davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-06-30
Political Notes.

The chairman of the Pennsylvania Demo
cratic State central committee has issued Il
call for a State convention to be held at Har-
risburg August l.
Gov Pattson, of Pa, is still filing his We
toes of bills passed at the recent regular SEES
sion of the Legislature at the rate of three or
four day. The Philadelphia Press, Repub-
lican. commends the vetoes generally, de-
claring that the Governors reasoning in each
case is conclusive, showing that what the
Legislature proposes lis essentially vicious or
founded in misrepresentation One of the
latest vetoes is the bill providing for the sup
port of disabled firemen, which the Governor
regards as humane but illegal.
A large majority of the legislators chosen
to the Iowa Republican State convention were
pronounced in favor of constitutional and
statutory prohibition, and will insist on III
sorting declaration in this behalf in the plat
form. 1t was on this rock the Republicans
of Iowa split last fall causing a loss Of several
Congressman, and it is safe to say the Demo
Gratis will welcome such an issue again, as the
large German vote in Iowa is almost solid
against the prohibition programme.
The Administration still assisting Malone
in Virginia. In rearranging the internal dis
triGts Malone has been allowed full control,
giving him power to reward friends and punish
enemies. lnregard to this, eX-Representatiye
Dezendorf, Republican, is not at all pleased,
and he proposes to fight Malone and the
President in the campaigns of 1883 and 1884.
He says: "The regular Republican organiza-
ton in Virginia will be maintained. We will
hold conventions, nominate our candidates,
and vote for them, even though we should not
poll over 5000 votes in the whole state.
never voted any ticket but the Republican
ticket, and | don't propose to begin by voting
for Malone men," DeZendorf believes that
the losses in the North and West last year
were partly attributable to the fact Of the
President and the Republican party endorsing
Malone and reputation, and if tits continued
he believes the Republican party will lose sew
eral Northern States next year that otherwise
would go Republican.
A correspondent of the N. Y. Times in Iowa
writes that in that State the general feeling
among the Democrats is that the election will
be close and doubtful, but one of the most
discreet leaders says he cannot see a Repub-
lican defeat, for he admits that some Demo
Gratis will not support their nominees for gov
ernor and supreme Judge. The Republicans
claim that they have margin of IL, 900 that can
be spared, and also that they can demand the
same ACTIVITY from the temperance men at
the election that they have shown in Selling
the state convention.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-06-30
THE OHIO DEMOCRATS.
Press menfS-PlaffOrm and Tickle
Conceded to be Strong.

From the comments fthe leading press on
the platform and ticket of the Ohio Demo
cratic convention the following extracts are
taken:
New York Times, Republican: "The ac-
ton of the convention was adroit, and, If not
ingenious, it was quite as nearly so as that OF
most political conventions in the State for the
past fifteen years. Judge Hoadly, who was
nominated for Governor, is man OF ability,
of good private reputation, as politician
acute, untiring and INSCRIPTIONS. lie COM
mands influence and money enough to make
a very strong canvass. 1t will not be very
easy for the Republicans to get the votes OF
Democratic manufacturers of Ohio away from
their own ticket after their declaration on the
tariff. 1t will not be easy to arouse any very
strong popular protectionist sentiment against
them. 1t would look as if the policy OF fore
ing the protectionists issue in Ohio was not
brilliant piece of political strategy"
Philadelphia Times, Independent: 'No
man who has come into political prominence
in Ohio since the war can compare with Judge
Hoadly in all the qualities necessary for max
ing strong canvass and a strong Governor.
1t will be impossible for him to entertain any
grudges or to make himself the centre of
factonal cabal The Republicans may as
we'll recognize from the first that their oppo-
nents will be united now under the leadership
of man who knows how to lead.
New York Sun, Independent: "Judge
Hoadly is a good candidate for Governor of
Ohio and he will make good Governor of
the State, for there need be no doubt of his
election by handsome majority. He is an
able man, a learned politician, a torcible
speaker, a iudicious adherent of Democratic
principles, and lie may be relied upon for an
honest administration of his important office.
New York Herald, Independents "The
Herald offers its respectful congratulations to
the Ohio Democrats. They have made
platform on which sensible citizens DESTROYS
of honest and free government can stand, and
have nominated a man upon 1T who fairly and
fully represents the policy.
Philadelphia North american, Republicans
eff Judge Hoadly can conciliate the element
by which he was opposed, and command the
support of united party, he may be expected
to make strong fight, and to give his Repub-
lican opponent good deal of trouble
Washington Post, Democrat: Judge
Hoadly will prove a strong candidate and run
clear up to, if not ahead Of, the most popular
of his associates on the ticket We think the
chances are at this date decidedly in favor of
a Democratic victory in Ohio this year. -
New York World, Democrat: SIN nomi-
mating Judge Hoady the Democratic conven'
ton of Ohio did at once the wisest and the
most liberal thing it has done in many years.
The platform meets all the potent issues with
firmness mingled with adroitness.
Philadelphia Record, Democrat: Judge
Hoadly is an accomplished and able man, who
may be accounted, far as he has been tried,
a frstrater.
Philadelp hia Press, Republican; "The
nomination of Hoadly is a strong one, as nom
nations 90 in Ohio.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-06-30
Decline of the Taxable Basis.

The Crisfeld Leader states that the taxable
basis of Somerset county is decreasing yearly,
and that the county commissioners books will
show a reduction of 500, 600 this year. This
reduction is accounted for, in part, by the
fact that all losses are reported and the COM
missiOners are required to make attachments,
whilst it is impossible for the commissioners
to re-assess newly acquired personal property.
''But," says the Leader, ''The great source of
loss to the county is from the gradual and
long continued absorption of all classes of
private securities into untaXable mortgages.
For years they have been accommodating on
our record books until now the aggregate
amount of mortgages held on property in
Somerset county (which we will furnish here
after will greatly surprise any person who has
not investigated the subject. If this aggregate
were taxable there would be no increase of
taxation in the assessments of those who do
not hold these mortgages, but we believe that
we can show, hereafter, if mortgages were
taxable. the rate would be lower than ever
before since the war.
Why should they not be taxed? Certainly
those who hold them can afford to pay a tax
on them. Other people who hold notes OF
hand and judgments, are compelled to pay
taxes on them, and ifso, why should not hold
ers ofmortgages, the best of all security, pay
Il TAX also III the name Ol justice anu Icd'
son, we ask why man who holds note, not
secured, should pay State and county tax on
the same, when another who holds a note, Sc
cured by mortgages, holds it exempt from
taxation?
We know that it is claimed that taxation
of mortgages is double taxation, and the case
is cited in proof, of man who gives mort
gage for the purchase money of Il farm. 1t
the purchaser and the seller both are taxed it
is claimed to be double taxation. But the
truth is that one owns the farm and the other
a debt on it, and the case is precisely the same
as between them as if the buyer had borrowed
the money from the mortgage and paid
third person for the farm and given the mort
gage mortgage to secure the loan. 1t is
but a debt after all no matter how it arose.
Ifone debt is taxed all should be, or injustice
is done to those who are selected to be taxed.
Many hold that property alone should be
taxed, and that what one man owes anotherl is
not property: that may be true. There is
reason and logic in it, but if true it ought to
be carried out logically, and all debts should
be exempted. If however instead of exempt
ing all debts, we tax one or more classes OF
debts, having adopted that principle we should
tax them all.
In conclusion the Leqder, a Republican
paper, says it will not support for the Legis-
lature any one who is not in favor of taxing
mortgages.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-06-30
For the Democratic Advocate.
Newspaper Reform.

EDs. or ADvoCATE; 1t was with much
pleasure that we read your comments on the
Newspaper Reform After carefully look
ing your paper over, are proud to know YOU
practice what you preach. This is very com
mendahle, and should hold the ADVOCATE up
as the banner paper Of the State
Ii all publishers felt the moral responsibility
resting upon them which they really bear,
they certainly would cleanse their sheets from
the many vile, indecent and grossly immoral
advertisements that continually appear in their
columns. They are leprous spots that eat
INTO the soul of the youths Of our land, blight,
ing their lives, desecrating the sacrednesS of
our homes, and bringing untold sorrow and
anguish to tens of. thousands of aaee hannv
and peaceful iresides.
The PostofiiceDepartmeN denounees frauds
and prevents their use of the mails. That is
wise and good. Now, if the Legislature or
other proper power execute laws Furnishing
all editors for placing such vile, filthy abomi
nations IN their columns, lengthy stride
would be made toward moral reform in the
land ''''
In comparing the two, the editor or pub-
Usher inserts the advertisement for the money
regardless of moral influence. The vile i'm.
poster offers his vile nostrums and obscene
publications for the money. rejoicing in the
6depraylty of the loved ones in our homes.
Then where is the difference, please tell me.
between the publisher and the acknowledged
lmposter? If one is suppressed by law. wby
not the other? Constant REaprn.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-06-30
The Curse of quiteau.

Michael Sheahan, one Of the jurors of the
Guiteau trial, was locked up at Washington
city station house last week for insanity
Ever since the Guiteau trial his friends have
noticed strangeness in his manner, and it
seemed as if the Guiteau prophecy of evil to
befall all those connected with his conviction
had produced deep effect on his mind. He
would lie awake for hours after going to bed,
until finally he became so nervous that he was
unable to sleep at ALL and had to give up his
position as Waterman at the Metropolitan
Hotel, which place he has held for some years.
about Il q clock Sunday night he rushed out
Of his house, crying for the POLICE, api said
his wife wanted to murder him, and talked in
the most incoherent manner. Officer Fitz
gerald, seeing his condition, took him into
custody and locked him up at the Seventh
precinct station
The de6.h Of District Attorney Corkhill' s
wife was the first event WHICH Cnnld be called
a fulfilment of Guiteau's prophecy. Juror
Hobbs wife died. Surgeon General Barnes,
an important witness, died. Judge Porter
health is said 10 be wrecked. Marshal Henry,
Bailiff Stahl, Detective MeIslfresh, jail wagon
guard Perry Carson, and the driver, James
Leonard, were dismissed from service. Mr..
Noble, young and important witness, died.
Rev, Dr. HICKS has been libelled. DR.. Gray,
another expert was shot al in Utica asylum,
and DIR. Mcdonald has been or is the subject
of investigation in connection with his admin
istration of Woods Island, New York. Poor
Mike Sheahan is we'll known and well liked by
everyone who knew him. Washington Letter.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-06-30
For the Democratic Advocate.
A Suggestion.

! MEssRs. EDITORS AS a constant reader
! of the ADVOCATE | have been annoyed i'll al
most every monthly report Of the proceedings
of the County School Board by the remark
that the Board has had to refuse applications
for building or repairing school houses, or for
the establishment of new schools on account
of insuficiency of funds Of course there
must be an insuficiency of funds to crafty
| the desires of everybody. 1t ought to be re-
membered that our public school system is
young, and it takes time to get it to even APP
proach perfection. If in ten years more our
school houses shall be sufficient in numbers
and substantial and comfortable, it should be
as much as could be expected. Public schools
are supported largely by people who have no
children to send to them and by those who
prefer to patronize private schools and to ed
ucate their children on higher scale For
this reason they should not be taxed too
heavily for that which benefits them only in
directly, as education benefits Il community.
The school law, we believe, says the state
public school fund is intended primarily to
pay teachers salaries and to provide books
and stationery When this is insufficient. the
School Board may ask for additional funds
from the County Commissioners, and the Com
mlssloners must levy a tax to meet the de-
mand, provided the levy is not more than ten
cents the 500. This ten cents, too, is
primarily for the payment of teachers sala-
rles and to provide books and stationery.
The County Commissioners of Carroll have
for several years been giving the School Board
the product of levy of 133 cents on the 500,
without any abatement for nsolvencies. This,
according to the reports of the School Board,
is inadequate, and we would suggest that the
County Commissioners now provide only what
the law requires. Let them give the School
Board the product OF the levy of 10 cents, as
the law directs they shall do and let them
hand over to the Board the product of the 81 |
cts. levy, amounting in round numbers to about |
$4,000, to be devoted to repairing and build |
ing new school houses and the payment of .
their own salaries.
The Commissioners have made levy of .
l3B cents on the 500 for public schools.
When 10 cents of the levy is given to the
School Board they have discharged their oh.
legations under the law The 81 cents thew
can give to the School Board for the specific
purpose of building and repairing school
houses and the payment of their own salaries.
The salaries would amount to 81, 900, leaving
about So, 100 to be devoted to building and re.
pairing. When the School Board has econo
mically expended the funds placed in their
hands by state and county authorities. thew
have faithfully discharged their duty. Let us
have no more talk about ''insufficiency of
funds" 1t matters are not satisfactory when
the laws are complied with, let us change
the laws
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-06-30

AN AWFUL SIGHT FOR A MOTHER. Mrs.
Benjamin Pierce, of Wilmington, Delaware,
had an awful fright on Sunday morning. Her
infant boy, eighteen months old, was lying on
a sofa near to an open window. She had her
back to the window for moment, and turned
around just in time to see the ehilds body
disappear. Half wild with fright she tore
down stairs, expecting to find the mangled re-
mains of her boy on the pavement below, but
upon reaching the ground she was attracted
suspended in the air by bis night gown, which
had fortunately caught in a nail projecting
from the window still. The mother shrieked
and started up stairs, fearing the boy would
fall before she could reach him. The cloth
was strong, however, and the boy was rescued
from his pariloas position uninlured. After
the excitement was over Mrs. Pierce fell in
dead faint across the windoY still, but she was
soon revived with the assistance Of the peigp-
bors.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-06-30
Star-Route Gases Whiting Down.

From the Baltimore Sun:
The star-route cases are gradually being
whitfield down to nothing. Rerdell, convicted
at the first trial, was made witness in favor
of the government at the second, and would
have been released in any event. The ver-
dict of the jury exonerating Brady, Dorsey,
and their associates from the charge of con-
spiracy exonerated Rerdell also, although he
had come into court and confessed himself
guilty of the offense of which the jury had
indirectly declared him innocent. Price, one
of the indicted contractors, has offered him
self as a witness against Brady and Kellogg
in a case of bribery which is yet to come off.
He will be allowed to go scott-free. In the
case against Boone, another large star-route
contractor, the government has ordered I.f3n
pros. Miner was acquitted at the trial Just
closed. There are other indictments against
Dorsey, but it is given out that they are barred
by the statute Of limitations, and that con-
sequently he will MOI again be brought to
trial. From some cause or other the gov
eminent, as prosecutor, has been uhforia-
nate throughout. The miscarriage of justice
has been complete, The upshot of the mat
ter is that none of the 'sstar-routers'' will be
punishe either by fine or Imprisonment, and
the costs of the prosecution, amounting 10
over one hundred and fifty thousand dollars,
will be saddled on the treasury.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-06-30

A letter from Frederick to one of the Bal
timore dailies few days ago, represented
that the bar of that place was in favor of
holding a constitutional convention next year.
The people have right to change the con-
stitution whenever they choose, and our pres
ent one provides that the Legislature must
submit the question of new one in the year
1887. Next year will be presidential year,
and the contest then should not be interfered
with by any local issues. In 1885 would be a
good time for a convention, provision for
which could be made by the Legislature Of
1884. Our constitution needs considerable
revision. The language in regard to taxation
is not clear; some officers might be abolished,
terms of others should be changed &C., &c.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-06-30
Clncinnatus will Return to His
Plough.

From the Baltimore Herald:
hat the latest, politicalyY' inquired a
n HerGtd reporter of a prominent member of
I. d. A. recently.
You've heard, of course, that Hamilton's
out of the fightg'
t,So?''
Yes, indeed,
The vacuum then will be filled by
Either Hon. Robert NJ. McI.ane, or Hon.
Charles b. Roberts, of Carroll county. Both
are good men, we think. There will be no
antagonism between them; which ever Is
nominated will, of course, receive the hearty
support of the Young Democracy. Bill
Hamilton is a very nice old gentleman and
well versed in the art of husbandry: but we
think he's "a little too heavy for us Asa
witty German once said of rival French
author. He's a young man with a fine Ca
reer-.behind himi Some how or other we
are inclined to think the remark will hold
good IN the case of onr reform Governor.
Well, hope he'll bear it with as good grace
as Clmcinnatus when he returned to his nlow.
In all likelihood he won't be called out again
to save his country as soon as was this distin.
guished Roman,
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-06-30
SATURDAY, JUNE 80, 1883.

The Baitimorean, a weekly literary and So
ciety paper of Baltimore that occasionally
pays some attention to politics, recently had
strong editorial endorsing Gov. Hamilton
and advocating his denomination for Gov
ernor. There has been no change of editors
but there has been a wonderful change of SEN
timent in its editorial columns. Recently
coming across copy of the BdttinaOTedn of
about theee years ago, April 8, 1880, we OBJ
served that the paper then was strongly anti
Hamilton, and it was at loggerheads with the
Hagerstown Mail. The Mail had just been
lecturing the Bdltimoredn severely for its OPP
position to the Governor, and thought of it,
perhaps, as it does now of anti Hamilton pa
pers, that it was low, vulgar journal, looking
for Subsidy
But the BdltimoredR has changed and the
Mail speedily changed. When the former
announced in favor of Hamilton few weeks
ago, the Mail the following week republished
the Bdltimoreans article, with very compli-
mentary notice prelacing it.
Three years ago the BattimOredn spoke of
the disagreement between the Governor and
the Democratic leaders, and said it was the
Governors fault 1t said it saw in the Gov
ernors course many things to condemn, and
in criticising that course believed it gave sex
preston to the overwhelming sentiment of
the Democratic party of the state 1t said,
also, in speaking of one act of the Governor,
that it was "unwise, ungenerous and migrate
ful.
The Mail, of course, has forgiven the Bal
Hmoredn for such language. The endorse
ment of Hamilton washes away every sin, in
its estimation. To Democrats, however, such
is not the case. Has the BaItimorean any
explanation to make to the party?
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-06-30
Costly Department of Justice,

Senator Voorhees,, of Indiana, appeared in
court in Washington on Monday as counsel
for Hallett Kilbourne in his suit against the
former sergeant alarms of the House, and
made some points in his speech against farth-
er postpopement we'll worthy the attentions of
the whole American people, and giving us a
remarkable illustration of the shameless ex-
travagance with which the Federal govern
ment is conducted by the Republican party,
which goes in for lavish expenditure, believing
a national debt to be a national blessing and
a high tariff tax the source of prosperity. 1t
seems that Mr. Voorhees, has for some time
been trying to bring up the case, and the rea-
son given for postponing it this time was the
exhaustion of the appropriation for the De-
partment of Justice, which rendered it impos-
sible to employ special counsel to attend to
the mattat,. lH 'Gritaisiqg this excuse the
Senator said
The Department of Justice is an organized
body of lawyers, consisting of an attorney
general and seventeen assistant attorneys gem
eral, any one of whom is liable to the order
of the Attorney General at any moment, and
the payroll amounts to sos, 600 year for as
sistant attorneys general. Seventeen of them
and the Attorney General make eighteen legal
officers in the employ of the government, to
whom the people pay $67 900 a year, and, my
word for il, that there are dozen of these
distinguished gentlemen this day who are not
doing two full hours work in the twenty four,
any one of whom could be detailed to come
here and assist in this intricate question.
Add to these eighteen distinguished gentle
men, headed by the Attorney General. draw
ing out of the treasury s67 ZOO, The District
attorney, who gets $4,000, and two assistants
well paid, making payroll to attend to this
case of twenty-one gentlemen, drawing out of
farNn
brought hare tine and time again to meet with
this objection, that this corps of tweaty-one
men cannot furnish one, two,or three, or one
halfdozen, 10 come here andtry this case, butt
must go over in order for the public treasury
to be replenished and to be drawn on to en-
ploy special counsel am weary of it, and
the people aFe weary oft.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-06-30

In the United States District Court at Aus
tin, Texas, recently, an important opinion
was delivered in criminal suit brought under
the Civil Rights act, passed by Congress in
March, 1873, to enforce the penalty Of $500
for excluding Laura Evans, colored woman,
from ladies' car on the Houston and Texas
Central Railroad. The court held that the
act is unconstitutional, being an Infringement
on the rights of the several states, and that
the state tribunals alone have jurisdiction in
the premises. Nineteen suits of similar
nature were dependent on the decision in this
case