davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-19
Civil-Service Reform.

The state Of things now existing i'll
Washington city with reference to APP
pointmentS to public office is striking
commentary upon the civil-Service-re-
form law and upon such ciyil-service
reform itself as we now have under the
operation OF that law. Read, for ex-
ample. the following section of that
law:
" Section 10. That no recommended
ton Of any person who shall apply for
Office or place under the provisions Of
this act which may be given by any
Senator or member Of the House of
Representatives, except as to the char
acter OF residence of the applicant,
shall be received or considered by any
person concerned in making any exami-
nation or appointment under this act"
In the face Of that sct--not in down.
right violation of its letter, but certain
ly Of its Spirit--the persons con-
cerned in making appointments at
Washington seem to regard the recon-
mendations OF none but congressman.
The contest in the case Of the Internal
Revenue Commissioner was between
RANDALL congressman and CARLISLE
congressman.
The act further provides as follows:
Nor, unless by direction of the
Senate, shall any person who has been
nominated for confirmation by the SEN
ate be required to be classified or to
pass an examination.
Here is the weak place in the law.
IL is clear that in the case Of presiden-
tial ofhces--that is, offices to be filled
by the President aud Senate acting to-
ge'her--congressmen may recommend
any person they choose for Office, and
the officers who make the appointments
may act upon such recommendation.
And all this without violating the law,
but not without violating its spirit.
But clearly congressman are not al
lowed under the ciyil-sefyice act to
recommend persons for any Of the Offices
coming specially under the operation OF
that act. What Offices do come specially
under the operation of that scts See
ton 9th Of the law limits the operation
Of the act sto offices where the whole
number OF clerks and persons are as
many as City.
80, then, congressman may recon-
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-19
KTLLED BY 4 FIST BLOW.
4 Wan Breaks the Meek of His Assnilaut In
Defending n Cripple.

'iipPtt'
An Erie special says: Frank Gardner
was killed at Kane yesterday by
George Johnston. Gardner, who is
brakeman on the Erie road, and whose
home is in this city, entered the Bucktail
Hotel last night, in company with James
Dalrymple, a iellow-brakema1, and
Dalrymple attacked and began to beat
in merciless manner cripple, one Of
the guests of the house.
Johnston, stout teamster. inter
fered, and while in the act OF putting
Dslrymple away frem his helpless vic
tim, was attacked from Behind by Gard
ner. Johnston turned in terrible
rage and struck his assailant heavy
blow with the fist, breaking his neck
and killing him instantly. The fatal
effect of the blow wa. not observed
until the disturbance was quelled, and
then Johnston said : - have done this
in self-dcfence. I'll 90 to Smethport
and give myself up and get advice
Johnston then went out. and he has
not since been seen. 1t is believed
that he has He'd the country. Gardeners
remains were brought to Erie tonight
to his wife and two children. The feel
inc against Johnston was very bitter
among the rdilroad-men, and his disap-
pearancc saved him from summary pun
i,hment. The citizens Of Kane Sympa-
thize with Johnston, whom they think
innocent of intentional murder.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-19
Outwitting His sons-in-I.aw ia Court
aud at the Altar.

4 Chicago special says: }. x. Vale
quette has been a resident of this city
for thirty-seyen years. lie began as a
gardener, but afterwards went into the
real estate business, in which he made
a fortune. The great fire swept away
much Of his property, but he soon made
it up. Six years ago, being in poor
health, he entered the Mercy Hospital,
where he remained until about year
ago. In September, 1888, Mr.. Vale
quette was brought into the Pro-
bate Court by DR.. John NJ. Pillsbury
and DIR. Davis, who held claims against
him. and petitioned the Court TO ap-
point a cOnseryatOr for his estate. OH
the ground that he was of unsound
mind. Mr.. Vsllequette was present
during the proceedings, and convinced
the Court and jury that he was capable
of attending to his own business. lie
testified that the proceedings were in
reality instituted against him by two Of
his sons-in-law, who were disappointed
at not receiving larger dowry upon
their marriage with his daughters. The
petition for the appointment of con-
SENATOR set forth that Mr.. Vallequette
dedmarrying pretty young house
maid Of his and leaving the bulk of his
fortune to religious and charitable in
stitutions.
Not long ago he made the acquaint-
snce ofMiss Dorothea Bigonesse. They
went to Rockford on Saturday, aud
were married by the Rev. Father But
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-19
Iadgc Paul satisiled.

A IIarrisonburg correspondent Of the
Dispatch writes
with reference 10 the governorship
| will say that Judge Paul. Of the
United States Court. when asked to-day
whether he would allow his name to be
used by his friends tthe Rcpublicans)
in connection with that place, promptly
and unequiyocslly answered, No. He
said he had had enough Of politics, and
now that he had secured an easy berth
he had no idea Of again entering the
ring and subjecting himself to the dis
comforts Of political campaigns. This
certainly removes one Of the strongest
pieces Of timber from the Republican
gubernatorial wood-piic for this section
at least. But then there need he no
fears on the part of the Democrats as
to Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Page
in the fall fight, no matter who the can
didates may be-"
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-19
CALLED BICk.
\ Nan Found Hanging and Apparently Life
ItS, T. RESTORED 90 CONSEQUENCES.

\ Nan Found Hanging and Apparently Life
less - RESTORED 20 consciousness.
A dispatch from East Greenwich, 4.
l., tells Il strange story OF attempted
suicide and recovery from hanging.
David &. Potter, of that town, has been
for some weeks in poor health, and an
attack OF Soitening OF the brain was
feared. Sunday morning he ate break
fast a. usual. About 10 o'clock
his wife found him hanging by
the neck, apparently dead. George ii.
Fuller cut Potter down, freed his neck
Of the cord, and carried him.tO his he'd,
where he remained unconscious for
eight hours. 4 doctor wa. summoned.
Although there was apparently little
hope. every effort was made to restore
consciousness. During the afternoon
Potter had several commissions, and at
O'Clock he opened his eyes quite natu-
rally and seemed to recognize those
around him, but was unable to speak.
Monday morning he was able to CON
verse about himself and his strange at
tempt. He says that he had enter
tanned no suicidal thoughts previous to
Sunday morning, and the thought to
take his life was caused by mOmen-
tary impulse.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-19
mend for presidential Offices ana 90
pfIiccs in which there are not - "s
a. fry officials.
Let Them speak Ont.

q Error il harmless where Reason Is
left free 70 combat it," so said inc
most distinguished of American s'a'eS-
men. II is a truth upon which the
Government Of Great Britain ought to
act in dealing with ireland. To Talk
about reasonable documents Is 70
show that weak cause is to be sup
ported by force, or else that q .sooa
cause is being supported in the wrong
way BY weak persons. There Is no
harm in reasonable talk. Let the
Irish talk and write as much as they
please. It will do nobody any harm
If their cause is not just, words VIII
not make il so. IL il is just, they have
a right TO he heard, and will be heard.
The Prince of Wales is to be King oil
England if the people so will but not
otherwise. England has a King or
Queen because she wants one. lie or
she has not half the power Of the Presi-
dent of the United States. And II the
House Of Commons and the House oil
Lords ever agree that it would be better
to have some other sort OF monarch or
ruler than King, that would end the
royal family in England
A few years ago the words "trea-
SON" "treasonable," and "traitor y
were used by the northern people to
describe the best men on this CONT
nent. These words were used in vent
ing impotent malice and in ignorance OF
their real significance. But they hurt
nobody. The error was harmless be-
cause Reason was left free to combat 1t 4;
and every sensible mans reason taught
him at once that there was no treason
involved in the war between the States.
What's the sense Of calling an lrishman
a traitor:
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-19
New York Tribune.I


A recent dispatch from Chicago stated
that a DIR. Rufus A. Bartlett, Of that
city, has discovered a wonderful ancient
book. II is described ~ being written
on parchment and bound ia wooden
covers, and the Doctor thinks it "must
have been written between the first and
fifth centuries" II is not necessary to
follow the speculstions Of the Chicago
discoverer concerning the Importance OF
what the book contains, inasmuch AZ
what he says about the volume cono'u-
siycly proves it to be by no means ancient.
Between the first and fifth centuries
books were made in the form Of rolls.
Parchment WAS not used much before
the seventh century, and did not come
into at all general use for literary pur-
poses until the ninth century. Books
made of parchment leaves and bound IN
wood are as a rule not earlier than the
tenth century. But it is impossible
that such q volume s. is described by
DIR. Bartlett should be what he sup
poses it to be, and it is not little re-
markable that any one at this day
should fall into SO strange blunder.
1t is curious also that the Doctor fails
to state in what language the book Is
written.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-19
Affecting Scene i'm Court.Room.

\ Chicago special says: A Nensa-
tional 6ajeds-eopus case had it, CON
clusion before Judge Moran in the Cir
cult Court here to-day. The contest
was over seyen-year-old daughter of
a Mr.. and Mrs. Reeves, Of New Haven,
Coan. The couple have been eStranged
for some years, the mother, in the first
instance, obtaining the child in October,
1884. and then. according to the test
mony of Mr.. Reeves, refused to allow
him to see her. He. in turn, captured
the little girl and brought her TO this
State. There was very affecting meet
ing between the mother and child IN
court here, and it was finally stipulated
th~ the mother should have the Gus
toby Of her daughter eight months and
the father four months Of each year
until the child is ten years old. Mrs.
Reeves had, previous to this litigation,
commenced suit for divorce.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-19
The STATE At LARGE.
LrNcHBURG.
al in'srssttrs Csatess fsv Psssessiss Of o
Chiid-Oshsr Matters.
lCorrrspondcuce OF the Rich mcn6 Dispascii.l

al tnssrssttra Csatess rev Psssessiss Of
chIid-Oshes Matters
( correspondence OF the Richmond Dispatcii.l
LYEcHBURa, March Is, 1895.
An interesting case was temporarily
disposed Of in the Corporation Court
this morning. Upon the death Of Mrs.
ID. A. Black, some time since, her lit
tie girl was placed in the care Of Mr.. W.
w. Coffee. mechanic. Coffee claims
that his wife adopted the child by re-
quest Of Mrs. Black just before the
lattcr's death. The father of the
little girl brought action for her re-
covcry from the hands Of Cof-
fee; but for some reason or other the
case was dismissed this morning at the
instance Of counsel for the plaintiff.
Tie child was produced in court, and
the case excited good deal Of interest.
The little girl is about six years old,
and is said to have formed q great at
tschment to its adopted parents, and
the latter were determined on a vigor-
Gus resistance to the effort to take her
from them. Ii is thought that the case
will be brought anew in the Circuit
Court, over which Judge Wingfeld pre-
sides.
Ii is not now certain that the people
of Lynchburg will be called upon to
vote on the proposition to subscribe
$500, 900 to the proposed Lynchburg
and Southwest railroad. While the
friends Of the enterprise still believe it
would prove of the greatest benefit to
the commercial interests of Lynchburg,
they are somewhat inclined to question
the practicability Of calling for sub
Scriptions at this time.
Tobacco receipts for the week ending
to-day have been somewhat less than
for the preceding week, being estimated
at about $4,000 pounds; but prices
show no increase, the general market
average being about the same as re-
ported last week.
Susan Henry, a negro woman who
murdered her infant child in Amherst
county some time since, was tried yes
terday in the County Court. found
guilty, and given four years in the PEN
itentiary. Her attorney, however, sue
ceeded in getting a new trial ordered.
BEAUMONT.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-19
PETERSBURG.
sale Of a Bsnk-Buiiding--Ati Attempted self
Destruction.

sale Of a Bank Buiiding-Attempt self
Destruction.
Correspondence the Richmond Dispatch. !
PETERSBURG, March Is, 1888.
The Planters and Mechanics Bank
building, on Sycamore street at the
corner of Courthouse avenue. was sold
at auction to-day. under direction of the
Hastings Court. The sale attracted 4
considerable crowd, and there were a
number Of bidders for the property.
The building was Knocked cut to Alex.
Donnan. Esq. at ST, 300 much less
sum than the bank paid for it. 1t is
understood that the building was pur-
chased by syndicate of lawyers, and
that it is to be remodelled and hand
,omely finished and converted into law
yerS offices.
Mrs. PhTbe Meredith. an elderly
and respected lady residing i'll the
southern portion of the city, laboring
under arrangement Of the mind, at
tempted to take her life yesterday by
trying to jump into well. She was
fortunately prevented by friends. She
was rescued from a well into which she
threw herself some months ago.
The Hastings Court begins it, March
session tomorrow, but there are no
ca,c> Of interest on the docket.
ROBIN ADAIR.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-19
NORFOLK AND VICINITY.
inNrstigatinc the Late Fire Southampton
Democrais-Pesonal.

Investigating the Late Fire Southampton
D+mocrats-PrHonnl.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispa ten ;
NORFOLK, March IL. 1885.
\ jury of inquest spent a good part
Of the night in trying to discover the
origin of the late fire on Water street.
They satisfied themselves that the
building was fired by an incendiary,
but their evidence was not sufficient to
fix the guilt on any particular person.
At meeting Of the Southampton
Democrats held at Jerusalem on the
10th instant a resolution was passed
tavOring IAN apportionment Of all the
Federal offices of the district among the
several counties and cities Of the same on
basis of the Democratic vote cast by
each at the last presidential election"
and urging the District Committee To
adopt such a resolution. DIR. James f..
Bryant was endorsed by the meeting for
the position of collector Of customs for
the port of Norfolk.
The father-in-law of Mr.. K. ). Dod-
son. proprietor Of the Atlantic Hotel,
was on the steamship ID. II. Miller. of
the Boston Line. when she sank, and it
is strange coincidence that his son
was on the Berkshire when she went
down yesterday morning. Young bod
son was ON his way TO Baltimore to get
married.
The marriage last night of Miss
l.owenburg and Mr.. Pincus. prominent
people in Hebrew society, was one OF
the finest weddings ever seen in the
city. Miss Hopper, Of Richmond, was
in the party. Ella.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-19
DAM VILE.
Plant Beds Northumberland Tobac-
co Mo,ing-The Negro Counterfeitor.
Correspondence ofthe Richmond DIspa tch. !

fIantEeds observation-disclosures robac-
co Moying-The Negro Counterfeitor.
Correspondence ofthe Richmond DIspa ten. !
MARCH Is. 1885.
Visitors here from the borders Of this
county and Halifax yesterday looked
out of the windows while the snow was
coming down and remarked that in some
parts of the border nearly all of the
plant-bedS were covered with the plant
bed cloth. II is remarkable that no
one ever hears Of the cloth being stolen
from plant-bed.
Some of the visitors referred to, while
regrctting the continued unreasonable
ness Of the weather for handling leaf
tobacco, remarked that they were glad
to see that manufactured tobacco, as
they judged from The reports Of collec-
tonS of internal revenue, was moving.
The receipts of internal revenue for the
last week amounted to $l2.5l9.08-
much more than one fourth of the coll
lections for February. and mostly from
tobacco.
The negro man John Logan Daniel,
who was arrested in Orange county, y.
c.. about the 5th Of February for trans
actions in counterfeit money about Dan
vile, and lodged in this Jail, is still lnpri-
son here. He has three times asked that
the preliminary trial before the United
States commissioner be postponed, and
one time the commissioner. Captain
Charles Martin, has refused, because he
did not have the witnesses wanted to
hold the examination.
The officers Of the Macedonian Mis-
sionary Society just elected for the
next six months are as follows : Pre>i-
dent, S. W. Ayerett; Vice-PreSidcnt,
f.. F. AGREE Secretary, w. =. Boat
wright: Treasurer, Il. l.. Voolfolk.
The Society is now about sixteen years
old ALPHA.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-19
Demand that Lord woiseiey he Made
GOrtlou's Successor In the SOudaE.

A London special says: The British
officials at Cairo have been urging the
Government TO appoint General Lord
WolScley GoyernOr-General Of the
Soudan. with view of impreSSlng upon
the natives the fact that England does
not intend to abandon the country until
she has secured stable government for
IT. They state that such n step on the
part of the Home Government will have
the effect of weakening the resources
Of FL Mahdi and alternating many tribes
who joined him from fear that England
would eventually leave the Soudan in
the possession Of the False Prophet.
Mr.. Gladstone opposes the creation of
such an Office for General Lord WolSe-
ley or any other Englishman, on the
ground that it would be construed as a
pledge by England to prolong the occu-
patton Of Egypt, which the Government
does not contemplate. Notwithstaud-
Ing Mr.. Gladstone's opposition the
Cairo officials continue to press the
matter, claiming that the action which
they urge will greatly hasten the down
fall of FL Mahdi.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-19

MuBAg HALsTEAD says: Well,
if q Democratic President should con-
duct his Administration upon Republic
can principles ?" Well, there would be
saturnalia of theft. But Demo-
cratic President is not going TO do any
thing Of the kind. Mr.. HALsTEAD, and
you might as well make up your mind
Ia that fact
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-19
virginia News Notes.

st. Patrick's day was enthusiastically
celebrated in Stanton.
Judge Paul opened the spring term Of
the United States District Court at
Lynchburg Tuesday morning.
Mr.. c. Erb, living several miles
northwest of Berryyille, Va, is so well
satisfied with his experience in fur
nishing milk for the manufacture of
cheese that he has purchased for his
own use at home the machinery for
making cheese, and will keep seventy
five COWS to run the establishment.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-19
CALUE or 4 LADI'S BANGS.
Tweniy-Gvr Dollars aud Auornry'> fsr> Paid
Rather than stand suit.

Rather than stand suit.
a Pittsburgh Pa.) telegram says A
novel case, which involves the value OF
a lady'S natural bangs, was settled to-
day. 1t appears at the time OF the re-
cent disastrous natural-gaS explosion in
the Lawrenccyille district Miss Mary
Mody. beautiful young woman, was
walking along Penn avenue, and was
hurried into the street distance Of
fifteen feet After crawling out Of
mass Of deJyis she discovered that
the portion of her hair which
had composed her bangs was miss
ing. having been blown Off close to the
scalp as clean as if cut by the clippers.
She demanded of the Consolidated Gas
Companies compensation for injuries
sustained, laying the damages at 500.
This the company declined to pay, and
Miss Mody retained counsel with view
of inStituting suit. The attorney, how
ever. first called on the cOmpany's of
iicialS. Negotiations were entered into
for an amicable settlement OF the diff
Guilty, which eliminated to-day in the
corporation granting the young lady
S25 and attorneys fees for the loss Of
her bangs.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-19
ON THE BORDER.

The Crops had Oasieek for wheat-Tseaces.
Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispatch
BRIsT0L-G0ODsON, March IL, '85.
We are having a heavy snow-storm
to-day; wind northeast. We have had
but few bright days during the month.
The farmers are greatly retarded in
their isrm-work. The wheat is greatly
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-19
Dividing Out the Offices,

Wash DgtOn telegram New York Tribune. J
Another bright example of southern
Democratic mOdeSty and Self-control
was furnished to-day by the Democrats
OF Virginia. who were represented III
Washington by some scores of leaders
from various parts of the State. 4 for
nal caucus was held to agree upon
plan for an equitable division of their
- share" of the political spoils.
All the Democratic congressman
elect were present except Mr.. Croxton,
and he sent his prorg," said mem
Der of the caucus. Among those pre-
sent were ex-CongreSsman John GOode.
of Norfolk Judge Watts, who pre-
sided over the last Democratic State
Convention and MeSsrs. venable and
Arlington, of the Democratic State
Committee. After considerable discus
sion. it was agreed to divide Virginia
into two grand divisions CORE
spending TO the United States jill
dicial districts. The three Demo-
cratic congressman in the Eastern
district are TO parcel among themselves
the most important Federal offices in
the district, and each one is to control
local appointments in his own district.
The five Democratic congressman in the
Western judicial district are TO enjoy
like privileges in their division of the
State. The congressman will act col
lectiyely in regard TO "outside" APP
pointments.
The Mccklenburg committee will see
that they are " nowhere"
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-19

Without an equal is Salvation Oil.
The greatest cure on earth for pain.
Price only IS cents bottle.
There never was a perfect linimcnt
offered to the public till Salvation Oil
was discovered. Is cents.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-19
DEATHS,

FARRAE.--Died. IN this city. at $3.50 T.
NJ, March 18TH. Mrs. ELIZABETH FAR
RAk. relict OF the late Robert Farrar. IA
the AeVenty-sixtb year OF her age.
Her friends and acquaintanCes and those
OF her son Dr.. ". +. Farrar are invited To
attend the funeral services from Trinity
Methodist Episcopal church FRIDAY, 2Oth
instant. at 10 A. VI. luterment at the
family homestead. in Henrlco county.
MORTON. Died on Tuesday. March 18th.
at 3. O'Clock L. NJ. at the residence Of her
son W. Chase Morton. Mrs. ELIZABETH
ARR HER MORTON. relict Of the late eN-
senator Jackson Morton. Of Florida.
Funeral from -. Pauls church THIS
Thursday EVENING At o'clock.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-19
DICnM0ND THEATRE.

THREE NIGHTS AND MATINEE.
MhENClNG THU RSDAI, MARCH l9fH.
Grand Matinee
SATURDAY AT 4. NJ.
Harry Miners superb company in the moral
spectacular melO-dTama the
SILVER KING.
Three years at the Princess Theatre LOn-
don, England. Longest run on record ~
WalMck New York Theatre.
r. G. BANGS AS THE SILVER KING.
Double Stage and Revolving scenery. sew
enteen complete scenes by special train.
Admission. 10 cents; reserved. 81: dress
circle. 80 cents; mmily-circle - cents. gal
lery, 10 cents.
NOTE.-fhe entertainment viii BEGIN
PROMPTLY AT 4. NJ.
BOx-sh opens WEDNESDAY MORN
ING ut 9 O'Clock. NH I7-3f