The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-01-06
Review of 1885.

UneTe IL uedTll VI occurrences Vi IlOIc
than common moment, and some of
them were of exceptional importance.
Some great questions have been settled,
others await solution, and others still
have just begun to claim attention.
Our space will admit only of a brief
and imperfect abstract of the long
record of events. For the American
people the year did not prove altogether
propitious. In the midst of good har-
vests, they have seen business de-
pressed, and much adversely where
they hoped to find prosperity. But in
the rate of progress in the arts of peace
and the general contributions towards
the moral and material welfare of the
race the past year was, doubtless,
fully up to the average. That the pres
ent year may be even more conducive
to human happiness and progress than
its predecessor, will be the earnest hope
of all.
In the United States there were
some marked political events for what
is termed an "off year" On March
4th the democratic party resumed control
of the national administration, at the
close of twenty-four years of republican
rule. Few of the state elections were
of especial importance. The republi-
81 "a, tatn
majority of the legislature in Ohio,
after spirited contest, and a consti-
tutional amendment was adopted chang
ing the time of holding the state cleo
ton from October to November In
New York the democrats elected their
state ticket, but failed to gain the leg
islature. In Virginia, where the prin-
cipal issue was free ballot and fair
count, the democrats won by large
majority. The most interesting sena-
torial contests of the year were in Hi
nois and New York, where General Lo-
gan and Mr.. Evarts were chosen-the
former on the one hundred eighteenth
ballot. The victory of the prohibition
lists in the Atlanta (Ga.) election was
an event of no little significance. There
was little important legislative action
at the closing session of the last con-
gress. The principal measures were
the prohibition of the importation of
foreign contract labor; reduction in
rates of postage, and the forfeiture of
certain railway grants. The new ma
tional administration has attempted
many things in the name of retrench-
ment and reform, but so far has not
been very successful in any. The
President has made at least show of
adhering to his civil service reform
promises, and has thereby created
much discomfort in his own party; but
his removal of efficient public officials,
under the plea of offensive partisan
ship, is now generally regarded as a
transparent device to reward demo-
cratic party workers. The year opened
with considerable depression in nearly
all departments of business. The crops
were bountiful, and the general situa-
ton has been gradually improving.
While the anticipations of a business
revival entertained a few months ago
were not realized, the outlook at the
close of the year was more promising
than year ago.
Among the noteworthy events in the
United States was the death of General
Grant, and his burial, with imposing
military ceremonies; the sudden deaths
of ex-Vice-president Colfax, Vice-presi-
dent Hendricks, General Mcclellan
and William H. Vanderbilt; the dedi-
cation of the Washington monument;
the attempted assassination of O'Dono-
van Rosa; the reception of the Bar
tholdi Statue of Liberty in New York;
the conviction of several Mormon lead
ers under the anti-polygamy law, and
the unprovoked massacre of Chinese
miners in Wyoming Territory.
The year was notable one for Great
Britain. After the failure of the Sou
dan expedition and the death of Gen
eral Gordon, and the dispute with
Russia over the Afghanistan boundary
question, the Gladstone ministry was
defeated in the House of Commons by
a vote of two hundred sixty-four to two
hundred siXty-two, and Immediately re-
signed. A new ministry was formed
by the Marquis of Salisbury. Under his
administration the trouble with Russia
was settled, and an expedition against
Burmah resulted successfully. The
English elections were most exciting,
and the result was a liberal plurality of
seventy votes over the tories, but the
balance of power, some eighty votes,
was held by the Parnellites. Though
the Irish faction were allied with the
tories in the elections, the proposed CO.
alition between them has been broken
up by Mr.. Gladstone's scheme of home
rule for Ireland. France has had a
costly experience in Tonquin; but has
obtained protectorate over Madagas-