davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New Ulm weekly review., 1886-12-15
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
OPERATION OF THE LAW.

OPERATION OF THE LAW.
The continued operation Of the law relating
to our civil service has added to the most con-
vlncing proofs OF its necessity and usefulness.
1t is fact worthy of note that every public Off
Ger who has just idea of his duty to the people
testiies to the value OF this reform. Its
staunchest friends are found among those who
understand 1t best, and its warmest supporters
are those who are restrained and protected by
its requirements. The meaning of such restraint
and protection is not appreciated by those who
want places under the government regardless of
merit and efficiency, nor by those who insist
that the selection for such places should rest
upon proper credential showing active partisan
work: They mean to, the good people of the
country the better performance of the work Of
their government It is exceedingly strange
that the scope and nature of this reform are
SO little understood and that so many
things not included withip its R|an
the civil service law yields more fully to ex-
animation the system will have large additions
to the number of its friends. Our civil service
reform may be imperfect in some of its details,
it may be misunderstood and opposed, it may
not always be faithfully applied, its designs may
sometimes miscarry through mistake or i'll will,
or it may sometimes tre1nble under the assaults
Of it's enemies or anguish under the misguided
zeal of imNacticable friends. If the people OF
this country ever submit to the banishment OF
its underlying principle from the operation Of
their government they will abandon their surest
guarantee OF the safety and success of American
institutions. l invoke for this reform the
cheerful and ungrudging support of the congress.
renew my recommendation made last year
that the commissioners be made equal to other
officers of the government having like duties and
responsibilities, and hope that such reasonable
appropriations may be made as will enable them
to increase the usefulness OF the cause they have
charge Of
New Ulm weekly review., 1886-12-15
AGRICULTURE.


The department. of agriculture, representing
the oldest and largest of our national industries
is subscribing well the purposes Of its organiza-
tion by the Introduction Of new subjects of
farming enterprise and by opening new sources
OF agricultural wealth and the disseminance Of
early information concerning production and
prices It has contributed largely to the coun-
try's prospects, though this agency, advanced
through investigation touching the subjects it
has in charge, should among other things be
practically applied to the home production at
low cost of articles of food which are now i'm
ported from abroad. Such innovation will
necessarily, of course, in the beginning,
be within the domain of Intelligent
experiments. and the subject in every stage
should receive all POSSIBLE announcement from
the government The interests of millions of
our citizens engaged in agriculture are involved
in an enlargement and improvement of the re-
suits OF their labor; and Jealous regard for
their welfare should be willing tribute to those
whose productive returns are main source Of
our progress and power. The existence of pleuro-
pneumonia among the cattle of various stAtel
has led to burdensome and in some cases disas-
trous restrictions in an important branch Of our
commerce, threatening to affect the quantity
and quality of our food supply. This is mat
ter OF such Importance and of such far-reaching
consequences that hope it will engage the seri-
GUS attention of this congress, to the end that
such a remedy may be applied as the limits OF a
constitutional delegation of power to the general
government will permit. l commend to con-
gress the report of the commissioner and his
suggestions concerning the interest entrusted
to his care.
New Ulm weekly review., 1886-12-15
A Peep at a Roulette Table,

it is interesting to watch roulette
Say y-out" when dozen or more play
ers are sitting around it. The center OF
attraction, of course, is always the ..bfg
winner In this instance he was a
young fellow about 25. He was heavy
player, too. for, though he never had
less than 5000 in the different bets at
every turn, he smoked his cigar leisurefy
and lolled back in his chair unconcern-
cdly while the ball spun around. But
he never uttered word and, no matter
which way fortune went, his features
were wholly without expression. The
man who bet on combinations sat
next to him, garrulous about the in
fallibility of his scheme, but paying into
bank more than half the time. Then
there was the '.single number man.
who thought that his selection would
certainly turn up once out of thirtv-fve
times; and next to him was the red and
black tend, who was satisfied with even
money and never bets on anything else
The scientific player, who has figured
the ''percentage'' down to fine point.
and who sits around roulette wheel
as often as he does poker table, sat at
the head of the "lay-out." What poker
player has not met him, and what gam
bier has not blessed his lucky stars that
such steady victim was ever born?
he was at the roulette table last night
covering eight numbers at time on a
scheme he felt sure would win. He
was 81. 300 out of pocket when left
J PhitadelpsiG Press.
New Ulm weekly review., 1886-12-15
HOUSEHOLD HINTS,

A little petroleum added to the water
with which waxed OF polished floors
are washed improves Their looks.
In using cloves for pickles or pre-
serves the blossom end should be re-
moved, as this darkens the liquid with
which it is cooked.
Curtains have been introduced hav-
| ing alternate stripes of opaque and
translucent material, producing charm
ing effects and presenting the advan-
tages OF two sets OF curtains, the one
heavy and the other light
Carrots Mashed-Scrape, wash, Law
IN cold water for half an hour, then
cook tender in boiling water, drain
well mash with a wooden spoon work
IN good piece of butter, and season
with pepper and salt. Serve hot.
Chloride of lime is an infallible pre-
ventive for rats, as they flee from its
odor as from a pestilence 1t should
be thrown down their holes and spread
about wherever they are likely to come,
and should be renewed once a fort
night.
1t may not be generally known that
after clothes are starched in the usual
. manner. if they are passed through a
bath of chloride of zine, heated to
about sixty degrees, the starch will be
held through several successive wash
lngs and will suffer no change by being
exposed to the dew or rain.
Wall pockets, for holding a supply
of pocket handkerchiefs, to be reached
without the trouble of pulling open
drawer, are sensible invention.
They are made of plush OF leather
and have a flap that keeps the con-
tents of this pocket free from dust.
Any shape that may be fancied will
serve. and if the pocket is cut with
rather high backing a tiny pouch, for
holding the watch at night, may be
added.
A bottle of turpentine should be
kept in every house, for its uses are
numerous. A few drops sprinkled
where cockroaches congregate will
exterminate them at once; also ants,
red or black. Moths will flee from
the odor of it. Besides, it is and ex-
cellent application for q burn or cut.
1t will take ink stains out of white
muslin, when added to soap, and will
help to whten clothes if added to
them when boiling
New Ulm weekly review., 1886-12-15

! vague terms OF the existing law. The gem
] eral tenor and spirit OF the senate bill met
with the unanimous approval OF the house
committee. The amendments which have
been adopted, the majority think, better
AIRY out the spirit OF the senate bill.
| The house then went into committee OF
the whole on the bill creating department
OF agriculture and labor. The bill was sup
ported by Messrs. Weaver uowa), Hatch
and Anderson. and opposed by Messrs.
Breckenridge (Ark. J, Reagan, Gibson and
Tucker. Mr.. Hatch said, among other
things.
The thirty millions OF farmers did not
! Intend that the department OF agriculture
should be blotted out of the statute books
OF the United States. 1t would not be
yblotted out; and ii gentlemen on the dem
ocratic side had a proper appreciation OF
the president they would give him the OPP
portunity OF calling into his cabinet rep
resentative OF the great interest OF the
American people.
The house passed, with some amend
ments, the bill OF the senate providing for
some extension of the letter carrier system.
! Cox,who has long been known as the letter
carriers best friend, made speech for it.
The bill, by its provisions, covers 179 cities,
OF which 40 have the requisite population
and 'postoffice revenue; 1 1 the requisite pop
mainder the requisite revenue, but not the
population. The Northwestern cities and
! towns affected by the new law are as fol-
lows:
Minnesota-Mankato, Red Wing, Roch-
ester, Saltwater.
Wisconsin-Appleton, GAINESVILLE, Fond
du Lac.
town, Oskaloosa, Muscatine, Waterloo.
| Dakota-Fargo. Huron. Sioux Falls.
| SENATE-Not IN session.
laws OF the United States over certain un-
organized territory south OF Kansas,
known as the public land strip, and pro-
! viding that this lands hall be snbiect to en-
| try by actu al settlers under Omestead law.
/ The bill declaring forfeiture OF the Onton-
agon & Brule River railr Dad land grant
passed without division. 1t forfeits 1884,
| 600 acres. Before this action was taken
Mr.. Payson declared
| From the organization OF the Ontonagon
d Brule River company no steps had
been taken by it which did not indi.
cate that that organization had been
purely speculative, and effective for
| the purpose OF getting land from the gen.
eral government. 1t has been an attempt
at barefaced robbery from its conception
! down to the present tins. Miles OF the
| road had no other ballast than ice
and snow which, melting in the spring, left
the rails held in suspensi on eight inches
above the ground. He produced photo
! graph OF various sections OF the road and
| commented upon them, much to the
amusement OF the house. A bridge, as de-
pjcted by photographs, he declared to be
| bumped like camel and backed like
whale. A section mile in length showed
but one railroad tie, while a 250-foot cut
| was shown as being filled with logs Il nd
| brush.
New Ulm weekly review., 1886-12-15
DEPARTMENT OF JU4T.CE.
SOME NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.


The conduct of the department. of Justice for
the last fiscal year is fully detailed IN the re
port OF the attorney general, and I invite the
earnest attention OF the congress to the same
and due consideration of the recommendations
therein contained. In the report submitted bv
this officer to the last session Of the congress he
strongly recommended the erection of q peni-
Tertiary for the confinement of prisoners con-
victed and sentenced in the United States courts
and he repeats the recommendation in his reporh
for the last year. This is matter of verv great
importance and should at once receive congres-
sional action. United States prisoners are now
confined IN more than thirty different state
prisons and pen1tentlarieS situated in everv part
or the country. They are subjected to nearly as
many different modes OF treatment and dis.
clpllne, and are far too much removed from the
control and regulation OF the government, so far
as they are entitled to humane treatment and
opportunities for improvement and reformation
The government is responsible to them and So
clety That these things are forthcoming, but this
duty can scarcely be discharged without more
absolute control and discretion than is possible
under 1ae the present system; Many Of our good
the most beneficial results on the
question of prison reform. The general gov
ernment should be in a situation
furnish important aid in this movement and
should be able to illustrate what may be prac-
t1cally done In the practice of reform and to
present example in the treatment and i'm
tion. With prisoners under it's own control. the
government could deal with the somewhat
vexed question of convict labor. so far as its
convicts were concerned, according to a plan Of
Its own adoption, and with due regard to rights
and interests of our laboring citizens instead of
sometimes aiding in the operation of system
which causes among them irritation and dis
content. Upon the consid deratlon of this SUBJ
ject it might be thought wise to erect more than
one OF these institutions, located In such places
as would best suit. and subserve the purposes Of
convenience and economy in transportation.
The considerable cost of maintaining these con-
y1cts as at present in state institutions would
be saved by the adoption of the plan proposed
and by employing them in the manufacture Of
such articles as We're needed for use by the gov
ernment. quite large pecuniary benefit would
be realized in partial return for our outlay.
NEEDED CHANGE.
again urge change in the federal judicial
system to meet the wants of the people and OBJ
viate the delays necessarily attending the pre-
sentatton OF affairs in our courts. All are
agreed that something should be done, and
1such favor is shown by those well able to ne
wise to the plan suggested by the attorney gen
eral at the last session of the congress-. and
recommended in my last annual message This
recommendation is here renewed, together with
New Ulm weekly review., 1886-12-15
LABOR AND CAPITAL

POWER OF THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT.
The relations of labor and capital and Of labor
ing men to their employers are of the utmost
concern to every patriotic citizen When these
are strained and distofted unjustidable claims
New Ulm weekly review., 1886-12-15

AAuAoA SAAoA1CVcI duu uaVuEe are SuC0 lQlU ClleV
are not easily led while brooding over unad-
lusted wrongs. This is especially so regarding
their lands MatGers arising from the con-
sGructlon and operation Of railroads across some
OF occupancy set up by white persons to some of
the best land within other reservations, require
legislation for their final adjustment. The set
tlement OF these matters will remove many en-
tn. Indians to the adoption Of our institutions
and bringing them under the operation, the in
fuence and the protection of the universal laws
OF our country. {
TIE PUBLIC LANDS
The recommendations of the secretary of the
interior and the commissioner Of the general
land office looking to the better protection Of
public laIds and Of the public SURVEYS, the
preservation OF the national forests. the adjudi-
cation OF grants to states and corporations and
OF private land claim and the increased ef1i-
cheney OF the public land service, are commended
to the OF congress. To secure the widest
ties among settlers Of residence and cultivation
and thus make the greatest number of individ-
ual homes, was the primary object of the pub
lie land legislation in the early days Of the re-
public. This system was simple one. It COM
menced with an admirable scheme of public
land survey by which the humblest citizen
could identify the tract upon which he wished
to establish his home. The price of lands was
industrious and honest pioneer citizens of the
country. 1t was soon, however, found that the
OBJECT OF the laws was perverted under the sys-
tenn or cash sales from q distribution of land
among the people to an accumulation OF land
capital by wealthy and speculative persons.
10 check this tendency a preference right OF
purchase vas given to settlers on the land, a
plan which culminated in the general pre-emp-
t1on act OF 1841. The foundation of this system
was actual residence and cultivation, TWENTY
years Later the homestead law was devised to
more surely place actual homes In the posses
sion OF actual cultivators OF tho soil The land
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1886-12-18
A MASONIC RELIC.
Travelling Card Issued In Philadelphia
June g. IeS6.

4 Travelling Card Issued In Philadelphia
June 8. 1915.
John ID. Harris is the owner of an old
Masonic travelling card. which is about
foot long and eight inches wide, made
of sheepskin. 1t is written in Latin.
French and English and reads:
Il do hereby certify that Brother John
Perkins is regular registered Free Mason
of Lodge No. l. of the prov nee of Pennsyl-
vania, and mas. during his stay among them,
behaved himself as become AN honest and
worthy brother. as appears by the lodge GER
tifcate to me. given under my hand and the
seal of the Grand Lodge in Philadelphia. the
9TH day of June, in the year of our Lord,
l7.s, and the year of Masonry. 5T.6
JAMES SUTTON. Grand Secretary
Mr.. Harris says it was found between
the rafters in the garret of an old house
in Worcester County. Maryland. Within
about four feet of the relic was found
the skeleton of man. One of the per-
sons present when it was found was J.
w. Parker, of this city. The relic is
considered the oldest Masonic travelling
card in existence. Nobody by the name
of Perkins has lived in Worcester County
for years. 1t is supposed that the man
whose skeleton was found was evidently
traveller who had been fonlly dealt
with and his body secreted in the gar
ret. Masons at the present time have
no travelling card. but are proven bv
their works.-Rtiaielphia Times
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1886-12-18

trustworthy character of third; and
so on. Much as we may admire the
other kids of cynics, confess that
toward this one l feel a repugnance,
owing chiefly. l suppose. to some defect
in my organization that forbids me to
write about him with phlanthropical
calm. But these great and noble men
whose aim it is to show the world what
it really is, and not what it pretends or
hopes to be; to put down sentiment and
all the things which foster absurd
friendships, excessive admiration, IA
matte principle. devotion to cause 10y
atty and the like passions. which have
produced such great disasters to the
world. who have discovered the real
roots of love. and now hold them up to
the deriSion of mistaken humanity;
who tear his fanc;cd honor from man
and her imaginary modesty from
woman. what things shall be said in
Their praise. and what reward shall be
bestowed upon them from q grateful
people? Posterity will. perhaps. when
no illusion is left, and none of the Old
World reverence for age. dignity and
principles. award to the modern cynic
his fit need of glory. Brooklyn Eagtc
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1886-12-18
Other Peoples Letters.

The simplicity with which certain
people acknowledge their own sins OF
curiosity. and other forms of bad taste,
is sometimes very refreshing. 1t
suggests the only excuse possible for
them, that of the ignorance in which
their offenses were committed. Said a
farmer to a neighbor. whose mail he
had just brought from the adjoining
town: There's one more "a postal
card-but VOW. believe I've lost it!
No matter; know what was on it.
Your sister Mar.a's comm next Mon
day.
A gentleman in Rome one day asked
the postoiiice clerk if there were any
letters for him. There was one.
"How much for it?''
Zone scudo.n CA dollar.)
That's too much." said the gentle.
man. "I'll make it half a scudo.
Won't you make it seven paoii7'
(scyenty cents) asked the clerk.
NO. / won't"
"Well. then. you may have it at youi
own price. I've read it. and it's nothing
but q love e-letter.-Io Youths Companion.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1886-12-18
DRINKS FOR THE VOICE.
Aerated Waters. Tea, Coffee, Cocoa and
Milk Discussed.

Aerated Waters. Tea, Coffee. Cocoa and
Milk Discussed.
Tea. coffee and cocoa are three ad-
missible drinks. but none in excess.
For the voice cocoa is the most bene.
fetal. 1t should never be made too
strong. and those cocoas are the best
that have been deprived of their oil.
A cup of thin cocoa. just warm. is more
to be recommended between the exer-
tons of singing than any alcoholic bev-
erage. Tea must not be taken too
strong nor when it has drawn too long.
for tea then becomes acrid and has a
bad influence on the mucous membrane
that lines the throat. There is always
dry sensation after having taken q
cup of tea that has been allowed to
draw too long. A vocalist had better
do without sugar in tea and only take
milk with il, or, if an exhiiarating drink
is needed, mix some claret with the
tea. putting in slice of lemon and
some honey.
Coffee should never be taken too
strong and not too often. Two cups a
day is all that can be allowed; without
sugar is best. Very strong coffee heats
and makes the voice husky. In fact,
no drink should be taken too hot or too
strong; the voice wants an equable,
mild temperature that will keep up
constant moisture and tlexibility in the
vocal organs.
These are of all classes and are now
universally taken. but am sorry to saw
that the chemical ingredients of the
syrups used with them are often very
injurious to the voice. Soda water is
refreshing when pure, but when mixed
with all kinds of aromatic substances
actually dries the throat instead of
moistening it. Ginger ale, cider and
such manufactured drinks are only
serviceable to the vocalist when of the
very best manufacture, otherwise they
are heating and drying instead of cool
ing. So few fruit syrups are now made
of fruit that it is difficult to know where
to find them. and the artificial syrups
are really dangerous to the voice.
Water is to be recommended. when
pure, but not too much ice water. In
any case it must be filtered water. and
never too cold. A spoonful of pure
syrup or honey in glass of cold water
is better than aerated drinks. Water
in excess is also injurious to the voice.
Milk in excess IS also injurious. while a
glass of fresh milk in the morning is
most helpful to the voice: it not only
softens it. but nourishes and purifies
the blood.
The final resume is, do without all
alcoholic drinks; avoid too much
strength. heat or sugar in beverages
like tea and coffee: also artificial syrups;
use water and milk reasonably. and
never allow yourself to be very thirsty.
-MuSic and Drama
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1886-12-18
The Famous Chair Of Sedan.

We returned by the Donchery road.
and. walking along at random. found
ourselves in front of the house where
Napoleon III, and Bismarck held their
interview on the morning of September
2. This house, generally known as the
weaver's dwelling, though nobody
knows why. is the property of two
brothers named Fournaise, who are not
and never were weavers. 1t will be
for all future time historic spot;
hence. the weaver legend should be dis
sipated. The room in which these two
famous personages met is at present .
point of pilgrimage for tourists Of all
countries: and there is not an excur-
sionist who does not seat himself
proudly on the chair which the French
Emperor and German Chancellor used.
1t is almost needless to add that the
chair manufacturing industry is in full
prosperity in the vicinity. and that the
business is brisk in supplying 1.-The
identical chair on which Napoleon and
Bismarck sat" to foreigners. especially
as every English tourist insists on buy
ing the relic and carrying it away with
him. The thousands OF reproductions
of this chair will soon be as numerous
as Voltaire's walking stick or the
famous nail in the wall Of the Waterloo
tayern-keeper, on which Napoleon
hung his hat, and which the old auber-
giste presented to every English visitor.
Cor. Paris Figaro.