davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10
The River Commission.

The following Is extracted from a
recent report Of the River Commis-
sion TO the Secretary Of War: I
We beg leave 10 submit the follow
ing conclusions: A ri
l. That bayous and overfiows afford
no permanent or uniform relief, but
produce changes Of regimen detrimen-
tai TO nav!gst;oBf and cause destruct-
i've floods. fs .5
2. That the direct In fiuence of q
levee system rs to improve navigation
and prevent destructive fioods by the
establishment Of a regimen, and the
elimination Of varying and abnormal
local conditions.
8. That the conservation Of food
waters by artificial embankments IL
becoming Of greater Importance every
year, both In preserving navigation,
and In preventing destructive fioods,
nom the recession Of the banks to
lower levels, and has already, In many
parts Of the river, become essential
4. That the act under which we
serve, contemplates the preparation
by this commission of complete plan
for the regulation Of the river and Its
banks. Any such plan must include
the control and the uniform maintain
tainance Of such conditions Of the
river banks 40 are consistent with the
P rfnciples controlling the works IL
ready recommended BY rs. The pres
emit provision for such maintainance,
by the Suites and riparian owners, n
and hazardous.
Respectfully submitted. -
~ b. M. HARoD,
CHAs. r Suffer.
9ES. q. A. GILMORE
President Miss. River Commission.
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10

The Washington Post thus effect
ually disposes OF the senseless twaddle
about unseating Gen. Chalmers. The
Post says: That the decision Of the
highest court In q State upon the con-
structlon Of q State statute In binding
everywhere, as has been repeatedly
held by the Supreme Court Of the
United States and by Congress. II
was invoked as q true principle by the
Republicans In the last Congress in
the Iowa cases aud admitted without
comment by the Democrats. The gu
preme Court Of Mississippi has de-
cided that the marked ballots used by
Lynch, the opponent Of Chalmers,
were under the Mississippi Statute
Illegal and void, and as they were all
he did not receive q single
gal vote in the district. To uuseat
Mr.. Chalmers under such O state of
facts would be an outrage which hon.
est Republican lawyers cannot be driv-
en- TO perpetuate, no matter how Wig
orously the party lash IL swung by our
stalwart contemporary. What Is still
better, however, because more reliable
the Republicans haven't got the votes
10 do ii.
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10


The following extract is taken from
Curiosities Of the Search Room III
give and bequethe the annual sum of
ten pounds to be paid In perpetuity out
Of my estate, the following purpose :
II Is my will and pleasure that this
sum be spent in the purchase of a GER
tain quantity of liquor vulgarly called
whisky; and 1t shall be publicly given
out that certain number Of persons,
Irish only, not to exceed twenty, who
may choose to assemble in fhe cemetery
in which ! shall be inferred on the an
nivesrary Of my death.shall have the
same distributed to them. Further, 1t
Is my desire that each shall receive 1t
by half q pint at time till the whole
Is consumed, each being likewise pro-
vided with stout oaken stick and q
knife, and that they shall drink it all
on the spot. Knowing what know of
the Irish character, my conviction is
that, with these materials given, they
will not fail to destroy each other; and
when in course OF time the race comes
to be exterminated, this neigborhood
at least may be colonized by civilized
and respectable Englishmen. VIII
dated nth March, l79l."
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10

oxford Falcon:
The noise and smoke Of the late POI
litical struggle In Mississippi have
passed away, and tho Dem6crats are
masters Of the situation. So thorough
are they intrenched behind the assur-
ance OF liberal and good government
for the people, that years may pass
and the times and conditions must
materially alter before they can eyer
be deposed. Then instead of looking
alone to fortifying the party outposts,
and making preparations for battles
with the enemy yet to be fought, the
Democrats should turn O little atten-
ton to their own household and bring
about reform in some department u,
that just now stand sadly In need
Of il.
The reform that the Falcon wishes
most particularly to bring before the
public now, and especially to the at
tention OF the next Legislature, il the
poverty stricken policy of the Missis-
sippi Democracy towards its Demo-
cratic press. or all the party hacks
in existence, the party organ is the
hardest ridden and the least reward
ed. Nothing is too much for it to do,
10 burden or expense is too heavy
and no pay too light. In a political
struggle, the work of one ably edited
paper Is worth more than fifty 0rdi-
nary campaign speakers. Yet in the
grand division of party spoils the or
ator is remembered and the newspa-
per forgotten. So far was this policy
carried in the last legislature that any
effort looking to the better pay of the
overworked press was met with in
slant and strong resistance, and the
only wonder now Is that the meapre
provisions for legal advertising, incor-
porated in Campbell's Code, was not
stricken out entirely and even that
small allowance taken away from
the newspapers, any ten Of which had
done more towards giving Mississippi
Democratic rule than the efforts OF
the entire legislature combined. Run
over the list of the last legislature,
and the one just elected to assemble In
January, and show US \ member that
does not owe his political position, d.
rectly or indirectly to some poorly paid
paper. The majority of them have
been brought out of obscurity, placed
before the people as fit men for office,
anu SiSSeSu W tuc poeitlOH Inty now
enjoy solely and entirely by newspaper
work, Whilst some are brought into
prominence and position by their own
merit alone, these are few In COMPARE
son, with those who are pushed into
place through the columns of the press.
Rut such is the ingratitude OF these
place-men, that when
in power they let no opportunity slip
to starve the very support that hoist
ted them into prominence. or course
this all done under the cry of retrench-
ment and reform, but IFS all the same
TO the newspaper, and work the same
disaster in the end as il it had been a
direct thrust at the press. Those
are patent to every thinking man and |
we call upon our brothers Of the State |
press ito join with us and lift up a
united voice that the next Legislature
may hear and render that recognition
70 fairly earned by the worked,
hard.ridden and poorly paid Press Of
Mississippi.
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10
Report OF the Secretary of War.

WASHINGTON, December 2.-The
annual report of the Secretary Of War
was made public to-day. 1t is chiefly
devoted To the consideration OF impor-
tant recommendation contained in
the annual reports Of his subordinates.
Gen. Sherman's recommendation that
the army he increased to 10000 men
receives Secretary Lincoln's earnest
endorsement. He also endorses Gen.
Wright's recommendation for estab-
fishing torpedo system for sea-coast
defence. Bureau estimates presented
TO the Secretary aggregate $50, 000, 900.
"This amount" he says, "has been
reduced, on my revision, to an aggre-
gate of Sl0,6S9,000, which sum, II ju-
dlciously allotted by Congress, will be
in my judgment, reasonable allow
ance for this class OF expenses, during
the next fiscal year.
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10
A Remarkable ENllibit.

Every display Of the Exposition lie
worthy OF study, but the Exhibit
made by the Richmond & Danville
railroad and its combinations is of I'M
usual Significance, and commands
special attention. The collection of
woods and minerals in this exhibit is
without doubt the finest and most sug-
gestive ever showed in the world. 1t
shows almost at glance, the inn
mense material resources of the South
and studied in connection with the
other Southern Exhibition, demon
strates beyond all question that the
field of profitable investment in this
section Is practically boundless.-At-
lanta Constitution.
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10
PUBLIC EDUCATION.

Among the many matters that claim
the attention Of our Legislature, at the
coming session, none is more important
than that Of the public schools. While
much has been done In this matter,
there remains yet a great deal to be
accomplished.
While the impoverished condition
of the State prevented from being
done that could have been wished,
still much has been accomplished,
and the good work should 60 on, and
be fostered and encouraged.
Every facility that can be, should he
provided, to place within the reach of
every child in the State, the facilities
Of good common-school education.
Even il this should require additional
taxation, We think the burden would
be cheerfully borne, and the result
would repay threefold the outlay.
In many localities the schools arc
not kept open for sufficient length Of
time during the year. Three or four
months session in each year il not
enough to make the schools efficient.
More than this, the low salaries,
coupled with the short duration of the
sessions, makes it impossible to secure
teachers of experience and capacity.
Those who are qualified to teach
cannot afford to do so, when they can
only secure employment for four or
five months of the year, and hence in
localities where the schools are only
kept open tor that length of time, it is
almost impossible to secure such teach-
ers as should be employed.
Besides this, there is not pride and
energy enough displayed in the loca-
ton and character of buildings used for
school purposes.
Here, in the city Of Jackson, the
capital of our State, we have not
public-school building worthy of the
name, and what is true Of US, Is also
applicable to many other localities.
We trust the legislature will take
into serious consideration, this all inn
portant subject, and do all that can
possibly be done, to stimulate public
instruction in the State.
We should likewise be pleased to
see our local authorities take hold OF
the matter and see If great improve
ment cannot he made in our own |
midst. We ought to have first class
graded public-school in this city, GEN.
trally located, and we can have 1t If
we will.
We want also to see some action
taken by our Senators and Represen-
tatives in Congress, in securing assist
ance from the Federal government
for educational purposes. We believe
this can and should be done without
delay. Let the ball be put in motion
at once and kept moving until success
IL achieved
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

|
President Arthur's message is credit
to his scholarship. This, all will ad-
NIT who may take time TO read 1t. II
Is specially to be commended from q
Southern standpoint, because II enun-
ciates no Southern policy. OF all
things, Southern policy is what the
South does not want. The South Is as
much a part OF the government as
the North, and "A President who has
no Southern or no Northern policy IL
the kind of President that the coun.
try needs. Presidents with Southern
policies have well nigh ruined us, and
we trust that they have had their day.
AS was to- he expected, President
Arthur il in favor of postponing the
payment of the National debt.
While he congratulates the country
on surplus of income to the
government, he recommends a
reduction of the revenues, "even
il we delay little the payment
of the debt" We do not agree with
him that the time has arrived "when
the people may justly demand some
relief from the present onerous bur-
den" if he means thereby that all the
internal revenue laws shall be abol-
ished "except those upon tobacco in its
various forms, and upon distilled spir-
its and fermented liquors, and except
also the special tax upon the manufac-
turers of and dealers in such articles"
The burden from which the people
"may justly demand some relief" is
the burden OF the Ubiquitous tariff sys-
tenn from which President Arthur,
from present indications. will never
relief. Congress in deal
ing with the revenue laws might well
afford to stop with repeal of the tax
on friction matches.
President Arthur, unfortunately for
the country, is Il representative Of the
class of people who have large
amounts of capital, and desire that the
shall furnish them an alb
solutely safe means OF investment.
This, we fear, more than any love of
the "dear people," is what prompts
him to suggest that the payment of
the public debt may he postponed to
We do not agree with him;
and we trust that in this matter the
Western and Southern members Of
Congress, without reference to party,
will stand together and insist on the
payment at the earliest possible day,
Of every cent of henational debt.
The views of the President OH the
further issuance OF silver, are not
novel. We pass them by believing
that Congress will do what is best
to be done.
He coquets with the question of
evil service reform, and AZ to our
u foreign relations" has traced out
more than we dreamed we had.
On the whole, the message is credit
able, and if the President wac not
closely surrounded by most danger
,us influences, we would be inclined
10 look for wise and dignitied adj
of the government dur
ng his term of Office.
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10
burning Of the Tennessee Peni-
tentfary.

lnues-DetnOChat.
NASHVILLE, Dec. Sat $3.50 o'clock
this afternoon fire broke out In the
backing department Of the machine
shops at the penitentiary, located In
the Western part of the city, and
spread quickly, despite the strenuous
efforts made by the convicts to sup
press the flames. Several alarms
were signaled, but owing to confti-
sion caused by the reception Of the
alarms from various, boxes, the en-
gines did not arrive until the fire had
gained considerable Roadway. The
con victs became panic stricken, but
soon got over their excitement, doing
excellent service, In many instances
voluntarily subjecting themselves TO
great danger. Hundreds of civilians
attracted TO the scene Of the confia-
grafton, rendered material assistance
to the firemen and convicts, but in
spite of all that could be done, the
flames were rapidly communicated TO
all the buildings, and consumed all
but the main prison. during the ex-
citement John Craig, James Clark
were recaptured, Edward Motley, q
convict, was severely injured
by inhaling smoke while battling
with the flames. The convicts had
opportunities, during the
Of the fire, to escape, but
lacked a leader. But for this fact,
nearly all Of the rs could have re-
gained freedom. As soon as possible
after the fire started, the Porter Rifles,
Rock City Guards, and Burns Artil- |
Iery, were called upon TO protect the |
prison, and prevent the escape OF con- |
victs, and they Immediately respond
ID, being stationed on the inside and |
where they did good service.
About 6 o'clock tonight, when the
ire had burned nearly everything
within reach, an ex-convIct set fire to /
he east wing OF the prison, in which
. located the female department. A
Don a. the flames made their appear
Ince, the women screamed and LEFT
heir cells, passing through the flames
hat issued from the window on the
tairway. All were scorched, more or
&c, but no serious injury was sustain
" any. The screams OF the females
nd the fire, created q panic among
he male convicts, who, SELLING sledge
ammers, axes and slaves, made q
reak for the main door and tried to
after It down, but the guaris with
eroic firmness drove them back, and
nally quieted them. When the roll
ras called IL was asoertained that only /
X bad escaped. These are Thos. Cox,
red. ID. Hine, J. G. Clark, Charles
walker, John Martin and Fred. Ran
IN. The los 10 estimated At 81. 500.
lsurance q, $50. Ia
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10
senator Lamar Successor.

Our Senator, Col. Luse, and our
three Representative in reply to let.
ter Of inquiry addressed to them upon
the subject by Col. Schaefer, Chair
man of the Democratic Executive
Committee of the county, stated that
they feel bound by the action of the
precinct meetings held before the cleo
ton to determine the choice OF the
Yazoo Democracy for United States
Senator, and Will therefore vote for
Col. Lamar to be his own SUCCESSOR
Yazoo Herald
The question of electing any other
than himself to be Mr.. Lamar's sue
cessor has ceased to be question.
The recent election has settled that to
the credit of Mississippi. II
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10

A SPECIAL to the n. o. Democrat
says Speaker Keller is preparing for
making up the House Committees by
ascertaining the qualifications and
preferences Of new members and is in
consultation with his party friends.
II ~ expected that Western and South
ern members will be more favored
with chairmanships and positions on
importantcommittees than they have
beer for years.
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10

CURIOUS ideas of Russian military
morals are revealed in the charges
upon which a number Of high officials
are to be court-martialed. In one in
stance company strangled its cap
tain; in another, a prince lieutenant
in the same regiment shot a civilian
for presenting himself momcntarily in
the room Of restaurant where the
prince had made rendezvous.
Another prince lieutenant Is to be
tried for shooting domestic, detach-
cd from the ranks, on some trivial
complaint. Nice country to live in,
Russia. Almost equal to Colorado
and New Mexico.
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10

THE cranks who have been prac-
Using shooting at Guiteau should try
their skill for while at some village,
where all the inhabitants have moved
out. Maybe stray shot might strike
some of the houses.
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10

New Orleans Democrat.

COLUMBUS, Miss, Nov. 30.-John
Abner, a negro from Oktibbeha coun-
ty, was fatally shot about O'Clock
this evening by Mr.. Hunter Sharp,
son Of Gen. J. Fl. Sharp, just beyond
the county bridge over the Tombigbee.
Two shots were fired by Sharp, the
second entering the right side, passing
through the right lobe Of the liver
and passing out on the left side in the
region of the left kidney. The negro
died about 7 O'Clock.
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10

Greenvine Tines

Ebert Harris, the colored man who
was shot at Stoneville on the "a ult.,
died on the 9th. His slayer Is in jail.
One negro man killed another n
week since on the place on Deer Greek
planted by Mr.. J. b. O'Neal. The
weapon used was q hoe the man
killed was persuing the other with a
paxor.
This was the seventh homicide in
the county In November. We would
suggest a stay OF such proceedings
until the batch in jail IL disposed Of.
Court meets on Monday, the 18th
inst
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10

CONGRESS met ON the 5th, and the
House organized by electing Keller, Of
Ohio, Speaker; Mcpherson, of Penn
sylvania, Clerk Hooker, Of New
York, Sergeant-at-arms; Brownlow,
OF Tennessee, Doorkeeper, and Sher-
wood, Postmaster. Both houses APP
pointed committees to notify the Pres
ident OF their organization.
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10

SCOTLAND seems to be pushing her.
self into line on the land question.
Delegates representing 10000 Scottish
farmers met in London yesterday and
adopted resolutions demanding such
concessions as have been given to
Irish farmers under the Irish Land
Bill. These concessions, though
scoined in ireland, would be regarded
In Scotland as boon. A reduction
81 rents, compensation for improve
ments and abolition Of the laws Of en-
tail are demanded.
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10

II Is the health not the eyesight,
which parents with studious children
should ever protect, though they
should be most merciless in insisting
on sufficiency Of light, and light
which actually reaches the object of
attention. You may sit in a room
null Of light, but have all the while
only twilight, or even deep shadow
falling on the work in hand. Light.
full light, but light without glare, is
the grand preservation of the eyes
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10

A SMART little boy defined salt as
"the stuff that makes potatoes taste
bod when you don't put it on" This
was equal to the other boy who said
that pins have saved great many
lives by not being swallowed.
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10

as he is able and willing 10 discharge
the duties of his exalted position, and
despite the petty croakings of the few,
We feel certain that our legislature
will honor the State and thonselve
by returning him without dissent.
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10

THE Governor of Massachusetts did
not pardon anybody on Thanksgiving
day. He must be one of these timid
bodies who imagine that we are drift
ing to that state of affairs in which
there will be nothing left to steal.
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10

MISSISSIPPI ranks as the twenty
seventh as TO number of acres and
square miles, and the eighteenth in
population. In industrial pursuits,
she ranks first in cotton, eighteenth in
corn and twenty-first in oats.
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10

PINcHBAcK's idea, according to the
New York Sun, is for his colored
brethren in politics to aspire to the
highest places, but take what they
can get. This is the very essence Of
Republican statesmanship,
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10

Two NEGRO men ut the insane
asylum near Nashville, were sent out
to milk the cows, when they quarrel
ed about the part each was to
do in the work, and one put his
knife into the heart Of the other, leav-
ing him dead In the cow-pen.
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10

SENATOR HILL, of Georgia, now
speaks with perceptible lisp, but his
physicians assure him that 1t will
wear off, and that the cancer on his
tongue may be considered cured.
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10

A UNITED STATES weather observ-
atory will be put on Kilanea, one of
the great volcanoes of the Sandwich
Islands. II is considered desirable to
know how much the wind and
weather affect the sand which is
there
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10

Col. J. d. STANDS, Lieut.. Govern
or elect, of Mississippi, made a fine
speech at Concordia Hall in Atlanta.
last Wednesday night, TO fine and
select audience.
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10

WHAT court was in session at the
time when Adam broke the law? OF
course you will ali give it up. Well,
il was the Apple-ate Court.
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10

A SINGLE Michigan dog has killed
500 worth Of sheep. Do We hear any
more of the superior skill of the
Northern farmer?
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10

A SOUTH CAROLINA colored man
aged 20 years has been on the gallOws
five times. His last acquittal robs
the Jail of an old fixture.
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10
ENTERPRISE, Miss, is talking about
having O cotton compress.

The population Of the United States
has increased $50 per cent. in twenty
wears,
The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10

Jonathan II Greene, once the most
notorious and successful gambler In
America, and Afterwards known as an
exposer Of gamblers tricks IL now
AGED and poverty-strioken In Philsdel-
phia. From 1881 to 1852 be won
money right and left, not only from
amateurs, but heavily from profess
sional players. On one occasion he
took Sc, 200 from q party Of card
sharpers in three days. He was won
derftilly skilled In handling cards,
and invented several Of the swindling
devices still used by faro dealers. At
length he renowned his evil ways,
restored q great deal Of money 10 men
he had robbed, and spent the rest
IL his fortune In the sdvocacy OF
laws sgaidst gambling. The statntes
Dn the SUBJECT in PennsylvRnia, Mry-
land and Ohio were largely passed
through hls exertions. In lectures
and books he Described the means by
which he won, but this nfler 4 while
'ailed 10 yisld him q living. His
Amily are nov supported. ;chsriiy.