Oakes Republican. (Oakes, N.D.) 1898-1906, 1901-05-03
Some Observations

Some Observations
Editor Republican.-There does
once in while good thing get into
rural newspaper, and we think the
Republican got more than its share
last week. 1t commenced by calling
B. T. Martin sage, but we are mis-
taken if some one else does not learn
that he belongs to a different kind of
bush. If you want to stir one up
just tell tales about him. 1t reminds
one of an instance wherein DR.. Cav
ley of Wisconsin notoriety who was
called in haste. A Mrs. Farnaham
had been poisoned. 1t appeared that
the children who had been out late in
the afternoon picking potatoe bugs
in tin cup came in and put the cup
on the water bench. Mrs. F. going
for drink took the cup and with one
gulp down goes several bugs. The
doctor arrived, found tie woman
badly frightened. Well, says the
doctor as far as bugs is concerned it
is all right, but I wish to God you
had died, you have been talking
about me,
But we leave B. T. NJ. to work out
his own salvation and turn our
thoughts on w. H. Ellis, for he was
too we'll known to let pass without q
word to his credit. While acting as
states attorney there were numerous
reports that he was in the habit of
taking too much of the joyful, but
from a doubtful source, vet there is
one thing certain, when he got after
a blind pig if he failed to convict he
was sure to get them we'll on the
nxious seat, and they dreaded him
worse than any we have had since.
We arc not inclined to find fault or
say what the Fargo Forum shall say
in giving its opinion of the admins.
tration but we must agree with the
w. G. T, U. and others in saying that
the president was dilatory and reluc-
tant about exercising his authority as
commander-in- chief in regard to the
army canteen. If the Fargo Forum
will investigate it will find that when
anything becomes popular it is hard
to break away from, or to destroy, so
t he president did wrong in not put
ting stop to the traffic in liquor be-
fore it became popular.
Let me cite your attention to a
major general who had less power
than Mckinley. In field order No.
81 I think it was, General Grant is
sued an order in these words, as near
as I can recolect: Headquarters of
t he Army of the Mississippi, Vicks-
burg, Miss. 1t has been reported at
this headquarters that officers COM
manding in this department are in
the habit of sentencing men 10 picket
duty for drunkenness and other NAL
locus conduct. 1t must be stopped.
Picket duty is an honorable duty.
| Upon it depends the safety of the
whole army. By order of U. S.
Grant, major general commanding"
| The writer remembers another
order from the same author. When
! vicksburg had been surrendered cap
tains and pilots Of river boats thought
| to take advantage of the situation
a nd charge for transportation what
best suited their fancy. Grant in his
order No.. s6 says: "Report has come
to these headquarters that command
ers and stewards Of steam vessels
have been charging enormous prices
for transportation to Cairo For any
excess Of $50 for an officer. for a state
room or SIS for private to the above
place will subject their property to
co nfiscation. The Mississippi river
was opened by the arm of the gov
ernment and the general command
ing will not suffer his troops to be
impos ed upon" The writer witness
ed the stir that this order made.
BAT.