davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

JAMES X. POLK, president elect, in
letter to James Buchanan, dated
February IS. 1S45, rendering him the
Office of secretary of state, said:
SHOULD any member of my cabinet
become candidate for the presidency
or vice presidency of the United
States, it will be expected, upon the
happening of such an event, that he
will retire from the cabinet. It is of
fetal interference by dispensation of
public patronage that l desire to
guard against"
The letter closes as follows:
81 disapprove the practice which has
sometimes prevailed, of cabinet Off
GERS absenting themselves for long pc
RODS of time from the seat of govern
ment, and leaving the management of
their departments to chief clerks, or
other less responsible persons than
themselves. l expect, myself, to re-
main constantly at Washington, IN
less it may be that no public duty re-
quires my presence, when / may
be occasionally absent, then only
for Il short time. 1t is by con-
forming to this rule the president
and his cabinet can have any assur-
ance that absences will be prevented,
and that. the subordinate executive
officers connected with them respec-
lively will faithfully perform their
duty. If, sir, you concur with me in
these opinions and views, shall be
pleased to have your assistance in my
administration, as member of my
cabinet, and now tender you the Office
Of secretary of state, and invite you
to take charge of that department. /
am, with great respect, your obedient
servant" ~-------
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16
Loss 100000.
The Greater Portion OF Vineyard
Haven, Mass, Burned.

Boston, August l2.-At 1 o'clock
this morning fire broke out at Vine
yard Haven, near Cottage City, Mar
tha's Vineyard, and large number of
cottages, mostly belonging to summer
residents, together with large part
of the business section of the town,
burned. The fire originated in the
harness manufactury of r. w.
Croker, and, owing to brisk north
east gale, quickly swept. through the
village 10 the westward There being
no fire apparatus in the town, assist
ance was summoned from Cottage
City by telephone. Nearly all the
population of that place FASTENED
to the scene. The burned
section begins at Jenkins, paint
shop, on the east side of Main street,
and extends southwark to and in
Guiding the Mansion House, The ter
ritoIy burned over embraces about
fifty acres of the heart of the village.
The loss will. probably, fall little short
of 100000, and strikes almost death
blow to the ancient village, leaving
hundreds of people homeless, many of
whom are thrown upon the charity of
their neighbors. There was no loss
of life, though the fire spread quickly
and covered territory thickly settled.
The town was full of summer board
ers from Washington and elsewhere,
and probably two-thirds of them are
burned out OF doors.
VINEYARD HAVEN, August IA
public meeting was held at Cottage
City to-day at which relief commit
tee of twenty-one appointment residents
and visitors were appointed. In the
afternoon the committee issued the
following appeal: San appalling ca
lamity has befallen the village OF
Vineyard Haven. A confiagratien
last night swept away the entire BUSH.
ness portion OF the place, excepting
one store, and destroyed over thirty
dwelling houses, thus throwing out OF
occupation and home hundreds of per-
SONS who have lost everything. Many
of these homeless ones are widows
and orphans and all in need of imme-
date assistance. Contributions of
food, clothing or money addressed to
Capt. James L Smith, treasurer, Vine-
yard Haven, Mass, will be thankfully
received by the relief committee.
"WM. H. 7ARNoUY, Chairman
COTTAGE CITY, Mass, August 13.-4-
Thousands of people visited the scene
of the fire at Vineyard Haven Sun
day. The people seem not broken,
and many are already arranging to re-
build. Scores of homeless. ones, I'M
provided. for, are to be cared for tenn
porarily by. the relief committee Six
teen hundred dollars were subscribed
by citizens on the island yesterday for
the relief of the sufferers, 49, . -.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16
THE PREsIDENTIAL PICNIC
In the Snow-Clad Mountains Of Wy
sOming Territory. - -tsrs.

CAMP VEST (on Spring creek, w.
T., August l2.4The day so far, since
leaving Camp Rollins, at Bull Lake
park, this morning at. 2 o'clock. has
been uneyentful. The president and
all members OF the party are in excel
lent health and spirits. The country
sage bush, varied by alternate ascend.
ing and descending steep hills, covered
with loose stones, which made the
FOOTING for the animals very bad One
cannot help wondering why so much
material was wasted In making so
many apparently useless ridges, when
there are plenty of gulches which
could so well be filled alone the route
The glorious Wind River and Owl
Creek mountains, with snow-clad
peaks in sight, afford restfulness to
the eye of the travellers who are
pursuing their way across dried and
heated mesas below on Spring creek.
1t is delightful, however, on pleasant
ground, with plenty essential require
ments of good camping places, good
water and grass. To the eastward of
us Crow Heart butte, which is noted
landmark of Wind river valley. OF
it photographer has obtained several
pictures. This dispatch has to leave
by courier at 3 o'clock this afternoon,
so no report can be obtained to-day of
results attained by the fishermen.
The camp is named Camp Vest in
honor of Senator Vest, who is one of
the most enthusiastic anglers of the
party. After my dispatch yesterday
from Bull Lake fork both the presi-
dent and Senator Vest brought into
camp FIVE reels full of trout as a re-.
suit of the afternoons sport. There
are no special or professional cores
pondents with the party, and all dis.
patches purporting being from such
are spurious.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16
The Happy South.

Senator George, of Mississippi, tells
a Herald reporter that they are not
talking or thinking of presidential
candidates in the South. "The con-
dition of the South" he says, lis i'm
proving every day; the crops are good,
money is easy, the people are happy
and contented, and we are gradually
getting out of debt" Neither the
"old ticket" nor the Confederate bond
syndicate alarms them in the South,
it seems. Carry the news to Mr.. Til
den and Lord Penzance.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

AMONG Southern Republicans there
is great demand for a book lately
published by an enterprising Wash
ington publisher, entitled Govern
ment clerkships, and how to get one. :"
The work contains the civil service
rules, a range of questions showing
what an applicant is expected to
know, and other information relating
tO tho dapartmantQ
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

THE old adage that 1.-The devil finds
work for idle hands to do" finds con-
firmation in the habit of many army
and navy officers of duplicating their
pay accounts. The country would
feel more safe if it's defenders were
not so addicted to sWindling.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

THE Philadelphia Press presents a
sad comment on the beauties of pro-
lection. 1t says:
The information that the partial
suspension which has existedlin many
of the anthracite collieries since Janu-
airy last is about to terminate is a
cause for great qualification. The
half time and consequent half pay to
which the many thousand operatives
were condemned meant pinching pow
erty for them and their families, with
great discomfort and suffering extend
ing through several counties of the
state, and general prostration of the
many Industries and occupations de-
pending on mining patronage.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

A BRANCH line of the Texas and
st. Louis railway from Temple via
Bolton, Gatesville, Jonesborro, Ham
ilton and Brownwood, intersecting
the Texas and Pacific west of Cisco,
is talked of. 1t would make a splen-
did line and would pay the company
handsomely. The country through
which it would pass would make it
paw on every mile.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16
THE supreme court of wisconsin

THE supreme court of Wisconsin de-
cides that condition printed on a
telegraph blank, "that no claim for
damages shall be valid unless present.
ed in writing within twenty days
from sending the message" is reason
able and valid. A delay in receiving
the message, though occasioned by a
mistake of the company, would not
modify the condition or extend the
time if a reasonable time was left,
after knowledge of the mistake, to
present the claim
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16
A Strange Father.

From Alderman Plat a STATESMAN
representative learns the facts in re-
gard to a singular piece of heartless-
ness on the part of a father, shown by
facts that recently took place at Gid
dings. About fourteen years ago
man by the name of johnson and his
wife abandoned an infant girl baby at
the door Of prominent family of
that place by the name of Ratcliff.
Mr. and Mrs. Ratcliff kindly took the
little thing in and cared for it, giving
it all the protection of a father and
mother - in fact treated it as one
of their own children. AS the
girl grew older they sent her
to school and she became quite &C
complished and her foster father and
mother were very fond of their prot
eye. Yesterday the father, who had
abandoned the infant fourteen years
ago returned and demanded the Gus
tody of the girl, now grown almost to
womanhood. Mr.. and Mrs. Ratcliff
refused to surrender her and sought
legal counsel as to their rights. The
lawyer told them, that as they had not
legally adopted the girl the father was
entitled to her custody and they could
not hold her. OF course nothing
could be done but to leave the matter
to the father and the girl. The father
went to his daughter and requested
her to go with him, but she told him
he had never been father to her and
she did not love him and refused to
go. johnson then dragged her to the
depot by main force. At the depot
she got away and the father ran after
her and when he caught her began to
beat her. This so aroused the citi-
zens that twenty armed men
came to the rescue of the girl
and ordered the heartless father
to send her back to Mr.. Ratcliff's.
This he was obliged to do. Then they
admonished him it was unhealthy for
him to remain at Giddings very long
and suggested if he did not want to
visit the realms of eternity he had
better take the next train and never
be seen in those parts again; at the
same time they gave him to under
stand if he ever claimed, or attempted
to claim. the girl, his human anatomy
would only be OF use as subject for
dissecting by the village doctor.
There was no mistaking the
purpose of the men, and Mr.. johnson
thought more of Mr.. johnson than he
did Of Mr.. Johnson's daughter, and he
took the advise given and left. If he
returns determined set of men will
surely lynch him, and it would be
about the right thing to do too, if the
facts are as they appear to be. The
girl is said to be very pretty and very
exemplary. 1t would indeed be sad
for her to fallin the hands of parents
who had the heart to abandon their
babe in the manner they did.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

REV. DIR. GILBERT l.. DE LA Ma
TYR, of Indiana, recently a Greenback
congressman, is back in the ministry
and will preach in Denver. That,
probably, is what would have become
of Still, had he not commenced asso-
ciating with penitentiary folks.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

BEN BUTLER thinks the English
syndicate will not find that the Con-
federate bonds pan out so as to pay.
No, they will never pay, but agita-
ZION may enable the spectators to
unload on the innocent and gullible
and thus the syndicate may swindle
profit out of those whom they vic
timiZe.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16
The Tvier Courier saws.

The bank and pawn brokers shops
over the state all advocate the adop.
ton OF the amendments to the con.
stitution. These concerns want to
Morrow some money with which to dc
business. The small amount of money
they render for taxation shows that
they are in great need of money, and
ID an incre1se of taxation and the
|I@1'-iRe-sr IN opportunity to borrow
sbops hope to raise several thou
"a dollars each. Good idea.
Al good many of the banks hold
county bonds they have obtained al
great discount, and the plan fixed
.opon by them is that these bonds shall
BE taken by the state at par, or proba,
bly, at premium.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

1T APPEARS that all efforts to sus-
pend the pleasant and profitable rela-
lions between this country and Mex
ico are to fail. Out of troubles many
would reap the richest rewards of
plumber. But where is the army of
occupation?
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

THE STATESMAN takes none of the
credit for female matriculants being
relieved of an unjust discrimination
in university rights. 1t was the first
to call attention to this injustice, and
it has persistently demanded its repeal
but to the better sense of the liberal
element in the university board of re-
gents belongs the honor of undoing
the wrong. Justice is therefore the
mora rofahla
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

THE Philadelphia Record says: The
question of "Who defeated Hancock p
seems destined to go unsettled by this
generation of vipers. After he got
twisty on the tariff question it did not
so much matter who defeated him
1t would have done no particular
good to. elect him.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

DORsEY's indictment against the
Republican leaders is overwhelming.
He gives names, dates, places and
amounts with positiveness and par
ticularity that admits of immediate
denial from living witnesses whom he
summonses to corroborate what he
saws
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16


same authority fixes as the doctrine
ofthe early protectionists, that, when
the country grows strong, when skill
has been acquired, when our resources
have been partially developed let the
tariff be reduced to a strictly revenue
basis" Instead of following this
teaching and injunction the protec-
tionists say: "Let the tariff be in
creased, let it be in many of its fea-
lures prohibitive- make it perpetual"
And as a matter of fact the protection
given to the strong and developed
manufacturing industries of the
United States to-day is from twenty
to one hundred per cent greater than
was even asked for sixty years ago.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

BUTTERMILK is the favorite sum-
mer drink in Philadelphia. The sa-
looms keep it on tap and there is more
call for it than for whisky or beer. 1t
Isl wholesome drink, and it is doubt
full whether a man can swallow
enough of it to make him tipsY.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

THE Heather Chinee is being SNUG
gled into the United States through
British Columbia. Secretary Folger
has been appealed to, and, after he gets
through frolicing, attention may be
given to the law declaring that the
Chinese must 90.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16
THE late report of the United States

THE late report of the United States
Syeasury cattle commission will give
isfaction to cattle raisers in this
lntry. They say that there is no
race of foot and mouth disease IN this
country. Whenever the disease has
appeared in this country investigation
has shown that it was imported from
highland In the light of facts there
no occasion for any opposition on
|the part of England to the importa-
ton of American cattle.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

THE straight-out Repu blicans OF
Virginia will hold conference on
the 18th instant to discuss the stu
alton and map out a regular plan of
campaign. They will probably nomi-
nate candidates for the legislature
coalitionists by drawing votes from
to get it in the best shape possible for
the inevitable contest with Malone,
next year, over admission to the
national convention
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

The Minnesota Democrats call for
tariff for revenue OILY and thor
ough revision of the existing tariff
laws. They are also opposed to sump-
tuary and prohibitory laws; they want
are willing to have the constitution
items; they also want the patent laws
amended so as to protect innocent
purchasers of articles manufactured
upon infringement.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

THE fact that Secretary Folger pro-
poses to shortly order the destruction
of several million dollars worth of
Confederate bonds held by the gov
eminent, should tend to persuade the
dupes of the English syndicate now
dealing in these defunct securities
that they invest in them at their
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

ANOTHER star route contractor, it
seems. has gone wrong. The post
Office department has caused the arrest
of ID. l.. Adams, of Alabama. He has
star route contracts to the amount of
100000. The charge against him is
that he forged the names of his bonds
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

THE following prelates have been
summoned to Rome: Alchbishops
Corrigan, of New York; Gibbons, OF
Baltimore; Williams, of Boston;
Feehan, of Chicago; Elder, of Cincin-
natl; Heiss, of Milwaukee Perche, Of
New Orleans; Seghers, of Oregon
City; Kendrick, of st. Louis; Alema-
ny, of San Francisco, and. Lamy, of
Santa Fe. OF these archbishops
Perche, of New Orleans, and Ken
drick, of st. Louis, will be represented
by their coadjutoss-Bishops Lerray
and RYAN
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

In THIS day of corners the manner
IN which -nallee:.lIDols of the lunatic
asylum board lay away state official
in corner, may not be matter of spe-
cial wonder. But the process is too
cleverly executed not to be designated
good Sunday reading.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16
The Democrats of New York v

The Democrats of New York will
present solid front to the Republi.
cans this year, and that means victory
On this subject the New Y ork Sun
says:
Perhaps there are prominent Re-
publicans who do not wholly despair
of carrying the state this fall. They
rely for success upon Democratic
blunders and contentious, particularly
in this city. They will be disap-
pointed. The Democrats will not di-
vide and throw away the state in this
critical year, but will unite and carry
it. and thereby put the party on the
high road to greater glory.
"The New York Democrats will
not split themselves in pieces this fall
to crafty their opponents.
"The Republican party must gor'
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16
THE duty of a newspaper is to tie

TIE duty of newspaper is to tel
1lthe trYSh as to all matters claiming
2Diic attention. TO misrepresent or
Ito hesitate to ventilate public impro-
prieties robs a paper of it's standing.
People are always quick to observe
any disposition to avoid issues, and
such avoidance is regarded either as
timidity or lack of honesty.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

ToRRE DEL GRECO, now threatened
by Mount Vesuvius, was covered
with a.burning stream of lava in 1874.
1t was totally destroyed, but has been
rebuilt, and is now the home of many
wealthy citizens of Naples.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

THE Western Union telegraph COM
pany has, unconsciously, done more to
evelop sentiment in behalf of a gov
nment telegraph system than all
her agencies combined. One thing
settled in the public mind, and that
lllsse tixszs must be wholesome tele-
4 graphic competition of some sort. 1t
might be better for the government
to own and control the systems, MAX
ing them satisfactory to the people as
we'll as self-sustaining.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

THE stories that have been started
pretending to give the cause of the
Spanish minister's suicide, are now
being contradicted. 1t was stated
some days ego that he had lost in
Wall street the money entrusted to
him to pay the awards of the Spanish
American claims commission. The
truth s that the money, about 81 Co.,
600, h; 5 not yet been sent to this
country When it is it will be sent
to the secretary of state and not to a
representative of Spain. The &C
counts of Senior Barea were found to
be correct to penny.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

THE Fort Worth Gazette says:
"THE AUSTIN STATESMAN suggests
the propriety of the state of Texas
holding assemi-centennial exposition
in 1886 he suggestion is good one
and-sodld receive encouragement"
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

1T is believed the university re-
ygents will overcome all the difficulties
4 thrown in their way and defeat the
Vaccinations of those who would in
jure the university. a university
has been provided for and should be
made TIE browning honor of Texas.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

NORFOLK is beginning to live up
TO its name If 1.-The great natural sea-
port of the country" The cotton re-
ceipts mt that port for the current
year amount to 9J5,529 bales, and will
60 beyond 100000 by the close
nthe business year at the end
o. 1liis month. This is the largest cot
ton trade ever done in the city, and
the business is annually increasing.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

WHEN Tilden and Tammany lie
down together the millenial period in
New York politics is begun. Tempt
not the saints with carnal service.
Let them live and pass away without
further pollution.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

II Is said that in the way of attrac-
tions and appointment the Southern
Exposition, now being held at Louis
vile, exceeds anything of the kind
ever attempted in the South.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16
TELL it abroad. that the uniYersit

TELL 1t abroad, that the university
gents have rescinded the regulation
discriminating ;igainst female matric-
lllants. We knew they would have
to come to this position; and. as THE
STATESMAN said in advance, it would
be to their honor to rescind it, so ii
says now. BY the laws of Texas wo-
man is mans equal.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16
THE Northern Pacific railway will
be completed September 8.

SENATOR EDMUNDS still stands
in" for the presidential nomination.
He wants it bad, and he is too old to
stand the shock of defeat, prepared for
him by the manipulators.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16
4 Mormon element has trinmnhed

Utah. as every one expected it
Eould. They will continue to tri-
tumph and misdirect affairs until con-
gress exercises the power to change
the form of government in that terri
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

. NERO may llddle, but this time IL is
believed Rome will be sayea-:fhe
iversity regents, now here, have
gone to work and they will achieve
what is expected. The repeal of the
unjust rule against female matricu-
lants may be taken as evidence that
reason is enthroned in the person of
those now constituting a regents
. nforrm
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

DIR. Benson's Skin Cure consists of
internal and external treatment at
same time and it makes the skin
white, soft and smooth. 1t contains
no poisonous drugs. 81 at druggists.
aS-eod&W.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16

The kuklux are alive and active
in Northern Georgia. So, at least, say
some of the Northern papers, now try
ing to rebuild Fhe Southern outrage
mill