davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-15

Editor Morning Nes0s; While l
do not endorse the entire article of
EBAY Street." in the Sunday zels-
gram. agree with him in the obliga-
ton resting upon US Of honoring the
memory Of Washington In an appropri.
ate manner. No other man as great as
Washington has been born in America,
and no man greater born in any
other country is recorded in history.
AS has been said of him by distin-
gulshed writer, che filed the measure
of his country's glory, and exalted
his own political and military
fame and private character far above the
standard of excellence attained by the
greatest man of modern or ancient times;
on every occasion he performed
his duty to his country not only with
that fidelity and devotion which became
a good citizen, but with that wisdom,
affection, and paternal solicitude which
have obtained for him, by the unanimous
voice of mankind, the title of Father
of his Country"
To honor such a man is a privilege.
and fortunate should that people esteem
themselves who have such 'father" to
honorl Especially isit our peculiar right,
in the Southern States, to pay reverence
to his nobility of character and patriot
ism, terminated and developed in one of
them. If the memory Of Washington is
dear to the country at large, should it
not be dearest to usp and should we not
jealousy honor itH
am under the impression that
Washington's birthday is by law a
national holiday. But il it is not, why
not make it one by common consent, and
abandoning business for the day, re-
fresh our own virtue by sacrificing a
little Of our pecuniary interests at the
shrine of one who so nobly illustrated
its beauty and power by life long
devotion to his countrys welfare?
Is it then suggesting too much that the
citizens of Savannah meet IN mass to-day
Tuesday, at 10 m, at the Exchange, to
make suitable arrangements for gen.
eral observance of the 22d of February,
Washington's birthday. by the clergy,
societies, military and citizens generally.
Fl. G. w.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-15

DELAWARE AT CowPENs -Hon. Thos.
f. Bsyard has written to Mayor Courte-
nay, of Charleston, s. O., informing him
that he has requested the Speaker Of the
Delaware House of Representatives to
recommend prompt and favorable action
in regard to the commemorative celebra-
ton of the battle of Cowpens, and con-
fidently anticipates resolution Of sym
pathetic tenor and an appropriation OF
money to assist the proposed celebration.
Mr.. Bayard says the people of Delaware
''have every reason to cherish with pride
those victories gained in the cause OF
American independence, In which their
forefathers bore brave and conspicuous
part. from Long Island all the way
south to the fields of Camden, Kings
Mountain and Cowpens, in South Caro-
lima"
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-15
TAPPING THE WIRES.

In the United States Senate Yesterday,
the postal appropriation bill Was considered
and passed. Messrs. Bayard, WhYte and
Beck opposed the subsidy amendment, and
It was finally laid on the table. The House
funding bill was taken up, but was inform
ally laid over to come up to-day as the reg
ular order. The Senate, after transacting
some business Of minor importance, sd-
iourned az a mark OF respect TO the memory
OF the late Hon. Fernando Wood.
In the House Mr.. TowRshend, of Illinois,
introduced q bill fixing the first Monday In
November as the time for the assembling OF
Congress. The bill making Chattanooga a
port OF delivery was passed. resolution
was introduced defining the policy Of the
United States In the matter Of interoceanic
canals. It was referred to the committee
OF the whole. The death Of Hon. Fernando
Wood was announced. Resolutions Of re-
-spect we're adopted, and the Honse, as
further mark Of respect to his memory, ad-
iourned.
IN the rowing contest yesterday for the
championship Of England and the Sports
mans challenge cup and 1000, Hanlan
defeated Laycock easily by about four
lengths.
Hon. Fernando Wood died at the Hot
Springs, Arkansas, on Sunday night.
The New York stock market opened
strong and was marked by much huctus-
tlon during the day. A number Of stocks
went up and down at lively rate, and the
market closed weaker on an aggregate OF
sales amounting to cor, 600 shares.
Latest advices from Panama give a de-
tailed account Of the desperate battles
which sealed the fate Of Peru. The &C
count is from Gillian sources, and states that
the ChiIians entered Lima amid profound
silence. Refugees were succored by the
neutral squadron. Business is being re-
sumed, though owing to Peruvian pride in
refusing the Gillian oyertures, martial law
prevails.
The Paris correspondent Of the London
Tunes saws the Revue F0luiQiIs denounces N
st. Hnaire's attitude upon the Greek ques-
ton as fraught with danger to the peace Of
Europe The Reu1se's attack Is said to be
inspired by Gambetta.
Sir VIM. Vernon Harcourt said in the
House Of Commons yesterday that the CO.
ercion act contemplated the exercise Of dis
erection on the part Of the Home Secretary
TO open letters. He refused to state whether
any had as yet been opened. Mr.. Owen,
Radical. gave notice Of further inquiries Cd
the subject.
Reports of the widespread storms and
freshets continue to pour in. Trains have
been abandoned in Illinois. Railroads had
. to be dug out In various sections. The
Southern fast mail is suspended. Terrific
SHOWS are reported in various parts OF the
West. The snow blockade is general
throughout the Northwest.
At meeting Of the Limerick branch Of
the Land League yesterday, It was asserted
that the government did not purpose
abridging the right OF free assembly or free
speech.
A fire in Charleston yesterday involved q
loss Of $4,000.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-15
The Opportunity for Moon Hunters.

The increasing splendor of Venus must
attract the attention of every one who
glances at the western sky after sun
down. She is fast approaching the
earth, and in few weeks very slight
magnifying power will show her as a
beautiful crescent. 1t is a curious fact
that the great brilliancy of Venus has
baff1ed the astronomers who have sought
to learn something of the physical as
poet of the planet. The most exquis-
itely constructed telescopes are unable
70 penetrate the dazzling veil thrown
around this planet by the sunlight re-
hected from its surface. This is the
more disappointing because there are
many reasons for believing that Venus
is IN condition more nearly resembling
that of the earth than any other planet.
The scantY records of the glimpses
that astronomers have caught of
mountains and continent out
lines upon Venus serve only
to excite the curiosity of readers. One
of the disputed questions in astronomy
is whether Venus has a moon. Several
observers have declared that they have
seen such a satellite. Others, with
means of observation equal or better,
have laughed at the assertion. Mr..
Proctor classes Venus moon among the
myths Of astronomy. He, however, put
the planet Vulcan in the same category
some years ago, but Profs. Swift and
Watson, since their observations of the
planet in 1877, could probably show him
convincing reasons for considering it as
fact instead of myth. Just SO the
notion Of Mars having a moon was
laughed at until 1879, when Prof. Hall
found two moons revolving around the
ruddy planet. Some sharp eye at the
telescope may, in like manner, set at
rest the question of Venus moon, and
there is now good chance to try.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-15
The Spectre Of the Ball Room.
Wdsh{n0tOn Post

It has been said that the number of
tickets sold to colored people for the in.
auguration ball is, thus far, greatly in
excess Of the number sold to white PEG
pie. Whether this is a true or exag
gerated statement, there is no doubt that
our American gentry of African descent
are buying largely, as they have the
valid right to do, and exhibiting thereby
a patriotic determination that the fes
tivities shall not be a failure through any
fault of theirs.
Strangely enough. however, the re
port seems to have struck the higher
ATTITUDES of Republican society with a
frigoriflc wave of CONSERVATION. In
some quarters the intelligence is re-
ceived with silent and sullen indigna
ton; in others with a sense Of overpow
ering despair at an intrusion which sc
threatens to upset the prophecies and
sour the creme de la creme of the occa.
sion.
But how is it to be helped?
In the name of the lamented Lincoln
and in the eye Of the latter law, we are
supposed to be free people. The foun
dalton stones of our institutions arc
labeled Liberty" Equality" Fra
ternity," and the constitutional amend
ments have carefully wiped out all fas.
diOus determinations on these cardinal
points.
The complaiuants in the case, more
over, seem to misunderstood the nature
of the coming jubilee. 1t is not gotten
up in order that select few may have a
chance to display a regal magnifcence
of toilets or a rare resplendency OF
Jewels, but it is in purport, if not essen
TALLY, an affair of the people-especially
of the people who helped to put General
Garfield where he is.
In this instance, all distinctions oil
caste, all considerations of fashionable
propriety, all pretensions to nobility OF
rank, all claim to superiority of birth,
blood, position, sink to the mercenary
level of five dollar bill, without regard
to race, color, or previous condition OF
servitude.
Such is a view of the matter taken
from disinterested, unprejudiced, De
mocratic standpoint The promiscuous
INTERVIEWING of the races in the mystic
mazes of the waltz may not be an agree
able contemplation to the choicer sprigs
and flowers of our American aristocracy,
but is it not high time that people who
have made such contacts and contrasts
socially possible, should accept the con
sequences with a more loyal grace, and
cease to turn up their noses at the mex
orable logic of events2
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-15
Deeadence Of the American Mer-
chant Marine.


Mr.. David A. Wells, the well known
political economist, is publishing in the
New York World q series Of essays
upon our American marine, which pre-
sent some very interesting figures, show
ing its decadence. In the issue Of that
paper of the 9Th inst. appears the second
of these articles, and in it Is shown that
our aggregate tonnage of every descrip-
ton has declined from 5,539.813 tons
since 1860, to 4,O6S. O34 in 16S0-a re-
duction of over 20 per cent. Our ton
mage engaged in foreign trade has de-
clined during the same period from
,496, s94 tons to 1874, 402 tons-a re-
duction of A. per cent. The aggregate
of tonnage of every description built in
the United States in 1856 was $50, 45O;
in 1861, 23S, 1874 tons, and in 1880, 49,
400 tons-a reduction since 1855 Of
20 per cent, and since 1861 Of 81
per cent. And. says Mr.. Wells, chow
rapidly furthermore this former great
branch of American industry is decaying
may be also illustrated by the statement
that the American tonnage built in 1880
was 81, 622 less than in 1879, and
rs. O95 tons less than in 1878. There was
a falling off in the shipbuilding of the
New England States during 1880 of
$500 tons as compared with 1879,
A. O12 tons as compared with 1873, and
1O5, 1913 as compared with 1875; while
for our entire seaboard-Atlantic, Gulf
and Pacifc-the tonnage built in 1880
was 142, 755 tons less than the product
of 1875"
But the most striking illustration of
the tremendous decadence which our
foreign maritime commerce has expert
enced are shown in the changes which
have taken place in the past twenty-five
years. During the period between 1855
and 1860 there was at least million and
i half of American tonnage exclusively
in foreign employ, carrying cargoes
from foreign ports to foreign ports for
foreigners. to be used by foreigners, and
in which business Americans had no
direct interest but to receive in cash
their freight money, to be sent
home and added to the productive
capital of the country" OF this
so small a portion yet remains
that Mr. Wells hesitates to speak of it,
because it cannot be ascertained with
accuracy. He. however, presents still
more discoursging picture. for he shows
by figures that the percentage of exports
and imports carried in American vessels
have declined from 75.2 per cent. in 1855,
to ia per cent. in 1880. These figures
we reproduce, for as he says Nothing
like it is to be found in American
history" They are as follows:
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-15

tained-tlereby creating monopolies,
and, as 3Ir. Wells forcibly expresses
it, ''hir-ig people to do what
naturally it is not their interest
to do" 1t cannot be many years before
the great llasses of the people of the
United States must refuse longer to sub
nit to the exactions Of the Eastern ship
builders. Certainly the evils Of a pro-
tective system could not possibly be
more strikingly illustrated than they are
by considering the practical effect of
the unjust navigation laws of the coun-
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-15

The Boston Fish Bureaus report con-
tains a table giving the number of larger
vessels engaged in the New England cod
fishery, crews, and quantity of fish
caught during the year. The Massachu-
sets feet numbers $40, New Hampshire
IA. and Maine 1889; total for New Eng
land $40 vessels. with 6,O6S men, The
total catch Of fish by these vessels foots
up Ga, 426 quintals. 1t is estimated
that the small fishing boats on the coast
caught about 100000 quintals Of fish in
addition to the above, so that the entire
New England catch may be put down
at about !, 600, 900 quintals, which, at a
low valuation, is estimated to be worth
a.. 500. 900.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-15
During the Presidential campaign

During the Presidential campaign of
1880, one Republican claim was that
specie resumption had been brought
about solely and wholly through the
labors of Secretary Sherman and the
Republican party. The Republican
press, aided by such independent papers
as the New York Herald, supported this
absurd claim and ridiculed the Demo.
cratic assertion that the very favorable
balance of trade resulting from great
crops here and crop failures in Europe,
was the principal factor in bringing
about the equality of coin and paper
values. Now, the campaign having
ended, the New York Herald says: "Our
resumption of specie payment has thus
far been fair weather experiment The
strain will come when the favorable con-
dition of the foreign exchange shall be
reversed. 1t is not to be expected that
the harvests of Europe will continue to
be as bad as they have been for the last
three years, nor that our own crops will
always be as superlatively good. When
ever the vicissitudes of the seasons shall
arrest our exceptionally heavy exporta-
tons and gold flows out of the country
as rapidly as it has Of late been flowing
in, the solidity of our financial system
will be tested"
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-15

The women of Texas have triumphed
in one Of their measures, which promises
to reward them with substantial benefits.
They have passed through the Legisla-
ture, in the face of determined opposi
ton, resolution requiring that women
shall be employed in all the State de-
partments for every position they are
competent TO fill upon the same terms
and conditions as men. The heads OF
departments, it appears, have hitherto
declined TO give the women any public
employment, but, Notwithstanding the
fact that the ladies have no votes, when
they brought their influence to bear upon
the Legislature, they proved more pow
erful than those who elect legislators.
A relative Of the late General Sam.
Houston was the special champion OF
the ladies' cause in the State Senate.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-15
Another War In West Africa.

1t would appear from the latest dis.
patches, that the British Government is
about to be plunged into a war with
the Ashantees on the West Coast of
Africa, and the troubles of the Gladstone
Ministry are becoming intensified. What
with war already in one part Of South
Africa against the Beers and in another
part against the Basutos; with the
Afghan war still unsettled, and disaffec-
ton Of SO grave type in Ireland that
large bodies of troops have had TO be
sent there to overawe the Land Leaguers,
while vessels of war are patrolling the
coast for the purpose of interceptiDg by
sea military supplies, the resources of
the government are already put to q
serious strain. 1t is possible that the
Ashantee war may be tided over, but
the fact that the Governor OF the
Cape Coast colony has applied to
Sierra Leone for reinforcements, and
that at a special council held at
the War Office on Saturday it was de-
cided to take measures to meet the emer-
gency, would seem to indicate that the
danger of hostilities is imminent. The
entire population of the Cape Coast
colonies does not much exceed fifty
thousand, and of this number but small
proportion are Europeans The popula-
ton of Ashantee ranges from one to
three millions. It's government is a
military aristocracy. The King controls
the ordinary administration of affairs,
but in matters of peace or war he is
bound to consult his feudal chiefs,
through a council of caboceers or
captains. King Coffee, whose formal
notice of belligerency has caused so much
alarm on the Gold Coast and no small
anxiety in London, is the same King
whose forces were so signally put to the
rout by Sir Garnet Wolseley in 1874.
With twenty-four hundred Europeans
and swarm of Fantee allies that British
commander crossed the Prah river on
the Goth of January, and after heavy
fighting on two occasions pushed through
the swamps and jungles to Coomassie,
the Ashantee capital, which he captured
on the 4th of February, and nine days
later concluded terms of peace. In that
war King Coffee had forty thousand men
in arms, and but for the prompt arriva!
of the British forces and the consum.
mate generalship of Sir Garnet Wolse
ley would have laid waste the Cape Coast
country with fire and sword, as the vic
torious Ashantee army did in 1922,
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-15
WashingtOn's Birthday.

Few will disagree with our cores
pondent II. @. W." as to the patriotic
duty Of our people to commemorate with
fitting observances the birthday of
Washington. Especially is If proper that
the people Of the South should honor
the natal day of the illustrious Southron
who was indeed First in war, first in
peace. and first in the hearts OF
his countrymen, and whose true
heroism, self sacrificing patriotism, wise
craftsmanship, and exalted purity OF
character stand unparalleled in the an
nails Of this or any other country. To
no memory would Savannah more
cheerfully do honor, and we hope to see
the approaching anniversary appropri
ately celebrated, even though there may
not be sufficient time to inaugurate in
this busy season a demonstration such
as our correspondent suggests.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-15

Old Bob Keyworth is noted in Calves
ton for being an exceedingly stingy land
lord. Jim Groce was paying him $50 Z
month for an old, weather beaten house
He asked to have it painted, but his re
quest was refused, and he did the work
himself. AS soon as the painting was
over Keyworth raised the rent to $25
"Why do you raise the rentf" asked
Jim. ION account of the improvement,
replied the old man. "You know the
house has just been painted, and new
ly-painted house is always worth 81
more than a shabby one.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-15

INDIGNANT TAXPAYERS. - The tax
payers of New York city are expressing
themselves in pretty strong terms against
bill now before the State Senate, and
which is likely to become law, authoriz-
ing the Board of Education to provide
for the training of public school pupils
in New York in the knowledge and
practice of swimming and in the use of
life preservers; to furnish accommoda-
tons for such purposes, and to make al
needful rules and regulations therefor,
and for the number and compensation of
instructors employed. The argument
against this sort of legislation is, that it
proposes to make the taxpayers bear the
cost of business which, strictly speak
ing, is not within the legitimate province
of a common school education; that
while it is desirable that every pupil
should learn to swim, he can acquire the
art, without any additional legislation,
in the free baths which the city has al
ready provided at large expense.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-15

1t was expected by the American com
mittee on the revision of the New Tesla
ment that the book would be published
and ready for delivery in this country
during the present month, but it is now
announced on the authority of cable
dispatch received by DR.. Philip Schaff,
President of the American committee,
that the publication win not be made
until May. The announcement in New
York Sunday paper that the book was
to be overhauled and the word "hell
restored in the places where "hades
had been used DR.. Schaff says was en-
tireIy without authority, The new book
cannot be again revised or altered in any
way without the action of the American
committee, and no such action is con-
templated. They have got it in pretty
good shape now.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-15

The London Times, in a recent sharp
article ON Greece, gives that spunky
little power to understand that If she
goes to war not a power on the CONT
nent will help her, and that she need not
depend on Gladstone's Hellenistic SYM
pathies for Eugland's backing, as the
British Government has more weighty
matters to attend to. This may all be
true, and yet it is evident that a Greek
invasion of Turkey is likely to stir up
the whole non Mohammedan population
of Thrace, Epirus, Macedonia and Al.
bania to formidable instruction
against the Porte, which may result in
the extinction of Turkish power in Eu.
rope, and engender a continental war
over the spoils without, however, bene-
filing Greece q particle.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-15

The fee Of doctors is an item that very
many persons are interested In just at
present. We believe the schedule for visits
is So, which would tax q man confined to
his bed for year, and in need OF daily
visit, over 81 900 year for medical attend
ance alone And one single bottle of Hop
Bitters taken in time would save the 81 900
and all the years sickness.--M.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-15

Butler of South Carolina Still lives,
Notwithstanding the fact that he ex.
posed himself to humiliation when he
def1ed the senior Senator from New
York. II Butler be wise and prudent, he
will lose no time in putting up pair of
hooks behind his bed at his boarding
place 2.O17 street, Washington, d. c.,
and will suspend thereon double-bar-
relied shots gun charged with buck shot,
as the only feasible means of averting
the wrath of Mr.. Conkling. Albany (N.
r Times
A shot gun of the Canonchet pattern
would best answer the purpose.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-15

Eads says of his ship railway subsidy
bill that it ''does not propose to give the
United States the right Of eminent do
main in Mexico" Captain Eads is-not
up to the American policy" Of the
House Foreign Affairs Committee, who
hold that the United States has the right
Of eminent domain over the North and
South American Continents.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-15

Complaints have reached Washington
that the Government Superintendent Of
the Hot Springs reservation in Arkan-
sas Is too much under the influence Of a
ring which has lately been organized for
the purpose of controlling the water
privileges.