davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-06-19

1880 and 1882 made an end of notori-
GUS differentiation and reformed other
scsndalous practices in appraising
property for taxation. A large increase
in the grand list was the result. The
effect of the reformatory influence of
these laws was felt for several years,
and there was a steady and general
strengthening of the grand list.
The News' charge of generalization
is without foundation in fact or reason.
The listers make the valuation. In farm
Ing towns these officers are generally
farmers. Presumably they are compe-
tent to judge as to the value of farm
property. They are sworn to ap-
praise all property at its value in money,
having regard to actual sales in town,
other than those made in the settle
ment of an insolvent estate. Such an
appraisal as would be made in the set
Element of a solvent estate is the basis
of valuation for purposes of taxation.
1t is not su%pposable that listers exceed
this standard. The general tendency
would be the other way, towards under
valuation. The legal standard of val
uation is just and right. Nothing
would be gained by lowering the stand
ard. A to In having a valuation OF
100000 has a grand list of $4,000. Its
aggregate nominal expenses, we will
say, are So, 1000, requiring a tax of one
dollar on the grand list. The NewS
might say, as it has said of its sample
cases, that this valuation is 'many
times too large" Call it only one half
of one time too large, and cut it down
to $3.50 1000. Will there be any reduce
ton in taxation? The expenses will
still be IS 900, and the only change will
be that the town must assess a tax of
two dollars on a grand list of $780,,
instead of one dollar on a grand list of
$4,000. The people see and under
stand all these things. So they only
smile alphabetically at the wild-eyed
Neus' schemes of reform.
Such decline as there may have been
in Vermont Sin the value of farm prop
erty in common with all values" it is
probably no greater than in nearly
every other state in the Union, and
possibly it is less. The decline has GER
tainly been general, not to say uni
versal. If Vermont presents any ex-
ception to the common lot, the recent
exhibits of Statistical Secretary Spear,
of the board of agriculture, an author
ity of the highest competency, go to
show that the exception is on the
brighter side of contrasting conditions.
Vermont is all right. There are hope
and promise for it's "dwindling towns"
Fewer people to the acre, does not
necessarily mean a smaller value to the
acre.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-06-19
Sells Brothers. Circus.
FIRST TOUR OF THE BIG SHOW OF
THE WORLD THAT HAS MADE ALL AUS
TRALIA AND AMERICA TALK

The pleasurable anticipation aroused by
the contemplated visit of Sells Brothers
Enormous United Shows to the city Of Barre
is about to be realized. This mammoth ag-
gregation will exhibit at Barre on Fri
day, July 3. No exhibition this has ever
visited Vermont has been so comprehensive
in its method OF advertising, or has ever
succeeded in attracting so much attention
by its editorial and pictorial announce
ments. This grand organization has the
finest photographic printing ever displayed
in this city, and it has been scattered with
a profuse liberality such as no circus man.
agement, not backed by stupendous capital
and REINFORCED by a giant amusement en-.
terprise, could afford. These wonderful
specimens Of the printers art do not begin
to tell the story Of the marvels OF Sells
Brothers millionaire shows, which COM
illogical features, a pair Of monster hip
popotami. They are absolutely the only
giant male and rival female hippopOtamus
to be seen together, and either is, both in
size and weight, quadruply the superior of
any other shown. These truly wonderful
blood-sweating creatures will be let loose
in the arena and go through a most remark
able performance that can not be duplicated
by any show on earth. A troupe of trained
Alaskan seals and sea lions, performing
original tricks Of the most astonishing
character, will also appear. Another match.
1000 iootuio 10 HUN VI RlhHJ lull-BTOWu
o%striches, the first ever publicly exhibited.
Messrs. Sells Brothers this season nave
given special attention to their mammoth
menagerie, which is now the largest in the
world, embracing fifty gold emblazoned
cages filled with the rarest wild animals in
captivity. Sells Brothers come to Vermont
in a blaze OF glory and it is, without doubt,
the most gigantic exhibition that has ever
visited the state, introducing the Grand
Triple Ring Circus, Fve-continent Men.
agerie, Real Roman Hippodrome, Huge
African Aquarium, Australian Aviary,
Arabian Caravan and the u%nequaled free
street parade. The Sells Brothers Big En-.
terprise has been under one and the same
management for a longer period than any
other in existence, being now in its twenty
fourth prosperous year, and the first big
show to recognize the needs Of the times
and to reduce the price of admission from
fifty to twenty-five cents, which includes q
comfortable seat. Be in town early and see
the free daily street parade OF glittering
%splendor. The procession leaves the show
grounds at ten o'clock on the morning OF
the exhibition. 1t is over q mile In length.
See the vast city Of canvasl Then decide
whether or not you want to see the greatest
show on earth. Two performances daily
afternoon at two, night at eight. Doors
open one hour earlier, One twenty-five
cent ticket (seat ~included) admits to all
combined shows. Special excursion rates
on all lines Of travel.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-06-19
We Respectfully Decline.

The Burlington News says that the
WATCHMAN "must admit that the as
sessed valuation of farm property in
Vermont is practically as high to-day
as it was in 1882" "Why, then"
pleads the News, sis it not willing to
use its influence in favor of a reform in
this important matter ?"
Well, the WATCHMAN took a leading
part in the reform movement of 1880,
1881 and 1882, which ended in the en-.
actment and perfection of laws under
which the existing assessed valua-
ton was made. 1t was a great reform,
a much-needed reform, and has been
productive of the best results. So the
WATCHMAN has no stomach now to
turn about and use it's influence to kick
over the beneficent work it helped to
institute and carry forward to success.
The NeWs' perverted fancy distorts into
q hideous monster a very harmless,
peaceful and useful windmill, and sum-
mons it's contemporaries to the charge.
Recruits are few.
The WATCHMAN has not compared
existing valuations with those of 1882.
1t has assumed that the figures the
NeWs has published are correct. Our
contemporary has shown that the pres
ent valuation in Orange county is some
nine hundred thousand less than in
1882. This ought to appease even its
pessimistic appetite. 1t has shown
that the valuation is less in other To-
calities it has cited. So that, on the
NepS' W showing, the WATCHMAN is
not able to "admit that the assessed
valuation of farm property in Vermont
is practically as high to-day as it was in
1882" whatever might be its conclu-
sion on a full examination of the mat.
ter. In such cases as it may be as high
OF higher, an adequate explanation
could be found without charging the
result to generalization, the Ne,ps' latest
hobby. The grand list legislation of
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-06-19
GHattbman & Journal.
ARTHUR ROPES, General Editor.

If on this green earth "there is a
land that is fairer than day." Vernon,
in her luxuriant foliage, under these
imperial June skies, is the place.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-06-19

THE Cuban revolt is evidently spread
ing. Reports as to what is happening
on the island are meager, conflicting
and uncertain. The Spanish COM
mander has called for large reinforce.
ments from Spain. Yellow fever and
the manifold perils of a tropical climate
in summer time will fight for the in
surgents and destroy more Spanish
soldiers than rebel bullets will kill.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-06-19

THE est. Louis" the great Amer.
lean liner-American in design, mate
rial, construction and crew-has made
her maiden trip across the Atlantic,
sailing from New York, June 5, and ar
irving at Southampton in some seven
days. Her passenger list was a large one.
Among the number were many prom
inent persons, including the British am
bassador at Washington. At a meet
ing of the passengers at the end of the
voyage, Sir Julian Pauncefote pre-
siding, resolutions of the most ~1atter-
ing character respecting the sailing
qualities of the vessel were adopted
with great enthusiasm. The trip was
made in good time, but a high rate of
speed was not attempted. Americans
have a patriotic interest in the success
Of the "St. Louis" To them she was
the beginning of the recovery of the
rank their country held on the seas in
the old days of wooden ships. During
the transition period from wood to iron
and steel, the United States were en-
gagged in a life.or-death struggle for the
maintenance of the Union. The scep-
ter of supremacy in the commercial
marine passed to England. American
enterprise after the war was diverted to
the development of lines of internal
communication. The great railways
have been built, and now the spirit of
enterprise is moving to reclaim the old
supremacy on the ocean.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-06-19

THE New York Sun suggests that the
city of it's publication is old enough to
drop its prefix and be known henceforth
simply as York. The Sun is seeking for
its town entrance upon the list of great
cities of one name, like London, Paris,
Montpelier, etc. If a change is desir-
able, circumstance suggest the propri-
ETY. of "Crokersburg T" or, but for the
existence in the state of another town
OF the same name, "Plattsburg."
" Plattsville" might, however, suffi-
GENTLY mark the distinction between
the names of the two communities.
THE owners of property along the
highways would do themselves and the
people at large a great service, it ap-
pears to the general observer, by de-
stroying the worms nests with which
the apple and cherry trees and bushes
have been covered. These pests have
been exceedingly active this season,
and the trees bear unsightly marks of
their ravages. An offense to the sight,
they are also a damage to fruit trees
and a nuisance of the first rank. They
should be exterminated, and the work
Of determination begun on the first APP
pearance of the evil.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-22

see In them only obstacles to desired dis
order, but tho good citizen who regards the
law and who knows that in the hands of
all voting American citizens Is the remedy
for any approach to un-American govern
ment will approve the conduct OF those
who from purely patriotic motives are now
doing what they can to prevent rioting and
bloodshed in the great city of Brooklyn.
The mob, too. should not hesitate to COM
mend the behavior of the soldiers. for the
mob hls been the beneficiary Of military
patience; many times has there been OPP
portunity for slaughter by the troops, but
in mercy they have refrained from exercis-
ing their powers. 1t is more than likely
that within few hours there will come
sanguinary conflict, for the situation Is I'M
like eny of the situations that have pre-
coded it. For awhile the struggle was to
operate the tied-up reads. but that having
up to this time been impossible, concen-
trated effort must now be made to break
up the mobs and bring about normally
peaceful conditions by the exercise of force.
In this necessary work the national guards
man pays no heed to the equities between
the parties with whom the disagreement
originated; he is an officer Of the law and
will surely do that which his cath requires
of him. The natio1al guardsman deserves
very much more of consideration than has
ever been given him; he is the least ex-
-n--'ra and the most effective peace OH
Ger this country has ever had
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-22

The tin soldier" sneer has been temper
srily slenced by the admirable manner in
which the national guardsmen at Brooklyn
are doing the duty which the state has
called them out to perform. OF all the va
reties of courage necessary to military
success none outranks that which has been
displayed by the soldiers in question dur
ing the past few days-whle they have
been engaged in doing similar duty to that
done by troops of the regular army and
Illinois national guard at Chicago last sum-
mer. One of the greatest of warriors once
eulogized "ive-o'c lock-in-the-m cour-
age" There seems to be plenty Of that
quality in Brooklyn just now, but it is I'M
uuestionably inferior to the courage that
keeps trained fighting men cool and in
active when scores of angry lawbreakers
or woud-be lawbreakers jeer at them and
throw missiles of all sorts in their direc
ton with deadly intent. Mankind of the
most common sort finds IL comparatively
easy to rush excited into the heat and
smoke OF battle; most men are brave
enough for that. But II Is another thing
to tramp up and down in the presence OF a
bowling mob whose taunts are more pierre
Ing than bullets and refrain from exercis-
ing the natural right of reply and reprisal;
IL would be much easier to indulge in d
hand to-hand encounter than to appear I'M
concerned under such circumstances. Yet
the sCIliers In Brooklyn have done this
from the hour when they were first called
out: they have earned all the applause
which will be given them OF course they
are being and will be abused by those who
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-22

The alleged Matchmaking letter which
was received by the local gas company mas
no bearing upon and should not De per
mitted to affect the question Wnether 'helt
company ought not to supply cheaper and
better gas to Washington consumers. III IL
vere proyen that any representative OF a
proposed new gas company had maoe
Matchmaking advances, the prospects OF
obtaining for that company incorporating
and favoring legislation would of course De
Instantly and properly annihilated; but as
affecting the price and quality OF the gas
furnished by the existing company the
attempted Matchmaking would have noth-
ing to do with the case. The Senate COM
nittee's decision of the question whether
the gas company cannot improve the
quality of its product and supply the i'm
proyed gas with a reasonable profit at a
lower rate will of course be based upon the
testimony on these points already in the
possession of Congress. given recently be-
fore the House and Senate District Com
mittees and, earlier before another Senate
District committee as the result or Sen
ator Spconer's Investigations. The senate
committee will deal justly by the local
gas consumer, no matter whether the
motives of advocates of proposed substi-
tutes for the existing gas company be good
or bad. Washington has no sympathy
with the Matchmaking operations of bogus
applicants for gas franchises, and also
breads any comprehensive tearing up of
Its streets that might follow the success
of n competitor in good faith. But the cap
itaI city wants the company In possession
to supply 1t with as good gas and as cheap
gas as any other community enjoys. and 1t
expects its legislature to enact the laws
pecaSsary TO this end.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-22

Boston's board of aldermen has adopted
a rule that mo license shall be granted
for exhibitions of pugilism or wrestling"
For a long while Boston was the great ra-
tional center Of fistiana; the city bubbled
over with enthusiasm whenever mention
was made of Professor John Lawrence Sui
Ivan and sneered in q most irritating fash
ion at the idea that anyone other than a
Bostonian would ever be able to cope with
the muscular greatness and agile science
of him who is now unhonored and unsung.
A vast deal Of experience has, however.
convinced even the Boston aldermen that
the exhibitions of pugilism so common to-
day are wholly discreditaole both to the
parties participating and to those who are
responsible. Similar discovery was made
in this city some time ago-The Star hav-
ing directed the attention of public opin-
ion In that direction-and now when the
tough element in the District of Column
bia wants to enjoy smuggling match 1t
has to step across the boundary line either
into Virginia or Maryland.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-22

A great organized effort Is about to DO
made in behalf of this city's poor Much
has been done, but much more remains
to be accomplished. The Citizens Central
Relief Committee has made arrangements
for a house-to-hcuse canvass which ought
to result in charitable contributions that
in the aggregate should be sufficient TO sup
ply the needy with enough of food. fuel
and clothing to last them until the coming
of spring. The success of this canvass
depends almost entirely upon the enthus-
iastic efficiency of those who are chairmen
of districts. These have been nominated
by the committee charged with that duty.
1t Is probable that some Of the persons
so nominated may imagine themselves I'M
able to attend to the district allotted to
them, but, unless acceptance is absolutely
impossible, the nominees are urged to
yield to the promptings of benevolence and
public spirit. to take up the slight burden
ard to do the best they can. The spirit
of the season Is self-sacrihcing charity,
and that the greatest of virtues has per-
meated many minds has been evidenced by
the liberal responses made to every recent
appeaHfor contributions of time, money or
general supplies-published in behalf of
the poverty-stricken people of this COM
mUDity.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-22
Uncle Sam May He Left.
From the Honolulu Advertise

From the Honolulu Advertiser.
The United States cannot stand aloof
from it's interests In this country. The
longer it delays action, to just that extent
IL Is jeopardizing its own advantages. The
benefits received are far from being all In
the Hawaiian pan Of the scale.
The impression is far too prevalent WITH
the average citizens of the United States
who give the Hawaiian question causual
attention that We are groveling before the
throne of grace simply for our own gain
and glory Not until by some happy chance
they come in contact with and know the
situation as 1t is, do they wake up to the
fact that they, as Americans, nave IN
terests not to be despised in this country.
interests, in fact, which will admit Of no
dilly -daIlying policy, else some day Uncle
Sam will wake up to the fact that the
sweet morsel with which he has been
carelessly playing is in other hands. and
he Is left in the cold, with an aggressive
Asfatlc nation occupying his only natural
naval outpost on the Pacific coast. These
are live Issues which the American must
needs meet in time, to maintain his SUI
premdCy.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-22

Among the many disadvantages Of that
crude system of street-car propulsion
known generally as the overhead trolley
is one to which no reference seems to have
been made until the riotous behaviour of
striking street-car operators In Brooklyn
directed attention to it-that Is, the ease
with which a line can be disabled. When
the strikers found their themselves unable
to persuade man who took their places to
forsake the cars. they straightway pro-
ceeded to unguarded points of the road
and there cut the trolley wires. thus rem
dering impossible. for several hours after
each cut, thu working of that particular
road 1t may De that by and by the COM
paniSs will come to the conclusion that
tine overhead system IS after all much
more expensive than one which provides
for the wire In a conduit which would be
practically burglar-proof.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-22
Cleveland and Hawaii.
From the Philadelphia Press.

Hawaii" he says in his exculpatory
plea. SIS entirely Independent of US. and
In its relations to US 1T Is foreign coun-
trv." Is it? Then why did the treaty Of
1878 give us supervision of its diplomatic
relatfons7 Why does treaty negotiated
by President Cleveland himself forbid Ha-
wall to cede or lease its territory without
our consent2 Why did President Cleveland
himself a few days ago send to Congress
the plea of Hawaii to be permitted to let
an English company land cable on its
shores? Do these acts indicate entirely
independent" relations? Is there any coun-
try altogether foreign to us" of which
these things are true? Do we control the
diplomacy, hold a mortgage on the terri
tory and enjoy veto on cable connections
of any other country?
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-22

One hundred and flfty-eight men at work
on the new city post-office today! So says
the official report and that cannot safely
be contradicted. These figures are away
ahead OF any yet published in connection
with the slow uprising of a structure in
which the people of Washington are deeply
interested. In view of the tremendous in
crease of the working force Of late, 1t is
no longer absurd to imagine that the
building will be completed prior to the year
1900
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-22
Ger this country has ever had.

1t may seem ungracious to criticise what
any one does for the memory of the dead
but one cannot help thinking that If Mr..
William Waldorf Astor, instead of spending
$4,000 for the floral decoration of his wife's
grave for year, had contributed that sum
to the endowment of hospital or the pur-
chase of country summer home. bearing
her name, for poor children, he would have
done her a greater honor and himself more
credit
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-22

There seems to have arisen an impression
among people who have taken sides in the
matter that the population of the United
States IS divided into two classes; personal
friends and personal enemies of Judge
Kicks
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-22

Now doth the presidential bee
Buzz forth his hopeful sonnet;
But hit with sad Inconsistency
From bonnet unto bonnet.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-22
Ever Unfamiliar.

There's nothing new beneath the sun;
And yet, somewhere. each day
The bunco or the badger game
Deludes the festive jay.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-22
Going Too Far.

I'm patient" said the man from Phila-
delphia, but I think it's time to draw the
line on guying my town."
"Who has been doing that?"
1.-THE government. These people In Ha-
wall have all been wondering what makes
a warship so slow in coming. When 1t
gets there, they'll find It's the Philadel-
phia."
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-22
A Needless Question.

do they sell liquor in New York on Sun
daysr' asked stranger In that city.
DO they sell it?' the naughty policeman
repeated; you didn't think they wor so
sinseless as to give 1t away, did you?"
And he pursued his travels in con-
temptuous silence.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-22

The observation of the Emperor William
to the effect that this country outstrips
Germany in some respects was not intended
to invite attention to the different methods
by which the two countries are governed.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-22

After his description of himself 1t is be-
lleved that little Willie Cook was arrested
for nothing at ali, and charged with being
an outlaw by some policeman who wanted
to make a case.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-22
A Question.

Is this new woman" tell us, pray,
Constructed on a plan
By which in street cars she will give
Her seat to the old man?
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-22
A General Exodus.

FrUm the st. Louis Republic
1t may have been a coincidence, but was
none the less significant, that two gas wells
in Ohio blew out the day Governors Waite
and Lewelling passed from official life.