davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27
SPARKS OF SCIENCE.

To bleach sheepskin parchment
white, expose the pieces to strong
sunlight under glass in a moist at
mOsphere.
For one mile OF railroad it takes
352 rails. 80 feet long, $3.50 pounds of
spikes, $3.50 pounds of fish plates and
and 1850 of bolts.
1t is proposed to try an improved
phonograph in a Paris institution
tor teaching pupils the pronuncia-
ton of foreign languages.
Grapes exposed to solar light con-
tain more sugar by 3.75 per cent and
less acid by 1.34 per cent than such
as have remained III darkness.
To stain glass lamp chimney,
paint the glass with a solution of
waterglass (sirupy) stained with
chrome green, and let it dry thor
Oughly before using on the lamp.
Straps made from various mate
rials have been tested by Herr Vein
lig, who finds that the straps of Rus
sian hemp are about 10 per cent
stronger than those of Italian hemp,
and twice as strong as those of cot
ton.
NM. Grehant and Quinquand
have determined by a series OF in-
terestng experiments that the total
weight of blood in the system of a
live mammal is between One-twelfth
and one-thirteenth of the body
weight.
Glass spinning and glass flower
manufacture is a very extensive
branch of the Austrian glass indus
try. 1t is now SO developed that a
petroleum flame gives some 1850
yards of glass thread every minute,
that are woven not only for glass
cloths, ETC., but also for watch chains,
brushes, etc.
A new screw adapted to be put in
position by driving has been inven-
ted and is said to enter the wood
without tearing the grain. A cone
point is used instead of the gimlet
point, and the screw thread has such
pitch that 1T drives in barb fashion
and once in position is very difficult
to remove.
Milk may come into the house in
a wholesome condition, yet will be-
come tainted with the sewer gas
from closets, or even with the dust
carried by drafts through sleeping
or living rooms. While milk is one
of the best and most palatable OF
foods in summer, it must be careful
ly guarded, or it will prove potent
vehicle of disease.
The annual report of the Green
wicb Observatory for 1881 calls at
tention to a remarkable change in
the motion of Sirius, the dog star.
During 1877 and 1873 this star was
travelling through space at the rate
of about tweutY-tW o miles second,
but last year this rate seems to have
diminished 10 about seven miles
second. This apparent decrease OF
speed is supposed to be due to the
movement of Sirius in its orbit.
The large sweet onion is very rich
in those alkaline elements which
counteract the poison of rheumatic
gout. If slowly stepped IN weak
broth and eaten with little Nepaul
pepper, it will be found to be an ad-
mirable article of diet for patients
of studious or sedentary habits.
The stalks of cauliflower have the
same value, only too often they are
so ill-bOiled and unpalatable tLat
few persons would care to eat them.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27
POLITICAL NOTES.

The Illinois Greenbackers hold a
state convention at Peoria, August 2.
1t is now asserted that Guiteau
received Republican political as
sessment circular on the day he died |!
The Democrats of Crawford coun-
ty, Pennsylvania, pronounced in
favor OF submitting the prohibitOry
question to a vote of the people.
The Republican congressional
committees reading the scripture !:
"Render unto Hubbell the two per
cent that is Hubbell's, and for the
rest we don't care a continental"
The Pennsylvania Republican con-
gressmen are unanimously in favor
of harmony and reelection. But
whether this unanimity is the fruit
of patriotism or selfishness is what
gives pause.
Local politics in Arkansas are get
ting red hot. Candidates for county
offices are numerous, and an unpar-
alleled degree of bitterness charac-
terizes the strife for the small loaves
and fishes of petty official positions.
James q. Blaine, Michael G. Kerr
and Samuel j. Randall. This is the
type of men who had been occupy
ing the speakers chair for twelve
years before Keifer got in. The con-
trast seems to be even too much for
Keifer's own district.
Mr.. Conkling is out of politics,
but he made some remarks recently
that his protege, Mr.. Arthur, would
do well to heed. Mr.. Conkling OBJ
serves that party ties are sitting
rather lightly on men these davs, and
that congress is getting away with
rather too much of the peoples
money.
The civil service reformers of New
York are going to send to the fed
eral grand juries the names of all
federal office holders who have paid
the political assessments levied on
them by Jay Hubbell and his COM
mittee. These Office holders have
brought themselves under the pen
atty of the law of 1876.
Colonel George N. Folk has form
ally accepted the anti-Prohlbltion
and Liberal nomination for associate
justice of the supreme court of North
Carolina, and says that he has been
surprised to hear there exists doubt
as to his cordial concurrence in the
principles and objects of the Liberal
party as announced in the resolu
tions composing its platform.
The opposition to George Robe
sons nomination for reelection to
congress in the first New jersey dis
trict is increasing. His opponent is
James Ii. Nixon, prominent lawyer
and ex-member of the legislature,
who has the strongest and best kind
of backing. The Republicans of the
first district seem to be getting dis
gusted with a representative who
has such an increasingly bad reputa-
ton as Robson.
To win voters the Democratic
party must show the people that it
means to be what it has always pro-
fessed to be-the party of the peo-
ple-and it must select for its repre-
sentatives men who can be trusted
as to capacity and honesty of pur-
pose. The session of congress is
drawing to a close, but it is not too
late for the Democratic minority to
give further proofs than already fur
nished that it proposes to guard the
interests of the masses.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27

SINCE prohibition was so signally
successful in Iowa, Minnesota is GO
ing to make a venture in the same
direction, and the election of the
next legislature will, it is said, turn
upon this issue. A constitutional
amendment, similar to the one
adopted iu Iowa, prohibiting the
manufacture and sale OF liquors, is
desired by the temperance men. A
test is to be applied to those who
wish for a seat in the legislature.
They must pledge themselves to vote
for the proposed amendment or lose
the support of the prohibitionists.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27

1t will be remembered that during
the administration of Postmaster
General Key the subject of prohibit
ing the Transmission through the
mails of matter relating to lotteries
was presented for action. AT first
General Key decided that such mat
ter could not be sent through the
United States mails, but on some le-
gal technicality this decision was af-
forwards overruled. The business
of the Louisiana and other lottery
companies has consequently pros
pered since. 1t is understood that
the present postmaster general sees
differently and on a proper presen-
tation of the matter to him he would
exclude this matter from the mails.
With this in view, Representative
Robertson, of Louisiana, has prepar-
ed a protest against allowing the use
of the mails for the purpose. This
protest will be placed in the proper
channel and when it reaches the
postmaster general a ruling will be
made by him.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27
Another plant possessing al

Another plant possessing anti
malarial properties, as alleged, is re-
ceiving public attention. This is the
"jussieua grandi-flora," or floating
plants of the bayOus and lower
lakes of Louisiana, which has been
long observed to prevent the de-
velopment of malaria IN regions
peculiarly adapted to its generation.
The claim is put forth for it that it
purifies all stagnant water in which
it grows, that the lakes and bayous
inhabited by it are singularly pure
to the sight, taste and smell; and
that to its presence, and its undoubt-
ed hygienic or health-preserving
qualities is to be attributed the
remarkable exemption of the people
of lower Louisiana from the malari-
Gus or miasmatic diseases. 1t IS also
stated that in the region thus re-
putedly preserved from such dis
eases there are more stagnant waters
and swanps than in any other part
of the country.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27
A Pittsburger's Last Wishes.

lHlIlspuiS 3 VI a'J ColnHerclal'I
The will of Nathan Porter is writ
ten on a sheet of foolscap in lead
pencil. The wife is made "the only
legal heir" she to do as she pleases
with his estate while she lives. At
her death the property shall be di-
vided among the children. A codi-
ell says peculiarly My last request
is to have no funeral nor have an ex-
pensive box, but plain pine box, to
be buried in the southeast corner of
the lot Immediately above the house
that is the cow pasture now, to be
taken to the grave by the pail
bearers between sundown and dark,
grave to be left smooth and no mark
to be left TO show that any person
was ever planted there" Another
codIcil is to this effect: "If either
of these beirs object to settling ami
cably with the other, the same is to
receive one dollar and go his or her
own way" The will is dated OctO-
Der, 1873, and no executor is named.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27
Il. Farher's complexion.

Mr.. Blanket sat looking at the
baby with a wistful, far-of look in
bis eyes, trying TO think of the usual
idiotic, unmeaning and unmeant
things that people say about new
babes, and at last, in a spasm Of
originality, remarked that the "baby
had its fathers complexion" Then
all sat and looked at the rich car
dinal hues that made the wrlnkled
countenance of the UNCONSCIOUS in
fant glow like a mountain sunset,
and nobody said anything until a
feeble voice from an adj6inlng room
said: ut was a good thing that the
baby had 1t naturally, then, as it re-
quired about fifteen years steady
practice and the cooperation Of
three scientific clubs and five polit-
ical campaigns TO acquire it." Then
a sad, quiet smile stole over the
room again, only broken by the
hard breathing OF the baby's father
looking at the thermometer to see
what time it was, while Mr.. Blanket,
feeling that he could add nothing TO
what had already been said, stole
down tile stairs softly whispering to
himself about some old fool; but
the company couldn't catch the
name, and the company didn't know
whom he meant.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27

THE appropriation for the signal
service has been cut down about
$65,000, a proceeding which the
country will not hesitate to pro-
nounce a blunder, if not a crime
The people fully recognize the great
value of the signal service to agri.
culture and commerce, and the re-
duction in the appropriation by the
house seems hardly credible. In
stead of reducing the amount the
appropriation should have been in
creased. New stations have been es-
tablished, special reports for tobac-
CO, cotton and sugar growers have
been commenced, the telegraph bills
have of course increased with the
extension of the service; yet the
house proposes to cripple all this
important work, which il demanded
by the people.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27

AN effort is making in congress to
have Washington Territory admit
ted into the union, but it is prob
bable that the ambitious Washing
tonians will have to wait awhile
The territory is q very beautiful
piece ofcountry. In 1880 the lum-
bermen cut 25O,OO0,0OO feet; about
10000 tons of coal are produced ;
the manufactured products are
valued at Sc, l29, ,762; !; the wheat pro-
duct last year was nearly 100000
bushels; taxable values aggregate
$24, 100000, and the population is
about $4,000. Many immigrants are
going to Washington Territory this
year, but it will be some time before
the state can show enough people to
give a would-be congressman a
chance. The required ratio is 151.-
600.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27

No wonder there is discomfort
among the working classes; the
wonder Is the discomfort is no
greater. But we are told there is
often discomfort in England. So
there is, but that is no excuse for
discomfort in America. Under free
trade, which is only another name
for perfect liberty, there would be
no discomfort here. Our troubles
are due to artificial conditions
Without the restrictions imposed by
the tariff, labor would do what 1t
paid best to do, and would buy
where it could buy cheapest. Land
is cheap here, transportation is
cheap, and when wages in the mills
and founderies were not remunera-
tive, the men could buy, somewhere,
piece of land, and go to farming.
AS it now is, taxes being imposed
on every article except labor, living
is expensive, all the implements of
labor are expensive, and only labor
Is cheap. The remedy for this con-
dition Of affairs is tariff for revenue
only.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27

INDIANA, for new schemes, stands
at the head. An Indianapolis man
has perfected a contrivance by which
any person who has been buried un
der the impression that he was dead,
can communicate, upon returning to
consciousness, with the person in
charge of the cemetery. This won
derful little instrument will proba-
bly, be ordered at once for Hon.
George Washington Jones, but it
will be of no use. He will be be-
yond all hope of resuscitation at the
close of the November election.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27

A REPUBLICAN member of the
Michigan legislature has the follow
ing to say of the negro, after having
paid a visit to the south:
D-n him, sir, d-n him! We
wouldn't stand the half from him
that the south does. He is lazy,
shiftless, thievish and general nuis-
ance. I've talked with q score OF
'em and they are as ignorant as our
horses. They vote my ticket, but
they can't tell me why. They have
no reason, no argument, no princi-
pie, and so little sense that 1 WON
der how they get through the week.
The above is published for the
benefit of the colored people that
they may see the true estimation in
which they are held by people who
know nothing about them but pro-
fess to be their saviours and their
friends.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27

THE power of money may be
strong in America, but it is much
stronger in Egypt. 1t seems that
before abandoning Alexandria,
Arabi Bey left orders for the death
of the khedive. They approached
that official and coolly informed him
that it was their mission to take him
off, but before they did so, he sue
ceeded not only in inducing them
by promise of liberal reward to per-
nit him to hive, but even to become
his loyal friends and subjects. Allah
is great IN Egyptian eyes, but evil
IDENTIFY filthy lucre is power which
is irresistible.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27

A RECENT report on the estate of
the late james Lick, of San Fran
cisco, shows it to be worth now ST.
94S,350.S6. Out of this there are to
be paid 100000 Qess SlO2. .97s.7S al
ready paid) for an observatory and
telescope; to the California school
of mechanical arts, $40, 900; for free
pubic baths, Sl50,OOO; for bronze
statuary in San francisco, aud to the
old ladies' home, 100000 each; for
a monument to Francis Scott Key,
100000, and other bequests to be-
nevolent societies, etc., amounting in
all to Sl,72s, ,271.2z
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27

If the old country thinks it can
get ahead of the western world in
the way of sensation, it is mistaken.
1t has gone into fierce Egyptian
war. But the editors of this country
have determined to keep pace with
the northern country. Two Georgia
editors, and two Mississippi scribes
and two Kentucky knights of the
quill, recently declared war against
each other. While on the battle
ground there was much shooting ;
the record shows no dead, and few
slightly wounded"
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27

CONGRESS has directed the de-
partment of agriculture to Under
take work which will be of much
more practical utility than raising
sugar at $50 a pound or distributing
seeds through the mails which no.
body will ever plant. The division
of statistics has been directed to col
lect and publish monthly, for the in
formation of farmers, the freight
rates of the various railroad and
steamboat lines for the purpose of
enabling them to judge when and
over what lines it will be the most
profitable to ship their products.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27
THE UNIVERSITY FACULTY.

The regents of the University of
Texas, it appears, have decided to
elect professors on the 10th of Au-
gust next, and to open the univer-
sity on the 1st of January, 1888. The
STATESMAN is not advised as to the
method of procedure the regents
have adopted for choosing faculty.
We have before us a private letter
from a distinguished professor in
the University of Virginia to an old
pupil of his residing in Austin, from
which we are permitted to make the
following extract: "The first pro-
fessors ought all to be men of high
mark IN their callings, the best men
to be gotten in Great Britain or in
the United States. This was Mr..
Jefferson's plan in the very origin
of the University of Virginia. In
searching for an astronomer for this
university inquiries were made both
in Great Britain and throughout
the United States among astrono-
mers of note, whose opinions as ex-
perts and men of wide acquaintance
was worth having" Again he says:
"Your university ought to be a
great power in the land in helping
to restore the equilibrium i'll the
forces of the higher educa-
ton of the two great sec
tions of the republic. hope the re-
gents will create first-class univer-
sity of high standard, in which the
professors shall be not only noble in
structors and guides to the young
men of high aspirations, but also be
patterns of lofty erudItion." The ac-
ton of the regents of the Texas uni
versity is closely and eagerly watch
ed, not only by Texans and those
who expect appointments to teach
in the university, but especially by
distinguished educators throughout
the South who wish to sec our insti-
tuition "a power in the land in help
ing to restore the equilibrium in the
forces of the higher education ofthe
two great sections of the republic"
In order that the university of Tex
as may fulfill this glorious destiny,
the regents should see to it that the
men whom they commission to teach
our young men and women "of high
aspirations" are "not only noble in
structors and guides, but also pat
terms of lofty erudition." The time
in which TO select a faculty is ex-
ceedingly short, and the regents
should be very careful, for if they
burden the university with an infe-
rior faculty it will be no easy task
to get rid of it and will be dire ca
iamity.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27
Business FaiIure-HangIng.

NEW YORK, July 21.-W. j. Will
cox 81 Co., one of the largest lard
refining houses in this city, have sus-
pended. No statement has been
made public, but member of the
firm expressed confidence to-day
that the assets would exceed the liza
bilities. The cause of the suspension
is heavy stocks and stagnation OF
trade.
James E. Walsh, the murderer OF
Barbara M. Roorthal, was executed
this morning at the Raymond street
Jail, Brooklyn. The execution was
private and devoid of sensation or
incident.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27

The Hermitage, President jack
sons old homestead. is owned by the
state of Tennessee, but the widow of
Jackson's adopted son and her two
children are living on the plantation
in extreme poverty. So hard pressed
have they been at times that they
contemplated the sale of many of the
Jackson relics about the place. Mrs.
Jackson was formerly mistress of
the white house, anu was a great
favorite of the general, who was
converted late in lite through her in
fiuence. 1t is suggested as a
method of relief for the family that
the Jackson papers now in their pos
session be purchased for the nation.
These papers cover the Greek war,
the defense of New Orleans and the
Florida invasion, and comprise many
documents of related interest.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27

The senate finance committee
proposes to increase the tariff tax
on knit goods at rates from eighty
five to one hundred per cent. The
duty is prohibitory on knit wooden
caps, used largely by laboring peo-
pie, and especially miners. So looks
the Republican party after the inter-
ests of the "poor laboring man."
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27
The Cattle TraII.
1Times-Demecrat.1

An Indian territory special says
that within the past week more than
$4,000 head of cattle have passed up
the trail. Herds are reported COM
ing in from Missouri, Texas, Louisi-
ana, Kansas and the borders of Iowa.
The following are the names OF the
owners and number of stock which
passed during the last six days: j.
W. West, $500; johnson & Hosmer,
$500; James Ray, 40; P. E. Slaugh-
ter, 600; j. X. Dick, 100; Jones
Bros, 100; Hamilton, Hervins &
Co., 1000; VIM. McCutcheon, $500 /;
Houston Sc Lemmons, 700; G. e.
Odin, 100; Kimberlin & Mitchell,
$3.50; j. Sacra, 400; w. w. Waf-
ford, $500; Mr.. Brownfield, 1900;
E. G. Suggs g. Co., 2500; Reynolds &
Mathews, $50; L. Estes, $40; John
Lake, 900; FL. B. Stoddard, 2400 ;
Wilson g. Davis, 1900; j. A. John
son, 2800; B. Kahle, 85S; Hall 81
johnson, $50; Wilson & Davidson,
1850; Smith & Forsyth, 2200; Thos.
Lemmons, 1000; S. Erskin, 1900; j.
w. Walden, 1900; j. S.Carr, 800, max
ing a total of over $4,000 cattle that
have passed up the trail during the
present season. Experienced cattle
men say that large additions will be
made to this number within thirty
dayg.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27

IT USED to be considered a won
derful thing to engrave the Lords
prayer on a three-cent piece. At
the last meeting of the San Fran
cisco Microscopical society the
president exhibited an engraving
upon a glass plate of the Lords
prayer so minutely executed that on
the same scale nine copies of the en-
tire Bible could be produced within
the space of square inch.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27
nestructlve KAHN i'm nohemia.

VIENNA, July 21.-A deluge OF
rain has occurred in Bohemia aud
the destruction of property and
crops is incalculable. The bodies
of forty-seven persons drowned
have been recovered. A large part
of the harvest in Bohemia was de-
stroyed.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27

AT present the American ship
owner cannot compete with the YES
sells of any other nationality simply
because the latter can run their YES
sells at an expense from fifteen to
forty per cent less than we have to
pay and most of this increase i'll the
cost of working American ships is
is due to the abomnable tariff laws
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27

ST. LOUIS, July 21.-The Cass
Avenue planning mill, owned by
joint stock company, was burned
early this morning. Loss, about
100000; insured.
The cellar and first floor of M.
Bucks railway supply house was
severely damaged by fire this morn
ing. Loss, $4,000; covered by m
surance.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27

DR.. Jourdan, of Beuf River, has
forwarded to the 1Imes-D Democrat a
sample of his growing crop of cot
ton, selected at random from 700
acres planted since the overflow.
The plants are very vigorous and
full of blooms, bolls and Squares
fine exhibit considering the planting
was done SO late.