smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869




During the late civil war, the Cow
ernment was obliged to borrow mon
ey at such terms as it could get. The
need of raising two millions day by
borrowing, and the uncertainty wheth
er at the end of the war the Govern.
ment would be Of the whole nation or
ofa fragment of it, combined to de-
press our credit. The Government
could not sell its bonds for par in M, n
ey. It therefore resorted to the policv
of issuing a depreciating currency and
receiving that for it's bonds. The av-
erage value of this currency while it
was received for the bonds was about
sixty cents on the dollar. This is the
amount in real money that we re-
ceived for our bonds. The public
creditor got the nations obligation to
pay dollar for every sixty cents that
he lent to it.


We owe the creditor payment of
the interest periodically, and of the
principal at maturity. This is the
whole extent of our obligation. BY
this the bondholder receives 10 per
cent. interest in coin on The amount
actually lent the nation, and will re-
ceive at the maturity of the bond, it
he is paid in coin, sIxty-six per cent.
more on the principal tnan the amt
he actuslly lent. The Government
has promptly paid this interest, and
expects to pay the principal at matu-
rity. It might be thought that this
would fill the whole measure Of its
duty; that premium ot sixty-six per
cent. on the principal, and ten per
cent. interest on the amount actually
lent, is enough to undertake. But
there seem to be many that hold
that this is not enough; that the Gov
ernmsnt is guilty of breach of faith
so long as these bonds do not rise to
par in the hands of the public credit
ors; that the nation is dishonored be-
cause it does not raise the market
price of the bonds so that the public
creditor may speedily realize: an adj
vance Of two-thirds on the principal
he lent us; and that therefore the Gov.
eminent must make any sacrifice that
may be necessary to give this great
addition to the property of the bond
hOIders.


Among other sacrifices that many
think the nation should make in or.
der to profit the public creditor, If for
no other reason, is urged for this, the
Government should raise the value of
the deprecated notes to par with coin,
by m aking coin payment on them at
the Treasury at their face. This cur.
rency is the measure of the contracts
in existing credits running through
all the ramifcations of trade and In
dustry, whose amount Is estimated at
eight thousand millions. To raise this
measure of value to par with coin Is
to require at least one-third more OF
labor and property TO buy the dollar
than is required now, and thus to add
at least .one third to existing indebt-
edness. This would be to levy upon
those who use credit an additional
debt not less in amount than the
whole of the national debt. No one
attempts to deny that this would be
the result. nor to pretend to compre.
head the ma9nitadO oS the M0aOtarY
Year: 1869

AAtA0eA04s


Senator Sprague, of Rhode Island,
son in law of Chief Justice Chase, in
a recent speech in Congress, reviewed
the political situation of his party
friends on the subject. OF reconstruc-
tion, and, in 50 doing, has told many
unpalatable truths.


"He tMr. Sprague) denied that
Congress had restored harmony or
prosperity to the country, and asser-
ted that the people in the South are
rather In u state of chronic revoIUS on
and that there was no Justice for the
poor man, or protection for the rights
and liberties of citizens in this boasted
land of freedom. Immigration had
fallen off, the industry and agricul-
ture Ofthe country were so prostrated
ct the West, that immigrants cannot
find remunerative employment, for
they can not sell their products for
enough to supply themselves with
the necessaries of life. The reason
was that the legislation and the ad-
ministration were so shaped q to en-
courage capital to speculate upon ev
cry industrial occupation in the coun-
try. If this course was to be contin-
ued, in less than five years there wo'd
be clamor for a tariff to keep out
foreign cotton. But great as was the
mismanagemcnt ofOur affairs in every
department, the greatest abuses were
our financial policy. That policy was
directed and controlled by the bank
ers. They no doubt gave as good ad-
vice as they could, but experience
had always shown that dealers in
money knew little or nothing about
the relation IF money to other eccu-
pations and interests. The country
was on the brink of.a precipice, and
unless the people could be reused from
their apathy, all was lost He had
wished for, and aided in the election
of General Grant to the Presidency,
because ne believed that he president
Grant, had not been contaminated
by the politicians, aud hal the capaci-
ty required to see through and defeat
their Vaccinations. lie had listened
to the inaugural address with intense
interest, and had been pleased by the
Presidents expressions of his purpose
to be independent in the dlst h irge Of
his Official duties, but when he heard
the passage asserting the sacredness
of the public debt, he had gone away
disheartened and sorrowful, because
it had shown him the canker that
possessed the American body polite,
had got possession of the President
also. Still he was not without hope.
He hoped the President would yet
discover the great error in which bad
advisers had led him, and would turn
away from this policy as from char
mel house."


The speech Of the Rhode Island
Senator is one Of the many signs Of
the times which betoken return to
reason, by the breaking up of the Rad
ical party It is full of wholesome
truths, and merits the attention 1t has
received.
Year: 1869




If 1t were not for this exaggerated
consideration foE the bondholders, no
one would think of proposing mon
etary disturbance so vast and incaIcu-
liable; but there is now a fantastic and
fanstical enthusiasm for the public
faith, which takes the shape of exag-
gerating our obligations to the public
creditor, and which assumes that this
faith is dishonored because the bond
which the creditor sock for his loan
at sixty cents on the dollar has not
advanced. in his hands to par with
coin. ITO bring about this consumma-
ton, monetary schemes are proposed
In cold blood, which, if ever carried
into effect, would be equivalent to
popular suicide schemes which wo'd
bring q monetary revolution upon
the country that would swallow up
both public and private credit, and
make the very name of payment of
the bonds a kissing and by-word.
Year: 1869

CAMP GAsToy, CALIFORNIA, November Both 1869
EDITOR JOURNAL Trusting that you are a
friend of humanity and that you possess the in
clination and courage to expose to the public
eye the abuse of petty power which, although
too Insignificant to be called tyranny, is too
CALLING and brutal for US to leave unnotced, we
send you this note


You may remember that few months apo a
change in the military organization took place
at this and other posts in the United States. By
that change the undersigned were transferred
from company X, ninth infantry, to company X
twelfth infantry, no choice being left u.s. What
ever others may think of Lieutenant Tracy, who
commanded company X, ninth infantry, we al
ways found in him good-hearted, kind and
just man, who treated us as men, not as brutes-
the manner in which we treated at present
After we were transferred and the moment our
new Captain took in charge, crueltes, bar
barous in their nature and usage, were inflicted
on us. Our rations, previously plentiful were
reduced so much that the men were compelled
to go masse to Colonel Miner, commanding
this post, and demand sufficient food to keep
body and soul together. For the most trivial





they faint from excessive pain. For being
slightly intoxicated the q buck and gag" are ap-
Piled and in such an inhuman manner as to
often tear the lips and burst open the corners OF
the mouth. We need not describe the manner
in which these tortures are inflicted. We hope
they not widely known, for it would disgrace
a civilized and Christian people to be well ac-
quanted with such and not crush it with the
weight of their Men who have served in
Mexico and through the late war, and who bear
on their persons scars received in battle
abused and beaten by STRIPPING officer who
never saw men in action and whose breast is
barren of sympathy for his kind. One more in
stance of nhumanity: man just from the
hospital where he confined with rheuma-
tism, was made to carry a knap-sack of sand for
eight hours. The result was the man had to be
taken back to the hospital, where he now lies, IL
confirmed cripple.


The inhabitants of the immediate counties
ought to be Interested in the military who
placed here for their protection. A good many
of our men assisted, when in the volunteer SER
vice, to clear this country of lnlan murderers,
and since then, while in the ninth infantry,
hunted the Indians through snow and rain
among these hills until not one is left. Their
services may be required at any moment but if
the present tyranny continues fear not
sufficient to protect this fort will be left for
desertion in a body is threatened if matters do
not mend. Colonel Stanhope, who commands
company +, stationed here, treats his men Justly
and they have no complaint to make; but Captain
Tripler who commands us, shamefuly abuses
his mite of power by cheating, abusing and treat
ing soldiers like condemned fclons.


JOHN MURPHY,


MICHAEL FoRD,


THOMAS DoNNELLY,


And Forty Others
Year: 1869

We sell more Waltham Watches than any
other establishment in the country, either whole
sale or retail; we send great numbers to every
section of the country by mail and express, care
fully packed, and in perfect running order Our
plan is this You want Watch, and see our
advertisement now, we want you first to write
to US for our Descriptive and illustrated Price
List; we will send it, postpaid, by returning
mail. 1t explains all the different kinds, tells
the weight and quality of the cases, with prices
of each; you then make selection of the kind
you prefer, and send US your order. We will
then send you the Watch by express, with the
bill to collect on delivery. We give instruc-
tions to the express company to allow you to
open the package and examine the Watch if it
suits, you can pay, and take it; If not, you are
under no obligation to receive it; and if it is
taken, and afterwards does not prove satisfac-
tory, we will exchange it, or
Year: 1869

Don't FORGET Ir.-Remembcr that the sale of
real estate by John Jackson executor Of the es
tate of James Dougherty, deceased, will take
place in front of the courthouse, at noon Mon
day
Year: 1869

HERE is funeral speech which Paris paper
assures US actually pronounced at Mont
martre the other day, by father at the grave
of his son: & Gentlemen, said the father, in a
voice of full emotion, = the body before ME was
that of my He was young in the
prime of life, with sound constitution, which
ought to have insured him a hundred years.
But misconduct, drunkenness and debauchery OF
the most disgraceful kind, brought him in the
flower of age to the ditch which you see before
you Let this be a warning to you and your
children. Let US go hence"


The revenue on sugar and tobacco coming
from Cuba to the Urited States is annually S25
900, 900. In return send goods to that Island
worth only $50 ,0oo, 900 each year About hal
the sugar receive in this country comes from
the Queen of the Antilles, and General Ces
pedes proposes to equalize our trade by setting
up Il Republic, and inviting immigration, thu:
creating greater demand for our manufacturers
Year: 1869

A dressing which
is at once agreeable,
healthy, and effectual
for preserving the
hair. Faded or gray
hdur as soon restored
to its original color
ariM the gloss and
freshness Of youth.
Thin hair is thick.
Year: 1869

A bill has been introduced in the
House "to discourage polygamy in Utah
by granting suffrage to women" We
do not see what is to be gained by such
q measure. In the first place, women
are naturally more religious than men.
whether their worship is of objects Gin
the heavens above, in the earth be-
meath, or in the waters nder the earth,
they put little more enthusiasm in it
than men are capable of. and .classically
speaking, "go it blind" Now as "po-
lygamy is part of the Mormon religion"
according TO the revelation of the "big
gun" of the Ne,cs, all that is necessary
is for Brigham to say ''vote for polyga-
my" and the Mormon women would do
it, on penalty of being "cut off" The
result would be a Territorial law,
brought about by act of Congress. in
direct hostility TO the act declaring
polygamy a crime. Again: If they
should. by their suffrages, secure a leg
islative enactment against polygamy,
Brigham's word would make it nulli-
tY. Those women who would then vote
against it, can as readily refuse half
hitch now, and the remainder would do
as they pleased despite the enactment,
for if United States law is defantly
violated, Territorial law gives no bet
ter promise. The Fabian policy of Con~
gress is humbug, and as long as an
hundred thousand Mormons are per-
mitted to defy its authority, the strict
enforcement of the reconstruction laws
upon the South, stands in bold relief as
an unequal exercise of authority. Each
Of the rebel States should have "a Re
publican form of Government" and are
likely to get it, but the Government
that had the nerve to stamp out the
most powerful rebellion of modern days
and revolutionize the entire political
minces and hesitates at this Insignificant
Mormon problem" more hostile in
every respect to Republican form of
Government, than any rebel State Gov
eminent that was organized. Brigham
Young propounded to the United States,
many years ago, the conundrum "Why
am superior TO your Government
and the United States instead of teach
ing him he is no:, has been guessing,
and guessing why it is, until all the
world is laughing at its stupidity. This
suffrage proposition is, of all. the most
absurd. If the Government puts a bal
lot in their hands Brigham will cover it
up with baby, and that's the end of it.
Skir mishing will not win the field, and
since moving into position in 1862, there
has been nothing but skirmishing.
Fight the foe or leave him alone.
Year: 1869

The following, corotorative of Mr..
Claggett's Lecture on "Alkali," !" we find
in the Santa Clara (Cal) Argus.


A remnant of volcanic matter stretches
through the eastern side of Santa Clara
Valley and is iamilliarly known as the
"alkali streak" This curious belt va-
ries in width from one hundred yards to
a quarter of a mile. and the soil con-
tanned within it is completely saturated
with salaratus and other alkali salts.
At present. the alkali streak is almost
valueless for agricultural purposes, and
is considered positive detriment to the
farms through which it passes in it's
natural condition. The only vegetable
life which can exist upon il is species
of tough, why grass, known as "alkali
grass" and a few stunted specimens of
marsh weed. Experience has proven
that the alkali grounds can be reclaimed
by cultivation. At present, some of the
handsomest gardens and orchards in
San Jose. are thriving in the very heart
of the alkali streak. 1t requires time
and labor to accomplish the reclam>
alton, but in the end it is found that the
subdued salt acts as first class fertil-
izer.


Every farmer is familiar with the fact





meadow or green sward, the excess of
potash which the rain leeches from the
ashes. will completely destroy surround
| ing vegetation. The same effects are
produced by an excess of alkah in the
soil. If the pile of ashes is scattered
broadcast over the meadow, they form
an excellent manure, and will be of
great value TO the growing crop. If by
constant cultivation, the alkali grounds
are constantly stirred about, the delete
rious salt will be equally distributed
through the soil, and will become a sup.
ply of natural manure. The longer such
grounds are cultivated. the more pro-
| ductIve and valuable will they become,
and instead of being considered worth~
less wastes as they are now, will be
sought after by the farmer and gardener.
One of the best methods for reclaiming
these lands, is TO SOW them in beets. 1t
has been proven by experiment that
the beet thrives finely in the alka.i
streak, and as these tubers grow large
and penetrate the soil TO consider cradle
depth, they serve better purpose than
! deep plowing. Now that the sugar man.
ufactory is about TO start at Alviso, we
shall expect every rod of alkali land TO
be grown in sugar beets.-Santd Clara
! Argus.
Year: 1869

A San Francisco dispatch to the Union
says a private letter from an eminent
merchant in Chicago furnishes the in
formation that the Pacific Railroad Co.
has disposed of 10000 passage tickets TO
white Pine for the month of March
alone, and refused to sell more on ac-
count of inability 20 transport larger
number.
Year: 1869

The following rules are published for
the benefit of all concerned


Rule l. After you have made up your
mind that you we're born for little faster
gait than horse cars get up. or your or
binary pedal locomoton willingly admits
of, the first thing to do is to buy velo-
cipede, and if you wish to show your
grace and dexterity, be sure and invest
10 bicycle.


Rule 2-Avoid all liquids which tend
to unstesdiness; divide your pennies so
that an equal number shall occupy each
pocket. Place your hat squarely upon
your head--it might be well to carry a
spirit-level, the better to accomplish this.
Either leave your watch with your uncle
or buy another for your other vest-pocket,
in order that the weight of one may not
throw you out of balance. Alss, avoid
tobacco, unless you place a quid 10 either
cheek, and be sure that your cigar be
held in the center of your mouth also
part your hair in the middle.


Rule 3-Mount your machine. If you
don't succeed at first, try again; it's
good exercise for q beginner. Iu this
connection it might be we'll to suggest
that the learner get himself upholstered.
The limbs may not work as freely, but 1t
saves the skin.


Rule 4-Balance yourself. This may
seem a triAe difficult at first, but it be-
comes quite easy after you learn how.
Rule second will now come into actual
use, and If il had been honestly complied
v,;tb vou will nrohahlv he able To hal
ance yourself handsomely until gravita-
ton takes a hand in. Ifthis velLknogn
Law should attempt to spoil your pleas,
ure, change your tactics, and look ont for
breakers If you are praeticing in the
presence Of ladies, or even promiscu-
Gus company, act as graceful as possible.
II you tumble over, repeat it, smilingly.
Never get red in the face; it is apt to be
taken advantage Of by spectators, who
often think such things funny.


Rule 5-After having acquired the art
Of balancing yourself, raise your feet to
Year: 1869

The New Orleans Crescent publishes
an account Of the death of q young man
in that city by spontaneous combustion.
He had been hard drinker for many
years. He died on Tuesday morniBg,
and the appearance of the body is de-
scribed thus: "Luylay was stretched
upon the bare floor in perfect state Of
nakedness, his eyes almest out of their
orbits, his whole frame distorted, and the
body in curious state of ebullition-we
might state, the flesh much swollen and
perfectly translucent, and the blood
coursing in the veins seemed to be rush
ing through them at a fearful rate, as
was easily exhibited by its abnor-
NAL appearance, seemingly hlled
with foreign globular bodies. The
epidermis, in spots varying from
the size of q pins head to that of
a small apple, would become inflated
and suddenly the blisters would collapse,
very like as the bubbles on the surface of
q boiling pot of starch or other thickened
liquid. As the blisters subsided, they
left on their surface hot liquid of q
yellowish red color, which trickled down
the side Of his body, and stained the
floor, the idea of wiping it off having
been abandoned, owing to the copious-
ness of the flow. To remain in the room
with such sight 10 view was more than
we could do, and we retired once more,
to return, however, about three clock,
upon being informed that life was ex-
tinct in peor Luylay. During our alb
sence the body had apparently exuded
ell that it contained OF blood or liquid
matter, become perfectly dried up and
and as black as charcoal"
Year: 1869

the cranks and push out. The faster you
push out, the better, provided you keep
at it. Don't stop, unless you come in
contact with something you cannot sur
mount; in which case, if you still main
tain your seat and your upright, back
out with all the grace you possess.
Never allow your bicycle to get on top of
you; it learns it bad tricks, besides be-
ing bad for the projecting angles of your
anatomy.


Rule 6-When you conclude that you
have mastered the forward motion in
straight line, try your hand at curve.
These curves should be as long as possi-
BILE at first, since new rider is very apt
to obey the laws of inertia, and continue
to move in straight line after the ma
chine is turned in circular one. This
is regarded by most people as spill.
The surest way is to keep up your curve
until you have described q circle, and
when you find yourself in the ring. stick
to it until you are satisfied; it don't
take long.


Rule AFTER having learned all sorts
of forward motions, if you are desirous of
putting on few more emotional frills,
try the backward motion. Don't be too
confident of astonishing anybody but
yourself by this movement; it requires
something more than cheek to make it q
success. You will find your bicycle in
clined to lay down. This must be guarded
against, since it takes the poetry all out
of the motion, and is not exactly what
might be called triumph of genius.


Rule 8-Never attempt any extra frills
until you are sure of making the point
intended. Never attempt to ride your
bycicle up an inclined plane, and stand
on the saddle when near the top; gravi.
tation is still in active operation. And,
finally, when you have mastered your
machine, and fondly imagine you can
beat anything on wheels, don't undertake
to keep ahead of an express train, on the
same track; there is some speed in loco
motives yet, and if it should happen to
overtake you, it might scratch some Of
the paint from your bycicle, and make it
look bad.
Year: 1869

Few people are aware how many are
the deaths from lightning. 1t appears,
from statistics kept in Frasce, that dur
ing the last thirty years more than 5000
people were struck by lightning, of whom
1852 were killed outright Eight hundred
and eighty were killed during the last tea
years, and of these only two hundred
and forty-hree were females. If light
ming falls on crowd, it does more mis-
chief among the men than among the
females, the latter persons being the most
exposed.


Animals are frequently stricken, while
those in charge of them are spared. The
old idea that the beach tree is q protec-
ton is fatal error, the neighborhood of
all isolated trees being dangerous, except
when they are in metallic connection
with the soil.


Railroads and telegraph wires are pro-
tecters in so far as they are able to abb
sorb and convey considerable amounts
of electricity. Every locomotive does
this unperceived, its metallic mass being
an excellent conductor. Walking along
a railroad track where it runs through a
country without trees is as dangerous as
taking shelter under tall tree. That
windows are dangerous is believed to be
an error, for experience does not show
that lightning strikes through open win
dows or follows draft of air.