davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-28
Civil-Service Reform.

II must be considered as almost ludi-
crous to find the great champions Of civil
service reform who have been appointed
TO Office under Mr.. Cleveland working
with might and main to secr"e a settle
ment Of the silver question acceptable to
the President. Read the following as
coming from a civil-service reformer.
II really comes from the Washington
Post:
"TEe announcement semi-ofiicially pub
lished yesterday morning that the Pres-
dent proposed to direct the entire army
OF Fedora. office-holders against the grow
ing silver sentiment of the country was
the subject Of widespread comment yes
terday. Especially was the statement
that hostility 10 the free coinage OF Sill
yer would be regarded as the test Of party
fealty received with astonishment. not
to say incredulity. II was generally be-
lieved that the proclamation would do
more harm than good"
We do not credit this report. Mr..
Cleveland denied less than a week ago
that he spoke through Secretary Morton
that when he desired TO speak TO the
people he could always find method Of
doing so.
Besides, on the 18th of July, 1856, Mr..
Cleveland wrote as follows:
"Omce-holders are the agents OF the
people. not their masters" They have
no right as ofiice-holders to dictate the
political action of their party asso-
GATES" ''The influence of Federal Office
holders should not be felt in the manipu-
lation o. political primary meetings and
nominating conventions" proper regard
for the prophecies and requirements of
official place will also prevent their as
Stunning the active conduct of political
campaigns"
In his letters Mr. Cleveland took the
same position. We 90 not suppose that
he has changed his mind on the subject
OF civil-service reform. Mr.. Roosevelt.
Mr.. Godkin. MIR. Schurz. and the rest Of
the civil-service reformers would be hope
lessly cut off from sustaining the Presi-
dents policy II he were TO renounce his
teachings as to civil-servce reform. We
have never taken much stock in that re-
form.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-28
Judge Con-. south Carolina Cases.

We had not till yesterday seen stated.
except in a general way. the grounds
upon which Judge Goff enjoined the State
officials OF South Carolina from holding
certain elections The Philadelphia Press
Of Friday last says as TO the election laws
Of that State:
'They have resulted In placing the State
In the hands of about one fourth OF its
voters. and the other three fourths. white
and black. are practically powerless. And
Il is now proposed to make these condi-
lions permanent by permitting this small
minority to elect a constitutional conven-
ton which IS 10 frame n Constitution ac-
cording 10 the wishes OF the minority and
declare II elected II 5000 votes, or one
fourth the votes OF the State are cast
for it,
We think the. Press is mistaken. But at
best IL is truly deplorahle condition OF
things as thus disclosed. But VIII that
fact Justify Federal judge in taking
charge OF the government of that State
and exercising all the powers which his
Injunction claims that ne has the right to
exercise? II 1t Is intolerabe that $500
Of the most intelligent voters should gov
ern South Carolina. what shall be said
when one man. and he a Federal official.
dons the crown and rules as king in the
Palmetto State? Would IL not be better
for the Federal Government TO await the
outcome Of the existing situation" and
at least postpone TO the latest moment
possible the laying Of forceful hands upon
q sovereign State?
There Is In South Carolina another one
man power than Judge Con. We refer to
the President Of the United States. Sup
pose he should take hand in this Re-
publican game of ruling a State from
an injunction that will control the Com
nander-in- Chief OF the Army and Navy?
The Federal Constitution provides that
the United States shall guarantee 20 every
State a republican torm of government
II does not use the word government"
ut al. 1T does not say that the United
States Government shall guarantee TO
every State a republican form of govern
ment. but that this shall be done "by the
United States" Now. instead OF taking
che Constitution for guide, Judge Goff
has substituted a usurped authority. He
proposes TO guarantee TO South Carolina
q republican form OF government.
We say let South Carolina alone for the
present at least. and await future events.
That "surging public opinion" OF which we
apoks the other day may 'set things 10
rIghts." even tn the Palmetto State.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-28

type Of women-kihers. Yet his guileiess
look, pious calculations. and well-acted
Indifference will have It's effect upon some
soft-hearted people. Some will believe
him innocent long after the rest OF the
world has made up its mind that he 10
the guilty man.
That he Is guilty seems very probable
and the line OF defence pursued by his
counsel 80 far confirms this belief
His counsel have been trying TO throw
suspicion upon the unhappy pastor OF tne
church in whose building the murders
were perpetrated. but. fortunately for the
reverend gentleman. he was able to prove
an alibI. while Durant was not on the
contrary. on the evening In question: Du-
rant was absent from church-enterta'h-
ment at which he should have been pres
ent, absent long enough TO have COM
mitted the particular murder In question:
and when he made his appearance. was
flushed and sweaty. and asked for water
TO wash his hands.
stu. the absence from San Francisco
OF a great mind like Sherlock Holiness
Is much to be deplored. The detectives
are cropping about in the dark Tor the
links that they need in the chain OF eV'-
dence. The progress that they are making
il slow, but would be much slower IL
they didn't have the aid OF the reporters
the men who have made the business
reputation OF many Bob Pinkertons.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-28
Questions fer Advocates of Free
silver.

To the Editor OF the Dispatch:
The question Of the standard OF value IS
the most important that has ever come
before the American people. 1t Is idenu-
fled with the standard OF truth, of JUS
tice, of right, OF fair dealing. And such
principles are the very bases OF our
civilization.
In so important and vital A controversy
abuse and yilification are not 10 be al
lowed They belong TO the lower level OF
the political scramble, society's jungle,
and not to the arena OF fair discussion.
Whether It Is creditable to denounce
successful businessmen as 'gold-bugs."
and the financial centre OF the country,
which is Wall street, as a den OF thieves.
and leading financiers as birds and beasts
of prey. Is hardly TO be considered by a
man of sense and character. Nor are
advocates OF free silver necessarily
idiots and lunatics.
II the foremost men are or that sort.
what must the smaller citizens be? l
have very positive convictions In this
whole matter of the currency. And /
have such confidence in the character.
good sense, and manhood OF the Ameri-
can people that i feel sure that light
and information and full understand
ing of the question OF the currency Will
result In banking system on the good
and sure foundations necessary 10 our
prosperitv-nay. even to our continuance
as a nation.
l. Does free coinage mean that the
public minis are TO coin all the silver
that IL brought TO them into dollars,
with sixteen times the weight or silver
as there is gold in gold dollar?
2. Are the owners of the silver to re-
ceive for their bullion silver dollars; or,
notes Of the government, redeemabie In
gold?
8. Is the Government of the United
States to guarantee the parity between
the gold and silver dollar; or are the
gold and silver dollars TO take their
chances In the mar4ts OF the world?
were to be liable to an unlimited supply
OF silver dollars any time-contracts
would be made payable in mere money,
gold or silver. as the payer might elect?
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-28
The Powers of n state Constitu-
tiOna Convention.

Referring to an article which we re-
produced recently from the Roanoke
| Evening World. we may say that prac-
ticaly a State convention assembled ior
the purpose OF revising a state constitu-
ton ia clothed with unlimited powers.
For example, the present State Consttu-
ton contains the following proviso as 10
what State constitutional convention
duly convened. might do. We quote:
provided. that no amendment or re-
vision shall 10 made which shall deny
or in any way impair the right OF SUI
frage or any civil or political right as
conferred by this Constitution. except
for causes which apply to all persons
and classes without distinction"
The fourteenth and fifteenth amend
ments TO the Federal Constitution contain
provisions which a State convention can
not disregard: but the proviso above
quoted from the State Constitution could
limit In no way the powers OF such
convention, once that body was lawfully
assembled. We mean to say that If the
people OF Virginia assemble In State con-
stitutional convention. the Federal Con-
stitution will limit their powers. but no
thing In the State Constitution can have
that effect.
Again: The act OF Congress admitting
Virginia TO representation In Congress
contained Il proviso as to what amend
ments might or might not be made to
The State Constitution. That act under
took. In fact. to limit the powers OF any
future State constitutional convention
which might be assembled in this State.
But Congress had no power under the
United States Constitution thus TO put
limits to the power OF r State convention
called to alter or amend a State constitu-
ton. So IL n STATE constitutional conven-
ton be called in Virginia in due form,
and any member shall resusctate that
old dead act of Congress with the purpose
of claiming that 1t is binding upon this
State, such member would take nothing
but his trouble for his pains.
The State convention of 1861 passed
a stay-law and a number of other Ord-
nances.
In fact. we might successfully maintain
that the Legislature of Virginia itself
has no power TO limit the manner in
which a State constitutional convention
shall be assembled. once such a body
Is convened, 1t is able TO take care of it.
self
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-28
Weak III erves

Indicate as surely as any physical
symptom shows anything, that the Or
gans and tissues Of the body are not
satisfied with their nourishment.
They draw their sustenance from
the blood, and if the blood Is thin, i'm
pure or insufficient, they are In state
of revolt. Their complaints are made
to the brain, the king Of the body,
through the nervous system, and the
result of the general dissatisfaction is
what we call Nervousness.
This is concise, reasonable expla-
nation Of the whole matter.
The cure for Nervousness, then, is
simple. Purify and enrich your blood
by taking Hoods Sarsaparilla, and the
nerves, tissues and organs will have
the healthful nourishment they crave.
Nervousness and Weakness will then
give way to strength and health.
That this Is not theory but fact Is
proven by the voluntary statements Of
thousands cured by Hoods Sarsapa-
rilla. Read the next column.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-28
EUNDAY............APRIL %. 1870
Col. warins and the Grand Army


Colonel George L. Waring. Jr, OF the
New York street-Cleaning Department
Formerly OF Newport. II. T.. STANDS MS
ground nobly against the mood OF abuse
being directed against him. and loses no
ppportunity Of reiterating his ceciaratlo"
that the Grand Army OF the Repuo"c
Is an organization Of political bummers'
bent upon sacking the Treasury
Iawton Post, Of Newport, recently sent
Colonel waring series OF abusive resoiu-
lions. and to these he has just replied
He differs with the post. which says
that, after thirty years Of peace these
men have shown the nation that the
Grand Army OF the Republic is as Loyal
10 the country to-day AZ then by deedS
Of patriotism" and ne closes his reply
with the following blast OF indignant
Defiance:
know that the Grand Army or the
Republic contains very respectable mi
nority OF the honest and faithful soldiers
whom you describe. but We all know that
these men have been powerless 10 stop
the robhing of the Treasury in the IN
terest, not OF honest soldiers, whom we
all want TO see loaded with honor ana
Rbundantiy provided for, but In the interest,"
nj shirks, skulks. bounty-jumpers, and
nead-beats, who have overawed it's re-
Spectacle members and made them-even
them-stand as a Inundated reserve In
support OF their raid on the prosperity
pf the people.
Colonel Warnings record as fighting
Soldier Is good and on that point his as
sailants cannot successfully attack him;
but they are making his life a misery, we
should say. judging by their criticisms of
his course. Sooner or later they will man.
Rge TO GUST him from office. The pen
Hioners are organized against him, while
those who concur in the Coloners views
IRE inactive. However. the New York
Evening Post and few other papers have
been candid enough TO say that the Colo
mel is telling the truth. however unpalata-
be that truth may be.
The effect Of the publications now being
made will serve to enlighten the northern
public as 10 the true status OF pension
legislation. but the Grand Army of the
Republic is too formidable a band Of po-
litical pensioners 10 let 30 their hold on
ihe Treasury without calling TO their aid
Bill the prejudice and partlsanry they can
possibly arouse.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-28
The Durnut Mys,ery.

All the world loves lover. but not more
than Il foves a murder-mystery where
the victim Is q woman. young and lovely
The public longing for beauty in the
victim ID strong. and. therefore, IL is
rare that the newspapers report the kill
ing Of any ugly. or even piain-looking.
woman.
In the San Francisco case the prisoner.
Durant, il suspected Of having murdered
two young giris-both beautiful. The au-
thorities have as yet but the outlines
Of = circumstantial case against Durant
There are gaps which they must MI up
before they can hope for conviction. No
doubt, they will he able to produce enough
testimony 10 justify the examining masis-
trats IN sending Durant on for indict-
snent. but something more VIII be re-
cuired In order TO put Durants neck into
the hangman's moose.
A. for Durant he 10 "a cool one" he
a far TOO cool and unconeerned for an
fuaocsnt man. II - only murderers--mur-
derers OF women. particulsriy-who have
the airy innoeencs that distinguished
romnie ciuvsrius. Nothing could have
sxcssded the look Of Innocence worn BY
that young man.
pursnt seems 70 b . man OF the same
fyps-&hs Same old well : known
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-28
Our Next Nominee.

According to numerous supposably-ve-
racious New York correspondents David
Il. Hill will not be a candidate for the
Democratic presidential nomination next
year, and 1t is also reported that he Is OF
the opinion that our party ought to go
to some other State for its standard
bearer.
This view is the general view. The
Democrats of New York are getting
together" again. but their progress Is
necessarily slow. and at the moment OF
this writing II would seem that an "out-
sider'' could do more to promote a com
plote reconciliation OF New York Demo
Gratis than any New Yorker could.
From what we read OF the doings OF
the "reformers" In New York city. We
shall be surprised II the Democrats OF
that city are not reunited and ready fol
fight next fall--so odious are the re-
formers and Goflltes and Parkhursts
making themselves.
II next year II should appear that
New York Democrats are on the eve o.
a reconciliation and happy reorganiza
ton, IL would be pity 10 disturb tn
harmony OF that suspicious occasion b,
raising question as to what New Yorke
should have the nomination.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-28
THE RICHMOND D1srATCh-SUNDNi. ArhiL ~. loso

g. Do you not think that all time-con-
tracts would be made payable In gold?
g. II the Government Of the United
States were to guarantee the parity or
gold and silver dollars, would the gov
eminent, with an unlimited supply OF
silver dollars. be able to give . dollar OF
gold for dollar Of silver, on demand.
without limit?
Z. Can the government compel the peo-
pie to sell their property for silver dol
lars?
s. II all silver that is produced IL
coined how shall the dollars be utilized
as currency and scattered over the
country as currency?
Q. With an unlimited supply of silver.
how long will silver dollar be exchange
able for a gold dollar?
10. Under a free-silver law, would not
gold at once 60 to a premium; be used.
In fact, only to buy silver at Its market
price, to be coined into dollars, and to
drain the government? Would not the
supply Of silver convertible into dollars
be greatly stimulated and increased. ana
necessarily debase the peoples money"(D
and lessen its purchasing power?
II. Surprising our currency to he only
silver. and tn, supply OF It unlimited.
what would be the effect on prices?
r. Would not all prices go up together,
Except wages and salaries?
-. Would the advanced prices indicate
lcreased valus Of the articles sold. or
decreased value OF the currency itself?
u. Would the stimulation OF trade be
wing to healthy and active production
md consumption. or 10 a desire TO get
'omething valuabls for unreliable cur
rency?
Is. VIII free coinage put dollars In the
pocket of a man who has nothing to give
FOR them?
Is. VIII a man who gets two prices for
his products and pays two prices for all
he buys be any better OF for abundant
currency?
II. VIII the wage-earner and salaried
man be better or worse off for advancing
prices?
IS. VIII lands be made moro productive
os essentially valuable for plenty OF
money?
10. VIII demoralized currency help
trade?
90. Can any progress be made. or any
structure built on a quicksand? Is not
uncertainty fatal to progress?
q. Would lands that are bought merely
TO utilize falling currency be cultivated
we'll and generally stimulate agriculture.
or be held only by spectators and
pass into old fields?
%. Would business or gambling be the
result Of a demoralizad currency?
Yours, JOHN l.. WILLIAMS.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-28
Mr.. Cleveland Arraigned.

The coolest thing we have lately seen
10 the arraignment Of President Cleve-
land NJ being unsound on Soma Of the
money questions. Read the following from
Philadelphia paper:
"rhe disposition to dodge. straddle. or
evade the question Is manifest In every
opinion, or what passes for an opinion.
that has been expressed by those OF them
who are In the category OK presidential
possibilities. Some OF them. like Mr..
Cleveland. are bold enough to venture
to tell their countrymen what is not q
sound currency; but none Of them are
willing to define what Is a sound cur
rency, or how It Is to be obtained. Sec
rotary Morton came near to doing It;
but Mr.. Cleveland FASTENED to assure the
public that he must not be held account
able for the declaration"
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-28

Florida has a constitutional provision re-
garding the exercise OF the veto power
which Is unique. 1t Is that IL any bill
passed by the Legislature Is not returned
by the Governor within five days after
he receives It 1t shall become a law. "un-
Jess the Governor within ten days next
after the final adjournment shall file such
bill. with his objections thereto, in the
office Of the Secretary Of State. who shall
lay the same before the Legislature at its
next session. and II the same shall receive
two thirds OF the votes present 1t shall
become a law The Florida system
practically makes the Legislature a con-
tinuous body in respect Of bills vetoed
after the end OF a session, and 1t Is said
to have no parallel anywhere else In the
Union.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-28

Murat Halstead's Brooklyn paper-the
Standard Union-is gold monometallist.
we believe. whilst the Cincinnati paper
which he once owned and edited is what
we might term silver monometalist. His
Brooklyn paper pokes fun at the Demo-
Gratis as follows:
'Now, let the Democrats roll over ana
bite each other about silver. just as they
did when they had to formulate ofiiciaiiy
their convictions about the tariff and
the currency"
The Democrats ought not to allow them
selves to divide into factions on the silver
question. or any other. Mr.. Cleveland will
be President until March 4. 1897. Here In
virginia we have so far acted wisely.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-28
Fashionable Letter-Writing.

Scribner for May, in THE Point OF
View" column, laments the decadence OF
letter-writing, and says that the letters
| of the day "are no longer letters In the
true sense at ALL" They are amplifed
| kilograms; bald and bare statements OF
| fact" and they have the loose and dis
| jointed and careless phraseology OF
| the telegraphic message. That sense
| of the mt expression, the graceful con-
| cept; that feeling for the lucid and con-
nected exposition Of the ideas, for the
balance Of the parts. Of a letter; for its
composition, in short-the very term Is
pre-Adamite TO the ofthe-century
ear-that used to preoccupy the best let
ter-writers OF another generation. have
gone from our present-day scribbiers OF
hasty notes as though such musty
things had never been"
There Is much foundation for this la
mentaton. We know Of only a few
good letter writers. DR.. Hoge is one.
Governor Kemper was another. In the
letters Of each Of these we see grace
funess OF style, words happily chosen.
and cordiality free alike from ELUSIVE
ness and stiffness. What is more, the
writing can be read. Not so with all
letters. Many have to be guessed out.
so wretched (and Stylish is the penman-
ship. No man nor woman ought to In
fict upon q friend letter which cannot
be easily read. Yet ten persons are
careful about their stationery where one
Is careful about his or her penmanship.
Indeed there are some who seem to take
great pride in making their manuscript
artistically illegible.
We should like to go in with Scribner
for a reform both in the composition
and penmanship Of letters. Let more
attention be paid to style and to pen
| manship both. 1t Is not in the power of
every one to write what Is called "a
beautiful hand" but II Is in the power
Of nearly every person who has fair
health and good eyesight to write legi-
bly,.
We have no selfish purpose In the re-
form that we here advocate. Most of the
"copy'' that the newspaper editor OF to-
day handles comes to him typewriter
| In "typoscript." as the phrase now Is.
II
Indeed not few newspaper offices re-
quire all Of their editors and reporters to
hand in typoscript copy"
To get the best results from the type
setting machines the operator Compost
tori must have legible copy. His time Is
precious. He can't AFFORD to leave his
seat and 60 to the foreman or proof
reader to ask information as to this. that.
or the other illegibe word. 30 the day OF
ilegible or difficult copy has almost passed
| In the newspaper Office. The editors won't
give II OUT the compositors rebel
against it-and very rightly too. We are
now thinking Of how we may rescue So
ciety people from the curse Of congrat-
ulatory or condolatory letters that are
stupidity composed and carelessly COM
mitted to paper To this end we commend
the productions Of our ancestors. most OF
whom wrote well In all respects. To this
end we want to see good writing. good
writing In every sense. become fad
q fad that win come to stay.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-28

The committee that has been investi-
eating the Tennessee penitentiary scandal
has reported, sustaining most OF the
charges. In the matter of the new peni-
tertiary it Is shown that Architect W. C.
Smith testified two years ago that a
1,s00-cell prison could be built for $4,000
while the estimate on his plans was $780,
200. and the contract was let for 1851, 900.
and Smith now states that 10000 more
will be necessary TO complete it. The
committee find that the letting OF the
contract was fraudulent and corrupt
transaction.