davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-01
Opening. Highest. Lowest. Closin

Cash quotations were as follows: No. 2
yellow corn. IS s-+n2sc. Flour steady.
No. 2 spring wheat. S2q9ic.: No. spring
No. corn. % 3-4n29c. No. cats &c;
No. white. T. o. b.. &c.; No. white.
I. O. b., 2SQ2S lie. No. 2 rye. fsl-zc-
No barley. 3iG+9c. No. l haxseed.
n.2l l-2: new, si.25 H. Prime timothy
seed, $3.50. Mess pork. per barrel slo.Wg
slO& Lard. per 100 pounds. S.lQaD.H ~.
short-rib sides. loose. As0fiAss; drv
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-01
MARINE INTELLIGENCE.
PORT OF RICHMOND. FEB. Is. 1888.

Steamer Richmond, Glover. New York,
merchandise and passengers; Old Domin-
ion Steamship Company.
steamer Winyah, Simmons. Philadel-
phia. merchandise and passengers; Clyde
Line.
Schooner Annie Ainslle, McAndrews.
New York; light.
Schooner JohnsM. Brown, Holmes, New
York. light
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-09

drod counties In the state divided into
about four hundred and thirty districts.
In each district there is a Supervisor and
each Supervisor gets 81 per day and
mileage amounting on an average TO
about 81 making a total OF 81 $50. They
have at least twelve meetings a year,
making the amount for the twelve meet
ings $3.50. They also receive about
5000 or 5000 for inspecting gullies and
mud puddles, called roads. That Is the
way IL is down here, and II the same
Is all over the State, as / presume II is.
about $4,000 will settle this useless ex-
penditure or pay OF the supervisors.
Abolish the Office and let the county
judges audit all the accounts against
the county and fix the levies for the en-
suing year. Fourth abolish the office Of
County Superintendent OF Schools,
and let the trustees attend to the schools.
Fifteen or twenty thousand dollars could
be saved along this line. Fifth. abolish
the office of Superintendent of the Poor,
and let the overseers look TO their care.
The Superintendent Is paid TO board the
poor and then given a salary OF 800 or
$500 for doing II. Sixth, why can we not
do away with electoral boards and let
the County Judge appoint judges of cleo
tons and registrars? All this would
save large amount of the hard-earned
money that Is being paid to office-holders,
that the writer of this, for one, can see
no use for
LOWER PRINCE WILLIAM.
Independent Hill. Va.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-09

Danville. Va, February 4, 1898.
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
1t is not at all surprising that there
should be a want of harmony and con-
cert Of action in the Legislature in agree
ing upon a measure for the reduction OF
the criminal expenses OF the State. In a
body so large, composed OF men. a con-
siderable number of whom have had little
or no experience in such matters, and
who have met without having conceived
and shaped any well digcsted plant OF re-
duction, II is hardly possible that a
general and satisfactory BILL based upon
a knowledge of what is needed, could be
framed and passed within the time of the
session of the General Assembly, al
though ] have no doubt every member
of the Legislature has the subject to
heart, and would like to see such a bill
enacted into law.
1t would take time and mature rehec-
ton TO prepare bill that would accom-
plish what the people want. and IL could
be best done, in my humble judgment,
by referring the matter TO two or three
persons of experience who would give
the subject the time and reflection that
would be necessary, and then recommend
the desired changes that should be made
delaying any plan formed for a reduction
of expenses by special or constitutional
amendments.
/, therefore. beg leave to suggest
through the Dispatch that the Legisla-
ture appoint a committee or two or three
competent persons who are familiar with
the practical workings Of our criminal
system before the justices OF the peace
and the courts and juries, and can see
where the vices of the system are, and
let the committee present a plan for re-
vising the whole system, with the view
of making its administration cheaper and
more effective for the public good.
The criminal statutes are not very
voluminous, and it would not take long,
nor be very expensive to have them so
amended as TO cut away most Of the
cause and opportunity for imposing ex-
travagant costs upon the State.
Very respectfully. A. NJ. AIKEN.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-09
A SUGGESTION.

To the Editor of the Dispatch:
In view Of the sad fate of young Fuqua,
1t has occurred to me to suggest a sim
pie means of rescue in such cases-viz.
That stout rope. fifty OF, seyenty-fve
feet long. be kept In readiness, and when
person breaks through the ice, the
rescuers stretch the rope across the hole.
So that the drowning person can cling
to 1t and be drawn out. The value Of
the rope could be still further enhanced
by having attached to II, at short inter-
walls, loops of leather through one of
which the endangered person could
thrust his arm. in case his hands are
too numbed TO hold the rope. Every
body's business is nobody's business"
and for that reason / fear my sugges-
ton will not be needed, but since the plan
is both simple and inexpensive and might
prove the means of saving valuable lives
In the future, 1t seems to me that skaters
everywhere should see to II that II is car
ried out. where the conditions make Il
practicable Respectfully yours. G.
Richmond Va.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-09
THE NEWS FROM HOwARDsvILLE.
The Railroad Now Being Built Near
Nv Finished.

~ 1ntshtu.
HOWARDsVILLE, February S-(Spe-
cial.)-The railroad which is being con-
structed from Warren to the Alberine
soapstone quarry is rapidly nearing COM
pletion The contractors expect to have
IT finished by the end of March. Some Of
the knowing ones claim that it will not
stop at Alberine, but continue through
and connect with the main line at Char
lottesvlle.
Mr.. Brockenbrough. an employee Of the
company, left recently on a tour through
the upper James river counties for the
purpose of engaging a big gang of men to
work on the road in order to facilitate Its
completion.
Rev. Mr.. Flournoy, of Farmyille,
preached highly entertaining and in
structive sermon at the Presbyterian
church Sunday. He was the guest OF
Mr. and Mrs. Walker Gilmer.
Mr.. NJ Lienan has returned from an ex-
tended trip to Richmond.
Miss Harvey, most delightful and
popular young lady. is the guest of Miss
Nellie Nash.
Mr.. Luther Thomas, who has been sick
for a long time with a complication OF
diseases, is no better.
Mr.. Robert NJ. Charles has been indis-
posed for several days, but is much bet
ter now.
Thanks to the cold weather, all of our
are full, and We can now look
forward to summer with a cool temper.
The recent severe spell has about bro
ken up and it is now comparatively
warm. The James is very nearly free
from ice, and the large ferry-boat has be-
gun to run as usual. but the river is still
blocked about half a mile below here.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-09
A CONTRAST.

In nothing IS the pension enoTinity
more strikingly illustrated than in wna'
II prevents us from doing In other direc-
| toms. About a decade and half ago
the necessity for building a new navy
came TO be generally recognized and 10
that end considerable money has been
apuropriated by successive Congresses
We have n number OF new ships In COM
mission and several more in process OF
construction. but even when these latter
shall have been completed our navy will
be n small affair as compared with the
navies of other great Powers.
Now let us look at the pension iniquity
as bearing upon the question OF In
creasing our navy, and see what would
he POSSIBLE but for that iniquity. 1t Is
estimated tina: next year we will dis
burse from $3.50. 1900 to Sld 100000 in PEN
sions. Taking the lowest of these esti-
mates. we could, according to carefui
calculation. make with that amount the
following addition to our navy:
Twenty frst-class battleships, at $780,
600 S7oO0.OOO; 10 armored cruisers, at
80 800. OOO $25OOO,OOo; 20 protected cruisers,
at N.5OOO0o. $s0,Oo0OO0; 10 gun-boats, at
$4,000. 100000. 100 torpedo-boats and
destroyers. at 100000. s2O.COOooO. Total
of ships, cruisers. gun-boats. etc, 100
Total cost, $l5O.0Oo,ooO.
This would rank us as a naval power
second only to England and, perhaps
France Putting legitimate pension ex-
penditures at 25,0O0,OOO-these are the
6e,ires Of high northern authorities on
the subject-and in two years we couid
save. through pension reform alone
$3.50 O00.O 900 for naval construction. In
three years we could save enough 10
make us a first-class naval power IN
every respect, and place our seacoast
cities In a thorough state of defence,
and vet would have a little left over with
which TO help catch up on any deficit the
Treasury might show as a result OF
Dingleyisn.
But. oh no. The pension sharks and
the fraudulent pensioners must be gorged
and political fences must be kept up at
the cost of the navy, coast defences, or
ANYTHING else. What might be saved but
for the outrages of the pension system
has been given above. The real situation
is as follows: Our total number of ships
built and building, including some that
will not be finished before 1900, is nine
frst-class and two second-class battle
ships; seven coast-defence vessels; two
armored cruisers, sixteen protected
cruisers. eighteen gun-boats. and twenty
three torpedo-boats and destroyers.
Could anything call louder for pension
reform than this contrast, especially in
view of the growing jingoism III TINS
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-09

Japan now threatens an invasion Of the
Klondike, it appears. A standing army
of 5000 able-bodied laborers is being
got together for the gold-felds, it is re-
ported, and in a month or so will make
a descent upon Dawson City. zone of
the Nippon Yuron Kaisha steamers will
carry them" the report continues, "and
as they will not land on the soil Of the
United States, there will be none to say
them nay, unless Great Britain takes
a hand in the matter" 1t is added that
the Japanese will be taken over by
syndicate. and that trouble in the Klon-
dixie, as a result OF the japanese invasion.
is predicted.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-09
Total for

Total for
State. .$234272. 951 s272, 81, pa 1906 O36 COL
1t should be borne i'm mind that these
valuations are of the real estate alone of
the cities named, and do not include the
valuations of personal property, which
in the cities are very large 1t should
also be remembered that the reports OF
the Auditor give the assessment figures of
only IA cities. as above given, while there
are over 40 towns and cities in the State
that had over LOCO inhabitants each In
1890; some of those not named in this
list having several thousand people, like
Berkeley, with 1888; Hampton, with 2,5lS;
West Point, with 2O1S; Suffolk, with 1851;
Farmville. with 2,4Oi; Bedford, with 1881;
Salem, with 3.279; Lexington, with S,O5S;
Wytheville, with $50; and so on, the
valuations of which would add many mil
lions TO the city totals, and deduct many
millions from the country totals. If the
figures could be found in the Auditors re-
ports. JED. HOTCHKISS.
Staunton, Va, February s. $685.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-09
A CHILD TERRIBLY BURNED.
Happenings I'm Portsmouth and Nor
folk County.

NORFOLK, VA, February S-(Spe-
cial )-Hazel Parker, a little 4-year-old
girl, was left alone at home to-day by
her parents, who reside in Portsmouth,
and while playing near a red-hot stove
her clothing caught fire. The mother re-
turned just in time TO see the little one
a mass of flames. The upper part Of her
body was terribly burned before the blaze
could be extingushed. She will die.
Samuel Williams was arraigned in the
Norfolk County Court this morning for
the murder of Quong Lung, a Chinaman,
who was mysteriously killed for his
money The Chinese Minister at Wash
ington has interested himself in the
case. Della Stansel. Williams's sister
in-law, was arrested as an accessory af-
ter the fact, the Commonwealth expect
ing TO prove that the stolen money was
placed in her keeping by the murderer.
The indictment against her was quashed,
however, and she was held as a witness.
MANY PUT UP LETTER-BOXES.
The city of Portsmouth has been tho
roughly canvassed within the past two
days by two men claiming to represent
the United States Standard Letter-Box
Company. They represent that by re-
cent act Of Congress all residents are
compelled TO attach letter-boxes of APP
proved design to their doors. They dis
tributed, prior to their canvass, thou
sands of circulars containing alleged ex-
tracts from the postal laws and regula-
tions, bearing out the assertion Of the
letter-box statesmen that the law re-
quired letter-boxes 10 be provided.
Upon investigation, Postmaster Herbert
found no such laws as were quoted In
the circulars Hundreds of houses in
Portsmouth have been equipped with
the boxes.
Aged, homeless. penniless, and robbed
by the man he thought his friend, James
Norris, a Confederate veteran, came from
the almshouse to the Police Court to-day
to claim his rights. and as a result, V.
w. Gilbert whom the old man had en-
trusted with all his funds was held for
the grand jury on charges Of embezzle-
ment. Norris asserts that after fleeing
him, Gilbert had him sent TO the aims
house, and that while there he discov-
cred mat Gilbert had possession Of his
house and lot here, the deed for which
he says he signed while drunk. He de-
clares that he has never received a dol
lar for his property.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-09
THE xoLA TRIAL.

The trial OF lola, so far as II has pro-
crossed. does not encourage the hope
that II will result in the defendants at
TALKING the two main objects he had In
view IN attacking the higher powers In
tho French War once. and inviting pros
ecution. These objects were the vindi-
cation OF French justice and the practi-
cal reopening OF the Dreyfus case In or
der to the establishing OF that unfortu-
nate officers innocence.
That lola believes sincerely that Drey-
fus is not guilty and that the officer was
convicted on the fiimslest OF testimony
does not admit OF question. Nor is there
any question that the defendant In the
present trial is. aside from any personal
interest in Dreyfus. periodically jealous
Of the good name OF French judicial pro-
cedure In general. This Is not the
first time he has given evidence of his
APPRECIATION Of the "rottenness OF French
Justice" and OF desire to reform that
condition. Therefore. despite Of the per-
nicious influence he has exercised In
the literary world, he should have the
sympathy Of the public, regardless Of race
or creed.
But not so. The emissaries of the
government have evidently been diligent-
ly at work keeping alive popular feeling
against him. in order to justify making
the court proceedings a mere mockery.
Already, there are indications of the gag
laws being applied Of the intimidation
Of witnesses, and of purpose TO so re-
strict the testimony as that not a salient
point lola wishes to bring out can be
brought out. However, the French are
a curious people. No one knows when
reactionary explosion may take place
among them, and the government may
he loading a mine.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-09


special objection can be urged 10 the SEN
tinental reason OF the parent; but "us"
no such consideration exists, any PREF
dice on the part OF southern peop'e
against their schools IA wrong IN every
way. It Is unjust. declares the Picayu"e'
10 their own schools; It results m speho-
,ae money abroad that could be as wen
invested at home; It educates the young
mon who are sent to northern colleges
into the belief that the state OF society,"
tho people the schools, the manners 'ne
morals. and all institutions at the sou'n
arc. II not radically bad. at least de-
fective. obsolete. and something 10 DC
ashamed OF.
Sound doctrine we'll put. say we.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-09
More About political Economy.

To the Editor of the Dispatch:
j see In the columns Of your paper that
number OF your readers are airing
their views on the subject OF retrench-
ment. and II you will allow me a small
space / would like TO make a few sug-
gestions. which / am sure will meet with
the hearty approval of a large majority
OF the citizens of our State: First
agree with "Henrico Farmer" that the
Commissioner OF the Revenue should be
compelled to make a house TO house can
vass, and list all from $40 up. Second,
abolish the Office OF County Treasurer
and let the Sheriff and his deputies col
lect the taxes. Third, abolish the Office
Of Supervisor. There are about ons hun
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-09
WAS 1T A NEW COON IN Towxs
Dogs Chase an Animal Through
Nonfcrcy-Locnl Matters.

MONTERREY, VA, February S.-tSpe-
clal.)-An incident which occurred here a
few nights ago was reminder Of the
boom" days. when the sports OF Buena
Vista went coon-hunting on Maple ave-
nue." About o'clock in the morning
many OF our people were awakened by a
pack Of hounds chasing some Wild ami
NAL along the main street Of the town.
There was sufficient wind to obliterate
all tracks. and as no one awoke In time
to see, It is not known what sort Of var
mint" was being chased: but the lively
music OF the pack indicated a pretty close
pursuit.
The last sacramento service, under the
pastorate OF Rev. w. III. Woolf, was held
at the Methodist church here on Sunday
last. At this service the ordinance Of
baptism was administered TO quite a num-
Der of little children, to whom the pas
tor, during his service of four years. has
endeared himself, as well as to the adult
portion of the community AS minister
OF the Gospel and as a pastor, Mr.. Woolf
win long be remembered. At the fourth
quarterly conference just held, the fol-
lowing resolution was passed:
Resolved. That we, the members OF the
Monterey Quarterly Conference, desire to
place on record, and would be glad to
make the record imperishable. our love
and respect for our brother, w. II.
Woolf who has. at the end of the con-
ference year, TO leave us, and TO say that
the work done by him on the circuit will
always be appreciated, and that we will
ever remember him and his family in our
prayers. and most heartily commend him
to the people of any charge to whom he,
In the Providence Of God. may be sent.
Signed: G. Z. Jones, J. c. Matheny T. III.
Slaven, Joseph Jones. w. +. Wilson. w.
p. Campbell, V. b. Bishop, S. A. Gilmer.
n. A. Whitelaw, j. Lumsford, j. A.
Jones, and ID. @. Gum.
LOOKOUT FOR A MURDERER.
The authorities OF Marlinton. county
seat of our nsighbor county OF Poca-
hontas. have been notified to look out for
man wanted for murder, committed at
Marietta, o., and who left for that point
Messrs. Frank Burner and Walker Yea
ger, of Pocahontas county. w. Va. came
to town on Saturday last to meet the
latter's sister, Miss Daisy. who has been
visiting in Augusta county.
Diphtheria, that dread disease, Is pre-
vailing in two families on Jackson's river.
fifteen miles south of Monterey. Only one |
death is reported thus far.
The recent severe storm has passed and, |
even in these regions. where winter lin |
gers in the lap of spring" we are having !
most delightful weather.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-09
An EIectrOcution Car.
Charleston News and Courier

Charleston News and Courier)
A bill before the Massachusetts, Legis-
lature provides that all hangings in the
State hereafter shall take place at the
Central State Prison. 1t is based on the
theory" as explained, that bunglng at
a hanging is not desirable, and that some
sheriffs do not have work enough of the
kind to keep their efficiency as certain as
II should be-" A similar law Is needed in
most Of the States where hanging is the
mode of in1icting death. A criminal who
was hanged in this State a few months
ago revived after his body was surren-
dered to his friends and carried to his
home. and was hauled back TO the gall
lows and hanged again. 1t was a horrible
affair. "Electrocution' is. the right me-
thod. and a good plan would be TO fit up
a railroad coach with the proper ma
chinery and send it where its services
were required. A Jim Crow department
would not be needed. II would be essen
TALLY a Jim Crow car in this part OF the
country.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-09
ACCIDENT TO MIR. orpEsHrmEn.
he Fell on the Frozen Ground--
Tfdings from Old Fiuyanna.

FORK UNION, VA. February s.-(spe-
cial)-Mr. A. Oppenhimer, Of this place. Is
confined to his bed as the result OF fail
on the frozen ground few days since.
In response to a telegram sent yesterday,
his son, DR.. w. r. Oppenhimer. President
Of the Board Of Health Of Richmond. has
arrived 10 consult with his family physi-
clan as to the extent Of his injuries.
The condition OF Major J. g. Bowles. or
Wilmington, in this county, who has been
for some days quite III with pneumonia,
is to-day reported as somewhat improved.
The Major Is one Of the few honored sur
vivors OF the band Of Confederate heroes
who went to the front from this old coun-
ty. Having both as soldier and citizen
ever Illustrated the highest type Of Vir-
ginian, a deep solicitude is felt for him
In his Illness.
Mr.. John Newton Snead. OF Richmond,
and Mr. Luther Il. Snead, of Charlottes-
Vile, are visiting relatives here.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-09

There is said to be decided feeling IN
congressional circles in favor of retalia-
ton against Germany if official Informal
ton should confirm the reports that nave
been cabled sfs to the recent action of the
German Government in excluding Ameri-
can fruits and horses from the German
markets. The members of the House
WAYS and Means Committee, that being
the committee through which retaliation
would be inaugurated, have, it is stated
been talking the situation over informally
and interchanging views as 10 the action
that ought to be taken. Some Of them,
it is said, urge leaving the whole matter
to the executive branch of the govern
ment. and trusting the President to take
suitable action under the law OF 1890,
which was published in these columns
several days ago. That law, 1t will be re-
called, empowers the President to retail
ate against any country which discrimi-
mates against American products by ex-
GLIDING any products of that country from
the United States. Other members of the
committee, however, favor emphasizing
our Indignation by special legislation to
meet this particular case.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-09

In discussing the question OF southern
parents scsding their sons NORTH to be
educated. the New Orleans Picayune
says that the simple fact is that the
southern. boy who cannot be made into
q true and useful citizen IN southern
college Will come 10 naught. no matter
how far hc is sent, or how much money
Is spent In the effort 70 educate him.
In those eases. continues our con-
temporary, where a man has been edu-
Gated IN particular school, ana desires
% have his son also sradvsss from It, no
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-09

dexter. in this county. died Sunday night.
Railroad ties constitute the local cur
rency OF the majority OF the rural popu-
lation Just now. Some people haul three
ties on an ox-cart for distance OF twelve
miles. VIII not our Solons try 10 give
relief and better times?
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-09
Arguments In the Mason Trial.

ABINGDON, VA. February S-(Spe-
cial.) -Three speeches were delivered in
the Mason murder trial to-day Preston
Campbell spoke for the prosecution and
NJ II. Honaker and Daniel Trigg for the
defence. Neither Connally +. Trigg nor
Judge b. +. Hutton. OF counsel for the
defence. were able 10 attend court to-
day, as both were sick. Commemorative
Attorney p. J. Davenport will close the
argument in the morning. The court
room has been crowded and the interest
very great