davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-05-03

IT is learned at the Office ofthe Sec
ond Auditor of the Treasury that SOL
diers are being extensively swindled by
false representations on the part Of
attorneys as to money alleged to be
due them under new laws on account.
of bounty, &c. Nearly 500 letters are
received every day from soldiers in
quiring into the status of claims which
they had been induced to file under
the pretense that they were entitled to
additional bounty under alleged new
laws. They are persuaded in this way
to pay an advance fee of from So to S.
to the attorneys to prosecute their
claims. The claims are rejected, Of
course, and the claiments never hear
of it until they apply at the department:
The attorneys pay no attention to the
cases after receiving the advance as
they know they are without merit.
Soldiers are also induced to send their
discharge papers to these attorneys,
who refuse to return them in the hope
that they may be Of benefit to them in
the event of legislation in the future,
similar in terms to the proposed equali-
zation bounty act. Nearly all of the
bounties payable under existing laws
have already been paid. The Second
Auditor suggests as one method of pre-
venting these frauds, that the claimants
who suppose they are entitled to addi-
tional bounty write directly to his office
for information on the subject. An
@~lass of worthless claims which is
constant, increasing, are claims for
bounties already paid. In many of
these cases denials of former payments
are made under oath, when the records
of the department, authenticated in the
highest manner known to the law and
the courts, show cenclusively that pay
ments we're made years ago.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-05-03

cation which have been tho occasion of in
ternational contest and struggle between
this country and foreign governments for
fifty years. Quietly the work goes on. One
is yet left to us, only one-that great natu-
raj route by the way of Lake Nicaragua
which now has been neglected for two years;
neglected by the last Republican Congress,
say it to its shame; neglected by this pres
ent Congress so far. That will soon pass
from our control and become the property
and subject to the domination of alien gov
srnments, unless we are prepared to defend
with the right hand of physical power eur
asserted superior right to control that great
route. Wherever look, sir, to the East or
to Central America, see the progress of
measures directly hostile to our interests,
directly hostile to our rights, directly in the
teeth of the policy which every government
we have had for fifty years has asserted to
be vital to rs Yet venture to say here
that if We can serure our rights in no other
way this House, if do not mistake its tenn
per- would declare war rather than see the
control of the Nicaragua route pass out of
the power of the United States"
AN OLD "SALT."
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-05-03

The Philadelphia PRESS, on the other
hand, assures credulous public that
Blaine already has 500 votes, with not
less than 100 for second choice. The
PRESS, it will be recollected, had Ran
dali elected Speaker up to the night Of
the Democratic House caucus. 1t gave
the Pennsylvania delegation over to
Blaine solid before the Harrisburg con-
vention took hand in the game.
The Boston ADVERTISER prints table
putting Arthur far in the lead, giving
Blaine 176 votes out off those already
selected.
The Chicago ER-OcEAN.thus sums
up its conclusions
Up to date Sunday 57s delegates have
been elected, of which it is estimated 800
are for Arthur, $50 fer Blaine, 40 for Logan,
45 for Edmunds, - for Sherman, and %
scattering. OF the 2l2 delegates to be elected
Arthur will probably have 132. This would
give him the nomination with 81 votes ts
spare. That this il not wild figuring q
glance at the list giving delegates by states
will show. Arthur has now % more votes
than all the other candidates combined,
and when it is seen that no possible combi-
nation will defeat him there will he new
alignments and new muster Of forces.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-05-03
POLITICAL NOTES.

With Tilden as the Democratic clndi.
date for President every bill beard in the
country would be laden with pictures of
q petriied mummy, surm"unted and sur
rounded with eipher dispatches. Mr..
Tilden belongs to the past, and what is
left Of him should get rest.-Galeeston
Neus (Dem.).
Certain prominent Democrats put the
Republican majority in Ohio in October
at &c, 900, and good nomination in June
at Chicago will give us New York and
every other Northern State Coed, hard,
lively work will pretty nearly make the
country unanimous fer the Republicans
this fall. But there must be hard wsrk
and we must begin it now.-CNdrlsston
(W Yd) Leader.
Carlisle and the free trade gang are
Just as sure to triumph in the Demo-
cratic National Convention as they were
triumphant ever Sam Randall in the
Speakership contest. 1t will then be In
order, if Randall men are sincere, for
Pennsylvania to give the Republican pre-
tectionist ticket a unanimous vote in
Pennsylvania next fall. But they won't
do it. 1t isn't Democratic to live up to
their professions. Mambersburg (R.)
Republican.
The formal entrance Of Mr.. Mahous
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-05-03
MR.. RANDALL AND THE NAVY.

The ecret of the Hon. Samuel RandalPs
opposition to appropriatins the means for
building ftw efficient vessels for the
navy, to protect our flag abroad and give
some character to our country as ma
ton, has leaked out through some of his
friends i'll Congress, who, while admit
ting the need of IA small and useful navy,
still would sacrifice the homer of the
country to aid the personal ambition of
an aspirant for the Presidency; fearing,
they say, that the money appropriated
a Republican President and that too
while the provisions of the Senate bill
states that the work shall be done by
contract. 1t is not the habit Or to the
advantage of contractors for ship build
ing to question men rs to their political
views. but as to their workmanship and
their capacity to 10 4 fair days work.
Mr.. Randall does not hesitate to I'M
lock the doors OF the treasury to all sorts
Of visionary schemes, even to loaning the
city of New Orleans the sum of $1,000
600, {not a cent of Whiehh will eyer be
returned to the government merely be-
cause he thinks it would help his election
should he secure the nomination of the
Democratic party. Isend you an extract
from speech by the Hon.. Mr.. Kasson
af lava, an the necessity af au increase
of navy that is now the laughing stock
Of the civilized world
There Is revival in France nf the spirit
at foreign acquisition at which We rsad in
nearly eyery mornings paper. and it is ex-
tending to different parts at the world. We
are having irritating questions with Great
britain, arising ont uf her iaterar difficult
ties, aud they are presenting themselves
every month as the history of the tunes pro-
ceetis. We find alsu that not content with
regulating affairs upon the European aud
the Eastern continents, foreign aggressions
are made and are contemplated against our
rights, unanimously asserted, and with in
tense spirit. in this country in relation to
Central and South America. They are not
only metlitated but have been begun For
eign influence under The protection of
foreign government has already seized one
If those great inierocean lines Of communi
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-05-03

Mr.. FRANCIS MILLER of Montgomery
county, who was appointed Presidential
elector for the Sixth Maryland district
on the Republican ticket, has declined.
Mr.. Miller is Assistant District Attorney
for the District of Columbia, and he
fears that question might be raised as
to his eligibility. If there are any other
Republican electors who are holding
Offices which may furnish pretext for
throwing out their votes, they ought to
lose no time in following Mr.. Miller's
example. Section of article ? of the
Constitution says: "No senator or rep
resentatlve, or person holding an office
of trust or profit under the United States,
shall be appointed an elector." 1t
having been discovered that several
gentlemen nominated by the Republi-
cans of Pennsylvania on their electoral
ticket are directors of national banks
the question of their eligibility has been
sprung. 1t is stated that the legal
points involved are being investigated.
The best and easiest way out of the
difficulty would be for the gentlemen
in question to get off the ticket and let
others be substituted about whose eligi-
bility there could be no question. In
the event of close election the status
of every elector will be closely scanned
and if any possible pretext can be found
for depriving the Republicans Of an
electoral vote the Democratic House
of Representatives may be relied upon
to take advantage of it. There is no
occasion for afording such an oppor-
tunity. The interest of the Republican
party at large in this matter is too great
to be sacrificed to the feelings of any
Individual who may have been nnstak-
emily nominated, and the mere fact of
his right to serve being questioned
ought to insure his prompt retirement
in favor of some one whose eligibility
is beyond cavl.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-05-03
PRESIDENTIAL ESTIMATES.

Estimating the relative strength of
Presidential candidates is the order of
the day with almost every well-regulated
daily newspaper. There will be eight
hundred and twenty delegates in the
convention, making four hundred and
eleven necessary to choice. OF those
already elected by district and State
conventions, the New York TRIBUNE
gives Blaine 3sS.
The New York Sun of Tuesday pre-
scented its readers the following very
carefully prepared statement. showing
the number of delegates already chosen,
with their reported preferences
For Arthur-Alabama, 20; Arkansas, IA;
Delaware, /; Georgia, "a; Illinois, 6; India
na, 6; Kansas, .; Kentucky, 4; Louisiana,
16; Massachusetts, -; Minnesota, .; Missis-
sippi, l.; Missouri, 9; Nebraska, .; New
York, %; North Carolina, 8; Pennsylvania,
II; South Carolina, IL; tennessee, ~; Viz
ginia, %; Wisconsin, 2: District Of Column
bia, .; Maryland, l. Total, o5l.
For Blaine-Delaware,5 5; Indiana, :; Iowa
2; Kansas, 4; kentucky, .; Maine, a; Mary
land, 10; Michigan, 16; Minnesota, B; Mis-
sissippi, L; Missouri, IL; New Jersey, II;
New York, 80; Ohio, %; Pennsylvania, 43;
Tennessee, 4; Wisconsin, .: Arizona, .; Da-
kots, 9. Total, 1872.
For Observation-Disclosures 10: Mich
igan, g. Minnesota, 3; New York. To- Ten
nessee, L; Vermont, .. Total, 40.
For Logan-Illinois, SO: Indiana. I; Kan
sas, .; Missouri, :; Tennessee, l. Total So.
For John Sherman-Indiana,4 4; Ohio, 10.
Total, %.
For Joseph r. Hawley-Connscticut, 10.
For Gresham-Indiana, g.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-05-03

THE Democratic State Central Com
mittee met in Baltimore on Tuesday
last and fixed Tuesday, June S, as the
time and Baltimore as the place for the
meeting of the State Convention to
select delegates to the National Con-
vention at Chicago; and August E the
time and Elkton the place for the
meeting of thes District Congressional
nominating convention.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-05-03

WITHIN the last two or three days
there has been a revival of the Cleve-
land boom, and he is again presented
as the man whom Mr.. Tilden regards
as certain to carry New York in the
event of his nomination. Mr.. Tilden's
opinion will have very great weight in
this matter, and if he really favors Gov.
Cleveland, it might be well for the sup
porters of other candidates to trim
their sails and prepare for new depar-
ture. The Democratic State Commit
tee was advertised to meet April "a, but
as the day approached it was unexpect-
edly announced that the meeting
would not take place till May 81. 1t
is said that this postponement was
owing to new developments which have
brought Mr.. Cleveland again to the
front as a Presidential candidate, and
rumor once more designates him as
Mr.. Tilden's legatee.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-05-03
INVALID PENSIONS.

The bill which passed the House of
Representatives last week for facilita-
ting the granting Of pensions to invalid
soldiers is an excellent measure in it.
self, but is liable to be greatly abused.
Heretofore the claims of some soldiers,
who were really entitled to pensions,
have been rejected because they were
unable to prove that the disease which
caused the disability did not exist at
the time he enlisted. This bill pro-
vides that when the record shows the
soldier was mustered into the service,
and served for a period of three months
or more, that fact is prima facie evil
dence that he was free from the. disa-
bility for which he claims pension.
The applicant must appear before
Board of Surgeons to be examined as
to the extent and character Of the disa-
bility, and if this board discharges its
duty properly there is but little danger
of man getting on the pension rolls
who is not really disabled. But care
less or incompetent surgeons may be
easily imposed upon, and the pension
rolls may be indefinitely heightened by
putting on men whose disability is
feigned. The pension office is already
overwhelmed with claims which cannot
be allowed, and if the rule relating to
the proof of disability is relaxed the
number will be greatly increased.
The bill also does away with the
existing rule which requires the father
or mother Ct deceased soldier who
applies for pension to prove that the
son contributed to their support while
he lived, Or that they were dependent
upon him. 1t will be sufficient to
prove that the applicant is now without
means of support other than his or her
manual labor, or the contributions Of
Others not legally bound to support
them.
Should this bill become law it will
make the prosecution Of invalid pen
sions much easier than it is now, and
will revive large number Of claims
that have either been suspended or
rejected for want of proofthat the disa-
blity did not exist at the time the SOL
der enlisted. 1t is provided in the
bill that it is to apply to all pending
claims as we'll as those that may be filed
after its passage.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-05-03
THE STATE CONVENTION.
Its Meeting ut ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and
Electors Chosen.

Its Meeting ut Hsgerstown-Delegates and
Electors Chosen.
The Republican State Convention met
in Hagsrstown on Thursday, and elected
four delegates at largo to represent the
State in the Chicago convention, four
altsrnates and two electors at large.
The convention was called to order at
1o.30P. NJ, when Mr.. James A Gary,
amid applause, stepped to the front
of the platform and said:
''GenLlemen OF the convention, as the
chairman of the State Central Committee
it is my duty to call this body to order.
have formed roll from the credentials
furnished me by the delegates which, in
my opinion, are authorized to organize
the convention and from which the com
mi:tees will be selected. This roll will
be read by the secretary. There are no
sontesting delegations except from the
Third Legislative district of Baltimore
city. After carefully examining the
papers laid before me by both sides,
have decided to enroll that one known
as the regular delegation (Anti Adreon).
could not come before you and maintain
an squivecal position. The matters which
We have to arrange are simple and hope
that the work Of the conventian will be
completed early enough for us to leave
on the afternoon train"
NJ Janoo IT Co,,lL ,c 49,
State committee, read the roll of the con.
vention, including tho regular delegates
from the Third Legislative district of
Baltimore city.
II declare these gentlemen" said Mr..
Gary when the roll was concluded, 1.-THE
members of the Republican State Com
mittee."
Colonel G. w. F. Vernon, of Frederick,
moved that William H. Perkins, of
Washington county, be made chairman.
which was adopted. DR.. Perkins said
that fer the unsought honor he thanked
the convention. He said that the dele
gates were present upon the threshold of
q new era. He then referred to Presi-
dent Arthur's administrations in COM
plimsntary terms.
A. l.. TharP, Of Talbot, and Charles
Clark. of Baltimore city, were then
unanimously chosen secretary and assist
ant secretary of the convention.
A committee ON credentials was ap-
pointed who reported, when the conven-
ton at once proceeded to the election Of
delegates. DR.. w. G. G. Green, of
Prince Georges county, nominated Hon.
Hart B. Holton; General Adam E. King,
of Baltimore, nominated Col. Harrison
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-05-03
FORTY EIGHTH CONGRESS.
MONDAY,

-uoNOA1
In the United States Senate on Mon
day last, Mr.. Cullom from the Com
mittee on Railroads, reported bill, a
synopsis of which has been published,
to establish commission to regulate in
terstate commerce. A bill was passed
to consolidate the Bureau Of Military
Justice and the corps of Judge advocates
of thei army. The bill to establish a
bureau of animal industry was discussed
at length, without reaching vote. In
the House MIR. Hewitt, rising to a per-
sonal explanation, reiterated the charge
made by him in debate last Friday that
the Secretary of the Navy had not com
piled with the law in turning certain
money received from the sale of con-
demned vessels into the Treasury, and
Mr.. Calkins defended tn" action of Sec
rotary Chandler. An evening session
was held for debate on the Tariff bill.
TUESDAY.
The Senate on Tuesday amended and
passed the leuro-pneumonia bill. In
the House the session was devoted 70
debate on the Tariff bill, Mr.. Hurd, OF
Ohio, making the principal speech. An
evening session was held for debate CD
the Tariff bill.
WEDNESDAY.
In the Senate the bill to remove certain
burdens on American shipping was DIS
cussed by Senators Beck and Fry. In
the House the tariff debate was continued,
the principal speech being made by Mr..
Hewett, Of New York, in favor of the
bill. The bill was further discussed at
the evening session The House COM
mittee on postofices aud post-roads has
agreed upon bill to secure cheaper tel
egraph correspondence.
TUESDAY.
Nothing of interest was done in either
House on Thursday, the time being spent
in debates.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-05-03
HOIST BY THEIR OWN
PETARD.

The unjustifable onslaught made
upon Mr.. Creswell in his own county
and the city of Baltimore has been sig
nally rebuked at Hagerstown by the
pronounced defeat Of the men who
projected it. The lesson is one easily
read, and one which aspiring local
leaders in the Republican party will, if
they possess an ordinary modicum of
brains, proftably mediate upon. In
common with every Republican in Cecil
county who had the slightest regard for
party harmony, we deprecated the in
tensely personal character of the con-
test Just closed. There was not the
slightest necessity for a contest of such
character but the opportunity at
forded by the popularity Of MIR. Blaine's
name was too tempting to be allowed
to pass without an organized effort to
turn it to individual account by men
whose personal designs and individual
ambitions were paramount over party
welfare or party peace. BY persistent
Misrepresentation and misstatement,
Cecil county was placed in a position
apparently antagonistic to Mr.. Creswell
and his friends. We say apparently
antagonistic, because no man who
knows the sentiment of the Republicans
of Cecil would have the audacity to
deny that in any direct issue in which
the known preference of Cecil Repub-
licans for Mr.. Blaine had not been used
as point the result would have been
different. Cecil county was, however,
none the less put in the position, false
ly, too, of turning down one of her most
prominent Republicans, and man who
had rendered his party acknowledged
service, simply to crafty the personal
vindictiveness of men who vainly COW
eted his influence and hopelessly as
PRED to his leadership.
The reaction was inevitable. 1t was
bound to come sooner or later. 1t has
come sooner at Hagerstown. The Re-
publicans of Maryland, by their act on
Thursday, refused to recognize the
credit CD claimed by the men whose
laurels were won in so questionable 4
contest
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-05-03

the accessories Of life. The Government
is now capable Of paying them, and leS
it make arrangements for doing SO at
once. trust the border States will take
some early action for urging their claims
before Congress. Congress will surely
give ear to the complaints Of SO, 1000 Of
the citizens Of our country who were
Shareholders, and are directly interested
in having this oppressive grievance re.
dressed.
Some pretend that tho United States
are prohibited from paying this claim by
the fourth section Of the fourteenth
amendment, which declares: Neither
the United States nor any State shall as
sumo or pay any claim for the loss or
emancipation Of any slave" This can
not be construed to refer to the. border
States, for in no sense were their slaves
lost. but we're taken and held openly by
the Government for its own use. They
became the property of the United States
of course, for . fair consideration due
to their owners, and this took place a
considerable time before the constitu-
ton of Maryland or the thirteenth
amendment, enancipating them, were
adopted, SO that these proceedings could
only affect them as the property Of the
United States. Congress should care
fully avoid the reputation of such a
claim, represented by SO many of our
citizens. 1t might be bad example
some time in the future. This cannot
be considered party question, for even
the negroes are favorable to its payment,
inasmuch as their rights and standing
are in no respect injuriously affected
byit. :
A Solid South, whose representatives
in Congress have the effrontery to vote
a reward to Union General for be-
traying his commander in the face of
the enemy, will net hesitate long be-
fore making an attempt to dump the
National Treasury into the lap of the
South, in payment for its slaves. All
that is lacking is power. A Democratic
President would embolden the South
to make the raid and dragon their
Northern allies into line to assist them.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-05-03
THE Pleuro-pneumonia bill gave MIR.

The Pleur0-pncumonla Dill gave MI
Bayard an opportunity on Monday to
warn the country against the dangers
Of ''paternal government" This is a
favorite subject with Mr.. Bayard, and
the Senate always listens to him with
respect, but his awful picture Of the
dangers that may result from loose
construction have ceased to alarm even
the Southern Democrats.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-05-03

THE Democrats of Louisville voted
as unit against Henry Watterson for
delegate at-large to the Chicago Con-
vention at the election on Saturday last.
He has been asked to consider this in
the light of rebuke Of his course in
agitating the tariff question. The sour
mash districts outside of Louisville are
expected to rally to Mr.. Watterson's
support, however. and vindicate him.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-05-03

THE sequel shows that the petty
spirit displayed towards Mr.. Creswell
in his swn county has lost Cecil an able
and creditable representative at Chicago.
In all candor, gentlemen, who has lost
the most, Mr.. Creswell or the county?
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-05-03

TIE English Government has deter
mined not to undertake the relief Of
General Gordon, shut up i'll Khartoum
and besieged by rebels until fall. In
all probability by the time the autumn
is here Khartoum will be Pllaged and
Gordon non est.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-05-03

THE Philadelphia TINES dominates
Colonel NJ. Richards Muckle, business
manager Of the Philadelphia LEDGER,
for the vacant German mission.