davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-08-24
BENJAMIN HARVEY HILL.

The wires convey to us the intelli-
gence that Georgia's great states
man has been relieved of his bodily
sufferings, that he has passed over
into the mysterious future. The
tongue that was wont to thrill audi
ences is stilled, the lips that spoke
words of fire are forever hushed,
the stately form that was admired
for its grandeur is PROSTATE.
Time gathers us all into the
granary of the dead, but
the sickle cuts Off only once in many
years q mortal possessing soul like
that of Benjamin Harvey Hill. Born
of chivalric southern blood, and
educated in circle where mans
honor was held as priceless, it is not
unnatural that Ben Hill, possessed
of genius and burning with the fires
that belong to his nativity, made q
name that is immortal. Not alone
in Georgia, but throughout the
United States and the civilized world
the name of Ben Hill has become
almost household word. He was
moulded after the fashion of one OF
Virginia's greatest statesmen and
orators, Henry A. Wise, bold and
defiant because of his advocacy of
truths, and thus leader of men
great in his eloquence, convincing in
his logic, profound in thought, and
thus not only political leader but a
statesman. Ben Hill was already
known as great man in Georgia
long before the war. He was q
powerful stump speaker, a brave
partisan, and was early in life
honored with public position
by the people of his state,
The impress of his genius was felt
for Georgia's good in Legislative
councils. and then his towering
genius lifted him beyond this sphere
and into the federal councils at
Washington. lie was defeated in
his first race for congress in nominat-
ing convention for the ninth Geor-
gia district by Garnet McMullcn
who died before he took his seat
Hin was made his successor, and his
first speech in the house was in op-
position to Blaine's proposition in
the amnesty bill regarding Mr.. JEFF
ferson Davis. This gave him great
distinction, and he has remained the
brave political defender of the south
Had he lived, his term as senator
would have expired next March.
AS It is, his place must be
filled by the appointment, and the
probabilities are that General John
b. Gordon win be named to fill out
the unexpired term. Peace be with
the ashes of Ben Hill. He was a true
and brave man, swerving neither
to the right nor the left for policy
sake, an honest and sometimes an
indiscreet leader, but the embodi,
ment of nobility.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-08-24
BLANCO.
Good Seas0ns-Personal Bee
Cave-Stock, Farmers ana POIi-


Cave-Stock, Farmers and Poll
tics.
Especial Correspondence OF the Statesman.l
CYPRESS MILLS, Blanco county, Aug
ust 15.-We have been fortunate in this
section lately In receiving weekly rains
just sufficient to meet the need of cotton
and potato raisers, as well as those who
had anything left in their gardens after
the prolonged drouth in June and July.
The range, too, has been much benefited.
and cattle and sheep look almost well
enough to justify the present prices
asked.
As result of the bountiful harvests
many persons are making improve
ments and adding TO their stocks.
Among the buildings may be mem
toned a fine residence being
erected don't suppose "being
erected" would meet with the approval
of the critical Richard Grant Whitel for
Mr.. Carl Goeth, wealthy sheep owner
living at Cypress mills. Mr.. Goeth IL a
clever gentleman, and believes IN "liying
while he lives"
Judge Mcfarland, of Brenham, and
wife and son Robert, have been camped
some time on the Pedernales, enjoying
the health-giving air OF this region. II
the Pedernales were more accessible IL
would have many visitors every summer.
West cave and Hamilton's basin are
worth seeing, even at the expense OF q
ride thither in farm wagon.
/ find no one here acquainted with the
location OF that rich honey deposit
spoken of in the STATEsMAN. There are
many bee caves in the bluffs Of the river
which are robbed by persons lowered to
their mouths by ropes, or which are as
cended TO by means ofladders, but there
are so many experts hunting every year
for these that 1 supposed they had all
been discovered. This Is undoubtedly a
fine country for bees. i have heard
"Perdinaleso translated "Bee Rocks,v by
one who spoke Spanish, and IL well de-
serves the title.
Messrs. Austin and Genie Robinson,
sons OF Mr.. John II. Robinson, Of Aus
tin, are both In the stock business in this
country, and are energetic and apt. Mr.
All Robinson owns one ofthe most desira-
BILE ranches in Blanco county. Two years
ago 1 purchased some onions-a few
pounds-.taken at random from several
hundred bushels raised on this place,
among which was one weighing IL
pounds. This beats the selected onion
raised by a Williamson county man.
Politics are not discussed much in this
region, party nominations not being
made in Blanco county. But the sheep
men are unanimous In the opinion that
no low tariff man can be elected 10 con-
gress from this district. The reason the
advocates OF a protective tariff rule the
country, though in a minority, Is that
they are active while the free traders are
passive. Every one knows the majority
In this district are injured by high tariff,
but the larger part OF the majority do = 2
realize It, and those who do not know
extent or the loss they sustain in ben
obliged 70 buy in the deai est market ano
sell in the cheapest. You should not let
a form 20 to press without an article on
the iniquity or the present tariff.
OCCASIONAL.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-08-24

His speech ut GeorgetOwn-The
Tariff Question.
Especial to The Statesman. I

GEORGETOWN, August 1G.-Congress-
man Upson has been here and has made
his great speech OF two hours and half.
His audience was small and without en-
thusiasm. The burden OF the speech was
the tariff, and principally quotations. from
our fore fathers TO show that he was In ac-
cord with them. The impression he
created is that, although he may possibly
be all right on the tariff question, yet he
evidently is not sufficiently advanced In
our doctrine for the present age. lie
quoted freely from other platforms, but
omitted to refer TO our own state plat
form.
In his defense Of his vote on the tariff
commission he cited the twenty-eight
Democrats who voted with him, aud the
others who were paired, but do not think
he hoodwinked anybody by not going a
little further and stating from what por-
tion of the country those Democrats were
who voted with him.
He announced himself throughout his
speech plainly for incidental protection
(of course that may be and Is all right In
measure), but he made n direct bid for
the sheep vote, by saying he was Tor pro-
lection on wool.
The impression here Is that his speeches
on tariff in this section will not do him
much good. The only applause he re-
ceived was at the conclusion. and then IL
was very mild-merely complimentary.
1t is expected that Colonel Upson goes
to the lower end OF the county.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-08-24
ishment of all parties concerned in

them.
ReSOlred, That tue several local
councils and state and local bar as
sociations be requested to advocate
the enactment in their respective
states of statute of which the fol-
lowing is a draft:
ReSOlred, That in view of the
growing evil of hasty and ill-con-
sidered legislation, and of defective
phraseology in statute law, the as
sOciation recommends the adoption
by the several states of permanent
system by which the important duty
of revising and maturing acts intro
duced in legislatures shall be in
trusted to competent officers, either
by the creation of special commits
sions or committees of revision, or
by devolving the duty upon the at
toI ney general of the state.
Alexander r. Lawton, of Georgia,
was elected president. After the
majority report on the relief of the
supreme court of the United States
was read, Prof. Hitchcock, st. Louis,
and g. G. Boney, president of the
Illinois state bar ASSOCIATION, sup
ported the majority report, and Ed
ward j. Phelps, of Vermont, and w.
Ii. Russell, of st. Louis, who was
severe in his denunclation of Sena-
tor Davis bill, recommended by the
majority report, gave statistics show
ing the increased cost of the present
supreme court, and favored the mi
nority report.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-08-24

boundaries. The apparent conver.
gence or divergence is of course only
an effect of perspective; and in reali-
ty these shooting stars are not stars
at all nor even distant bodies. They
are mere wills-o'-the-wisp in our
own atmosphere more solid indeed
than any marsh-light, but compared
with what they seem to be, even
more deceptive to untutored eyes.
For there is no longer any doubt
as to the nature of these apparitions,
once supposed to be the wrecks of
stars swept out of their courses into
abysses of infinite night-ruined
worlds falling as from the heaven of
the Apocalypse. In truth they are
mere atoms, terrestrial nomads fall
ing thick as snow upon the world.
They become luminous only upon
encountering our atmosphere. Ar
rested motion produces heat. They
become incandescent; the smaller
atoms dissolve into flaming gas, and
the flame itself goes out INTO the
transparent nothingness of the blue.
But the larger ones often preserve
their volume and fall to earth,
glazed by their own heat, like frag-
ments of pottery. Sometimes again
they burst and split asunder.
What are they, these atoms of cos
mic dust?-cinerous remains of q
dead worlds funeral pyre-ashes of
moons that have. long ceased to
shine or fragrants of rings that
once girdled unheard-of Saturns
We do not know. Some believe that
every comet leaves more of them
with Us when it visits the sun-that
it shakes them offin our solar system
as a weary traveller shakes the dust
from his shoes ere entering an inn
What we do know is that they
have a regular orbit; and that their
periodic appearance is due to the
periodicity of the earth in crossing
that orbit. At our approach they
light up, they blaze, flare and fall
through our atmosphere. They are
caught in our air, as dust in loose
tresses, and glow in their captivity
like fireflies.
Newcomb, the American astrono-
mer, demonstrates that in the course
OF single year no less than 146,000,-
100000 of shooting stars fall upon
the earth. During the myraid of
millions of years it has existed, these
meteoric showers have certainly in
creased its volume. In less than 35,-
900 years more they will have in
creased the diameter of the earth by
considerably more than two inches,
and augmented the thickness of its
crust more than one inch. A slow
process but in the vast universe tune
and space have only relative exis-
tence, and who knows what part this
falling star dust may yet play in the
relation between the earth and its
central sun?
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-08-24
Killed by a Poisoned Dagger.

The French papers record a re-
remarkable accident by which the
Counte de Belmont has had .he mis-
fortune to lose lbs youngest son.
The count before his marriage had
been traveller, and from the Poly
nesian islands and elsewhere he had
gathered a remarkable collection of
lethal weapons showing the ingen-
uity and in some cases at least the
artistic skill and power lavished on
Kris and zGgdie, or sword and dag
ger. In collection OF this nature,
intended to show the warlike meth
DDS of savage races, arrows and
other weapons whose shining blades
had been dipped in poison were of
course conspicuous. His two SONS
Albert, aged eight, and RudOlphe,
aged twelve-having been left alone
for a short time in his cabinet, with
the inquisitive rashness Of childhood
took down two of the weapons to
play with. Chance placed in the
hand of the youngest child one of
the poisoned weapons, aud slight
scratch on the wrist was sufficient
TO inject the fatal virus. When the
unhappy father returned he saw the
child writhing in agony upon the
ground, prey to frightful convul-
sions, from which death alone re-
leased him. The medical man who
was called in was unable to save
him, and could not even recognize
the poison on the dagger blade.
That most commonly used for such
purposes is derived from the Strych-
nos to1itera. The a0Oorali is said in
some cases to have retained its poi
sonous activity after being kept dry
for five years.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-08-24
How Fondest Hopes Decay.
1Wacn Examiner

Somebody at Austin has mailed
the Examiner a tweve-page PAM
phlet, which is devoted to a glorifi-
cation of the deeds of the Texas De-
mocracy for the past ten years, and
sharp, vigorous abuse of the Repub-
licans, Greenbackers and Indepen-
dent DEMOCRATS. The pasqu made
also arralgns the Galveston Ne1US,
Dallas Herald, San Antonio Express,
"and many other less prominent
Democratic papers," for their criti-
cIsm of the Democratic party of
this state. The pamphlet has no
date or signature, save that
of of"Democrat." This is a poor kind
of Democrat" who hasn't got the
nerve to sign his name to such COM
plants. Perhaps, however, the
document will prove more effective
without than with his name. There
are men whose bona fide signature
would prove a dead weight to any
kind of document. We have all
idea where the anonymous concern
originated, but as it does not refer
to the Examiner by name it is rele-
gated to the Ne,cs, ErpreSs, Herald,
and the "many other less prominent
Democratic papers" for their prayer
ful consideration.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-08-24
W
To General James A. Garfield.
MeteorIc showers ana Shooting
SIara.

stars.
New Orleans Times-Democrat.l
Besides the sbooting-stars, which
are nightly visible, aud the fiery
rains which illuminate the heavens
mensually there are fulgurant dis
plays which recur regularly about
twice a year. The dates of these
are fixed for the 10th of August and
the 14th of November; although
one of the grandest spectacles of the
sort witnessed in modern times oc-
Cured on November q, 1872. Such
phenomenon as the latter may
have had its origin in more special
and unfamiliar causes. The August
shower generally lasts several days,
as was the case this year; that of
November generally on the morn
ing of the 14th only. The No
vember display has one signal
peculiarity it has mini
mum and maximum period of bril-
liancy. Every thirty-three years its
lustre reaches the highest point of
splendor. There is also a huctuation
of intensity in the August nantes
tations but these appear to be less
positively understood. From to 6
a. m. constitutes the period during
which most of these showers of light
make themselves visible to human
eyes.
The trajectories of all meteors are
usually said to dlverge from what il
termed radient point. This point
is usually found between the con.
stellations of Perseas and Cassie.
peia during the August display and
in Leo during that of November
Sporadic is the term applied
to those shooting stars who's,
lines appear without these
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-08-24
killing Perkins.


1t is on record in this state that a
Michigan editor was once engaged
to fight duel. If the editor HIM
self is not living he must have died
within q past week. The affair Oc-
Cured twenty-five years ago, and
was brought about by the journalist
making several vicious attacks upon
the honor and honesty of a member
of the legislature. The solon first
tried the usual way of getting even,
by buying a horse whip and hunt
ing the editor. but when he had
found him he was knocked down
and rolled in the mud. He then
sent q formal challenge, and as the
editor opened the letter he turned
to his two compositors and said:
"Boys. how much matter have you
got up for the first pagep
"Three columns" replied the fore
man, after measuring up the galleys.
"And we need five. You'll have
1t all up by noon tomorrow, and by
Wednesday night all the inside will
be up. Then I'll wet down the
paper and make up, and while you
are working off the outside I'll run
out and shoot old Perkins, who has
sent me a challenge"
lie sent formal acceptance, named
rifles as weapons, appointed the
rendezvous within thirty yards OF
the Office, and then began to scratch
out copy. When the hour arrived
he was making up the forms, having
got little behind the programme,
and by and by his second came in at
the back door and said:
"We've been waiting for you all OF
twenty minutes"
But Pm busy"
"This is no time to be busy. Per-
kins is ready"
"IIang the luck ~ growled the
editor as he filled out a column and
flung down his rule. "That's just
like Perkins-he wants to throw our
duplication day. Come On-I'll fill
him upw
The editor seized his gun, and
hatless and coatless he set on a lope
for the spot. Perkins saw him COM
ing in that fashion, and his knees
weakened and his chin dropped, and
though the editor yelled for him to
hold on minute, he bolted over a
fence and didn't come out of the
woods until he was six miles away.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-08-24
NO. 4

duced a sufficient quantity of WELL
disguised narcotic. The casks were
packed for expectation and des-
patched in a loug train at night from
the gates. They were naturally
seized by the thirsty Hussites out
side and their contents immediately
distributed among the soldiery. The
following day saw the latter all
stretched In a more or less iusensible
condition on the ground, and an
opportune sortie by the besieged
ended IN the death or capture of
most of them and the flight of the
rest. koska was among the fugitives
who escaped, but his saddle, which
was left behind, was taken as a
trophy and still adOrns the town
hall of Bernau as one of its principal
curiosities.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-08-24
The canning industry of California

The canning industry of California
is an enormous traffic. tits not con-
fed to fruits, but includes fish and
vegetables IN great quantities. Dur
ing the present season the canneries
have formed q combination, the
effect of which is to keep the prices
more under their control. The can
ners early in the season made up
their minds there was going to be a
great fruit crop and made all their
arrangements for big operations at
low prices, but later the weather
turned cold and the season was back
ward. Then they concluded that
the crops would be short, and agents
were sent out to. make con-
tracts with the growers.
The early berries proved
a failure. but the larger fruits are
a good yield after all, and some of
the Gamers are badly taken in on
their contracts. Still, it is said that
owing to the combination, none of
them are packing any fruit on which
they will not make money. IL Is said
that the aggregate pack of this year
will be about the same as that OF
1881, which was 100000 cases. Of
this 100000 cases were consumed in
the state and 100000 cases exported.
The salmon pack in California is
somewhat less than usual, but the
pack on Columbia river and farther
north is slightly greater. The whole
salmon catch of the coast is about
100000 cases.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-08-24


A curious case relating to the mar
riage status of former slaves has just
been decided by the supreme court
Of Alabama. The controversy was
between two women, each of whom
claimed to be the widow of Gus
Washington and entitled to dover
in his estate. One named. Edie had
been married to him in 1847, when
both were slaves of the same master.
The ceremony was performed by a
colored minister with the consent OF
the master. The two lived together
as husband and wife till the fall OF
1866. At that time the husband, be-
ing then of course freedman, took
out license and married another
woman, with whom he lived till his
death. Under these circumstances
the court was called upon to decide
which of the two had been the law
full wife. 1t has decided in favor of
the one claiming by virtue of the
slave marriage. 1t holds that slaves
were not competent to enter into a
valid marriage contract or hold the
legal relation of husband and wife.
But in September, 1865, the con-
stitutional convention of Alabama
declared that all freedmen and
freedwomen then living together
and recognizing one another as hus-
band and wife should hold that re-
lation under the law. The supreme
court decides that this was a ratifica-
ton of the martial relations then ex-
listing between Gus and Edie Wash
ington, and that his subsequent
marriage with the other claimant
was void.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-08-24
A CoMPETIrIvE congress of poets

A COMPETITIVE congress of poets
has convened in Paris, and it will
not close until the first of December
next. The prizes will embrace
twenty gold, silver and bronze
medals. This is the twenty-ninth
yearly competition of poets, former
ly known as the poetical competition
of Bordeaux. The woman's art loan
might stick pin in this item. There
are any amount of poets around
here, and if there should be any lack
in competition the STATESMAN will
engage to contribute the contents of
its waste basket.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-08-24
M. CAMI1LE FLAMMARIoN. tbe

M. CAMILLE PLANTATION, the
eminent French astronomer, pre-
diets the probable end of the world
by its coming in contact with a
comet which he says will make its
appearance in September. The
comet will pass so near the earth, he
declares, that the planet will have
great difficulty in escaping. And
yet, there are hosts of candidates all
over the country going right along
just as though their souls were worth
nothing in comparison to even the
contemplation of an office.