davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10

A Washington special to the the Boston
journal says that a naval officer who has
recently returned from Panama says that
the revolutionists on the isthmus simply
represent cabal which desires to secure
power, and the contest amounts merely
to a quarrel between the ms and outs.
The leaders of the revolutionists about
Panama are Adventures, and some of
them mere desperadoes. One of the lead
ers is an assassin and murderer. The
United States is held in much respect in
that country, and the cause of the revolu-
tionists must have been desperate indeed
to have given them the courage to have
seized the arms on board United States
war ship. Why Commander Kane per
mitted this thing to be done is IA subject
of surprise in naval circles, but as he is
an officer of good record his friends hold
their judgment in allegiance until they can
have more accurate information as to what
actually TRANSFERRED. AS for the destruction
of Aspinwall, said this gentleman, if the
property of the railroad and the canal is
saved civilization has very little to lose.
The town, which consists Of long rows of
wooden houses-there are but one or two
brick buildings there's indescribably
dreary and filthy. He added that it will
not require very formidable expedition
to put down the revolutionists, but if they
resolve themselves into guerilla bands
the United States may have considerable
trouble to keep the isthmus open.
Secretary Whitney of the navy is quot
ed as saying that he believes fuller adj
vices will show that it is unnecessary for
the United States to interfere in the
troubles at Panama. He believes that
transit across the isthmus will not be Sc
riously obstructed, and that there will be
little use for armed interference.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10
The Public Debt.

The new Secretary of the Treasury
issues the debt statement under new
form from which the fractional silver coin
is omitted as an asset, and the 500, 900, 600
reserve is treated as liability. Accord
ing to this statement the net cash is $780,
1863, 600 the net liabilities $3.50, 945, 800, and
excess of available assets over the de-
mand liabilities of the government &c.
4lS,000. The change in the form of the
statement is chiefly change in methods
of bookkeeping, though the Greenbackers
and silver-dollar advocates choose to re-
gard it as Il blow at their pet theories of
finance. The most important changes are
those in the classification of certain items
One hundred million dollars in gold coin
are set aside for the redemption of legal
tenders, and the available assets are still
further diminished by the removal of
S3l 100000 in fractional silver and minor
coins from that column. This leaves an
apparent excess of available assets over
demand liabilities of Sl6,41S,O instead of
Sl53, 600, 600 as is indicated by the old form
of statement. The taking of the $751;
600, 900 in fractional silver coin from the
list of available assets has been done for
the reason that fractional silver is not
legal tender, except in sums less than five
dollars. The matter most criticised, how
ever, is the assumption that one hundred
million of dollars in gold must be held
absolutely in reserve as redemption fund,
and must not be held liable to meet de-
mands upon the treasury outside of this
specific purpose. There is no doubt that
the secretary has authority under the law
thus to hold Them and the friends of a
sound and stable currency will not ques-
ton the wisdom of the policy. The silver
advocates, however, hold that this is an
unfair and invidious distinction against
the silver dollar, and are naturally loud in
their denunciations of the course taken
by the secretary.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10

General Grants physician, DR.. Shrady,
on Sunday, said to him: "Now, General,
/ am about to make out the usual bulle-
tin, and what shall / say as to your condi-
ton ?" you may say that | am feeling
comfortable. l wish you would also ex-
press my gratitude and appreciation of the
feeling that the people have shown for me
since my sickness, and for the prayers
that have been offered in my behalf. F"
The General remained silent for n mo-
ment, and then continued, with much
feeling: 81 am deeply touched at the
expressions that have been sent to me, and
by the calls of those who once looked up
on me as an enemy. | wish lhad strength
enough to see them all and tell them per-
sonally how greatly 1 regard their SYM
pathy." Now" said DR.. Shrady, 81 have
written the bulletin in the third person
Will you give me line to say from you
directly ?" yes" said the General, you
may say this: desire the good will of all,
whether heretofore friends or not" This,
surely, the dying General will have from
all and more than good will" from
millions.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10

1t was rather an awkward thing, for
President Cleveland, to have to withdraw
his nomination of Gen. Lawton, as minis
ter to r ussia. 1t seems that there is strong
doubt whether Lawton, who was one of
Stonewall Jackson's prominent generals,
has ever had his disabilities removed, or
eyer asked to have them removed, or eX-
pressed any desire to take the oath of
allegiance. The President and Secretary
of State held that Gen. Lawton ives eligi-
BILE. The Senate committee on foreign re
lations, on the other hand, held that, al
though Gen. Lawton had received a par
don and amnesty from President Andrew
Johnson, in February, 1867, yet that, by
the fourteenth amendment to the consti-
tuition, adopted two years atterward,
political disabilities were imposed which,
not having been removed by Congress,
rendered Cen Lawton ineligible to hold
office. Under this condition of affairs it
would be plainly less embarrassing to with
draw the nomination, than to insist on it
and it was accordingly withdrawn.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10
The Mormon Side,

The Mormon leaders of course take
quite different view of the recent prose
cutions for polygamy, under the Ed
munds law, from that held in the rest of
the country, and have no hesitation in
making it known. At Mormon general
conference held at Logan, Utah, on the
9TH inst, general epistle to the church
from Presidents Taylor and Cannon of the
"first presidency" was read, in which
they say:
"Citizens of the highest type of charac-
ter have been selected as victims of vile
persecution, as criminals of the lowest
grade. Juries are selected for the express
purpose of convicting men prominent in
the church. Their partisan bias is so
thoroughly known in the community
that it is commonly considered that an
accusation in court is now constituted
equal to a conviction. The old rule of
jurisprude nee, that the accused shall be
considered innocent until he is found
guilty, is reversed, and the burden of
proof rests upon the accused in nearly
every instance, judge and jury equally
with the prosecution appearing to view
him as guilty, and requiring him to fur
nish proofs of his innocence. Jurors are
selected who are known enemies of the
parties accused, or of the principle in
volved in the trial. The result has been
that the Mormon is as safe in seeking the
justice of the internal regions or of AL
gerine pirates as that of courts of such
character Indictments are found on the
] flimsiest evidence. The result has been a
reign of terror at Utah"
Abiding to the fact that President Tay-
lor had deemed it wise under the cir
cumstances to withdraw, from the terri
tory, for fear of arrest" they say
| Of ,f 81
tions of the laws of God or the constitu
ton, if the laws enacted entrap us because
of our belief in and practice Of a revela
| ton God given, which a court jury shall
decide, we desire that it at least shall be
upon what the world will call evidence
substantial proof-not religious proof, q
determination to convict, evidence OF
none. Should conviction follow in such q
case we should submit as martyrs hav,
done in every age. If we are sinners
Abraham was also and the ancient proph
cts. Jesus descended from a poignant,
source, and so did many of Gods favorit,
| children. The constitution protects tn,
sacredness of contracts plural marriage
is n contract of the most sacred character
being for time and eternity.
The address further alludes to 9TH
evils of monogamy' and to 1.-THE made
quacy of the system of single marriage t.
save man from dreadful evils, although
millions of honorable men have endeavor
ed to adopt this system of morality ant
virtue, and devoted their lives to it," II
conclusion the presidents give their fol
lowers the advice not to retaliate in kline
for persecution or violate any constitu
tional law.
A committee was appointed by the con
ference to draft resolutions of protest to b.
forwarded President Cleveland. On thi
matter, however, as on others, it is no
likely that the President will bulge easil
form the position he has taken.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10

the best of its ability TO checkmate the
other. The superficial and transient ma
ture of such "A game as this is plain
enough. When one party of politicians
gains the supremacy, the revolution will
subside the people, no longer urged on
by demagogues, will lay down their arms,
and there will be some sort of approach
10 peace and quiet until some one again
starts the cry against the ruling party,
when the same scenes will be re-enacted.
OF course it takes some money to carry on
this method of electioneering The Tri-
bunc correspondent says the steamer
Yucatan was paid $4,000 for bringing u
few soldiers from Colon to Cartagena and
$4,000 to the ship and $1,000 to the captain
were paid for carrying few guns and
equipments to Baranquilla. 1t will cost
the government $500 per day for
the river steamers detained in their
employ and double wages for all
employees. The native merchants and
| farmers are mercilessly pillaged by both
sides ; schools close, courts adjourn, con-
tracts are suspended. Foreigners wish
ing to reach the interior are blockaded
from ascending the river and those in the
interior can neither get out nor get sup
plies. Recruiting parties carry away the
workmen from the haciendas to make
them into unwilling soldiers, confiscating
ut the same time the mules and horses.
| The male inhabitants of whole villages
sleep i'll the mountains and savannas, to
prevent II surprise by the CONSUMPTION.
The wharves of Cartagena are laden
with freight which the steamship com
panles can neither store nor forward to
their destinations. The paralysis of in
dustry and business which thus attends
and follows these instructions makes
even IA small revolution in South America
a pretty costly amusement. AS for results,
nothing of any consequence or perma-
nence is ever accomplished by these in
ternal wars. 1t is simply the see-saw-
ing of the politicians. Outside of those
having business interests in the Co
lombian Confederacy, nobody cares
how the present troubles end; and
Numerically opposite opinions are ex.
pressed, as to the character of the revo
lutionists, by various persons, acquainted
with the country, who have been inter
viewed by the New York papers. The
leaders are described by some as despera
does and assassins and by others as mer
heretofore prominent in public affairs
who have always shown themselves
friendly to the United States and careful
of the interests of foreigners and who il
their present movement are seeking laud
able ends. The burning of Colon and in
terruption of transit across the lsthmus
certainly do not look as if the insurgent,
in that quarter were the most consideratt
of men, as regards foreigninterests. There
however, the United States will probabl!
soon establish some sort of order. VIVA
happens elsewhere, is of less consequence
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10

The newspapers are rather inclined to
joke over the appointment of the Hon. ).
S. Cox as minister to Turkey. An anus
ing account is given of the way in which
the appointment came about. Mr.. Cox,
as the story goes, said jokingly to friend
who wanted the American legation at
Constantinople that he guessed the only
way was to have S. 5. Cox made minister
to Turkey. Cox's remark was repeated,
of course, and the appointment began to
be talked about as possible one. Then
Cox got to thinking seriously about it.
He was in Constantinople during his last
European tour. He liked his experience
there, and, in fact, all through the East.
The more he thought of it the more at
tractive it became The salary of the
minister to Turkey, formerly $500, was
raised by Congress last session to $4,000.
The term of Office will probably be four
years. Last year Mr.. Cox had some diff
Guilty to get his denomination to Congress.
The next attempt might be more difficult.
! Mr. Cox is no longer young, except in
| heart. He was 60 on the 20th of last
| September On the whole, Mr. Cox
thought he would like to go to Turkey
The President, like everybody else, likes
Mr.. Cox. When he heard that Mr. Cox
wanted to go as minister to Turkey, he
sent him word that he would nominate
him, and kept his word.
Mr.. Cox is really very fair appoint
ment for the place. To wide knowl-
edge of public affairs he adds
degree OF literary .and social culture
which qualify him well for diplomatic
service He has travelled extensively and
shown his powers as an observer and mar
rator, in sketches of travel in the East,
which have given him a name as an au-
thor. He has been in active public life
for more than twenty years. AS a de-
batter and parlimentaran he has few
equals. And yet his services and abilities
seem to have been but poorly appreciated
by his party. Whatever acknowledgment
he has met with aside from his sue
cessive elections to Congress has been
at the hands of the Republicans
He has been an extreme aggressive free
trader; but on many questions of public
interest he has sided with the Republi
can party. He was the chief mover in
creating and sustaining the Coast Life
saving Service, and has contributed to the
success of other valuable and important
measures. Though his mercurial tempera-
ment and fondness for a joke sometimG
send him off at halfcock, he has been a
decided favorte in the House, and will be
missed from its floor. For his own part, he
will enjoy representing the United States
abroad American travellers in CONSTANT
nople will doubtless find him attentive
and hospitable and though there may be
a question us to his possession of the cool
ness, tact and discretion necessary to high
success in diplomacy, the Turkish mission
may not involve any very difficult nego-
tiations and there is no reason to antici-
, pate failure on his part, in any import
, ant reSDpCt
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10

To be little more exact the salaries of
various ministers to foreign countries are
as follows, as given in the United States
Blue book OF the Ministers to England,
France, Germany and Russia, 1880.
OF those to Austria, Brazil, China Italy,
Japan, Spain and Mexico, $4,000. Ofthe
ministers to Central America Chill and
Peru, $4,000.
OF the ministers to the Argentine Re
public, Belgium. Turkey, Sweden, Meth
erlands, Hayti, Columbia and Sandwich
Islands, $500. To Bolivia, Denmark,
Portugal and Switzerland, 5000.
The best consular places are Consuls
General at London, 5000, and Calcutta,
s.. 600.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10
PLAYING at War

A correspondent of the New York Tri-
hume, writing from Cartagena, Colombia,
describes, in an interesting way, the farci-
cal and shallow nature of South American
revolutions" in general, and the present
Colombian revolution in particular. ga
revolution in South America" he says,
sis not necessarily rebellion. There is
no intention nor desire to subvert the eX-
listing form of government. A revolution
is rather the popular method Of express
ing dissatisfaction with the regnant polit-
ical party" In intent it corresponds to
the North American "bolt" The
political objects to be obtained by the
two are similar but while, in the latter
case, the people attempt to carry out
their will by means of the ballot-box, in
the former case they resort to gunpow-
der and bullets. The way these popular
uprisings work in the South American
States, is about as follows: The people
demand certain political changes. Their
demand is disregarded by the party at the
head of the government. The impatient
Southern nature chafes at the delay, or
manifest neglect, and in an instant the
whole body of malcontents rushes to
arms. Threats of the most sanguinary
nature are made. There is great blare
of trumpets and marshalling of troops on
both sides. The object of the rebels is to
terrify the government into submission
to their demands. II this can be
accomplished without bloodshed, very
well; but if not, the hot-headed revolu-
tionists resort to force, and there may be
some severe fighting, which after all, de-
cides nothing, for the victorious party
seldom follows up its advantage. In Car
tagena for instance, for sometime after the
recent hostilites commenced, the Nation
al Colombian troops were quartered in
the convent of San Juan di Deos, while
the revolutionists barricaded themselves
in the college buildings. The two parties
maintained their mutual defensive policy
until finally some reinforcements arrived
from Panama, and the National troops
were emboldened to march round to the
college and capture it. The revolution
lists were scattered, and Manuel Nunel
Rapol, the revolutionary president of The
State of Bolivar, was deposed. Here was
a good opportunity to follow up the adj
vantage gained, and crush the rebellion
on the spot by apprehending Rapol ant
holding him responsible for his intrigues
Nothing of the sort was done, however
and so nerveless was the action of the Ma
tionalists with regard to their opponents
that many of the revolutionary recruits
deserted to the National ranks, and were
accepted with no further qualification
than change of uniform.
This state of affairs, of course, reduces
Ian. ii, II
ution to a sort of playing at war-"a vast
game of bluff" as the Tribune's CORES
pendent expresses it, 1t is simply series
of movements by two factions on the
political chess board, each party trying tC
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10

Gen. Sheridan said to an interviewer on
Wednesday II saw Gen. Grant for the
first time on the battlefield at Shiloh. AL
though we had belonged to the same reg
iment we had never met before. After
wards | was thrown in with him more or
less. When he became lieutenant-gen-
eral he placed me in charge of the cavalry
service of the Army of the Potomac. | ac-
companied him to Florida and to Mexico,
and will say that our acquaintance was
not only intimate but almost lovable, and
my opinion of him is that he was far
greater man than people thought him to
be. He was always able, no matter how
situated, to do more than was expected of
him. That has always been my opinion
of General Grant | have the greatest adj
miration for him both as man and as a
commander" Gen. Sheridan has often
said as much. The men who did not
know Grant were those who undervalued
him.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10
A Big Railroad Consolidation.

a few weeks ago the roads composing
the line from New Orleans to San Fran
cisco, including the Galveston, Harrisburg
a. San Antonio, Houston & Texas, Louisi-
ana e. Texas railroad company, and sew
eral sections of road, in the line, designat-
ed by various titles, were consolidated
1t now appears that the Southern Pacific
company, which is n new corporation of
general pc vers, created and organized
by Leland Stanford G.. p. Huntington,
Charles Croker and their associates, to
control and operate the railroad and 9th
er transportation properties in which they
are interestd, has acquired the control of
the consolidated roads, aggregating some
thing over $500 miles, and has also ac-
quired by lease the 1915 miles of the Cen
trail Pacific, making a total of over 300
miles. The lease is for 90 years. and its
terms the payment of all fixed charges,
rental taxes, etc, and n minimum guar
antee of 81 100000 upon the stock, which
is equal to six per cent upon the present
market value of $50 per share. The CAPT
tai of the Southern Pacific company is
800, 100000. and its officers are Leland
Stanford, president G.. =. Huntington
first and Charles Croker second vice
presidents. In speaking of the new man
agement, Mr.. G.. 2. Huntington stated
that it was one he and his associates had
been working for years to accomplish
and he thought it would be of advantage
to all parties interested, as well as the
public That it may be of advantage to
the owners is plain but it is not so plain
where the advantage to the public comes
in. The suffering public profits more
from the competition than from the con
solidation of great competing through
lipnc
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10

/ am told that Senator Shermans re-
fusal to serve on the finance committee of
the Senate was because he thought the
precedent in the case of Secretary and
Senator Fessenden ought to be followed
in his own. Mr.. Fessenden was chairman
of the finance committee of the Senate
when he was called to the Cabinet. On
his return to the Senate after Cabinet SER
vice, he was restored to the craftsmanship.
Cor. N. Y. Tribune.
1t is question whether the case of Mr..
Fessenden can be properly quoted as a
precedent in Mr.. Sherman's behalf AS
those familiar with the facts will remem-
Der, Senator Sherman held the chairman
ship of the finance committee only three
months, while Mr. Fessenden was in the
Cabinet; and it was well known that the
latter was to return to the Senate. 1t was
pretty distinctly understood, we think,
that Mr.. Sherman's occupation of the
craftsmanship of the finance committee
was temporary affair; and on Mr. Fes-
senden's return to the Senate his old place
was restored to him as matter of course.
| But Senator Sherman was out of the Sen
ate four years; and nobody understood
that he held, or expected him to assert, a
presumption right to the head of the fl
nance committee, which he had once held
several months, as against man who had
held it as many years.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10

Senator John Sherman of Ohio, criti-
cises severely Secretary Manning's new
method of stating the national debt He
says it 'tends to confuse the ignorant,
while it gives no additional information to
financiers capable of Analysing it," Con
corning the change which includes the
Pacific railway bonds in the debt he re-
marks:
Heretofore they have been stated sepa-
rately and properly so, fas the debt is COW
cred by a mortgage on the Pacific railroad,
and payments are being constantly made
by the railroad company to the govern
ment, which payments are accounted for
as part of the current revenue The new
form of debt statement presents the ano-
maly of a debt producing revenue to the
debtor. The gold form was simple, the
debt fully stated at the end of the debt
statement, and the nature of the liability
known to every intelligent person. do
not think that judicious change in the
statement in this respect has been made
III | become security for neighbor and he
gives me ample indemnity would hardly
include my guarantee as liability unless
/ should also state that / was protected
from loss by ample security.