The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-09-22

the clergymen and other prominent per-
sons dwelling in the place where the
case is reported, and we have never in
a single instance failed to ascertain that
the report was entirely without founda-
tiop.-New York Observer.
WE are informed by citizen of the
town of Rochester that Mr.. Alpha
Messer ran for representative partly on
the ground of favoring the compulsory
adoption of the town system of
schools-a pet scheme of Ropes.
While we are not opposed to the town
system, but consider it preferable to the
district system, we question the wis
dom and propriety of making any
change in the present law in the ex-
listing state of public sentiment on the
question.
A GEORGIA editor has been to the
pains of investigating the effect that
the enforcement of the prohibitory law
has had upon the business interests of
Atlanta, Ga. Positive and irrefutable
facts have been gathered upon this sub
ect that will give rather abrupt set
back to those who have been contending
that the new order of things would be
the ruin of the city; for it appears that
instead of diminution there has been
marked increase in the volume of
trade of late, especially upon each of the
eight railroads centering in the place.
IN reply to the courteous inquiries of
" Subscriber" we have to say that
the course of the WATCHMAN in the
late campaign was dictated solely and alb
solutely by its editor; that the repeated
statements of Ropes with whom the
wish is fatherto the thought that the cir
cuation of the WATCHMAN is declining
are unqualifiedly false; that we still be-
lieve that the ma jority should rule in the
republican party, and we shall act in sub
stantial harmony with that principle
and that the WATCHMAN is nobody's
organ, but it will continue to be rela-
BILE and consistent republican journal.
THE WATCuMAN has simply to say
in regard to the mention of Judge
Stanton of Roxbury for the speaker
ship that neither the Judge nor any of
his particular friends have intimated to
us that he is candidate or desires the
position. From a careful survey of the
field, we conclude that Major Grout
will have stronger support, both from
the representatives and the press, than
any other prospective candidate, and
that his election is already assured.
We certainly have no objection to
Judge Stanton, either personally or po-
litically, but we do not regard his
chances for the speakership as hopeful.
AS we said in the beginning, we
have no certain information that he
wants, or is seeking, the place.
DIR. HALE, in the September num-
Der of Lend a Hand, expresses a truth
which applies equally to politics and
philanthropy: "The most gloomy
people and those most distrustful of
the future-the people who, as a whole,
think the world is going to the dogs
are the people who do nothing, in their
own person, to hinder such a catas-
trophe. Such a man is willing to go to
his club and read the exposure made
malversation in the board of correction
and he will stand with his back to the
fire and lecture for a half-hour on the
downfall of the republic. But he will
take no pains at the next election to
secure better school committee or a
purer board of correction. There is no
way in which that man can come to a
more healthy and cheerful view of So
ciety and its destiny than by going into
the battle himself"
THE issue of the Free Press for last
Friday contained virulent and abusive
attack on t-governor-elect
Fuller because of his designation of
Earle S. Kinsley of Burlington as re-
porter of the state senate for the com
ing session. The propriety and legal
ity of the appointment is questioned in
an editorial paragraph, which only dis
plays the dense Ignorance, malice and
personal enmity and disappointment of
the writer. The appointment is we'll
known to be entirely at the disposition
of the president of the senate without
question, and in the criticism referred
to the Free Press only demonstrates
its disregard for established precedents
and rules for an appointment to vent
its personal spite on fellow-ctizen
who is worthy of, and well qualified for
the duty assigned him. Mr.. Kinsley
served four years as page in the
United States senate by recommends
ton of Senator Edmunds, and with this
experience and his natural ability will
doubtless make a most satisfactory
official.
AMONG the earthquakes on record in
this country the following are the most
notable: In California, 1852, one of the
southern missions was destroyed; Oc
tober 10, 1870, a shock was felt from
Chicago to New York, Quebec and st.
John, n. B.; in 1871, the Lone Pine
and other settlements in Nevada were
destroyed; March 26, 1872, great dam
age was done in San Francisco; No.
vember Is, 1878, an earthquake affected
an area of 100000 square miles in the
Mississippi valley; there were shocks
more or less severe at Bath, Me-, Jan
uary 81, 1881; at Centerville, Cal, Jan
uary 26, 1882; at Lake City and Capito
City, Col, February IA, 1882; at st
Louis, Mo-, and Springfield and Cen
tralia, ILL.,, September 81, 1882; at Do
yer, Concord and other towns in New
Hampshire, December 10, 1882; a
| Sandy Hook and COneV Island Junt