davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12
THE MAHDI.

Ell Mahdi means really the Messiah, and
it is this Messiahie quality which makes
him SO dangerous leader for the wild and
fanatical hcrdes of the Sahara. The legend
of deliverer who is, to come at some period
in the future to perform wonders for the
people has always been, popular with Sc
mite people. Possibly the mission of
Christ did much to give strength and force
to this legend, for the Jews are first cousins
to the Arabs, and are akin to them in speech
and methods of thought Mahomet gained his
great ascendency over the people by appear
ing as the Messiah, who had been predicted,
and he in turn predicted the coming of
another Messiah, and gave number of signs
by which his advent would be recognized.
Among other things, he must belong to a
certain tribe, and one arm was to be very
long and the other extraordinarily short,
and there were a number of physical phe-
nomena which were to occur. Ell Mahdi
answers the description of the Messiah
as to his family and in the disproportion
between his arms. The Arabs are grOan-
ing under real and fancied wrongs in
Turkey and other nations. Especially
those who are in the Valley of the Nile and
on the confines Of Egypt are ready to
take up arms for any one who will prom
Use them deliverance and the overthrow of
their hated enemies.
But in spite of his recent victories his
prospects are quite gloomy. The English
have temporized and dallied with him so
far, but now they are thoroughly aroused,
and when England once really addresses
herself to the task of conquest the end is
certain. Though he could rally to his stand
ard every man in Asia Minor and North
Africa, he would be as certainly defeated as
were the Moguls and Rajahs of the swarming
lands Of Hindostan. Besides the extent of
territory and the protection of her interests
in Egypt and the Soudan, England has the
strongest reasons to impel her to a war
which will result in his overthrow. His
successes have emboldened the fierce Mo
hammedans in Hindostan, who are the most
dangerous enemies to the British rule in that
great country, and the best way to main
tain her rule there is to crush him. She
cannot afford ON their account to allow him
to defy her as he is doing now.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12
THE ENGINE THIEVES

To THE EDITOR: am q subscriber and con-
slant reader of your valuable paper, and on the
account of so many others that take your paper
asking me whether I knew that the Engine
Thieves" story Is true not, told them there
were some doubts in my mind about it. AS I was
in the Army of the Potomac, although being about
the youngest in the seth N. Y, had no renlem-
brance of any such Thieves" However, Mr..
Editor. they wished me to write and ask you if
you would be kind as TO inform us whether it
ever did take place? 1t seems very strange that
as the men had plenty Of time, they did not fire
the cars they left behind before they were I'M
coupled in fact, there are some strange things
about it if it is true. They could have left
burning on the bridge, we think, they could
have got the fire under considerable Roadway be-
fore letting it CO. However, go on with the story,
rs you have us nicely interested.-L. F. SMITH,
Cation, N. Y.
We have received number of letters
similar in tenor to this. At first flush it
seems incredible that this exploit should be
doubted, any more than the march to Tulla-
homa or the first movement against Vicks-
burg. The attempt to burn the bridges
beyond Chattanooga is as much a part of
the early history of the Army of the Ohio
afterwards the Army of the Cumberland
as the battle of Mill Springs and the capture
of Nashville There are tens of thousands
yet alive who were more or less interested
in the exploit. The movements of Gen. o.
NJ Mitchel,s Division depended upon the
success of Engine Thieves" and had they
succeeded Chattanooga would have been
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12

States, New York being the sole exception
in this respect. The drouth which prevailed
over the South Atlantic Seaboard was very
detrimental to the grain sown, and in Ken
lucky and Tennessee the alternate thawing
and freezing has had a very injurious effect.
In Minnesota, Dakota and other of the more
northern States the snow is still on the
ground, and it is impossible to tell what the
present condition of the plant is. All this
is Indicative of higher prices for produce,
and if not contradicted by reports later in
the season, viii insure very substantial
advance in the quotations of cereals.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12

IT transpires that Mrs. Yseult Dudley,
who made the assault upon O'Donoyan
Rosa, from which that gentleman is rap
idly recovering, has had quite variegated
history. She is the Legitimate daughter
of French nobleman, and at some period
of her life sustained relations to an officer
in the British army which resulted in two
children, now both dead. She became in
sane, and for time was confined in an asy-
lum; she was finally released, and at an
other period made an attempt upon her own
life, which was not successful She then
took up the profession of nursing, going
through one of the institutions for educa-
ton in that profession, and became quite
proficient in the art, winning for herself
very many friends. 1t is probable that she
will escape punishment for her offense on
the ground of insanity.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12
If you APPROVE
of the fight THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE is
making for justice to soldiers, send on an
other subscriber
RENEW IN TINE.

There has never been a time when any reader
missed copy of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE
without repenting it, and now such failure
will be more regretable then ever, for the
paper contains much more of value and in
terest than it ever did. Therefore, keep watch
of your numbers, and renew before your time
expires. This weeks issue is No. 1888; that OF
Feb 10 will be 1Si. If these are near the
number opposite your name on the yellow
address slip you will know that your sub
scription is nearly expiring, and you should
therefore send on your dollar at once for
renewal.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12
THE reports of the commercial agencies of

THE reports of the commercial agencies of
the failures during the week show slight
rise in the barometer, which is undoubtedly
the forerunner of rapidly clearing weather
The failures for the United States were 314,
and for Canada SO, making total of 346,
which is eight less than for the previous
week, and 55 less than the week preceding
that. 1t is still too early in the year for
any marked improvement, since settling day
is quite too recent. The end of this month
will undoubtedly show very marked i'm
provement in every way, for then will be
felt the revivifying influence of the Spring
trade, when hope will be buoyant in every
business mans breast; and we must reiterate
again our confident prediction that the bust
ness year of 1885 will be the most prosper
Gus known since the great revival of 1880.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12
THE CULLOMRAnLWAY BILL.

The Reagan Interstate Commerce Bill,
the product of the long and earnest discus
sion in the House Of the problem of internal
transportation, does not meet the views of
the Senate by any means. After careful
consideration of the subject this body
adopted a measure introduced by Senator
Cullom, and based upon the railway laws of
Illinois, that in practical operation had given
great satisfaction. The leading feature of
Senator Cullom's bill is his manner of ap-
pointing Commission, which is as follows
The Commission is to be composed of nine men,
bers, from each judicial circuit of the United
States to hold Office for six years, except that of
those first appointed three shall hold office for two
years only, and three others for four years only
Vacancies are to be filled by the President No
more than five of the Commissioners shall belong
to one political party. The duties of the Commits.
sion are defined to be to exercise the powers and
duties granted by the bill pertaining to the meth
DDS and regulating the operation of all transporta-
ton companies engaged i'll Interstate commerce."
and take into consideration and investigate all the
various questions relating to commerce between
the States especially the matter of transportation
=" so far may be necessary 10 establish just sys-
TEN of regulations for the government of the
same" The-salary of the Commissioners is fixed
mt s. 500 and they authorized to appoint Sec
rotary at So 500. All necessary travelling expenses
are to be paid by the Government and witnesses
summoned before the Commission are to be paid
the usual fees. The Commission has power to send
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12
One Dollar per Year,
Invariably in Advance.
Six months, IS cents. No subscription for
less period received.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.

MONEY sent as o;scrgriSs Than Jy registered letter,
postal NOTES, postal money order or draft GA Net0
York, ,riU be at The risk Of tie sender.
AGEETS-Ec employ no agents. THE NATIONAL
TRIBUNE has maEg UolUaioor cdHrdSscrs, and hey
arc generally honest GHd faithful; 61t persons sCho
conide their subscriptions TO tsem must be their osc'
sadges Of their responsibility. Tic paper Iiu DC seat
only on receipt a TIC subscription price.
ADDRESSES, RENEWALS, E:c.-AGdressos ,ua'
be changed as often rs desired but each subscriber
should an euc case gire he old as iCol nec address,
areae,ring Subscribers should be careful to send as Tie
iabe on The last pder receive aud specify any cor
seciioas or changes Aeg desire made ia name or adj
dress.
CORRESPONDENCE-Co rrcsp ondence IS solicited
from eucry section IA regard TO Grand 1r7ny, Pen
sion Militdry agricultural Industrial and Household
matters and letters TO The Editor riU ARRAYS receire
roronpt attention. Briio on ONE SIDE Of the paper
snIu We do not rcigTn c0na1aala jcdtioRs Haunt-
scripts unless they accompanied by request TO
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circumstances guarantee their publication at any
special dGte.
Address all communications 10
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE,
Washington, ID. c.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12
THE BATTLES ABOUT CHATTANOOGA.

The papers in The United Serrice, for Feb
ruary, are headed by an article from the pen
of the well-known journalist, Gen. II. V.
Boynton, entitled the Battles of Chatta-
nooga." The writer includes in the list the
Capture of Orchard Knob" "Hooker's
Assault on Lookout" and the Storming of
Missionary Ridge" Perhaps the most sat
isfactory feature of the admirable paper is
the lucid explanation of the counter move
ments of Gems. Rosecrans and Bragg, which
led up to the battle of Chickamauga, the
real object of the struggle and its logical
results. Gen. Boynton gives great credit to
Rosecrans for this campaign, which he shows
was mastery in conception and perfect In
execution. He shows that instead of being
drawn battle, or reverse for the United
States forces, that it was victory for the
latter. Rosecrans had manuvered Bragg
Union troops started for the place and met
about six miles from the city. The rebels
struck the Union left flank, the armies
swung together and joined battle for the
road. The rebels failed to turn the Union
left and interpose their army between their
opponents and the city. On the contrary,
Rosecrans held the roads, Bragg withdrew,
and the Union troops proceeded to occupy
Chattanooga as the result of the rebel re-
pulse. The panorama at Lookout Noun
tain and the simultaneous engagements
which unlocked the door to the southeast
are clearly described in Gen. Boynton's en-
tertaining manner, which is so conspicuous
for its simplicity and clearness. This is no
doubt the secret of the charm that glim
mers about his pages
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12
TRIBUNETS.

life: The BOSTON Globe says "a pretty stocking
never looks better than when hung up for Christ
mas presents" This is rather rough on the Boston
girls.
FlieJende Blatter: She" What are you thinking
off"
He-"Nothing."
She" Egotist."
Good, plain, unfrilled English "dynamiter" is
not elegant" enough for some superfine journal
lists, who insist upon calling the man who has
hosting propensties "dynamiteur." It's SO
French, you know.
1t only costs a man 10 cents to get roaring drunk
on Mexican pulque; but, then, as he has to work a
half day for the 10 cents he is not any better off
than the man In this country who can buy two
glasses of beer for five cents.
Unless Slugger Sullivan gets the top of his head
shot off mighty soon the State of Massachusetts
should prohibit the sale of pocket firearms. The
only good of these things anyway. is to rid the
earth of drunken rowdes, who maltreat peaceable
men.
Boston Courier:
She smote him with the shingie
Till she made him thrill and Jingle
Because he did not mind his baby brother,
But he soon forgot his pain
And went singing down the lane.
"A boys best friend is his mother"
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12

captured year before it was There is
nothing in all the history of the Western
armies so romantic and daring as this
attempt was. We know of nothing in the
whole history of the war that equals it, ex-
cept Lieut.. Cushman's destruction of the
Albemarle The reason that the event did
not impress itself at the time upon the
minds of men like Comrade Smith is that
they belonged to other armies and had quite
as much going on in their immediate front
as they could conveniently think of
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12
WASHINGTON THURSDAY

for persons and papers, to administer oaths, land
to require the production of all books, papers con-
tracts, and documents, or properly certified alb
stracts thereof relating to the matter under consd
Grafton" 1t is authorized to require Interstate
transportation companies to furnish annual reports
giving full information to their financial condi-
tion cost of property, number and salaries of en-
poyees, etc. 1t shall report annually to the Secre
tary of the Interior. The Commission SHALL during
the first year. investigate and report the subject
of maximum and minimum charges, pooling, the
watering OF stocks, unjust Determinations etc.
The bill will now 60 to the House for
concurrence or rejection
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12

THE development Of instantaneous pho
Biography is opening up uses for it in all
directions. A machine called the "pistOla-
graph +" is made, which is the size and some
thing of the shape of bulldog" revolver,
and takes photographs by pointing it at the
object" for an instant. Another is arranged
in the crown of a tall hat, and looks like ons
of the ventilators one sees in hats This
permits pictures being taken without arous-
ing the slightest suspicion of what is being
done. Policemen, detectives, lawyers, bank
officers, ETC., will undoubtedly make much
use of these, and men and women will be
constantly photographed without their sus-
peeting it for an instant
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12

CORNING, N. Y, speaks in no uncertain
way on the Mexican Pension Bill. One
petition, sent in by Comrade Elias w.
Palmer, has 256 names, headed by Hon.
Joseph P. Bradley, Associate Justice of the
Supreme Court of the United States; Hon.
C. c. B. Walker and ex-senator S. T. HOyt.
Comrades Freeman Kent and Geo. w. Haines
sent in other petitions, with 147 names on
them, making 403 names from Corning. All
the business men of the Town signed.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12
General sherman on The Tribune.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE q. S.,
WASHINGTON, d. c.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
Y
From the nature of the articles published
in the numbers of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE
sent me, l observe that it is published in the
interest Of the soldiers of the civil war. In
this you have my hearty sympathy, and l
will endeavor in my own sphere of action to
cooperate with you in all practicable meas
ures to that end, without'money and with
out price. With great respect,
Your obedient servant,
W. T. SHERMAN.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12
EXCLUSIVELY FOR US,
/" GAR. WATCH

and have on its back an artistic representa-
ton of the GAR. badge. This watch,
which is more desirable than the Waterbury,
will be furnished ON the same terms. That
is, we viii send it postpaid to any part Of the
United States for $3.50, or we will send it
and THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE for one year
for $3.50.
The gar. Watch is the exclusive
property of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE, and
can only be got through this paper.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12

The swords, medals, paintings, bronzes,
portraits, addresses, commissions, and other
testimonials to the illustrious character of
Gen. Grant, from rulers and Governments,
are now safe from the rapacity of the cred
itors of Grant s. Ward. On Saturday Sem
ator Sherman introduced joint resolution
into the Senate accepting the donation of
these by VIM. 81. Vanderbilt and Julia Dent
Grant, to the United States, and it was
passed unanimously. The collection will
be kept at the War Department until a suit
able preparation can be made for it in the
Library of Congress, when it will pass into
the custody of the Librarian.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12
LIFE OF LOGAN.

The life of the eminent soldier and
statesn,an,-Gen. John A. Logan,-which
will make handsome addition to any IL
brary, and is besides an exceedingly inter
esting work, can be obtained, together with
a copy of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE for one
year, for SLIGO, or we will send it free to any
person sending club of six subscribers.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12
PENSION TO THE WIDOW OF GEN.
THOMAS,

At last the neglected widow of grand old
"Pap" Thomas receives some attention from
Congress Since the death of her iIlustriOus
husband she has received a pittance of $50
a month, while the widows of Officers who
did not do the country a 1.-THE of the serv-
ices of the Commander of the Army of the
Cumberland, have secured far greater
amounts. She resembles her great husband
in her unselfshness and aversion to thrust
ing her claims into notice, and since her
widowhood in 1876 she has dwelt quietly at
her childhoods home on the Hudson. She is
now well-advanced in years, childless, with
out near kindred of any kind, and therefore
lonely and sad. Her pension is insufficient
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
WASHINGTON, D. c., FEBRUARY II, 1885

To any person who will send lis
a club of ten new subscribers to
THE TRIBUNE we will present
"a new Waterbury watch. inclOSed
i'm a handsome Satin-lined case,
and warranted to keep accurate
time.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12
THE WHEAT PROSPECT.

AS we predicted would be one of the con-
sequences of low price for wheat, the area
sown in that grain has everywhere been
much curtailed. In none of the States is
the decrease placed at less than 10 per cent,
and in maus as in Kansas and Minnesota,
it reaches as high as 80 per cent. The plant
is reported in bad condition in most of the
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12

THE Pacific Coast is beginning to be heard
from in favor of its grand old citizen, Gen.
w. S. Rosecrans. The leading papers there
are strongly indorsing him for position in
the Cabinet as the representative of his
section, and they publish articles which tell
in eulogistic language the aehievem ents of
his civil and military career.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12

THE number of pension certificates issued
and signed during the month ending Jan.
81, 1885, were as follows: Original, 4,617
increase, 1923; reissue, 264; restoration,
100; duplicate, 81; April 3, 1884, 221; &C
crued pensions, 237; act of March 3, 1888,
80; total 7,241
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12

The aggregate number of signatures to
petitions in favor Of the Mexican Pension
Bill which have been received in The
NATIONAL TRIBUNE Office up to date, is
282,21 The following is the list of the
receipts since our last report:
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12

ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR
JosLYN rendered an important decision last
week, which was to the effect that man
returning to his regiment from furlough
was in line of duty, and if killed, wounded
or disabled in any way during that time
is reasonable
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12

THE turn in Egyptian matters will be a
blessing TO the Frustrated vessel interest Of
England. There is now what there has not
been for long and weary while-a demand
Cor ships.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12

THE Signal Service says that the proper
name for the destructive storms of the in
terror of the country is tornado.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12

to provide her with more than absolute
necessaries of life. 1t cannot give her any
thing like the comforts to which the widow
of the "Rock of Chickamauga is entitled.
On Saturday Senator Cullom called up the
bill to give her $4,000 year. The Commit
tee on Pensions reported an amendment to
make the amount 500. Senator Cul!om re-
sisted this amendment eloquently and earn
estly, as did also Senators Blair Plum and
Miller, of California.
Senator Mitchell supported the amend
ment, because while he yielded to none in
his admiration Of Gen Thomas, he believed
there were widows of other Generals quite
as well entitled to consideration as Mrs.
Thomas, and Congress had made a precedent
by giving the widow Of Gen. Shields S100 a
month. He was not willing to go higher
than this Senator Cockerell caused to be
read a newspaper article bitterly condemning
the discrepancies between the pensions
granted widows of Generals and enlisted
men.
The amendment was defeated by vote Of
II to ~, and the original bill passed.
THE SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS.
The Illinois Legislature is now ready to
elect Senator of the United States.
If the choice were left to a vote of the
people of the State, there would be no doubt
of the result. Gen. John A. Logan would
be elected, as he has been whenever he APP
peared before the people as a candidate for
any Office, by an overwhelming majority.
The feeling everywhere, and among men of
all parties, is so strong, and manifests itself
so Enthusiastically, that we risk nothing in
asserting that a popular vote would give
him majority of more than 100000 over
all competitors.
The people feel, as never before, the value
of John A. Logan in the Senate. They rec
ognize the urgency of retaining in that body
a man of his approved patriotism, stainless
record, honorable poverty, and vast expert
ence The main opposition to his return is
from the great corporations which wish to
remove SO formidable an obstacle to their
designs.
To vote for Gen. Logan is more than a
partizan obligation. It is patriotic duty,
binding on all who believe that unselfish
devotion to the country and approved ability
in its service should be recognized, appre-
ciated and rewarded.
There should be at least one poor man in
the United States Senate, and when that
man has the splendid brain and magnificent
record Of John A. Logan no more need be
said.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12
A G.. A. r. WATCH,
A Splendid and Cheap Timepiece.

We have concluded arrangements with
the Waterbury Watch Company, by which
it will manufacture,
EXCLUSIVELY FOR US,
a watch of the same general character as
their superb timekeeper. which has become
SO famous, but which will have some pecu-
liar features. This new watch will be
called the
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
ESTABLISHED 1879

PUBLIS HE'D WEE KLY.