smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

There is some curiosity among people
generally to know in what part of the civilized
world Breathitt county is located where
armed feuds and factions are devouring one
another, and every peaceably disposed per-
son is flying for life. It is in the central cas-
tern portion of the State, on the north and
middle forks of the Kentucky river. In
1870 the population was only 5,672, the area
of the county being 600 square miles. In
justice to the colored race it ought to be said
that there were only eighteen blacks in the
county in 1870. It is hilly country. where
flocks and herds abound and ought to be
distinguished for the peaceable habits of Its
citizens, but the ambition of its inhabitants
appears to have run to distilling whisky. II
seems to have converted the bulk of the
population into savages and made them q
terror in their own state and disgrace to the
whole country.
Year: 1878

We print to-day the more important parts
of the Presidents message. Notice is taken
of the encroachments upon civil and political
rights in the South, of the frauds committed
in the recent elections there, which are mildly
stated, and purpose declared to execute the
laws and punish those who have offended
and set at defiance the authorities and govern
ment 1t has taken the President half of
his time to find out that the Southern men he
took to his bosom and counsels were only
fattering and promising the better to betrsy
and destroy. Now that he sees his mistake
and would apply the remedy, he finds himself
almost if not quite powerless to do so. How
ever, there is time in two years to do some.
thing in spite of all the obstructions that
hostile Congress can interpose, and that
something, it is hoped, the President will un-
dertake. There is ability in the Cabinet and
among the Republican leaders, once working
in harmony, to more than match the Demo-
cratic forces in their divided and disorgan-
lied condition.


On several questions which especially con-
Germ our people-such as that of Indian
management President is non-committal.
On the timber question he sides with Secre-
tary Schurz in the mistaken view that the
people of the Territories are stealing and de-
nuding the public lands to the great scandal
of the general government. 1t would seem
that he had never thought that settlers in dis
tant interior sections could not possibly have
a temptation to take more than they needed
for use, and that for government to begrudge
fuel and timber to those engaged in giving
value to its waste and worthless wilderness
is about as mean as for man to charge his
neighbor for water to extinguish fire on his
own premises. If he had more carefully
read some of the department reports he
would have found it stated that timber in
creases with settlement; that all that is used
by settlers is small part of that which would
otherwise be destroyed by fires set out by
Indians in hunting game.


We mention these matters because there is
perhaps less to find fault with than to COM
mend in the message. The declaration to
execute the laws in the South, to protect the
rights, civil and political, of all classes, and
to stand firmly by financial measures looking
to the resumption of specie payment, are out
spoken and praiseworthy, and have our
heartv annrOval
Year: 1878

Representatives of the Northern press are
visiting South Carolina to find the truth in
reference to the late election and the political
revolution it would seem to indicate. They


find, as reported, that the whole thing was
fraud, planned long ago when the election
law was passed. The whole purpose and
method of the fraud existed in the minds OF
the legislators at the time of its enactment.
And furthermore, the entire white popula-
ton is in the conspiracy. They will not al
low any one to live among them who will not
join their conspiracy. With their control of
courts and juries, it is hard to see how their
case can be reached by civil process. While
we should like to see some energetic and ex-
emplary punishment meeted out to these de-
fiant rufRans, we confess that there is danger
in any of the methods ordinarily used. 1t is
hard matter to deal with crimes of such
vast dimensions, and it is made harder yet by
remembering what kind of government the
blacks gave the State. One thing at least is
certain, that the State will dwindle away into
insignifcance through its own folly. No
whites will choose to go there, nor Will tney
be allowed unless they participate in the gen.
eral crimes. Blacks will not 60 there from
any place outside where they are better
treated. When the census is taken, one year
from next June, we expect to see consider
able falling off in population. The balance
of power will have passed to- the great North
west, and the South will find itself relatively
much weaker. The Democracy may defeat
for awhile the admission of any more States
out of the present Territories, but they can


not prevent the flight of time or the coming


of the census with its unpleasant revelations


to them. If no other hand can reach her 10
inflict punishment, South Carolina will su11er


ample punishment in time from her own
white hands.
Year: 1878




The election law now in force in Montana,
passed and approved FEBRUARY II, 1876, con-
stitutes new canvassing board for Delegate
election. The Territorial Treasurer is sub
stituted for the Secretary to act with the Mar
shall, and the Governor is umpire and has the
casting vote in case of disagreement. But
we notice this law at present only to call at
tention to some defects, as seems to US, that
might be remedied easily, and would save
risk of considerable trouble that might easily
occur Section % of the law makes it the
absolute duty of this board to canvass the
votes for Delegate within thirty days after
election, and sooner if the returns are all re-
ceived. This section does not consider the
contingency of any of the returns being de-
layed Beyond thirty days. The section fol-
lowing makes it the duty of the Auditor, in
case returns are not received within thirty
days, to send out after them, and provides to
punish the delinquent officer who has with
held the returns, both civilly ond criminally.
In connection with this punishment for neg
lect, it seemed to occur to the one who drew
the law that these penalties would help but
little to settle the Delegate question, and 80,
without breaking period, it is added that the
canvassing board shall send out and procure
the delayed returns same thing that is
made the duty of the Auditor in the same
section. And although the previous section
requires that the vote shall be canvassed at
farthest within thirty days, this afterthought
says that the board must procure the full re-
turns before canyassing, if the same can be
procured, though it might take two years.
The most careless will see by careful read
ing of the two sections and 29-that there
are inconsistencies and defects in the law
that will provide trouble plenty in close and
hotly contested election. We commend the
matter to the notice of legislators.
Year: 1878

The report of the Secretary of the Treasury
abounds in statistical facts with which our
readers have already been made acquainted
except those not of general interest. The
parts which excite most attention relate to
resumption, the standard silver dollar and
the Government savings deposits. The Secre-
tary defends the provision of the resumption
act making the greenback redeemable at the
New York SUBJ Treasury, as great con-
venience and no hardship to the public, as he
proposes to accept legal tenders in payment
of duties and in the purchase of bonds every
where after January 1st provided Congress
does not interfere to prevent it. He thinks
there is coin enough on hand to answer the
purpose of resumption. He announces that
he shall not force those presenting green
backs for redemption to take silver, believing
that would tend to defeat the bi-metallic
policy. He will reserve the legal right to
do so, but probably not exercise it, unless d.
rected to do it by act of Congress. At the
time silver was remonetized the bullion value
of the silver dollar in gold was 934 cents. At
the present time it is only about 86 cents. He
thinks limited amount of silver dollars can
be kept in circulation even without equaliza-
ton in actual value of the two kinds of
money. He advocates, however, an increase
of one-tenth or one-eighth in the thicknes
of the silver dollar. No disturbance of the
value would result therefrom. BE thinks
confidence would be inspired and the
circulation of the silver dollar be greatly
facilitated. The Secretary suggests that the
Department be authorized to issue certificates
of deposit of the United States of the denomi-
nation of $40. bearing interest at the rate of
3.65 per cent per annum, and convertible at
any time within one year after their issue,
into per cent bonds, and thus facilitate in
vestment in Government bonds as savings
deposit.
Year: 1878

reason why the British go to war with Al
ghanistan was the refusal of the ruler of the
latter country to allow the entry of British
embassy, and other things of threatening
and insulting nature contained in the letter
returned by Shere Ali to the Britirh ultimatum


So much has been said of the contents OF this
letter that public opinion has forced its pro-
duction: 1t was deemed of sufficient impor-
tance to transmit by telegraph to Montana
and we laid it before our readers last evening.


We call it a clever, sensible, straightforward
letter, that would do no discredit to the ruler
of any country. Who would not endorse the
sentiment of the Ameer, that friendship is to
be Judged rather by deeds than words, or
who can think it rational act of friendship
to take the part of rebellious son who has
tried to dethrone and murder his father. AS
to the rest of the charge, that an English en-
bassy had been refused reception, it is very
evident that this refusal was altogether on
account of accompanying threats of an un-
reasonable nature. The ,Ameer was to be
held responsible not merely for the safety of
the embassy, but of the tribes that acted as
guides 1t is much the same as if an unwel-
come guest were to intrude upon the hospi-
tality of private person and dictate the style
of entertainment. To receive the English
embassy as it proposed to come was almost
certain to lead to war after having done the
utmost and exhausted his resources to pre-
vent it. These tribes that were to act as
British escort are lawless set of robbers.
and it was virtually turning over the country
to their license, with no means of restriction.
The letter expressly says that if the English
come with no larger escort than attended the
Russian embassy they would be received. 1t
was not, then, refusal to receive the EN-
bassy, but only refusal to the English to
dictate the terms on which they were to be
received, and in fixing these terms it seems
that it was not enough to be treated on par
with the Russians, but they must have better
terms. We venture to say that no disinter-
ested person, paying any regard to the rights
of nations, will say that England had any de-
cent pretext for war on anything contained
in this reply of Shere Ali. The respectful
refusal of an insolent and unreasonable de-
mand is made the pretext of a premeditated
spoliation. The real causes of the war are
outside of any alleged grievances. 1t is feared
that Russian influence is in the ascendancy at
the Ameer's court Probably also the old
wound received in 1842. when the English
army under Gen. Ephinstone was annihilated,
still rankles and impairs British prestige in
the East. There can be no doubt that the
English will conquer and occupy the country
they are now invading. 1t will be an expen-
sive job to hold the country, as was found
once before. The inhabitants of Afghanistan


are not like the peaceful, submissive Hin
docs. Their peace and friendship never out
last the flow of subsidies. They are easily
provoked and with difficulty reconciled. Like
our Indian, they will not fight pitched battles,


but watch for their advantage and then use
it mercilessly.
Year: 1878

A Greedy Ostrich, whose Digsstion Wonder.
ful, once found himself deprived OF his Food by
Elephant, who lived In a Cave by, and threat
ened with Starvation. So he loaded Amiabe
Camel with money anu counsel and said, "Go forth,
Good Camel; show all the Animals you meet the
Good Things on your back and promise each OF
them his Share II they will help you 10 drive
out the Elephant from midst and 10 take posses
sion ofh Cave. Meanwhile will HIDE my Head in
the sand SO that nobody will me or know In
whose Service you are Working" But when the
Amiabie Camel appealed to the Animals he met on
the way tor their assistance, they turned round
by one aud saw tho Ostroh whose Head was
buried In the Sand, but whose Other Parts
were exposed TO view. Then they said TO the Anna
bio Camel, .Oh, Good Camel you are very virtuous
and Respectable Camel yourself, but that you
have been loaded by the Greedy Ostrich, who fool
shly thinks, because he has covered up his eyes
In the sand that he can throw Dust into our Eyes
We refuse to help you to turn The Elephant out Of
hts Cave, because know that you only 70 put
the Greedy Ostrich In Possession"


MORAL When you des,re to Practise an Imposi-
ton upon the World u 10 foolish TO think that by
shutting your eyss you keep Other People
In tho dark and HIDE yourself from Observation.
Year: 1878

NoBoDv counts up the people that die
out Of parties who sit down seven at table
or eleven, or twelve, or nineteen, but if
any one should do it, in any given year
the chances are that quite strong case
could be made out for any or all Of these
figures as connected with the death rates.
1t is only when thirteen people find them
selves together at meal that the old super
stition is mentioned, and then, if the year
goes over without any of the party Drop
ping out Of life. nobody think. to mention
that at the close. 1t is quite certain that
people are not protected against disease or
accident by the circumstance that twelve
knives and forks are On duty around them,
while they cut up their own meat and bread;
fit were so, indeed, then all well-disposed
neighbors might club together to take their
meals in the assorted numbers that defy
the doctor and the aposhecary. But if
cannot we'll be any ife-insurance upon
thirteen people that will put them for a
twelvemonth into charmed existence, let
them overhead, over-work, over-eat them
selves with impunity, kindle fires with pc
troleum, or 90 without fire and food, it l.
equally evident that neither can there be
any safety in five, or in ten, or in fifteen
L the count were kept against any given
number, it would not be long before it
would fall into very bad repute, aud might
be made answerable not alone for people
dying, but for robbing a bank or forging
election returns. There is nothing at once
50 valuable, and 20 open tc abuse, as the
handling Of statistics. and it is wonder
that no prophet has risen up to designate
in what choice numbers rogues, defraudins
cashiers, assassins, and other death-dealing
gently sit down to table.
Year: 1878

papers. They are supplied by the news
paper men with the very conversation they
retail. The conclusions they suppose they


have reached, and for which they are ready


to make sacrifice, are those worked out


in other minds, and were they deprived


for one week Of every copy Of newspaper


they would begin to learn from the yacan.
cy within vhen,e flowed the source of their
Inspiration. Parliament is supposed to be
the assembled wisdom of the nation, but if


we compare what is said in Parliament


with what 10 eaid in the press we find that


there Is less nonsense circulated in the lat-


ter, and fewer mistakes made that, on the
whole, the journalist more than holds his


own with the legislator. This is fair
Icomparison, for lin be daily press the jour
.nalist had even less time for consideration


than the speaker. Indeed the former often


has, TO write off-hand on a subject the


member has been months preparing"


These remarks apply to America as well
as England. In one, as in the other, the
press is the leader and guide Of public
opinion and Of political discussion which


Is essenti Il to free state. At the present
day the Independent press of the United
States exerts more influence upon political
thorght, morals, science, art, and, we might
almost add, religion, than all other agen-
cies put together. Correspondents Of news
paper have shown to greater advantage in
the late war in the East than good many |
and have shown quite as much |
and courage in obtaining in
formation as others have in fighting bat
les. Stanley, who has been the represen-
ative in Africa of the New York Herald
md London Telegraph, is spoken Of by
'rof Keriort, Of the University Of Berlin,
Is having achieved "the greatest feat in
geographical discovery ever accomplished
y single individual" 1t is not more true
hat the aggregate intelligence of the Brit
sh Parliament is far Jess than that of the
British Press than it is that the aggregate
Intelligence Of Congress is far below that
the journalists of the United States.
Year: 1878

n a . aN5is not easily earned in these times.
~ 4 4 4 but II can bo made in three months
by any one of either sex, in any
sJH part Of the country, who is willing
n 20 work steadily at the employment


we furnish. eos per week in your
own town. You need not be away from home
over night. You can give your whole time TO the
work, o. only your spare moments We have
agents who are making over 500 per dav. All
VINO engage al once Gun make money fast. At
the present time money cannot be made so easily
ana rapidly al any other business It costs MOTH
ing 20 try the business. Terms and as outfit free


Me. Siiyi.u'
Year: 1878

" THE wicked stand in slippery places" but for perfect picture of reckless insecurity, you want 10 look at frightened woman trying to stand on campstool to keepout of the way of 9 mouse.
Year: 1878

THE CASE OF the New York Elevated railroad
VS.. commissioners OF taxes came up yesterday
in the supreme court, i'm that city, under certi-
ofan proceedings to set aside the assessment


or 81 ,200, 600 as taxes on real estate made upon
the railroad In January, 1875. The company
claimed that they have not and never had any
real estate; that the right was given to the
company by the legislature to erect pillars on
condition that the company pay per cent on
Is net earning into the city treasury, viii IN
had been done quarterly, such payments being
considered as made In lieu OF taxation. The
case is still under argument, and no decision
will be given for several dayS
Year: 1878

The New York Sun, in answering a correspondent, says every man born in the United States is eligible to the office of President. The Chicago Times gays this answer Is 10 sweep ing to be exact A man under thirty-fve years of age is ineligible to the Presidency, and for fourteen years preceding his appearance as a claimant be must have been residenf of the United States. A convicted felon could not hold the office. nor generally, an officer of the army who had been eashlered for grave of fense. And after 1880, we suppose an Ohio man will be ineligible. Prac- tlcally there are other disoualifica- tons, such as the possession of great talents, as in the case of Webster and Clay, or the obtaining of a majority of quarter of q million of the pop ular vote, as in the case Sammy Tilden.
Year: 1878

Z Dick Oglesby ought to read the fol
flowing composition as the mate to the
essay of the School boy on the horse:


"Woodchncks is very curious animal.
It is made of hair and eyes and has two
front teeth, and can see a man with gun
when both eyes are shut and bolted. !
have seen dog shake woodchuck until
both were black in the face A Wood
chuck can snlvel up his nose, and show
his teeth, and look as homely as | can
without trying. He sits on one end and
eat With the other. A Woodchuck can get
home faster than gun can shoot. He Is
round all over, except his feet which are
black. When eaten they retain the flavor
of their nests, and seem to have been cook
ed without being pared. A fat woodchuck
is no laughing matter. They come under
the head of "domestic animals and there
amt no place like home when dog goes
for one Of 'em y
Year: 1878

We learn that some parties living in and
near Beloit, Lyon county, are working up
an interest in the LeMars and Beloit mar
row-g -guage railroad, and an agent has gone
east to see what can be done in the way
Of raising funds Those who know tell
us thai the amount of money demanded
by the Sioux City & Pembina railroad Ito
extend that road as far north as BeloiD
will build and put In running order a mar
rowguage road from LeMars to that point.
A railroad will Gel ltainly be built through
Lyon county IN the near future; would
it not be better for LeMars to be one of
the termini than to have said road run to
some other less progressive town? This
IS a matter III which all Of of our people
are directly interested, and we should like
to have an expression of opinion. lie
Mars Liberal.


The Liberal is ah cad ofus if the above
is statement of facts. Diligent inquiry
of some of the leading men OF Beloit has
failed to establish the aboYe statement, as
true and not one of the prominent proper
ty owners of Beloit have had any idea of
the carrying out of such plan and can
only trace the suggestion to some individ-
ual who has no means OF his own, and less
brain. However there is ample room for
Railroads from LeMars and all directions
but none can be built with wind and
splurge,tit takes money, and the truth is
vet to be known if il is here, &c be used to
the extent that such project would re.
quire.
Year: 1878

been suspended in time of peace since
the date of the Magma UsartG obtain.
ed by the English peOple-and this
officer of the state court, supported
by the state court and state authori-
ties generally, as well as the South
Carolina democracy, sustains the sher-
iff in refusing to obey this writ OF
hd6eas corpus; and SO also the Bur-
lingt0n Gazette. The Gazette, during
the rebellion when some blatant cop
perhead was confined for his treason,
used to harp continuously about the
sacred privilege of the writ of hdbeas
corpus; but now an U. s. officer in the
discharge of his duty, saved his life
by killing his would-be murderer and
a state court incarcerates him in pris-
on and a u. s. Judge authorizes
the issue of writ of habeds corpus,
for the purpose of inquiring into
the cause of the imprisonment, and
all South Carolina democracy say the
writ shall not be obeyed and the Ga
zette glories in what it deems the want
of power in the general government
to execute its process and defend its
own officers.
Year: 1878

A fair sample of these greenbacE
communistic vagabonds that are in.
Testing our country, and their idea oi
what 10 their due can be found in the
following utterances by one on ouI
public square who had been urged te
accept work ON Saturday in the har.
vest field, at $l.75 per day and board
"Not by damn sight," says he; 81
will never work for that, want 81. 80
don't care about the work any way
this world owes me living; l have
worked all my life until am over &c
years, and havn't got o dollar laid up
might just as we'll do nothing, will
have Just as much in the end the
world owes me living, and by G.,
Pm going to have it, and ain't going
to work for it either;;" and with q
look at his would be employer which
evidently meant, you may find some
d. fool to do your work for you, bu,
not I, for I would rather beg or steal
he stretched himself down for a mar
in the shade of tree.-Mdrshalltoac1
Times,