davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26
Durability of Wood Affected by Position q.

Durability of Wood Affected by Position .
The problem has puzzled many why two
pieces of wood, sawed from the same section.
of a tree, should possess very varied charac-
t~eristics when used in different POSITIONS.
For example, a gate post will be found to
decay much faster if the butt end of tho
tree is uppermost than would be the case il
the top was placed in this position. The
reason is that the moisture of the atmos
phere will permeate the pores Of the wood
much more rapidly the way the tree grew
than it would in the opposite direction.
Microscopical examination proves that the
pores invite the ascent of moisture, while
they repel its descent. Take The familiar
case of a wooden bucket. Many may have
noticed that some Of the slaves appear to be
entirely saturated, while others are appar-
entity quite dry. This arises from the same
cause; the dry slaves are in the position
in which the tree grew, while the saturated
ones are reversed Popular Science News.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

tie electrical current which passes down q
wire 10 the table Of he operator. The mes
age is received and the current Of cleo
trieity descends through tho wheels and
axIss OF the car to the ground, thence re-
turning to the station whence the message
was started completing the circuit There
are always telegraph wires along the line Of
railwavE The current with the message
leaps from these to the tin roofs and copper
wires upon the train, and vice versa An
electric condenser at the starting station en-
abIe1 the operator there toreceiVe and trans
init messages in the same way.
These are the main features Of this
wonderful discovery.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

@-@~"-T "
Azain We chronicie q new use for electric
lev. Whoever has bought buttona d
them generally attached % a card Perhaps
It nsver occurred 10 any Of our readers %
wonder how long Il took to fasten the but
tons upon the card, or whether It was done
b. machinery. It IS accomplished by ma
chfnsrv. but tho most complete mechanism
for doing Il Il aided BY electricity. !.
Thsbuttons are thrown upon a grooveo
inclined plane, shown at A in the illustr@
tion- Tho grooves narrow towards the bot
tom 20 that only one button at time cas-
pass through channel The inclined plane
Is kept constantly shaking 50 the buttons
descend
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26
Reporting Against a Government
TeleQraDh,

WASHINGTON, Feb. l9.-The house
committee on postofices, and post
roads to-day unanimously agreed to re-
port adversely all bills before it, for the
purchase or construction Of telegraphs
by the government. Wednesday and
Thursday, March Sd and 4th, the COM
mittee will hear arguments from all
persons who desire to address the COM
mittee on the subject of government
contracts with telegraph companies.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26
Want to Work Only Eight Hours

PoTTsvILLE. PA, Feb. 2o.-Every cOlliery
in the Pottsville, Shenandoah and Shamokin
districts has now branch OF the Miners and
LabOrers ANA gamated Association. This week
mass meetings have been held at all the lmpOr
perfect their orr anizatlOn preparatory to making
a united demand OIL May first for the enforce
m mt Of the eigut hour system.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26
No Tidings of the Amethyst.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2O.-The secretary of the
treasury to-day received the following telegram
enue steamer Rush, which went in search Of the
whaler Amethyst: 1.-THE Rush has arrived at
San francisco. Thoroughly searched the ALEU-
tian Islands In the vicinity of the Passes. Visit
ed Seal Island, but was stopped by the ice in so
heard of the AMETHYST"
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26
Continued Improvement in Mr.
WatterSon'S Condition.


LOUISVILLE, Feb. l9.--Mr. Henry
Watterson's condition this morning
is reported improved. He had an tx.
ceedingly quiet and restful night.
This morning his intelligence is at
times clear for a few seconds and then
wandering. His spirits are good,
tongue growing moist. His temporal
ture has fallen to SO and pulse Sc,
LATER-Mr. Watterson continued
better all during the day. At six
o'clock his temperature was reduced
to 98t, pulse "a. His friends and the
nurse feel that another and probably
the last crisis is passed, and hope for
his speedy restoration to health. The
physicians are hardly as sanguine,
but are very hopeful of his ultimate
complete recovery.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26
Non-Partisan Boards of Elections.

COLUMBUS, o., Feb. 19.-The legis-
lature passed a bill to-day creating
non.partisan boards of elections in
Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo and
Columbus. The principal duties of
boards are to select judges and clerks
of elections.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

These have been much worn in eastern
cities this winter, where there have been
several excessively cold snaps Every child
and every woman, city or country, should
be provided with a warm, comfortable pair.
Gentlemen wear them, too, in the shape Of
heavy lined cloth CATERS, now that long
legged boots have gone out Of fashion The
lower limb, between the ankle and knee, alb.
soIuteIY REQUIRES soma warm protection.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26
Answer to Susan.

We have said 1t before, but repeat 1t.
Mrs. John Sherwood's book called Manners
and Social Usages'' will give you informa-
ton on all points of etiquette, from cards
and calling 10 dinner giving
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26
Paid the Penalty of His Crime.

Paid the Penalty of His Crime.
MARTINsBURG, W. VA, Feb. 49,
Three weeks ago, Joe Burns, a repul-
sive looking negro, committed an out
rageous assault on one Miss Felters, Of
Baltimore, who was on her way from
the railroad depot at this place to a
friends house a short distance outside
of town. This morning Burns paid
the penalty of his crime. At 12:45
o'clock a body Of masked men, num-
bering from seventy-hve to one hum
dred, appeared at the Jail and without
much ado took Burns therefrom and
dragged him to a point two miles out-l
side of town and hanged him to a tree.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26
THE OLD CANOE.

Where the rocks are gray ard the shore is steep
and the waters below look dark and deep,
Where the rugged pine, in its lovely pride,
Leans glOOmily over the murky tide,
Where The reeds and PUSHES are long and rank
And the weeds grow thick on the winding bank:
Where the shadow is heavy the whole day
through,
There lies at its moOring the old canoe.
The uselts paddles are idly dropped
Like a sea-bird's wings that the storm has
Topped,
And crossed on the railing one DER one.
Like the t, lded hands when the work is done;
While busily back and forth between
The soldier watches his silver screen
And the solemn owl with his dull "tOO-hoo,"
Settles down on the side Of the old canoe.
The stern half sunk in the Shiny wave
Riots slowly away in its living grave,
Ard the green moss cret ps DER its dun decay,
Hiding its moldeTing dust away,
Like the hand that plants DER the tomb a flower
Ort ivy that NANTES the falling tower,
While many a blossom OF ~lOveliest hue
Springs up DER the stern of the Old canoe.
The currentless waters are dead and still,
But the light winds play with the boat at will,
And laZily in and out again
II floats the length of the rusty chain,
Like the weary march Of the hands OF time
That meet and part at the MONDAY chime;
And the shore is kissed at each turning anew
by the dripping bow Of the old canoe. /,
II "
AFTER THE MIDNIGHT COMEIH MORN
Ing years eome, any Ent SeaIS M,
ana lhe leaTes9 ne heep AaAins'
carrie! laillne; aou
And across the sunless rivers now
WIN accents sou anu wllspeIS io"' ..
Ihe irlenGS long iosI are caliDB'
49,. carrie Calling;
Whlle autumn DIS req glory wears,
And clouds Cypress the SKY IKE caIes,-
But the old gIleis die; ana new Joys are Dorl
And alter Inc midnight colhtth Nlorh'
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

At Hebron, Germany, a prizs was Of
fered for the best design for a new observa-
tory. Fifty-four plans were entered in com
petition.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26
Serious Sickness Caused by the
Use of Water from a Dynamite

Use OF Water from a Dynamite
Factory.
READING, Pa, Feb. 19.-Great and
alarming sickness exists in numerous
families residing along Bernhardt
creek, north of this city, consisting of
a gradual wasting away of the system,
as in cases of consumption. at first
the physicians were puzzled, but have
just discovered the chemical waste
from a dynamite factory which runs
into the creek, the waters of which is
used by all the families. There is great
distress among the residents of the
neighborhood.
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26
Danartmants

Departments to be Closed Monday.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19.-Orders were
issued to-day closing all the executive
departments on Monday, Washington $
birthday. 4
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26
TAE FASHIONS
PARTY Frocks fOr LIttle Gins.

We canno close the seasons record with
out giving the accompanying illustrations Of
party dresses for little girls. They are the
prettiest that have appeared this winter.
Costumes made in these patterns will last
for best dress" through the spring and
summer,
Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-02-26

Where the rocks are gray ard the shore is steep
and the waters below look dark and deep,
Where the rugged pine, in its lovely pride,
Leans glOOmiIy over the murky tide,
Where The reeds and rushes are long and rank
And the weeds grow thick on the winding bank:
Where the shadow is heavy the whole day
through,
Tbera lipS nj ifs mOOrinp the old canos
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-03-05
PERSONALITIES.

ABRAHAM w. VAN VIcHTEN, of New York
city, was yesterday admitted to the Supreme
Court bar on motion of Senator Evarts.
SECOND LIEUT.. JOHN #. MCBLAIN, whose
nomination for promotion to lieutenant was
recently withdrawn under charges is in the
city.
COMMODORE BADGER has purchased tho prop
erty at Rockville belonging to the late William
Brewer, formerly proprietor OF the Montgomery
AdtOcdte.
Mrs. JANE f. WELLEs, widow of Gideon
Welles, who was Secretary of the Navy under
Presidents Lincoln and Johnson, died at Hart
ford, Conn.,, on Sunday, at the age Of 90 years,
ADJUTANT GENERAL DRUM has returned from
Columbia, S. c., where he went with his daugh-
ter and her husband, Lieut.. Henry ], Hunt, jr.,
U. s. NJ, who is suffering from bronchial trou.
bes contracted while on the Greedy relief ex.
pedtlon, and II is now merely question of
prolOngation of life Mrs, Hunt Is with her
husband, and they will remainat Columbia for
the present.
AMONG the Presidents callers yesterday
were Senators Jackson and Pike Representa-.
tiyes Hopkins, Townshend, Scott, Toole, Full
ton with Hon. Horace Plat, of Cal liiornla),
Muller, Ermentrout, Cole, Beach, Murphy with
Judge II. C., Platt wife and sister, OF Iowa.,
Lawler with Mr.. Thomas Cox, OF Chicago,
Ward, of Illinois, Evans, Of Pennsylvania, and
sowdeni Mr., Charles Locke Weller of Call.
loInIa, and ]. r. Klingle Of Washington,
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-03-05
A had iii.

Nearly dozen years ago, when Mr..
Hamlin, Of Maine, was at the head of the
Senate postal committee, he made mistake
which came near getting him into popular
disfavor. But for his record Of long and
honorable public service and his well.known
integrity Cf purpose, 1t would have Jared
hard with him. His blunder consisted in
the procurement Of an amendment to the
postal laws doubling the rate on fourth
class matter-packages of merchandise.
No sooner had the bill passed than the
popular outcry against It began. It was
odious to an overwhelming majority of the
people Its only friends were the express
companies and country storekeepers The
former got an Increase Of carrying business
and the latter sold more goods. War was
waged against the measure, and its repeal
was speedily effected, the rate being put
back from thirty.two. TO sixteen cents q
pound, where It has since remained.
But the blunder which Mr.. Hamlin re-
grettcd is now proposed to be repeated.
Senator Wilson, of Iowa, recently intro
duced a bill to increase the rating of all
merchandise in the mails from fourth to first
class matter, thus raising the charge from
sixteen to thirty-two cents per pound. This
ELECTED opposition from the country people,
who objected to pay double rates upon
their seeds, scions, bulbs, and plants. In
this opposition the secdsmen, as matter
OF course, united, making It so torrld as to
induce Senator Wilson to supplement his
first bill with q second, which provides that
the rate upon "seeds, scions, bulbs, and
plants of all kinds and descriptions thcrein''
shall be third class matter.
1t is forclbly objected to this substitute
for the original bill that in making the seeds
mans goods third class matter 1t discrimi.
mates in favor of them and against all other
kinds of merchandise, to the extent of max
ing the postal rate upon the former only
eight cents and on the latter thirty-two
cents.
There is no good reason for any change
in the rate of postage on packages. No
change-certainlyn increase-can be made
that will not be offensive and the repeal Of
which will not be demanded.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-03-05

In presenting petition Of several hun
drod workingmen, formerly employed by
the United States government, for compen-
s0tion for labor in excess of eight hours a
day, Senator Hoar took occasion to remark
that IT was the purpose Of Congress to test
under the government, with the authority
Of the government the soundncss of an
economic law which had been affirmed by
workingmen of this country as well rs by
many writers who had no personal interest
in the subject, that on large scale Of per-
manercy in ordinary mechanical and manu-
featuring cmployments the individual work
man will be larger producer working eight
hours day than working larger number
Of hours; that the increased intelligence,
activity, skill, vigor, and work will make
him better and more valuable producer,
If he can have thesleisure to rest aud the
respite of the other hours Of the day
Undoubtedly such was the purpose Of the
enactment Of the eight hour law in 1865.
The whole question was thoroughly dis
cussed in Congress at that time. The Re
publican party then, and for number of
| years thereafter, held every branch Of the
the party were with the workingmcn. Tho
design Of the act of 1868 was to test the
eight-hour system in the belief that It's
beneilcent results would commend II tC
| general adoption.
So long as President Grant remained IN
Office this law was faithfully enforced. HC
commanded obedience to its requirements
in two or more proclamations and he was
careful to ascertain, by personal visits to
the navy yards aud other places where
| per diem worlimen were employed, that
there was no trining with the act.
Under the administration of President
Hayes the great blunder was committed Of
treating the law as q dead letter. ThC
then Secretary of the Navy, Mr.. Thomp
son, was persuaded by the naval officers II
charge Of the various employing bureaus tc
adopt a ten-hour schedule. The bad ex.
ample thus set in one department soor
spread to others, and the great wrong con.
tinued for several years. The abuse wa.
brought to q close under President Arthur
Equity demands that every hour of worl;
that was required to be performed in viola
tlon Of the cighthour law should be paid
for.
We believe the day is not far distant
when the eight-hour system will be gener
ally adopted and will be found intellectually
beneficial to both labor and capital.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-03-05

The New York Post, in leading article,
has stated that It is not prepared to say
that Mr.. Cleveland's position about the
papers (in the absence Of dny ld,v on the sub
jcct) is not "dcfensible" one, but thinks
it might be well to have law ''deflning
what papers are public records and what
are not.n
The Presidents position "about the
papers" is thus stated by himself:
consider them in no proper sense as upon
the files of the department, but as deposited
there for my convenience, remaining still COM
plctely under my control, l suppose if de.
sired to take them into my custody might do
so with entire propricty, and il / sac I'll 10
dcfroy htn no me c0Wd COMPLAIN
The law, published in these colums yes
terday, says that every person who, with
intent to steal or destroy, takes and carries
away any paper or document or record filed
or deposited in any public office or with any
judicial or public officer shall, without refer
ence to the value of the record, paper, doc
ument, or proceeding SO taken, pay fine
of not more than 50, 600, or suffer imprison-
ment at hard labor not more than three
years, or both.
There would seem to be plenty of law on
this subject. Let those who doubt read
section 5403 of the Revised Statutes.
EVERY person " is a phrase broad enough
to include the President of the United
States.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-03-05
MONEY FOR THE DISTRICT.

Details of the Provisions OF the District
Appropriation Bill as Agreed Upon in
Committee.
The District Of Columbia appropriation
bill as agreed upon in committee appro-
PIRATES S3,I32,s ,s75 for the maintenance of
the District government during the next
fiscal year, decrease Of 81 ,dl2 as COM
pared with last years. appropriation. There
has been Included In the bill $2l go for the
care Of INDECENT insane, an item formerly
included in the sundry civil appropriation
bill, making the net reduction OF S23,0S2.
An increase Of $4,000 is made In the appro.
priation for street Improvement, and of
S25, AGO in salaries for public school teachers.
The total estimates for 1887 are 1866, 1856,
and the estimated revenue Of the District Is
S1,s3GO0O.
the PRINCIPAL ITEMS.
The following are the principal items Of
appropriation;
For improvements and repairs, $40, ,000
an increase of $4,000 as compared with
last year; for construction, repairs, and
maintenance Of bridges, $7GG0; for metro
politan police, S34I. 100, an increase Of ten
men provided for; fire department
creased 500 per year; for sweep
ing, cleaning, repairing streets, Sl5l, ,0OO
for park commission, Sls,OOO; for street
lamps, 100000, 5000 of which may be
used for electric lights on one or more
streets; for the public schools, 1861, $50, an
increase Of $1,000. Two thousand dollars is
appropriated for ten teachers of night
schools at $50 per month for four
months. Health department, $40, ,4S0;
water department, $l7S, 1892; for the
Washington aqueduct, $50, 900; for re-
formatories and prisons, S55,3S5; for the
reform school, 81 1,556; for support of in-
mates Of these institutions, $4,000; for
Georgetown almshousc, 81 500; for District
insane at the government hospital, $75, 900:
industrial school, $4,000; for salaries
and expenses commissioners office,
| $2l ga, for assessors office, $1,000 p;
collectors Office, $4,000; auditors office,
| $4,000; attorneys Office, $S,512; sinking
| fund under the control Of United States
treasurer, $4,000; coroner's office, $1,000;
engineers office, $G5,690 for telegraph and
telephone service Of the fire department,
| Sl5,3i0; for courts, $14,S1S; for relief of
poor, $15,0)O Columbia Hospital, $4,000;
| Woman's Christian Association, $4,000;
| National Association for Destitute Colored
Women and Children, $500, including
heating apparatus for Children's Hospital,
$1,000; st. AIMS Infant Asylum, $1,000:
Church Orphanage of the District of Colum-
| bla, 81 ,5O0.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-03-05
Fitz-John Porter Report.

The majority Of the military affairs commit.
tee, in their report onthc FitzJohn Porter bill,
adopt the majority report of the last Congress,
and say:
"The committee have little to add to the re-
ports heretofore made on this case. The clear
ViudiCution of Gen. Porter from the charges
against him by the advisory board, composed
OF officers of high rank in the army, who had
the confidence of their supcriors and their
country, leaves small room for doubt In tho
minds of dispassionatc men as to his innocence
and the absence ON his part Of any Intentional
wrong or violation Of any military order dur.
ing the progress of the Bull Run campaign"
They express the opinion that Gen. Porter
had n right TO use discretion in the execution
of his orders under the circumstances; that he
exercised such discretion wisely and well for
what he considered the best interests OF the
service; that the sentence OF the court.martinl
which dismissed him was based on erroneous
information and misstatement of facts, aud
that the report of the advisory board gives the
true relation and situation of affairs, with the
correct location of the troops on the 2Sth, 2Jth,
and 3Oth Of August 1852, the dates OF his al.
legged misconduct,
They recommend the passage Of the bill "as
an act Of simple Justice to deserving oiicor'
" bilious, or suffering from impurity of
blood, or weak lungs, and fear of consumption
(scrOfulous disease of the lungs, take Dr.
pierCc's Golden Medical Discovery and II
will cure you. by druggists.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-03-05

ship builder or engineer had any voice
whatever in deciding upon the plans and
Specifications Of either the Chicago, Boston,
or Atlanta.
The line ofIlcers-the admirals, commo-
dores, captains, aud lieutenants of the adj
yisory loard-are wholly responsible. Prac-
tical shipbuilders aud engiteers were given
early notice that their services were not re-
quirtd; and the conditions have not since
been changed to any great extent.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-03-05

Thcrcarc three things and three things only
which make mp the Republican policy, upon
which all Republicans are agreed three
things in which the Republican party must
live or bear no llrci three things ineXtrlcably
blended together upon which our national
life itself must depend; aud they arc, absolute
freedom of the ballot, universally of common
school education, and the maintenance and
elevation of the workingmau's wages. They
are three things dependent upon each other.
Not one orthis sublime trinity can fail or per.
ish and either OF the other two suryiye.-S.ar
tDr linn.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-03-05

The House committee on foreign affairs yes.
terday agreed to n favorable report on Mr..
Hits bill to provide for the exercise of the
Jurisdiction conferred upon the United States
in places out Of their territory and dominion.
AS stated in the report, the bill is intended TO
prescribe a more complete, precise, and har-
monious body Of laws for the protection Of
Americans residing in various pagan and Mo-
hammedan countries. IL repeals forty.elght
sections of the Revised Statutes and substitutes
provisions intended TO ameliorate the Condi-
lion of our citizens in these countries.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-03-05
swamp Land Patents Cancelled.

Secretary Lamar has requested the Attorney
General to institute suits in the name of the
United States to obtain the cancellation of tho
patents issued to the state of California in 1862
under the swamp land act, for lands covered
in his letter says ut appears that each of these
lakes is large body of water, permanent in
character. The two have an aggregate of
about forty-four square miles. They are capa.
BILE of being navigated, and being without
interstate or foreign connection while not
navigable waters OF the United States they
are clearly navigable waters of the state Of
issued patents for the lands covered by such
waters II exceeded Its powers; Its patents con-
veyed no title because II had none TO convey,
and are absolutely nullities of no efficacy what.
ever.