davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

Our best wish for all our readers, as the
Christmas season comes near, is that we may
all catch something of the real spirit of Christ
mas time-of that spirit which softens and
warns the heart, subducs selishness, sets
generous impulses astir, forgives old grudges,
and really brings one to himself In its true
significance it is for this that the Christmas
season really stands. II was such q message
of "peace" and good will' that was brought
to the earth almost nineteen hundred years
ago. In the struggle for existence, in the
sharp competitions of life, in our everyday
plodding, it is almost inevitable that the best
of us finds himself bound about with some
thing of that crust Of selfshness and lack Of
human interest and sympathy which made
Old Scrooge's life utterly miserable, repulsiye
and uncomfortable. To break up this crust
and set allowing the currents of q warm and
true life is the real mission of Christmas time.
Happy are We if for US once in every year
this thing is really done.
We do not by any means forget the jollity
the unrestrained merriment the gift giving
that belong to the season. For many reasons
we deem it good thing that the practice of
recent years tends more and more to concen-
trate in the Christmas season the interchange
of courtesies and the giving of needed gifts.
But less and less each year do We have pa
thence with that gift. giving which is only form
al and perfunctory, which is done for appear
ance sake, because it "must" be done or
fought" to be done, and not because the
heart says do it. First let the heart be right,
be sure that the spirit of Old Scrooge is not
lingering near and then let the Christmas
gifts be such as feeling dictates and the purse
allows, no more and no less, and We shall be
likely to find ourselves at the end of the holt
day season in the enjoyment Of self-respect
and peace of mind. We sincerely hope that
in no household it will be forgotten that this
is peculiarly the chdren's season. 1t is their
right to have the Christmas time made for
them one of pure enjoyment and unalloycd
happiness. The glamour of childhood lasts
none too long all too soon the stern realities
of life disenchant its legend and fables, and
the truest wisdom is, so long as may be, to
keep its pleasures fresh and undinmed. Un-
less it be in some home made utterly misera-
BILE by poverty or vice, We could hardly SYM
phlulIe VIII hhJ aPIllI VI ISpIuiuB III thS
Christmas season, for who has not known
what benediction comes with the smallest
gift or the simplest enjoyment when confer
red from the heart in a real spirit of4ove and
good-wilY
The true outcome of the true Christmas
spirit of which we have spoken is a spirit of
regeneration, of quickening TO newness of
life. If the heart is softened, if the crust of
selfshness is broken, if old grudges are for
given, there Immediately follows a reaching
after something better and higher-after the
best and truest things which are within the
compass of every life. May something like
this be our holiday keeping, and may we find
therein truly merry Christmas"
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

Vim. l.. Barnes the euterprisiug land
lord OF the Jamaica House, slaughtered last
week Chester White cow a little over 20
months old that weighed alive $50 lbs, aud
dressed zoo lbs Who will beat that both for
total weight and for small per cent. Of loss of
weight in dressing.
F D. Read received Monday evening Of
this week from the Vermont Accident Asso-
citation OF Rutland, Sjl for six weeks indem-
nifty for disability caused by an accident to
his eye received in building the elevated rail
road on Hon. II. H. Wheeler Ball Mountain
timber lot a. S. Stevens Of Londonderry
received from the same company few days
ago $40 for disability caused by scale Of
stone flying in his eye, while building bank
wall back Of the Peabody House in South
Londonderry. The Association now has over
20 members in Londonderry and over 81 in
Jamaica.
The Narrow Guage railroad is full OF
business A S. Mitchell of East Lexington,
Mass, now has his headquarters at the ia
maica House for shipping hemlock bark. He
has about 1900 cords secured, will give
the "iittle road about l2j car loads yet the
local freghts are 30 high that he pays two
dollars per cord less for bark on tine Narrow
Guage than be docs delivered at Chester de-
pot, making q difference Of about $500
against the farmer, of the West River Valley.
l. X. Allen 4 Co. are also furnishing a large
amount of freight from the steam mill of
Walker & Co. in Jamaica, and the new steam
mill put in by Thomas Vail near South Lon
donderry. f. NJ. Wood, from Worcester,
Mass, has charge Of the work at both mills.
Several hundred cords of poplar and bass for
pulp have been purchased in the last few
,eks, up the Valley, to be shipped to
Turner's Falls. Wardwell aud Flint are rush
ing their mill on Judge Wheeler's timber lot,
and all the mills and chair shops on the line
are busy. Y.
Arrangements have been made FOR half-fare rates
over the Brauleboro Whitehall railroad during the
poultry cxbibition-Jau. 2-5.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

November. lie wanted an investigation.
Now Just such action as no proposed would
have imperiled the passage Of any iron-clad
law prohibiting assessments. But, against
the advice of cooler-headed Democrats, he
introduced his investigating resolution. Ed
munds let him and Voorhees, deliver their
speeches, and allowed Hale to counter by a
palpably dishonest resolution calling for an
investigation of the Democratic committee
committee that did not assess employees Of
the government because it could not. At last
in the middle Of Beck's speech on Saturday
when he was louudering among old CAM
pagn books, growing very red, wildly shak-
ing his arms, and looking az terrible as a
Kentucky Scotchman only eau whom he sim
ulates indignation, -Edmunds took his twirl-
ing thumbs Off his stomach and slowly rose.
The power of the Vermont Senator over the
Senate and the galleries was instantly seen.
Senators stopped writing and buzzing The
privileged gentlemen near the sofa ceased
couversng, the galleries were quiet. Docs
not my friend from Kentucky know said
Edmunds in his quiet, cool, tantalizing voice,
that he proposes an investigation which by
a decision Of tho Supreme court we are pow
erloss to conductf" Beck, who fears Ed
munds, seemed to have the enthusiasm all
taken out of him, and so suddenly that his
collapse was betrayed by painful expression
of the face. Having administered the wound
Edmunds coolly rubbed salt into it by show
ing how under the decision in the hibourn
case, the Senators who imprisoned Hubbell
for contempt for showing his books might bo
mulcted by Hubbell for heavy damages.
Beck's confusion was as amusing TO others as
it was painful to him.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

The notorious ex-senator Dorsey, now on
trial for swindling the government in the star
route business, has in part fulfilled bis threat
to publish certain correspondence which, as
secretary of the Republican national commit
tee, he held with Mr.. Garfield during the last
presidential campaign. So far as published,
however, these letters simply show that Dor
sey was an active worker on the Republican
side in the late campaign that he was on ia
miliar terms with various politicians and
statesmen and that his services were ap.
preciated. 1t appears that, up to the time
when Garfield was inaugurated, Dorsey was
in active correspondence with prominent Re-
publicans throughout the country. Garfield,
the Republican nominee, anxious for his own
success and the success of his party, wrote to
him often and in strict confidence Dorsey
then generally esteemed as an honest man.
was thoroughly informed concerning all po-
litical movements As secretary of the Re-
publican organization and its Gctive manager,
he moved speakers mapped out campaigns,
disbursed funds and received contributions
from various persons and organizations. No
body denounced Dorsey as a thief, or as a
conspirator, or as person unworthy of a
fair degree of confidence.
Before President Hayes had gone out of
office, there were rumors of frauds in the
postal service. These rumors took definite
form soon after Garfield was inaugurated.
James, the new Postmaster General, investi-
gated the frauds in the star-route service. To
the surprise of almost everybody, Dorsey s
name led the list of the alleged conspirators.
This revelation mortified all honest Republi-
cans. Garfield, the newly inaugurated Pres
ident, evidently did not know the real char
acter of the man with whom, in 1850, he was
in close correspondence as the Republican
manager and when it was necessary that
this person should be prosecuted as a con-
spirator against the government, there was
nothing that Dorsey had ever done, nothing
that could possibly stand in the way of the
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

In the death of Mrs. Henry Holbrook,
which occurred on the 10th inst, at the age
Of twenty. eight, the burden Of grief falls
heavily upon tho household to whose inter
esls, she, as wife and mother, was deeply de.
voted She was the only daughter of Shepard
j. Faulkner Worthy, amiable, respected,
esteemed and beloved, her loss is deeply
muurned by Il large circle of kindred, and sen
sibly felt by a sympathizing community.
Christmas will be celebrated with appro-
pirate and interesting exercises at the Univer-
salist church on Monday evening, the 18th
inst.
AT the town meeting held on the 10th
inst, it was voted to raise Sl.lO on dol
lar Of tue grand list 10 defray the current ey-
p.ns.- aud pay the Indebtedness Of the town
Of Whjiinglam.
At the j,n anniversary Of the knights Of
Honor Of Jacksonville, held at Glen hall the
attendance was large. Tho amusing farce,
entitled, "Turn him out was well perform
cd. much to the qualification Of lovers Of the
humorous Tho exercises were interpreted
with music and the occasion was one Of
much interest and social pleasure.
A foot Of Snow fell on the 18Th inst, and
on the 20,b, mercury was below zero.
Streams are very low aud well-uigh frozen
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22
Bra,tleboro q bennington Railroad.

An adjourned meeting Of the corporators Of
the Brattleboro & Bennington railroad was
held at II. T. Taylor's Office in Crosby block
on Monday morning At II o'clock. The sub
committee appointed to solicit subscriptions
to the capital stock reported nearly $1,000
subscribed, and it was voted to call "A meeting
of the subscribers to elect directors and adopt
bylaws and regulations. In accordance with
the notice elsewhere given this meeting will
be held at Crosby hall onTuesdey, Jan. ., at II
o'clock A. ". The work is moving forward
with all possible rapidty, aud everybody on
the line is r., a1y for long pull and q strong
pull and pull altogether the success of the
enterprise is assured.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

Rev. j. N. Emery was installed as pas
tor of the Universalist church on Tuesday
evening, Dec 10. The order of exercises
was as follows; Invocation and responses, by
Rev. W. Brown Of Walpole, N. H. script
ures by Rev. j. S. Gledhill of Ludlow; ser
mon on The Practical Power of the Gospel"
by Rev. L. W. Whitney of Brattleboro !;
prayer by Rev. Z. Smiley of Putney fell
lowship by Rev. f. S. Rice of Springfield :;
charge by Rev. r. Il. Polk of Marlboro, N.
H, address to the people by the late pastor,
Rev. S. II. McCollester, d. d. A large audi
enee was present in the new and beautiful
church; the choir rendered excellent music /;
and the services were of great interest
The executive committee of the Conneoti-
cut River Valley Masonic union met here
Wednesday and decided on Newport, n H.,
as the place for this years festival.
A. G. Mitchell narrowly escaped fatal
poisoning last week by inhaling the gas from
IA prescription which he was compromising.
AT the Methodist church last Sunday
nine persons were received by letter, one was
baptized, and one joined on probation.
The 9Th annual exhibition Of the windham Coun-
ty Poultry and Pet Stock association will be held in
Brattleboro Jan. as.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22
UOrman ". Eaton ON CiViI Service Re
form in the Present Congress,

Washington Despatch to n. Y. Herald.1
Mr.. Dorman b. Eaton is here watching the
progress Of the civil service measures. He
said this evening: "rhe Pendleton bill was
prepared by the civil service association in
New York city, and at their request present
ed in the Senate by Mr.. Pendleton. This bill
relates to subordinates in the several depart
ments Of the government at Washington and
to those in all postofiices and custom houses
where there are fifty clerks aud upwards,
covering aboat ten thousand subordinates. 1t
requires that they shall enter the service
through competitive examinations the best
thus disclosed to be appointed. 1t applies
the same methods that have been applied in
improving the custom house and post Office in
New York city, and which were applied with
success, so far as they were carried out, UNI
der President Grants administration. l think
this bill would suppress favoritism aud pat
ronage in offices to which it relates. II does
not affect the tenure Of Office But when per
sons can get places only by winning it, as
under this bill, ii removes the inducement to
turn people out for the sake of getting favor
ties aud henchmen in The Kasson bill, in
the House, is very different measure. II
provides for no competitive examinations,
but simply continues the isolated individual
examinations in the same form in which they
have long existed and which are entirely in
adequate for suppressing favoritism and pat
ronage. 1t also provides for four years
term OF the subordinates in office, which l
consider would be great damage to the pub
lie service. Applied to the post Office or Gus
tom house in the city of New York, it would
require at least one change every secular day
Of the year, which would keep the office in
perpetual turmoil, and it would defeat those
competitive examinations which have accom-
plishod so great an improvement within the
last three years. The prospect Of satisfacto-
ny legislation is highly encouraging to the
friends Of civil service reform. l think the
Pendleton bill will pass the Senate by a large
majority The only serious obstacle is di-
vision OF the House between the advocates OF
the two bills now pending in these bodies
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

The announcement is made In another column Of
the marriage of Mr. Dwight Il. Wlshburn, second sou
OF A. II. Washburn, Esq, of this town. The bride
was the only daughter of Capt. T. Allsworh L. S. A.,
who Is so well known in army circles Mr.. M4sLbuTus
journey ings during the past three years may De q
interest to many OF your readers. Leaving New loFk
In 1880 he spent few days in England Scotland aud
ireland as representative Of the Edison telephone
cOmp3ny. From London he went 10 Vienna, Austria,
and then to Budapest, Hungary, where he spent some
six months. Returning to London via Italy SwifZer-
land, France, Germany aud Belgium, be returned TO
Belgium TO put in practical an underground ca
be for telephone lines. He clearly showed the sue
cessful working Of his caJle, but was unable 10
bring 1t into general use by reason Of the short sight
edness OF some English capitalists who owned patents
covering the process Of manufacturing the cable A.
ter spending month in Holland he took plcasl IRE
trip in l5foot boat with three others IAN Egg
hshmau, Hungarian and Seryiau) down the Danube,
called here "blue," but in Hungary and Seryil, the
blonde Danube owing 10 the peculiar color after
TIE party passed through Hungary, Stryia, aud
RpI ania, into Turkey, where they put the boat on
board steamer and returned to London via Vienna
From London Mr.. Mash0urn was seut 20 warsaw
During his stay there he went far north Is 81.
Petersburg, visiting Moscow and other large cities
Resisulug his position in the telephone company be
Edison electric Light company. He was the hrst TO
put an electric light in an elevator while WORKING
ed to put in use in the house Of Sir william Thomp-
SOP, the eminent electrician, the Faure accumuaor
or storage battery This we believe was the hEst pyac
teal use OF II made in England. During me PASS
month he has put in operation two plants worked by
these storage batteries. In case the cells are
charged by dynamo in part Of the city aud car
ried on truck to another part OF the city, and tue
other is charged during the day and at night supplies
electric power to light house half mile distant ne
burn is located in Philadelphia, Pa, where be
has several buildings nearly flushed to be lighted BY
the Edison system Of ineandescent lamps W.
Rev. E. h. Drake will preach in the chap
81 next Sunday at ? p. NJ.
Rev. E. W. Whitney will give the first of a
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22
meath Of Frenor w. IsarI..

News of tho death of Hon. Trenor W.
Park of Bennington wasrecciyedon Wednes-
day. Mr.. Park was on his way from New
York to Aspnwall, accompanied 10y his fam
lily, to seek relief from severe nervous pros
tration caused by ovorwork, and died from
paralysis when only two days out, He was
born in Woodford in 1928. His educational
privileges were very limited, but he bad a
real genius for the law, and managed TO read
law aud get admitted to the bar at Benning-
ton in 1Sil In 1852 he went to San Frau
cisco aud entered the law firm of which Gen
Halleck and Fred Billings were members.
Here he did IA very successful business. BY
degrees he became interested in mining and
speculation enterprises, and gradually
dropped his law practice. Iu 1868 he re-
turned to Bennington rich man, and has
since been occupied with various large tinan-
cial enterprises. The bitter local fight which
grew out of his Harlem extension railroad
scheme is matter of history For years
Park" and "Ant-Park' was the main issue
in Bennington affairs, and the trouble only
disappeared at the end of a long lawsuit be-
tween Park and the town. Some facts in re-
gard to Mr. Park and his career, given the
Boston journal by Hon. L. j. Phelps of Bur
lington, are ofinterest:
lie was the largest stakeholder and President Of the
Panama railroad, which he conducted with great sue
cess, increasing the value of the stock until the road
sold TO DcLcsscps and other French hnanciers.
Mr.. Park also interested in the Emma silver
mine company at salt Lake City and went TO England
and sold the minc to q company Of capitalists for
100000 bitter and very protmcted litigation
subsequently sprung up suit having been brought
by the English purchasers who charged fraud in the
sale of the mine The was tried in the United
States Circuit Court at New York by jury aud
pied five months, the verdict being in favor Of Mr
Park and his American associates Mr.. Phelps adds
"Ho was man Of vigorous intellect and eNtraordiua-
ry capacity for business as well as great mastery Of
legal and financial subjects. His foresight re.
markable aud he was rarely disappointed, He was
man Of warm and generous feelings, strongly at
tached TO his friends ard liberal in the extreme. His
private and public beneyolouce very great. fay.
orite scheme which he has not lived to complete
the establishment Of an asylum at Bennington foI
| orphans aud aged women. This he has presumably
| endowed in rs will He also gave money for the
erection Of art gallery at Bennington, which bears
his name. Mr.. Park leaves three children, two mar
ried daughters, and a at Harvard. Hewss ar.
dent Republican hut not au aspirant for any ONCE
Mr., Parks second wife, who survives him, q Miss
Lincoln of San Francisco The estatewhich he leaves
| is estimated at several millions.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

ltIom lut iuIuuBlou IItt lItr1si
on the first Tuesday Of next March the people Of
this state will be called upon to vote two proposed
articles of amendment OF the Coustitutiou-the only
ones Of the six brought forward two years ago which
survived the deliberations Of two legislatures. The
FIRST of these requires an oath Of members Of tue
lersfaur. lt tty ala not AT the time OF their cleo
ton, and do not now hold any ohce OF proht Oh trust
under the authority Of CpngrCss-thCsc words being
construed to "any Office created directly or iu-
directly by Congress for which cmolumcnt Is pro-
yidel from the treasury of the United Staes' As To-
this amendment there can he but one opinion, and
that altogether 10 It's iaYor' ms opposed 'o tlt very
theory OF our form OF government that man should
az the time serve the Federal and tho state Cow
eminent. This Is a fact too obvious to require any
argument in ITS support ana 1t hJr' lndetdi been
recognized in theory at least ever since tho organ
ilatiou of the state for our Bill Of Rights provides
that no person "holding any Office of profit trust
under the authority OF Congress shall "he eligible TO
any appointment Ia the legislature Of holding any
executive or judiciary office under this state This
very salutary provision however, has been disregard
cd by all, nearly all recent legislatures aud other
Federal officers have held plcesin the General Assem-
bly, without let or hiudrance. The oath required by
the proposed cndmcut would, OF course, exclude
all persons who are ineligible on the account named d;
and while it would introduce no change 10 our organ
lie law would add to the dead letter Of the Consiu
tional provision requirement which can neither Doe
eyaded nor dohed The amendment therefore COM
meuds itself 90 all thoughtful men, and We shall eN
pect to see 1t adopted by vote approaching unanm-
The second Of the amendments to be voted on, next
March provides for the election Of the Secretary Of
State and the Auditor Of Accounts by the people, on
the ticket with Governor Lieutenant Governor,
Auu lItaNuItIf luStfAu VI ~ l'i7iatultf as A'A'-
fore. This amendment also carries It's rcc0mmenda-
ton on its face. Tho theory of our government Is
that it's executive officers should be elected by the peo
pie and this being the case there u.s. NO reason why
the list should be cut of short with the first three Of
cals-why Secretary of state and Auditor should not
be elected by the people as Wel as hoNernor euteu-
aut-Goveruur and Treasurer. And ON general priuci-
pies TO that better results would accrue
from the proposed chunge-a change from few hun
dred men al the Capitol Of whose actual donps the
great mass OF tine people know little or nothing and
who form at present totally irresponsible body to
The Of hu
being submitted TO tho "Eeeu bright Euuligh Of pub
lefty" 1t il sincerely to be hoped that this amcud-
ment too will be ratified by The people and there is
no doubt course, but that the hope will Doe verified
by the result OF the vote next March.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22
Local Intelligence.
Announcements.

Hosford Plimpton have an elegant stock Of Rod
gerss fine syerpted ware, as look at one of their
windows will show you. They will sell teaspoons at
s 90 pc, dozen; knives S2.75; forks $50. Napkin
rings, Is cents. Come aud look at Il.
wonderful whal9 How trade has increased.
whcrc9 Al Blisss Dining aud oyster Rooms, ~ Main
street, Bratlcboro. Standard Farhayen oystors,35c
per quart Best crackers, 0c per ID. Good dinner for
35c. oysters cooked 10 every style. oysters at whole
sale and retail Lodging Iooms, % and 3jc. per night
q. A. BLtsa
This year NJ. r. Van Doom Son will give their
annual Calendar to all adults calling for them at their
store, and will send them to those in ncighboring
towns IL they will send address ON postal u5O
Niccly-furuishcd rooms to rent Main street. 1n-
quiro at PHdNtx office. 49.5i