davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Helena weekly herald., 1885-02-26

lHE bill to prevent aliens from acquir-
ing public lands in the Territories has
been reported favorably to the Senate
with an amendment. of as much import
ance to us practically as the main pro-
vision. 1t is to the effect that hereafter no
railroad, turnpike OF canal company shall
acquire or own lands in the Territories ex-
cept what is needed for operation, and that
all lands heretofore acquired that are not
disposed of within ten years shall be for
feited 10 the United States There are a
good many observations suggested II
does not prevent aliens from acquiring
lands in the States. such As Texas, where
the mischief is greatest, but then this is
matter that each State controls for itself
and Congress could only provide for the
Territories. 1t looks like a great public
advantage to provide that all railroad lands
shall be disposed of within the next ten
years. Ii is not likely that any of the
present Territories will continue in that
condition ten years longer. Will this pro-
vision be equally applicable after we be-
come State? Can Congress impose a
condition subsequent after the railroad
company has earned the lands? OF one
thing we may be sure, no court would hold
that this condition became operative until
ten years from the time the government
completed the surveys, so that the rail-
roads could select these lands. At present
rates it will take more than ten years to
get all the lands surveyed We think also
that canals might be left out, for tine only
sort of canals that are likely to be built
are irrigating canals, and it is the only
way, or perhaps better speaking, the most
natural way for company organizing for
the construction of irrigating canals to get
the fair benefit OF their enterprise by own
ing the lands that will be enhanced in
value. We anticipate the day when Con-
gress will donate these desert lands to the
States in which they lie, TO be reclaimed
for cultivation and settlement as in the
case OF swamp lands. And the States will
then undoubtedly bestow them condition
ally upon companies that will provide for
their permanent irrigation.
Helena weekly herald., 1885-02-26

ONE OF the most interesting events in
English history is now transpiring in the
English House of Commons. 1t is no less
than the impeachment of the Gladstone
Ministry on a motion of censure. Ii the
vote of censure carries Gladstone will re-
sign and there will be an election for a
new Parliament to follow soon, with strong
chances for Tory success. If the Tories
succeed the Egyptian policy will be
changed and English prestige will be re-
stored after the old style, even at the
hazard OF general war There are about
forty Liberal members of Parliament that
are opposed to the Egyptian war entirely,
even To the extent and for the purposes de-
clared by Gladstone. If these should 20
into opposition it would defeat the govern
ment. 1t is always doubtful how the Irish
members will vote, and it looks as if Glad
stone had their ill-will sufficiently to
throw them all into opposition. Ii will be
five years the 2sth of April next since
Gladstone was installed. The full term Of
a Parliament is seven years, but it is a very
rare thing that one ever holds to the end.
Helena weekly herald., 1885-02-26

THE act that passed the National House
of Representatives February IA, chartering
the Nebraska Valley Railroad, extending
from Sioux City TO Granger, where the
Oregon Short Line begins, is one that is
likely TO have far-reaching consequences
and is well worthy of study. If this new
branch road is built by the Union Pacific
Railroad Company we shall then have the
singular situation that it will own a
through line from the Missouri river to the
Pacific, independent of itself. Freight and
passengers can 90 from Sioux City to Port
land over roads belonging TO the Union
Pacific K. X. Co, and yet not pass over a
mile of tire Union Pacific road Ii will be
repeating what the Central Pacific has
already done in the construction of the
Southern Pacific To a man up a tree it
looks Just as If these two great railway
companies were putting themselves IN
position to say to the United States govern
ment, we have roads now over which we
tah ho All tue busluc>s tIal pdStS oNci
the Central and Union Pacific, that have
not cost any more 10 build than the first
mortgage bonds of these roads on which
you hold the second mortgage. Those roads
are not worth to-day any more than the
amount of the first mortgage bonds and
cannot pay interest on any greater capital
at the reduced rates that the people de-
mand and competition enables us to offer.
The government is placed in the dilemma
that il cannot favor such reduction OF
rates on these subsidized roads as will rem
der its second mortgage worthless Yet
the competition of other roads, built in
more favorable times, and at so much less
cost, will force down those rates and either
take all the business or force the govern
ment to surrender its mortgage as worth
less. Ii looks to us as if this was what
things were coming to. And in any set
Element to be made we would urge the
government to take back all the lands of
the companies still unsold at fair rates and
give the companies their own time and
rate of interest to pay the balance, for it is
pretty clear that all the security is gone
and that nothing could be- saved by paying
off the first mortgage bonds.
Helena weekly herald., 1885-02-26

IHE reason why it was for our interest
to protect the manufacture of Iron is that
we have the material and facilities in
abundance to produce the finished pro-
duet provided we could keep the industry
from being strangled by foreign competitors
IN Its earlier years That end we have
seen attained. and as q result we see steel
rails now produced in this country cheaper
than they could be imported. Home CON-
petition gives reduced prices as well as
foreign competition. When the time comes
that 1t will be possible for our iron manu-
facturers to produce enough and more than
supply home markets and enter into COM
petition with foreign producers for outside
markets. then the duty on iron will be re-
duced to minimum. Now Germany has
found by long trial that she cannot produce
all the wheat necessary for home con-
sumption, and further. that she cannot pro-
duce as much as she has been doing with
out relative and material loss. Ii is there
fore clearly for her interests TO admit wheat
or corn free, or with low duty, so that
she can produce cheaper those manufac-
tures for which she has especial facilities,
and devote her lands, as advised by her
Minister of Agriculture, to stock raising
and dairy, which even in our country have
proved most profitable. The wheat grow
ing in Germany is best compared with
sugar growing in the United States. We
have protected the latter for long term
of years with little O. no increase of pro-
duet, and it is very evident that if we ever
succeed it will be by great sacrifice. In
the West India islands and the tropical
regions OF this continent sugar growing can
be carried on more proftably than with ms,
and we can establish with those countries
a profitable trade by exchange of our corn,
wheat, stock and dairy products besides
our manufactures. that will pay for twice
as much sngar rs we could produce by our
mlsdirected efforts TO produce that for
which we have neither the advantage of
soil or climate.
Helena weekly herald., 1885-02-26
their permanent irrigation.

GLADSTONE is in most uncomfortable
fix. Compelled by the force OF public
opinion and the current of events to carry
on a war in Egypt against his own judg-
ment and wishes, il could hardly be other
wise than that he fails TO satisfy either
of the general feeling now existing in Eng
land, II required great amount of moral
courage to state as he did yesterday in the
House of Commons that 'the policy of the
government TO eventually withdraw from
Egypt remains unchanged Popular feel
ing may change, but Gladstone looks at
the question from the same standpoint as
when he announced the policy of his gov
eminent months ago in the House Of
Commons and TO all the governments of
Europe. lie will 20 down, if such be the
popular demand, but will not strike his
colors. Without thinking any less OF
Gladstone than ever, it has been painfully
apparent for some time that there must he
a change of policy or administration soon.
The war must either be abandoned or
prosecuted with energy for some more
definite purpose Gordon is beyond relief,
but now a new object looms up and over
shadows all others. English prestige and
honor are at stake As the war proceeds
and one army after another is sent out to
rescue the preceding one, the investment
of English blood and treasure is becoming
so great that nothing but permanent oc-
cupation of the country will possibly sat
isfy the English people. The road to India,
including the control of the Suez canal
and the Red Sea, must be under English
control. We look for an early vote adverse
to the policy of the present government,
followed by dissolution OF the govern
ment and the restoration of the Tories and
Jingoes to power. This will very likely
precipitate crisis on the continent and
general war, which may change the political
map of Europe altogether, wiping out sew
eral of the smaller states and extending
the borders of the larger ones.
Helena weekly herald., 1885-02-26

INSTEAD of the proposed increase of the
navy in the regular appropriation bill Ran
dali will endeavor to have commission of
six civilians. with the Secretary of the
Navy for the seventh, as chairman. These
are to he appointed by the President. This
commission shall first seek information as
to the classes of vessels to he constructed
and then offer premiums for the best models
first, second and third best-of $4,000,
$4,000, $4,000. When the models and
plans are accepted, then one vessel OF each
type to be built by contract, and if, after
months trial at sea, the vessel shall prove
satisfactory, then il is to be adopted as the
standard, till some one else at his own ex-
pense shall produce better one, when the
Secretary OF the Navy is empowered 10
purchase it. 1t will be good while to get
started in this way, considering that it will
take three or four years to build ship af
ter the plan is adopted, then if adopted
as standard il will take as many more
years to get the nucleus of navy. 1t will
be about 1900 before we would have navy.
The crisis will have been passed long be
fore that time and it looks rs if it would
come within the next two years.
Helena weekly herald., 1885-02-26

THE first land-grant subsidy to aid the
construction of railroads was made in 1850
to the Illinois Central. From 1850 to 1861
there were forty-three such subsidies grant
ed by Democratic administrations In all
there have been granted 159, ,229,155 acres,
but of this total only 27,324 ,264 have as
yet been certified. The largest amount
granted to any one company is the Northern
Pacific, the most of which has been earned
but only a small portion surveyed and GER
titled. BY the passage of the Texas Pa
cific forfeiture bill three and half mil
lion acres are restored to the public do
main.
Helena weekly herald., 1885-02-26

THE eventful story of the fight between
the Merrimac and Monitor is told in the
March Century, just at hand, by men who
participated on both sides, and the story is
so well illustrated that it is instructive to
those even who thought they knew the
whole story.
Helena weekly herald., 1885-02-26

AT the opening Of Parliament last week.
Gladstone gave notice that the considera-
ton Of the measure of redistribution Of
seats would precede that on the opposi-
tons motion of censure.
Helena weekly herald., 1885-02-26

IT would seem that our Legislators have
fallen into a vicious or rather ridiculous
fashion of passing laws and then repeating
them in the same act. In order to be very
precise they provide that a certain section,
that il is desired and designed 10 amend,
shall read as follows, and then add another
section to provide that the same number
ed section shall be repealed. The idea is
that the old section as il stood before the
attempt to amend would still remain in
force unless struck out by positive act,
ia totidem rerbis But the only proper le-
gal Interpretation would he that there was
but one section of the same number, and
that when the repeating section came into
effect it could only operate on the amend
ed section. The result i. that there is first
a substitution followed Immediately by
repeal. Courts in charity might sustain
intent of the Legislators, and on the theory
that il would impeach their good sense 10
suppose that after showing a purpose TO
amend a law they should repeal it il the
same breath. But it is violation of an
other rule of law which is that the inqui
ry into the intent of the lawmakers is not
pertinent or admissible except in cases of
doubt. And when section of certain
number is repealed and there is but one of
that number, il is not case that admits
of doubt There has been some time lest
and some extra labor expended, but no Sc
rious damage done as yet. The courts Te-
main to interpret the law, but il is better
in every way that laws should be so drawn
as to interpret themselves and save doubts
and litigation.
Helena weekly herald., 1885-02-26

posit Of public money in banks. Bill read
twice and ordered printed.
7. d. t3, an act 10 amend section 62
chapter 4. fourth division revised statutes.
Bill read twice and referred to judiciary
committee.
Speaker signed II. Il. 52, an act to pre-
vent persons from hunting or shooting in
the enclosures of Others without permis-
sion.
Also IA. Il. Sc, an act TO amend section
-, article ,, fifth division revised statutes.
Z. Il. 56, an act to enable the County
commissioners of Choteau county to issue
bonds to pay balance due on contract fer
the building Of county Jail and court house.
Bill read twice and referred to committee
on towns and counties
L. b. 81, an act relating to the presenta-
ton and auditing ofaccounts before county
mmissioners. Bill read twice and re-
ierred 10 committee on towns and counties.
Z. b. %, an act concerning the rights Of
husbands and wives Bill read twice and
referred to judiciary committee.
III. b. 13, an act relating to that portion
of the Crow reservation adjacent to Yellow
stone county. Bill read third time and
passed by unanimous vote.
II. Il. II, an act to amend sect;on 96l of
the fifth division revised statutes. Bill
read third time and passed. Ayes, Is;
noes, =
Recess
Helena weekly herald., 1885-02-26

GERMANY's latest African annexation is
on the Gulf Of Guinea, vest of the Blight
of Benin.
Helena weekly herald., 1885-02-26

THE Mahdi captured $1,000 rifles in
Khartoum, and his followers will use them
in following the English retreat.
Helena weekly herald., 1885-02-26

BY Potts, II. b. -, authorizing the de-
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-15
A BAD APPOINTMENT.

The Reasons Which Impelled Mr.. George to
Tender His Resignation.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, June 14-Probably the worst
appointment that has been made by subordi-
nate official of the administration was that of
George, of Texas, to be special agent of the
Land Office, which was announced on Thursday
last. 1t is said that Mr. George rendered his
resignation the same night. tits doubtful if the
President would have allowed the appointment
to stand, and it was, perhaps, because he knew
this that Mr.. George placed his hand upon his
heart and said II challenge ain
investigation" This gentleman's record in
Washington has been of the most
unsavory character. He has been con-
nected with every alleged exposure of frauds
in land entries for the last four or five years,
and has been one of those men who, while first
on the side of morality and right have suddenly
been won over to the opposition. His latest
move was made year ago, when he filed papers
with the Interior Department in connection
with charges against a railroad in the South
west. George spoke very earnestly in favor of
forfeitng this railroad company's grant, and
took great pains to acquaint the newspapers
with all the details in the case. Suddenly, how
ever. there was a. stir among the railroad OFF,
cials NJ. George stayed away from Washing
ton for some time, and then all charges against
the railroad company were withdrawn
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-15

Dixie Mr.. Chamberlain said: ''We are unable
to congratulate ourselves on any great recent
conversion to free-trade principles, but that is
to be regretted more for protectionist countries
than for our own" Continuing he said, despite
the exceptional depression in business, he ven
tured to state that England's general trade was
more prosperous than thar of any country in
the world. Comparing the trade. OF England
with that of America, Mr.. Chamberlain read
extracts from the reports of McCulloch, recently
American Secretary Of the Treasury, on Ameri-
can overproduction, and referred to the marked
increase of failures in America as compared
with the decrease in England. and quoted from
commercial agencys report on the reduction OF
wages, to show the disadvantages of the pro-
tectIye system. The shipping trade, he
said. was almost entirely in the hands OF
English ship-owners The American iron trade
is most heavily protected yet there are III that
country so, 600 unemployed iron-workers. The
Enghsn boot and shoe trade is also increasing,
and has driven American and French goods from
every neutral market. the American traders be-
ing burdened by heavy duties on leather. Even
in clocks and watches, which are considered
indigenous to America, our exports to the United
States nearly equaled the imports to England,
while in the British colonies and elsewhere
English goods are pushing American goods out
Of the markets In regard to the woolen trade,
Mr.. Chamberlain said that there was no reason
on earth why America should not compete with
England except for the high tariff In America
the number of persons employed has decreased,
and wages have fallen 25 to 30 per cent Ameri-,
can exports had largely decreased, while En-
glish exports of textile and wooden fabrics to
America have been doubled The tax on corn
imposed by France had a baneful effect on
farming.
Turning to politics. Mr. Chamberlain said he
could conceive no nober nor more genial task of
a reformed Parliament than to carry out the leg
islation expounded by Sir Charles Dixie.
1t must also deal with the obstruction of par
liaplentary business which resulted in saddling
the government with petty details that ought to
be referred to other bodies. What was wanted
was remedy for the deep-rooted discomfort,
which is the natural result of one nation trying
to interfer with and control the domestic life
and social economy of another whose genius and
requirements not understood. He looked to
the new Parliament to accomplish this great
work, which was the only hope to pacify Ireland
and maintain the strength and integrity of the
empire.
The speeches of Mr.. Chamberlain and Sir
Charles Dixie will, it is thought, make a great
sensation. They are regarded as direct bid by
the Radicals for an Irish alliance against both
Wings and Tories
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-15
CLASSIFIED CIVIL SERVICE.
Views of the Commission as to the Eligibility
of Certain Clerks.

of Certain Clerks.
WASHINGTON, June The Postmaster
General has received the following communica-
tion from Secretary Graham, of the Civil service
Commission, in response to certain inquiries
touching the eligibility of clerks in the classified
service for promotion.
'The Ciyil-servce Commission is in receipt of
a letter from G. f. Mcdonald, superintendent OF
the money order system, asking whether clerk
in the Postoffice Department now receiving
salary of 5000 per annum, who was appointed
Aug is, 1882, without examination, IS now
eligible for promotion, without examination un-
der the civil-seryice rules, to a cerkship Of the
first class. The Commissioner replies that as
the clerk in question is within the classified
service, he may be promoted to higher positions
in the same service without examination ex-
cept such as the department itself may require
1.-THE letter also asks whether chief clerk
or chief of division appointed to his position
from fourth-class cerkship, before the
passage of the civil-serviee act, may
without violation of that law, be ap-
pointed TO vacant clerkshp in the
classified civil service. The Commission has re.
peatedly held that chief clerks and chiefs of
divisions holding such positions before the pro-
mitigation of the rules may be appointed to 9TH
er places within the classified service, without
examination, as the positions held by them were
not excepted positions previous to the adoption
of Rule 10. A person appointed to any excepted
place subsequent to the PRONUNCIATION of the rule
making it an excepted place, can, cf course be
transferred, promoted, or appointed to any other
than an excepted place."
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-15
THE TARIFF LAWS,

Ease with Which Elder Down Is Made to
Appear as Fur.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, June "A rather peculiar in
stance of the complications of the tariff was
called to the attention of your correspondent
yesterday. One of the officials of the Treasury
brought in to Assistant Secretary Coon beauti-
full piece of workmanship in the shape of an
elder down quilt. This quilt had been appraised
by the appraiser in New York as a manufacture
of feathers, and as such had been subjected to a
duty of 80 per cent. The importer appealed
from the decision of the appraiser to the chief
of the customs division of the Treasury,
and asked that the duty be assessed
at 20 per cent ad valore1n. 1t was
held by the Treasury authorities that the elder
down quilt was manufacture of fur, and as
such subject to duty of 30 per cent. ad valorem
Because the importer had claimed that the goods
should be subjected to a duty of 20 per cent
and the department had decided that 80 per cent
was the correct figure, it was held that he must
pay the amount assessed by the customs
officials at New York, which is so per cent Be-
ing asked to explain this wonderful arithmet
ical problem a Treasury official said:
1T is the rule OF the department to insist that
unless an importer, in making an appeal,
asks for the exact rate of duty, he must pay
that which has been assessed by the collector.
In this case the importer was 10 per cent. below
the figure decided upon in the Treasury Depart
ment, and therefore are compelled to sustain
the decision Of the New York customs authori
ties.n
How is it that you decided that a quilt made
from the breasts of the elder dnck is manu-
facture of furf asked your correspondent
s.Well,s he replied it is more like fur
than anything else embraced in the
tariff act and there is clause
in the statute books which provides that in fix
ing the tariff upon any article which is not spe.
cifcally provided for it shall be assessed at the
same rate Of duty as that to which il is most