davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26
MATTERS.

The report of the Senate committee
on the Penitentiary is attracting some
attention, and will perhaps cause more
carr to be exercised in the enforcement
of contracts between the State and
private individuals in the future.
We have been waiting to see the
statement of the Lessees, but have not
yet received one, and are limited in
drawing our conclusions almost
entirely to the report. From it we
Judge the contract was loosely drawn,
for the Lessees claim they
have a right to a credit for all i'm
provements made and the committee
disputes it. But the committee reports
a deficiency of some thirteen thousand
dollars, allowing that the lessess have
a right to credit for improvements
and repairs. Here again the contract
seems to be lacking, for the committee
takes the figures of a Meridian archi-
tect, while the Lessees have
settled by those of the jack
son architects. There seems to lie
in the contract no positive stipulation
how the value Of the improvements
and repairs are to be estimated. That
the Lessees have wilfully robbed the
State, we do not believe, and it is open
to doubt that they have gone farther
in securing high estimates for their
work, than many others would have
done.
Governor Lowry accepted the set.
Element on the figures of the Jackson
experts, and it is hard to see how he
could have done otherwise, unless he
thought the measurement was fraudu-
lent. To charge him with a corrupt
motive in the connection is simply
slanderous, and the charge will fall
harmless, like many others made by
his enemies in the past.
If it turns out that the measurement
was fraudulent, the plain and effectual
remedy is to sue the bondsmen of the
%lessees.
In discussing the system of punish
ing convicts, a measure Of twaddle is
persistently INDUCED in by some of
our citizens. The present system is
not a perfect n by any means, and if
there are any perfect systems
in the world, we have never
heard of them. We have read
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26
LET TT ALONE.

We have received some more Big
Black correspondence, but we respect
fully decline to publish it. We happen
to know as much about that stream
as nearly anyone of our correspond
ents and we know that nature never
made it a navigable stream to the
extent, that would justify either a
national or a State appropriation.
II it was cleaned out, and
one of our correspondents informs
us that the C%onfederates filled it with
distractions to prevent Federal gun
boats ascending it, there would be
short periods of uncertain navigation;
but there would be no steamboat trade
in it to support a steamer of the small
eat class. Planters have an idea, that
If a steamer gets a trip or two
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

Of cotton and one or two
up freights, there is a good
living for a steamboat. They
are wofully mistaken, andif the Gov,
eminent should do all for Big Black
asked by those willing to let it throw
away money anywhere, the steamboat
men would find it a good river to let
alone. q
And to injure or destroy the fine
bridges over it, to get to waste money
on it, is a blunder so serious that those
willing to do any just and reasonable
thing for us, would call us to account
for it.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26
10 2 PLANTERs.

~ [S[+ ~
We commend the following facts,
clipped from the St. Louis GIobe-DemO
Graf of a recent date, to those who
wish to raise another large crop Of cot
ton to sell at a loss;
1.-THE mail from the cotton planta-
tions in the South, received during the
mast two weeks, has been Of the most
discouraging character possible. When
asked about it yesterday by a Globe
Democrat reporter, Mr.. Miles Sells
said that his letters were simply terri
BILE. and he could almost imagine the
writer's of some of them had tears in
their eyes as they wrote. One old Gus
toner wrote that be could not meet
his obligations, but that he would pay
ND his balances by installments, and in
the meantime asking credit for some
more supplies. Another wanted to
borrow money to buy a special lot OF
100 bales of cotton to hold on the
future instead of raising a crop. An
other had given an order for the sup
plies, etc., necessary for a new crop,
and had then as usual drawn on his
New Orleans house through which
he had been selling his crop for
years, for money to pay the bills. The
draft was sent back protested. The
planters cotton had not been sold, and
was not expected to bring enough to
square accounts. The planter was n
of the most solid in the South. MI.
Sells said that all Of the factors were
refusing to make advances on the new
crop, and he apprehended an acre sc
twenty-five per cent less than that of
last year.
"The St. Louis factors have taken the
same position. Mr.. Jerome Hill said
yesterday that on the present basis 1t
would be folly to make advances, as
the money paid out could not be re.
turned, and a profit was out of the
question. The distress under such
circumstances will be very great, some
of the planters already writing thai
they can not hold their colored hands,
We do not wish our citizens
to take too gloomy a view o.
the situation, but it is yer!
necessary, they should take a correc
one if they ever wish to be anything
but paupers. While the picture W
present above is a little overdraWn, W
must acknowledge there is too mucI
truth in it. AS a general thin
the last crop of cotton was produce
at a positive loss. This being indi'
: putable the land owners of the Soutt
must quit raising it, or SO modify tn
y raising of it, so as to produce what
. produced at some profit. Each land OWL
: er can decide this question for himsel
! and the sooner he does it, the sooue
he will become independent and ceas
to annoy merchants for credit or fax
+ tors for advances on crops not eve
planted.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

Gen. Hancock's Slips of Memory.
New York Tribune.
AL intimate friend of Gen. Hancock
in speaking of the dead Generals per-
sonal peculiarities yesterday said
I'm most things the General was the
soul of exactness, but in money mat
tiers he was l~aughably thoughtless. He
would frequently come over to the city
without a cent in his pockets. On dis
covering his moneyless. condition alook
of helpless surprise would come over
his face, and winkiDg his eyes in that
peculiar manner usual with him whea
he was puzzled, he would say: well, I
declare! l haven't got a cent. Will
you lend me some money! Of course
the pocketbook of every one was open
to the General, but he would only &C
cept a quarter or at most a half a dol
lar and go off up town as happy as a
school boy. He always gave the loose
change in his pocket to beggars or Or
gan-grinders and was lucky if he saved
enough to get himself down town
again. One day he climbed up the stairs
of the Twenty-third Street Elevated
Station and began to tumble in his
pockets for money. Five cents was
all he could find and after winking at
the nickel for a moment he returned to
the street and took the Broadway
horse car for Bowling Green.
I'm regard to letters and papers,
however, the General was wonderfully
exact. He always kept every letter he
received and had them answered and
carefully filed away. His daily mail
was enormous and a begging letter
from an unknown person was as
promptly answered and as carefully
preserved as as n flom a Cabinet
Minister. He was most punctilious
about returning salutes. Nc one, no
matter who he was, ever saluted the
General without getting a salute in re.
turn. On pleasant days he was fond
of walking about Governors Island
and personally inspecting the work
going on there. If in his walk he met
a party of strangers who saluted him
he would respond by co~urteously lift.
ing his hat and would frequently add
Glad to see you on the island"
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26
An Insulting Negro Receives One
Hundred Lashes.

INDEPENDENCE, Mo-, Feb. 24.-Geo-
Smith, a colored porter at the Chicago
s. Alton railway depot, this city, re-
Gently sent a note containing eplthets
and endearing phrases to the thirteen
year old daughter of NJ. G. Williams,
a white citizen of this county. The
note contained nothing indecent, but
nevertheless it so enraged the father
of the girl that he vowed to punish
Smith. Last night he and a number
of s%ympathizers took the negro to a
barn near by, strung him up.to a beam
and administered one hundred lashes
with a cowhide. Upon being released
Smith left for parts unknown
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

JUDGE WATSON would doubtless
regret it very much, if the State should
become involved in any more railroad
LITIGATION. With cotton down to thirty
dollars a bale, and Confederate pensions
ditto, it is trying on an old mar to
defend a whole State for Eve thousand
dollars against the soulless corpora
tions.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

If what we hear is true, Vicksburg
will soon have better hotel facilities.
An architect informs us that he is
making a plan for a new hotel to be
built where the Pacific House stands.
The Pacific House is to be torn entire
" down, and the new Pacific built
during the Summer. The new build
ing will have about a hundred rooms
and all the modern improvements.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

Of the systems in England, France
Russia, other European countries and
in some of the Northern States, and
zone of them are perfect. Some of
them may be better than ours, but we
doubt that any of them are self-sus-
tanning as ours is.
The system here is to make a con-
tract with citizens for a stipulated
sum to be paid the State. Of course
the Lessees will look to their inter
est as sharply as they can, and
the contract should therefore be very
explicit. The present one is deficient
and the dispute over the settlement is
perhaps chargeable to that fact.
Although the Lessees may be justly
indebted to the State, it is due to them
to say that the Penitentiary has been
self-sustaining for the first time
under their lease. 1t has not been an
expense to the State, and the tax
payers have too many burdens
to pay bills for the care
of convicts. In their trial and
keeping before conviction, they cost
immense sums, and after conviction
some system must prevail, which will
at leas; insure their being self-support-
ing.
We have no patience with those who
indulge in the bosh about their coming
in contact with honest labor, when
being worked on railroads and farms,
or with those who demand that
they be kept within the Peni.
Tertiary walls. Their competition
with honest labor while building rail
roads or working on cotton plantation
is not appreciable.
There are others who cry out abou.
the punishment. 1t is punishment tt
be a convict on a railroad or a planta
ton, and there is no doubt that somt
are inhumanly treated but until
is shown that the punishment i
less within the prison walls, or tina
those in charge of prisoners are les
liable to abuse them wrongfully with
in the walls, the argument will hav
little effect. 1t is not expected tina
convicts will have pleasant paths, bu
it is easier to guard against cruelty t
them, while they are kept out Of tn
walls.
One thing is certain,th State canno
go to an expense of perhaps $4,000
to keep a small army of murderert
thieves, burglars and crooks With
the walls.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

TIE Century is bringing out several
Southern writers whose names have
not been hitherto widely known. Mat
Grim is the author Of a Southern story
in the February number, and in the
March number will appear a story OF
Louisiana, entitled John Toner'S Ex-
pesiment," by Mrs. Margaretta Weth-
erell Herman, with a fulI-page illustra-
ton by Mr.. Kemble.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

THE Ways and Means Committee of
the Legislature seem to be equal to
the situation. They know what is
needed to put the finances Of the State
ia a healthy condition, and have the
courage to do their duty. They will
extend the privilege list. That, with
the recent decision Of the Supreme
Court, will increase the reven-
ues very considerably. 1t is also
probable State taxation will be
increased one half mill. This is so
much better than the people expected,
bearing in mind our increased ex-
penses for the Asylums and Colleges,
there will be more praise than com
plant.
If the Legislature will now abolish
the expensive and injurious Railroad
Commission, and substitute a good law
which will secure every citizen in his
rights against all corporations in the
courts, the great mass Of the people
viii heartily approve the good work.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

A FELLOW was indicted at the last
term OF the Circuit Court Of Tippah
county for stealing. He gave bond
for his appearance, and last week was
again arrested, this time for stealing
the indictment in the first case from
the Circuit Clerks Office.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

MANY of the Northern Republican
papers fail to do justice to the late
Governor Seymour in their comments
on his life and character. But no one
need be surprised at that.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

THE recent strike Of the brakemen
on the Canton & New Orleans divis-
ion Of the Illinois Central railroad,
was caused, they claim, from the fact
that the men were over worked. The
system of doubling back" kept them
constantly on the trains, and was not
only an intolerable servitude but was
exhaustive to their strength and in
furious to their health. 1t would be
well for railroad managers to remem-
Der that the hazard of life and proper.
ty /, increased when train hands are
rendered inefficient by overwork.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

THE people want the Railroad Com
mission abolished, they want the insur-
ance laws repealed or radically modi-
fed and they do not want a Constitu-
tional convention.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26
Cheap and Inferior Porous PIas-
t0rS

will inevitably disappoint you, and are not
worth even the few cents asked for them.
Among the numerous porous plastels offered
for sale Benson's Oapcine Plasters alone merit
implicit confidence. They have won their great
popularity with the people, and gained the vol
untSry endorsement Of the medical procession
only. When purchasing be on your guard
against worthless limitations under misleading
names, such as 'Capsicln" "Capsicum'' "Oapl-
Gin" 'Capsicine." ETC., as certain huckstering
place Of genuine, 1t is better to deal with none
but reputable and honorable druggists. Ask for
Benson's, and see that 1t bears the Three
Seals" trade mark and has the word Capclne cut
In the centre.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

WE nominate "Competition" for the
position of Railroad Commissioner. He
wants neither salary nor clerk, and will
pay, not only his own expenses, but
will add largely to the revenue of the
State.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

A MAN in Louisiana was arrested
and jailed for breaking up a noisy
piano. Had he killed the piano-player,
it is more than probable the Governor
would have pardoned him.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

The Chicago Times refers to the
position taken by the Republican Sen
ators, in regard to demanding papers
about removals, as Senatorial hum
bug"
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

THE mass Of the people of this
State are in favor of progress, and If
our Judges and lawmakers would hold
on to their positions and retain the
favor of the public they must keep up
with the procession and take no hand
in side-shows.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

ALL Of them who tackle THE Com
MRRCIAL HERALD feel like the bull
after his attempt to butt the locomo-
tive off the track. Chalmers is chas-
tened. and has no more devilment in
him now than a mule that has been
rented for a couple of years to a freed
man.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

THE insurance tax never ceases and
it does not sympathize with the price
of cotton. 1t very much resembles an
arbitrary tax levied by an arbitrary
power.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

SOME few days ago the Clarion had
a very sweet, innocent, entirely free
from insult sort of a letter from
James R. Chalmers. The gentleman
who wanted all the opposing elements
to combine on Mr.. Put Darden against
Governor Lowry last Fall, aired Ibis
views" on the silver question. The
people a r so little about "his views
on any question, that we advise the
Clarion if it gets any more from hin
to send them to the Vicksburg Post.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

THE first full blooded Holstein calf
born in this State was dropped in Mon
roe county last week. His owner calls
him Hon John Allen" All we have
to say for his calfship is, if he is as
good a fellow as his illustrious name
sake he is a bully fellow.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26
The Interstate Agricultural Con-
VentlOn.

JACKSON, Tenn, Feb. 24.-The
Inter State Agricultural & Indus
tial Convention convened here
today. Thirty delegates were
present, representing various in
terests. The following States
were represented: Illinois, Iowa, Indi-
ana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ken
lucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louis
lana, Nebraska, New York,
Georgia, Arkansas, Missouri and Texas.
Hon. A. J. McWhirter, of Tennessee,
made the address Of welcome. Hon.
NJ. D. Frott, of Wisconsin, was chosen
permanent president. Anaddft twas
made by J. D. Fields, of Mississippi.
j. p. Steel, of Iowa, read a paper
on grasses. Clinton Brabbitt, of Wis
consin, followed on the same subject.
A. P. Fornsley, also followed, showing
the necessity of grasses in all parts of
the country.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

WHEN it comes TO broad fields, and
inexhaustible pasturage twelve months
out Of the dozen, Mississippi, as a
stock raising State takes the horns.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

The Utica Comet thinks Hon. Jno.
C. McMartin will be elected to ill the
vacancy caused by the death Of Sena-
torVertner.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

DESPITE the adage, Don't be a
clam" Sun Set Cox, writing from
Constantinople. says: "He is as happy
as a clam"
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

IT is the style with some newspapers
to value our silver dollar by a foreign
STANDARD. That is, they say the silver
dollar is only worth eighty cents
because the metal in the dollar is only
worth that much in London. That il
the cry of the gold bugs and mono
metalists, and it will never be approved
by the great masses of the peo-
pie. The silver dollar has just as
much of the precious mental in it as it
ever had, and the United States should
not 90 to London for a standard OF
value.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26
If Your Lungs are DESTROYED

If Your Lungs r Destroyed
do not expect that DR.. Pierce's Golden
Medical Discovery" will make new
ones for you. 1t can do much, but
not impoSsibilities. If, however, you
have not reached the last stages of
consumption, there is hope for you.
But do not delay, lest you cross the
fatal line where help is impossible.
The Discovery has arrested the aggra-
waiting cough of thousands of con
sumptives, cured their nightsweats
and hectic fevers, and restored them
to health and happiness. C
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

So STRONG is the ant. Chinese craze
in California that some say "washing
and ironing ought to be taught in the
plblic schools"
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

You can't eat enough in a week to
last a year. neither can you advertise
on that plan.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26
]8aaId

TIE insurance companies seem to
Be = sting easy
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

For a cattle raising State, with all
the advantages of climate and endless
pasturage. Mississippi takes the horns
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

1t is a good rule to accept only such
medicines as have, after long years Of
trial, proved worthy of confidence.
This is a case where other peoples ex-
p%erience may be Of great service, and
it has been the experience Of thou
sands that Ayers Cherry Pectoral is
the best cough medicine ever used =
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

TEEEYsoN says: The Gre Of Heaven
is not the Gre Of hell" Who said it
was?
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

Iris said that Mr.. Blaine is about to
take a rest. Let him do so, the coun-
try needs it more than he does.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

Do NOT our Railroad Commissioners
need ] little supervising themselves?
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

THE Mobile Register says:
Edmunds and Sherman are not 60
ing to make any capital for their party
by the course they are pursuing.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

"~HACKMETACK" a lasting and
fragrant perfume. Price Is and so
cents. For sale by Hardaway & Gas
sell. Z
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26
THE RAILROAD SUPERVISION
EXPERIMENT,

'SJ SAASS ANNp
ton. "If such wholesale robbery was
ever perpetrated on an impoverished
people?"
Yet there are people who are in
favor of perpetuating this incubus,
this corroding tester on our body
polite. Ar incubus that threatens to
stifie all progress, to close the doors of
our State against the introduction of
capital and intelligent labor.
The evils of the measure to the peo-
pie Of this State are just begun. The
law was enacted two years ago. 1t
has cost the State upwards of $25, 900,
first and last, to sustain the iniquity
and not a dollars compensation there.
for has been returned to the State.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

Flashing in their pearly sheen,
From the glorious caroline,
See those teeth untarnished
White alike the back and front
Yes, by the fragrant SOZODONT,
Many beauty's mouth be garnished
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

In a recent interview the president of
one of the largest cotton manufacturing
companies in Augusta, Ga, states that
on account of the long depression in
business his factory has been run at
considerable loss, but that at last a
period of prosperity had dawned and
goods are now made at a fair profit.
He further said that not only was it
not true that it was difficult to find a
market, but on the other hand orders
were refused last week for over 1000
bales, and they were sold ahead for
their full capacity.
We are informed that the Wesson
mills in u own State are not only
putting in full time, but have orders
sixty days ahead of supply on hand.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

IT is quite probable that Mr.. Conk-
ling will re-enter politics again before
the next Presidential election. There
is a fascination about politics, which it
is hard for n who has welded power
among men to resist, and Mr.. Conk-
ling's record is good. He stands like
a giant oak that has withstood all
the storms of corruption from
which his party has suffered.
At the present time he is the leading
figure in the investigation of official
rottenness now going on in the city of
New York. He is an Incompatible
orator, and his ability is unquestioned,
He has a great hold upon the masses
who admire his integrity and he may
be triumphantly elected to the United
States Senate, in time to
exert great influence upon This
party, if not to actually lead it, as
a reform candidate in 1888. Stranger
things have happened in American
politics.