davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Labor enquirer., 1883-09-22
New York, August, 1888.

Murch, of Maine, has accomplished
more by his investigation of the methods
of letting contracts for work on public
buildings than the ring would like to
admit. 1t was, of course, not to be ex-
pected that committee friendly to the
corruptionists would report an absolute
conviction of the charges, but the facts
brought were so damaging that they
dared not entirely exonerate the man
mainly responsible for the rascality.
They, therefore, submit sort of COM
promise report, worded in such fashion
that, while clear ly expressing disapprO-
val of Supervising Architect Hills pecu-
liar practices, does not exactly calcimine
him, but leaves him in such a position
that he can resign with some few shreds
of character hanging to him. The COM
mittee say they must conclude from the
evidence that Mr.. Hill has been guilty of
gross official favoritism, and that the
business of his Office has not been con-
Quoted with the care and in partiality
which the interests of the government
and Justice to it's individuals alike de-
mand. They find, in respect to the
heating apparatus Of the Chicago build
ing, that the work and materials did not
fulfill the requirements of the specifca-
tions. In this connection they point out
that the supervising architect appointed
to inspect this job is a young man who
left the service of the contractors, by
whom he was paid only $3.50 per day, to
enter government service, where he re-
ceived Sc per day, and that as soon as
the job had been completed and the con-
tractors paid he went back into their
service. The committee believe that the
employment Of this person, under the
circumstances, was highly improper, and
they we're not surprised to discover that
he failed to report imperfectiOns in the
work which he was appointed to inspect.
Western Workman.
The Labor enquirer., 1883-09-22

,..,..nsuished when
each side is up to no higher moral stan
dard than to force the other
y Let me speak plainly when say that
4 know of many a noble and and self
sacrafcing workingman who has been
ossssSdown on" in trades unions because
he insisted that the union should STAND
for ideas and avow the basic principles
of natural right to the prime sources OF
wealth and opportunity. have assisted
in the organization of several trades
unions by way of initiatory address 70
the workingmen, and in almost every
case 1 have been quietly called into
some dark corner just before the meet
ing and begged by the leaders not to
hiring the land question, the usury ques'
ton, or any of these abstract things
into my speech. Gail we are after" they
would say, "is fair days wages for a
fair days work, and we don't propose to
90 into any of these new-fangled the
ories."
Many a time have gone away with a
feeling of mingled sadness and pity for
those poor fools who struggle SO hard 70
The Labor enquirer., 1883-09-22
DENVER RADos EcEN

pursuit q happineasa4-one of. the lofti.
est of Jeffeson's ideas What : sstireit
is in the present state Of society 70 say
that every mai is endowed with this
natural right. Go<ell It in the quarters
of . squalor; tell n TO the drudges Of
despair tell it to the istering masses Of
the sqnalid side Of our csv. Toll them,
that this i their birth-ri6ht-the pur.
mit of happiness. beaueAthA 70 them
by the founders of our repubf Of equal
rights and ask them what aresthe OBJ,
structions, and why they tolerAe OBJ.
structions between them and the pursuit,
Of happiness
But do not iail to tell them asthe
same time that this natural, inalienSble
and bewitching right is mentioned afer
two other rights which must precedent
In the order Of experience the naturl
rights Of life and Of liberty. First givs
to all men life and the means Of it and
liberty with its means. First offer to
every man the fullness of the world
with its resources, and the freedom of
the mind with its opportunities, and then
the pursuit of happiness will be within
reach of the whole human race.
Upon Thomas Jefferson and our Dec
laration of Independence do found
this principle.
Now, my friends and fellow workers, l
close. With the working men of the
country lies the hope of the future, or its
despair. Never had workingmen in any
other country such heritage as was be-
queathed by our fathers-never such
rights as were won by the revolution.
abjures you, under penalty of death,
let no usurper wrest them from you, no
gambler cheat you out of them.
JOHN SwINToN.
The Labor enquirer., 1883-09-22

- ! r..
a. (
The Labor enquirer., 1883-09-22

The officers of the Western Union tel
egraph company profess to believe that
the states should pay for the wires which
they assert were cut duringsthe strike,
and say they shall force payment. Pos
sibly they will. They have robbed the
people of millions already through the
connivance of corrupt courts, and they
may succeed in this instance as in the
past but their lnsolence will meet re-
buke some where and some time, and
possibly the time may be near at hand !;
certainly insolence can 60 no further, or
give better cause for the administering
of rebuke than the proposed demand
that the people pay for wires which is
more than surmised were never cut, or
cut by the company's orders in an effort
to prejudice the public against the
strikers, and even if cut by strikers was
but the natural result of the thieving,
oppressive and illegal practices of the
company, which robbed the general pub
lie by exorbitant charges, placed their
wire supports upon private residences
and buildings without permission and as
thieves work, secretly, and then denied
to their employees a fair compensation
for services rendered.-Chicago Express
The Labor enquirer., 1883-09-22

Judge Black was an honest man as
we'll as statesman, for when he relin'
uuished the Office of secretary of state
he was in debt seven thousand dollars.
Some cabinet members since then went
in poor and came out millionaires.
The Labor enquirer., 1883-09-22

No workingman who has given union
Ism any attention can doubt its utility.
1t is a well-known fact that union men
hold the best jobs throughout the country
and receive the highest wages; while
non-union men are obliged to be content
with that which the union man rejects
The latter, as rule, obtains decent treat,
ment from his employers; but the non
union man, friendless and unprotected,
has to swallow insults, submit to imposi'
tions, and work for lower wages, without
daring 10 murmur a mplaint.-Cigar
makers Journal.
The Labor enquirer., 1883-09-22

For Sale-Cheap-140 lots, situated in
the first addition to Swansea. Apply to
Stephen Vlnot, room 8, 1868 Larimer
street; upstairs.
The Labor enquirer., 1883-09-22

look upon IL
IAN he would
etitive fight
expected to
sympathy is
g, but when
a high moral
res less for
h the under
e right and
is no right
The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-10-05
Eeighbori God Notes

MI o, E. Page. who has been resi-
dent OF Cambridge for twenty four years,
left that burg on Monday for Jericho,
Mo, where he will reside in the future.
We hope Mr. r. will not fall among
thieves as a certain man once did who
went To jericho.
Mr.. Fred Wager, an CISCO falmer has
bought thirty acres OF Kansas corn, for
which he paid four and half dollars per
acre, and will cut up, to feed bis cattle
next winter.
Mr., Fred Stattz, who had been > for
some time, died at his home about three
miles north of Kewanee last Monday
evening, aged 80 years. He was an old
settler, and served three year in the late
war as a privatein Co F, 1874 |. Vols,
where he contracted the disease of which
he died
Geneseo Neios: Chas W. Brenzier who
has been sick for the past Pine months
died at the residence of his mother on
Mechanic street, at p. m. Tuesday
evening. of consumption, aged "a years
6 months.
jackson Sentinel: Wien Governor
Sherman, the standard bearer of the g. O.
p arrived at Dewitt Monday morning
and got off the Northwestern train, there
was not single republican soul there to
meet him, and for few moments he was
at loss to know which way to tr"n until
a courteous democrat recognized his
features and directed him TO the Gates
house bus. s. Fl. Shoemaker and Senator
Cotton, of Dewitt, W. C. Gregory, J A.
Simpson and j. H. Balne, of MaquOketa,
were the reception committe, whose duty
it was to attend to the matter, failed to
accord their leader the respect which they
owe him.
The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-10-05

The Rock Islanders are returning from
the st. Louis fair.
Lost, bunch of keys. Please return
to this Office and get your charges.
A sure cure for dyspepsia, by using
Adams German Compound. at Thomas
Regular monthly song service at the
Central Presbyterian church, a week from
| next Sabbeth.
Lothar Harms has had his building on
the corner of First avenue and Fifteenth
street -shingled.
Warm lunch every morning at Biehl &
Sons, 1906 Second avenue. ct
Norman C0,son, who achieved some
reputation as musician, died Thursday
afternoon at his home in Davenport.
Rev s. s. oyer, pastor of the Central
Presbyterian church viii begin series of
sermons on the book of Revelations, "
Sunday evening.
Cheap, reliable goods, at Carse & Ret
ickers. o2d7t
The German element of Davenport will
celebrate tomorrow, in honor of the
anniversary of the first German settle
ment in a-Germantown, Pa.
The water works committee had a
meeting last evening to look over the list
of water patrons as returned by Superin-
tendent Kerr
Carse & Reticker for good, solid. cheap
goods.
The st. Louis papers have had flood
of news this week, on account of the
great fair They were equal to the
emergency, however, and printed enlarged
sheets
That was lively discussion this morn
ing in regard to the final disposition Of
the body and soul after death 1t is said
that neither participants are very well
posted on the subject
William Blanchard. the rope manu-
facturer today received fIom the Sicily
Islands two bales of fiber from sisal
wood. One of the bales weigh 54i
pounds The material greatly resembles
hemp, but is much stronger.
The Grogan assault case was to have
been tried at O'Clock this morning, be
fore Police Magistrate Chopper. but the
lawyers not being ready, it was post
poncd until l p. m. Monday.
The merchants who advertise are busily
engaged in opening shipments of new
fall and winter goods The fellows who
don't believe in advertising are resurrect-
ing from the drawers and 0ut-of the way
places the shelf worn goods of many
seasons The merchant who advertise
viii sell you fresh, scasonable goods. Thu
other fellows rarely ever have occasion Il
purchase new goods, and hence, as
general thing, do not have them to offer
BY reading the advertisements you cal
learn who the live business men are. anC
it pays to trade with them.
Look at the prices of boots and shoe,
for fall wear, at Carse d Retlcker's
The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-10-05
Personal Points.

Mrs. G. T. Woodbury.. of Chicago, is
In the city on visit to Ms. NJ. f. Rice
Mr. J. H. Bradley, superintendent of
the American express company, was in
the city yesterday on business.
W. II. Smith, agent of the United States
express company, returned from trip to
St. Louis today.
Miss Ola Fairmon, of Il s city, g Wis
iling at Geneseo, he guest of Miss Etti
Hannah
H. n. Gilchrist, of Rapids City. YVES
among the visitors to Rock IslG1d today
DIR. Cowden amputated railroad man !
fuger, this morning, which was mashed
at Bear1stovl
Mrs. W. T. Call and son arrived home
last evening ION an extended visit to
friends in the eastern states. Ms. Wallace
Eggleston will not return for some time
yet.
Mr.. Henry Harrison, auditor of the
Rock Island & Mercer county road, ant
Coal Valley Mining company, has beer
taking in the sights at st. Louis.
The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-10-05
The People Can Judge

1t is the duty of newspaper to keep
the public post I'd on matters pertaining to
their interests. II compliance with that
duty, the ARGUS yesterday made a few
statements in regard to some ur necessary
expense, which it thought--Pld st |
thinks city was subjected to. As
before stated Nv Koehler was allowed
$500 to keep the water works books,
which was thought to be sufficient com
pensation for the work to be performed,
At the last meeting he was a''owed an
other 800 for opening new set ofbooks.
In reference to this'the Union says: mo
competent accountant could do it for less,
and very few men wonld he wiling to
undertake it for anything ike the
amount"
The ARGUS admits that if Mr. Koehler was
hired especially for that purpose. the bill
might be a. right, but when we take into
consideration the fact that he had
been e'lowed a certain amount for
performing the work, circumstances are
altogether different. Does bookkeeper
in sny of our business houses get 800
for opening new set of books? The
question is simple one and We leave the
Union 10 R-swer it.
The vast discrimination between our
city clerk and superintendent of water
works 's unwittingly admitted by the
Union, when it says Super 1tendent
Kerr made house to house inspection Of
water takers, the result show '1g the
necessity of new set of books, embody-
ing transcriptions of the service furnished
some o. )consumers" Mr.. Kel4 was never
ellowed an extra penny for his work If
Nv. .Cramer was entitled to extra compen-
sation, certainly E~ Kerr was. We
leave it for The people to judge, WI oh
was the most difficp't task of the
twO-gO'1g from house to house, making
numerous inquiries at each place. OF
opening accounts with such parties on a
ledger page, after the names and figures
had been furnished? This is another
easy question, probably the Union can
answer it.
The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-10-05

The city IS certai1.y very lerient with
Mr. Cramer. The Union states this morn
ing that $75 was paid NJ. Brrgh to act as
custodian of the water works books, while
Cramer's attorneys were f''owed to look
over them. According to the regulp,
custom, his attorneys would not have
been given access to the books. the city
was not benefited in the least by the in
vestigation carried on by Cramer's attor-
neys, and we see no reason why it should
be compelled to expend $75 for granting
the opposing counsel such a great favor
Why didn't the city make Mr. Cramer
and his attorneys bear the expense of the
investigation, as it was done entirely fol
their benefit?
The Union again says Cramers "cOun.
sci had to be given access to the books p"
In order to set our neighbor right, ne
ARGUS viii state that it was optional With
the city, whether it should let Mr. era
mer's counsel investigate the books OF
not The city was not compelled to; il
done it of its own free will Why? In
order to expedite the case end bring it to
a trial at this term of court. They could
have refused the opposing counsel use OF
the books until the case was called in
court, but that would have caused a great
deal of unnecessary delay, and prolonged
the trial.
The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-10-05
Predictions.

Geneseo NeaoS: Vennor the Canadian
weather prophet, has once more risen to
the surface, end tells us what he knows
as a weather forecaster. He predicts the
coming winter WILDE an open one, with but
little or no snow, to close the year 1888
We hope Mr. Vennor will be more accu-
rate in his representations for 1884 than
he was during the year past. He did,
however, do better for the western part OF
the country than he didfOr tie east. Judg-
ing the future by the past. we may not ex-
pect any more snow to close the year, as OF
late years the most of our snow has fallen
after New Years. Richard Mansill who
has always hit the nail rather squarely on
the head. for several years past, also pre-
diets that we are to have an Open winter,
or at least it will be mild throughout
December. We have always relied upon
Mansill's predictions as being very accu.
rate. He has during the past few years,
proved himself to be scientific weather
forecaster. Whether December will be
mild or not we do not know, but things
just at present, look as though we were
tie have hard one.
If Mr.. Mansill says we will have ar
open winter, that settles it. Richard has
long head on his shoulders, and fol
downright gessing he beats Vennor all to
pieces.
The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-10-05
RAILROAD NEWS.
End Of the Rate War Between the
Eastern Roads. !,


The cruel war is over, and peace will
once more reign supreme among the lines
that have been cutting passenger rates to
Louisville, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and
other Ohio and Indiana points, and freight
rates to Ohio river points The credit of
this result is largely due to Mr.. NJ. E.
ingalls,, of the Cincinnati. indianapolis,
St. Louis & Chicago road, who, on his
own responsibility, called a meeting of
the interested officials at Cincinnati, on
Wednesday. All doubts as to the result
of the meeting were dispelled yesterday
afternoon upon the receipt Of the follow :
ing telegram from one of the officials at
the meeting. 1T has been as iced to re-
store rates at once Six gross revenue
pools have been formed, on both passen-
ger and freight traffic. to be controlled by
an executive committee of eight, and l..
D. Richardson as manager.
The earnings OF the St. Paul road in
creased $S,0lS during the fourth week of
September The earnings for the month
show an increase of Sa70, 900 over those
of September. 1882.
The Rock Island s. Mercer County Rail
road company reports to the>railroad and
warehouse commission for the year end
ing June So 1888, as follows: Amount OF
capital stock $150,000, of which SAC, 800
is neld in illinois. The total liabilities OF
the company are $4,000, of which one
half is bonded debt The total length OF
track is 26miles The number of officers
and employees is 119 and their aggregate
yearly salaries $50, $40 60 The trans
portalion earnings during the year were
$S4, $50 10. of which Sl4 ,657, "a was by
the passenger department and 500, 9O4 Sc
was by the freight department. The in
come from III sources was $50, 6S2 Sc.
The total operating expenses and taxes
amounted to 800, 529 50. The net income
$25, 253,26. The balance applicable to
dividends was $13 1852 The dividends
declared amounted to $l5 900. The BAL
ance for the year Qoss) was $1.746,72
balance last year, 81, 776 As, balance car.
riei forward 5000 IS. The assets OF
the company was stated at 5000, 029 rs.
The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-10-05

Ribs have gone up considerably s'1ce
yesterdays report, and appearances wor q
indicate that they ore coInered for this
month. The quotations today ere as fol
lows: October wheat 94b; November
$50; December9sa; Januf y 993 October
corn. 48s; November AT; yes 46; May
Asa. October oats, 274; year 273. DC
tobar pork, $1O,s74; November $1,000
January $11,30. October lc~d, IS, 20
November $7.62!; Janue"y 1854. Dc
tober ribs, 81; November $5,05; January
$3.50 Hog receipts 1850.
The following were yesterdays quota
tons: November wheat, S54; December
99s. November corn. 47s; year, 464
May, 49S. October oats. 274. Novembe
pork, $10.4O November lard. 1885,, Hos
receipts, $4,000. ..
The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-10-05

The bar of sand still is a conspicuous
and ugly sight in the hr~bor. Gen. John
A Logan pledged his word to the citizens
of Rock Island that he would do all in his
power to have it removed. but so ier
nothing has been heard from it. The
hest way to secure recognition is to get
up q monster petition, aud send it to
congress when it meets aga'n. The
haFbors in front Of several river towns
have been relieved of obstacles that
interfere with navigation. Why should
our harbor not receive the attention due
It? Certainly three cities of such import
ance as Rock Island, Moline and Daven,
port are entitled to some recos litiOn from
the government. Some one start peti.
tinn, and let everybody sign it.
The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-10-05
Disastrous Runaway.
From the jackson sentinel.

Saturday afternoon the Midland House
bus team ran away with disastrous re
suits, both horses being killed. 1t appears
that John circuit the regular driver, was
Obliged TO go elsewhere about 80, p. m,
Saturday, the hour that the accommodation
train arrives on the Midland road from
the west. BY request of Mr. circuit. Fred
Smith, son of landlord d. p Smith, con-
sented to drive to the train. The bus was
little late in starting and was driven
hurriedly. Near L. E. Raines' shop H.
A Waran, the teamster was met, and
when Smith pulled out TO the right TO
pass, Warren was also pulling in the anne
direction with the intention of stopping
at Raine's shop. A collision was imr :
nent, and the bus team SHED so sudde' y
| that Fred Smith lost the lines and was
thrown from his seat to the ground and
knocked seuseless. VIM. Tannery was
on the bus and jumped to save himself, AS
the horses were getting under headway
The team ran straight down the railway
crossing and undertook to go through
elpassing train of fiat cars loaded wi ties
Icy struck the cars with terrible era b
| one horses neck was broken and died in
stantly, the other had its two four feet
'cut off by the wheels, and a few moments
later was killed to end its sHfferings The
car was derailed but the bus was not
badly broken. The team belonged to
Fred Orcutt and were very good span
of bays. They were his all and he had
them sold, together with harness and wa
gon for the sum of $500, and was to have
delivered them the next Monday. He is
a young married man and was intending
to buy him home with the money re
ceived for the team, but his plans are
spoiled by his misfortune. Fred Smitl
was out of his head for some time aftel
the accident but is better now.
The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-10-05
What is Being Done,

We have been asked, repeatedly, what
Mr.. Warnock's poor house investigating
committee is doing. What the people
wish done in this matter is to have an
honest and thorough investigation of the
official acts and doings of the officials
who have been lavishly paying out the
public revenues. In these days of ex
cessive expenditure of the peoples money,
on the part of officials, it is the peoples
right to know how their money has been
used and what consideration has been
received on behalf Of the tax payer for
the money expended. We trust that
Supervisor Warnock will be enabled to
disclose to the world every act of the
officials, and If there is one act not
strictly in accordance with honesty and
The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-10-05

integrity that hesxill be enabled to show
it up in its true light. We have no feel
ing in this matter against any one, but we
demand, on behelf of e tax payers in
this county. honest administration on the
part of officials in every place occupied
by them. In all bodies tie peoples money
is voted too literally, and the utmost
care and circumspection should be exer-
cised in guarding appropriations and in
voting money for any purpose. The
great curse which is being visited on
the well to do citizen is taxation, excessive
taxation. The poor man with bis humble
home pays more taxes in proportion than
the more wealthy, but all are alike, cursed
by heavy taxes.