davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-16
The Local-Option Bill.


We presume that the local-option bill
as it appeared in the Dispatch of yester-
day was most of it copied from the law
Of some other State. Errors and omis-
sions are apt to occur in bill thus pre-
pared. But whether the bill originated
in Virginia or elsewhere, it ought to
have no ambiguity in it; and so we
subject it to a little friendly criti-
cism.
According to both WORCESTER and
WEBSTER petition" is an active
transitive verb-must have an objective
case following it. In this bill it is used
as an intransitive verb. But that
fact is not important. 1t is i'm
portant, though, to state what it is
that the people are to petition the judge
for. Also, what "fact" is to be GER
tilted to the sheriff. According to the
bill, it must be the receipt of the petit
ton. Also, who is sergeant of his
county," 1t is Ga the duty of the Off
Ger last aforesaid and we have both
q sergeant and sheriff in Richmond
to give notice Of "said election"
What election? The judge is to order
the special election, but it seems to be
left to the sergeant or sheriff to fix the
day for it. "Also to publish same"
Same what? The notice of election,
or the notice to the election officers
And how if there is no "local newspa-
pers ~? "For three weeks" In the
Dispatch it would be published eigh-
teen times. In the country three times
only. Perhaps the words "once
week for three successive weeks"
ought to be used.
The fifth section reads Z" said coun-
ty" where "any county" seems to be
meant. ANY county or corporation
wherein the said election" &c.
The sixth section seems to have been
intended to read as follows:
6. If any incorporated town having
under five thousand inhabitants shall
desire to take advantage of the provi-
sions of this act, and petition of one
tenth of the qualified voters of said
corporation shall be presented to the
Judge of the county court, in term-time
or vacation, having jurisdiction over
the said corporation, the said judge
shall order special election in con-
formity with this act.
As it reads in the paper, it is a man.
datory provision requiring the petition
to be presented.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-16
An Affecting Appeal.

The following letter was not intended
for publication; but it states so well
the case Of the persons who resigned in
1851 their Offices under the United
States Government and cast their for
tunes with their friends in their own
States. that we cannot but give it to
our readers. As We furnish no clue to
the writer's name, nor even to his place
Of residence, we trust he will excuse
us for publishing his letter;
TO the Editor Of the Dispatch:
write to ask ysur good Offices in
matter which concerns myself aud
others, and which thus far seems to
have passed unnoticed by any one ex-
cert the sufferers themselves. When
the State Of Virginia, by the voice Of
her convention. withdrew from the
Union she called upon ell yirginians
in the army and navy Of the United
States to leave the employment OF that
Government and to enter her service.
She assured them ct the same time that
abe would secure to them the same
rank, pay, &C., in her service that they
held and enjoyed in the old army. Some
Of those who promptly responded to
her call myself among the numbsr) not
! only gave up our rank, pay, &c.. in the
United States service, but also forsook
houses. lands, and other property on the
ether side Of the Potomac in order TO
do 50. By this filisi and unhesitatiug
obedience to the mandate Of our State
We lost our al, and most Of US have
been leit ever since to struggle against
adverse fortune, neglected by our
State, and debarred by political diss-
biiig" from even asking for any posi-
lion In that Government TO which we
ware formerly officially attached. Some
lev Of high rank and prominent posi-
fieas have received offers of honor.
trust. and profit from public and private
,earces; but these Of humber rank,
nd whose names ere not TO BE- found
bhxeasd high up on the roll Of fame,
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-16

the monitor whipped the Merrimac, and
the absurd claim that the crew Of the
monitor are entitled to "prize-money"
therefor.
The Secretary complies . full account
of the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. raid,
and establishes beyond all question the
authenticity of the Infamous "DAHL-
GREN papers,"
The frontispiece is fine likeness OF
General JOSIAH GoRaAs, the accom-
plished chief of ordnance Of the Con-
federacy, of whom there. is an interest
ing biographical sketch.
We served in General GoRGAs's de-
partment and very near him during
several years of the war between the
States, and know well his real merits.
His department was said to be the best
managed in the Confederate States.
The volume, printed by WILLIAM
ELLIS JONES, is beautifully gotten up,
and reflects the highest credit on all
concerned.
The Southern Historical Society is
doing,a work in indicating the truth of
our history which should command not
only the hearty sympathy but the
liberal support of our people. Surely
the subscription price (s3) is small
amount to pay for a volume Of SIC
pages of Confederate history, and we
hope that renewals and new subscrip-
tons will pour in upon the secretary,
DR.. j. WILLIAM JONES, and fill the
treasury to repletion.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-16
Personal.

A Paris curiosity-hunter has found
the set Of surgical instruments once
used by Rabelais.
Representive Cole, of Maryland, will
push in Congress a bill appropriating
$4,000 to build in Patterson Park,
Baltimore, monument to Francis
Scott Key, author Of 1.-The Star
Spangled Banner"
John Russell Lowell is at the head
Of Boston committee which is solicit
ing funds with which to erect a build
Ing for the American school Of CLASH
cal study at Athens. The Greek Gov
eminent will give the site, two acres OF
ground, worth $4,000.
The foundations of a vast hippo.
drome and a Roman road leading to the
Loire have been brought to light in
making some excavations near Nantes,
France. The remains Of numerous vii
las, with articles Of jewelry and pot
terry, had previously been discovered in
the same neighborhood.
The Salt Lake Tribune, which is the
moutbpiece Of loyalty and deceDcy in
Utah, criticises Mrs. Belva Lockwood
unsparingly for her recent defence and
praise of Mormonism, and thinks Z" her
tongue ought to have been blistered
when she declared that there was more
morality among the Mormons than
among any equal number of Gentiles
anywhere in the United States.'"
After twenty years of life in one of
the Bahama Islands George Upton, a
former Kentuckian, has returned to his
native State on visit. Although finan-
cially wreck when be left this country,
be secured control Of q small island,
which proved to be rich in phosphates,
from which he amassed great wealth.
He ruled automatically, and 20 women
or intoxicating liquors were permitted
upon the island. 1t is said that his visit
is to take back q Kentucky wife.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-16
Hard Words.

Mr.. MURAT HALsTEAD lets loose
the L" sings and arrows " of a vitu-
perative vocabulary whenever he talks
about the nine Democrats who were re-
turned to the Ohio House Of Delegates
last fall from Hamilton county. But
Mr.. HALsTEAD means nothing more
by firing volley of epithets at man
than another person would mean by
much gentler words. 1t is merely a
bad habit into which he has fallen, as
witness his letter Of February 9, 1868,
to Mr.. CHASE. In that letter he
said
"There never was more thoroughly
Disguised, disheartened, demoralized
army than this is, and all because it is
under such men as Grant and Sherman.
"IIow is it that Grant, who was be-
hind at Fort Henry, drunk at Donelson,
surprised and whipped at Shiloh, and
driven back from Oxford, Miss, is still
in command?
"Governor Chase, these things are
true. Our noble Army of the Missis-
sippi is being wasted by the foolish,
drunken, stupid Grant. He can't or
ganize or control or fight an army. |
have no personal feeling about it, but |
know he is an ass.
"There is not among the whole list
of retired major-generais man who is
not Grants superior. Mcclellan, FIRE.
mont. Mcdowell, Burnside, Franklin,
even Pope or Sumner, would be an i'm
proyement upon the present commander
of the Army Of the Mississippi"
OF LINCOLN he said:
"The Presidents weak, pulling, pid-
ding humanitarianism is death and
hell to the army. Can't you take him
by the throat and knock his head
against q wall until be is brought to
his senses on the war business! ] dc
not speak wantonly when | say there
are persons who would feel that it was
doing God service to kill him, if it were
not feared that Hamlin is bigger fool
than he is"
Among other summary measures,
Mr.. HALsTEAD recommended
5. Arrest and try Henry May and
Wendell Phillips for treason.
6. Suppress the New York Tribune
and the New York World.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-16
A Valuable and Interesting Book.

The United States Geological Survey,
J. W. POWELL director, has published
book entitled, Mineral Resources of
the United States, Calendar Years 1888
and 1884. ALBERT WILLIAMS, Jr,
Chief of Division Mining Statistics
and Technology" 1t comes from the
Government printing office; but there
are so few copies printed for gratuitous
circulation that it will be difficult to
obtain one unless you buy one, which
you can get for the mere cost of it to
the Government.
This volume tells you all you desire
to know about-let us say mica, or coal,
or petroleum, or natural gas, or iron, or
gold, or silver Also, lead, copper, zinc,
quicksilver, nickel, cobalt, manganese,
tin, anthony, building-stone, building
sand, lime, cement, clays, bularstones,
grindstones, precious stones, natural
fertilizers, salt, borax, mineral paints,
chalk, mineral waters, glass materials,
&C., &c.
Turn to mica, which is so common in
Virginia. but not found in paying guam
titles or form. 1t is found in Maine,
New Hampshire, Massachusetts,, Con-
necticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Maryland, Virginia, in which last State
mica mining has been carried on in
Amherst, Bedford, Hanover, and Anne
liza counties, although there is at present
slackening Of activity in this region.
There's an abundance Of mica in Viz
ginia, such as it is" At Amelia
Courthouse the mica was associated
with an extraordinary variety of rare
mlnerals--notably with beryl, column
bite, helvite, microlete, and monazete.
In North Carolina the mica industry
is important and flourishing." There
are workable deposits Of mica in South
Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. Also
in the Black Hills, Dakota.
The price Of mica is stated in one
place to be $3.50 per pound.
We give these items as specimens Of
the information to be obtained from Mr..
WILLIAMs's book.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-16

Observing that the Montgomery Mes
senger, published at Judge STAPLEs's
home, has copied our Washington cor
respondents letter concerning that gen.
tleman's recent speech in the United
States Supreme Court, wewish to state
that there is paragraph in that letter
liable to be misunderstood. The JUS
tees knew Judge Staples well as law
yer who had been member ofthe highest
judicial tribunal in Virginia, and, Of
course, treated him accordingly, never
addressing him except as " Judge STA
PIES" and never saying an unpleasant
word, and never making even an impa-
tient gesture. 1t is due to the justices,
as to Judge STAPLES, that we should
make this explanation.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-16
.SATURDAY....JANUARY l6, 1886
The Decision of Thursday.

=
This decision does rot attack the va
lidity Of the contract between the State
and her creditors so far as the Legisla-
ture had the power to contract. The
bonds issued in 1871, as well as the
McCULLoUGH bonds, are as good as
ever. So are the coupons Of those bonds.
The only difference is that coupons can
not now be lawfully received for that
portion of taxes levied for the support
Of the public schools. The law of Vir-
ginia already provides that they shall
not be received for that purpose, and
the law is constitutional. II it takes
three years for this case to get to the
Supreme Court Of the United States, 1t
is to be hoped that all questions con-
nected with our State debt will be set
tied before this case is finally decided.
The public schools would seem to be
safe for several years at least, for even
the Legislature, so this decision implies,
has no power to divert money collected
for the school.fund to any other object.
We rejoice that this far-reaching
decision has been made. 1t ought to
have the effect Of reducing the SELL
ing-price of coupons by one fifth, but
probably will not. Reduce that price
by one fifth, and the bondholders
might perhaps come to the conclusion
that due regard for their own inter-
ests required them to fund under the
RIDDLEBERGER bill.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-16
Eairfnx's Protest.

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Jan. Ii, 1886.
To the Editor of The Dispatch:
have read with the deepest interest
the various articles in your paper
touching the proposed sale of land re-
turned delinquent for the years 1866 to
1883, inclusive. No remedy proposed
seems to afford the relief due to the
several landowners, and in each Pc
culiar case, nor can any one frame bill,
in my humble opinion, that will do JUS
tice to all. Let me present few points
that must be met to relieve and appease
the aroused feelings of the landowners
in this county, and | write only of and
for my own county people wronged by
the notice of these sales.
On the Both day Of April, 1874, an
act was approved releasing all taxes on
land returned delinquent for taxes which
accrued prior to the 10th day Of April.
1865. Assessments legally begin on
the LIST day Of February, hence | con-
clude taxes accrued at that date. If
this be so, why offer and advertise land
for sale for the year 1865 released by
the bill above recited?
In December, 1873, general sale
was ordered and advertised and con-
tinued until a suspending act was
passed by the Legislature. Sales were
made through the first four or five let
ters of the alphabet. During the pend
ency Of the advertisement and sale
a number of tracts were redeemed to
the Treasurer, and yet all these lands
are again advertised. ] have his re-
ceipt before me redeeming a tract Of
40 acres. This is advertised. Can it be
possible he made no returns, and the
fault is his and not the Auditors that
these lands are again advertised for
sale? Many of his receipts are doubt
less lost.
Persons who have bought at judicial
sale have paid in full--the proceeds
have been fully disbursed. In num-
Der of cases their property is adver-
tised for sale. Such are innocent pur-
chasers, but are now confronted by 9
tsx-bill, more than doubled by interest
and fees, as lien on their land.
A number of tracts are returned de-
linquent by the failure of the collectors
10 credit their bills. Their receipts per-
haps lost, the tressurers unable to re-
fund or are unwilling to omit their
omissions, and the owners are ct their
mercy. They must repay or 60 into
tho courts for relief, Ut IN expense
greater than their tax-bills. These ana
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-16
HOW SHE BECAME AN HEIRESS
An Eloptment Twenty Years Ago-Miss
O'Connor's Surprise Letter.

An Eloptment Twenty Years Ago-Miss
O'Connor's Surprise Letter.
A Toledo telegram says A most re-
markable case of good fortune comes
to light to-day by which servant-girl
at one of the hotels here becomes heir
ess to one OF the largest estates in Eng
land. Nearly twenty years ago the
only daughter of General Rutledge
Greg, of the British army, elCped from
her home in Sunderland, England,
with Charles O'Connor. one Of her
fathers hostlers. He was hand
some young fellow, and Annie Greg
had as pretty face as could be found in
all England. Furious at his daughters
disgrace. the old General disinherited
her, and until few months ago would
have no communication with her, the
letters which she wrote home year
or two after her marriage being all re-
turned unopened. Young O'ConnOr
and his bride settled in the County
Sligo, Ireland, where he led preca-
rious existence. Six children were
born to them, one Of whom, Annie
O'Connor, now eighteen years old,
came to this country about year ago.
Her only relative here was paternal
uncle. She got work as chambermaid
at the New York House, one Of the
cheap hotels here. Last summer Gene
raj Greg's wife was taken i'll and be-
sought her husband to send for their
daughter. lie finally relented ard
wrote for her to come home and to
bring her husband and children with
her. They sailed on Glasgow steamer
last September, but the boat was over
taken by terrible storm and foundered,
many on board being lost, among the
number the entire 0'Connor family.
The old General subsequently learned
the address of the grandchild who had
come to Toledo, and he wrote to her
to come to him at once. The letter re-
ceived to-day gives the above particu-
lars, and was the first intimation Miss
0'Connor had Of her parents fate and
Of her own good fortune.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-16
High License.

The Christian Union gives the fol-
lowing figures as showing the result Of
the high license-tax Of Illinois. Tho
tax is $500 on each saloon. The fig
ures we gave last week seem not to
have been correct. We now quote the
Christian Union
"The general result is expressed by
the facts that in the State at large the
revenues of the State have been in
creased from 100000 to over s4,500,-
600, the number Of saloons has been
reduced from l3, 600 to less than 5000,
the best elements of both parties unite
in supporting and enforcing the law,
and disregard of it apparently finds lit
tie sanction from either the people or
their natural representatives--the
courts, the sheriffs, and the juries.
Moreover, in county after county. in
the small villages, the high license
has had the effect to close up all
liquor-shops. The report from Fayette
county may be regarded as a typical
one in this regard In several small
towns in this county the high-license
law has practically resulted in prohibit
ton, there being no one IN these places
willing to pay the required fee.' In
the reports before US we do not find a
single town or county which indicates
unfavorable results"
The problem will possibly be worked
out before many years shall have passed,
1t is not an easy one.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-16

If, for instance, the Republican party
should elect the President and Vice
President in 1888, and they should die
before their inauguration, under the
bill as it now stands Democratic Secre-
tary of State would succeed to the
presidency for full term, in direct op-
position to the expressed will Of the
people.--New York Tribune.
What baby talk" In hundred
years, neither the President nor Vice
President has died before inauguration
day. According to the doctrine of
probabilities, it will be several thou
sand years before both Of them will
do so.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-16
Free Ballot North and South

The Boston Globe says: "The eman-
cipation Of the black laborer Of the
South marks an epoch in American pro-
gress. The emancipation Of the white
laborer Of the North is now in order"
What a striking commentary this is
upon the cry of the Republican party
for Stree ballot and affair count" in
the South. Except when interfered
with by his white Republican masters
or bulldozed by those Of his own race
the average negro voter in the South is
freer to vote as he chooses than is the
average white laborer in the North.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-16
An EngIishnlnn's View.
To The Editor of the Dispatch :

4
Sir,-Is there not some serious de-
feet in our State laws regarding delin-
quent-land taxes? To say nothing
about Virginians and their purchases,
northerners and foreigners have come
here and bought farms, and some Of
them now find themselves called on to
pay delinquent taxes (Of ten, fifteen, or
twenty years standing) equal to a
fourth Tor more of the value Of the land.
1t seems poor encouragement for for
eigners to come and settle among us.
JUSTICE.
p. S.-I am an Englishman, " in Vir-
ginia fourteen years." and now am asked
for delinquent taxes Of long standing.
Why tell a tradesman he must collect
within two or three years or so, and
the State and county run on to such
monstrous lengths:
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-16

borders. A purchaser had no means o. ?.
knowing Of her lien, except BY sisis
to the Auditors Office in Richmond.
He had . right to presume that the state 's
had executed her laws, and II they were
executed no taxes could De que io'
more than five years.
But it seems TO us equally true ths'
lands in the hands Of parties from whom
the taxes are due ought to be held
liable for the tax. We can conceive
of no reason except the mere staleness
of the demand why they should be re-
leased. TO release them will be to
encourage taxpayers to become delin-
quent. =.
For the future stringent laws ought
to be passed that will compel the State 8
officials to sell delinquent lands at least
once in five years.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-16
SPECIAL NOTfCEs.
SCHOLARS.

We stu continue 20 sell CLoAK3 a.
greatly.reduced prices. Our whole stock
has been marked down, as we must sell
every Cloak that we now have on hand.
Don't think that II Is too late to buy. az We
will have three months more Of cold YEA.
Their. Come and look at our stock and you
will feel happy to think how much You
have saved by not purchasing your C.oazs
early In the season.
Jal3 LEVY & DAVIS.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-16

SOUTHERN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PAPERS, Volume XIlI.-January to
December, leS5-has been received,
and in variety, interest, and real his
toric value is perhaps the best of the
splendid series published by the So.
ciety.
There are invaluable papers and re-
ports on Seven Pines. Second Manas-
sas, Gettysburg, Chickamauga, Recon-
struction in South Carolina, &C., &c.
Rev. DR.. Z. l.. DABSEY pays his re-
spects to GEORGE W. CABLE and
literally skins him.
The report Of the Committee on Ma.
val Affairs Of the United States House
Of Representatives, written by Mr..
BALLENTINE, and presented May 81,
1884, Is an able and exhaustive discus
sion Of tho fight between the Merrimac
and the monitor, and refutes completely
the popular dslusion ct the North that
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-16

FOSTER oiled. January IL, 1885, At
O'Clock r. NJ. sftera painful illness, AMES
NJ, youngest child OF John and Virginia
Foster. in the second year OF his age.
Funeral from the residence. No. 220 south
First street THIS Saturday AFTERNOON
at O'Clock. Friends OF the family are In
vited 10 attend.
Washington and Norfolk papers please
copy.
HYNEMAS.--Dled,a at Philadelphia. jan
uaTy II, 1885, ISAAC HYNEMAN, In the
eighty. second year OF bis age.
Funeral from his late residence. 1913
Green street, Philadelphia. SUNDAY, jan
uary 18th, at 2 O'Clock y. NJ.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-16
say" c A X p 5.

Our assortment OF CARPETS IS large: our
prices very low for nrs,.ciass goods
RUGS, DRUGGETs. MATS.
WINDOW. SHADES. LACE CURTAINS.
CURTAIN and SHADE FIXTURES.
A large assortment OF GOODS Tor FJm..
ture. Covering sDd Lambrequius.
iai3 LEVY & DAVIS.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-16
en~ BIZ A X ETS.

BLANKETS are cheaper now than they
have been for many yean. We have yet
on hand 500 pairs that must BE- sold thI,
season.
CoMFoRTABLES In all qualities .or sal.
very cheap.
jai3 LEVY & DAVIS.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-16

The Philadelphia News says: SIN
the opinion Of many of the shrewdest
thinkers in this country Washington is
bound to become sooner or later the in
tellectual centre of the country" Yes.
We think the Democrats are in for some
tima