davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02
THE MISSISSIPPI LEVELS.

correspondent who has recently
travelled along the Mississippi river from
Cairo to Vicksburg says that 1t Is the
general sentiment of steamboat men
planters, residents Of river citief river
prophets and all sorts and conditions OF
men and women along the line tlat the
levees must 90. They have all come TO
the conclusion that It will not DO to triile
with natural laws, and that boarding the
lion in his den is not to be compared TO
an attempt to hold the great father OF
waters within bounds, when he decides
TO go on the rampage. TIE high water
Of 1891 is without precedent. and tley all
claim that what has brought ii about is
the extension OF the levee system to
keep the water pent up n a narrow q an
mel. contrary to the intent of nature. by
building these dykes. tie attempt has
been made to shut the Mississippi out
from the lowlands. but every now and
then the great river has oro<en freIa tie
restraint put upon 1t and entered the
forbidden territory.
1t is the general opinion that an occa-
sional overflow is really beneficial as a
means Of enrichng the soil. and II is
well known fact that the best crops have
been made in the years when the floods
came. Let the periodical overilows
come" say the people ''and we welcome
their calm approach. and permit them
10 enter our fields and plantations unre-
strained" There is nothing in such over
flows comparable to the horror Of the Gre
vase, the resistless current which uproots
trees. sweeps houses from their founda-
ton and destroys life.
1t now appears that the present gene
ration with all their science and money
are not so wsse as the prehistoric race
which let the river have its way. and
protected themselves by mounds which
are 10 be found on both sides Of the river
and are commonly called Indian mounds.
The people say that without the levee
system they can easily protect themselves
and their stock from the rising waters
by building these mounds and erecting
houses thereon for man and beast. In
deed farmers along the Mississippi are
to-day using such mounds TO advantage
and are also protecting themselves
against the floods by building small prl-
vate levees about few acres included in
their orchards. gardens and plots OF
ground surrounding their homes and
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02

Tho English Chancellor OF the ENche-
ouer. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach. read the
budget statement for the kingdom in tho
House Of Commons last Thursday night
The balanced account for 1861 SHOWS
the oxchequer revenue to be Sol9HV'Vvo
and the expenditure to have been S0Oh-
qS5 600 leaving a surplus Of Sl236J.OW. Inc
Chancellor added that tho national dept
had been reduced during the year SS'''2o'-
600 and that the total value Of Brush
trade during the year was S,6N'VVVo'
an Increase OF per cent. over what IL
was the preceding year.
When we contrast this exhibit for Eng
land with what our public records snow
for u.s. it makes one gnash his teeth.
Think. with our opportunity and re
sources. how our prosperity. which should
be far I'm excess of England's, dwarfs
into nothing beside the onward rush or
business there, when every man knows
exactly what his contracts mean, and
every man is at liberty TO make any
use of his mind. his body and his prop
erty that he pleases. so long as he tres
passes upon no other man and has no
evil intention against any other.
Yet here, in what should be the cradle,
the nursery, and the home Of freedom
liberty regulated by law-we see enter
prises languishing. capital Withdrawing
into secret places, the streams Of bust
ness drying up into burning sands. be-
cause uneducated theorists. crude in
mind barren OF experience, and indiffer-
ent to the rights Of their fellow men. in
sist upon using the coercive power or
statute law 10 change mems contracts
from that which they have deliberately
agreed upon, into something else that
will take from one what he has earned.
and bestow it upon another who has not
entitled himself to il by earnest toll
Surely this lesson which England holds
out 10 us ought to be a lesson to the
Populists upon the one hand and the
advocates of q protective tariff upon the
other. Trade in England is absolutely
free and she has had nothing but the
single gold standard for eighty-one
wears. But she IS the most prosperous
nation the world ever heard Of and her
wealth Is increasing each year by leaps
and bounds and, although her entire re-
serve Of coin is less than S25o0oOOlO,
through perfect confidence reigning every
where every man has all the money IN
the way of credits that he can make
anv use Of. why will not the Populist
and the protective tariff man learn a les
SON from her.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02
Let the PeODle Decide.

Editor of The Times:
SIr-Relative to the bid'which has been
made for the purchase OF the Gas Works
This city is a corporation and the tax
payers are stockholders therein. and when
very important business proposition
is made TO the Board Of Directors, the
stockholders, I think, should be given
an opportunity OF saying whether they
wish such q proposition accepted or re-
jected. An election is 10 be held the
latter part Of this month, and II can then
be ascertained. without additional cost
what the owners think OF the sale Of this
property at the price and on the terms
which have been submitted. and think
ii unwise. un-Democratic and ill-adyised
should the Council deny the people an
opportunity to vote on the subject. l am
frank 10 say that / would vote 20 accept
even smaller sum than has been Of
fered, for l not only believe that the city
has never made any money on this
plan but that II will never earn, under
the most honest administrations four
per cent on one million dollars, for the
very simple reason that 1t has been, and
ever will be while owned by the city, con-
Quoted not on business methods but as a
huge political machine. This is in
no wise intended as a reflection on Mr.
Knowles, who is an efficient officer, but
he is as helpless in all material things
as he well could be.
II is recognized, too, that It is positively
essential 10 a return 10 prosperity that
we should start up small manufacturing
enterprises. There are no large steam
plants here which furnish power 70 small
manufactures. There is no small
water power 70 be had. What then
have we 10 offer small man
ufacturers? Nothing. but boosted
climate. which, however. hasn't turn
ed many wheels hereabouts so far. These
new people propose to supply the thing
needed. This in my opinion is the most
attractive feature OF the proposition.
have seriously felt the need OF cheaper
gas for manufacturing. My wants didn't
justify steam engine, and I couldn't
make satisfactorily arrangements for
electricity.
The people OF Richmond and tho city
Of Richmond are one. II the people of
Richmond want a good, low priced gas
for Illuminating purposes. and need a
cheap fuel gas for manufacturing pur-
poses, then you injure the city OF Rich
mond by depriving them OF their needs.
IL Is poor advice In this age OF I'M
prOvements to say, let well enough
alone" No doubt such sayings were used
in the days of tallow dips, and L is
well known that when the first capitalist
came here with a view 10 building an
electric street railway. certain wiseacres
dssuaded them from starting the enter
prise on the ground that the mule cars
were answering all the demands OF the
public; and certain enterprising gentle
men here were forced thereby TO go off
and interest other monied men in the
scheme. IL We can do better We want
to do so and we at least want and de-
mand the opportunity 10 express our
selves.
MANUFACTURERS.
Richmond, Va, May l, 1897.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02
SUNDAY, MAY 2, 1897.
MEETINGS AND EVENTS TOMORROW

Pickett Camp. c. ". Central Hail.
Henrico Union Lodge. Masons. Masonic
Temple.
Syracuse Lodge. X. OF p. Odd-Fellows'
Hall.
Capit.I City Lodge. 1. o. o. f., Corcorda
Hall.
jefferson Lodge. l. o. o. f., odd-Fellows'
Hall.
Richmond Lodge. I. o. o. F.. Belvidere
Hall.
Anawan Tribe I. o. r. NJ, Laube's
Hall.
Indianola Tribe. I. o. r. NJ. Toney's
Hall.
Richmond Paper Hangers Union, Eagle
Hall.
St. Andrews Commandery. X. T., Ma
sonic Temple.
west-End w. c. T. u, Y. NJ. c. A.
ParlOrs.
old Dominion Lodge. X. of r.. Lee Camp
Hall
Stonewall Club, L. l.. Of A., Y. NJ. c. A.,
ParlOrs.
II. L. Lee Council Jr. o. L. A. NJ, Jr o.
L. A. NJ Hall.
Patrick Henry Council. Jr o. U. A. NJ,
Grove Council, Jr. o. U. A. NJ. Good
Templars Hail
Rescue Lodge, l. o. G. T., Gatewood' S
Hall.
Myrtle Temple. l. o. G. T, Pine-street
Baptist church
McGnl Union. Cathedral Hall.
Carpenters Union. Concordia Hall.
Company T.. First Regiment, Armory.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02

That lynching does not prevent crime
IS abundanty attested by the tact that
within week after a negro had been
lynched in Alexandria for criminal as
sault. another negro made an attempt
to commit a similar crime ia hat city.
This at first blush would seem almost
wonderful, but there is really nothing
strange in It when we look at the facts
face TO face. IL is the same old story.
Lawlessness begets lawlessness. When
ever the best element in community
take the law into their own hands, they
arouse the lawless element into activity.
and instead Of deterring encourage them
to commit crime.
The fact IS, If the truth were known.
the real motive behind every "lynchng
bee" is revenge, and that is contrary TO
the spirit OF the law. The law never pun
ishes a criminal in a pirit OF revenge.
but always in a spirit OF warning to
others. The difference between a mob
which executes criminal and a court OF
justice is the difference between chaos
and order; the difference between angry
excitement and dignided elaboration
The cringing wretch fears the mob of
course, but the fear Of court Of justice
is coupled with respect and reverence.
If men were deferred from 2 commission
Of crime by the fear OF punishment only.
then indeed would society be in a bad
way. The safety of society depends upon
the respect which men have for the law.
and when that respect IS gone the law
becomes a dead letter and is powerless
Of execution. II seems TO us a perfectly
plain proposition therefore that the
course on the part Of any community
which tends to inspire men with the
greatest respect for the law is the course
which most surely tends 20 prevent
crime.It is very certain that law and or
der is not to be promoted by bringing
them into contempt
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02
those of tho hundreds OF employees on

those Of tho hundreds Of employees on
every plantation.
Much dissatisfaction also exists among
the people where the lcvees are not I'M
der the control of the government be-
cause or their belief that the state Boards
are corrupt and that tho funds appropri-
atcd by the State for the maintenance or
the levees serve as a grab bag for those
entrusted with their distribution in the
form Of high official salaries. expensive
clerical forces. exorbltant expense ac-
counts, and open connivance with the
contractors who work and bid under
their direction and approval
The people along the banks or inc
Hwang-Ho or Yellow River OF CHINA nave
had experiences similar to those OF 'ne
people who live along the banks OF the
Mississippi. This eccentric river has, ac-
cording to Chinese traditions changed
its course at least nine times during inc
last 300 years emptied itself into the sea
at as many different points. inc
breaches that were made In the Northern
bank OF the river during the HOODS or
1s51-1S53 caused its waters gradually to
overflow the low-lying country and these
after spreading over a belt Of country oil
about twelve miles in width struck the
bed of the Ta-Tsing River, and having
forced their way into that narrow clean
cut channel. followed 1t into the sea- The
result OF this change IS that the old
course Of the river Is dry, and In time
there will be another great catastrophe.
caused by destroying the banks OF the
new channel The foods from this river
have been so disastrous as to have gain
ed for it the well deserved title Of the
sorrow Of Han" The river in its flow has
carried along so much OF loose earth that
banks and shoals have been formed which
have gradually raised the bottom OF the
river itself above the surrounding coun-
try.
The levee system has done much the
same thing for the Mississippi river.
constantly raising the bottom OF the river
so that in some places the river is so
much higher than the surrounding coun-
try. that the people go up to the liver In
stead Of down 10 the river as I'm old Vir-
ginia. II is a dangerous thing to trine
with nature and natures laws.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02
PRESIDENT GOMPERs on THE WORK
INGNA>'S NEEDS.


The whole country was profoundly i'm
pressed by the statement made by Presi-
dent Gompers to MIR. Speaker Reed. when
the delegation from the National Council
of the American Federation OF Labor,
called upon that functionary some two
weeks back TO suggest the legislation that
laboring men demanded. lie said that
the Federation has no sympathy with any
measures that took towards violence or
disorder. but that # was compelled TO
admit that there was a large and grow
ing portion OF workingmen who were OPP
posed TO it's theory OF moderation and
Cancellation. and were in favor of the
workingman selling by brute force what
he believes himself entitled TO.
1t is bad enough that as Mr. Gompers
tells US. this element should be large
one. But. when he adds that it IS a grow
Ing one, he states a case that calls for
most serious attention.
For the wOrkingmen OF Richmond we
believe we can say that such a state
ment as this in regard TO them would
be libel upon them. Every society has
its lazy and worthless members, and
Richmond's workingmen have. no doubt.
amongst themselves some black sheep
who are prepared for disorder and tu-
multi upon any favorable occasion. But
our working people are. in the main, as
worthy members OF our society as any
other elements OF H. They are con-
sentative. law-abding class, that come
from the body Of our own people. and
are In no wise different in their instincts
and habits from the others. Mr.. Comp
ers knows. We suppose. the tendencies
and opinions OF those whom he repre-
sents. and We cannot conceive Of his
making a statement about them so dam
aging as this. unless he knew what he
said TO be true. But ne must exclude the
workingmen OF Richmond when he finds
this indictment against working people.
If any occasion arises In Richmond for
the authorities OF the law having to sup
press disorder. there are no men upon
whom they can call 10 rally 70 the side
of law and order, who will obey the
call more cheerfully than many OF Rich
monds workingmen.
In the course OF his interview with Mr..
Reed, President Gompers made another
statement that is a little vague, but that
may mean a great deal one way or
another. lie said the working people de-
manded.
Reform in the national banking sys-
TEN and in the issuance Of the currency
OF the United States. so as 10 secure the
people from the possibilities and dsas-
tiers OF financial crises"
That Is undoubtedly one OF the most
desirable things in this world. But how
80 the result TO be obtained? If, as we
fear, Mr.. Gompers would have it done
by the Government Of the United States
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02

,o,rs Of life. Man IL OF the earth,
earthly. and becomes engrossed in the
things of this life. 1t Is necessary. there
fore 10 his spiritual welfare that he
should take a day OFF every week for
MONS meditation and reflection. The OBJ
servance OF the Sabbath lies at the very
foundation of religion, and TO abolish the
Sabbath would be demoralizlng, II not
indeed. disastrous TO the cause OF re-
licion. IL there were no holy day IN
the week, when all the places OF "or-
shin. with one accord. are OPEN ana
when business is suspended, and when
men gather together in the sanctuary
of the Lord, to pray and to hs'eh 10
the reading and expounding OF the Scrip
lures IL would be hard. indeed, 10 maih-
tain any religious organization Ing
Sabbath IS a rallying-day for the people
Of the Lord.
Another point: The divine purpose III
all the commandments is based on inc
nature Of man, and the observance "a
them. as has been abundantly proven
Is necessary to the moral, religious ana
material welfare Of mankind. There Is Il
natural reason why one day IN seven
should be set apart as day or rest All"
as a holy day for religious meditation
But there is something more thah '''s
in the commandments, and they were
given as a whole for another purpoSe-
to-wit.. to inculcate the spirit OF oDeuh-
ence. Obedience is n Christian siaoe'
and Il is necessary to religious lie 'ha'
It should be cultivated. the wiiiui WIZ
lation Of one of the commands OF "ou
is apart from every other conslueia'io"'
primarily an act OF disopedlehce' anu
every act Of dlsobedience is injurious 10
religious character. II we are 10 De d
religious nation. we must obey the COM
mandmonts.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02
SABBATH OBSERVANCE

The Savannah News resents the asser-
ton Of clergyman from that city, who
while in attendance upon a convention
Of his denomination in another city,
recently stated that Savannah was the
most depraved town In tho State Of
Georgia, and needed missionary WORK
TO save il from perdition. The special
reference was the manner In which the
Sabbath is observed in Savannah.
The News says that this preacher has
overlooked the fact that Savannah has
a large cosmopolitan population, and that
the major portion of its church people
belong 10 denominations which do not
observe the Sabbath so strictly as some
other denominations. 1t also declares
that the record of Savannah for honesty
in business and unostentatious charity is
not surpassed by that of any community,
while the town in which the clergyman
spoke in denunciation OF Savannah has
almost every week its defalcations, en-
bezzlements. bank-wrecking and scan
dals in high social life.
We would not say that Savannah is
necessarily more wicked than other cities
because 1t does not regard the Sabbath
dag so devoutly as cities In comparison,
but we do say in general terms that the
Observance OF the Sabbath is great
factor In religious cultivation. and we
believe that any city which dehantly and
perslstently desecrates the Sabbath Will
be the worse for II. The Sabbath is a
day peculiarly set apart for worship ana
for the consideration OF religious things.
as distinguished from the secular at
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02
The snring Elections.

Mr. J. C. Hankins, chief S clerk % OF r ,ne
sscretarv OF the Commonwealth, Is pre-,
Barring circular letter to r be eIeetorsI
10 inc so0 .t,ts state The document Is 70
no s y, 'he nm that the poll books for the
sprlpg election se to be held on the fourth
THURSDAY in May will be sent 10 the CLERKS
OF their respective courts; ,s,as hv ,ha
., the oai' 6osr dse except where there is
no ,erty nomination. and the voter fur
Separate poll books are TO be used Tor
the entry OF the names OF the Voters on
the question Of holding constitutional
Court clerks, who have been notified OF
the candidacy Of persons, shall notify the
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02
Notes From the Pen.

A negro named Sam Irby escaped from
the State farm Friday afternoon. RE
the State farm yesterday afternoon. He
been sent 10 the penitentiary on June -.
1893. from Pittsylvania,
He Is OF ginger color. aged about forty
four years five feet. five and one-half
inches high, and weighs 1856 pounds. lie
has a scar on the right eyebrow.
Jacob II. Modlin. white, who was sem
tencen to the psnitentiary for eighteen
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02
Perils OF the Sea.

The schooner Jennie Greenbank. ot
Rockland, and the schooner Thomas W.
III. White. OF New York. both bound for
Richmond. came into collision or Hog
island Friday.
The Greenbank schooner was being
towed up the river by s,eam-tug Henry
Christian, while the schooner White was
lying near the channel at anchor. Both
vessels were badly stove in. and the ex-
tent OF the damage, though not yet fully
ascertained, will be very considers BILE.
The fact that the New York vessel was
at anchor seems 10 Indicate that tho
Rockland boat was at fault. Tho Jennie
Grcenbank was loaded with a full cargo
OF lime.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02
The ONLY Escape.

81 like to go to the parks occasionally "
he said, "and learned to ride the bicycle
merely as a matter Of precaution.'
"Precautlon?"
Certainly. II was the only way 10
keep from being run down. '-Chicago
Post.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02

years. Tor wife murder in Danyille. or, on
Nav 20 1885. and who was sent ,t % ' tor
Williamsburg Asylum rsyynrned a. to the peniten,
i ,1sry yy,esterday' cured. The time thas
uaiy 80 ~ Williamsburg will count for
ne ne sp n SERVING his term OF eighteen years
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02

Miss Mamie l.. Patrick, who ned and
hid on tho night appointed for her mar
r,aee. came bravely to tho altar Friday
evening. and is now Mrs. ID. w. Gully
This was simply a case OF looking twice
before you leap.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02
Past and Present.

"They didn't have all this slang and
idleness in my day." said grandma.
when a Girl meant mo- she said no.
and she put in her time knitting"
And now id Gladys Edyth, INSTEAD
OF knitting and saying mo- the girls are
knowing and saying nit "-Cincinnati
Enquirer.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02
Matter of Chance.

A Western paper, IN recounting the de-
tails OF a street fight, says that the
men each fired six shots at each other.
but no bystanders were injured" once
in a while an old friend the "bystander"
manages TO escape in spite OF the chances
against m.-COmmercial-A Advertiser.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02

AS the Hon. Joe Blackburn could not
get his own seat in the Senate. he now
wants that OF his former colleague, Sen
ator Lindsay. Move up, gentlemen! Joe
will never be satisfied 10 stand up.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02
A Few Exceptions.

There IS n saying which reads: Uneasy
lies the head that wears a crown But
II diplomacy is to be believed there are
some crowned heads which can lie with
the greatest OF ease.-Cincinnati Com
mercial Tribune.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02

And those Greeksl If they but fought
tho Turks with half the zeal they bully
their King they would not be making
such a darned spectacle OF themselves.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02
The Leisure Class.

The merchant must labor and watch
every leak,
And he seldom can knock off 10 play;
But the cook in his kitchen who works
by the week
She's the lady can quit any day.
Chicago Record.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02
0yer-/ealOus.

why have Or. Sawbones and Burkett,
the undertaken, fallen out2"
'The doctor says Burkett got TO follow
ing him around so closely that he almost
ruined his practice. "-Cleveland Leader.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02

The financial, Cuban, and Eastern war
questions appear 10 have been swallowed
up in the thrilling and momentous query.
whats the scorer"
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02

Now that the duel has been fought over
her the manager for the Princess De
Chimay should apply again to the Paris
stage owners
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02

Schrader, the divine healer" Is now
in dime museum. This IS about "here
the average heller finally lands.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02

The physicians are working over the
case Of a Connecticut minister, who has
suddenly become forgetful OF his past
The doctors would doubtless be rejoiced
TO get the recelpt.