale to commence al
10 o'clock A. NJ.
Rev. ]. Clifford Of Wilmington will
preach at the Universalist church in this vii.
lage next Sunday, May sth, at II O'Clock A. n.
and for the present will preach one discourse
each Sunday. A Sunday school will be or.
ganized next Sunday or the Sunday follow.
inc
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-06

west BrattIebOro.

Israel Woods record shows so inches OF
snow during the past winter and one inch OF
rain during April. Mr.. Wood predicts dry
summer.
Eaton 4 Novel; are all ready for the spring
trade with large and complete stock OF goods,
which includes dry goods, groceries, boos
and shoes. farmers seeds aud tools, paper
hangings, etc. These gentlemen have shown
a commendable enterprise in tho management
of their business, and are reaping their re-
ward in a large and constantly increasing
trade.
Mrs. Sally stockwell Of this village reach
ed the uncommon age Of 102 years last Sat
urday, April 30th. The occasion was COM
memorated in the gathering Of more than a
hundred relatives and friends to pay suitable
respect to the aged one. Mrs Stockwell was
in good health, and cheerful, shaking hands
with nearly all who called on her. The pre-
ceding year had wrought but little change in
her family relations. Among her numerous
descendants no marriages, no births, and but
one death had occurred, that Of John II.
Stockwell who died April 10th. Numerous
aud valuable presents were received, and our
venerable friend was in no way injured by
the celebration.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-06

There is strong feeling among the stu
dents and the members of the Faculty of
Dartmouth College against President Bartlett,
and pc tition to the trustees for his removal
has been signed by nearly all of the twenty
five members of the Faculty. Those who are
dissatisfied claim that the President is often
harsh, overbearing and insulting; that he
discourages the departments of the college
which teach studies other than the classics !;
that in five years the number of students has
decreased nearly fifty and that the manner
in which he secured the election of Profess
sor of Greek recently was unfair and disin-
genuous President Bartlett is fully aware
of the feeling against him, but declines to re-
sign, is ready for fight, and says that the
attack upou him arises from personal spite
and enmity.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-06

1t was remarkable exhibition of ''cheek, {"
for there is no other word to express such
impotence, when the Senate caucus commit
tee went to the President on Monday and sug-
gested that he withdraw Mr.. Robertson's
name for Collector at New York SO as to pac-
ify Conkling and break the deadlock. 1t is
very gratifying to know that when the errand
of the committee was made known, the Presi-
dent laid his fist on the table with an empha-
sis which quite startled Mr.. Dawes, and re-
marked that he desired harmony in the Re-
publican party as much as anybody, but that
he was responsible for the nominations which
he had made. and he did not propose to with
draw one New York nomination unless he
withdrew them ALL
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-06

The WatohmAn sees no reason to be alarm
ed at 'the spectre of frightened capital STAN
peding beyond our state borders" because of
the new tax law
$50 far as any vital material interest of the
state is benefited by it, every dollar of capt.
al that will leave the state in consequence of
a law requiring it to pay its honest share in
supporting the government might as well
have remained locked up in the rock ribbed
gierras of California or Nevada. Such capital
does not build up the state. Our manufac-
turing commercial or agricultural, moral, ed
vocational or charitable interests receive no es-
sential support from it, and will hardly miss
it if it withdraws from the state. Such cap
itap is to the state what the parasite is to the
oak,-twining itself about it, supported by it,
sucking its juices, and rendering nothing III
return, but ultimately overwhelming and de-
stroying it."
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-06


1t is estimated that the grand list Of this
village will this year be over $4,000 against
$4,000 last year.
The recent parisbioners Of Rev. G. T.
Ogden have presented him with purse of
some 5000.
Mr.. and Mrs. +. A. Mitchell started
Thursday for Glen's Falls, N Y, where Mr..
Mitchell is to open a new drug store.
There is to be collar and elbow wrest-
ling match at Engine hall on Saturday evening,
between John Mcclure Of Brattleboro and F.
r. Wheeler of Newport, N. H., for $50 a
side.
AT the adjourned school meeting on
Monday evening, tax was voted Of 20 cents
on the dollar of the grand list, for the sup
port OF schools.
AT village meeting held on Tuesday
evening it was voted to build a system Of
sewers at an expense not exceeding $50, 900,
and Geo. A. Brown, N. s. Brockway and
Joseph Wilson we're chosen q committee to
build the sewers. Times.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-06

Prizes for excellence in composition
were awarded to the following students at
the seminary last Friday evening: Misses
Jessie NJ. Oorse and Gertie S. Eddy in class
A; A. H. Halliday, class B; j. Green
wood, class @: Minnie Harris, class d. Hon
CRADLE mention, also, was made of Miss Hat
tie Adams, class A, and Dorr Flint and VIM.
p BOyntOn, class @. A recitation by Miss
Pratt was warmly applauded and one by
Miss Adams received much praise. The clos
ing exercises of the term will consist Of oral
and written examinations Thursday and Fri.
day of next week, and public rhetorical exer.
cises and reunion Friday evening. Former
students are cordially invited. The wear
just closing has -beeR one of tho NEST, pfos
porous since the golden age" in the popu-
larity of the school under honored principal,
C..B. Smith.
Colds with q tendency 10 a severe lung
trouble are very common at the present time
Hon. Ira X Batchelder was last Sunday
chosen superintendent of the Congregational
Sunday school for the twelfth time in sue
eession. Rev. Charles Burnham was chosen
assistant superintendent Under the united
efforts of Judge Batchelder and Mr.. Burn
ham 1t is expected the school will continue in
prosperity and success. W.
Mr. Butler will exchange pulpits with
Mr., Cow of Brattleboro on Sunday next
The supper given by the ladies' aid soci.
ETY. was well attended and decided success.
The chorus class of the seminary gave q
public recital at the hall on Wednesday even
ing, which reflected much honor upon them
selves and teacher.
Our village is greatly in need of some pO-
nee authority. On Sunday evening last two
ladies' were molested ON the steps of the Bap-
ast church while passing out from meeting
On the same morning n young gentleman
and lady were attacked while riding home
rom church by six young rowdies, and obliged
70 return to the village for help. Door-bells
are rung and various vicious acts are COM
mitted almost every evening, and yet the ras-
Gals, who are well known, are allowed their
liberty. K.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-06

-AiraJile dietui Wonderful to relate
that all the teachers for the summer schools
In this town were properly licensed before
beginning their schools. There was full
attendance at the public examination April
3Oth, and nine teachers were licensed that
day: Another teacher, not present, who
holds state normal school certificate, was
prompt to notify the superintendent Of the
fact also where she was TO teach and when
the school would begin. Such promptness
and compliance with the requirement of
school laws is very commendable.
Now that examination day has passed, it
would be curious to know how many teach
ers in Windham county answered correctly
the question in history, "Where was the only
battle fought in Vermont during the Reyolu-
ton I" Hubbardton, and not Bennington,
would be correct answer. 1t does not ap
pear to be generally known, even among
teachers, that the battle of Bennington was
fought near a branch of the Hoosic river
about six miles from the village, and not on
the soil of Vermont DIN.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-06

The public examination Of teachers was
held at the school-house last Saturday. Not
a large number were in attendance. Miss
Martha +. Wilder is teacher in Bondville, and
began her school last Monday. Miss Hermie
Burbank is to teach in the Gale district, Miss
Stella Yearley in Winhall Hollow, and Mrs. E.
Z. Parsons in Grahamville.
Rev. Mr.. Mackie, who has been appoint
ed TO preach in this place, is expected TO be
present next Sunday, May Sth.
Quite sensation was caused in our neigh
borhood, Sunday night, by a woman Mrs
VIM. Wheeler) coming with a gentleman nam
ed Bowen and carrying away little boy, of
whom she is mother. Mrs. Wheeler and her
husband have not lived together for some
time, and the father has had charge Of the
child, hiring him kept at Warren Wheeler's.
Mr.. Wheeler thinks he will get the boy back,
but who has the best right to him remains to
be seen.
Mrs. Chas. Hosley is improving slowly
Mrs. Vespasian Benson, who has been an in
valid for a long time, is not as well.
Rev. H. F. Reynolds, our former pastor,
has been compelled to give up preaching for
the present, on account of poor health, and
has located at South Londonderry. He has
the sympathy of the entire community.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-06

Just at daylight on Tuesday morning,
George Davis OF Marshfeld, boot and shoe
manufacturer was aroused by a neighbor
knocking ut his door and asking Mr. Davis's
aid in some difficulty with his stock. Mr..
Davis sprang out of bed and was confronted
by burglar, who presented pistol and de-
manded his money. Mr.. Davis grappled
with the fellow, and in the tussle received
a bullet through his wrist The robber grab
bed a gold watch, smashed window and
went through it. After smart chase the
burglar was arrested at Peabody about noon
on Tuesday, by Sheriff Tuttle, and taken to
Montpelier and lodged in jail. He refuses TO
give his name and tells contradictory stories
as to who he is.
The grand list of Montpelier, real and
personal and polls, including the railroad
property, amounts to $36, 1928 46. The real
property exclusive of the railroad property,
foots up 81, 1872, 100; the personal property
81, 702, 0O1. 2S. The number of polls is 7Sl.
Last year the grand list was $l1, 343. The
increase is more than three-fold. Tho ag-
gregate of taxes OF all kinds will not exceed,
and probably will not equal, l40 cents, the
amount of the town tax alone a year ago.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-06


Rev. Paul Gallaher of Newburyport
Mass, will preach again in the Baptist church
next Sunday.
"A meeting will be held at the town hall
ON Saturday evening TO make arrangements
for the observance of Decoration day.
-stillman Eaton has lately moved from
Canada to this place.
Measles are prevailing TO some extent.
Work on Butterheld a Smiths soapstope
quarry was begun Monday.
The listers found four persons who
thought they would rather have the doubling
process tried on them than fill out their I'M,
yentories The largest tax payers are Geo.
W Hall, whose grand list is SIS, 1876, and Geo.
NJ Barrett, whose grand list is $I2, PA.
Last Thursday a horse owned by John
Ayers and driven by little Geo. Cooley became
frightened while coming down Chester hill
ran of the bridge into the river and died in.
stantly. George was thrown some Is feet
into the water, but fortunately escaped with
slight bruises.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-06


Charles Hale Of this town was the victim
OF fatal accident, which occurred last Sun.
day. A neighboring farmer, Mr. Elliot John
son, called upon him that day to get him to
go and help mend a fence, which the cattle
had broken through, and for the purpose Of
repairing it tree about foot in diameter
was chopped. Before it fell, rope and chain
were hitched to it TO pull it over in the right
direction, and when Mr.. Hale saw it coming
he called TO johnson TO get out of the way,
which he did, but was himself so tangled in
the underbrush that he could not escape. At
first his principal injuries appeared to be a
broken wrist and injured shoulder, and after
a physician had dressed his wounds it was
thought that he would recover. Later, how.
ever, he complained more Of an injury across
the abdomen, and expressed fears that he
would not recover, and death ensued the fol-
lowing morning.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-06
The FIghS of the Star Route Ring
against the PresIdehG.

The star route ring who have been loudly
Boosting that they would smash President
Garfeld's head if he didn't stop the investi-
cation of the star route frauds, showed their
hand on Wednesday in the publication of
letter written by Gen. Garfield during the
campaign to ]. A. Hubbell, chairman of the
Republican congressional committee, which
they claim contains damaging intimation
that the president was willing to profit by the
ring frauds. The day before the letter was
published, the president was advised conf
dentially by friend that the thing was COM
ing. ''Well, said the president, "let it come.
don't remember exactly what was in the let
ter, but nothing certainly that i am afraid Of"
The fact is, the members of the ring held the
document back several days after the time of
its intended publication, hoping the hints of
its contents which the president would get
would cause him 10 let up somewhat in the
investigation. But the plan failed utterly.
The following is said to be the letter
NENToR, O., Aug. %, 1880. Ny. Dear HubbeI-
Please say to Brady hope he will give all the
sistanee possible. think he can help enectually
Please tell me how the departments generally are do
TO Hon. J. 4. Hubbell, Washington, D. O.
To his friends the president says that in
writing the letter the star route CONTRACTORS
were neither referred TO nor thought Of, and
that the letter was simply the expression of a
hope that Brady, q citizen of Indiana, who
was reported TO have made an immense for
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-06
The HubBeII Letter.

The attempt now making by some of the
the president with them is in keeping with
their infamous business. The letter to Mr..
Hubbell of Ohio, on the strength of which
their insinuations are made, is innocent
enough, and precisely such letter as any
man, unconscious of the slightest wrong,
would have been likely to write under the cir
cumstances. The investigations meanwhile
are going on, and neither the president nor
the postmaster-general need have the slight
est fear that the country will misunderstood
them. 1t is evident that Gen. Brady and
those who defend his course do not under
stand the nature of public trust.