davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
National Republican., 1883-12-20
Illegal Railway Combinations.

The questions connected with the future
of the gigantic railroad corporations whose
growth in this country within the last twenty
years constitutes one of the marvels of tho
century, are rapidly taking such shape that
they must soon engage the paramount atton-
tion of the country Already their receipts
and expenditures exceed in many instances
those of tho minor governments Of the old
world. Their debts are colossal; their assets
almost beyond computation. Their disregard
of tho rights of the people and the laws of
the country is amazing and alarming. They
make treaties and combinations affecting
great interests as though they were inde-
pendent powers, and, truth tosay, when their
interests are served, break them with as little
regard for their engagements as if honor was
an unknown quantity in the railway vocabu.
larry.
The people have grown accustomed to the
eXactions and usurpations of these far-reach-
ing corporations, and with traditional Amer-
can patience have endured them so far, but
always with an underlying conviction that
some day in the future the might of tho ma
tion would have to be invoked to reduce
them within bounds.
As great as have been some of the combina-
tions of railways within the past few years,
the last fortnight has witnessed the consum-
nation Of one in the west unrivaled for mag
nitude, audacity, and impudent disregard of
the rights of the people.
Tho Union Pacific road has enjoyed from
its completion n practical monopoly of an
enormous commerce. Its tonnage aud pas
senger tariffs have been levied at extortionate
rates, and tho men who control it have built
up great fortunes. The country traversed by
its lines has shared in the general prosperity
of the nation. An ever-increasing popula-
tion has built up flourshng cities and towns
Minerals of all sorts, from gold to coal, have
been developed in surprising deposits. Great
tracts OF land, supposed to be sterile and
worthless, have proved fertile and highly
productive under the vivifying influence Of
irrigation. All these causes working together
have produced constant increase in traffic of
which the Union Pacific has had an undis-
puted monopoly.
The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy, ono
of the great systems in the country, has long
viewed the inviting field monopolized by the
| Union Pacific with jealous eye, and has lately
National Republican., 1883-12-20
TWO PICTURES.
The Injustice OF Self Deprcciotion-Com-
pairing England and America.
Ns,o York T,i5une.

Nep York ntbune
How often we complain of our government
without reason Great Britain has n territory OF
l2l0Oj square miles to guard and watch; the
United States 100000 square miles. To collect
tho internal revenue over these areas Great
Britain employs 5965 officials and other persons
at cost Of sl0,OO00O0 yearly. We employ to
watch a territory thirty times as large only d,09S
persons, and tho total cost OF collecting the In
ternal revenue is s5,li3,735 For the current year
the number of persons will be still smaller and the
expenses less. To watch It's little coast line and
collect duties and imports, Great Britain employs
1928 officials and other persons and the cost OF
collection is about S5,OOO,OOO TO watch coast
line many times ms long, our government spends
in collection Of customs only s6,50O0O0. We col
lect S2li,70000O from customs, at cost of about
cents Tor every dollar colleoted Great Britain
collects sos, 100000 from CUSTOMS at cost Of about
cents for every dollar collected, We collect S1i4,
100000 internal revenue, at cost of only 35 cents
on tho dollar, though the territory to be guarded
Is thirty times that of Great Britain but the
British Internal revenue is S267 100000 collected
at cost of 81 cents on tho dollar Perhaps 1t
would be MS well not to abuse our own admins
tration of affairs so often.
National Republican., 1883-12-20
CRACKER " PECULIARITIEs.
The Delightfully."- Unconvential Ways of
tho POI Whites = Marriages and Di-

NetO York EUeniug Post
The question Of immortality among these people
is being agitated just now by the southern press.
Marriages are not always solemnized among
them. If a man sees woman who pleases him,
and if she takes n shine to him"-as they ex-
press it--they often do not deem n minister's SER
vices necessary, but go to housekeeping at once.
Tle people here seem inclined to excuse this Gus
state of South Carolina if n man lives with n
woman as his wife, aud openly acknowledges her
to be his spouse, she is as legally welded as If the
ceremony had been performed. There are cases
reported occasionally where one of these crack
Crs " makes his own divorce laws. Cases have
been known where man has traded Off his wife
TO n nelghbor for another woman or for pro-
visions. Tho hold women, sometimes. like cur.
rency. II they have one of forty they trade her
for two twenties This is not often done, for
tunatoly, although a case was reported in June,
in Chesterfield county, and another, still later, in
Lancaster county The Chesterfield man got a
bale of cotton, II keg of corn whisky, a pair of
boots, and n dog for his wife, who, it is alleged
was perfectly willing to make the trade. The
Lancaster man traded for another wife and a
shade "to boot" Two weeks later the other man
came to him aud offered him Sl5O in cash to trade
back again, saying that the woman not only ate
too much. but she stole the furniture and pawned
1t Tor whisky. These remarkable stories are
vouched for by local papers still in my possession,
and strange to say, the people of that section
seemed TO have regarded these Infamous transac-
tions simply in the light of humorous affairs.
National Republican., 1883-12-20
Not n Congressman.

INTVUVItIT7IEIl CIVI'
Washington is picking up amazingly and every
thing points to a brilliant season. II would be
hard to find a pleasanter sight anywhere than O
Washington salon keepers face just now.
Within u day or Two gentleman slipped into
one OF the numerous saloons of that city and called
for glass of beer. He then sauntered gracefully
toward the free lunch counter and ate everything
on it but the mustard. While he was slipping hi,
beer the bartender remarked:
Your face is not familiar to me, sir. Probably
your first term in congress. From the west, sir 2"
"Yes, Pm from the west, but l am not con.
gressmau," the stranger replied.
mot congressman exclaimed the bartender
looking alternately at the lunch counter and the
gentleman in great surprise. MAY ask wha
your business isT'
Certainly you may" assonted the stranger, al
he rendered II lead nickel in paymentfor the beer
am St. Louis editor"
National Republican., 1883-12-20
The Adventure OF an Opera.

Nep York World l.
Mr.. Dom Platrs struggle with the New York
managers is becoming serious. Although that
gentleman has written an entirely original Ameri-
can opera. and has been in town three weeks
with thunder his arm. there are il Is understood no
immediate signs of its production, Everybody
speaks well ofthe woTk-at a safe distance. Mr..
McCaull, it Is said, pronounced II simply unique,
and then left town, Mr.. Rice, the author OF
"Eyangelne" went into rnptures over 1t prema-
turely, and then locked himself in a room uptown,
Mr.. Lester Wallack after making ample and
festal preparations to hear 1t, fell sick and his
life is despaired of. There Is something Gothic
and grand in Dom Patt's patient determination,
and 1t may safely be said that the original work
will ultimately be done here, even If the entire
population is driven out in advance. Our mana
gers are opposed to everything that sayors of
Indians and America. They want something
FrenChy.
National Republican., 1883-12-20
LYNCHBURG NOTES.
An Interesting Trial for Murder CoIoretl
Masonic Elections.

Masonic Elections.
Special Dispatch.
LYSCHBURG, VA, Dec. 10.-A most interesting
criminal trial has just been concluded before the
examining justice of smythe county. which
attracted great attention. 1t was that of Rufus
Delp for the killing few days ago OF Jason
Peoples. 1t appears from the evidence that
about seven years ago Peoples attempted
to kill Delp by cutting him with knife, and soon
after he broke into Delps house. for which he was
sent to tho pententiary for five years. After sery
lug his term he returned to his county, and TO
every person with whom he conversed he declared
his determination to kill Delp. Delp. was a very
tlmid man and peaceable citizen, and on all occa-
sions Stunned his enemy with great prudence. The
day of theate killing he was going to his country
store to make purchases and saw Peoples sitting
on log with friend near the door. Peoples
placed his hand 70 his pocket as If to draw u
knife or pistol, and 50 alarmed was Delp of his
safety that he stopped in tho road and at once
opened fire on Peoples with doublcbirreled
shot gun, loaded with turkey shot, aud fired
twice, killing him almost instantly 1t turned
out, however, that Peoples, was not armed
ut oil, as supposed and that the fears of Delp ut
that time were groundless. Delp Immediately
gave himself up, and after nearly weeks trial
on the ground that the killing was done III self
defense, based upon the frequent threats of the
deceased to kill him. The verdict seemed to give
The colored Masons of Virginia, at the recent
session of their grand lodge at Charlottesville,
elected aud Installed for the ensuing year the fol.
Hampton; George W. Dabney, b. q. NJ. Peters
burg; ]. j. Christian. G. S. W, Staunton; J. II.
Davis, G. |. W., Roanoke; W. II. Hughes, G. T.,
The following were appointed by the grand
master: J. A. Taylor, G. c.. Richmond J. W. Pat
tison, G. S. d., Dunville; o. ID. Morris, G.. l. d.,
Staunton; william f. Johnson, G. S. s., Manches-
ter; $. Merchant G. l. s., and o. w. Artes, Ports
mouth.
The tobacco rates here last week were very
large, active preparations being made by the
planter for his Christmas purchases and prices
ranged very high. Some shipping sold as high as
$3.50 per hundred, and manufacturing grades
went to a much higher figure
The first snow of the season fell here Sunday
morning, but was very slight.
National Republican., 1883-12-20

THE United States shall guarantee to each state
in this union q republican form of government
Constitution of The United States.
How? Whom? What is a republican form
of government? Is it such ono as that in
Mississippi, where a citizen is ordered not to
vote on pain of death, and has twenty -four
democratic party buckshot fired into his face
for disobeying the democratic mob decree {?
Is it such u one as that in Virginia, whore
no inquiry is made when citizens are shot
down in tho daytime because of the color of
their skin and the political opinions thcy
chorishp What is the United States? Whore
is it? Is the congress any part of it? Is
either house informed of the suppression of
republican government in most of the south
orn states? Is there political party in favor
of the enforcement of tho constitutional
guarantee? When will its representatives
move? Shall tho fire be oxtinguished, OF
allowed to spread?
National Republican., 1883-12-20

been building westward with view to grasp
ing large share of its traffic through friendly
connection with the Denver and Rio Grandc
system in Colorado and Utah.
To counteract this tho Union Pacific ha,
entered into an alliance with the powerful st
Paul and Rock Island systems. An iron -clad
agreement to run TWENTY-FIVE YEARS has
been signed by tho magnatcs of the contract.
ing corporations, aud can only bo terminated
by giving five years published notice. The
Union Pacific turns all its vast tonnage over
to the othor two roads at Omaha but shares
in the freight rates TO Chicago Practically
it thus becomes a through line from Ogden to
Chicago. and q rival to tho Chicago, Burling-
ton and Quincy through Iowa and Illinois
This is the inauguration of q railroad war
before which all in the past sink into insignih-
canoe. Other systems, in defense of thoir own
interests, arc bound to como into the fight.
On the one side are the Union Pacific Chi.
cago, Milwaukee aud st. Paul, and Chicago,
Rock Island and Pacific systems, with 1926
miles of track, and combined liabilities of
$4l3,670, 1856, against which will be arrayed
the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy, Chicago
and Northwestern, Denver and Rio Grande,
and Wabash and Missouri Pacific systems,
with total mileage of 1856 miles, and lia-
bilities approximating closely to $5O50O0, 900.
Here then we sec q struggle Joined in
which 81 ,3O0,0Oo,O of capital is to be engaged,
with the inevitable result of enormous loss
and shrinkage If this loss fell upon the
pockets of the men who control this imperial
property no one could complain, for passen-
gers and freight will be transported as usual,
but it is just as inevitable that in tho end
the losses and expenses of this war will be
levied upon and collected from the people.
Such has been tho outcome of railway con.
flicts in the past and such will continue to be
the case until the sovereign power of the
people shall restrain the railroads to the
strict performance of their legitimate func.
tions as common carriers.
The case treated in this article is one that
should receive the consideration of congress
The legislative power can relieve the people
from the intolerable exactions growing out of
the practices in question, and an example
might as well be made here as in any future
case.
National Republican., 1883-12-20
COME AGAIN.
Reintroduction OF Important Bills That
Failed to Pass Last Winter.

The bill introduced by Senator ingalls, yester-
day to provide for the appointment of a commits
sion to investigate the subject of railroad trans
portation is the same one introduced by him last
winter. 1t directs the president to appoint seven
commissioners from civil life, whose duty it shall
be TO investigate and consider the subject of rail
road transportation in its relation to ihe agrcul
ural, commercial, and industrial interests of the
United States, and toiinquire what.ground OF com
plant exists against railroad corporations result
Ing from unjust Determinations, exorbitant or un-
equal rates, insufficient facilities for traffic, and
unlawful combinations.
Tho bill introduced by Senator Logan to con-
solidate the bureau of military justice and the
corps of judge advocates of the army is identical
in its provisions with his bill introduced in the
last congress. An additional section has, how
ever, been added to it,providiug that nothing
tanned IN IL shall be construed to interfere with
the rank or position of any officer now holding II
commission in either Of the branches to be con-
solidated.
The bill introduced by Senator Cullom TO pro.
vide for the acceptance by the United States of
tho Illinois and Michigan canal from the state of
Illinois, rectes the enactment by the legislature
Of that state of an act ceding the canal to the
United States the ratification of said act by the
people of the state and provides that as the in :
terests OF commerce require that the canal shall
be owned, enlarged and controlled by the United
States, tho grant made by the state shall be ac-
CeptCd,
National Republican., 1883-12-20
THURSDAY, pECEMBEI 30, 1883.

THE WEEKLY REPUBLICAN, issued to-day,
contains all tho news of tho past week, in
Guiding the execution of o'Donnoll in New
gate prison; the military movements in
Egypt against tho False Prophet; the French
expedition against Sontay, and other events
connected with tho invasion of Tonquin;
proceedings of the French chamber Of depu-
ties in tho matter of granting additional
credits for the Tonquin war; visit of the
crown prince of Germany to King
Humbcrt and the pope; n summary
of weeks events at home; the
sad story related in court by Miss
Emma Bond; the latest movements OF
the railway kings; editorials on tho topics
of the day; original articles on subjects relat-
ing to the farm and household; proceedings
of congress during the past week; the Man
on the Avenue;" sketch Of the late Hon. D..
G. Haskell, and the remarks of Rev. DIR.
Rankin at his funeral interesting news from
the departments; the leading local events;
and large amount of entertaining miscel-
laneous reading. Subscription price for one
year, $1.50; single copies, 8 cents.
National Republican., 1883-12-20

EMocRATs hobituoted to regarding the
killing of a republican as venial oiIense will
necessarily come in time to place such small
value upon the lives of enemies that they
will be as likely to kill members Of their own
party in factional strife as to kill republicans
IN general campaign. The means by which
minorities have to rule are criminal, whether
they be murderous OF only dishonest A
community in which murder is fashionable
or common rs not safer for democrats than for
republicans. Then, too, men who forge
election returns and swear to them cannot
long bo trusted for honesty in business trans
actious. Thus, bourbon democracy will con-
sumo itself in due time by the methods Of its
National Republican., 1883-12-20
uniform

THE crown prince of Germany visited
Rome and made call of courtesy upon the
pope, which was very proper and natural,
whereupon tho Afoniteur of Rome, remarks
that his visit is tho outcome of Prince Bis
marck's project for federating conservative
forces against audacious democracy, and that
the place of honor in tho alliance has been
assigned to the papacy as the first in influence
in the world" We can do better than this
for the alliance against the audacious" fell
lows who favor political freedom. Just let
our southern bourbons have show We
can discount the pope in hatred of civil
liberty,
National Republican., 1883-12-20
Jay GouId,s Primer.


'Is the hen on the nest? %
"Yes, my son, there is a hen on. Be careful not
10 frghten her"
"Why is the hen on her nest"'
"Shc is trying TO hatch out Wabash dividend
to Stockholders"
"And is it hard work ?'
81 should smiel The old bird has lost two
pounds of meat in ten days"
"IIow long will she have to set2"
"Thores no telling, but think It will be severa
weeks"
"And will we know when the egg is hatched ?"
ITO be sure There will be such a cackling as
you never heard"
"But suppose it doesn't hatch?
"Ihen there won't be any cackling The old
hen will slip of the nest and inform stockholders
that corn is too soft"
National Republican., 1883-12-20

IN the case of the mayor and city council
of Baltimore against Frank Barnum to re-
cover the estate left him by his father, with
the proviso that if he should become con-
nected with any order of the Catholic church
it should go to the city of Baltimore for the
benefit of the McDonough institute, and who
did become Jesuit, decision was yester-
day rendered in favor of the city.
National Republican., 1883-12-20
They Want TO 60 Home.

Tho senate made thorough work of executive
business yesterday afternoon, and disposed Of all
pending nominations, leaving nothing before any
fits committees. Among senators and members
there is strong disposition, in spite of the house
resolution already adopted, to adjourn on Satur-
day, possible, for the regular holiday recess and
his committees on that day there is no doubt that
a resolution to that effect will be promptly passed
in both houses.
National Republican., 1883-12-20
Irreyerent seoGing.
NetU York World.

James NJ. Comfy, the ex x-invalld who was
boarded at government expense in the Sandwich
Islands for several years comes TO the relief of r.
Is Hayes in his bilious Toledo newspaper. He
says; "They mike him mcan penurious, and
misery, when he is directly the contrary. wa
his comrade- in, arms, and there was never u
National Republican., 1883-12-20

Born parties stood by civil service reform
in the organization of tho senate and house.
In the senate the democrats urged the re-
tention of the officers because of their supe-
rior fitness. In tho house the republicans
took similar grounds. Honors are easy.
National Republican., 1883-12-20

Belmont at Ford's opera house last night is
liable to arouse the indignation of the blue
booded gentry of New York. The Illinois
congressman mentioned no names but there
can be no mistake as to the identity of the
gentleman alluded to. 1t would be sad if
any American scion Of tho English nobility
should fall out with the Chicago member.
National Republican., 1883-12-20

THE Children's Christmas club promises to
be thorough success, and the poor children
who will be furnished the novelty of n
good dinner and Christmas presents will
bless the young philanthropists who have
exerted themselves in this matter.
National Republican., 1883-12-20

IT is rumored that Admiral Courbct has
occupied Sontay without resistance the Chi
nese having evacuated the place upon seeing
the French troops advancing. When Bach
Mini is heard from diplomatic negotiations,
with England as mediator, will probably be
rasumad
National Republican., 1883-12-20

A DISPATCH from Danville states that the
colored people there "have taken no action
in relation to the Danvillo riot. They have
held no meeting and made no report" How
strange. And the lambs in the butchers pen
have not made any report as to the fate OF
their deceased fellows. Calm and content
ment reign at Danville.
National Republican., 1883-12-20
An Incredible Charge.
Galueston NeWs


It is stated Eugene Field was in the habit Of
hosting a notice on his sanctum door in Kansas
City announcing that smallpox existed inside.
This may or may not be true, but 1t is certain
Gene would not mind clipping an article from
the Cincinnati Enquirer and crediting it 10 the
P0lics Gasstte,
National Republican., 1883-12-20
wattorsons Western Aspect.


Just at the present Mr. Henry Watterson affords
a thrilling spectacle. As we see him at this dis
tance he is wearing pair of pink silk tights and
has pasteboard guitar strapped around his back,
and no is crawling up cautiously on the Ameri-
can eagle TO sprinkle salt on the grand birds
tail. To add to the dramatic intensity of the
situation the band is playing Dixie" in
smothered, andante time.
National Republican., 1883-12-20
THE PAINTERS PLANT.
Students OF Art Abroad Demanding Back
Action Protection for Their Infant In

In the house yesterday Mr.. Belmont presented O
petition of American artists and art student:
now in Munich and Dusseldorf, begging O
careful consideration by congress of the
disadvantages of the present high tariff
on works of art and entering a protest
against the protective system when applied to art
blow at the future of American art and artists by
causing the Withdrawal of the means of study 81
leading to the determination of thoroughly edu-
Gated American artists, The high position of the
American artist will be eventually lost should the
future art student be thrown upon his own un-
aided resources, and the feeling of almost every
American art student 0t home and abroad eX.
pressy declares that the abolition of all duty upon
foreign art affords the most ample protection to
the native artist,
National Republican., 1883-12-20

THE expression of indignation at tho insult
offered this government by England that
went up at the Ford's opera house meeting
last night was loud enough to be heard
across the water. 1t had the genuine ring
of honest wrath.
National Republican., 1883-12-20

SPAIN appears to be on tho verge of another
cabinet disruption. If the government is
defoa ed in the cortes upon the reply to tho
royal speech, the prime minister will leave to
King Alfonso the option of accepting the
resignation of tho ministry and dissolving
the cortes
National Republican., 1883-12-20
The TLde of Immlgration.

The number of immigrants arriving in this
country during the month of November was
to the last bulletin from Mr.. Nimmo. The total
number of arrivals for the eleven months ending
Nov 80 was 536 430 against 6S6,676 Tor the same
period last year. Germany sent the largest num-
Der during The month, there being $50 from that
country Europe sent 25,260 of the total for the
month; Canada, 4,ST while 5,2i6 hailed from
pth ri
National Republican., 1883-12-20

rule. Society where IL roigns will become
moro and more degonorated, until finally it
will get out of tho pale of civilization. 1t
will then not only lose q share in ruling the
government, but will havo to bo restrained
by external force from further harming it.
self Better that it consult reason and jus.
tice in time