davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-17
Character Essential.

At q time when some of the public
teachers are practically denying that pri-
vate character should be considered in SO.
Letting men for public Office, the follow
ing simple uttersnces by "Senex in the
New York Observer are worth needing.
General in their character, they neverthe-
less have direct bearing upon certain
phases of the national canvass. Unosten-
tatious, they still go to the root of the
whole matter and may have more whole
some influence than more ford discourse
upon somewhat hackneyed subject: al
have book in my library on important
themes, ably written, which once highly
priced. But some years ago l was told
that its author had sadly fallen, and since
that time have not opened the volume,
and probably never shall again. could
not read it without associating with it the
character of the author, and it would be
of but little benefit to me. The book is
Just as valuable as it ever was, but some
how it has lost its value to rne. 1t mat
ters not what talents person may pos
sess, it ia essential that they be backed by
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-17

an untarnished reputation, In order to his
usefulness in the highest degree. A min
lister of the gospel that has stain upon
him can do but little good. He may be
a man of large ability, of great erudi-
ton, and of surprising eloquence; and
yet, to those that believe him guilty, his
preaching will be in vain. They will not
be profted by it. They may admire his
talents, but there will be scabbard on
the truth as preached by him, and it will
not gain access to their hearts. Had
Peter, after his fall, gone forth to preach
the gospel, without having first gone and
wept bitterly for his shameful denial of
his Lord, it would have been without ef-
feet. All that knew his sin would have
listened to him with a closed heart, if, in
deed, they would have listened to him at
all. Paul's powerful sermons were backed
by a character that was without reproach.
And so has it been with the services of
all eminently useful preachers, as Whit
field, and Edwards, and Sturgeon. A
man may fall, and yet rise again. He
may recover his former standing by genu-
inc sorrow for his sin, such as was exer-
cised by David and Peter. But until he
has shown such repentance, until he has
made it apparent that he has repented as
in dust and ashes he had better step
down and out of the pulpit. 1t matters
not what persons position may be; if
he would do good effsctually, he must
have such reputation that it may not
Justly be said to him; Physician, heal
myself Several years ago there was
man somewhat prominent in meetings
held from place to place by members of
the Young Mems Christian Association.
A young lady of my acquaintance said to
me that she didn't wish to hear him speak,
as he had once cheated her in trade. He
had knowingly wronged her. No one
wants to hear person pray, or speak in
meeting, who is known to have been
guilty of any misdemeanor of which he
has not repented. A Sundsy-school
teacher should be an upright man. A
writer for religious newspaper should be
pure. A parent that would favorably in
fuence his children should be to them an
example of what he would wish them to
be. Whatever may be our sphere in life,
the more we are like him who was 'holy,
harmless, undefled, and separate from
Sinners the greater will be our influence
for good"
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-17

POLITICAL interest centers on Ohio.
Concerning the prospects in that state the
New York Times correspondent closes a
long review of the field as follows ut
must be admitted, however, after a care
full survey of the whole field in Ohio, that
the chances are In favor of republican
victory. The state has always been reli-
ably republican in presidential years, and
have been unable to fiud sufficient evi.
dence to convince me that there is enough
dissatisfaction among republicans to make
it uncertain. / may be mistaken, but l
think with the exertions which will be
made from now until the election the re-
publicans will get from ten to fifteen
thousand majority"
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-17

IHE New I ork independent has recently
wrought itself into frenzy of double
loaded editorials in the cause of morality
in politics. Others besides &C. the worlds
people seem to enjoy its hysteric efforts
to set itself right after its precipitate
avowal that it could not support Mr..
Blaine, its quixotic excursion into the
democratic camp and sudden exit with
its hand upon its nose. The Christian at
Work has the following incisive COM
ments upon the erratic course of its great
contemporary: Gan artist once painted
great picture, but when placed on ex.
hibition one of the prominent figures,
that of beautiful woman, was found to
have six fingers, and how the critics did
shout But the artist calmly replied,
'An enemy hath done this; and so it
proved, the extra finger being secretly
painted in by jealous artist who was
envious of the fame of his rival. When,
q long time ago, a farmer found tares
sown with his wheat, he exclaimed, IAN
enemy hath done this work, and so it
proved. But all bad work is not done
purposely with evil design, and yet wit
tingly or unknowingly the worker is an
enemy to good work. We see such work
in the religious press When a paper
announces it will not support A for the
presidency then announces that it will
support B then declares that it will
not support B then double leads its
columns in frantic endeavors to cover up
its blunder between the gaping lines,
seeking to divert attention from the fact
that it is political sheet without candi-
date-be assured an enemy to good re.
ligious journalism is very hard at work.
Every religious paper makes mistake at
times, and entire consistency is only ex-
pected by the superficial and the thought.
less. On the other hand, opinions re-
ceived yesterday, confirmed to-day and
discarded tomorrow, are not apt to en-.
nance the influence or Importance OF q
journal INDUCING in such vagarium OF
eccentricity and instability" But the
Independent can no longer be stigmatized
as political sheet with out candidate"
In its last issue it announces that it's
determination not to Support must
not by any means be construed into pur.
pose to "support A." In sort of non
committal way it declares its intention to
"support c." that is to say, st. John, not
him whom for Distinctions sake ancient
writ styled the Baptist, but St. John the
Prohibitionist. We trust its last position
has been deliberately taken and that it Is
now strong in its assurance that it will
not next moon, on the eve of election day
be shouting its denuncistions of the
modern st. John and scurrying round fol-
a candidate worthy of its squeamist
suffrage.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-17

the eighth page. The telegraph reports
that q representative of the Kennebec
Journal called at Mr.. Blaine's residence
in Augusta to ascertain If he wished to
say anything in regard to these letters.
Mr.. Blaine replied that his only desire
was that every voter in the United States
might read the letters for himself and not
form his judgment of them from edi-
torial representation in partisan journals.
There was not word in the letters, he
said, which was not entirely consistent
with the most scrupulous integrity and
honor. He hoped every republican paper
in the United States would publish the
letters in full. OF the probable effect of
these new letters upon the election, the
Free Press says: "Mr. Blaine's oppo-
nents, starting with the assumption of the
worst motives on his part, interpreting
every doubtful expression against him,
disposing of his assertions in his own
defence as falsehoods, aud allowing no
weight to any circumstance or testimony
in his favor, will find in these letters, as
in those long since published, only evil
dence of dishonesty, cupidity and false.
hood, on the part of Mr.. Blaine. Mr..
Blaine's thick.and.thin friends, on the
other hand, will still see nothing in the
affair but proper business transaction,
which was at times very embarrassing,
financially and mentally, to Mr.. Blaine,
but out of which he came with unfair
nished honor. Still another class, like
Senator Hawley, while wishing that the
transaction was not on the record of their
candidate, will not consider it 80 ques-
tionable as to impair all confidence in
him, but rather as a matter from which
he probably learned a useful lesson of
caution, both as to his own course, and in
regard to the kind of men he permitted
to be his partners and confdants. These
classes will be likely to remain unchanged
in their differing views, and not materially
changed in numbers, for all the present
publication"
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-17

and he had at one time the monopoly of
the African trade out of Boston. He
loaded his vessels with New England rum
at an invoice price of about twenty cents
per gallon, which sold on the coast for
about 81 per gallon, in exchange for ivory,
gold-dust, etc. Years gone the etc
may have meant, and frequently did
mean, slaves. That traffic yet fingers
among the Mohammedans, but it is safe
to say that its days are numbered even in
its remotest Businesses. That the rum trsf-
fic to those distant cossts--in manys respect
kindred-should yet hold out, and appsr.
emily SO vigorously from Boston, is sur.
prise to us. Such fact calls for investi.
CATION, and we should say that some of
the money taken in at the temperance
campmeetings over Sunday might we'll
be spent in that direction"
A BIT of interesting history is related
concerning the peculiar relations which
have existed for more than quarter of a
century between Judge Folger, ex-Gov-
ernor Morgan, Sub-Tressurer Hillhouse Of
New York, Colonel George A. Bliss and
President Arthur. Mr.. Morgan was, of
course, the oldest aud most distinguished
figure in the group. He was elected
governor in 1858, and held the Office for
the four following years. At the outset
he made Colonel Bliss his private secre-
tary, and one year later he appointed him
psymaster-g general. Early in his first
term the governor made Mr.. Arthur his
engineer-in.chief, and subsequently adj
vanced him to the position of inspector.
general and finally acknowledgements.
Mr.. Hillhouse, who then resided in Geneva,
was elected to the state senate in Novem-
Der, 1859, from the Ontario, Geneva and
Yates district. In the summer of 1861
before his senatorial term expired, Gov
ernor Morgan appointed Hillhouse adju.
tant-general. Thus Arthur, Hillhouse
and Bliss were the managing members of
Governor Morgan's military staff for about
two years, when the state was raising and
offering scores of regiments of volunteers
for the war of the rebellion. At this
point Judge Folger comes into the Nor
gan programme. When Hillhouse became
adjutant' general, Folger was elected his
successor in the state senate. He was 6
leading member and the organ of Gov
ernor Morgan's administration. 1t ii
interesting to trace the subsequent career
of these five gentlemen. Governor Nor
gan became senator in congress. Mr.
Hillhouse was chosen state comptroller
After remaining eight years in the stat
senate, Mr.. Folger was appointed sub
treasurer. He then went on the bench
of the court of appeals, and Mr.. Hillhous,
ultimately succeeded him as sub-tressurer
Colonel Bliss was appointed United State
district-attorney, and General Arthur be
came collector of the port. Nobod,
doubts that Arthur, Folger, Hillhous
and Bliss were largely indebted to Gov
ernor Morgan's influence for these i'm
portant places, while Arthur, Hillhous
and Bliss owe to him alone their frs
start in official life.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-17

The Rutland Herald gives James X.
Batchelder of Arlington the following
send-off for the speakership "W With the
retirement of Mr.. Dillingham; from the
field we see no reason to doubt that Mr..
Batchelder will be nominated. He is an
able, energetic lawyer; a prompt, bright,
resolute man, a square friend and frank
foe; he made sharp canvass for lieuten-
ant-governor; he was beaten, but he came
up smiling and fresh and accepted his de-
feat with that good humor that is only
another name for good sense. We hope
Mr.. Batchelder will be successful. He is
a man of education, energy, large legisla-
tive experience, excellent habits and
genial temper; he fights for his own
hand he hits hard; but he is man of
strong sense and vigorous quality both of
mind and body. He will make an excel
lent speaker as good one as we have
had since the days of General Grandey.
Mr.. Batchelder has, through his legal prac-
tice, large acquaintance in Rutland,
Windsor and Bennington counties, and
we hope he will be successful in his frank
and honorable aspiration for the speaker
ship without serious opposition. In any
event, whether he wins or loses, he is a
candidate entirely worthy of the support
and good wishes that we extend to him"
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-17

THE Argus and Patriot announces, by
what authority does not appear, the re-
tirement of Judge Redfeld at the close
of his present term. Judge Red6eld was
elected to the bench in 1870. His profess
sional ability and learning have won such
recognition that legislatures invariably,
and almost solidly, republican have bien-
nially honored him, democrat and the
only democrat on the bench, with six sue
cessive reflections. He will be seventy
two years old in November. Bodily in
firmities have for several years interfered
more or less with the discharge of his
official duties, and last fall he went to
Europe for rest and renewal of physical
strength. He has not, we infer, been suf-
ficiently reinvigorated by travel and re-
pose to persuade him again to 60 before
the representatives of the people for an
other reelection to post whose onerous
and responsible duties demand strong
and active body, as we'll as a clear and
practiced mind. We apprehend that the
announced intention of Judge Redfeld
will breach the consideration of matters
affecting the supreme court which have
been in the minds of many people and
which have been the theme of discussion
here and there in the state. In view of
the great decline in the amount of court
business, the expediency of filling, except
by promotion, the vacancy which Judge
Redfields anticipated retirement will oc-
casion, may be seriously considered. A
reorganization Of the bench may also be
undertaken; and if the number of the
judges shall be continued at seven, more
than one new Judge may be chosen. 1t is
idle to deny that much dissatisfaction
with the present composition of the bench
exists. Some of the judges stand in an
anomalous position for Judicial officers to
hold with reference to the laws of the
state. There is fervent desire and an
earnest purpose that the bench shall
maintain high and honorable position,
distinguished for purity, great ability and
sound learning in all its members. 1t is
very desirable also that confidence and
respect among the people, undisturbed by
any untowsrd circumstances, should be
felt, without any alloy of doubt or dis.
trust, in the supreme judicial tribunal Of
the state, and court of this description,
we sincerely trust, will be chosen by the
incoming legislature.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-17

HUGH HENRY declines to be candi-
date for the speakership, it is reported,
and declares in favor of James X. Batchel-
der. The Orleans county papers an
nounce the candidacy of Josiah Grout of
Derby, but outside of Orleans, SO far as
we have noted, the newspapers favor the
election of Mr.. B Stakeholder.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-17

1t is estimated that in the last twenty
five years over $4OO 100000 have been in
vested in oil-producing property. Within
that time thirty-eight thousand wells have
been drilled, of which two thousand four
hundred were dry. The prime cost of
drilling these wells was S170,945, 100, and
the value of the product obtained there
from 1926 900 900. For the last ten years
about 10000, 900 has been invested an.
nually in new wells. The average life of
the wells since Bradford was opened has
been five and six years. The average daily
production of new wells is fifteen barrels
The cost of sinking a we'll, say in the
Bradford field, is between $4,000 and
$4,000. This of course does not include
the cost of the land. The depths of wells
vary from one thousand to one thousand
eight hundred feet, though few have
been drilled between three and four
thousand feet. The present financial con-
dition of the oil trade is far from salts.
factory. For years there has been an
over-production, the stocks increasing at
the rate of five or six million barrels a
year. 1t seems that the only way to per-
manently reduce the stocks is to increase
the consumption of oil abroad, especially
in Asia and in Central and South Amer
In
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-17

ONE OF the brightest charms of fair face is
fine set of teeth. The ladies being fully
alive to this fact patronize sOZODONT in
preference TO any other dentifrice, since they
know by experience that it preserves like no
other the pristine wilderness and cleanliness Of
the teeth, and makes a naturally sweet breath
additionally fragrant. 1t IL one of the priyi-
leges OF the bedur sea to look lovely, and that
proportion OF 1t which uses SOZODONr has
learned that the article contributes in no small
degree, to the end in view. All druggists sell it.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-17

THE political event of the week is the
publication of about a score of letters by
Warren Fisher and James Mulligan of
Boston relating to the transactions of
Messrs. Blaine, Fisher and Caldwell in
Little Rock and Fort Smith railway &c.
curities, and to the business matters and
complications between those individuals.
A digest of these letters is published on
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-17

HancOck.-Rev. George S. Guernsey will
preach in this place next Sunday, September
Dist, at one o'clock in the afternoon.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-17

miles of branch pipe lines in use in the
region, there are one thousand two hun
bred miles of trunk line for piping oil to
the refneries of the sea-board in Cleve.
land, Buffalo and Pittsburgh. Between
Olean, N. Y, and New York City nearly
twenty thousand barrels Of oil are piped
daily. Most of the tanks at present being
built are of thirty-five thousand barrels
capacity. The export trade has kept
pace with the production. In 1928
it was six hundred thousand gallons. In
1883 five hundred six million gallons
were exported, valued at $44 100000.
Our principal customer is Germany, and
the next best is England. Perhaps the
most marvellous feature connected with
petroleum is the enormous and steadily
increasing amount of speculation done in
it. The volume of business in 1888 on
four exchanges was as follows
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-17

THRms-s2OO per year. strictly in advanced or $3.50 II
not paid within three months
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-02-13
GENERAL FOREIGN NEWS.
Egyptian Affairs.
THE REBELS CAPTURE SINKAT.
TRv cabIe IN The Digpatch,

LONDON, February 12-11 A. M.-Tele-
grams received at London report that the
rebels have captured sinkat The Cabinet
have been summoned to council Tor tue
purpose of discussing the Egyptian ques-
ton. Official dispatches confirm the re-
mort of the capture OF Sinkat. The Cabi-
net are painfully impressed. IL Is proDa-
Bile that large reinforcement OF troops
and marines will be Immediately dispatch
ed to Egypt.
1880 p. M.-There are rumors now that
Tokar has fallen into the hands OF the re-
bells.
LONDON. February 12.-The news OF the
fall OF Sinkat reached Suakim this morn
inc. IL was brought by friendly Arah
chief. The garrison made sortie, ana
was for a long time successful In REFUSING
the rebel attack, but at last the attacking
forces gained the upper hand and the gar
rison was completely destroyed except
few who were made prisoners. The tate
~ the women aud children Is unknown
The streets OF Suakim present heart.
rending appearance. They are thronged
with women whose weeping and waillne
Give unmistakabie evidence OF their dis
tress and forebodlngs.
THE GARRISON AT sINKAT BUrcHEREp.
LONDON, February IA correspondent
at suakim telegraphs as follows; Az las
the heroic garrison OF Sinkat have peer
butchered. For fortnight they hau DeeI
eating roots and tree-leaves, ana u was al
enfeebled band indeed which sortieu gu
TO die amidst rebel hordes.
Tew6k Bey had harangued the men
saving that by fighting they might saw
shemselyes. but by remaining they mus
die from hunger In few days. Fhgh
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-02-13
ALL THROUGH THE STATE.
DANvILrE

~ar ASSAULT on Mr.. JANIEsoS--TRADE IN
MANUFACTURED roBAcco- %ss<ALTu or TuE
CITY,
,corrspondcIcc OF the Richmond D'speschlI
FsBRuARy ~. 1854.
In the case al Thomas McCully, G.. g.
pennell, and Moses Abbott, arrested for
seloulous assault on j. u, Jameson, Of
Nartinsville, McCuliy and PenLcll are held
toT Indictment, bail being allowed for $500
zach. and Moses Abbott was dismissed.
The trade In manufactured tobacco has
been increasing the last three weeks, the
Iniernal-revenue receipts being: For the
Srst az the three. about $4,000; the next,
$4,000; the last, Sl5,S93.27.
somehow an impression has got abroad
that sickness is prevailing here TO great
extent and especially fever OF one kind or
smother, In the fall. along the streets
where the work Of improvement had been
done In q Clilatory manner by the street
force. and piles OF earth had been allowed
70 lie for weeks m the sun, there was more
ihsn the usual sickness. and still but few
az ihe cases proved fatal. The official re-
poris for this season do not indicate much
sickness. aud inquiry amongst tho ply
slclans during the last several days au-
thorize the statement that there Is not more
than the usual sickness-perhaps not as
mach rs can be found amongst the same
number OF people in any one section OF the
country. ALPHA.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-02-13
A Mine ON Fire.
THE cARELEssNEss OF A MINER LEADS TO
GREAT TROUBLE.

THE cARELEssNEss OF A MINER LEADS TO
GREAT TROUBLE.
A Wilkesbarre, Pa, special says: While
miner was engaged in robbing the pillars
in an abandoned drift at the Salem Coal
Company's mines, at Shickshinny, fort
night ago, he failed to eXtinguish the fire
he had burning there. He thus set fire
to the mine, and the conflagration has thus
fur baffled all efforts TO overcome it. The
passageways leading to other parts Of the
mine have been closed to smother the
flames. Despite this precaution the
mine continues to burn, and it is
now feared that its work will have to be
suspended and the mine flooded. On Fri
day two men were sent into the drift TO
see what progress the fire was making.
When they opened one OF the passage-ways
a large volume of gas blew out upon them,
knocked them down with such force as to
render them insensible, and put out their
saiety-lamps. The lesson was timely one,
and will no doubt cause miners carrying
naked lamps to keep away from the tire.
The flames are now in close proximity to
the only gangway leading to the main
workings Of the mine, and it will require
but few days more to determine what ac-
ton Is necessary. The loss already is quite
large, and the necessary flooding OF the
mine will make it reach many thousands,
besides the loss Of the time Of the miners.