davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-08-14
NEW HAVEN YOUNG LADY.
Exciting Battle With a Snake.

Canaan, Aug, 1S.-A young lady named Hoppin, whose home Is in New Haven, had a peculiar and not very
 pleasant experience one day last week,
 the memory of which will vividly cling
 to her while she lives. She was play ing lawn tennis in company with some
 ladies and gentlemen at Pine Grove,
 summer resort near here, and on one
 occasion the ball chanced to leave the
 limits of the ground and lodge in
 dense thicket which adjoins the same,
 and which she immediately entered to
 recover 1t. Having succeeded in her
 errand, and while emerging therefrom'
 she became aware of some object cling
 ing to her feet, and which she instlnc-
 lively decided was nothing more nor
 less than tendril of some tangled vine
 with which the place abounds. But,
 upon closer inspection, she found to
 her dismay that it was nothing short
 of a veritable snake, which had tightly
 and systematically coiled its whole length about her leg just above the
 ankle. She at once invoked the assist ance of her companions and the snake was removed, but not, however, With out some resistance on it's part as in the meantime the reptile maintained a wonderful rigidity of body, not relax
 ing one iota of it's hold upon Its inno- cent victim, meanwhile holding its head erect and darting forth successively its forked tongue with lightning like rapid ity,its eyes sctntillating variegated rays of "unholy light" in seeming defiance of their concerted efforts to dislodge 1t. The pressure of the coil was so great | that directly after it's removal the limb was found to swell rapidly to nearly double its normal size, and physician was immediately summoned, who rec l commended bathing it in hot water al 1 frequent intervals, which very soon ef- fected its complete restoration.
 The snake was of the garter specie and about three feet in length.
 Miss Hoppin says that her ardor for | lawn tennis Is not in the least abated by the above little episode"
The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-08-14
FOR EMBEZzL EM ENT.
Willimantic Bucket Shop Manager Held
 for Trial

willimantic Aug. 1S.-Thomas s. Cooper, who formerly conducted a bucket shop in this city, was arraigned in the police court this morning, charg- ed with embe8zlement.
 Probable cause" was found, and he was held for the September term of the superior court.
 Cooper abruptly left here on June 17 with, it Is alleged, upwards of $500, which he is said to have misarpropri- ated.
 The complainant in the case is H. F. Royce of this city, who alleges that Cooper decamped with s16O belonging to him. Royce had invested in stocks which, it was learned, Cooper had dis posed of to other parties, but he con- tinued to get money from Royce for margins.
 There are several others who claim to have been similarly treated. Cooper was arrested in Westfield, Mass, last Wednesday, by Chief Of Police Hill- house.
The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-08-14
BOUGHT GREY NOSE

Yesterdays Danbury Dispatch says: John Dillon, a we'll known racing man of New Haven, has purchased the horse Grey Nose, owned by Moses Cleaning of this city. Grey Nose is a very fleet horse, as. was shown at the fair grounds Wednesday afternoon.
 In the 3:3O class with five other horses she won the winning heat in S:12.. MT. Dillon will take his horse to NsW Haven to-day,
The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-08-14
STOLE FROM A SLEEPING MAN.

James F. Hines of 409 Grand avenue was arrested yesterday afternoon by Detective Sergeant Dennehy, charged with the theft of $20 from Michael Car roll. Carroll was in Shanley's saloon at 327 State street yesterday afternoon asleep in back room MT. Shanley noticed Hines walk into the room where Carroll was asleep and come out and leave the saloon. Soon after MT. Shanley woke up Carroll, who found that he had been robbed of two $10 bills. Hines will be charged in the city court this morning with theft from the person.
The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-08-14
PROBABLY A STOLEN WHEEL

Detective McGrath yesterday after noon arrested a man giving the name of James Dunne on suspicion of having in his possession a stolen bicycle. Dunne is supposed to be an assumed name. He was endeavoring to sell the wheel, which is good one, for $7 when arrested. He was locked up. charged with vagrancy and the matter will be investigated.
The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-08-14

An armistiee of twenty-two days was signed on July 20 between the insur- gents and the troops of the government of Uruguay The revolt against the government broke out in March last, and was due to the governments de- fiance of public opinion when requested to resign or annual the election, classed as fraudulent, which had then just talk en place.
The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-08-14
ACCIDENT ON THE SHORE LINE

Grove Beach, Aug. 13.-One car on Conductor Jerry Lynch's freight train. west bound, was derailed between South Lyme and Black Hall this fore noon. A brake beam broke and tore up the track slightly. Trains were us- ing the track as usual at o'clock in the afternoon.
The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-08-14
THE URAGuAYAN REVOLT

Montevideo. Uruguay, Aug. 13-An envoy has arrived here direct from the insurgent camp, and it is hoped that peace will be arranged.
The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-08-14
FAILED TO RETURN THE TEAM

F. F. Smith was arrested in the rear of McGinn's saloon at Savin Rock yes terday afternoon by Defective Captain Cowles and Detective McGrath, charg- ed with taking a team under false pretences. Smith hired team from Liveryman Griffin Thursday forenoon and agreed to return it at o'clock the same evening.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1897-04-29
F. Ozanne, 231-233 rlain St., Memphis, Tenn.

off and establish that part of Reelfoot
Lake basin and overfowed land into a
leveO and drainage district and charg-
ing the cost thereof upon the reclaimed
property, was declared unconstitutional
at the last term of the supreme court.
Such decisions place veto upon all
public improvements of this character.
Convict Labor.
'If 1t is now competent, or under
future acts Of congress becomes com
potent, for the State to absolutely pro-
hibit the importation of articles manu-
featured by convicts outside OF the
State, then we are heartily in favor OF
placing such provision in the consti-
tuition of the State, thus protecting hon
est labor from ruinous competition with
the criminal classes OF other States.
Free Passes to Public OHicials.
'In the new constitution of New
York, promulgated in 1894, as we'll as
in other new constitutions, all public
officials are forbidden to use free rail-
road, telegraph or telephone passes, the
experience of the people in various
States showing conclusively that such
free passes have a corrupting influence
upon legislation and duo administers
tiou of the law. We believe such pro-
vision should find place in our con-
stitution."
In addition to the foregoing, 1 wish
to call attention to some other much
needed changes.
Too Many Elections.
Who will not agree that we have too
many elections, for when is there not a
time that the people are not stirred up
with excitement or disgust at the never
ending scramble for public Offices?
In the first place, why should the
sheriff, trustee and many other officials
hold office for only two years, while the
county, circuit and criminal clerks and
the county register hold office for four
years? am in favor Of all these officers
holding for a term of at least four years,
with prOviso that no officer shall sue
esed himself Experience teaches that
the defaulter is the official who has
been in othco during several terms.
When an official has a short term, be
scarcely gets into his nest before
I he commences to prepare to succeed
/ himself, and there is where the trouble
comes in. He is tempted to and does
use the Office to subserve his private
schemes, and no doubt in most cases, be
has no criminal intent but gradually
he gots in the tolls Of the law, the treas.
ury is raided, or his bondsmen suffer,
and ho and his family are digraced.
Give each official four years term oil
| Office, remove from him the temptation
/ Of trying to succeed himself, and then
he will give his whole time 20 the prop.
or discharge Of the duties OF his Office.
and thus confer not only a blessing upon
I the ofiiee-holder, but secure good and
wholesome government for the people.
When We do have elections consolt
date them, aud instead Of eleetina
. county officers Ia August and member,
Of the Legislature and the Governor Il
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1897-04-29

havc been made to amend our constitu-
ton, but all have failed But II these
gentlemen who insist upon amendments
are sincere why do they not 60 forward
and take the initiative and pass the
amendments2 The truth is this plea 10
mere dodge Of our friends, the
enemy"
The Cost of = Convention.
l have heard the most extravagant
statements made with respect to tho
cost of a convention, one little 2x4 Ba-
per flashing itself into fury some years
| since over the extravaganza" OF con.
vention, declared it would cost the peo-
pie $500, 900. Tho convention of 1870
cost less than S2S,OqO, while our late,
| extra session cost $2C0 But suppose
it would cost 100000, and at the same
time save to the people annually 81, OOO,-
600 or even $500, 600 or $500, 900, where 10
the man so dull that be would not favor
having the convention? Regarded from,
the standpoint of mere dollars and
cents, no sane man would hesitate a
moment at the idea Of expense, which
is not only triaing comparatively speak
ing, but as stated above, l regard tho
wellbeing and future prosperity and
happiness of our people as transcend
emily more important than few dcs-
lars, more or less, Of expense.
Personnel Of the Convention.
l often hear the fear EXPRESSED thAh
the convention, II called, would be COM
posed Of men OF no more ability thar,
the average legislator. This fear may
be at once dismissed. Experience nos,
only in Tennessee, but in all the Statea
has demonstrated the fact that the foro.
most men are glad to serve In so distip..
guished body. Such an assemblara
does not convene once in a generation
1t marks an epoch in the history Of the
State, Here again we may learn a les.
son from Mr. Bryce, who calls attention
to the fact that without exception the
personnel Of a constitutional convention
is far above tho average legislator, ana
that the scholar, the educated man, "a.
we'll as the most profound lawyers in
the State, gladly accept seat in a con-
sututiOnal convention.
There is no patronage or "pls" to be
distributed, hence the professional poll
tician sees no particular charm in the.
convention, while no must Of necossitv
be conscious Of his unatnsss to dis
I charge the duties Of delegate. To the.
man Of learning and Of patriotism. who
has made tho history, the polity ana
laws Of his State a life study, the op-
portunity to engage with the foremost
men Of tho day in reeasting the funda-
mental law Of the land is one gladly
embraced. There 10 no man in Tennes-
sec however learned or distinguished
that would not consider il an honor 10
occupy a seat IN a constitutional com
YentiOu.
II the State calls upon her most dis
tinguished and able men 70 assemble A.
Nashville, With ample time before them
Tor full and thorough diseraslon. Ne
may rest assured that they would give
10 the grand old Volunteer State nsw
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1897-04-29
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE
whereas our railroads pay into your
State treasury less than $4,000

whereas our railroads pay into your
State treasury less than 500, 900.
Mark, l do not say that the constitu-
tion should declare that these corpora
Eions should pay percentage on their
gross incomes, but do say the Shackles
should be stricken from the hands of
the legislature, so that if the people
deemed this proper and right mode of
taxation then they should be allowed to
express their will in the form Of law.
County Courts.
The county court system in counties
containing large cities and towns or
great population, is almost universally
condemned. 1t violates the funda-
mental principle of no taxation without
sust representation. Take the city of
Memphis for example. Nearly all the
wealth, say three-fourths, and in addi-
tion the larger part Of the population of
Shelby county is found in Memphis, and
get Memphis has only three members
of the county court living in the cor
porate limits out of total Of nearly
fifty members. Whowill say this is just?
In laying out counties and providing
the means Of local government our con-
Htitution proceeds upon the idea that
these governmental agencies should be
based upon the square mile system and
not upon population. That was we'll
enough probably in 1884 flor we are
practically under the constitution pro-
mulgated in that year,, for at that time
there was not a city in Tennessee.
Nashville was 3 mere village, Knoxville
8 struggling town, Memphis was only O
landing on the river, surrounded by In.
dians, while Chattanooga was unknown.
There was not at that time a single rail
road in Tennessee, nor a line Of tele,
graph wire. The ox-cart has been
changed for the cannon ball express
the stage coach for the Pullman palace
car; instead Of the mail boy upon his
arusty pony we now have the electric
current in moment not only flashing
over the State but in an instant encir.
cling the globe. Amidst these marvel
Gus changes one thing remains IN
ehsnged-the hide-bound, rigid consti
tuition Of 1884, including the old fogy
county court. In the class OF coun
ties referred to the county court should
be superseded by county board
OF supervisors, say o, seven intelligent
men, thus concentrating the RESPONSE
bility Of the body and simplifying tn,
governmental machinery as well as cur
failing useless expense. This is The
rule in other States, but Il every man
woman sad child in Shelby COUNT
wished to adopt such g system il
lieu Of the county court system such
change could not be had, as the suprem,
court has declared that the county oour
system is . part Of our venerable consti
tuition, and hence &c is beyond an,
power save that Of a constitutional con
venuon. Pope ", Phiier, 3 Heisz., 6s2
Right Of Local selF-Governmsnt-
Herein Il violsssd another pr,neipl
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1897-04-29

dear to every American, and that is the
right of each community to decide for
itself what kind of local government is
best suited to its welfare. OF what con-
Germ is it to the people of Carter
whether Shelby county has a county
court or board Of supervisors Why
deny to any county the right to change
its county government? OF course any
county which favors county court
should be allowed to retain it, but my
point is that If experience has shown to
a people that the county court system
is unsuited to their wants, andis cum
bersOme, unwieldy and extravagant,
then that people should have the un-
questioned right to abolish the court
and adopt plan suited to their neces-
stiles and situation, What we need is
less red tape and more intelligence; less
log-rolling and more business methods;
less governmental machinery, less ex-
pense and extravaganza and more eff
cient governmental agencies all along
the line.
Our experience in Shelby county is
anything but reassuring. In 1898 coun-
ty warrants were selling below par and
the treasury empty, 30 the court had
S12O, 600 in bonds issued and took up all
the floating debt We thought this bad
enough, but few days since the reve-
nue. commissioners announced that
there was in sight another deficit of
$50, 900. Where is this thing to end?
Can the people be blamed for wishing
to get clear Of the court?
Fence Laws.
In the more populous counties the
great forests which once covered hill
and valley have been destroyed with a
lamentable extravaganza, so that back
in the country boards and timber for
fences and even fre-woOd in some in
stances is scarce. The cost Of keeping
up fences, especially here in West Ten
nessee, where timber rots so fast, has
become so burdensome that the people
are not able to keep up lawful fence,
Hence the legislature passed what was
commonly called the nofence law, to
apply to such counties as were clamor-
Gus for the law, but very recently the
supreme court declared that law void
because IL applied only to certain coun-
ties. Our people in the counties refer
red to cannot bear the expense Of fenc.
ing as they did in the times when tim.
Der was abundant II they could, still
every tree left TO usshould bs preserved,
/ as Il is q Well-known fact that owing to
/ the destruction Of timber ever the
/ whole country lumber is becoming dear,
er year By year, hence We are admon.
ished by every consideration to pre-.
serve the small remnant left from the
magnificent and valuable forests which
once covered our State.
There are many changes vital to oui
/ interests which should be made, and
viii take the liberty here Of quoting
I part Of the address Of the committee o.
hiteen appointed By a mass meeting, o.
which was a member, as it clearly ant
i0rcibly expresses my views:
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1897-04-29

ut is said that the roads of a country
are indicative of the civilization which
prevails among its people, and all will
agree that we are behind in the respect
of public roads. The great difficulty
which confronts us is that no law can
be passed by one county which does not
apply to every other county in the State.
Take the mountainous counties of East
Tennessee, where in many parts all that
is needed is trail around the mountain,
or even take Middle Tennessee, where
there is an abundance of stone and the
soil is tough, then take West Tennes-
see, where there is no stone and the
earth in a large measure is composed of
sand, so that Immediately upon being
brought in contact with water it melts,
and it will at once be seen that 1t will
be impracticable to pass general law
for the whole State, under which we
can have anything like good road
system for either division Of the State,
Election of COmptrollCr, Secretary of state
aud Treasurer.
THE legislature usually spends a
week or two wrangling over the election
of a comptroller, secretary of State aud
treasurer, creating animosities and en-
gaging in log-rolling and chickering's,
which often affect legislation, and not
only this, but at an enormous expense
to the people of the State. We believe
that these officers should be elected by
ernor. In this connection we suggest
that less power should be given to the
comptroller and more to the governor.
GubsrnatoriAI Succession.
at is we'll known that no provision is
made for the gubernatorial succession in
certain contingencies. twas first called
to attention when it was supposed Gov.
Turney would die after his first cleo
ton, but before his Inauguration. 1t is
believed that any statute which may be
passed on this subject wolld be uncon-
stitutional, and yet it can be readily
seen that in case Of great political ex-
element state Of anarchy and confu-
sion might be forced upon the people.
Gubernatorlul Contest.
RECENT events demonstrate that the
provisions OF the constitution with re.
spect to a contest as to tho election Of
governor are, to say the least Of it, capa.
bic Of widely different constructions
out Of which great animosities and dit
terences Of opinion have arisen, This
Important subject should be put beyond
debate by clear and explicit provision,
in the constitu tion.
Local Improvement
Tennessee stands alone in forbiddina
a part Of the cost Of local improvements
such as the building Of streets, sewers
roads, bitches, levees and the like, TO b,
charged upon the AUDITING and adjoin
/ ing property in proportion to the bone
[ hts received by such property. The FRS
decision declaring such laws unconstitu
uonal was in the case Of Taylor vs.
Chandler, ? Heiskell, p $40. An &C
! passed b. the legislature Of 1898 70 lsl
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1897-04-29
November, elect all at one time and
have done with it.
The Fee System.

November, elect all at one time and
have done with it.
The Fee System.
In 1879 the Legislature passed fee
bill, which the Supreme Court promptly
declared unconstitutional.
State vs. Mccain, 4 Lea.
have insisted that valid fee bill
could be passed, and for several years
used my best endeaVors to abolish this
system, which has proven in the large
counties to be thoroughly corrupt and
extraVagant. 1t corrupts our politics,
and it robs our people, and is very
curse to the office-holders themselves.
The aspirant for Office is set upon by a
vast horde of political buns and So
called workers, and the struggle to cap
ture the big fee-paying Offices is so in
tense that it requires large sums Of
money to make canvass, and often the
winner Of the prize is 80 loaded with
debt and with the claims of his so-called
friends that he finally COOS out Of Office
opportunities and converts his Office
into mere fee-grabbing machine for
the benefit of himself and his hench-
men, regardless Of the public welfare.
But the moment you introduce a bill
the cry goes forth, unconstitutional, ."
and between the timid legislator and
the legislator who only wants an excuse
to betray his trust on tho one side, and
the great difficulties to be met with in
passing such a bill, we have been time
and again defeated; and in my opinion
the shortest way to cut off the cancer is
I to begin with the organic law
No Relief by Amendment.
1t is often said why go the expense Of
constitutional convention when you
can amend the organic law? This has
Of late years become favorite dodge Of
all who are opposed TO thorough reform.
In respect to amendments our present
constitution is singularly obscure and
unnecessarily handicaps any needed
| change. If an amendment is desired II
must first be approved and passed by
the legislature. The proposed amend
ment must then be advertised in certain
papers and in the succeeding legislature
it must be approved by two-thirds Of the
members OF each house, and this is next
to impossible to accomplish, as past sx-
/ perionco has shown. Finally II IL
| passes this ordeal IL must be submitted
TO a popular vote for ratification or re.
: lection when the third legislature is
elected. Thus it would take about five
to six years TO amend the constitute
If you could amend 10 AZ all, whereas a
convention can ACT a. once, and end the
whole business in one year The time
consumed in order 10 effect a change
from the constitution Of 1885 to that OF
1870 was less than six months
Mr.. James Bryce, once member Of
I Mr.. Gladstone's cabinet and nov a men,
Der Of parliament, declares In bis great
work, The American Commonwealth, %
that provisions Tor amendments similar
TO those in our Constitution are prac.
tieally Prohibitory. Many attempts
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-07-13

DETROIT, Mich, July 12.-Dele.
gates to Tue National League OF r.
publican oIubs' convention did not
come In very rapidly by to lay's trains,
but large influx Ii expected tonight.
Tae two leading candidates Tor pfesi-
dent OF the league have opsn d mead.
quarters. They are Marcus Poilasky,
tns Chicago lawyer, who seems to oe
In the lead, aud Edward J. Crawford
of Kentucky, a olose second.
MIR. Crawiord's friends are relying
on the recent change In political sent.
meut In kentucky 10 secure for him
good many voter. Tue combio ntio n
at the Kentucky Headquarters sppesrs
to be Crawford, Chspiu aud Onana-
Crawford for president, P. L. Chapin
OF Chicago for secretary, and Omaha
for the next convention. Mr.. Crawford
was one oil the attorneys for Waiting
and Jackson, who was convicted Of
the murder OF Pesrl Bfyan. He has
been the lRepublicau candidate fol-
attorney-gsBeral OF Kentucky snd Ia
one OF the leading lawyers OF the
state. About twenty-five Kentuckia ma
are In the field now and many more
are expected to help boom Mr.. Ctaw-
ford's candidacy.
The candidacy OF Marcus Pollask y
Ia especially popular IN Detroit AMI
Michigan on aooou at OF his long resi.
dencs in the state. His friends are
claiming for him the solid Michigan
delegation.