davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28

The peculiar defect in our federal
representative system, relative to the
wide interval between the election of
congressman and the meeting of con-
gress, is subject of comment. Mem
bers hardly warm their seats before
they are called upon to make another
race. A new members ability is
really not tried before the people are
called upon to pass Judgment upon
him. Members should be elected in
November to take their seats in the
following December. Then they
would be fresh from the people. AS
it is, congressman are elected one
year, and thirteen months thereafter
they go into service. Issues have
been known to change, and are al
ways liable to change, in so long a
period.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28
Returning Reason May Save.


A year or so since this whole wide
state was resounding with the din of
railroad construction. Now it is as
still in this respect as the interior of
the Pyramids. There is an explana-
ton. INis not sufficient to say tia
it is because money is tight and all
that sort of thi g. Plenty of money
can be had for any legitimate under
taking. We must look elsewhere for
the causes. Are they not found in the
threatening and sinister condition of
the public policy as affected by the
fence-cutting energies of the lawless ?
And yet session of our legislature,
called especially to devise a remedy,
adjourns without applying sufficient
or even plausible promise of one
The returning reason of the lawless
may operate to put an end to the
troubles, but if that fails we will be
as state, at sea without rudder OF
compass.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28

Gen: Gordon's telegram to Khar-
toum," says the Pail Mall Gazette, is
thoroughly characteristic, recalling
the laconic terseneSs of his famous
speech when he entered upon his du
ties as governor general of the Snudan.
1t was expected that he would make a
long address, but he dismissed the as
s-mOly with a single sentence: Il
will try to hold the balance even.
These pregnant savings of Gordon
will serve sc the fingrr-posts of the
history of his mission. When his
views on the Soudan apf cared in our
columns he remarked: "A shot has
been fred When he was sent to the
Soudan h. said. I have received ord
ers to cui the dogs tail of, and 1 will
do it, cout- que coute.' At Port said,
when some one asked him if he would
not prevent the evacuation of KhAr-
toum, he answered dryly: 1 shall prob
ably obey my Instructions At Cairo,
when he refused an escort, he tx
claimed: L will 90 with an army or
go alone And now the latest of the
stories of these utterances, and per
hapS the most characteristic of them
all: You are men, not women. Be
not afraid. l am coming"
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28
PERSONAL:

Victor Hugo is still considered the
best speaker in Paris. But he is the
poorest listener. He's as deaf as a
post.
Lucy P. Hooper writes from Paris
that Minister Morton's wife cannot
sit for her portrait to Bo1not because
she is so tormented by headache.
E. H. Underwood, of Boston, al
ready has begun biography of Wen
dell Phillips, and hundred more hi
ographers are ready to begin within a
week.
". StAinitz. once the champion chess
player of the world, haying failed to
conclude match with zqeertctt, has
decided to settle down in Philadelphia
and start chess magazine.
After considerable social success
and several receptions in Boston. Miss
Susan B. Anthony has gone to Wa h.
ington to soften the hearts Of Coz
gressmen on the subject of WON IN
suffrage.
Edwin Booth denies all RESPONSIBLE
lty for the recent attack in the L ID
une upon his brother tragediir Mr.
Keene. He says the article was
written by his friend. Mr.. Winter,
whom he is not always able to con-
troll.
Ex-Gov. Hendricks, Of Indiana,
doesn't play billiards. when I came
to settle up for the first game 1 ever
played he says, al was told it WAS Sd.
How SOP l asked. Because You
were so long, was the reply. And l
have never tried billiards again
Ex-Gov Butler has a profound dis
regard for petitions. you could get
in Massachusetts 10000 men to sign a
petition to have iIe hanged" he says.
land half the Number would sign ii
petition to have themselves hanged
without knowing what they were
doing"
There are not so many ladies on the
New York press as formerly. Those
having places on the Office staff are
Miss Middle Morgan, of the Times;
Miss Katherine V. Ferguson, OF the
Morning Journal; Miss Beatrice Bid
die, of the World, granddaughter OF
the Nicholas Biddle, Who was vice
president of Pennsylvania when
Franklin was president; and was the
foremost figure in Jackson's bank agi-
tation3 Miss Mary Ferguson, of the
Queen, and Miss Helen Hutchinson
aud Mrs. Runkle, of the Tribune.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28
Presidential Timber.
IWashingtOn Star.l

w
In studying the "booiis" for the two
parties, two interesting features may
be noted. Of the Democratic candl.
dates seriously mentioned a large
number are private citizens, while the
leading candidates on the Republican
side, with one or two exceptions, oc-
cupy public station. Again, the Re.
publican candidates, of those in Office
are almost wholly in the administra-
ton of the Senate, while the Demo
cratic leaders are in the House. thus,
on the Republican side, we have the
president and Secretaries Lincoln and
Gresham named, and Senators Ed
n1unds, Sherman, Logan, Allison,
Miller, of California, and Harrison
but not man in the House. Going
across the aisle, however, we find
Randall, Morrison, Hewitt, Curtin,
Dorsheimer and Holman spoken of,
while scarcely senator is mentioned
Mr.. Bayard is, of course, remembered,
but apart from him, and here and
there a mention of Mr.. VOORHEES,, the
Democrats seem to slight the Senate
entirely.
The only candidate of notable
strength on the Republican size, not
filling public station, is Mr.. Blaine.
Gen. Sherman, who went on the re-
tired list the other day, should now be
added. Gen. Grant is scarcely in the
field; but these three exhaust the list.
The Democrats, however, are talking
of several private citizens, such, for
instance, as Mr.. Payne, now Senator
elect, and Messrs. Tilden, Flower. But
Ter, Thurman and Mcdonald. Thus,
it may be said, judging from an in
spection of candidates, that the lead
ers of the Republican party are mostly
in the Senate, while the Democrats
have their leading men in the House,
so far as they are in Office at all.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28

THE insanity dodge finds a new
field for exercise, a Cleveland, Ohio,
doctor, on trial for bigamy, has had
the insanity plea entered in his behalf.
The attorneys discovered that their
client met with a fall when in his
thirteenth year, which permanently
injured his reason to the extent of
rendering him irresponsible for a
breach of the marriage laws, though
it does not seem to have incapaci-
tated him from studying medicine
and gaining a diploma. The defense
put up by this doctor is pretty hard
on his profession. Can fellow be so
crazy as to not know when he has two
wives, and still study medicine and
secure diploma and practice?
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28
The Marshall Herald saws:

The contest that has divided the
legislature was far from settled by its
adjournment. The question of herd
law or free range will be transferred
to the broader field of state politics.
The occurrence of the fact that this is
a presidential year, when national
questions will enter largely into politi-
cal discussions, will serve in some de-
gree to subdue the question to sub
ordinate place; but in local legislative
contests it will enter largely, and will
affect the complexion of the Nine
teenth Legislature.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28

An Illinois man had accumulated a
few thousand dollars, and his health
was such as to convince him that he
had not much left of life. He picked
out the scriptural clause, Lay up
treasures in heaven, and believed that
he could obey. The process that he
Invented was to convert his wealth
into paper money and burn it prayer
fully on an altar. He went SO far rs
to build the altar and kindle a sacriti-
cial fire but he had burned only ten
dollars when his relatives forcibly de
priyed him of his religious liberty.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28

1.-The Story of a Genius" the first
half of which Is given in The Modern
Age for March, is certainly very
powerful piece of fiction. The identi-
ty of some of the characters in 1t has
already given rise to much conjecture
On the continent, and perhaps some
American readers who are versed in
the history of music for the last half
century may be able to solve the mys-
terry. That powerful secret confeder-
alton known as the FehmgerichC is
written of in an entertaining way by
Louis Barbe; and Lady Hardy is the
author of Under the Palmetto Flag,
a description of travel in South Caro-
linai "Nisa" is thrilling bit of ORR
entail experience; and Frau Antje" is
a Dutch story, which in its mildness
and smooth action is characteristic OF
the country where the scene is laid.
"Seven Year Sleepers" deals a death
blow to a popular myth; and "The
Kronprinz's Home" treats its subject
in an interesting way. The prizes for
the first of the Examination Papers
! are awarded in this issue, the best set
of answers being sent by Maryland
lady. Boston, Chicago, Denver and
Buffalo are the other priZe-winners.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28

THE San Antonio Times says; 1t is
reported that detectives have been
sent out from Austin to find and APP
prehend fence-cutters. If this be true
it is strange that the matter was not
kept more secret. II is singular
kind Of detective business that Ia pro-
claimed in advance by the newspa-
pers. The pap'srs are after prevent
ing fencecutting, not putting up easy
ie6s for dsteskvss.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28
Not SpOOney, but Decent,
ISan Antonio Light

While the Light has never been
''spooney" towards the Old Alcalde, it
is sorry to see the tone used by some
papers of his own party, in speaking
of him. The exalted positions, which
he has filled in the state, and his un-
blemished personal integrity coupled
with his venerable age, should cause
newspapers to criticise him in decent
and respectful terms, or to remain
silent. Billingsga.e ought not to be
poured out upon an ex-judge of the
supreme court and an ex-governor.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28
Fines for the Rich and Stripes for
the Poor.
| TBlaei wsxey1

BLACK Waxey.I
The unlamented, defunct Eighteenth
legislature, while in extra session,
have built for themselves monu-
ment of infamy IN the passage of the
land and fence-cuttIDg bills. which
for Partially to the few land and
cattle barons, and against the thou
sands of poor, struggling mortalS
should forever damn that body, and
consign it to the infamy and oblivion
which knows no waking. That there
were a few patriots in that body all
must admit, but so compasse about
were they with the thousands of
schemes of the tricksters, that they
could not strike at one hydra head
without hundreds coming to take its
place.
By the provisions of the land bill,
the monopolist has nothing to fear
from enclosing the property of his
neighbor. but a paltry fine. But If
the settler finds his land enclosed, and
himself cut off from communication
with the outside void, he must
either risk the penitentiary by tearing
down and removing that fence, or
await the slow motions of courts,
with their long lists of continuances,
appeals, reversals, I'd other technical
delays, until his patience is worn out,
and his little possessions absorbed,
his family rendered homeless and him.
self penniless, and he is thrown upon
cold charities Of the world, without
home, friends or money, and his little
ones driven to beggary, the poor house
or starvation.
But how fares the land monopolist !?
He is cheek by jowl with legislators,
courts, the powers that be. and by per-
sistent delay he forces the poor man
tends his wire fences until whole
counties of rich and productive land
that are now dotted with happy
homes, and cultivated farms, will
again become idle land; and all to
satiate the greed for gain Of a few
men, who have no ambition for the
progress of the state above their own
seltisbness.
Fence-cutting is bad, but land steal
ing is worse, and if one be made
felony, in the name of all that is right
and justice the other should be made
the same.
This is no idle prattle, but the out
come of the laws as they now stand,
will be ruin to the poor for aggrand-
izement of the rich, with stripes and
the prison for the one driven to des-
peration by the usurpation of his
rights, and a mock trial, with ten
chances to one of an acquittal for the
other, whose money enables him to
rob and steal from his less fortunate
fellow.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28
Coffee as Stimulant.

The cup of coffee, provided 1t were
genuine, contain. d more alkaloidal
stimulant than the cup CT tea. and
owing to the absence of tannin the
action of coffee was more rapid than
that of tea. The specific gravity OF
cup of tea was about 1908, that or
8 rong coffee 1909, and of cafe au lait,
sweeteued, 1035. Tea was more Of q
pure beverage than coffee, and hence
it Was possible to use 1t as IA mere lux,
ury, for it required scarcely anv digest
i've effort ami did not ''cloy' the PAL
ale. The danger of excessive, tea
drinking lay mainly in the large
amount of astringent matter. This
was most potent cause OF dyspepsia
among womtn of the seamstress class,
who frequently consumed tea winch
had been boiled. When the system
stood In need of stimulant there Was
nothing equal to cup Of strong
coffee; and if it were desired
to wean the drunkard from his
spirits a real stimulant must be- sup
piled, and not the sickly, bitter, un-
wholesome stuff which was called
coffee in this country. In order to
make good coffee the berry must be
fresh roasted and ground. There was
no difficulty whatever in roasting
coffee, and this ought to be part OF
the daily routine OF every well-regu-
lated household. 1t was important
to use enough coffee one and half
! to two ounces of coffee to a pint or
water made a first-rate beverage.
Elaborate coffee machines for grind
ing were by no means necessary. Ii
the coffee required for breakfast were
put into a common earthenwsre jug
over night and cold water poured
upon it, it might be heated to the
boiling point in the morning by being
allowed to stand in a saucepan OF
water over the fire. Violent ebui-
Iition was thus avoided, and the
aroma was preserved. Chicory and
other allied bodies are in no way sub
stitutes for coffee, for they possess NO
stimulant properties. Out of ninety
samples of ground coffee purchased IN
London shops only five were found to
be genuine.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28

THE city of Brussels has adopted a
method of commemorative the chief
actors and events in its history which
might be worthily initiated elsewhere.
Tablets are placed on every building
of historical interest. and not only the
bare dates of the birth and death of a
great man are given, but also the
chief facts connected with his career,
and perhaps portrait of him. These
tablets are made of porcelain or some
other material upon which a substan-
tial glazing prevents the inscription
from being affected by the weather.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28

Mr.. James BOYD, a farmer living
near Weatherford, witch his wife, in
FAINT child and little SON about ten
years of age, while on their way to a
neighbours house during the recent
rain storm, were s'rucl; By lightning.
Mr.. Boyd and his son were riding
horseback in the rear al Mrs. Boyd
and her child were In a wagon Mr..
BOYD and his son We're kllei instant
" and the mother and child fatally
injured The horses we're al kill d
except the one which the little boy
rode, which was not injured.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28

IT Is SAID the Republicans of San
Antonio are much interested in the
federal iudgship and think that in the
contingency of the failure of Arthur
to nominate Jack Evans the Texas
delegation to the presidential con-
vention will throw Arthur overheard
and do all they can in favor of John
A. Logan, one of the most stalwart OF
the stalWart Republicans.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28

THE senators who are Investigating
at Danyille, Va, have found out what
they knew before they went there
that there was an unprecedented
fight between a white man and black
man, and that white men sided with
the black man until there was riot
and wholesale murder. That is the
whole story,
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28

The anti-tobacco advocates are
humorously represented as saying
that Grants fondness for smoking is
the cause of his illness, as if smoking
had made the veteran unstea iy on
his legs. Nevertheless it is possible
that either too much or too little
tobacco may leave the blood in an
unfavorable condition. In Grants
case it is not too little smoking that
is the trouble. In the case of man
who neither smokes nor drinks coffee
nor whisky, and who camps out in a
malarious country, an attack of dead
ly sickness is expected from the op.
posite cause.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28
Very Complimentary

IbdSIIUp AUVCTIIStT.J
1t is. understood that our present
district judge will not be a candidate
for reelection. The bar of Bastrop is
unanimous in urging Hon. Dyer
Moore. our present county judge, to
become a candidate for the position.
The Advertiser would willingly Sec
ond the nomination, but feeling more
interest in the welfare of Bastrop
county than in that of the judicial
district, the Advertiser would prefer
to retain the services of Judge Moore
In his present position. We will say
however, that better selection could
not be made in the district for a man
to fill this position.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28

GENERAL public sentiment will
lead to the election of legislature.
that will make the school lands avail
able for the purposes for which they
were donated. The Nineteenth Leg
islatu-e will be instructed by the peo-
pie to make every acre of school land
contribute to the educational fund
Wise stock-raisers will make note OF
this and take time by the forelock.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28

R. p. Shlllaber, better known as
"Mrs. Partington," is now over sew
enty years of age and lives quietly in
Chelsea. Mass, occasionally writing
for the press. He began lie M a
printer, and for many years held an
editorial position on the Boston Post.
In 1847 he began to write those humor-
Gus articles which gained him a wide
reputation, both in this country and
in England,
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28
A Civil War.
ISan Antonio Express.

Main Plaza may soon resound with
the clash of arms. The city council
and the grand jury have declared
war, and none can foresee the compll-
cations which may arise at any mo-
ment. As military critic, the Times
suggests that the mayor and council
take advantage of position in front
of the Revolving Light and that the
grand jury occupy the equally strong
ground in front of the White Ele-
phant. Thus each army will bt
posted near convenient base of sup.
plies, while, if moist weather comes
their navies will have plenty OF sec
room on the plaza.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28

In Prussia a druggist cannot put an
article, value cents, into bottle
with an attractive label and charge 30
cents for it, as the price of medical
ments, and even phials, is regulated
annually by the state. By the regula-
ton for this year, lately issued, almost
all drugs are largely reduL, in price
Quinine, which was 40 pfennleS per
gramme in 1865, and ll5 in 1877, Is
now 65. Its consumption has largely
increased. Cod liver oil has gone up
from IS and So pfennlge per 100
grammes TO IS and 125. according to
quality
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28

1t may now be taken as a settled
thing in Massachusetts that novel
writer who puts living men and wo-
men in a novel. designating them by
their proper names, publishes libel,
for which, if the parties do not ike
the notoriety, they may hold the pub
Usher responsible. One of the cape
Cod Folks" has recovered $1O95 dam
age for being made ridiculous in a
novel with that title.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28

OVER 5000 plants are in the White
House conservatory proper and $4,000
more are kept in the various hot
houses. This collection includes
plants from every quarter of the
globe, and it costs 5000 per year to
tend them. Every room in the White
House is decorated every morning
with fresh flowers and large bouquet
is made for the President.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28

THE French people have faith in
the French republic. When the gov
eminent lately had occasion to borrow
money it was offered by its own citi-
zens the amount desired three times
told. There is no better assurance of
stability than such excellent credit.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28

NICKEL ORR is subject to the
enormous ddty of 1886 ton for the
protection of one nickel mine in the
United States. To many manufactu-
rers of Philadelphia it would be a
great relief if this raw material of
their Industry were put upon the free
lot
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28
suppose YOU are familiar with the

/ suppose you are familiar with the
story of Mr.. Phillips marriage-how
gentleman asked Mr. Sumner to act
as an escort to a young Elauy who was
going to the convention at Albany,
and Mr.. Sumner beng unable to go,
resi.ned in favor of Mr.. Phillips; how
Mr.. Phillips acted as her escort and
lost his heart to her before he got
back; how he called upon her often in
this city, but was not admitted owing
to her feeble health, but finally he al
most broke his way to her and offered
her his hand. She said she would
never marry a man unless he would
swear eternal enmity to slavery; but
it was not necessary for Mr.. Phillips
to take that oa.h-he had already
sworn it in his heart. So they were
married.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28
Discouraging Home Government.
TIL PaSo Lone STAR

The people of Ell Paso county ought
to petition the governor not to remove
the ranger force from the county as is
threatened. If this is done, we be
lieye the lawlessness will quickly pre-
vail throughout the county. The
m sral force exerted by the presence OF
even half a dozen rangers in a commu
nifty is greater than that of the sher.
III and all the c0nstables in the
county.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28

THE knights of the nippers have
again found a section of MIR. Norton
Moses fence, in Burnet county, in a
condition FOR demolition, and away it
went, as it went some time ago. The
Gordon" has not yet been drawn
down close enough for the Burnet fel-
lows to be driven into the "net."
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28

THE Mississippi river commission
has made an allotment Of the 81, 1000,
900 recently appropriated by Congress
as follows: Plum Point, 100000
Providence Reach, $4,000; Memphis
$4,000; general service, $4,000, and
the balance to minor points.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28

The Seguin Times declares Cover
nor Roberts the grandest fraud that
ever filled the executive chair of any
government" This is not only very
harsh, but uncalled for, and especially
so from Seguin. A great many peo-
pie in Texas do not accept the Seguin
theory as true.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28

GERMANY has repeatedly asked that
England declare a protectorate over
Egypt; but it seems the frowns of
France have contrary influence upon
the government.