davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-10
Per Cnput vs.. Per Capita.


To the Editor of the Dispatch:
1.-THE daily wages of these men Is "
per capita"
You did not answer my question as to
whether or not this is a grammatical ex-
preston. You simply pitted Webster
against Johnson. and said the former
gives the meaning of per capita as by
the head"
We all understand this TO be the mean
ing intended to be conveyed, but is IL
q correct translation?
Per capita is not found among the
words defined in the body Of Webster's
Unabridged Dictionary. though in the
appendix, there IL a long list of words.
phrases, &C, from the Greek, Latin, and
modern foreign languages in which this
phrase Is translated by the head, in
the singular number. Webster has long
been recognized as a high authority as
photographer. but he never achieved any
particular distinction as translator or
foreign languages. and even his appendi-
cal dictum in this case Is not conclusive.
Your correspondent, +, armed with
the formidable Virginia Code. boldly
champions its correctness by telling US
that per capita is a legal phrase, and
by quoting from the Code as follows,
giving us chapter and verse: They shall
take per capita, or by persons" Surely
his weapon proved to be veritable BOOM
erang in his hands. for 1t translates
capita as a plural noun. He then at
tempts to excuse the Code for making
correct translation by saying, Capita Is
plural because a plural significance was
intended to be conveyed, but. even IL
singular sense were intended. the nomina-
tive caput could not be properly used,
because per requires the accusatiye case
after it,"
But caput is the nominative and accu-
satlve cases singular. as capita is the
nomnative and accusative cases plural.
Let us change the sentence used In the
beginning without changing Its mean
ing: THE per diem wages OF these men
is 81 per capita" Here a plural signih-
canoe Is intended TO be conveyed. as in
the quotation from the Code, yet diem.
the accusative singular. is properly used
instead Of dies. the accusative plural
But Z says IL is legal phrase. Black
stone, a pretty good authority in legal
matters, says Law Latin Is a corrupt
sort of Latin used in the law" 1t is
sometimes called dog Latin, and Webster
defines dog Latin as "barbarous Latin"
Per capita is law LAIN. II seems TO be
dog Latin, ard dog-goned bad Latin
withal.
The logic of part of Els argument
may be succinctly shown by the following
syllogism. in which the conclusion APP
pears to be somewhat of a non sequitur.
Premise /. Per requires the accusative
case after IT,
Premise q Caput. in. per caput, is In the
accusative case. and is after per.
Conclusion. Therefore. caput Is wrong.
J.. II. w.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-10
Is Major II. G.. MOsby Living:

LAWRENCEVILLE. VA. Feb. 9. 1895.
To the Editor of the Dispatch:
In your issue of the 5th instant no
tice piece headed Buried on Johnson's
Island" in which it says CAPTAIN George
Watt Taylor. of Church Hill, is in re-
ceipt of a letter from Captain V. c. Lar
kin, chief OF the Dayton (O) fire depart
ment, in which he enclosed the following
list of Confederate soldiers buried on
Johnson's Island"
Among this is that of Lieutenant NJ.
II. Michael. Fifty-ninth Virginia Regi-
ment which should be w. H. Michael
While / feel sad when l think of his
dying so far away from home, after
spending four years OF his youthful life
in a bloody war between sovereign States,
with not a relative of any kind TO speak
a soothing word. yet i feel proud TO know
he had a true friend in Major
II. G Mosby, who said in his letter TO
my father of June 10. 1865. giving an ac-
count of his death: 81 shall mark his
grave with a head-board. and battle the
sod with friendships tears" ard by this
head board his grave still stands marked
among the gallant dead.
The name Of Major Mosby feels near
and dear to our family, and my family
would like to know If he is still living.
His letter herein mentioned is placed in
our family Bible as record. r. 7. NJ.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-10
VIRGINIA NAyIGATIoS7:rEsL

bDN AM Pres
General Ohices' F''i''' gi
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-10
thinking It was not worth while to argue
Kissing LINKS.


The Norfolk and Newport News Teie-
phone Company and the Postal have met
with a serious loss by the breaking OF
their cables across the Roads during the
recent freeze Short pieces can be found
nj each end, but the missing links
ard they are both long ones-haye been
carried away. A tug party OF men have
beeh dragging to recover them. IL they
succeed II will be a clear case OF cool
luck.
Colonel Rosger, contractor for the new
sewerage system, is having his material
manufactured out In West Virginia,
where 1t will be inspected before II is
shipped here for use. II Is thought that
the work will commence about April lst
PERSONAL
Mrs. George Booker. who has been In
New Orleans attending the Mardi Gras.
returned home Tuesday morning. after u
most delightful visit.
Ordnance Sergeant Adam Farber was
placed on the retired list to-day after
thirty years service, much OF which has
been spent at this post. He will move
to Cold Springs, N. Y. where he will go
into business with his son.
Mr.. Cleveland, who Is now shooting In
North Carolina waters. is the only Presi-
dent who has not visited the post since
the close of the war II is hoped he VIII
find time to give us a call on his re-
turn trip.
The following Richmonders have regis
tered at the Hygeia Hotel during the
week: John w. Gordon. G. ]. Anderson,
10 Lane Stern, Ed. Whltlock, ]. f. Smith,
Hugh L. Davis and wife. and w. II.
Tabb
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-10
CHORUS
Italian Army Service.
nInIINFnNTl

To the Editor OF the Dispatch:
III a boy is born in Italy, Of Italian pa
rents and comes TO this country. stays
here the prescribed length OF time to
obtain his naturalization papers, and does
obtain them, and then goes back to Italy
as the American citizen his papers
have made him, can he be made to go
in the army, or punished for not return
ing TO Italy and joining the army when
he arrived at the proper age?
BY answering this you will greatly
oblige. SUBSCRIBER"
He would have TO serve his term,
unless he could bring influences to bear
upon the Italian Government TO
cause it to waive its alleged
rights in the premises. If he
did not report in time he would be
declared deserter, and when he did
return he would be imprisoned. and then
after his punishment he would be made
TO serve his regular military term Of three
years In the infantry. five years In caval-
~. or six years, In artillery; but by
reporting in time In the consulate, wher-
ever he might be. he might make appli-
cation 10 serve as volunteer by paying
the sum OF 1900 lire and standing an
easy examination. The volunteer term
is one year. II this boy is the Oldest son
Of a widowed mother he is exempt from
service. but he must always report TO
the Consul and get his regular papers.
and be assigned to the third category OF
the military service and thus avoid all
trouble In future.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-10
NORTHERN VISITORS.
THEY ARE DELIGHTED WITH THE
MILD WEATHER AT OLD POINT.
A North Carolina Recruit Received
In styie--A sentry's Reply to Gem
craI ord-sissinE Links Of Gable
social Notes.
rorrespondence OF the pIspatch.)


OLD POINT COMFORT. VA. March 0.
II the crowd OF northern visitors keep
on coming In as they have during the
past week. the hotels will soon have
TO display the old sign, standing room
only" and the Chesapeake and Ohio will
be called upon to carry eff the surplus
10 the Warwick, at Newport News.
Nearly all sections OF the North are
represented. but the larger portion are
from the region bordering the lakes
where the March winds are something TO
be remembered. They are delighted with
the mild and genial weather now pre-
vaillng here, and the ladies find their
long sealskin sacques an incumbrance.
North Carolina stili continues to fur
nish the garrison with a desirable line Of
recruits-sturdy farmers sons, who are
"seeking the bubble reputation even at
the lannon's mouth" and having a much
more comfortable time than they could on
a farm Naturally, they have very crude
ideas as 10 military affairs before they
arrive and several good stories are told
at their expense. a recent addition 10
the force had been In correspondence
with the post adjutant as to the pay,
duties, etc, of the position. Finding
them satisfactory, he concluded to take
a blanket" and telegraphed the adjutant
to meet him at the depot. He carried
the message to the commanding officer
and asked for instructions. That gentle
man graveiy suggested that he turn out
the band, and meet him In style. When
last seen the recruit was showing a hand
cart in the direction OF the quarter
masters storehouse, in which to carry TO
his quarters the first outfit OF clothing
issued by Uncle Sam. He will get better
acquainted with the adjutant the first
time he mounts guard.
THE JOKE ON ORD.
Speaking of guard duty reminds me of
an incident that occurred in the early
days OF 1862, when the writer was doing
4 tour OF that necessary but not always
pleasant function. The regiment was en-
camped about n mile west OF the Chain
bridge and attached to General Ord's
Brigade, who had recently Joined II.
There was a green genius named Swank
on guard at the gate. General Ord and
two captains OF his staff came along the
pike, when Swank, after sizing them up,
faced out and came to carry arms,
instead Of a present. Quick as a flash
General Ord turned his horse, and.
riding UP to Swank, addressed him thus:
Sentry, don't you know enough, sir.
to salute a general officer when you
see one?" Swank calmly looked him
over, and replied: "Well, yes. But as
there was only one general officer and
two captains, 1 thought the captains had
It," General Ord wheeled his horse
around. and Joined his aides. evidently
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-10
south African ISuar Choir.

(ffarperS iounS ftopic'l
When in the course OF their singing the
words become especially deep and full OF
meaning, the bodies Of the singers sway
from side to side, and the hands
beat the time. This swaying Is especially
noticeable in the Song of the Bell; the
body seems to initiate the motions OF the
tongue that strikes the bell, then falls
back quivering. and plunges down on The
other side. Another song Is In narrative,
describing the progress of family or
natives from the forest on a journey to
the coast. The listener is supposed to be
at house on the side Of the road upon
which the procession is to pass. AT frs, he
hears them family, then louder and
louder, until the singing family reach his
door: then he, too, with all the members
of the household, joins them with his
voice and hands until the party passes
away from sight and hearing. During the
entire journey this singing and clapping
of hands are kept up. Although you cam
not understand the words of the song 1t
is so wildly pictured that you catch its
meaning without a conscious effort on
your part.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-10
Cream and Butter.

ROCKY POINT, VA.
To the Editor OF the Dispatch:
VIII you kindly tel me why II is that
some cream Is so hard TO churn. give a
remedy for same. and say II there Is
anything that will color butter without
injury 10 taste and what It is? X.
Cream, from many causes. at times. Is
hard 10 make give up its butter. MIX
from cows that have recently calved,
mixed with milk from cows that have
been giving milk for a long time will
at times be hard 10 make give UP the but
ter fat. Perhaps the temperature of the
cream has not been warmed TO G. degrees
before commencing to church. which sould
be done during the winter. One should
never put over one half the capacity in
the churn. 10 insure thorough ccncussion.
Several firms make good but.er-eolors
that stand well all over the world.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-10
Number of Indians, &c.
PETERSBURG, VA.

' ~
To the Editor of the Dispatch:
VIII you kindly tell me the number OF
Indians now in the United States. and
how many troops are required TO keep
them in subsection? READER.
The number OF Indians in the United
States according to the latest figures.
exclusive OF Indians in Alaska, Is 25l,Nl.
1t would be difficult TO say how many
troops are required TO keep them in sub
lection" Very few of the troops are To-
Gated on or in the vicinity of Indian reser-
vations, and many that are there are
used TO protect the Indians from white
invasion quite as much as to keep them IN
subsection. The War Department may be
able to give an estimate as TO how large
a proportion Of the army its considers
needed on account Of our Indian popula-
ton. The strength of the army as
whole was, in 1894. 27.957.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-10
A Ditch Problem.
ORAL OAKS PosT-oFFIcE.

ORAL OAKS POST-OFFICE, VA.
10 the Editor OF the Dispatch:
A agrees with and TO cut ditch
100 yards long for the sum OF 500. with
the understanding that each one Oh and
@ Is 90 cut $50 worth. and Il is to receive
61-2 cents per day while engaged In cut
ting his SO worth, and c Is 10 receive
SLIP i-2 per day while engaged in cutting
his $50 worth. How much must each one
cut at the per diem price named to get
his $50. and cut all OF the 100 yards?
Please answer by statement and figures
IN your next Query Column, and oblige
a subscriber. r. II. A.
II Is questionable whether this problem
Is stated fully. Call s73Ec. ~, and Sl121<
SIS. b viii take sso+sT days. aud G
ESQ., eos days; or. 5Oxs-7 days. and 50x
SO days II the quantity cut is proper
tional to the days taken in cutting
toNs-7 and 50x6-9
are 70 each other as 81 and SO, or 1T and
l-s. or e-ss and 1853. or . and7.
Then. l6 0 !; 100 yards 5614 yards for B,
and i6 7 !: 100 yards 49, yards for G.
Cs part might DO more difficult to cut.
and therefore he might get more day for
cutting. That seems to be the general
idea
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-10
- -
County Taxation.
sPERRYvILLE. VA

SPERRYV1LLE, VA.
To the Editor OF the Dispatch:
What is the constitutional limit to
county taxation?
Has a county a right TO impose a tax
for county purposes. exceeding the State
limit?
What was the ruling OF the court in
the case OF the Commonwealth VS. Profilt?
w. /. W.
I. There is no constitutional limit as to
amount to be levied on property for coun-
~ purposes. except that it cannot exceed
what may be necessary TO defray the
county charges and expenses. and all me-
cessary charges incident 10 or arising
from the execution OF their tthe Board
OF Supervisory lawful authority" Code
1851. section SAD
2. In case OF Profit VS.. Anderson.
Deputy Sheriff. go Southeastern Reporter.
$50. II was held that "the road law OF
Louisa county tActs isoi-lss2 page $50. re-
curing all able-bodied men between ls
and 60 years old TO work the roads two
days In each year. and conferring authors
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-10
WasbingtOn's birthday.
BROOK HILL p. O., VA.

BROOK HILL L. u, VA.
To the Editor of the Dispatch:
In Howe's History OF Virginia, repub
lished / think about 1S45 In its descrip-
ton OF Westmoreland county II men
lions that the birthplace of Washington
was destroyed previous to the Revolution,
and that IL stood about half mile from
the junction of Pope's creek with the
Potomac, that a stone had lately been
placed there to mark the site by G. w.
Curtis, Esq. which bears the simple
inscription. Here on the nth of Febru-
airy, 1892, George Washington was born.
There is also fac-simile OF the record
OF the birth of Washington, said TO have
been taken from the Bible Of his mother,
which reads as follows: George Wash
ington, son to Augustine, and Mary, his
wife. was born We 18th day of February.
1912. about 10 in the morning, and was
baptized the Sd of April following, Mr..
Beverly Whiting and Captain Christopher
Brooks. godfathers and Mrs Mildred
Gregory godmother."
This history also states that the fac
smile of the record of the birth OF
Washington is from the family record
I'm the Bible which belonged to his
mother, and that the original entry is
supposed to have been made by
her, and that at that time this
old family Bible was in the
possession Of George w. Bassett, Esq,
of Pennington. Hanover county, who
married a grandniece OF Washington.
VIII you please answer through the
Dispatch II the above record In regard
10 the birth OF Washington Is true, and
IL true why do we celebrate the Twenty
second of February as Washngton's
birthday? w. s. s.
Neither the inscription on the stone
nor the entry in the Bible Is completely
correct
The inscription gives the old-style date
Of the month. with the present style year
The Bible gives the old-style date OF
the month. and both the old-style and
present style year, as was then GUS
tom, the year beginning on March 18th.
In order to be completely correct the
II. 1881.
entry may be written: February
%. l7a2.
These dates being identically the same,
the upper date being the old style. equiv
alent to the lower present style date.
We celebrate February 22d (present
style). because that Is the day on which
he was born. He was not born on Feb
ruary nth present style). When he was
born February nth (old Style. was Feb
ruary 22d new style). and so II is now
February ed new style) is still Febru-
airy 18th (old style). And this fact would
have been evident II the entry In the
Bible had given both the old style and
present style date OF the month, as It
does OF the year. II Is true that the
English Government did not adopt the
present style until 1852. but this act had
no effect on the dates. the same differ
ence remained between the old style and
the new. II we were TO celebrate Feb
ruary 18th, present style, we would be
celebrating January Slst. old style. IL
we had not have adopted the present style
our present February I'D would now be
February llth. on our calendars. The
Russians. we believe. continue to use both
18th.
styles and write the date February -
18th
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-10

similar ones have been recently answered
we cannot undertake To ascertain the
value OF old coins For that information
write to some dealer in them.
we cannot undertake 10 answer queries
by mail; we can only answer them
through this column.
address "ouery Editor Dispatch once
Richmond. Va"
We are willing to reproduce OLD war
songs. and 10 comply as far as possible
with requests for the publication OF rare
poems, etc, but we cannot undertake
10 MI our columns with matter which
may be easily procured from any music
store or out OF school-bsois.
N. Il. We do not read Unsigned letters.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-10
Origin OF "Too Thin"

To the Editor OF the Dispatch:
saw in an issue OF the Dispatch OF re-
cent date that your correspondent traced
the expression TOO thin" to the late
Alexander Stephens. Ii he will read
shakespeare's Henry the WILL" act v.
scene 2. he will find:
II come not
To hear such batteries now: and in my
presence
They are too thin aud bare TO hide Of
fences"
. The peculiar use Of ''done." quite fire.
quently heard, is from Chaucer. Done
make an altar; Had done make" I;
These merchants have done freight their
shlppes new" LET Slide" Is from the
'-Cierke's Tale" in Chaucer.
CHARLES IL. COREY.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-10
A TLANrICCOAsT LINE.
SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE TUESDAY.
JANUARY ), 1896.

TRAINS LEAVE RICHMOND:
| 900 A. III, Arr.ve Petersburg y:3l A. NJ,
Norfolk II % a. NJ. Stops only
at Petersburg, Wayerly. and
eos A. NJ. Arrives Petersburg $50 A. NJ.
Weldon ll:iS A. NJ, Fayette-
vile 4:So p. NJ, Charleston
1l:B II. NJ. Savannah I19 A
NJ. Jacksonville 700 A. NJ
Connects at Wilson with No
a., arriving GoldsborO' 3O5 T.
NJ, Wilmington 5a5 T.. ~
huIlman Sleeper New York to
2:55 p. NJ. Local. arrives Petersburg S:42
y. ". Makes all stops.
$40 7. NJ, Arrives Petersburg 5:55 p. NJ,
Norfolk SAC =. NJ. Makes al!
7as p. NJ. Arrives Petersburg 7:4s p. NJ.
Weldon 9:2I r. M, Fayeits-
$40 A. NJ. Savannah rs 4.
NJ NE :lafhiE1iH NyE rs Fs;'' M +. ni
GEORGIA POINTS. Arriving
A. NJ, Macon II 90 A. ~, At
lanta Ei5 y; M. Pullman
Sleeper New York to Charles
ton, 81. Augustine. Port Tam
pc. Aiken. Augusta, and Ma
u:4o p. NJ. Arrive Petersburg 1913 A. NJ.
Durkevllle 24l A, NJ. Lyncn.
a. NJ. Bristol 1859 A. NJ
Pullman Sleeper Richmond TO
Lynchburg.
1888 A. NJ. Arrives Petersburg 1:05 A. NJ.
Weldon 2:tS A. NJ. Henderson,
fOt \. NJ, Raleigh bl7 A. NJ,
Elber;on 2:0i r. n, Atlanta
sos +. NJ. Pullman Sleeper
Washington 20 Atlanta.
TRAINS ARRIVE RICHMOND:
$50 A. H., From Jacksonville. Savannah
Charleston, Atlanta. Macon.
Augusta, and Weldon.
$40 A. NJ, Atlanta. Athens, and Raleigh.
SIS A. NJ. Lynchburg and the West.
II 15 A. NJ, Norfolk, Suffolk. and Peters
burg.
Charleston, Wilmington. Colds
bofo'. and Weldon.
100 p. ~. Norfolk. SUFFOLK. Wavsrly. and
PETERSBURG.
$50 p. NJ. Lynchbugg and the West
r.. NJ. EMERSON.
J. r. KENLY, Trafic Manager.
General Manager. IA
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-10
Y0RK-RlVER LINE, VIA wEsTPoM1
THE FAvORITE ROUTE NORTH.
LEAVE RICHMOND.
TRAIN No. 10. 800 p. NJ.

LOCAL EXPRESS, daily. Stops at all
stations At Lester Manor connects with
stage for Walkerton; also, at West Point
with YOrk-river steamers for Baltimore.
Steamers leave Baltimore at 4 i. NJ,
and West Point $50 L. NJ, daily, except
Sunday.
Trains from West Point arrive at Rich
mond at 1910 A. NJ. daily, and at $50 z.
NJ, daily, except Sunday.
TRAIN No. "A. 6:45 A. NJ.
LOCAL MIXED. daily, except Sunday,
leaves Twenty-third street for West Point
and intermediate points.
Ticket-office at station, foot Of Virginia
street. Open from 500 A. n. to 900 r. NJ,
and from 900 Il. NJ. tos12:40 A. NJ.
j NJ. CULP, w. A. TURK,
Traffic Manager. General Pass. Ag't.
w. II. GREEN, General Manager East-
j. s. b. THOMPSON, Superintendent.
JOHN NJ. BEALL. Travelling Passen-
ger Agent. 900 east Main street. Richmond.
Wa. de 1
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-10

saine family. including old diaries. let
ters, &C Foote's Huguenoss IN Europe
and America has an appendix relating
to Virginia Huguenct families. There are
Included in the records OF Henrico many
Wills and other documents relating to
the Huguenots. and the same Is the case
Gin regard TO their descendants) with
the records OF Goochland. Cumberland.
and Powhatau. a very elaborate account
OF the Flournoy family Is now running
In the Virginia Historical Magazine.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-10
Law Against sacep-Killlns Dogs.

bisA1hSlONb, VA
To the Editor OF the Dispatch:
l. A. s. wanted to know what to do
with sheep-killing dogs. See Code. 1887
sections 2is2. 1893. and 2e03. which say that
any Justice, on proof that any
dog Is mad or has been bit
ten by mad-dog. or has killed or
worried any sheep shall order such dog
TO be killed. II the owner OF any dog so
ordered to be killed conceal him, or cause
him TO be concealed. 70 prevent the order
from being executed. he shall be fined
- for every day such dog shall be so
concealed.
fee OF 81 Is allowed FOR each dog
Killed under the preceding sections. and
any officer failing TO execute the order
OF the Justice torfeits so for each case.
This law applies to ali the counties in
the State Of Virginia. r. r. JONES.
Justice of the Peace.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-10
A Confederate Poem.

OWL. OAKS Posr-oFFICE. VA.
TO the Editor Of the Dispatch:
VIII you kindly publish in your column
OF Queries and Answers the Confederate
poem, or battle call. "Nec Temre, Nee
Iimide." written in 1861. ! think. by Mrs.
Annie Chambers Ketchum.
Very respectfully. W. ID. v.
Yes. II one of our readers viii copy
Il and send Il to us.