davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12

Four hundred citizens of Lacka-
wana county presented n petition in
the House of Representatives asking
proceedings to be instituted for the
impeachment Of Gov. Hoyt and Attor-
ney General Palmer. They charge
that the Governor and Attorney Gen
eral conspired corruptly to shield
kemble and other criminals from the
punishment due their crimes against
the law that they have confederated
with politicians to impose upon the
citizens of Lackawanna an unconsti-
tutional judiciary, in defiance of the
decision of the Supreme Court that
the said Attorney General, with the
approval of the Governor, has disre-
garded the petition of the citizens TO
test through quo warranto proceedings
the right of the associate judges of
said county to exercise judicial func-
tions. The petitioners express their
readiness TO present such facts as will
prove that said Hoyt and Palmer have
used their offices to carry out infrac.
tions of the Constitution and laws.
And what if they did? 1t would
form no exceptional case, and even if
the petition were received as a meri-
torious case, which we doubt, it would
not be one of sufficient mark to arrest
the attention of the majority of the
Legislature as now constituted. Off
cial infractions of the Constitution
and laws are too common to make them
novel. The people of Pennsylvania
seem satisfied with that kind of gov
ernment, and would scarcely be happy
under honest, conscientious officials
who could make the Constitution and
laws paramount to political or person
al advantage. No, proceedings of
this kind would be an unnecessary
waste of time, even if they had merit
as their base.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12

CoSKLISG set things up very nicely
in the Republican caucus TO handicap
the President in the matter of ap-
pointments. but things wouldn't stay
fixed. In agreeing to break the dead
lock and permit executive sessions to
be held, the wiley Senator had a rule
adopted that the objection of a single
Republican Senator from any State
should prevent action upon any ap.
pointment of the President. This was
to reach the case of Judge Robertson,
and prevent his confirmation for the
position of collector of customs at
New York, and still leave the chances
open for the confirmation of a number
of Coukling's personal friends, who
had also been nominated for various
positions. But the President headed
this little arrangement by withdraw
ing all thv New York appointments,
except that of Judge Robertson. This
action on the part of the President
has given him the advantage, but per-
haps intensified the fight with his inn
perious antagonist. 1t is now victory
or death.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12

WHY should the Republicans of
Pennsylvania go South to discover
whether free ballot is strictly
Observation-Disclosures the rights Of citi-
zens are properly respected? Let
them investigate Philadelphia, Ian
caster, or indeed any of the strong
Republican districts for information
of this character, but above all, let
them examine the disgraceful gerry.
Wandering Of the Legislative appor-
tionment bill recently introduced by
the chairman Of the Legislative Ap.
portionment Committee in the House
of Representatives. If this will not
satisfy them, they need not go South
or anywhere else to find evidence of
the most abandoned villainy--thc
most reckless disregard Of official
morality as well as the absence Of any
thing like decent respect for the
rights Of citizens and of communities.
This bill alone will furnish all the
needed data, without travelling out of
the State TO seek it.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12

The President is now engaged in
an effort to solve the conundrum a. to
who is President of the United States
whether james A. Garfield or Ros-
coe Conkling. The chances are in
favor of the former now, but the final
solution is not yet reached, and may
depend upon the stiffness of Garfeld's
backbone. If this weakens and fails
him in his contest with the New York
dictator, the Ohio statesman will fall
to the level of a third.rate Buckeye
politician.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12
The Party OF Jefferson aud other
Statesmen.

In speech recently delivered in
the United States Senate, Senator
Pendleton gave the Republicans notice
that their corrupt bargain with Ma
hone and the Virginia rcpudiationists
cannot be carried out. In closing his
eloquent speech Senator Pendleton
said
II was the Democratic party, not the
outrapes OF the South, against which
they tthe Republicans) made war. IL
was not the Confederate BrigadicTs it
was not the outrages upon the negro in
the South. But It was the hatred for the
Democratic party which inspired the
icryOr OF the Republican philanthropy.
The solution Of the Southern question
rested in harmony and good will be.
tween the races and against that solu.
ton the Republican party set its face.
What was the Bourbon Democratic
party? II was the party OF jefferson,
OF Madison, OF Monroe and of Polk
the party that had given Texas. New
Mexico and California 10 the Union.
II was the party which had long ago
made the Constitution and for sixty
years administered it 70 that in the
government there had been no law
higher than the Constitution. II was
the party that in the cycle of its years
had drawn TO itself every able and pa.
trlotlc statesman, who was not willing
10 walk in the awkward ways of sec.
tionallsm. it was the party which in
storm and tempest and winters blast
had stood like an ocean light house un.
moved and immoyable. while other par.
tics Including the boasted Republican
party had surged and swayed with un-
even and IncOnstant motion, like the
waves that obeyed the iitful bidding Of
the tickle moon. The spray might have
covered it, its side waters might have
washed its summit, but every reception
of the storm had shown its light was
unquenched and its lustre undimmed.
The Republicans asked that party 10
help them IN using the offices Of the
senate to debnuch the people Of Nir.
gnia. He said in conclusion "You
forget what the Senate is. You forget
what We are-onc half this Senate, the
peers OF you oil Representatives OF
states which, with slight limitations,
are sovereign you forget the character
OF the work in which you ask our co
operation. ! tell you now, ! tell you
here. you will not have that co.opera.
ton Tor that purpose at any time"
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12

MANY of our Republican friends
begin to realize that they have a
couple of Confederate elephants on
hand in the persons of Malone and
Riddleberger-not as to the men par.
ticularly, but the manner of obtaining
them by trade that no Senate ever
before was base enough to attempt.
The stencil will continue to be often.
sive, and no number of attempts at
disinfection will remove it.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12

PRESIDENT GARFIELD appears TO
have more backbone than he was
given credit for. He sticks to his ap.
pointment Of Robertson and defes
the power of the imperious Senator
from New York who demanded its
withdrawal a. a condition of his favor
and support. Instead, he, the Presi-
dent withdraws the appointments of
number Of Mr.. Conkling'- personal
friends, and thus emphasizes his de-
termination to assert his independence
of threats aud dictation in the dispen.
sation Of executive patronage. The
issue between these chiefs Of the Re
publican family isthus squarely joined.
Neither can withdraw from the con
test it involves without the exhibition
Of the most abject cowardice. 1t
is war for position only to be deter.
mined by the humiliation of one or
the other. The President has taken
the helm. Can he hold it,
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12
and The gross postal receipts

The bogus life insurance companies,
which are claimed 10 be founded upon
the cooperative principle, are still in
the active operation of their swindles
in different parts of this State. They
have recently placed policies of insur.
ance upon the life of feeble old col
ored woman in Harrisburg, eighty
years of age, to the amount of sl10,.
600. With such proof of their work,
can any sane person be deceivedl
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12

The evidence of the Star route
ring steals of Brady, Dorsey & Co.,
under the last administration, must be
very interesting reading to the retired
Fraud. He did not need any of the
swag thus floating around, as Tilden's
salary provided him a handsome com.
petence.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12

THE General Assembly of the Pres.
byterian church is to meet at Buffalo,
New York. on the 10Th of May, and
is expected to be in session two weeks.
This is the general legislative body of
the church, representing 5000 church
es and half a million communicates.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12
A MA.. MEErINe Of the eitinens Of

4 MASS MEETING of the citizens Of
Philadelphia who favor reform in
the manner Of collecting delinquent
taxes was held in the Academy Of
Music on Saturday evening. Among
the officers Of the meeting and speak.
crs were gentlemen Of prominence,
representing the reform element in
both political parties. There is a
bill now pending in the Legislature
for the repeal of the law Of 1879
under which separate department
for the collection of delinquent taxes
was created. The delinquent tax Of
fee is n regular bonanza for the
" ring politicians, and the mass
meeting on Saturday was called main.
ly TO give expression TO the sentiment
Of the independent voters in favor Of
Its abolition.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12
STANLEY MATTHEWS i not TO Be

STANLEY MATTHEWS is not to be
an Associate Judge of the Supreme
Court. The Judiciary Committee of
the Senate have reported adversely to
the confirmation. Mr.. Lamar, il APP
pears was the only member Of the
committee who favored an affirmative
report.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12

IT appears from Investigations that
there are a number of Philadelphians
connected with the Star route frauds
in which one Congressman, at least
seems to be implicated. Congressman
Harmer will probably be called upon
for explanations.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12
The authori,;e. at Washington have

THE authorities At Washington have
caused the arrest Of several persons in
Philadelphia on the charge of fraud
in connection with the Star route mail
contracts now undergoing iuvc,tiga.
ton. This may be all right. But
why not tackle some of the corrupt
officials who were in collu.ion with the
contractors? We believe with the
Philadelphia Record that merely ask
ing Brady and McGrcw to resign,
while beginning criminal suits against
such small fry as Funk, Black, Black
man and Cason, seems to the outside
public very crab.like way Of going
at the Star route rascals. What kind
Of a net il il that enmcshcs the little
fish and lets the big ones resign 2"
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12

THE New York Times makes loud
call upon the Senate caucus to unload
Gorham, the Republican.Mahone can
didate for Secretary Of the Senate. 1t
says the Republican party can better
afford to do without the aid of Malone
than they can afford to carry so prom.
inent an apologist of the Star route
ring frauds. The President appears
to be in perfect accord with the Times,
so far as Gorbam is concerned, but
they might probably both possess them
selves in peace, as the Democratic Sen.
ators have already served notice of
the unfitness Of the caucus nominees.
Thsir doom is certain in spite of Re
publican efforts in their favor.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12

BTLLINGsLEY, of Washington coun-
ty, and perhaps Myers, of Venango,
are the mere echoes and rural agents
of the Philadelphia roosters in the
Legislature. They are relied upon to
lead the country Republicans in any
dirty business the roosters may have
on hand. Billingsley's apportionment
bill will show what kind of dirty job
he is now required to favor.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12

GEo. G. GoRHAM, the Malone Re
publican candidate for Secretary of
the Senate, who is also the editor of
the Washington National Republican,
is defending the Star route thieves.
In doing so, he bitterly attacks the
President for permitting the investiga-
tion to be made, and threatens him
with exposure. He intimates broadly
that the President asked that a por-
ton of the thieves swag should be
applied to carrying the elections in
Indiana and New York. Gorham
ought to know al about it. He was
there.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12

SENATOR CoNKLING on Monday
last made his great effort in the Re-
publican caucus, and announced some
damaging statements rejecting upon
the sincerity and reliable character of
the President. He charges him with
straight-out lying and deception in re-
gard to the appointment of Judge
Robertson to the collectorship of New
York. The fight between the great
Republican leaders promises rich de-
velopments of character that may
prove interesting summer reading to
the party of great moral ideas" Let
the funeral procession move on.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12

IN Auburn, New York, a negro was
appointed q policeman, and in conse-
quence the chief of the force and one
other resigned. They could not de-
grade their responsibility by serving
with "the man and brother" If this
had occurred in the South, the bloody
shirt would have waved and Dawes
and others would howled themselves
hoarse with indignation over the out
rage against the rights of the colored
citizen. But what is proper enough
in the North, is criminally improper
in the South.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12

HENRY WARD BEECHER, in pass
ing through Maryland the other day,
was served with a writ at the suit of
the Maryland Agricultural and Me-
chanical Society, who claim to have
been damaged to the amount of $40.
900, by the excentric divine. 1t APP
pears that Mr.. Beecher engaged to de-
liver lecture at one of their fairs
which was extensively advertised to
draw a large crowd. He failed to
fill his engagement, and the Society
bring suit to recover damages.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12

Two hundred Mormon proselytes
from Europe lately landed in New
York. Announcements Of this kind
are not uncommon. Why do not some
of the missionary societies send out
able men to antagonize the work of
the Mormon recruiting agents? Or
why not start colonization societies so
that poor persons who desire to come
TO the United States TO better their
fortunes need not embrace a vulgar
faith in order to secure transportation
and get home when they arriveg
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12

THE deadlock in the Senate had
to succumb to the unfaltering purpose
of the Democrats to prevent a great
wrong; but when is the Malone Re-
publican treaty to be ratified? Cor
ham and Riddleberger would like to
know.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12

POSTMASTER JAMES has created
quite CONSERVATION among the thieves
since his connection with the Post
office Department. He unearths the
astounding fact that over s2,000,000
have been stolen annually for four
years by the Star route thieves. This
in one department only, under the
Christian statesman who administered
the affairs of Government through
successful fraud.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12
Clearfeld, Pa, May, 1851.

TROUBLE for the Republican.Ma-
hone treaty is thickening. The situa.
ton is not at all lovely for the Sena-
torial contractors. Gorham and Rid
dleberger are virtually laid out cold +;
war TO the knife, is inauguratcd be-
tween the administration and the stal.
wart Senator of New York and his
lieutenants. The treaty IL not rati.
fed and there is no PROBABILITY that it
will be, while honest Republicans in
Virginia repudiate the union with the
Malone faction and the conservative
Readjusters denouDce the effort to sell
and transfer them to the Republican
party for a few paltry offices. Indeed
the Republican control of the Senate
by an assumed majority disgracefully
if not unlawfully attained by the cast
ing vote Of the Vice President does
not pan out in the hopeful results ex.
pected.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12

GEN. GRANT has made a speech in
the city of Mexico, in which he dis
claims any intention of gobbling up
that country or of converting it into
an empire. He doubtless has lively
recollection of the fate of Maxamil-
ian, besides the restless ex-President's :
aspirations for empire may be in an
other direction. He has given cause
for such belief to many Of his coun-
trymen.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12

The Philadelphia Times shows how
the Star route plunderers thrivcd un-
der Brady by giving a statement of
five routes in which the contracts were
raised from s1G6, 800 - to s744, 1876,
when the entire postal receipts TO the
government from them were only $685..
1857. The first route is in Texas,
the second in New Mexico. the third
in Dakota and Montana, the fourth in
Wyoming and the fifth in Arizona.
The following table exhibits the origi.
nal bids, the increase made by Brady
and tho urosa f,Csfal vacaipts
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-12-03
a Terrible Booium Snake.

The people of the village of Green
Bank, N. j., are greatly excited over
the appearance of strange beast in
the swamps along the river. He is
not seen in the daytime, but makes
the woods resound with his cries at
night. Only one man has been able
to obtain a good look at the creature,
and he is fisherman living on the
edge of the river. He processes to
have been around the world, but says
he never saw anything like this crea-
ture. According to his story, the
animal is composed of two distinct
species of the natural Kingdom. The
fisherman saw the creature at mid
night by the light of the moon as it
came out ofthe swamp and approach
ed the river. He says it was more
like a bear than anything else when
he first saw it, only 1t went faster than
bears travel, and gaye utterance to
sounds such as no other beast ever ut
tered. When it approached the wa
ter's edge it suddenly threw itself on
the ground, and in an instantits limbs
were drawn up out of sight, and the
body and tail of a huge fish took their
place. The creature then jumped into
the river and swan rapidly out of
sight. Mothers keep their children in
the house afier dark and the men go
around armed. One young man saw
the gIaring, hideous eyes of the crea-
ture the other evening, and fired seven
shots. at it. The only effect the shots
had was tO cause the cries of the ami.
NAL to cease for moment, only to be
renewed with increased vehemence
soon after. On Wedne esday night a
meeting was held and an organized
band formed whose object it is to hunt
down the uncanny beast and kill 1t.
The band is DIVIDED into two GEM
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-12-03
The Earth Drying Up.

Ihere Is abundant evidence that
theamount of water on the surface
q tne earth has been steadily diInip-
ls''lng for many thousands of years.
Nl one doubts that there was a time
Mpen the Caspian Sea communicated
Nltii the Black Sea, and when the
l ~ & sterranean cnvcred the greater
Bir; ofthe Dcsert0f sahara. LII fact,
biologists tell us that at one period
the Whale of the earth was covered
by water, and the fact that continents
ct dry land now exist is proof that
there is less water on our globe now
than there was in its infancy. This
diminution of our supply of water is
going on at the present at a rate so
rapid as to be clearly appreciable.
The rivers and smaller streams of
our Atlantic States are visibIy smaller
than they Were twenty-five years
ago. Country brooks in which men
now living weIe accustomed to- fish
and bathe in their boyhood have in
many cases totally disappeared, not
through any act of man. but solely
III consequence Of the failure of the
springs and rains which once fed
them. The leve of the great lakes
is falling year by year. There are
many piers on the shores of lake side
cities which vessels once approached
with ease, but which now hardly
reach to the edge of the water. Har-
bors are every ywhere growing shallow
er. This is not due to the gradual
deposit of earth brought down by
rivers or OF refuse from city sewers.
The harbor of Toronto has grown
shallow in spite of the fact that it has
been dredged out so that the bottom
rock has been reached, and all the
dredging which can be done to the
harhor of New York will not per-
manently deepen it. The growing
shallowness of the Hudson is more
evident above Albany than it is in
ItfTe side-water region, and. like the
outlet of Lake Champlain, which
was once navigable by Infian canoes
at all seasons, the upper Hudson is
new almost bare of water iii many
places during the summer. In all
other parts of the world there is the
same steaGy decrease ct water in rivers
and lakes, and the rainfall in Europe,
where scientific observations are
made, is manifestly less than it was
at a period within mans memory.
What is becoming Of our water?
Obviously it is not disappearing
through evaporation. for in that case
rains would give back whatever water
the atmosphere might absorb. We
must accept the theory that, like the
water of the moor, our water is sink
ing into the earth's interior.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-12-03
Salt for the Throat.

In these days, when diseases of the
throat are so universally prevalent,
and in so many cases fatal, we feel it
our duty to say word in behalf OF
most effectual, if not positive, cure
for sore throat.
For many years past, indeed we
may say during the whole of life
OF forty years, we have been subject
to sore throat, and more particularly
to dry hacking cou gh which is not
only distressing to ourselves, but to
our friends with whom we are
brought into business contact.
Last fall we were induced to try
what virtue there were in common
salt. We commenced by using it
three times day-morning, noon
and night. We dissolved large table
spoonful of pure table-salt in about
half small tumbler full Of water.
With this we gargled the throat most
thoroughly just before meal time.
Inc result mas been that during the
entire winter we were not only Tree
from coughs and colds, but the dry
hacking cough has entirely disap-
peared.
We attribute these satisfactory re-
suits solely to the use of salt gargle,
and most cordially recommend a trial
of it to those who are subject to dis.
eases of the throat.
Many persons who have never
tried the salt gargle have the impress
sion that it is unpleasant. Such is
not the case. On the contrary, it is
pleasant, and after a few days use no
person who lOyes nice clean mouth
and first-rate sharpener of the ap-
petite will abandon it.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-12-03
Crane Dance.

A hunter from Minnesota describes
a crane dance seen by him recently in
that State. AT mile distant from
where he and his companions stood
were seen, on a lew, sandy spot of
ground, 10 cranes in a row. There
was one which appeared to be the
leader. who strutted up and down
the line like drum major. First
the center pair of cranes would waltz
out about five feet from tie line,
salute each other, touch their bills,
and polka around to the ends. Then
the next pair would come out as did
the first and repeat the performance
with perhaps more skill and grace.
Some appeared very akward, and
were apparently beginners, while
Others were very graceful in their
movements. After watching them
an hour or so the four hunters went
toward them with the intention of
getting near enough for shot, but
the revelers became frightened and
flew away. The hunters say they
never laughed so heartily as they did
over this remarkable performance. -
Chicago Tribune.