davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08
.SENAToR GORMAN is beginning to experi
a Canal Across the Isthmus.

To the Editor of the Nea1 York San /:
While Capt. PIN, Capt, G0rringe and
others are discussing the feasibility of a
ship canal at Panama, l doubt very much
whether many of your readers are aware
that the Atlantic and Pacific were at one
time connected by canal, not very far
from that Of NJ. de Lesseps', which en-
abled vessels of small capacity to pass
from one ocean to the other.
An article on the subject of interoceanic
canals, written by the Hon. H. Wheaton,
United States Minister to Berlin in 1913,
and published IN this country in July of
that year, says that a canal was at that
time in actual use through the transver-
sal valley between the rivers AtratO and
San Juan, on the Isthmus of Darien, per-
haps 200 miles down the coast from the
scene Of NJ. de Lesseps' present opera
tiOns. 1t was dug by the curate of the
village of Novida, United States of Co.
lOmbia, who in 1888 persuaded the Indians
of his parish to begin the work. The
canal was called Raspadura, from ravine
of that name through which it passed.
1t began at the head of navigation on the
river QuibdO, a branch of the AtratO
which emptied into the Gulf of Darien,
and ended at the head of navigation on
the Rio NOanama, or San Juan, which
empties into the Pacific. 1t was not nav
igable for seagOing boats, but the abund-
ant supply OF water enabled the natives
to float barges across the year through.
There were no locks, the numerous rapids
in the rivers being overcome by the force
of muscle only.
ONE OF THE MARINES.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08
SIGNS OF WINTER
The agile mercury by jerks
Now creeps
Toward the zero point,
And the dread rheumatism turks
And sleeps
In every human Joint.
PERSONAL.

GAIL HAMILTON has contracted with
Boston firm to write novel,
SUNSET Cox is a member of the House by
larger majority than any other man in 1t.
NJ. SCHENCK has been elected Presidentof the
Swiss Confederation for 1885 and NJ. Deucher
Vice President. Both are Radicals.
MARX TWAIN and his friend Gable carried
away over $1,000 apiece for their two read
ings in Washington after paying all their eX-
penses'
THOMAS A. DOYLE is making the MayOralty
of Providence, r. l., a life Office. tie has
served II years and has just been nominated
for another term.
PINNARD, Hungarian, who once shucked
oysters for a secOnd-rate restaurant, was the
caterer for the recent AstOr wedding, and his
bill was over $1,000.
GEN. LARKIN SMITH. a veteran of the Mexi-
can war and Confederate General, who died
recently at the age of II, was buried with
military hOnOrs at san Antonio.
PROF. DANIEL KIRKwOOD, a leading as
trOnomer, has a leave of absence from his
duties at the Indiana State University, and
he will pass the winter at that spot on the
earth's crust marked "kiverside, Call" where
the atmosphere favors those who seek to see
deep down into cOsmic depths.
GEN. JAMES REYNOLDS is quoted by the
Lancaster, Pa. EsdnsineT as saying of James
Buchanan; My dislike for the man does not
blind me to his legal ability. There is no COM
pariSOn between Bucnanan anu stevens III
this regard-for Buchanan was infinitely the
superior mind. He would have made great
Judge"
CONGRESSMAN TOILET, of Ohio, when asked
about the Cabinet, sd d ''Whether any Ohio
man will be selected, l cannot say. There
would seem to be a fitness in Judge Thur
mans appointment, if any one is taken. But
no one has any definite information on the
subject that | have found. L do not even
know Mr.. Cleveland-have never met him.
If ne should send over TO Washington and ask
me TO form a CABINET for him, l could do it
very quickly, and there would probably be
one Ohio man on it."
SENATOR GORMAN is beginning to expert
ence some of the unpleasant features con-
nected with the recent Democratic victory"
said one of the doOrkeepers of the Senate to
correspondent the other day. "He has had
five times SIS many callers as any other Sena-
tor since the Senate came together, and even
now there are a dozen persons either waiting
in the reception room or lettering about the
corridors TO secure an interview with him. /
know that he is thoroughly disguised with
this business, but what can he do?"
The former Sergeant at Arms of the nited
States Senate. "Dick" Bright, of Indiana.
says: sit is impossible for me to reconcile
myself to Mr.. Arthur's candidacy for the
Senate. 1t seema lhc0ngruous. could un-
derstand it if he should be returned
to the popular branch of Congress
by his neighbors as their dire ct
representative. But to drop from President
to Senator is like a Senator on the expiration
of his term being a candidate for the Senate
Clerkship or a Judge, on leaving the bench,
running for Justice of the Peace"
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08
The Grant Pension scheme.

It appears that the friends Of Gen. Grant
who have been endeavOring to enlist the
svmpathies of the people in behalf of the
measure to have him placed on the pen
sion list by special act of Congress, have
been dealing very largely in false pre-
lenses. The statement has been made
frequently of late that Gen. Grant is in
absolute poverty, that the S25O,OOO invest
ed in Watash bonds for his benefit,
which was one Of the val
liable presents he received, has
become worthless, and that the guar
antv of the interest made by the late eX-
Gov. Morgan was likely TO prove also Of
no value. 1t is probable that these repre-
sensations and the fear that by its contin-
uaI presentation this pension scheme
would weary the country, have induced
great many people to look with favor ON
the measure, and to be anxious to have
the pension granted and done with.
The best laid schemes of men, however,
often miscarry. Mr.. George w. Jones, Of
the New York Times, who was chiefly ill.,
strumental in getting up the s25O,OOO en-
dOwment fund for Gen. Grant as reward
for his eminent military and political ser-
vices. has been called upon tor the facts
about the condition of the invest
ment. When shown the plea I'm
forma pauperis," he gave sigh
of despair, and after referring in
cidentally to the great number
of times the ''destitutiOn'' report
had been circulated, gave de-
tailed history Of the Grant fund. lie con-
tradicted the various statements that
have been made by Gen. Grants friends,
substantially as follows: First, the
Wabash bonds had not failed to pay the
interest as it became due. Second, that
ex-GOv. Morgan guaranteed not only the
interest on the fund, but the entire prin-
pal. Third, that the ten years guarantee
has yet about seven years to run, instead of
being about to expire. Fourth, that the
Morgan estate amounts to millions of dol
lars, and is not in any way involved.
The truth of the whole business, then,
is that Gen. Grant is now receiving sOmt-
thing over $15, 900 per year as the interest
on this fund, and that it is one of the most
secure investments in the country. This
being the case those who are seeking to
get the pension bill passed must fall back
on some other line of argument. Perhaps
this anecdOte, which went the rounds of
the press some months ago, may be sug-
gestive TO them: The little daughter Of
blind organ grinder was passing around
the tin cup. 4 charitable looking gentle
man clipped in a nickel, but she still held
the cup to him and looked pitifully for
another coin. The gentleman reminded
her that he mad given the customary fee
Of a blind musician. ''Oh." she replied,
''but my father is a professional beggar
besides"
This Grant pension business appears
to be a similar case. Gen. Grant has been
amply rewarded for his services to the
country, and has an assured income that
is sufficient to enable him to live in very
good style. The application for pension,
therefore, can be considered in no other
light than as the solicitation of gratuity.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08

Pe,7777s-77 = y 75oss 0sso1 - SOeO~aaA az
JssoTf GI1ra Nal K1ftsr.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08

A very strong effort is being made to in
duce the Legislature to make an addi-
tional appropriation for the capitol in
order that Georgia marble may be used
in constructing the building instead OF
oolitic limestone. One of the Capitol Com
missioners, in an interview published in
the Constitution yesterday, speaking of
this matter, said:
We do not wish our position misunder-
stood. AS commissioners we are perfect
ly willing to have the Legislature make
an additional appropriation to the$ ,OOO,-
600 it has already given and instruct Us TO
vary the conditions Of our contract by
substituting Georgia marble, Georgia
iron, or Georgia woods. But we have
made a contract that was $4,000 lower
than the next bid. We believe that we
have made by this contract for the State at
least $3.50. 900. We believe that if this con-
tract were abrOgated we could not make a
similar contract within the terms of the
bill. We are secured in this contract by
a gilt-edged bond, and the contractors
have already gone to work vigorously to
carry il out, so that the contract will
doubtless stand as it is as to the extra
appropriation. We were appointed by
the Legislature. If it wishes to amend
its instructions, supplement Its apprOprl-
alton and require us to change the ma
terial out of which the capitol is to he
built, all it has to do is to say so. We
acted under the strict letter of our in
structiOns. In order to do so we had two
separate biddings and saved more than a
quarter of a million dollars by the last
bidding over the first.
One thing strikes me as curious. The
clause in the capitol bill referring to
Georgia material includes Georgia iron
and Georgia wood as well as Georgia
marble. We Send only about So 900 out
of the State to buy limestone, while we
may send $3.50, 900 out of the State to buy
iron. Now, why is it that we hear moth
ing about Georgia iron, but everything
about Georgia marblef If it is the pro-
test Of the people in general against the
use of other than Georgia material, why
does not some friend of Georgia iron or
Georgia wood speak up? Is it simply the
marble men that are interested?
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08
ITEMS OF INTEREST,".

APARIs WIDOW is said to have made for
tune by keeping pumpkin pies in her restau-
rant.
THE total number of students in the Yale
University is given by the Banner, of that in
stitution, as 1919, of whom 1852 are from Con-
necticut, 2OS from New York, &c from Penn
sylvania, 50 from Illinois, 46 from Massachu-
sets, 45 from Ohio, 80 from New Jersey, 43
from all the Southern States, which have not
sent so many here since the war, and is from
all foreign countries.
AMONG recent experiments with the cleo
trio light, one of the most novel is that of the
Director of Telegraphs at Haugesund, Nor
way, who has endeavored to ascertain its
effect on attracting fish to places in the sea
Illuminated by 1t. Electric lamps have been
especially constructed at Brussels for this
purpose. These experiments, which have
been quite successful, are in the line OF sim
liar ones conducted with other Illuminating
agents for several years past.
SOME years ago Mr.. Ruskin told his Oxford
pupils that the beautiful and the good were
identical, and that it was their duty to make
the world az beautiful as possible. So he got
together a lot OF under graduates and made
them take dreadful VOWS to lead simple life
and to reclaim a beastly place called Little
Hincksey, which was near. To work the
young men set. Their first job was to make
road, but they soon got tired of barrOws and
pickaXes, and Hincksey is as unreclaimed as
ever.
ACCORDING to the London Vanitv Fair, ga
remarkable sight is to be seen at Monymusk,
the residence of Sir Francis Grant, in Aber-
deenshire In large duckpond adjoining
the stable square, hundreds of wild duck dis
port themselves in perfect security. They
are not tame wild ducks, but bona fide wild
ducks wild wherever they go, yet tame the
moment they settle in the pond. They SWIM
up to be fed within a few feet of any one.
eYincng no fear. Outside the precincts Of
their pond they are as wild as the widest
wild duck can possibly be-"
GERMANY's GROWTH as a naval power of
Importance dates solely within the last ten
years. During the Danish campaign Ger
many could only command seven war vessels
and fifteen gunboats; yet, though reOrganiza-
ton was warmly discussed, little was actually
done in the matter until the Reichstag voted
the necessary funds in 1873. Now the Ger
man war feet musters fourteen fine iron
clads, twenty-one cOrvettes, fourteen ar
mOred and ten ordinary gunboats, sixteen
torpedo vessels, eight dispatch boats and
seven steam and four sailing transports.
Further, thirty-fve vessels, ranging from
monitors to tOrpedOes, are on the stocks,
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08

Gen. Logan does not appear to be at all
oyer-confident in regard to his prospects
for reelection to the Senate. In a
recent interview about the probable dead
lock he said: Il don't know how it will
come out, and don't see how any settle
ment will be reached unless one side goes
over to a man who can get a vote or two
from the other party. The only thing L
am afraid Of is that some of the men who
are anxious to come to the Senate will
get some one politically opposed to him
to agree to vote for him, and then say to
his own party: If you will stand by me
L can be elected In that case some one
may slip in. There is no truth in the re-
port that one of the sO-called Indepen-
dents is Republican. Both of them are
Democrats, nominated by Democratic
conventions, and they will vote with the
Democratic caucus. Republicans are
more apt to be split off from their party
than Democrats. If both sides hold firm,
and no election is had, l have no doubt
that the Governor has right to fill the
vacancy, which insures a Republican
Senator" Though he does not say so, it
is well understood that Gen. Logan ex-
poets to be the Republican candidate, and
in case Of a deadlock, appointed by Gov.
Oglesby,
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08
Bearing Good Fruit.

U6tfOlt FFee I7TeSS lLI6Ht J.
The election of Cleveland is already bearing
good fruit. For the first time almost in the
history of the Republican party an effort is
being made to collect a claim against a de-
faulter. The issuing of an attachment against
property belonging to Col. J. o. p. Burnside,
late disbursing clerk of the Post Office De-
partment, shows that the administration Is
beginning to see the handwriting on the wall.
Perhaps, when they get thoroughly frightened,
some Of the star route suits for recovery of
stolen funds will be pushed or an expedition
be organized to uncover HOwgate.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08

WANTED, position in wholesale or me,
w grocery store, by well educated and io va
tlemanly young Northern man. thoronssSSlir-
acquainted with business; good salesman s ulg
accountant; strong and good worker an
dress ARM, News office. Al
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08

nesdays and FRIDAY on 40
Thursdays and Saturdays NUyi < n,
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08

The New York and Brooklyn Republic
can clubs appear to differ as to the prorer
manner Of treating the 'smugwumpsv
who could not stomach Blaine. In New
York they are considered as traitors to the
grand old party, and are beng exeom-
municated and bOycOtted right and left.
while the Brooklyn Republicans have
reconsIdered their first determination.
and are disposed to extend the olive
branch to their ''erring brethren and
take them back into the fold. 1t is not
likely that any considerable degree of
harmony viii be re-established as long as
the truly loyaF' Republicans persist in
their determination to force Blaine on the
party again in 1855.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08

The conviction OF the poor Mormon
who had only two wives and twelve chill
dren to mourn his imprisonment, by an
Arizona court, ought not to be censured.
Yet it does seem that the Mormon net set
by the Republicans catches only small
fry and lets all the big fish escape.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08
BRIGHT BITS.

DIR. TANNER is reported as living in a
boarding house in Chicago. Still at the staPv-
ing business, 1t seems.-TeSds SiftiRgs.
THAT Settled Him.-Masher: "Ah-h, per-
nit me to escort you. ladies?" Ladies': Seer
tainly; were just going to get some OYSTERS
The Judge.
FIRST Lady of Color-"Dinah, why doan
yOu nebber wear white clo'es?" Second Lady
Of COlOr-'White clO'esS D'you think wan
to look like fly in a cream jug?"-ActG Co.
luHl6idHd.
A BLOOMFIELD (N. J LADY wears trousers
like a man, at hOme.-ES. Some persons may
be curious to know how she wears them away
from home. She must be a bloomer from
Observation-Disclosures Herald.
AN EXCHANGE says: "Boston proposes to
photograph those Of its old landmarks which
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08

sLet us decorate" says the Times
Democrat of New Orleans. That paper
wants New Orleans covered with bunting
on Dec. Is and all business places closed.
The 10th is the opening day. or the Ex-
position, and there is a movement to
dress the city up in holiday attire on that
occasion.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08

All talk about returning to Republican
simplicity" in the matter of the Inauguration
is the merest bOsh or shecrest affectatiOn. The
peOple-not Congress nor President-aFe to be
m asters of ceremonies on March4. When Mr..
Cleveland is once inaugdrated ana his ad-
ministration fairly opened he can give the
country all the Republican simplicity he wants
to, and the people wilt cry "Amen;" but they
don't propose to let HIM ride up to the capitol
on Inauguration day in a bOb-tall car.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08

One Of Secretary of State Frelinghuy-
sens correspondents abroad has informed
him Of a specific for cancer which IS used
by the Brazilians. 1t is the juice OF the
alveloz. Perhaps the Secretary may open
a cancer hospital when he vacates his
present office.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08

Incur Jacksonville dispatches last week
it was stated that the Synod Of South
Georgia and Florida by vote of - to Is
approved the doctrine Of evolution taught
by DIR. Woodrow, at Columbia, ;. c. The
statement was incorrect. The dispatch
should have read disapprOyed. The mis-
take occurred, perhaps, in transmitting
the dispatch.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08

The semi-annuaI report to the effect that
Senator Edmunds is about to erect a new
house in Washington, is going the rounds
again. Now that there seems to be no
chance of the Senator ever being a tenant
of the White House, he may as well let
out the contract and fix TO settle down as
q Life Sanatnr.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08

MONDAY, DECEMBER 5. 1sst.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08

Blaine has very properly declined to ac-
cept an ovation rendered by his admirers
in Washington. He is afraid the affair
will look too much like a funeral, and,
besides, he has already made his ''key-
note for 1882 speech and had 1t tele-
graphed all over the country.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08

An exchange says there is already
much spicy debate on the question who
shall carry the mace in the next House
of Representative. 1t is, perhaps, forIu-
nate for the harmony Of the body that
every member who desires to do SO may
carry the cloves.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08

If the General Assembly should actually
get through with its business during the
present month and adjourn sine die, it
viii not only please, but surprise the
people Of the State. fit were relieved of
the duty Of electing Judges and Solicitors
General there seems to be no reason why
it should not get through with its work
within the constitutional limit of forty
days, especially lift would devise some
means Of limiting or expediting local leg
islatiOn.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08

On Wednesday the New York electors,
after they had discharged the duty de-
yOlving on them, called on Gov. Cleve-
land. One OF them said to him, ''What is
the penalty for asking for an Officer"
Exclusion from Office promptly re-
piled the President-elect. Il am a good
deal more independent now. you see, than
l was before my election. 1 am going to
have a large waste-paper basket built-sO
high" said the President-elect, smiling
and lifting his hand to a level with his
head.
1t is pretty certain that Mr.. Cleveland
does not intend to allow the Office seekers
to worry him to death.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08
The Bourbons of the Present.

Y tIefttttto q ITO TUT N11V'V'J'
The more that polite people endeavOr to
turn the political conversation into pleasanter
channels than the fratricidal war, the in
evitable one -ideaed BOurbOns are forever
which IS what they know, or rather don't
know. about "the South" and "the South
erner." Do give us Il rest on this interminable
song, and talk about anything else-even the
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08

It might not be bad idea for the City
Council and the BrOughtcn street proper
ty owners to make an experiment with
asphalt as a paving material. The first
cost OF asphalt paving in Washington is
a little greater than stone and the annual
expense Of keeping in repair is about 80
cents per lineal yard, or 1888 per mile. 1t
would prObablypa all persons concerned
to have this street paved with a material
that is comparatively nOiseless. At any
rate the question is worth considering.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08

It's cheering to see this paragraph in
that red-hOt Republican organ, the Phila-
deIphia Press: Don't worry about John
A. Logan. He is hOnOrably poor" Even
the Press will hardly be bold enough to
claim that Blaine is honOrably rich.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08

II is said that every Democrat in Penn
sylvania is an applicant for office under
Cleveland. AS there are not many Demo-
Gratis in Pennsylvania there seems to be
no reason why the applications should
not be granted.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08
CURRENT COMMENT.
A Feeling of Confidence.

WUItC9IUIt 6tI0 IL7e7lIsIs
just watch how the Democrats Will handle
the Mormon question, though the Republicans
have long pretended to hold complete mo-
nopoly of the morality of the country. The
Democrats NAV not make as much fuss as the
Republicans, but they certainly cannot hunele
the job any worse than Edmunds and Arthur
Z
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08

a Chicago girl takes the palm for mod
esty. When sworn as a witness IN
Police Court the other day she refused to
kiss the Bible. She had not been accus-
toned to kissing anything that couldn't
smack back again.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08

1t is singular how little the protection
papers have to say about the items in the
cost of producing pig iron while they are
constantly dealing in large and glitter
ing generalities. They never allude to
the fact that although it costs less to
make pig iron ia Alabama than PennsyI-
vania, the labor account is 81 per ton in
the former and only 81 30 per ton in the
latter State. The "whyfore'' of this
strange discrepancy would be interesting
to the protected laborers Of Pennsylvania.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08

A notorious burglar recently arrested
in Canada has made a startling confess
sion, in which he states that all the bur-
glaries of importance committed in To-
were planned by a leading Toronto detec-
tive, who kept the burglars posted on the
movements Of the police and detectives.
There are circumstances going to confirm
his story, and an investigation is being
held by the Police Commissioners.