davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-02-11
FIRE. INSURANCE /!

Nothing can equal the sense OF
security felt by those who procure
proper insurance On property lia-
BILE TO loss or damage by fire. DO
not ecOnOmiZe by taking the risk
of inSuring yourself. The best
companies may be had through
this agency.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-02-11
ON "OLD MAN'S LEDGE.
Steamer Cambridge of the Bangor
and Boston Line Wrecked.
The Steamer Broken in TWO and viii
Be Total Loss.
Safe Arrival of Passengers and Crew
at RockIand.
Graphic Story of the Disaster Told
by Those on Board.

RocKLAND, Feb 1O.-The steamer Cam
bridge, of the Bangor and Boston line, Capt.
Otis Ingraham, went ashore on "Old Mans"
ledge, off Georges Island, at 4.45 o clock this
morning. She Immediately heeled to star
board and commenced to fill. The best of
order was preserved, and in short time all
the passengers were transferred to boats,
and landed on Georges Island. The cutter
Dallas and several small vessels are at the
scene of the disaster, and the steamer Rock
land Pioneer is on the way thither The
boat, undoubtedly, is total loss The best
OF order prevailed and no lives were lost.
Captain Ingraham personally. and in sue
cessful manner, seconded by his officers,
made the transfer of the passengers without
accident to the boats. The ladies' went in
the first boat
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-07
rur RICHMOND DIsPATCH--sUNDAY FEBRUARY z. 1856

feet the acts of 1866, page 100,
and ls66-'67, page s04. for selling or
leasing the shores, and the law should
be extended so as to embrace the pub
lie bottoms suitable for planting oys-
tiers, il not even the oyster-rocks.
Thereby q large amount OF reve.
nue. may be realized, and the burden OF
taxation on the people reduced. Hereto
fore the planting grounds have been
held by sort of squatter sovereignty.
The tenure of the planters is uncertain
and liable at any time to be disturbed
at the pleasure ofthe Legislature. Their
business interests require that they be
sustained by that confidence which can
result only from the knowledge that
their tenure will not be disturbed. This
can be attained only by selling the
bottoms, or leasing them for long Pc
RODS; and this should be done in such
a manner as to produce the most reye'
nue., and by breaking up the present
squatter system, give all a fair chance
to get portion.
But there is much force in the view
presented by the resolutions adopted
by the Hampton Convention, and they
are supported by brief but striking
argument from the committee who pre-
scented them to the Legislature. There
are certainly many strong reasons to
sustain the proposition that the tidal
waters and soil under them are not
held by the State as her absolute
property, but in trust for the pre-
seryatiOn and protection of the public
rights of navigation and fishery. Ii is
a view of the subject which seems to
have been lost sight Of since the war
until within the last year, and is
worthy Of consideration. 1t accords
with the policy of the State until
within a comparatively recent period,
for never until since the late war did
the State assert any title to the bottom
of the tidal waters. The issue is a
sharp one, involving great interests,
and merits more careful thought thar
has been gwen to it, especially by thC
people Of TIDEwArER.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-07

A sells and conveys tract Of land TO
b. The taxes for 1876 still come outin
the name of A, and the land is sold as
delinquent. c becomes the purchaser
at the tax sale, pays his money and
gets his deed from the clerk. Ills claim
10 the land is utterly worthless as
against B, because all that Q acquired
was AS interest in this land on the lstd day
of January, 1879. As thatinterest was
naucht on that day c gets nothing:
See Gates & Clark Us. Lawson and
Others. so Grattan, p. IL. IL will be
seen. therefore, that all citizens whose
lands are returned delinquent should
first examine in whose name the land
was returned delinquent, and II this
person had no interest in tha land on
the first of the year for which the as
sessment was made, then the owner Is
in no danger.
Yours very respectfully,
r. Il. w. DUKE.
Charlottesville, January 20, 1886.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-07
The South side on Free Books.

McFARLAND'S, VA, req. /, lcoO'
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
While much has been said concerning
the proposition to provide the schools
with books at the expense of the State,
in view Of the vast Importance OF the
subject we feel impelled to add a word
indicating the Democratic sentiment oil
LuKenburg. To say that the suggestion
TO increase the rate Of taxation has ex-
cited decided opposition and widespread
alarm is no exaggeratiOn. Tobacco is the
staple product Of the South Side. The
low price of that commodity, together
with a series of short crops, has resulted
in financial embarrassment scarcely
paralleled in our history. The collect
ing officers, invested with unlimited
powers of distraining and selling, find
it impossible to collect the revenues
within the time prescribed by law. Is
not this fact sufficient commentary
upon the proposition to augment our
burdens to the enormous amount OF
100000 or 100000? But 1t is
argued that after the first year the eX-
pense will be small. We think not.
Free books would be freely abused, par
ticularly by the blacks. Hence, practi-
cally, they must be renewed annually.
Assuming, however, that the proposed
law involves but slight or no increase
Of taxes, is it wise? Will it benefit the
schools? 1t seems to us that these ques-
tons must be answered negatively. 10
extend the scholastic year and to in
crease their general efficiency, as advo-
Gated by the Dispatch, would be much
wiser and more beneficial to the cause
Of education in the judgment OF the
most enthusiastic friends of the school
system.
AS to the pledge in the Democratic
platform, have yet to meet the hrs
Democrat who had even heard of Il
prior to the introduction of Senator
Williams's bill, or who does not hold
that it should be ignored, since it is 81
manifestly at variance with the best in
terests Of the schools, the State, anC
the party. There is another pledge
however, of which the people hav,
heard, and strict observance of which
they expect and demand. 1t is tina
their grievous burdens shall not b.
further increased, and that the publ
expenditures shall be reduced to tn
lowest possible amount consistent wit
the efficient administration of govern
ment and the general welfare.
CIVIS.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-07

70 derange the business Of the country.
Gold is valuable as . basis Of credit
and an important factor in large com.
mercial and financial transactions. Bat
Il cannot take the place Of silver. IL
never has been and never can be the
currency Of the people. Each has It's
snpropriate functions to perform, but
thew move in different orbits. Let
Congress take care that there be no col
lision between them.
In the present disturbed condition OF
the relations between labor and capt.
tal-between workingmen and the
money power--any attempt to DIS
credit or degrade the currency oil the
people may tend to arouse feelings and
precipitate controversies which all good
men would deplore. D
We regret that the venerable and
distinguished statesman who wrote the
foregoing did not authorize us to attach
his name to it. lie is known through
out the United States. The point ne
makes that the Federal Constitution
names gold and silver coins, not gold
or silver coins, as the only real money
is worth considering. IS" was once
a Federal Cabinet officer.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-07
COLUMBIAN GROVE. Va, !
February .. 1856.

To the Editor of the Dispatch:
| think what Josh Billings say about
OVERRIDING things is applicable to our
Legislature. lie says: When you
strike lie stop boring. Many a man has
bored clean thru and let the lie run out
at the other side." Our Legislature has
passed a great many bills, &C., that are
practically useless, and in the mean
time have neglected more important
matters.
Our people here are very much OPP
posed TO the States furnishing free
books to the children OF the Common
wealth. 1t is not only unconstitutional,
but is besides an imposition on the
white people Of this State. Should
books be supplied free both to the
colored and white children, necessarily,
the money for the purchase Of the
books will be drawn from the property
holders at large. Nearly all the landed
estates and a greater portion of all
other property is owned in this State
by the whites. Then, is it just that the
white people should supply books to
colored children FELIX.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-07
DeIinauent Lands.
the Edltor Of The Dlspatch

To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
From the many communications in
your journal in regard to the sale OF
lands delinquent for non-payment OF
taxes it is apparent that there is wide.
spread fear that many Of our citizens
will suffer loss. In the hope Of re-
lieving the fears Of many persons /
venture TO present for their consideration
the legal effect Of such sales. 1t is
well settled that one who purchases
pays for and receives a deed from the
clerk for land sold for taxes, acquires
no greater or other interest in the land
than the party in whose name the land
is assessed had at the commencement
Of the year for which the taxes are as
sessed. That is, if land is purchased,
paid for, and conveyed to the purchaser,
and after the year in which the pur-
chase is made the tax-tickets continue
to be issued in the name Of the vendor,
and this land is afterwards sold for the
non-payment Of such taxes by the ven-
dor, q purchaser at the tax sale acquires
no title which can be enforced as against
the first purchaser, and this is so, not
merely where the deed to the first pur-
chaser Is recorded and the Commissioner
Of the Revenue fails to make the trans
fer; but even where the deed is not re-
corded. Toillustrats: fnthe year 1875
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-07
9 rgm1o Dnnaos dona Eerentes.
N, Editor offbs DisDdfch:

To the Editor ofthe Dispatch:
The enemies most 10 be dreaded by
the friends Of temperance in and out
Of the Legislature are the Greeks.
They will try to kill the bill with over
kindness-amendments in the nature
Of political hobbies.
The enriching Of few should not De
the end and object of legislation. Gov
eminent was instituted to secure the
happiness Of the governed. Whatever
legislation tends to promote virtue and
intelligence in the people is desirable.
Whatever legislation fosters habits oil
vice and immortality is subversive OF the
very end and object of government
Ours is a representative government
and the majority rules and are respon-
sible for the legislation of the country.
If the Legislature licenses vice and
crime directly or indirectly, the major
ity of the people are responsible for it,
and the whole people must suffer the
consequences. 1ntemperance IS the
fountain Of vice, poverty, ignorance,
disease, and crime. Its evil effects de-
scend from generation to generation.
Every community should have the right
to protect itself from the temptations
of this parent Of vices.
Malone was detested by all good
people because his ways aud methods
tended to vice and corruption in poll
tics and morals. Had he possessed a
sense of high moral rectitude, and run
his party in the interest of virtue and
morality, he would have been invinSi-
bic. But he was wrong, radically
wrong, and the people so decided ; and
they will so decide in every case where
the Government is sought to be used
in the interests Of vice and immortality
and all that tends to corrupt and demo-
ralize the people. So thinks
UFRIEND TO HIS COUNTRY
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-07
The Oyster Question.
To the Editor of the Dispatch :

~ INC EuNOF " tHc D'oP"sI"
The committee appointed by the con-
ventioa of oystermen held in Hampton
have made their report to the Legisla.
ture. The right and title to the oyster
rocks and planting-grounds are thereby
squarely presented for consideration,
and they are now probably the most
important questions in Virginia. The
question must be met, and the politi-
clans will find that it will not down at
their bidding.
This public property is of immense
value not only to the portion Of the
State in which it is located, but to the
whole State. II it belongs absolutely
to the Commonwealth, it should at
once be converted TO the purposes OF
revenue. and in doing so turned TO the
best account, There should at once be
suitable legislation for carrying into eff
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-07

power is commensurate with that OF
the highest judges Of the land. Is this
not dangerous power with which to
invest a little "bit" Of partisan
crossroads politician, who is as totally
disqualified for the exercise Of such
duties as he is to perform the most diff
ficult surgical operation?
would most respectfully beg that
the members Of the Committees for
Courts of Justice consider this subject
and recommend the passage of the bill
now before the Senate, il it repeals this
law, as | suppose it does. The senator
from this district, Captain c. II. Con-
way, is the Commonwealth's attorney
for Nansemond county, and perhaps
can testify to the iniquity Of this Law.
Mr.. Se0rell, member Of the House
from Southampton, is an accomplished
and an able young lawyer, with whom
| have talked on this subject, and J
know he can enlighten his fellow-mem-
bers who are not lawyers, and who
never thought Of this subject. For
many other reasons and arguments
against the policy Of this law ! would
respectfully refer the reader to the la
mented Judge Moncure's opinion in
Chahoon's case in Goth Grattan, and
cases therein cited.
do not attempt a full discussion Of
this apparently small matter, but in
reality matter Of great importance to
the old State we love so much. | will
add that have served as attorney for
the Commonwealth in my county tor
abouttwo ycarsnow, and in thatittle ex-
perience I have seen demonstrated the
error Of this law. and in defending
felons in other counties ! have seen
with equal force the danger and folly Of
this section. FAIR TRIAL.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-07
the crime committed can be traced to

the crime committed can be traced 10
alcohol.
Another Friend Of His Country in this
mornings Dispatch seems to appre-
bend no danger Of split in the Demo-
cratic party II they fail to give us TINS
Jaw, but tell you there is great dam
ger. have heard great many OK,
press themselves on the subject, anu
the prevailing idea is that unless TINS
very fair plan Of submitting to the peo-
pie the question Of whiskey or no
whiskey is granted, there will be sphI
in the party, and no one deprecates
such a thing more than ] do, for have
always voted the Democratic ticket,
even when defeat seemed to be sure. |
v would say to our lawmakers, let US
have the law, and when we have tested
il at the polls, even if we are defeated,
We will be satisfied. G. W. ENos.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-07
ALaw go be Changed.
To the Editor Of the Dispatch

To the Editor OF the DlSpatcH
Sir,-Please allow me little space
in your valuable paper to put in word
in behalf of an amendment to section
Is of chapter l6 of the Criminal Code
now before the Legislature. That sec
ton as it now stands, and as construed
by our Court of Appeals, requires that
any person indicted by a grand-jury,
not having been previously arrested,
shall be carried before some justice
of the peace OF the county or corpora
ton" whose duty, it seems, IS to
say whether the party shall be tried by
Jury of his peers in open court or not.
| will cite case that came under my
own observation A cut b badly in
several parts Of the body. A was
unanimously indicted by a regular grand
Jury consisting Of nineteen men, each OF
whom was a highly-respected citizen.
Under this statute \ was carried before
a Justice of the peace, who said that the
cutting was committed, that it was not
done in self-defence, but that 1t did not
amount to a - felony" as the grand
jury had said, but that the cutting was
simply ar assault and battery. Ac-
cordingly this justice $50 called imposed
fine of ten dollars and discharged a
felOn upon the payment of that amount.
could cite other cases which have
come under my observation more out
rageous, but this will suffice. The
reader will see at glance that any
contemplate demagogue in any district
Of county who can secure enough
votes to be elected justice Of the peace
not only has the absolute veto power
over each and every grand jury assem-
bled in his county so far as felonies
committed in his own district are con-
cerned, but he is invested with ths
high power Of grading crime, which
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-07
RICHMOND, VA, Jan. 80, 1856.
To the Editor Of the Dispatch

To the Editor Of the Dispatch
think the proposition to give the
people the right to say that there shall
or Shall not be sold in the several dis
tricts, counties, and towns Of Virginia
whiskey fair one, and that every good
citizen ought to DO willing 70 abide by
whatever the result may be whenever
the election is had. But, sir, from
what ] can gather on the subject those
who are engaged in selling the stuff
that is the cause Of nearly all Of the
trouble that we have to contend with,
II not entirely so, are afraid TO give the
people chance TO vote on the question
as 10 whether or not We shall have, in
my opinion, continuance Of the great
curse Of all curses among US.
The other day member Of the Legis-
lature saw tit to say that those who
favored local option were the Old Sis
and Sam. Joneses. Would that our
country was filed with such men as
they are on this question. would ask
how many temperance men can be found
In the jails and penitentiaries Of the
country serving out term Of imprison-
ment for violating the laws Of his coan.
try Point out the temperance man
who at any time was not in his seat in
the halls Of legislation snd other high
places of the Government on account Of
his brain being so muddled that he could
not attend to the business that the PEG.
pie who sent him there required at his
hands by this very same accursed thing
Yop hear great deal about the reye-
nue. derived from whisksy, but these
very same people fail TO tell you the
savings to the country when we shall
have done away with Intoxicating IL
quors and the people oil know them
GsIvss and are lsw-abiding, for ] think
statistics will show that very near ell
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-07
siberian hog

Where armies whole nav, sunk.
Now. a bill is pending before the lie
cislature to enable those willing and
able to 10 so to make a street from the
corporation line to the Home. Give rs
your valuable aid in getting 1t through.
We hope the people Of the city, coun-
~. and everybody else may be satisfied
with the bill but. for humanity's sake.
let the bill be passed by Our worthy
legislators. Good as the road often IS
in mild and fair weather, II IS even then
marred by excessive dust. In winter
it is for the most part eXecrabie and al
most impossible. There are now be-
tween Sky and seventy Confederate
soldiers here. whose military history D.,
"vouched by the record. ~ some are
minus a leg or an arm, some para.yted,
some with impaired sight, some stone
blind, some crippled with rheumatism
some shot through the body and occa-
sionally afflicted with pangs Of neural
cia. some with asthma, some with heaI,-
disease. and some with other intirmltlc,
TO which flesh Is heir. These, though
generally enjoying all the necessary free
dom their unfortunate condition admits
of. are now almost Imprisoned by the
roads. They cannot visit their friends
in Richmond, nor can their irlen'> '!sit
them. In mild weather the roads IN
the afternoon are throngel by the bAsl-
ness-men of Richmond in carriages,
buggies. &C.. with their worthy wives
and fair daughters. Gallant young men
escort fair friends on horseback or IN
vehicles by the Home, the lake, and the
reservoir. and back to their homes.
All these please the veterans
by their courteous and sympa-
thetic salutations. \ committee
from the Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation visits us on Sunday afternoons.
Baptists. Methodists, Catholics, Pres
byterians, Episcopalians, and all Chris
tian denominations are represented IN
the membership Of the inmates, ana
we hope an arrangement will be made
by which the estlmable clergy OF the
city will alternate in their mlnlstra-
;ions. so as not to trouble any one OF
them more than once. in six weeks.
who will give Us the benefit Of their
spiritualinstruct and an able and elo-
quent sermon every sunday afternoon.
Now all these are, or, it is hoped Will
be. interested in and convenience D.!
the coveted improved road or street
An amusing statement IS given III II,
Wings life Of Washington by a Joufnal
correspondent Of "ye olden ume'
writing from Boston during hard WIN,
ter of the revolution: Every .h'ns
said he " freezes here except Ola Put
General Putnum) who Is constantly
bawlipg for powder We gods, SEND u
powder -" And Richard H., whe'
his star went down at Bosworth
shouted, My kingdom for horse;
We will not indulgs in this, or the lik'
" high falutin cry Of distress, bu
content ourselves with the simple on
earnest invocation Grant us the greatly
needed boon and you will have man.
very sincere and grateful thanks for
street or an improved route.
INNATE.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-07
The Soldiers Rome and Grove Road.
LEE-CAMP SOLDIERS lIoNE,' }
January 30, 1856.


January 30, 1856.
To the Editor Of the DispatcR:
The inmates of the "Soldiers'
Home" C"Lee Camp are grateful
for every kindness and courtesy eN-
tended to them from all quarters.
First. Their gratitude is due and
humbly given to the infinitely great
and good DispOser Of events.
Secondly. To the fairer and better
portion Of creation-the lovely ladies'
who contributed 50 much to the success
Of the enterprise, and then to benevolent
persons in and out Of the State, who
ave their assistance in the most sub
,tantial and moving Of ways; to the
ilicient and sympathetic Board OF
Visitors and other officials Of the
Home, and the " comrades Of Camp
Lee " generally; and last, though not
least, to the press of the country, e'-
pecially the spirited and patriotic
journals Of our beautiful metropolis,
noble Richmond, to which talented
brotherhood you belong. Regarding
YOU and the rest as our friends, we ask
your assistance in an emergency which
is now upon us. You know as well as ]
do where the " Soldiers Home is-on
the level and beautiful Grove road, one
mile from the corporation line. just
before getting to the Home, from Rich
momd, this fine road in good weather
turns at right angles TO the LETT. and
goes by the picturesque lake owned by
The city to the New reservoir. On
fine spring or summer day the scene is
enchanting. but we gods what is
Il now? The snow Is falling IA, ana
covering up the treacherous mud-ho.es.
"as thick as autumn leaves on the
brook Of ValambrOSa " but this Dy no
means relieves the wayfarer from beng
stuck so fast that it will take a be block
and tackle" to prize him out. II tn
writer Of this had the means ne would
60 forthwith to Richmond, though It IS
| doubtful if it wouldn't take more than
day to get there, hire iirst-cla,S
winter carriage, with two fine, gentle
horses, and soliciting admission to your
sanctum, use all proper means or in.
duce or seduce you by well-timed socia,
courtesics and appeals to your kind
feelings to dotf your slippers and stu
dents gown and don your oyercoa,
and furs, and then, drawing ON your
" jack-boots " and oyerShoes, To 20 on
reconnaissance in force or " IN
spection " Of the route. Whether you
could accomplish the intended beneyo-
lent feat is more than doubtful, for at
almost every step your escort would
have to be shouting to the good people
living along the line, Help, help for
PHYS sake prize us ont, or We sink into
! that