Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-01-16
NEWS AND VIEWS.

In FIVE years the sales of government land
in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana
and Mississippi have increased fourfold.
The pine lands have been especially in
demand.
PRoF. MITCHELL told the Mississippi
River Comm ssion, on Saturday, that under
the present Improvement plan the channel
in the shallowest places will be deepened
from fifteen to twenty feet.
THE London Times comments on the Mil
waukee FIRE: sit is reproaeh and shame
10 modem intelligence that nearly hum
bred lives were lost in sight OF crowd eager
to aid, from a want of effective mechanical
appliances"
The Western Union Telegraph Company
has gone back 10 its old tactics and is now
trying by peaceful negotiations 10 get control
of the stock Of the Mutual Union by guaran-
teeing three per cent. on the total amount OF
Sl0000,000.
NEW ENGLAND is having a very severe
drouth. The streams have not been as low
for many yeare, and some of them appear
to be gradually drying up. The consequent
embarrassment to manufacturing establish
ments is a serious matter.
The losses BY fire in 1882, the world over,
were $500, 100000, of which this country fur
nished $l15,O00,0O0; Canada, $40, 000, 900;
Russia, $105,000,0 600; Great Britain. Ger
many and France, $92 900 900. In genera.
ton the losses would pay off the national
debts.
THE rivalry existing between 81. Paul and
Minneapolis will not be e1tinguished by the
publication OF last years building statistics
St. Paul erected 2S25 new buildings, at a cost
of $1,000, 200; Minneapolis 1881, at cost OF
20 100 10S Tho furO oft w
buildings within 100000 of the sum ex-
pended in Chicago.
The principal astronomical event OF next
year is total eclipse of the sun, which
takes place on the Oh of May. At some
points on the central line the totally will
last nearly six minutes; but so forgetful is
the eclipse OF the convenience of astronomers
that this line, the whole of which is included
in the South Pacific ocean, only touches land
on small island situated north OF the So
ciety and west of the Marquesas group.
THE postal telegraph bill presents an easy
and practical way of establishing needed
public service, with no ultimate cost to the
government. Every citizen who has the
means may invest in the bonds, with the
proceeds OF which the new lines of commu-
nication are TO be built, and sinking fund
is to provide for their payment. There is
no doubt that the revenue from messages
will do much more than discharge them as
they fall due.
TIE young State of Nebraska has been
very prosperous and progressive. When
Nebraska was admitted into the Uuion in
1867, the popul alton was about 10000 and
the assessed value OF properly about S20,-
100000. The population now i, over
100000, and the property valuation is $685.
537 AIS; the taxation is two mills on the
dollar, the bonded debt about S500,00 and
the State holds 1885,, S57 acres of lands sci
apart for educational purposes. Immigrants
did all this.
TIE Vicksburg Herald says that the Rev
J. I. Graham, of Durant, who pTided him.
self on his powers of prayer in converting
murderers, even under the very galiows itself
has proven himself equally expert IN ICON
verting" the means of others TO his own pri.
vate uses. He sought 20 enter the field o.
journalism, was sent to Memphis as agenl
Tor the Durant Ners, borrowed money or
the credit Of the paper. collected advertise.
ments in advance, skipped out, and now the
wailing of the editor Of the Netrs is heard in
the land.
A NIGHT train has been taken off the ele.
waited road for the reason that il does moi
pay, and the New Workers claim that il
view of the fact that a great many other
trains do pay largely, the railroad company
should be compelled to consult the public
convenience 10 certain extend and run this
one also. The press generally takes the
stand that the motive in granting the ele-
waited road companies valuable franchise
for nothing was not entirely that the cempa-
mics should make money, but that it also lad
reference to the advantage of the citizens
There Is talk now about passing Law arbi-
Irarily putting fares down to half the present
price and furnishing the companies their
time tables.