davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-09-28
NO. s

sacrificed at a great reduction aud
loss to the manufacturer.
One class of wooden goods may
serve as an illustration. Felt
goods, an article that brought
nfty-hve cents a yard in the
early summer of 1879, was
raised in the spring of 1880 to 80 and
50 cents q yard. This price prom.
lsed SO well that manufacturers
went IN heavy" The storehouses
were filed to overhowing to await
the rapid sales expected by all whom
1t concerned. They kept on expect
ing, but their expectations were not
to be realized. In 1881 those very
goods, kept over from the boom
year, were sold-the very best goods,
expected to bring IS and even 90
cents-at 55 cents. One manufac-
turing concern had hundred thou
sand yards left over, and sold them
at that reduction. just contemplate
the havoc created by protection in
this one instance. The consequence
was that of six felt mills in Franklin,
Massachusetts,, operating in 1880,
there are only one or two left now
to tell the tale. The others have
either failed or gone into liquidation.
In other lines of woolens similar ex-
perience was made, although the
consequences were not of so pro-
nounced a character. And all this
under n tariff for protectionl Napo-
leon said, "The world is governed
three-fourths by imagination"
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-09-28
WHAT'S the Matter at Austin
rFort Worth Gazettc.1

What can the matter be with the
state officials at Austin? Every
thing seems to go wrong with them
when the public moneys are to be
handled, except collecting the taxes
and Loarding the surplus. What
Texan can read the report OF the ex-
perts appointed to examine the new
temporary capitol without feeling
of modification, mingled with dis
gust and Indignation They con-
denim its general manner of con-
struction. They say the front walls,
by proper anchorage, may be util.
lied, but the whole of the rear must
be replaced by better and SAFER
one. This is q humiliating report,
and the people can easily and per-
haps properly draw the Inference
that there is more or less incompe-
tency, drunkenness or boss-shep-
ardism in the administration OF the
states affairs at Austin. Can Coy.
ernor Roberts, the architect
the building board, the contractors,
the builders or any one else in any
way, manner or shape connected
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-09-28
THE PLEASING FUTURE.

The financial future is full of
bright anticipations. Not long ago
there we're dark forebodings of
probable crash, but the clouds have
passed away and the brightest sky
pervades the entire business heaven.
Last spring money was tight, aud it
was hard to place securities, owing
alone to the fact that confidence was
being shaken in the future, but
now 1t has been restored just at a
time when everything conspires to
make the country prosperous. The
crops have never been better, and
this Is the primary cause of the
buoyant feeling among business
men. The agricultural communities,
il is believed, will be well supplied
with money, and hence be able to
buy generously and also to pay
cash for purchases. Besides the i'm
petus which the abundant crops
will give to business generally, 1t
should not be forgotten that the
country profits by the presence of
about 10000 more foreigners this
year than last. These people are so
distributed that they affect business
profitably all over the United States.
Much ready money Is in this way
being invested In various enter
prises, which must add to the COM
mon welfare. Then, too, much
money is in circulation because of
extensive railroad building. Up to
the present time it is estimated that
this year about 5000 miles of road
have been constructed, against $500
miles in the same period in 1881
1t is suggestive that no abate-
ment in this industry is expected fol
many months. Consumption of the
staple products of the country Ii
greater than ever, and widespread
prosperity creates demand for the
comforts and the luxuries supplied
by commerce. Dry goods merchant
say that their business was nevol
moro encouraging, and they antici
pate q larger trade this fall and
winter than ever before. 1t is thi
fact which shows. that the masse
have money to spare, and they ar
now beginning to spend 1t freely
because they understand the,
win have an iacome for the pressing
wants Of the future. At the north
where the financial heart of the coun
try throbs. the labor troubles ar,
being ended, and food and fuel TO
the winter will be Ia every laborer'
household. In the south the agri
lculturists were never more indepen
dent. aud every farmer wears his
hat on the back Of his head. Evel
the newspaper man swells on grans
anticipations.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-09-28

THE Daily Print, a spicy little pa
per just started in Galveston, is do
ing good service for Democracy, 1t
is creditable to the Galveston Dem
ocracy that one Democratic paper
exists in that city, and it is TO be
hoped the Print will keep the forces
in line, and not submit to the susten-
ance of Republicans by Democrats
as has been the fashion with the
Island City Democrats in times past.
The STATESMAN wishes the little
paper success, and hopes it may be
able at some not distant day to boast
like its pretCntious neighbor of hav-
ing as large a circulation as all the
other daily papers of the state COM
biued.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-09-28
How They DO H.


The South Carolina Republicans,
following in the wake of their brefh.
rem in Virginia, Missouri, Texas and
other southern states, have left of
pointing with pride to the consist
ent financial record of the grand old
party aud indorsed the Greenback
state ticket. They also adopt the
duelist, Col. Cash, who killed Shan
non, as their candidate for congress
in the fifth district. If there are any
more political heresies which have
chrystalized into any kind of non-
descript party they should let it be
known promptly, as this administra-
ton is still yearning to adopt the
political orphans and bestow upon
them the proceeds of the Hubbell
two per cent. contributions. One
would be led to judge that the grand
old party had adopted the maxim Of
Artemas Ward, who, when asked
what his principles were, replied
that he hadn't any-he was in the
show business.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-09-28
VOL. XII.
HOW TO WIN POPULAR PLAU-
DTS.

The STATESMAN has time and
again called attention to the exist
ence of evil usages aud practices,
supported by law, which cucumber
our land system, and which, there
fore, do great damage to the state.
Notably may the statutes now in
force regarding school lands be
cited. Before and during the last
session of the legislature, in series
of articles we called attention to
these things, and urged such legisla-
tion as would give relief and save
the state millions. Valuable time
has been lost by inattention, on the
part of the legislature, to these mat
ters, and another legislature must
act in the premises, for the best in
terests of the state, or the
loss will soon, on the school
fund account alone, reach
tens of millions of dollars.
Commissioner Walsh has been the
earnest friend of the people in de-
feating great land piracies, and had
he had the statute aid urged by
him, his services would already have
done the state millions of dollars of
good. He now takes time by the
forelock, and issues circular which
he intends placing in the hands of
every candidate for the legislature
showing what in his judgment ought
to be done for the best interests of
the state. If the advice he gives be
needed, millions will be saved and
the high handed acts of land pirates
will be cut short. Texas pos
sesses vast wealth in its pub
lie lands, and by their pro-
per management and by an honest
disposal of these lands the state
must in time have the most magnifi-
cant free school fund of any state or
country on the globe. Commissioner
Walsh has studied the question close
ly, and his advice is such as will be
needed by sensible men, who have
no private axe to grind by differing
with him. The STATESMAN gives
to the circular above
referred to, and hopes it may be
perused with care by every
person interested in the welfare of
Texas. Especially is it hoped that
Democratic candidates will make
the substance of this circular an Issue
in the canvass, and that enough men
may be elected ON these issues to
insure speedy passage of such bills
as may cover the points necessary in
land legislation. The entire system
wants overhauling, and were the
legislature to meet and settle the
points involved properly, it might
adjourn, having done nothing else,
with the plaudits of the people.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-09-28

The grandest musical festival ever
projected in Philadelphia will be
celebrated in April of next year.
The chorus will be limited to five
hundred voices and the orchestra to
about one hundred pieces. The fes-
tival will be under the management
of w. w. Gilchrist and Chas. NJ.
Schmitz. There have up to this
time been about two hundred and
fifty applicants, and from these two
hundred voices are assured. Prom
lnent soloists will be negotiated for,
but no names have as yet been made
public. The pieces will be OF the
nature of oratorios. Elijah and
Schumann's Paradise and the Per
have been spoken of.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-09-28

Gov. DAVIS approved his own ac-
count for $3399.50 as pay for servi-
ces not rendered in 1861-62, and had
it paid. He left the bench and vol
UNFAIRLY retired within the federal
lines, and he was by no means as
much entitled to pay as was Honey,
his state treasurer, when he went of
for a summer vacation. Governor
Davis held, in Honey's case, that
going beyond the state lines with
out leave of absence caused Q
vacancy in state position, and he
proceeded to declare the treasurer's
Office vacant, placing DIR. Graham in
the position. The Inconsistency OF
his course in. these two instances
shows what a just and proper mar
Mr.. Davis is. He declared Honey'i
place vacant simply because he had
ceased to be his tool; he approved
his own account for the
balance of term, after he had re.
tired from his place, and then saw
that the money was paid in cash tC
bimself out of the treasury. This ii
the man who wants to be Texal
congressman, and who stands be-
hind Col. Jones' back to make him
if possible, governor of Texas.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-09-28

promises are preparing to embark
in 1t and extend it until all the
principal places east of the noun
taiDs are supplied IN this way. 1t is
claimed that the meat when II
reaches its destination is as fresh and
sweet as when it left the slaughter
house, and that at no distant day the
west "will supply the eastern cities
with meats at from eight to twelve
cents a pound less than they now
pay" II this be true, why should
Chicago enjoy the benefit OF such
trade to the exclusion of other
places? Texas stock men ship
beeves to Chicago; why should they
not kill the animals fresh from the
range, and forward the dressed meat
from Texas? The refrigerator cars
could be loaded with freight for
Texas, and be returned with meat
and ice both grown in Texas.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-09-28

THE antl-monopoly convention
which recently concluded its labors
at Saratoga adopted comprehen-
sive platform of principles, but post
poned action on nominations until
after the Democratic and Republi-
can state conventions have placed
their respective tickets before the
people. Should either of these con-
ventions incorporate in its platform
the, reforms proposed by the anti
monopolists, and place men upon it
who can be relied on to carry them
out, then they will support the SO
candidates. But if the old parties
should ignore the anti.monop-
lists, then the latter will
place ticket of their own in the
field, and undertake to support 1t
vigorously. The convention was
composed of but 1872 delegates, and
included among them some who
have been prominent in both of the
existing parties. This circumstance
has led to the charge that it was
gotten up wholly in the interest of
the Democracy under the virtual
control of Mr.. Kelly.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-09-28
HOW PROTECTION AFFECTS
THE FARMER.

A writer in the Free Trader most
ably dlscusses the question of tariff
on imports. 1t is estimated that
protection increases the expenses of
the farmers living torty-three per
cent. Ii increases the cost of agri-
cultural implements forty per cent,
and give similar fictitious values to
almost every article required in hus-
bandry. 1t curtails his foreign mar
ket, for the high tariffs on the con-
tinent Of Europe and Canada, Mex
leo and the South American states,
against our agricultural products,
are stringently maintained because
Of our high tariff against them.
Protection robs the farmer of the
fruits of his toll by lncreas-
ing the cost of transportation. The
building and operating of railroads
are increa sed one-third through the
increase in the cost of material
which protection makes, and the
cost of transportation is nearly dou-
bled, because in most cases enough
must be made IN carrying from New
York to Liverpool to pay for the re-
turn voyage, and this because the
vessel, on account of the tariff, can
not bring back cargo to sell here.
Itmust not be forgotten that the price
of an American exported bushel of
wheat is fixed at Liverpool, where
the American farmer competes with
out protection with every farmer
in the world. That price is the re-
suit of that competition. What.
ever, therefore, is saved in the
cost of transportation, is saved as
profit to the farmer. Projection has
enhanced this cost, and there may
be no hesitation in saying that
American farmers have been robbed
in this way of at least ten cents on
every bushel of wheat exported in
the last twenty years. Another
point should be remembered. 1t is
England's free trade which gives ui
u market for our surplus sgricul
ture. Let this market be taken
away and the harvests would rot un
gathered in the field, and the far
mers would be paupers in the mids
of their own plenty. Protection
threatens that market. This day {
bitter contest is being waged be
tween free traders and "faii
traders" as they call themselves
The latter propose to retaliate
with q tariff upon the countries
which have tariff against England
The proposition upon which the!
are most united is to place duty o
twenty cents on every American
bushel of wheat. The result i
doubtful. If the free traders ar
beaten, the American farmer will, q
a heavy cost, learn lesson of pro
lection which need never be learnet
If they would at once support fire.
trade here. Agriculture is thus rob
bed and embarrassed by protection
and its chief foreign market is en-
dangered.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-09-28

The enterprise of shipping dress
ed beef from Chicago to the eastern
cities in refrigerator cars, to which
we have heretofore adverted. seems
to yield satisfactory results to those
engaged in it. So well does it prom
Use, furthermore. that Chicago capi.
talists are now building large re-
frigerator building in New York for
the storage and distribution of such
shipments. At present IL is said the
business of shipping beef in this
manner is confined to three firms, who
forward forty car loads, or fifteen
hundred dressed beeyes, per day, but
others tempted by the profits 1t
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-09-28

1T is estimated that the star-route
TRIALS have cost the government
$780, 0,OO0-and absolutely nothing to
show for it. MIR, Bliss tee Is set
down at $4,000, Mr.. Merrick's at
$4,000, Mr.. Kerr's at $4,000, and
Cook and Gibson's $4,000. Then
there are the fees and expenses of
witnesses, estimated at $4,000 .
detective work nearly 100000.
ssnd incidental expenses enough to
swell the aggregate to $S00,OO0
The trial, too, has certainly been very
costly to the defendants. Col. In
gersoll does not air his eloquence
for nothing. He is q superb sort of
person and demands superb fees for
his services and there are six
other lawyers to be paid be-
side him. The ringleaders may in
the end escape conviction, but by
the time the government and their
own counsel are done with them 1t
Is not probable they will be carrying
about with them q very large share
of the money of which they robbed
the government.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-09-28
Total
A COMPARISON

of the two periods in regard to the
amount of revenue received by the
government, and hesurplus revenue
gives q very striking result.
The revenue during the Republi-
can period was 81, ,956, ,129, ,862.85, and
during the Democratic period ST.
89S, ,425, ,803.61, or other words, the
receipts Of the government during
the former period were $57,704,
059.24 larger than during the latter.
But despite the fact that the Repub-
licans had the advantage of the
larger revenue the Democrats during
the period they had control of the
house secured to the government by
their economy a much larger scr-
plus revenue. The surplus during
the Republican period was only
1915. .862, ,403.26 as compared to $780,
516,299.41 during the Democratic
period, or a difference of sos, $685.
896.15 in favor of the latter, although
the receipts during that time
were nearly $58,000,O00 less than
during the Republican period. In
other words if the revenues had
been as large during the Democratic
period as during the Republican, the
surplus revenue would have amount
ed to over $427, 100000, or $131, ,00O,-
600 in excess of the surplus during
the Republican period.
Such is the story told by the off,
cial figures of the the treasury de.
| partment.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-09-28
A Political NondescrIpt.

huBk county Newell
Col. Jones is q political nondes-
cript He proposes to canvass with
out principles or party. He is sim
ply a g. w. Jones man "a political
atheist, but acknowledges no supe-
rior, either on earth or in heaven.
His stock-in-trade is abuse of the
Democratic party, and lasciviating
around with the Republicans, with
the Greenbackers, the sore-heads
and the odds-and-ends of all influ-
ences that will help TO make him
governor, and again put the people
of Texas under Republican misrule.
Are they prepared for this2 The
Netcs answers with confidence they
ara notl
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-09-28

The Rev. w. Sharman,a a Unitari-
an minister of Plymouth, England,
is making a good deal of noise in
religious and political circles. He
began his public life In this country
as a journalist in Washington and
Texas, for six years, and married a
New York lady. In the west OF Eng
land he is equally notable in the
pulpit and in politics. He organ
lied gigantic mass meeting
at Plymouth to welcome Brad
laugh some years ago, and
for this the people called him an
infidel. Then he preached sermon
ON "Who are the lnfidelsT which
made q rattle among the dry bones.
He aided greatly the return OF Mr..
Bradlaugh, and is now engaged in
organizing an association for the
"Repeal of the Blasphemy Laws
Over fifty clergymen have already
Joined the association, and among
them is DIR. Vance Smith, one of the
members of the New Testament re.
vision committee.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-09-28
Meanwhile. buyers were sent a

Meanwhile, buyers were sent all
over the inhabited world to
buy wool. Asia, Africa, Aus
tralia and South America were
cleaned of wool to satiate the vora-
cious nav of the American specula-
tor. The wool merchants of Lon
don had little wool to offer, and q
real scarcity made itself felt and
created feeling of great anxiety
less the much-coveted fleece should
not be obtainable at all. Our Argo-
nauts resold a good deal of foreign
wool to the panic-stricken English
when the over-supply in this coun-
try began to make itself felt.
Imports of foreign wool in 1878
were 39,O0O,000 pounds; imports OF
foreign wool in 1880 were 128, 600, ,00C
pounds.
1t is an ill wind which blows no
body good. If the manufacturer
reaped no benefit from this harvest
the speculators at least had no reason
to find fault with tariff for the pro
lection of our home industries. Th'
sweet nectar of the boom in wooler
manufactures was not without III
bitter dregs. Large prices were
asked, and large prices were obtain
ed. Every spindle was put in mo
ton, every card employed ant
driven with all the speed tina
modern invention could supply
Extra hands were set to work II
relays. But not all the promises o
the commission houses (the agent
of the mills) were realized. Man
dealers bought largely, others KEEP
back, only supplying their immedl
ate wants, and q great many stock
were kept on hand that were mad
of high priced stock and had 70 b
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-09-28

with the job, or with the adminis-
tration. explain WHY defective work
was allowed 10 go 10 the extent it
has! Can any one Of them give an
honest aud reasonabl excuse for
the necessity of thai ancdorage"
10 the trout walls and the replace
ment of the rear ones with "better
aud safer" walls? Can any one or
all OF them tell the people why this is
thus?
Ii satisfactory explanation be
made for the bungliug work In the
walls, the additional aud possibly
more important question comes up
as 10 the payment OF the $2S,000 to
the contractors, under the supervi-
sion of the al aIchilect, aud its proba-
BILE total loss 10 The state. How
about this, ye wise, competent, So
ber, vigilant, honest servants of the
people?
The state house was burned by
carelessness-not to say criminal
negligence-nobody 10 blame. And
now the new one is so miserably
constructed that it has to be torn
down. Anybody to blame for this Z
Twenty-eight thousand dollars of
the peoples money disappears in de-
fective walls and is to be buried in
the debris of official incompetency,
negligence or something worse.
Anybody TO blame? Can Gov. Rob-
erts' administration hope TO escape
public censure for these aud the
many other similar evidences of
dereliction that cucumber aud em-
barrass it at all points? The plea of
the safety of the surplus revenue
will be no sufficient answer to the
peoples clamor for their school
lands, their common domain, their
university endowment, their burnt
offerings and their millions squan-
dered IN capitol jobs. The admin.
istration is entitled TO no especial
credit for not stealing the sur
plus moneys in the treasury,
except on the modern the
ory that every man is sup
posed to be a rogue till he is proven
to be honest. The piaudit of swell
done, good aud faithful servant" is
due TO all officials who discharge
their duty faithfully and honestly
public condemnation aud infamy to
those who fail so to serve their mas
ters-the people. But according to
Gov. Roberts these matters should
not concern the people or the press.
No, sir; lis none oftheir business
he eXclaims to the comptroller, and
NO, sir; ii is none of their busi-
ness" echo tie underlings of his adj
ministratioD. The press tried In
vain to get the full report ofthe ox-
perts, but the governor said, "No,
sir 1t is none OF their buiness." On
this point an editorial from the
STATESMAN, produced in the current
issue of the Gazette, is commended
TO the reader. IL is just such con-
duet as this that is fast bringing the
public mind of Texas to the suspi-
cion, not TO say well grounded belief
that there are other rotten places in
the departments at Austin besides
those in the " alls Of the temporary
canitolO