smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

to the value of the property as measured by
the income which it yields, is to introduce
an element of uncertainty into the calcula-
ton, and destroys the uniformity which is
essential to Justice. A mans income is the
fund from which his taxes must be PAID. A
house and field which each rent out for
$100 clear of all expenses, ought to pay the
same tax. Two houses that rent out for the
same sum ought to pay the same tax al
though one may have lost twice as much as
the other. 1t must never be forgotten, that
property cannot pay the tax levied on it,
but the income from the property only can
pay it. If we proceed further and inquire
what the proportion between the rental and
the value of the property should be- we can
determine it only by observation of what it
really is, and from a consideration OF the
usual rate of interest on money loaned.
Without going minutely into the inquiry, it
would probably be found that rea! estate is
generally worth about ten times its nett an
nual rental In a law imposing taxes. where
the Object is uniformity, the same amount of
nett income should be an index to the
same numerical valuation of the capital
yielding it. If it should be thought that
ten times the rent would give too high a
valuation, make it eight times The princi-
pie is more important than the exact pro-
portion.
Year: 1869

Much interest is manifested all over our
State in the system of public instruction that
may be determined upon by the General As
sembly. This is healthy symptom, and
we are greatly pleased to witness it, and
would spare no pains to intensity that inter-
est so that in every hovel in the State there
should be anxiety to know when and to
what extent provision will be made for the
dren OF the State.


But it is not the completeness Of any sys-
TEN, or the efficiency of any Superintendent
of Public Instruction that will give to North
Carolina an educated youth. 1t is all folly
to expect that the ability of the superinten-
dent, or the system of schools will do the
work. In order to make any system sue
cess, or to enable any superintendent to Sue
ceed in his grand mission, it will be necessary
to interest the people in their own part of
the work of education. Here, in our opinion,
has been the cause of failure in the past The
people themselves did not take hold Of the
matter as the coadjutors of the superinten-
dent, and as those who were responsible for
the success of the system This has 20 be
done or all legislation and all appropriation
of money is failure.


Would that we could speak to every school
district in the State, that we might direct
their attention to this matter We would
tell them to enter at ONCE into full accord
with the system that will be devised, for that
is, after all, not the essential matter; and that
they take hold and carry out the course of
the Board of Education, and get up an enthu-
siasm among their neighbors. Fit up the
old school house comfortably, or build a
pleasant and neat new one Look out
competent and cheerful teacher; send all
your children, determined to be pleased /:
encourage all the little folks to go; never
forget or overlook the school; make it the
institution of the community. Be sure that
every person gets to have as much interest
in the school as they do. Get up generous
and wholesome rivalry as to who can send
his children the most days IN the term who
will work hardest and stint the most to spare
them from home. Get up spirit of emula-
tion among the children to see who can make
the most progress in learning, recite best,
attend most regularly and behave the best
He will be public benefactor in his neigh
borhood who shall form public opinion
that shall rule every one to hold and believe
that it is a shame and disgrace to be igno-
rant in this day, and with such means of
education, make it a matter of pride, of
fashion or interest, when not of duty. in all
to see that every child must be educated, and
that to fail is to wrong the child


We hope that there will be no abatement
of concern about the public schools, but that
at the same time that interest will centre in
every district, in every family. and in every
mind and heart of this great State with its
crowds of children
Year: 1869

MEssRs EDITORS 1t is the misfortune
of Raleigh to haveits fire department inef-
ficient from many causes, some of which can
at once be remedied, while others will re-
uuire time to produce the desired result.
The number of engines is not sufficient and
the quality is not the best, nor are they kept
in good.order We have given the engine
No second trial and find it works no het-
ter. We are in hopes that the Commission
ers or the chief engineer will give the job of
repairing to man that understands setting
valves and packing engines, for it is of
no use to pay man to hammer and tinker
on the engine any more unless he repairs it
so as to make it work 1t is unnecessary
expense to the city, and we hope it will be
looked into Immediately. We intend to
work hard to save all property of the city
which takes fire. but the present condition
of the engine does not warrant us in guar
anteeing success in our efforts.


With due attention to this subject our
fire department can be made an honor to
the members, a source of pride to the city
of oaks" and protection to property. 1t
the authorities will exert their power in i'm
proving this engine, much good will result.
JAMES Fl. JONES, Foreman.


E. WILLIAMS, Secretary.
Year: 1869

There is softening power in distance.
1t is on this principle that modern Democrats
are disgusted with the progressive age in
which their lot is cast Hence they are so
fond of talking of the degeneracy of these Re
publican times. and referring with a show of
pride to the days when they were young and
could see the Democratic amusements of
walloping niggers, &c.


1t is hardly possible to meet an old person
of the Democratic persuasion who is not
pathetic to tears in his lamentations on the
altered state of things, and who does not
speak of the sad determination which the
nation has undergone since he first voted for
Andrew jackson and Richard NJ. johnson.
If we were to put implicit faith in his sad
bewailings, we might conclude that there
was nothing which had not changed fol the
worse, and that the great reforms of the past
few years, were terrible misfortunes With
all due regard for our Democratic brethren,
and especially for our pious brother of the
Sentinel, we must be allowed the privilege
of asserting that the superiority is only in
appearance, attributable to optical deception
or jaundiced feeling.


Liberty now embraces all mankind within
its universal comprehension. The gibbering
and vicious spouters for class legislation are
dying. They draw their inspiration from
the past, instead of from the living present
and from the future.


Republicanism is clothed in the garb of
progress 1t arose from the souls of the
people and deied the sputtering, the senllity,
and spouting of Conservative fossils. Its
founders were men of thought, and burning
to avenge the wrongs perpetrated in the
name of liberty, they were cursed and banned
as dangerous by the serpents of a pro-slavery
Democracy.


The Republican party now appeals to
mightier proofs than when it first engaged
in combat with the devil of Copperheadism.
Its own majestic triumphs witness for it with
voice far more commanding than that
which was heard in Chicago, when it nomi-
mated as its first Presidential candidate,
the gifted and revered Lincoln.
Year: 1869




In the Senate on Tuesday, March 16as, 1869.


On the motion of Mr.. BARNES to strike
DAVIS said:


Mr.. PRESIDENT Il am in favor of all hav-
ing the effects of this law alike This sec
tion declares that any person holding deed
of trust or mortgage shall come under the
same rule to collect as any other debt and it
is right Sir, debt is debt and enforcing
the collection of deed or mortgage,
will create as much distress, and perhaps,
more, to the debtor, than debt founded
upon any other contract, and should there
fore be placed on the same footing. While
have not the most favorable opinion of
Stay Laws and Relief Bills, am, however,
rary relief, and l shall vote for this bill
cheerfully, for this reason: that persons all
over the State, more or less, were making
calculations to pay the tenth, and so on, UNI
der the stay law adopted by the Constitu-
tional Convention; but suddenly the Su-
preme Court decided it unconstitutional, and
by that decision threw the debtor at the
mercy of his creditor, and in my opinion a
great sacrifice of property would follow; not
withstanding, believe, Mr.. President, that
we have legislated almost altogether for the
debtor, I still believe that creditors should
have their rights. 1 am now, and always
have been opposed to reputation. Ibelieve
that every man should pay his honest debts
ifhe can, but think, under the circumstances,
I am justified in going, for this bill at this
time, but while do this have not too many
perhaps. depended too much upon the lie
gislature" to pay their debts? l fear in
many cases they have; but 1 am satisfied
that large class of honest men need some
relief l therefore hope, sir, that this Sec
ton will not be stricken out, and this gene
raj bill will be speedily enacted into law
and that it will prove to be what it is called
"a bill of relief, in fact, as well as in name
Year: 1869

The Constitution requires that all property
shall be taxed according to its value. The
principle is not new in North Carolina. But
while this has been the law for many years,
it is familiar fact, that the valuation of
property has been very far from uniform in
different parts of the State, in different ad-
joining counties, and even in districts or
townships of the same county. The want of
uniformity is an evil. 1t produces the very
inequality which it is the object of the Con-
stitution to avoid. 1t gives a just foundation
for complaint. 1t is an evil which must be
remedied, if it be within the scope of the
legislative faculty TO do it. 1t may be RENE
died in great degree by the enactment by
the legislature of rule by which the valua-
ton shall be made. This rule has long been
familiar in all States and counties where land
is commonly rented out. That it is not so
familiar in North Carolina, can only be
ascribed to the circumstance that the renting
of lands outside of cities, owing to our sys-
TEN of labor was quite unusual.


What piece of improved land either
rents or is capable of being rented out for,
is the true test of its value for taxation, and
will furnish an uniform result. What house
or a farm actually rents out for, or is capable
of being rented out for, is ascertainable with
more ease and certainty than its value by any
other mode. In countries where the greater
part Of the land is more or less improved, an
ordinary expression of the value OF piece of
land is, "it is worth so many years. pur-
chase;" by which is meant that it is worth
that number of times its net rent for year.
We do not say that this rule is capable of
application in all cases; it is not applicable
where the land is not in state capable of
cultivation, or of present beneficial occupa-
ton. Where lands are in that condition,
they must of necessity continue to be valued
by the present rude and unequal method.
Nor do we say that the rule is one which in
all cases gives adequately the market value


OF the property. Often it happens that
. property has value beyond its rental,
by reason of the probability that in
the future, it may be made, by improve


ment, or perhaps without, but from
circumstances unconnected with the land it.
sell, to yield better rental That is the
case more or less with all lands, whether
IN cities or in the country; by the expen-
"Iure OF money they may he made to pay
ahigher rent But all value dependent on
Such contingencies is speculative and not
nlSubject for taxation. Moreover, to con-
'iuer such speculative value as an addition
Year: 1869

hALEIGH COOPERATIVE LAND AND BUILDING
AssOCIATIoN.-This Association, which COM
menced operations on last Tuesday night, under
the most favorable auspices, is designed to aid
persons OF small means to secure a home. It
gives, through cooperation, to the poor the use
OF capital, and in such q way and upon such
terms as relieves rather than oppresses them.
A man, by paying into this Association monthly
an amount as great as his usual rent, or even
less, may obtain house at once, which becomes
his in fee at the end Of eight years, his monthly
payments meeting in that time both principal
and interest. Thus, every person who rents a
room, may own his own house and lot, by
even less exertion than is required to meet the
demands of his landlord. Such Associations
have been most successfully conducted in both
Europe and the Northern States to the perma-
nent advantage OF hundreds and thousands who,
but for these societies, would never have had
home of their own. We are glad to have this
Association established in this city, and we in
dulge the hope that every person, who rents a
house or a piece of land, will at once hand in
his name and subscribe to its stock, and thus
become. as he can, possessor of homestead or
plantation. Nothing has ever been devised
more beneficent in its workings to the poor and
the laboring classes, or that is better suited to
the present condition of our people. a


We are informed that meeting will be held
on Tuesday night, March 23d, at the Methodist
Church, (colored,) when any person may become
stockholder, and to any amount from a dollar
upward, by paying the first installment of one
dollar upon each share.


Tba In
consents to admit those who may subscribe on
Tuesday to all the privileges of the original
stockholders. 1t is easier to enter now than it
will ever be again, as at each subsequent meet
ing those who join, to place themselves on an
equality with the members, must pay all the
back dues, with interest upon them, and pro-
portional share of the premiums. Let all join,
and join on tomorrow night. Those who
fail to do so, will regret it but once, and that
will be forever.
Year: 1869

New YORK, April 3O.-Dr. Black, one
Of the physicians charged with causing
the death of the girl Ellen Carlock, was
found in his cell in the Hudson county
Jail, this morning, with his throat cut.
Four wounds were also found on his
wrists and long cash across his stomach.
The wounds were all made with razor,
but neither of them are of serious ma
Year: 1869

i interest in the business and property OF
the Memphis Cotton Press Association"
This interest will insure an active business
man a very large increase on the investment.
Terms, one half cash, balance as may be agreed
on. tnolTl THOMAS GRAVES
Year: 1869

The independent says: We are
not sorry to hear that Father Hya-
cinthe does not propose To confine his
influence to his forensic labors; but
proposes soon to establish a paper,
bearing the name Of lie CroieR, which
shall be both religious and political
in its character"
Year: 1869

last week we chronicled the robbery of
w. Fl. Dunn on the road between here and


Red Bluff, and it appears that the road


agents are enterprising characters and dis


posed to put in the time to their advantage.


On the 23d a couple of the rascals pounced
on a pair of Cinnamon, who were travelling
on the road near the Tower House, robbed
them of their blankets, and searched them
for money, but found none.


On the evening of the following day,
Peter Cusick, was returning from Weaver
vile with team, and as he neared the
site of the old toll house on the Shasta and
Whiskytown divide, he observed man sit
ting on piece OF timber near the roadside,
with hat drawn down in front, and smoking
a pipe. As Cusick came nearly opposite,
the man knocked the ashes out of his pipe,
raised up, and with cooked pistol in hand
approached the driver, and ordered him to
stop and give up his money. Cusick halted
and replied that he was broke, whereupon
the robber informed him that he was id
liar, and ordered him to get down from the
wagon and shell out, which order was COM
piled with to the amount of five or six dol
lars in coin and bank check The road
agent pocketed the coin and handed the
check back with the remark that he had
no use for that paper Cusick thinks the
operator had confederate stationed near
by to watch out for the approach of other
parties while the relieving" process was
going on.


Frank Thompson was returning from
Weaverville with freight team on Tues
day. and just as he had reached the summit
of Trinity Mountain he heard voice cry
" whoa. whoa !" Looking up he beheld
couple of highwaymen on the edge of the
grade, one armed with a revolver, and the
other with double-barrel shot gun. The
laces OF the men were concealed by white
muslin masks through which eye-holes were
cut. To their demand for his money Frank
handed over three bits, telling them that
was all the funds he had They then or
dered him to get down from the wagon
and stand at the head of his team until the
wagon was searched The command was
complied with, aud one of the highwayman
stood guard over him with a cooked shot
gun while the other proceeded to overhaul
the things in the wagon. The search re-
suited in the discovery of purse contain
ing thirty dollars, which the finder confs-
Gated without ceremony. Frank was then
ordered to drive on, and the robbers walked
leisurely away through the woods.
Year: 1869

A young blood, residing not half-dozen
miles from this pace, was the victim of
rather good joke one Sunday night re-
Gently. He was trying to be particularly
"sweet' on a young lady. and had paid her
a number of visits at the residence of her
parents. The old folks had somehow got
an idea into their heads that the Children
were most too young to "keep company
and conveyed the desired hint by calling the
girl out of the room and sending her to
bed at nine o'clock. The lady of the house
astonished the young gent by bringing
into the parlor huge piece of bread and
butter, nicely spread with sugar, which
she presented to him, saying, in her kind
est manner, "There, Bubby, take this md
run home to your mother; it's time little
boys were in bed.' The would-be gay young
beau hasn't felt as though he wanted any
more sweetness from that source since.
Year: 1869

The lands of the mining districts are
mineral lands. As such they have been
withheld from market by the government


While they were productive in that eapac-
ity, all was well. But that productiveness
has passed away. They now give the
meager mining population a meager sup
port. They are not adding anything to
the wealth of their people, to enable them
to bear their burden of taxes or meet their
heavy obligations. As the mining indus
try is played out, it ceases to attract pop-
ulation. But very large proportion of the
mineral lands are valuable for agricultural
purposes, and are capable of sustaining
large and profitable agricultural industries.
These would attract population if the lands
could be acquired; but, being mineral
lands, that is impossible A valuable az
rlcultural population will not expend their
industry and make improvements on land
which they do not own. Thus, the min.
eral lands will lie in their present poverty
stricken condition as long as they are held
as such. As they have ceased to be pro-
ductive of mineral wealth, the object of
reserving them for mining purposes has
passed away and as they are capable of
large agricultural production and wealth,
they should now be put to that use. These
lands have served their mining purpose !;
now let them serve their agricultural pur-
pose. Land should always be used for
what is fit. We believe, therefore, that
the Government should no longer hold
these lands for purpose which they have
ceased to serve, but put them into the
market. Then, when the farmer can ac-
quire title, their great produc.iveness will
attract his attention and induce him to
occupy them. That will develop the re-
maining.and enduring wealth of the i'm
poverished districts, and furnish them the
means of lifting the burden of financial
embarrassment from their shoulders. It
is slower than the methods sought by their
impatient people, but it is sure, and puts
them on a permanent basis of prosperity
This will also diversity the productive in
terests of the State, accelerate the devel-
opment of its resources, and add to its pros
perity.-Sacrament Record
Year: 1869

TIRED OF PoLITIos.-The election
returns of this county and the State, go to
prove that the people are weary of politics
and tired Of partisan strife and pickering.
When one third or more of the registered
voters will not take interest enough in
elections to go to the polls, there is no use
in paying any particular attention to pnliti-
cal matters, and therefore we propose to
DC .Note our columns to such local and gen.
eral subjects as the public take interest in.
Let us have peace.
Year: 1869

PROGRESS OF Work ON THE OREGON
RAILROAD. Ground was broken and pro-
ceedings were actively inaugurated on the
section of the Oregon Railroad commenc-
ing in this city and extending north, by
the contractor, j. II. Strobridge, about a
week since. We hurridly drove over the
work yesterday afternoon from the depot
on A street to the intersection at Feather
river, and were surprised at the rapidity
with which the work is pushed ahead and
the amount of road-bed about completed
The first gang Of workmen we found are
engaged 'pilling the slough at about Four
tceuth street on A, and number about twen-
ty-fve carts and sixty Celestials. Consid-
cradle of an embankment must be made
ranging from two feet to twelve feet in
height from the freight depot or present
terminus on A and Seventh to the point
where the gang just spoken off are at work
On the Simmerly slough, just below the
slaughter house, steam pile driver has
been at work for the past week and has
made but ordinary progress in its depart
ment, having driven but 36 piles so far
During the ensuing week however, the pile
driving at this point to connect with the
embankment will be completed From the
slough there is about mile or more of road
bed fully three fourths completed, by two
gags of Celestials under the control Of Mr..
Stanton. These two gangs are worked with
vigor and system which attracts the at
tention and commentator of spectators and
they appear in all respects to move and
operate with as much ease and facility as
an equal number of white railroaders.-
And certainly they profane in English with
as much proficiency as white men. II is
certain that. within the present week Stan
ton will complete the embankment between
the Simmerly Slough and Feather river.
Stanton's men are using scrapers drawn
by one pair Of mules. At the river but
one pile driver has been in operation the
past week, and, to our unskillful eyes, is
worked with ease and method, and has
driven Is bents of 4 piles EACH A large
number of Celestials are at work at either
side of the river excavating for the abut-
ments, and from the advanced position Of
the work we judge pile driver, already
on the ground. will be placed in position to-
morrow to drive the abutment pilling.-
The men employed at the river are under
the management of Mr. Adams. Marys-
vile Appeal
Year: 1869

OLD DIGGINGs.-A resident Of Fort
Crook informs us that in the mountains
about twenty miles south of Alden, Big
Valley parties have discovered creek, the
bed of which has at some former period
been mined for distance of there miles.
Since the discovery, an old miner living in
Sskiyou, says he and few others worked
on that creek in the Spring of 1858, and
that as the result of his labor he sold six
pints of gold dust to Yreka traders. There
is but little water in the creek at present,
but number of claims have beer taken
up lately and will be worked when rain sets
in. In the vicinity of the Greek several
quartz lodges which prospect rich in free
gold have also been discovered and taken
nm
Year: 1869

New STocK.-Joseph Isaacs of the
" Pioneer Store" is now receiving and
opening up fresh stock of Fall and Win
ter,Goods, which he selected especially to
meet the demands of this market, with
the wants of which he is fally informed
and experienced. Call and examine the
new goods and styles and learn the low
prices at which customers are supplied.