The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-12-21
EDITORIAL NOTES.

The best proof of the value of the
Eads jetties to the commerce of the
Mississippi is furnished by the official
statistics OF the grain trade of New
orleans for October, during which
time twenty-elght steamships, banks
and briggs cleared for foreign ports,
taking out 1.023, 45S bushels of wheat
alone, against 54.7l5 bushels of wheat
and corn in October, 1881. The Mem
phis Appeal claims that if the jetties
are successful at the mouth of the
river, as they are, the same sys' EN-
may be made equally successful at the
bends.
Edward Cox, who killed Col. Robert
\. Aston in Atlanta, Georgia, in
1919. and was sentenced to the peni-
tertiary for life, has been pardoned
out by Gov. Stephens. The tragedy
created a great sensation at the time.
and the survivor, although himself
badly wounded, barely escaped being
lynched. The petition for his pardon
was signed by hundreds of people,
irrespective of party, including 1Ol
members of the present house of rep
resentatlves of the Georgia legisla-
ture; and thirty members of the state
senate.
Although the British government
has been very lavish in the distribu.
ton of decorations to the army of
Egypt, there is an immense amount OF
growing in the undecorated and un.
promoted group. Lower grade Off
GERS who thought they had, by theiI
yalOr, determined the result at Tel-el
kebir, have either been neglected OF
have received slight promotion; but
even Sir John Adys, Wolsely's CHIEF
OF staff, who did an extraordinary
amount of valuable work, was only
promoted to the first-class of the Order
of Bath, which is considered mo great
shakes" by military men.
Apostle Joseph +. Smith lectureC
the faithful at Salt Lake City the
other day, and in the course of his eX.
hortation informed them that he had
received the gift of tongues from
heaven when he was in the Sand
wich Islands. AS proof of this, he as.
serted that all of sudden he found
himself able to read and wife the
Hawaiian language like an educated
native. The Salt Lake Tribune wagerl
half a dollar against its chances Of
ever becoming Mormon apostle that
Joseph Smith couldn't learn any Ian
guage perfectly, and that he never re
ceived any gifts from heaven; and il
notes that he recently confessed him
self too stupid, before grand jury, Il
remember who certain persons wer,
more than two days. Perhaps Smith
is preparing his people for another
revelation" One may be needed il
the due course of events.
The New York Sun says: "The de
creeS OF the ecclesiastical synod, which
closed its deliberations In st. Patrick
cathedral on November 8, will bt
ready for publication about Decembel
10. There was an erroneous idea thai
they were to be sent to Rome for rati
lication, but they are concerned will
matters of morals and not of faith
and do not need Roman affirmation
Those most interesting to the publ,
are decree forbiddlng priests to attenC
dramatic or operate performance,
in theatres, one forbidding clerical at
tendance at race courses, and on,
making the wearing of the rabba, o.
Roman collar, obligatory upon priests
There is also a decree prohibiting tn,
use of flowers at funerals, except il
the cases of young children, when they
may be appropriately used as typify
ing the innocence and purity Of til,
dead. None of the DEGREES deal Will
the amusements of the laity."
The latest news from Jamaica In
dicates no change for the better in tn,
unhappy state of affairs there. TIL,
English residents seem to be NOR,
embittered than ever against the sys
tenn Of crown government that oh
tains. They demand a new form o
government and entire liberty a,
guaranteed by the English constitu
ton. AS yet their demand has taker
no more serious form than firm, clear
manly, but respectful petition to tn,
queen. The News Letter goes so ia
as to warn the patriots from commit
ting any acts of violence, indicating
that such Il sentiment is entertained
by the residentsg AS the people
seem to be unanimous-out of tn,
Otlice-holding circles-in their charge,
against the present government, anC
as all the principal journals sympa
thiZe and side with them, an impartia
observer cannot refrain from believing
that such grounds for complaint Ger
tainly exist.