smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

Last SunG ay was remarkable day
in this parish-remarkable because it
was the Inauguration of new order
of things-the closing of all places of
business on Sundays. OF course, any
departure from old customs is looked
upon with awe at first by those who
dislike to have their usual privileges
curtailed or restricted, but when the
good effects of such changes are made
apparent, none are quicker to aeGnOWle
edge the fact than the good people of
this parish. The Sunday closing law
meets with opposition, but it is no
more than might have been expected,
and doubtless it will continue to meet
with opposition for some time to come.
The stOrekeepers say, make it a law
throughout the State and we will be
content-it ought to be a general law,
and not confined to n parish here and
there" Correct; but there must be Il
beginning, and this parish is as good
a starting point as we know of. Now,
the reader abroad must understand
that the passage of a law closing all
places of business on Sundays in this
parish did not arise from a desire to
compel religious observance of that
day, but to put an end to drunkenness
and rowdyism, so common about the
roads and lanes on those days of the
week. Crime was on the increase, as
the Court records plainly showed !;
costs of criminal prosecutions We're
becoming so heavy that the burden
was too much to be borne by the tax
payers, and the only remedy that ap-
peared to the law making power of
the parish was to close all places where
liquor was sold on Sundays. And this
isn the whole matter i'll a nutshell.
Never was there quieter day through
out the parish and never was there
law more rigidly observed-all places
of business were closed.
Year: 1877

There is considerable talk about
cleaning out Bayou Plaquemine SO as
to be navigable for steamboats,. We
hope it may be done. This bayou
ought never to have been stopped up,
and it should be opened into the Mis-
sissippi as soon as possible, making
the proper levees to protect the coun-
try. If the Mississippi water ran
through Plaquemine the whole Attak-
apas would have cheap and COM
modious water route to.New Orleans
and get rid of Morgan's monopoly
railroad. 1t is to the interest of the
whole Attakapas that this bayou
should be opened. We hope the press
of the whole country interested will
Join us in making a demand for its
opening. Red river will, in short
time, lun out entirely through the At
chafalaya, as the mouth will soon be
permanently closed with mud. Then
the Plaquemine will be the only
chance for the Red river boats to get
to New Orleans. That the deposits of
Mississippi river mud in Old River
Lake will soon fill the lake up en-
tirely, is next TO certain, and the bank
of the Mississippi where the lake now
discharges into the river will be as
high as anywhere else, all persons
acquainted with the river well know.
1t is to the interest of New Orleans
that Bayou Plaquemine be opened,
for with the opening the route to the
Attakonas hy wafer would be short
ened hundred miles or more, and
trade would be increased correspond
ingly. AS to the Red river trade, the
opening of Plaguemine would be a
complete solution of the difficulties of
navigation at the mouth. We have
but little doubt that when the Mis-
sissippi falls the mouth will be found
closed to navigation entirely, and il
not this time, bu. few more rises will
be required to achieve that result.
Prepare then to open the Plaqnemlne
and levee it so far as necessary.
Year: 1877

groan from dim-lit upper room,
A stealthy step on the stair in the gloom,
A hurried glance to left, to right,


In the court beloW-then out in the night
There crept a man through an alley dim,
Till lost III the crowd. Let us follow him.
The night was black as he hurried along,
The streets were filled with Il jostling thrOng,
The sidewalks soaked in the drizzling rain.
He dared not look behind again,


And every strangers eye he caught
Was sure to know his inmOst thought.
The darkened easements looking down
From tall grim houses seemed to froWn.
The globes in the druggists window shone
Like fiery eyes on him alone,


And dashed great spots of bloody red
On the wet pavements as he fled.
And as he passed the gas-lamps tall,
He saw his lengthening shadow fall
Before his feet, till it grew and grew
To giant self of a darker hue:
But turning down some lampless street
He left behind the trampling feet
And ON through wind and rain he strobe,
Where far along on the miry road
The unwindowed shanties darkened stood,
A beggarly and Outlawed brood,
Mid halfhewn rocks and piles Of dirt
The ragged fringe of the city's skirt.
Then on, still on through the starless night,
Shrinking from every distant light;
Starting at every roadside bush
Or swollen stream in its turbid rush;
On, still on, till he gained the wood
In whose rank depths his dwelling stood.
There over his head the billows of wind
Rocked and roared before and behind.
And all of a sudden the clouds let out
Their pale white moon shafts all about
A dreary patch where the trees stood dead
By rocky swamp and u ruined shed.
And patch through the tangled woods ap-


peared


Between two oaks where the brlalS We're


cleared;


And under the gloom he reached ut last
His door-crept in and locked it fast;
Then struck match and lighted a lamp,
And drew from his pocket heavy and damp,
A wallet Of leather thick and brown.
Then at table sitting down
To count the-hark, what noise was that!
A rafting shutter! A rasping rat
Under the floor! He turned to the door,
And saw that his windows were all secure.
But down the chimney loud and fast,
Like distant cannon, roared the blast.
And on the wind came cries aud calls,
And voices OF awful waterfalls,
And ringing bells. Sometimes it seemed
He had not done the decd-but dreamed.
All, would it were a dream, this wild
Wet night, and he once more Il child
On a flying train in the lawning day
And the fragrant morn he was far away.
But secret eyes had pierced the night,
And lightning words outstripped his flight.
And far in the North where none could know,
The Laws long arm had reached its foe.
-C. Z. Church, IN 4hantic for July.
Year: 1877

tunity for carrying the Republican
| and boasts that he will control the
next Legislature. They will all find
themselves mistaken. The citizens
who are not Office holders will take
the leadership, and they will do the
work more effectively than the politi-
cal bunmers ever did. In fact, the
impudent and arrogant control of the
custom house has done the party
more harm than good, from the begin
ming. 1t was not pleasant for good
Republican to go to his ward caucus,
and find the machinery all set up by
paid Hessians, and ticket arranged
which to him was as distasteful as
though it had all been made of DEM
ocrats. For these professional poll
ticians are all of them T" on the make"
and they cared very little who paid
them. In the old Tweed days they
would bargain with the Boss as to the
kind of Republican they would send
to the Legislature, until there grew up
class of Tammany Republicans who
had much better have been in the
ranks of the Democracy, for they
acted with them in everything essen
tial. The assumption of control by
these men drove out of politics the
better class of Republicans, for they
saw the party in the hands of unwor-
thy men, who used their power for
their own advantage, and they We're
unable to cone with the trained CO.
horts. I predict that the politics of
the city will be run to better adyan-
tage than ever before, and that instead
of losing we shall gain seats in the
Legislature. The work of purifying
the custom house goes on steadily
and faithfully. Fifty-seve dead
beats were turned out last week,
making the whole number discharged
come very close to five hundred, and
the saving to the government quite
5000, 600; and besides, abuses are be-
ing stopped, and men are being put
in who will run the business on a
strictly business basis. The President
has done a splendid work for New
York.


The dogs are still being presented,
over 1900 having been drowned to
date. The city has paid for over five
thousand, the catchers managing TO
pass the same dog through three or
four times, getting the 30 cents for it
each time. There is swindle in
every thing connected with the city,
from drowning dog to cleaning a
street. Yesterday there were 765
dogs waiting Identification or death.
Their howlings were pitiful. They
seem to know what is going to happen
to them and they act about as men
would Some howl for mercy, others
put on stoical look and so to their
deaths with bold front, and others
fight desperately to the last. One
keeper was bitten through the hand
six times, and was compelled to go to
the hospital. PlETRO.
Year: 1877

US, on a military transport ION which
we were q passenger coming back to
the old home, on parOle) by prOmi-
nent Federal volunteer officer, from
the West, also on his way home, and
with whom we had much interesting
converse "It is great pity, sir,
that the officers and soldiers on both
sides can not meet and adjust the po
ltical settlement. They would settle
it peaceably and satisfactorily. But
the professional politicians will take
hold for selfish purposes, aud it will.
be years before the country is once
more re-unitedn Hardly had we
been at home month before one of
our most distinguished Confederate
generals made use of almost
the same language, whilst the senti-
1nent was precisely the same.


This Soldiers and Sailors National
reunion take exactly this view.
They know no politics, they say-no
North nor South in this matter-but
wish to meet upon the broad platform
of a common and united country.
Whatever Southern military compa-
nies this kindly and patriotic invita-
ton reaches, will, it is sincerely to be
hoped, do what they can to forward
it's objects. From Ohio comes the
man who, in the field, fought the
South CALAMITY but since the war
has cast off the shackles of party to
give the South, and especially Louis
lana, the constitutional liberty so long
denied her by the professional
politicians" TO Ohio, then, as repre-
sented by him, we owe debt of
gratitude which is doubly enhanced
by this generous invitation of Ohi"'s
soldiers The men who wore the grey
will cheerfully join with those who
wore the blue, in all such manly and
patriotic endeavors to show, that when
the torn Confederate flag went down
in the storm of battle, its defenders
could yet rally cheerfully and gallant
ly, as of yore, beneath the ball-pierced
and powder burned banner of the
Stars and Stripes.
Year: 1877

SAD CASUALTY AT BATON RoUGE.-
From the Sugar Planter of last Satur-
day we copy the following:


A most distressing accident occurred
last Sunday night in Baton Rouge
one of the most painful it has been
our lot to record for many years. The
family of Mr.. Thos. B. O'Connor, con-
sisting of his wife and two children,
and that of Chas. O'Connel, Esq, cen
sisting of his wife and one child, were
drowned at the river bank just below
the lower coal fleet. They had crossed
to this side of the river for a stroll,
when going too far, they missed the
last trip of the ferry and were COM
PEELED to take skiff to return. AS
the skiff neared the bank, she ran
upon a log, which depressed the stern
50 far that the water commenced
pouring in. The ladies and children
began screaming for help and had the
skiffman attended to his duty, there
would have been no casualty. Crowd
ing together in their fright, the skiff
filled with water and the ladies and
children all met a watery grave.
Charley Bauer, lad of about fifteen
wears, who was in the skiff, at the
same time, did all he could to rescue
the victims, but his strength was not
equal to the task The bodies were
recovered next day and mournful
sight it was to see.the procession that
bore them to their last resting place
Year: 1877

The Custom House Commission at
New Orleans reached the conclusion
that the government has need of a
more effective customs service along
the gulf coast, and especially at the
mouth of the Mississippi. The Com


missioners recommend that there be
but one boarding station aud that it
be located at a point above the highest
outlet of the gulf. They further rec
onlmend that, besides the cutter Dix,
cutter of light draft, propelled by
steam and sails, be empoyed to watch
along The coast aud follow vessels
into the shallow bayous and inlcts
1t is thought that in customs service
along the coast a younger and more
alert set of men should be employed
than are elnpolyed at present.-Fr.
Year: 1877

IT was rumored in Washington yester-
day that suit had been instituted by Mr..
Tlden for the Presidency, and that notice
had been served upon Hayes. But upon
inquiry, it was found not to be true.Such
notice would have to 60 through the Of
ice ofthe U. S. Marshal of the District and
that officer had no knowledge of it. The
question here might arise as to the pow
er there was to make Douglass serve such
a notice if it were presented to him. He
is an irresponsible person, and doubtless
Sherman's bayonets would be called in TO
quell any disturbance, # there was any
power above Douglass to attempt to make
him perform sworn duty. If the United
States Court was an impartial body we


should be glad to hear that Mr.. Tilden
had brought suit. e4..........r d.
Year: 1877

Chamberlains proposition to refer the
Governorship of South Carolina to a
third party is somewhat like a man who
claimed house, and when the title was
proved to be vested in another he pro-
posed that the dispute should be referred
10 three parties appointed by his friend.
But the owner, like Hampton, could not
see the utility Of such proceeding and
declined,
Year: 1877

Tuesday morning, when motions were
called for by the Court. the Attorney
General stated that after careful refiee-
tion he had determined to move the dis
missal of the affidavts pending against
the several parties who had been ar
rested upon the charge Of treason. and
committed for that offense by the Judge
Of the Second Municipal Police Court.
He stated that this action was dictated
by the following considerations:
The government Of the State was now
so well established and so strong In the
affections Of the people, that 1t could
afford to be magnanimous. It had moth
ing to fear from such movements. Gov.
Nichols was In control OF the whole
State. His government rested upon
the consent OF the people, and was
supported by their purse and sword.
In the next place, he (the Attorney Cen
| eraD was satisfied that the parties under
arrest were misled into the conduct for
which they are now arraigned by de-
signing men, who are not themselves
under arrest, and who had found the
| opportunity for duping these ignorant
persons in the anomalous condition Of
things brought about by the illegal and
unconstitutional Intervention OF the
Federal Government in our State
affairs.


The fact that Packard, under q sort
OF protectorate from Washington, was
allowed to occupy small piece Of
ground in this city, and, without moles-
| tation, TO assert u harmless but fraudu-
| lent claim to the office Of Governor, had
no doubt misled these persons, many
Of whom were colored. He did not be-


lieve that they understood the real sit
uation, and therefore moved that they
/ be discharged frofu custody.


He, however, warned them and all
others that in the future they would not
find him so lenient, but that any repe-
tition OF the offense would be severely
prosecuted.


The court Immediately discharged
them without bail after repeating the
warning OF the Attorney General.
Year: 1877

Editor Dentecrdt-It Is to be hoped
that our Governor on the arrival OF the
commission, will maintain the dignity
Of his high office as Governor OF the
State OF Louisiana, and justify that
confidence which the people repose in
his wisdom and flrmness. He should
remember that he was made Governor
of the State of Louisiana. not by the
President of the United States, nor by
any power acting under his authority,
but by the votes Of q large majority OF
extraneous power can rightfully
strengthen his title, still less TO deprive
him OF the Office which he holds from
the people and to whom he is alone re-
sponsible


1t is to be hoped that his exalted po-
sition as Governor Of the State OF Loui-
siana will not be compromised by any
subservienoy on his part. II this COM
mission, composed OF respectable gen
| tlemen, call upon him and wish to see
| the Gov ernor. let them be shown In by
| his secretary with all courtesy and re-
spe t. But IL. on the contrary. they wish
an interview with General Nichols, on
no account should they be given en-


As q mere question Of policy, 1t Is
| better to make no concessions. These
men have nothing to give us. Their
mission, like that of the Electoral Com
mission, 10 purely partisan one, and it's
purpose is by their report to give Hayes
some pretext by which he may violate
his solemn pledges without utter dis
grace. Wise men may be duped once
but only the weak and foolish can be
twice duped by the same means. When
eight partisans, in the face OF facts as
| indisputable as the existence OF the sun
at midday, pronounced Hayes Presi-
dent, against the seven who were In
favor of deciding upon evidence, whet
have we to expect with four to one? II
our case Ia submitted to them. we ut
once recognize their rightful authority
and are bound by their decision. Lst
us beware of this trap, and as the people
,oiH not submit to Packard, my counsel
in this matter Is given for the purpose
of avoiding bloodshed, the certain result
OF an adverse decision. LOUISIANA.
Year: 1877

:. A visit was paid Tuesday morning to
Collector Casey, at the Custom. House,
by o reporter OF the DEMOCRAT. and his
views concerning the Commission asked.


The Collector stated that he could not
see how there could be any difference In
the settlement OF our complications be-
tween the mode taken in regard TO the
State OF South Carolina and that to he
taken in Louisiana He said that OF
course Gov Nichols could not do any
thing but follow the brilliant precedent
set by Gov. Hampton and refuse all
proffers OF compromise.


The Commission might come to New
Orleans and survey the field. but they
can do nothing more. Perhaps Mr..
Packard might com promise on his side
OF the house, but MS Gov. Nichols
would not become % party to it, there
would be lacking the essential element
to give force to the Commissions work.


Col Casey Is satisfied that this will
be the upshot OF the business, and that
the Commission will discover tho fact
soon after their arrival.
Year: 1877

Especial to N. Y. Herald1


WASHINGTON, March 3O.--A rumor
which was current here tonight that
ex-Gov. Tilden had sued out writ OF
quo avarTa,st0 upon President Hayes In
regard to the tenure of the Presidential
Office. could not be traced to any re-
sponsible source, nor could any facts be
placed in the proper channels to receive
the official action Of the courts here.


Chief Justice Cartier, of the Supreme
Court OF the District of Columbia, who
was asked tonight II there was any
truth In the report, said that up to the
time Of his leaving court to-day he
knew nothing Of it, nor had any papers
touching such q case been laid before
him. He did not believe there Was any
foundation for the report. IL there was
he. should be the first one to know 1t
have to be brought before him.


In answer to question as to the
legality OF such a proceeding on the
part OF Mr.. Tilden, in view OF the deci-
sion made by the Electoral Commission,
he said there was no doubt about it as
Mr.. Tilden or any other person inter-
ested who wished to know by what
authority President Hayes held his
office would have q perfect right, with q
view TO gain the Information, TO sue out
q writ OF quo warranto. He did not
believe, however, that any such thing
had been yet done or was contemplated.


Tt will be remembered that section 6
of electoral bill provides that nothing
la this act shall be held 60 impair or
affect any right now existing under the
constitution and laws to question, by
proceeding In the judicial courts OF the
United States, the right or title OF the
person who shall be elected, or who
shall claim to be President OF Vice
President OF the United States, II any
such right exists"


A lawyer named Pedrick, from New
York, who was seen in Washington in
the early part OF the day, is mentioned
by the same rumor as the person who
came over here to institute the quo a1nr-
rant0 proceedings, and it was surmised
that Ii he had any such mission to per-
form he took advice among Mr.. TiIden's
friends here and went back to New
York for further instructions.
Year: 1877

A foreigner who visited New York gambling house says: The gambling houses are hourishing here as freely as in Madrid. They, too, are open all night, or at least as long as there is any body willing to play. An elaborately dressed table offers free supper to all corners. The visitors can eat and drink as ni Il as they like. The other night we. At to one of them at about two o'y X in the morning. Nobody knew who we were, yet we had no difficulty about getting admission. In answer to our pull of the bell, a negro looked at us through a peephole in the front door, and being apparently satisfied with our appearance, immediately let us in. About half dozen men were talking at the supper table, about dozen more were playing at the faro and roulette tables. Everything looked quiet and re- spectable, almost solemn. No stakes of money were to be seen, as they are all ways to be seen on the tables of Baden and Hamburg. The games are played here with ivory chips, which every gambler has to buy before he sits down to the game. A man who is known to be responsible can have any amount of oLA0o0 OAAPS WIlllouG paying. Ge Slmply gives an o U or his card

 This l o U business is another pecu- harity of the English and American peo- pie. A laconic promise to pay of this description is held among gentlemen of both countries as more solemn than any regular document. There are merchants who become bankrupt, ruin their credit ors, dishonor all their bills, yet pay all their gambling and other I O Us.
Year: 1877

The Russian fleet under charge of the Grand Duke Alexis of Russia, will winter at Port Royal The grand Guke's second visit, says an exchange, recalls many of his former American adventures which have never been alluded to. Made by manhood and bravery strong friend of General Custer, he shot his buffalo on the plains and fell in love with Custer. The strongest blow received by the son of the czar was, let it be whispered delicately, given him by the courage and the graces of a young belle from Lawrence, Kan. who killed her buffalo on the day when he shot his, who was singled out by him at the subsequent grand ball at St. Louis and to whom Alexis flung his heart hope lessly away.