davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

lfFOm the new 1ork Evening POST
Until the senators shall vouchsafe an expla-
nation of their course there is wide room for
conjecture as TO its meaning. II is hard to
conceive of any theory consistent with the
dignity and manliness which are the most OBJ
vious qualifications for their high Office. II
they have resigned in a pet because they
have not been allowed to have their way, the
act is contemplate in its childishness. II
their object is to revenge themselves upon
the President and the Republican party, not
only is the proceeding undignifed and un-
manly, but it is not clear how it can be effect
ual. Mr.. Conklng and Mr.. Plat are strong
er leaders in the senate than out of it. They
scarcely can make an effective fight by dis
orderly retreat from the field Of battle. If
they are seeking an Endorsement" of their
conduct by means of reelection, the expert
ment is dangerous to make with legislature
that little while ago unanimously approved
the nomination of Robertson. Perhaps after
all, the simpest explanation is the true one.
Perhaps Conkling and Plat have concluded,
il the senate is anything more than an instru-
ment for the distribution of patronage, their
occupation is gone. They can do the state
no further service, if this shall turn out to be
the truth. Grateful people will treat them
magnanimously and will even share the obvi-
GUS comment that nothing in their political
life has become them like their leaving it,
From the Milwaukee Republican,
Conkling will find that he has greatly mis-
taken the temper of the people. The people
recognize Garfield as President and they will
sustain him in making such nominations to
office as he thinks proper and in having them
considered and acted upon by the senate.
from the San francisco Bulletin.l
The better sentiment of the Republican
party is in favor of giving the President a
chance. 1t cannot be said that the President
has betrayed his party. He has only refused
to submit to the dctation of certain political
leaders.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

The number of polls in Bellows Falls vii
lAge, as returned by the listers, is 556; whole
number in town, 9l9.
Fred Thompson, little son of II. W.
Thompson, was severely burned about the
face on Wednesday of last week. while play
ing with gunpowder.
Bellows Falls and Walpole will unite in
the observance Of Decoration day, and detail
ed squads will visit Rockingham and Saxtons
River
AT the special corporation meeting Tues
day evening" il was voted to rescind the for
mer vote appropriating 500, 900 for sewerage,
and a committee of five was chosen to inves-
tigate the subject further. A bylaw was re-
ported, under which, If hereafter adopted,
the corporation can build sewers and appro-
PIRATE money for the same. The vote to sell
the old fire engine was also rescinded.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

UNwHoLEsoME CONDITION OF THE WHITE
HoUsE.-The Senate committee on public
buildings, urged othe actby the criticalillness
of Mrs. Garfield, inspected the White House
last week and report it as in a shocking con-
dition. The basement is cold, damp, mouldy
and infested with rats. Many modern con-
veniences, now considered essential for COM
fort, are lacking, and cannot be introduced
without reconstruction of the whole build
ing. The timbers are shaky and some of the
floors have sagged several inches. The &C
commodations are scanty also and so much
of the space is occupied with offices and grand
reception rooms that the family are very
much crowded Although the Garfield chill
dren sleep two in a room, there is only one
room to spare for visitors. Senator Morrill,
has q plan, which is said to impress the COM
mittee favorably, to build another White
House few rods from the present one and
connected with it by broad corridor, the
new building TO be used for domestic pur-
poses only, the old one for executive offices,
public reception rooms, and so forth. This
of course would remove some of the obiec-
ton to the present executive mansion, but
the malarious site would continue to be a
fruitful source of disease.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20
Local Intelligence.


special communication Of Brattieboro Lodge, ~.
D.,"wl be held at Masonic hall next Monday evening,
May 20. at Ia o'clock work, I'M. NJ" degree. All
Masons in good standing cordially invited. BY or.
der Of the WI III. sIMoNDs, seo'y.
George Landing, formerly Of Bratteboro, barber
by trade may learn something to his advantage by adj
dressing Lock Boz No. 1884, Bratteboro, Vt.
Prof J. J. Adams, the painless ohiropodist at the
American House, Rrattleboro, curing harasslng fee,
troubles, will soon announce his closing days. All
who have not already sought his remarkable skill
must come soon, or they will miss him. Crowded
houses. People go miles to see him. The most OBJ
atinate cases yield to his treatment
To the hdies.-Warts or moles on the face skllfuy
removed without leaving mark or scar. Consuta.
tion free.
Mrs. A. J. stearns, hair dresser, would say to the
ladies' that she has recently purchased new "Head-
ing machine whereby she lie prepared TO head comb.
ings at 70 cts. per ounce; the old method so cts.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

Frederick Douglass has been confirmed by
the Senate as recorder of deeds for the Dis
trict of Columbia.
Mrs. Garfield, wife of the president, has
been very alarmingly i'll during the past week,
the trouble arising from extreme nervous ex-
haustion caused by the constant strain Of eI-
element which she has been obliged to en-
dure ever since the presidential election. Her
condition is now somewhat more hopeful.
Senator Edmunds obtained a pair and on
Monday returned to Burlington for the sea
son. He is represented as being not little
disguised over the confirmation of Stanley
Matthews against his earnest protest.
A letter from Gen. Grant to Senator Jones
of Nevada is published in which the General
takes sides emphatically for Conkling and
Platt
The senate confirmed unanimously, on
Wednesday, the nominations of Robertson
and Merritt the latter goes to London as
Consul General.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

drowned. but more dead than alive, and in no
condition TO be driven on to pasture. II was
a narrow escape.
Rev. l.. g. Chase recently made a short
visit 10 this town, where he formerly preached
several years. He is not in good health, and
has gono to Clifton Springs TO remain few
weeks
When the Sunday school was recognized
this spring, the old officers we're reelected.
Leavitt f. Bond, the superintendent, has held
that Office nine years, and J. Il. Worden has
been librarian for 80 years. DIN.
The members OF the Evening Star Grange
will meet at o'clock P. NJ, May 9th, il
pleasant-if not, June 1st-to decorate the
graves of their deceased members, also the
graves of the soldiers. All are invited 10 Join.
Z. i. Crosby, SeeretaFu.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20
Primacy, Not statesmanshIP.

During Congressional career of nearly
twenty years. full of golden opportunities for
the display of craftsmanship, no great meas
ure has been originated by Mr.. Conkling,
and there are few of his utterances which in
dictate that he has aspired to that place in the
front rank of the leaders of the party which
has achieved such great things during the
past quarter of a century which might have
been his. The man land he is not the only
one) who might have moulded public opinion
has been content to be the head of faction
in single state, and to hold that place by
patronage. And thus it comes about that
while the country has failed to realize the
benefit of the services of q man fitted for
craftsmanship, the same man has 80 frittered
away his opportunities and so wasted his en-
ergies on the ignoble in politics that he is
simply dwarf when he might have been a
giant
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

1t now looks as though there would be an
earnest protest on the part of the people and
a stout fight in the New York legislature
against the reelection of Conkling and Plat.
On Wednesday many members signed papers
expressing confidence in the President and
declaring that they will not be bound by the
action of any caucus which dominates Conk-
ling and Plat. The outburst in the senate
when Robertson's confirmation was announc-
ed was most enthusiastic, and broke down all
barriers of decorum. At many places in New
York guns we're fired, speeches made and q
general jubilation INDUCED in Wednesday
night over the news that Robertson had been
nnnfrInad
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

BILE 10 err in his judgment. If he were infal-
lible he could hardly expect to please all the
factions of his party. But, whatever may be
his errors, we believe him to be prompted by
honest and patriotic motives, and that the
country should not permit his administration
to be broken down.
Mr.. Conkling is a man of great ability, and
could render his party and the country excel
lent service but above the interests Of par
ty, above the welfare of the country, he places
his own will and way, and is ready to destroy
whatever he cannot control. tits good OPP
portunity for the New York Legislature TO
elect ex-Vice- President Wheeler or some other
good man to succeed him, and thus enforce
the lesson that public men have interests to
serve besides their own.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

Postmaster General James has already
made total net annual saving in the cost of
star route and steamboat mail service of $412,-
O34. This saving has been effected without
in any way gripping the service or curtailing
its efficiency, and has been made on exact in
formation gathered by inspectors of the de-
partment who have carefully examined the
various routes
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

In the death of Reuben Sherman, Dover
loses one of its oldest and most respected citi-
zens. Although deprived, when a young
child, of the sense of hearing, he led an &C
tive, useful life. Strictly honest and consci-
entious in business and having a peculiarly
kind and pleasant manner, he won the love
and respect OF friends and neighbors to an
unusual degree. His parents were among the
hrst settlers of Dover, and his long, peaceful
hte-with the exception of few years of
his youth passed at the asylum for deaf mutes
in Hartford, Conn. was spent on the farm
where he was born. He was twice married.
and leaves wife and two daughters-Mr o.
M. Lawton of New York, and Mrs. s. r.
Howe of Leon, Ia.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

Rev. W. r. Davenport, the new Metho-
dist minister, will occupy one of Mrs. Phoebe
Woods tenements
The Sabbath school reorganized on Sun
day, May sth. d. F. Gushing was elected su.
perintendent; A. A. Wyman, assistant The
school has been well attended the past year,
and it is hoped will continue to prosper and
increase in numbers during the coming year.
Everything is lovely-trees leaved out,
apple trees in blossom, and the farmers plow-
ing and planting.
The village school is prospecting finely.
About "a scholars are in attendance.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

Six tons of maple sugar were made in Dis
trict No. 2 the past season.
H. II. Burlingame had his hand badly In
jured, Tuesday. by being caught in the gear
ing Of the derrick at the soapstone quarry.
We stated last week that Rev. Edward
Goodridge would deliver the address on Me-
mortal Day, but he has since written that il
will be impossible for him 10 come.
C. N. French q Son shipped 10 Burlng.
ton last week carriage made expressly for
Senator Edmunds.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

Burlington Free Press representative
called on Senator Edmunds Tuesday morning
to try to get his views about the Conkling-
Plat resignation, the question of senatorial
courtesy" the confirmation of Stanley Mat
thews, and other current Washington topics
The senator, however, pleasantly but firmly
declined to talk about any of these matters
The Free Press thinks it has reason to believe
that if Mr.. Edmunds were TO say anything
regarding Senator Conkling's course, it would
be in the way of criticism rather than approx
al Mr.. Edmunds will remain in Burlington
about month, and then go ON fishing trip
to the Bay of Chaleurs. He will not return
to Washington until the beginning of the reg
ular session of Congress next December.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20
A Commentary.

Two days after Senator Conkling's retire
ment, the senate, without opposition, con-
firmed VIM. H. Robertson's nomination as
collector Of the port of New York Had
there been any well grounded opposition to
him personally, or to the mode of his appoint
ment, it would have been raised on wednes-
day, when the case was before the senate.
The unanimous vote in his favor proves that
the opposition previously made had been en-
tirely personal with Mr.. Conkling, and illus
trates the power which that senator has WELD
ed with his associates.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

Mrs F. N. Horton started last Monday
for Florida, where she will join her husband,
who has engaged to superintend an orange
grove.-E. L. Hswley is expected home soon.
j. G. Stebbins of Beaufort, S. c., after
an absence of nearly three years, has returned
to spend the summer months with his parents.
The grand list of the town is complete.
The real estate is put down at $67, 233 and
the personal property at $l4, 94s.l9. In 1880
the real estate was S47, 4O4.62. and the per.
sonal property 50, G29. 5O-an increase of near
ly &c per cent
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

Our school has been in session two weeks.
under the charge of Miss Sherman of East
Dover.
j. B. Davis is doing thriving business
at his mill, having sawed the present season
10000 feet Of hard wood for chair stock. and
6O,OO0 feet of soft wood.
Warren Lyman has sold his farm to Ohas.
Cannon of Wardsboro for 1926.
d. G. and d. P. Leonard have sold from
this place about 1900 gallons of maple syrup
the present season.
-Orrin Jones caught trout a few DAYS
ago that weighed one and three. fourths lbs
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

-"What shall the tax Of Brattleboro be
this year p is q question asked by many.
The completion of the grand list furnishes
the necessary information. An examination
of the town auditors report (pAge 21) shows
the expenses, outside of the reduction of
debt or extraordinary repairs upon highways,
TO be estimated at $8,773, and for this sum
the auditors report sufficient resources al
ready provided. For the purpose of taxation
the auditors recommend the raising of a sum
sufficient To pay 50, 600 on the railroad bonds,
$4,000 on the town debt, (Which has been
incurred for highway purposes), and 81, 900
for extraordinary repairs on highways and
bridges making in all $12, 900, which would
neeessitate tax of 60 cents on the old list
Do we need to raise so large sum say
not. 1t is entirely unnecessary to make the
appropriation for highways and bridges, but
it is necessary to provide for the s., 900 rail
road bonds due next February. The remain.
ing portion, having originally been incurred
by reason of repairs upon highways, can in
my judgment be supplied from the usual
highway money. The highway tax of this
year will be IS, AL. Cash in hands of the
collector 1873, making total Of $40, 100.
Last year there was laid out for the ordinary
work upon highways $4,000, exclusive of
West river or iron bridge, or old bills of 70.
am told by good judges that less work will
be required this year.
Assuming, then, that 81, 900 will be suffi-
cient, $1,000 can be applied as indicated, up
on the debt previously incurred for highways,
leaving $1120 in the surveyors hands for
contingent expenses. The grand list of the
town is $50, 765. A tax of 20 cents will raise
SO, 1853, a sum sufficient TO pay the 81, 900
railroad bonds and leave balance of $i753
in the town treasury With no freshets or
other calamity, but with prudence and econo-
my, tax Of 20 cents is all that is necessary
TO supply the wants of the town and enable
the officials to reduce the debt as shown, $40,
900. LEVI X. FUIIER
s. NJ. wAITR's CASE.
Under instructions from u. s. Marshal
Henry, s.. nj. Waite was taken from Fayette-
4. -
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

per cents to 81 (about g., OOO), and the
reduction of the annual interest charges by
Mr.. WINDOWS achievements will not be less
than S14, 800, 600 per annum. July 1, 1880,
the interest on the public debt was at the
rate of $79, 1881 per annum. After Au-
gust ~, 1881, the annual charge at the pre-
vailing rates will not reach So, 200, 900. Au-
gust 81, 1865, the annual interest charge was
at the rate of $3.50, 97I607. Mr.. Windows
achievement is entitled TO rank as one of the
greatest financial successes of modern times.
It has been accomplished without noise or
bluster, and at an insignificant expense to the
government
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

An interesting statement is made by the
Postmaster General concerning postal cards.
Under the contract ending June 80, 1881, the
number will be about nine hundred and nine
ty million. Under the new contract, which
will expire June 81, 1885, the estimated num-
Der will be two billion. This latter number
is so vast that few persons have an adequate
conception of it. Some idea of the quantity
of the cards TO be thus furnished may be
formed by the statement that it would re-
quire three men over sixty years to count
them singly, working ten hours every day in
the year, and counting at the rate of fifty
minute; or, if the two billion cards could be
placed end to end, they would extend a dis
lance of over one hundred and sixty-four
thousand miles, or more than six times the
circumference of the earth.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

The stories and limitations, which come
from Mr.. Conkling's own friends, as to how
he hung back and sulked last summer until
his support of Garfield had been bought by
pledges and promises, put the New York ex-
Senator in an exceedingly unfavorable light.
They do not sound well when told of a man
who has been wont to sneer about "half-
breeds. |" "being Republican little" etc.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

The senate manifests disposition to post
pone all miscellaneous business until next
December, and to get away as soon as posi-
BILE. Resolutions relative to the Monroe doc
trine and the interoceanic canal, and those
concerning the relations of the Central Pa
cihc railroad company to its leased lines, have
been put over until December. This means
that the senate will not consider anything
further ct this session than the nominations
sent in by the President. Many of these are
yet to be received, but it is likely that an adj
journment may be had this week.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

OBITUARY. death of Harrison Ste
phens, the well-known Montreal millionaire,
at the age of 80 years, is announced. Mr..
Stephens was born in Jamaica, this county,
and his mother is said to have been the first
white child born in that town. His parents
removed to st. Adams when he was two
years old. He had remarkable tact for
business and had accumulated considerable
sum of money when he removed TO Montreal
in 1928 and engaged in business as an import
err. In this business and in his large ven.
lures as a provision dealer he accumulated
his fortune, which is estimated at 81, 200, 900
to $1,000, 900.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

The director of the mint estimates that the
total gold coin in the United States, including
the bullion in the treasury, amounted to $500,
600, 900 on the first instant. OF this, about
1924, 900, 900 was held as treasury and ma
tional bank reserves, and 1886, 100000 was
in actual circulation. There has been q total
gain of gold coin and bullion to the country
since July LIST, 1879, of 1924, OOOOO Only
two countries, France and England, now
have greater amount than the United
Etatps
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

Quarterly meeting of the Methodist so.
ciety will be held on Sunday, May pod, at 2
o'clock p. NJ, by Rev. A. Il. Truax of Brat
tleboro.
The ladies' society Of the Methodist
church will meet next Thursday afternoon
with Mrs ID. A. Henry.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20
GBeDermont9 Benif.
BRATTLEBORO,
FRIDAY, MAY 20, 1881.

The VERMONT RECORD AND FARMER SoaS
combined ioith TIE PHoN1x May 1st, 1ssO-the sub
serfp,ion hst and good toil Of the Record and
Farmer becoming the property Of the proprietors Of
The Ph0nip trithout reserve.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

One of the latest chapters in the star route
revelations relates how profitable field for
the conspirators was found in the Southwest
along the Mississippi river and its tribu-
taries, where they had the mails carried by
steamboats, at enormous cost, though the
same points were reached by other means
much more expeditiously. Men obtained
contracts for carrying the mails by steamboat
who had no steamboats, to carry them in, and
then had the service, such as it was, perform
ed by others at a mere fraction of the price
paid. One of these con spirators would enter
into contract for carrying mails by steam
boat on some southwestern stream in Arkansas
or Louisiana, and Immediately sub-let the
business to some one engaged in navigation
In one case one of them got work done for
less than Sc, 900 which the government paid
him $4O,0 900 for doing. Not only were con-
tractors paid enormously in excess of the act
ual cost of the service, bnt in many cases the
service was unnecessary at any price.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

Miss Mary E. Tinkham of Heath, Mass,
has been engaged as teacher in district No l.
Miss Tinkham is daughter of J. W. Tink
ham, who is on the Springfield Republican,
local reportorial staff.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

S. F. Foster has sold his place, adjoining
that Of DIR. Stedmnn, to w. II. Bigelow, for
$3.50. The house, it is understood, is TO be
removed.
John Miller has curiosity in the shape
Of pillow which belonged to his great-grand.
father, Thaddeus Miller, who was one Of the
first settlers in the town of Marlboro. 1t is
over 100 Years old.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

Mr.. Clisbee, our enterprising merchant,
has received a new stock Of spring goods.
Give him q call.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20
GuIIford.

Rev. A. b. Truax of Brattleboro will
conduct the quarterly meeting services at
Guilford Centre, next Sunday, at 2 O'Clock
n
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-05-20

We last week briefly announced the fact
that Secretary Window had issued call for
all the outstanding five per cent. bonds, in
terest upon them to cease August ~. To the
holderso of the coupon bonds of this dsnomina-
ton amounting to 1928, O67, 900, the privilege
of extension at 81 per cent. is offered. To
the holders of $3.50, 900, 900 of the 1921, $685.
$50 of registered bonds the same privilege is
extended, it being the intention of the Secre-
tary to redeem the remaining $77, 900, 900
with the surplus revenues. If the plan sue
oeeds, and there is every reason to believe
that it will, the Secretary, on the 18th of Au-
gust, will have reduced the rate of interest ON
$37S, 200, 900 of per cent. bonds to 81 per
cent, and will also have paid more than $75,-
900, 900 of the now outstanding per cents
so that the saving ON the interest account by
the change and redemption of the per cents
will not be less than s., 100000. Add to this
the saving in interest by the change of the 6