davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1886-01-15
NATIONAL GUARD.


The National Guard has 2S4 commissioned
officers and 3, 3,253 enlisted men, total Of 8, ,537.
and 199 men. One new company of infantry
has been organized and mustered into the ser
vice, and none have been disbanded
The force consists of fifty-one companies
of infantry and two Gatling gun companies.
organized into seven regiments and two bat
talions. The State may be justly prond Of the
efficiency and discipline of its National Guard.
The entire division attended the funeral Of
General Grant in New York city, August s,
1885. The prompt assembling of the entire
command for the first time, the uniformity of
dress and the good conduct and discipline Of
the troops entitle the Guard to the universal
concentrations it received.
The First Brigade, under command of
Brigadier General Dudley S. Steele. went into
camp at Sea Girt August 10, 1885, and re-
manned there until August 22d. The encamp-
ment was creditable to the officers and men,
and was a deserved success. The men left the
camp greatly improved In rifle practice, camp
life and military knowledge and discipline.
The National Guard is entitled to the liberal
support of the State, and the Legislature
should encourage the men by adopting mea-
sures which will increase its efficiency.
| remained in camp with the soldiers during
the encampment to enable me more clearly to
Juuge OF lne wisdom OF permanent State
camp. | am satisfied by personal observation
that the State should have permanent camp.
All the great States surrounding us have pur-
chased camp grounds, and the soldiers of New
Jersey are entitled to the same recognition
from their State. | renew the recommenda-
tions on this subject made in my last annual
message.
The battle flags Of the brave New Jersey
veterans of the late war were for many years
kept in the third story Of the State House.
They were threatened with destruction during
the fire that destroyed part of the Capitol
buildings last March, but were saved through
the gallant exertions of the Adjutaut General,
assisted by employees of the State and citizens
of Trenton, several of whom had served in
New Jersey regiments under some of these
flags. The Adjutant General has since the
fire, by my direction, taken care of these
memorials of the valor Of our veterans The
State should make adequate provision for their
preservation.
The complete reports of the Adntant Gen
era1 and Quartermaster General, and those Of
the staff officers accompanying the same, will
give the details Of all matters affecting the
National Guard.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1886-01-15
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

The Agricultural College, under the control
Of the Trustees of Rutgers Scientific School,
receives annually from the State S., $780, This
sum is derived from fund established in 1868,
which now amounts to $4,000, and is in
vested in the war bonds of the State, which
are in the custody of the Sta g Treasurer.
The Board Of Visitors, in their report, speak
with approval of the course of study pursued
and the faithful manner in which the students
are instructed. They consider that the Trus-
tees Of Rutgers College are carrying out their
contract with the State with hberality bey-
ond what could be fairly expected Of them.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1886-01-15
PENSIONS.

The report Of the Adjutant General Of the
work of the department in reference to pen
sions, under Joint Resolution No 1, approved
March 10, 1880, will be found especially in
teresting. have done all that was possible
to aid the Adjutant General to secure prompt
and immediate attention to the demands Of
those entitled to pensions. Over seven hun
dred cases have been personally presented
during the last year to the Pension Bureau,
and all these have been acted upon and the
claimants advised thereof
The Adjutant General also calls attention to
the State pensioners of the War of 1872, under
the act Of April 5, 1878, and recommends an
amendment to the law extending its opera
ton.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1886-01-15

decision on March %, 1885, sixty-two patients
from Hunterdon county were transferred from
the Trenton Asylum to the Morristown
Asylum.
The managers report that the change in the
organization OF the institution under the
authority Of the act of April 2, 1885, (I4. 1885,
p. 215,) has resulted in better care for the
patients and in the more economical business
management of the asylum
The most serious question now affecting this
institution is that Of the disposal of sewage.
The plan of surface irrigation adopted in 1888
has proved failure. The managers have con
suited the State Board of Health and Professor
Charles Mcmillan, of the College Of New
jersey and by their advice have adopted
new plan Of sewage. This will involve the
expenditure of large sum of money, which
the State is asked TO appropriate. 1t is esti-
mated that $30,00 will be required to put in
operation this system Of sewage.
Before the Legislature approves this expen-
diture it would be wise to ascertain with GER
tainty that the proposed plan will be
successful. In addition to the amount re-
quired for carrying out the proposed sewage
system, appropriations of $12, 200 are asked for
other purposes.
The Commissioners appointed to select
site and build and avslum for the insane at
Morristown have in their hands balance Of
$2,77790, which is available to be applied to
these special improvements
| ask the Legislature, before making these
extra appropriations, to carefully inquire
whether or not these changes and improve
ments, If necessary, cannot and ought not to
be paid out Of the ordinary receipts of this in
stltuUion, which last year amounted to over
$224,0
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1886-01-15

The number of Sandy Hook pilots licensed
by the State is IS, and Of Perth Amboy pilots
3. The service comprises eight boats, the larg-
est being 71.S5 tons, and the smallest 44,2S
tons. One thousand six hundred and seventy
four steamers and vessels were piIoted inward
and ,297 outward during the year.
The Board again calls attention to the ne
cessity for some provision for the payment Of
the expenses which it is called upon to incur
in the enforcement of the act for the preserva-
ton OF the navigable waters Of the State 1T
reports that it is impossible to reach those en-
gagged in obstructing navigation except by the
employment Of tug boats, and that the Board
has no money at its disposal for this purpose.
They ask for an appropriation of $500 per
annnm therefor.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1886-01-15
ASYLUM AT TRENTON.

This institution had GAG patients under
treatment at the close of the year. The total
number of inmates since the opening of the
asylum, May 10th, 1S48, to November 1st,
1885, was 6,539. The cost Of maintenance for
the past fiscal year was $155, ,45450, and the
managers had in their hands at the close Of
the year a balance of $24 866.45.
The managers report that notwithstanding
the removal of sixty-two Hunterdon County
patients to the Morristown Asylum, they now
have LAG more than the institution can
properly accommodate
They urge the necessity of increased accom-
modations You are referred to their report
and accompanying documents for their views
upon this subject
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1886-01-15
BLIND AND FREBLE-MINDFD cH1LpREN

- A-.o hiNDrO Ch1LDhEN.
The blind and feeble-minded children of the
sta are supported and instructed in institu-
tons in other States. During the year there
were 76 feeble-minded and 80 blind children
so supported at an expense to the State for the
former Of $1S,966.26, and for the latter of
S10,176.S3.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1886-01-15
STATE LIBRARY.

The report of the State Librarian shows that
during the year there have been added to the
library by purchase and donation 1888 vol
umes, making the total number in the library
at the end of the year 80 9S4 Additions have
been made which give an increased capacity
for the library of 1850 volumes. The Lii
brarian states that the annual appropriation Of
81 80 is insufficient for the requirements Of
the library and recommends that it be in
creased to 81, 500. --rr
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1886-01-15

The act passed by the Legislature April 1s,
1881, Il. 1884, p. 2S0,) to provide for the en-
ployment Of the inmates of any prison, peni-
tentisry, jail or reformatory institution located
within this State authorized the managers Of
such institutions to employ convict labor
either under the ''piece-price" plan Or under
the public account system. The managers of
the State Prison adopted the A'picce-price
plan" which has gone info operation since
the expiration Of the contracts under the old
system in June, 1885 This 'piece-price''
system, in the Judgment Of the Keeper
Of the State Prison, would be fnan-
cially successful except for the reasons
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1886-01-15

At the close Of the fiscal year there were
826 inmates in this institution, an increase
over the previous year Of SO. The private
patients number 1853. From the opening of
the institution, August 18th, 1876, to Novem-
Der lst, 1885, there have been 1000 inmates.
The total cost Of maintenance during the
past fiscal year was S205, I'll SO, an increase of
$9,SS437 over the cost of the previous year.
At the close of the year the managers had a
balance in their hands Of SIC, ,S05.si.
The Trenton Asylum was very much over
crowded, and appealed to the Executive for
relief, and new apportionment under Section
/ Of the act Of April Is, 1876, Il. 1876. D.
142l. After hearing the committees from the
Boards of Managers Of the two State asylums
| directed that Hunterdon county be trans
ferred to the Morristown Asylum. Under this
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-08-12
Superiority OF American Cloth,

"Amcrican mills" says an expert in
the New York Sun, "havc to follow the
foreign in the matter Of styles or pat
terms, but the best expert in the country
is unable to tell whether a piece of cloth
is American or British from an examina-
ton of it. The best looms in the world
are made in Massachusetts,, and the best
wcavers are employed in the mills, where
the highest wages for the work are paid.
If there is any difference between the
best American product and the best for
eign, it is in favor of the American, and
all the manufacturers are coming to see
it. The foreign manufacturer is begin
ming to cut the quality of goods-in fact,
in order to meet our prices, and some of
the high-priced tailors are beginning to
get suspicious of imported goods.
The American manufacturer cannot yet
compete in price without the aid of a
tariff; but the time when he can do even
that may come, though 1 hope not, if
with it would have to come the low
wages paid to foreign operatives"
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-08-12
LouIslana's Richest Colorea Man.

The richest colored man in the United
States probably is Tonic Lafon, a quad
room of creole desccnt--that is to say of
French Louisianian blood. l suppose,
says writer in the Chicago Times, the
best and shortest definition of the word
creole would be "colony-born," and it
originally meant person of pure French
or Spanish blood, but born in one of the
colonies. Extended gradually by use, it
has come to mean any native of Louisi-
ana, and one even hears occasionally of
creole cattle and creole oranges. The
lowest estimate of T. Lafon's wealth is
$1,000, 900, and many rate him at double
that amount. He inherited moderate
fortune, speculatcd successfully in real
estate, and passed gradually to the con-
dition of money-lcnder and note broker.
Like most men of that class he can not
be said to bo popular, and the colored
people do not rely upon him as a
political leader. Indeed he is in
politics rather more conserva-
tive than an old-fashioned white plan
ter, and not at all desirous of seeing the
colored people rule the State. Add
that he is seventy three years old, and
anxious to increase his wealth, and it
will be apparent that he is not force in
politics.
Louis Mathe, French quadroon, is less
wealthy and far more popular. He is
probably worth 100000, lives in a
handsome cottage built residence on Ur-
sulne street, is most genial gentleman,
and enjoys life in the most modern Amer
lean style. He acquired nearly all his
wealth, inheriting but little; began by
keeping feed store, and grew gradually
into real estate broker. Socially, ht
stands very high, and on the street i:
rated as good as any gentleman in the
city of any color. He is of a rather
happy, hopeful nature, liberal to th'
churches, and quick to encourage any
rising young man of his race.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-08-12
A Lofty Lake.

Green lake hss been fifty called the
brightest gem in Colorado's diadem. 1t
is situated three miles from Georgetown
and is 10, 900 feet above the level of the
sea. The road to the lake at first winds
along the brow of Lcavcnworth Noun
tain, and in the fair sunlight the mines,
cabins, flowers, Clear creek, George
town and the many peaks of the sur
rounding mountains made a pleasing
picture as we rode along. After going
almost straight up the mountain for a
short distance Green lake burst upon
our sight, and amid rugged gorges,
huge boulders and lofty pines lay spread
before us a scene of exquisite lowell
ness. 1t is almost a mile long and just
half as wide, and the water from the
shore looks deeply tinged with dark
green; but get into a boat and glide
overit and you find the water clear and
transparent. The rocks on the bottom
are covered with messy deposit.
The marvel is, how did such a lake ge
here2 and another wonder is the green
ness from which the lake takes its name
The basin that holds it is green, the sand
is green, the moss on tho rocks is green,
and even the tiny drops that fall from tht
oar bear the same unexplainable tinge
but the water is clear, and in its won
drous depths can be seen buried forest,
with its trees still erect, but petrified
and, instead of swaying to the mountain
breeze, stand silent and cold, as in thu
embrace of death.
South of the lake is the "Battle -ficlC
of the gods" where huge boulders ar
thrown around in every conccivabl
shape, as though hurled there by som
powerful hand. A few rods away i
Clear lake, and its bright, cold waite
and white sand are in charming contrast
| -Detr0H Free Press.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-08-12
Electric Agriculture.

An interesting experiment, showing
the influence of electricity on the growth
of roots, has been made in Germany by
Professor Holdeflciss. Plates of copper
were thrust upright into the earth and
connected by wires with similarly placed
zinc plates about 100 feet distant-an
electric battery being thus formed, with
the earth between the copper and- zinc
in the circuit. Both potatoes and beets
planted between such plates gave an in
creased yield-beets Is per cent, pota-
toes 20 per cent.-as compared With
other parts Of the same field.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-08-12
Mndcrn PrOYerbS.

As the odor of the rose outlives its
beauty, even so with avirtuous couple do
the tender feelings of youth outlive the
decay of years.
When hunger pinchcs poverty braves
the storm.
1t is better to be innocent than to be
penitent.
Works of ark, however grand, sinks
into insignifcance when compared with
woman, that wonder of creation.
Mules and jackasscs are as apt to kick
at saints as they are to kick at sinners.
He who lays claim to true piety
ought to be vigilant, because the higher
the pinnacle the more fatal will be the
fall.
1t is better to live and die a mouse
among mice than fox in palace, =
Rts. W. s. DOrnty.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-08-12
Confederate Stationery.

Confederate stationery was thing no
less unique and characteristic than the
other products of the time. The writing
paper, of a dingy salmon color, rough
and furry, was ruled with heavy, glarins
blue lines, doubtless on the principle
that the plainncss of the landmarks
should be in proportion to the difficulty
of the way. But with this paper, such
as it was, at $40 quirc, and envelopes
in proportion, it was resorted to only
after every available bit of paper, every
page of old account books, whether al
ready written on one side or net, and
even the fy-leaves of printed volumes,
had been felrctcd out and exhausted.
Envelopes were made of scraps of wall
paper and from pictorial pages of old
books-white side out--stuck together
in some cases with the gum that exudes
from peach trees. Ink had almost as
many substitutes as coffee, and with
nearly as great a variety of results. Su-
mac berries, pokeberries, "oak balls" and
green persimmons set with rusty nails
were oftenest used in concocting the
fluids with which we blotted paper.
We found that black gum roots made
fair corks. One of the very few things,
if not the sole thing, that could be
achieved with dime was to post a let
ter. The ten-cent stamps, which were
small and blue, bore profile to all ap,
pearanccs compromise between those oil
the rival presidents. - Atlantic Monthly.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-08-12
In Case of Snffocation.

In cases of suffocation the first thing
to do is to remove the cause of suffoca-
ton. If man is found hanging by the
neck, cut the rope. If he is found
drowning, take him out of the water.
1t ought not to be necessary to say this,
but the truth is that the first impulse of
the majority of people when a man is
found hanging by the neck is TO call the
police and notify the coroner. Many
otherwise intelligent people believe that
they have no right to cut man down
who is found hanging by the neck.
They believe that the coroner must dc
this. Coroners cultivate this belief. II
brings good many bodies under their
car. which would otherwise be saved
alive. Troy Tina
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-08-12

The new king of Uganda, Central Af-
rica, has inaugurated reign of terror,
taking life and property according to his
whim. The missionaries have discovered
plots against their lives, and the king has
isolated them, commanding all natives
to keep away from their premises. The
native Christians, who have become a
large band, are in constant fear of death,
and yet there are inquircrs who are anx-
ious to be baptized and bear persecution.
Mr.. Mackay wrote that the mission
aries had been seriously considering how
they might escape from Uganda, but
could hardly sec any possibility of get.
ting away undiscovered.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-08-12
Tho Imp0rtatiOn of Weeds.

Americans inform us that about 220
species of weeds have been imported into
their country, mostly from the British
Islands. In 1887 there were said to be
only 1877. The common plantain is
known among the Indians as the eng
lishman's foot" as though following the
steps of the white settlers. The common
yellow toadfax was, it is said, intro
duccd by a Mr.. Ranstead as q garden
flower, and is now known as the Ran
stead weed. In 1888 it had overrun the
pastures in the Inhabited parts of Penn
sylvania, and was the cause of bitter
complaints. Chickwecd is said to have
been introduced as bird-seed, and the
Scotch thistle arrived in bcdtick filled
with thistle-down. Feathers being
cheap, the bed of down was replaced by
feathers, and the former thrown by the
waysidc. The seed soon found con-
genial home. There is troublesome
American watcr-wced, however (1na-
charts alsinastrWm), which has avenged
our transatlantic cousins threcfold, by
choking our ponds, rivers and canals.
Another little intruder from the Capo
(azolla pianata) may be troublesome. 1t
is charming little aquatic, and most in
tcresting under the microscope. Some
one had thrown handful! of it on pond
we wot of, where the common duck
weed (lemnd ilourishcd; but azolla
quickly monopolizcd the whole surface
and crowded out the duckwecd.-
| Chambers Journal
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-08-12

A missionary in Bombay in an inter-
csting letter describes the cosmopolitan
character of that city. He says: "Last
week Greenlander called, seeking work.
Two days after q man from Australia
wrote me asking favor. A few weeks
ago a West Indian came to attend to re-
pairs on my house. Last Sunday night
preached to congregation in which
sat, side by side, Russian from the
Baltic and an Armenian from the foot of
Mount Ararat. Among my parishioncrs
is an Abyssinian, Turks from the Darda-
nellcs, Greeks from the Adriatic, Seedee
boys from Zanzibar. Norwegians and
South Africans live, do business and die
in this human hive" New York city
can see Bombay and go her several better,
however. AS many nationalities as the
missionary enumerates may often be
found in Castle Garden all at the same
time
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-08-12
lmOu POachIng in Canada,

The unlawful act which the wardens
most carefully guard against is "drilt-
ing" One or two poachers will steal
out at night carrying peculiarly made
net in their canoes. They stretch this
across the head of pool, and it is SO
weighted and buoycd that it stands up
right, reaching nearly to the bottom. As
the current causes the net to drift down
stream, one canoe stays at each end to
keep it straight. There is usually a
white rope at the bottom of the net.
Seeing this, the salmon raise themselves
little only to be caught by the gills in
the meshcs. When the shaking of the
net shows that one is caught, the poacher
quickly paddles to the spot, raises the
net kills the fish with blow on its
head, and throws 1t into the bottom of
the canoe. In this sncaking way nearly
all the salmon in pool may be netted
out in a night If the wardens happen to
come along in their dug-outs, they try
to seize the net and identify the poach-
ers. Then there may be fight, and
perhaps a canoe will be sunk, and a
poacher or q warden will get cold bath.
| ST. Nicholas.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-08-12
DR.. Lennox Browne has issued work

DR.. Lennox Browne has issued work
giving the results of his Investigations
into the use of stimulants by singers, and
the effect of liquor-drinking upon the
human voice. Circulars were sent to all
the eminent vocalists of the world, as
well as singing masters, and the univer-
sal testimony was that stimulants, even
in small quantities, are injurious. OF the
$50 vocalists who were questioned re-
garding their drinking habits, almost
seventy per cent. adnitted that they
drank regularly or occasionally; but
seventy y-five per cent, on the other hand,
refuse to take any stimulant, either i'm
mediately before or during the use of the
voice, as in aid to its exercise. Spirits
are used by only eight per cent, while a
much larger number take the trouble to
especially condemn their use. The in
quiry revealed many curious practices
among singers to improve their voices.
Madame Jenny lind Goldschmidt has
great faith in the value of raisins, which
she deals out to her pupils during their
lesson hours. Quite a number of vocal
lists who are careful to refrain from eating
before singing, will eat heartily of rails
ins. Stress is laid upon the unwisdom
of trying to cultivate the voice of boys
and girls before the age of puberty. The
reason why many boys who have excel
lent voices when young fail to retain
their ability to sing is that a strain is put
upon the vocal organs while passing from
boyhood to manhood.