smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

Our advics to the young men who
are JUS coming on the stage of active
life not to be IL haste to join any
political society or organization is
simply advice to retain the full owner
ship Of themselves.


When man becomes a member of
a political society, he is looked upon
with some degree of suspicion and dis
like if he votes against any of its
nominees. He is said not to be true
to his party.


Now, if an intelligent young man
in the present state of affairs joins
political organization, he subjects him
self to the liability Of having this said
about him, if afterward he votes ac-
cording to the dictates of his own con-
science.


There are many objections to a
premature connection with political
society at time when the political
future is so uncertain and chaotic as
it is at present.


1t is the duty Of young men to take
a lively interest in politics. They
are not entitled to be accounted coed
citizens if they do not. They should
keep we'll informed as to the issues
involved in every election, and also in
reference to the qualifications of the
respective candidates. All this they
can do quite as we'll without ag with,


In our Judgment, by far the man
liest course to be adopted by a citizen
on becoming twenty-one years of age
and attaining to the right to vote, is
to resolve to keep himself aloof from
party pledges and eatanslomenta, and
in q situation to cast his vote Just as
he oleascs without afordinG to any
body Il ground of complaint or a
chance to charge with deserting his
associates. Nothing is easier than
this, if q young man only thinks Of it
and acts accordingly in time.


Every young man should remember
that it is easier to join society than
to separate from it, He can put his
name down at any time, and it is bet
ter not to be III haste about it. We
think short experience of indepen-
dence would drove so satisfactory to
many if they once try it, thai they
would be very slow to assume any
party yoke upoa their shoulders,
Year: 1878

| S~s-NS~'
The expedition to start shortly to


Hunt for relics of Sir John Franklin,


near the North Pole, will be under the


command of Lieut.. Schwatka, son Of


+. G. Schwatka, who published pa


per called the Chronicle at Boise City


several years ago. The following ac-


count is from the New York Herald:


In few days, as reported, Lieuten-


ant Schwatka's expedition to continue


the search for Sir John Franklin's pa
pers will start for the Arctic regions.


As an expedition it is wide depart


ure in its scheme and method from


former Arctic expeditions, and is an
experiment involving certain of the


points that are to be more fully tried


by the Howgate colony, if the appro-


priation is obtained. Since there are


to be only five white men in Schwat-
kas party it is to depend in great
part on the cooperation of Esquimaux,
and will test in some degree the ca
pability of small party to sustain it
self by an adoption of native methods
of life and supply. Captain How
gates plan is to try this same theory,
but on more extensive scale-for it
starts altogether from the opinion that
the white man is moi only the equal of
the Esquimaux. but his superior in his
own peculiar attributes. All travel,
adventure and discovery hitherto
made have resulted cettainly in dem
that the white man of Eu-
'opean race is superior to all other
aces of men on their own ground,
whether in Africa or the Arctic circle:
)ut his superiority as shown has al
ways been due to his intelligence, that
las enabled him to avoid the full eff
ect of the conditions of life that bear
without qualification on the native.
Dropped in the Arctic regions and


bandoned in great part TO the ordi-
ary conditions of Arctic life without
he inherited endurance of the people
{ the frozen regions, will the white
nan of tho temperate zone stand the
est? If he does the Howgate colony
cheme will initiate great advance
pom the ordinary plans of Arctic dis
overy; and there will be as much
ifference between what is known of
he Arctic circle and what may be
earned by the study of permanent
olonies as there commonly is between
that is known of the history of fam
Y by one who lives in it and what is
nown by one who visits it once
ear. But it is a serious question
nth persons the most experienced in
olar exploration whether man can
,peat an Arctic winter, and conse.
uently whether the whole expedition
ill not have TO be renewed every
ear.
Year: 1878

1t is oserved by the eastern press
that there is now remarkable move
ment from other pursuits to farming;
but such a movement is by no means
new in the history of this country.
We are reminded that similar ones
have taken place about the time of
every financial revulsion or collapse.
The records of the land office for the
year 1886 show the enormous sum of
S24,SH,1i9 received from sales of
public lands; and again after the
panic of 1857 the sales were enor-
mously increased. Production had
been thrown out of balance, and it
became necessary to restore the equi-
librium by changing from other pur-
suits to those of agriculture. 1t is
much the same way now. But the
readiustmenti in this instance has been
put off longer. Three reasons are
given for it. One is that when the
panic of 1873 occurred the working
men of the country were better off
than ever before. Their necessities
did not force them at once into agri-
culture. The second reason is that
they were not so well fitted for agri-
cultural life as were the men of for
mer years. Most Of them had no
knowledge of farming and less taste
for it. \ third reason was that the
region Of good farming lands had
moved much further west. Dema-
gogues moreover had persuaded many
of the workingmen that it was not
necessary to attempt to do anything
for themselves; and they held on,
hoping vaguely for the relief or the
better times through additional issues
of greenbacks. But now it is mani
fest that large numbers are giving up
the delusion and are betaking them
selves to the public lands.
Year: 1878

The saying that "Tis an i'll wind
that blows nobody good" is verified
by the following item. \ few days
since we mentioned the fact that a
number of immigrants were at Boise
City, waiting for the Indian troubles
to quiet down in order to proceed to
the Lower Columbia and Sound coun-
try. 1t shows the gain of Idaho:
There are now between three and
five hundred immigrants camped near
Boise City who have arrived within
the past few days. These people
were destined for the lower country,
and during the time spent here wait
ing for the Indian troubles to subside
in the Blue mountains, they have
had the opportunity of looking about
and examining some of our beautiful
valleys. So favorably have they be-
come impressed with the resources
presented that majority of the
above number have wisely concluded
to remain and find homes in Idaho.
They are receiving kind treatment
and proper encouragement from all
quarters, and will prove valuable ad- ,
ditions to the population of the coun-
try. The immigration thus far is
but the advance guard of what is to
come. 1t is the duty of all to bid
them welcome, and give them all in
formation possible in relation to the
resources of this wonderful country
no matter whether they remain in
Idaho or come down the Columbia.
As yet comparatively little is known
of the Sound country outside its own
boundaries; and to usit seems strange
that steps are not taken to presentits
advantages and superior inducements
to those coming toward this land of
the setting sun. Washington Terri
tory must have at least one metrop-
oils which in time will rival that of
the Golden State, and as there are so
many natural sites for such city,
it is strange that the people of those
places do not raise up and assert their
claims in such a manner as to bring
enterprise and capitol within their
limits. If they depend upon the
easy flow of time and circumstances
to bring them these things, years will
glide along as evenly as in the past,
making but slow Improvement as
they pass. In these days attention
must be attracted by blowing your
own horn, and that in blasts loud and
long.-Eh
Year: 1878

The following extract from an ex-
change gives food for thought, not
only to property holders but to labor
ing men, workmen of all classes, and
to oilers as well. 1t is concise state
ment of facts that experience will es-
tablish the truth of:


1t is getting to be very disgraceful
now, it even borders on infamy, for a
person to have much of anything
Years of prudence, sobriety, industry
and economy are years spent very i'll.
Almost every man earns enough by the
time he has arrived at middle age to
afford him competence, if he would
only avoid spendthrift habits and save
it, Some do manage their income
carefully, and after many years they
naturally are in easy or comfortable
circumstances. But then they are OBJ
jects of the envy and hostility of others
who have never acted with like discre-
ton. 1t becomes crime to have
houses to rent or money to lend, or to
exact payment of debts and the hust-
ings resound with the harangues of
orators who denounce property and in
sist that government shall interpose
with legislation in behalf of those who
have never learned through lessons of
economy and self-denial to legislate for
themselves.


Now they talk of legislation which
shall force men to employ capital i'll
setting up establishments that shall
give employment to labor and help the
country. And those who have money
so invested are to be forced by law to re-
duce their profits, under mistaken
notion that somehow the workingman
will be aided by policy which would
prevent his employer from making
anything. This doesn't take into ac-
count the fact that no labor will be
employed if gains cannot be made by
it; and, as a general thing, the more
prosperous an employers business the
better are the wages paid. Complaint
is made that capital is not seeking in
vestment in industrial enterprises, but
is going into Government bonds. That
it does so is largely owing to the spirit
of communism in many parts of the
country, which threatens the existence
or the income of property in mills,
factories or other establishments. The
torch may annihilate this species of
property, as it has done in many east
ern cities; but the Government bond
is felt to be a sure thing, and the four
per cent. interest, with exemption
from taxation, makes it about as good
an investment as can now be found.
Hence the rapidity with which the
new four per cent. loan is being taken.
There is craze now for trying to
do things by legislation or by vapor-
ing speeches. But the time will come
when it must be learned that nothing
can be gained in this way, and that
the only hope is in individual energy
and self-dependence. We are indig-
nant that our Indians are wanting the
Government to take care of them, and
seem unwilling to do anything to help
themselves. But how much better is
the kearney movement!
Year: 1878

\ SCATTERED SrEER.-While the
train was psssing over the main line,
between kalama and Tacoma recently,
a young man sitting on the pilot over
the cowcatcher, clasped to his bosom
young grouse as it attempted to fly
by. The train pursuedits route few
miles further when a young steer dis
puted its passage. More from neces-
sity than from choice, the steer was
taken aboard, and the man on the
pilot almost lost his eyesight as the
animal flew to pieces. He now takes
the rear end of the train, where be is
confident no cattle will walk aboard
and hurt him.
Year: 1878

The Washington, D. C. Post says: Something decidedly remarkable is aboat to be observed in Indiana pol itics. The Democrats of the Hoosier State have great deal depending upon the complexion of the next Legislature Under the present sys- tenn of the gerrymandering they may carry the State by majority of % 900 and still lose the Legislature. In order to secure it they will be compelled to put forward their best men, and it is now said that the Hon. T. A. Hendricks will be enter ed as a candidate for the Senate from one of the close districts. From a candidacy for the Vice-Presidency to scat in the Legislature is a big slide, but Mir. Hendricks is so thor oughly devoted to his party that he will probably take it. If he makes this sacrifice it will give him an in creased hold upon the affections of his party, and after allit may prove Q profitable investment.
Year: 1878

We heartily endorse the sentiment of the following article which we clip from the Lonoke Democrat:

 A correspondent of the Arkansas Democrat urges the payment of the Clayton Militia indemnity claims, which the editor endorses in an arti- cle headed "Just Claims" The com munication was doubtless written by some claims attorney, who has en- trapped the usually cautious editor of the Democrat. We happen to know something about some of those claims, and from the manner of their imitation, we apprehend that no leg islature will ever have the hardi- hood to tax the people one cent for the benefit of claims attorneys. Some of the cases are doubtless those of great hardships, but so is every case of robbery, and the State is as much bound to make the one whole as the other. Clayton's mill tia was nothing but robbers and thieves, and the State is no more liable for their acts than if they had been committed by the clansmen of John A. Murrell or Sitting Bull.

 "Just Claims"-we regret to see Col. Smithce advocating trumped up claims against the State as many of these are. A few poor shoats are valued at thousands of dollars, and sworn to with nonchalance that commands admiration from it's very iniquity. The last legislature was flooded with these 'just claims" and when one is paid, it will open the door for fraud so wide that it will be impossible to close it until the peo- pie rise in their might and drive the bloodsuckers from the threshold of the treasury, while singing the re- quiem of the Democratic party. We are glad, however, that Col. Smithee has called the attention of the peo- pie to this matter because, forewarn- ed is to be forearmed, and they will take good care to send gentlemen to the legislature who will plant their feet upon all such schemes and see that the lobbyist goes away empty handed. We have paid too much for that rascality already, and were it possible we would blot that piece of rascality from history's page.
Year: 1878

We have often heard persons express a wish
for an open Winter, or q warm Winter. We
have had it, and we think we may safely say
there is not person in the West who wants an
other. If it were left TO a vote, a cold, hard
Winter would carry it unanimously.


The Winter just closing has been the most
open ever known in fiiis country, and it has
been the worst for all kinds of business There
have been but two ''cold snaps" and they not
extremely eoId. aud of bat brief duration. We
have had, We believe, but tive slight SHOWS,
and they did not remain on the ground more
than day. The Missouri River has not been
closed, in this latitude, at any time during the
Winter. Besides being warm, the Winter has
been exceedingly wet. All things taken in con-
necfion, have made il a season of extraordinary
business depression, in all branches. The con-
tnnOus warm weather was almost prohibition
upon pork packing. and consequently the prices
ruled exceedingly low, cutting off the chief
source of revenue Of farmers during the first half
Of the Winter. And, on account of the bad state
of the roads, it was almost impossible to drive
hogs to market, at any price. The rain and
mud delayed or prevented the gathering of large
portion of the corn crop; and much of that
which was gathered, was injured by the warm,
damp atmosphere. The season throughout was
very disadvantageous to cattle feeders and very
few of them will come out without loss. As the
roads were practically impossible, farmers could
not haul to market the produce that thcy had
for sale, as it was frequently more than their
teams could do to draw the empty wagons.


All these drawbacks upon the farming CON-
munity, Of course, had their effect upon other
branches of business. There being no prices,
and no getting to market, the merchants and
tradesmen felt the effects, and have passed
through one of the dullest and most discourage
ing seasons they ever experienced.


But notwithstanding all the drawbacks, the
season has not been without its good features.
Such Winter as we have had, one would sup
pose, would be terribly sckly. But, strange to
say, it has, on the contrary, been remarkably
healthy. Winter wheat never looked we'll
and if there were no SHOWS to protect it, there
was no hard freezing to kill it. The prospect
for q good crop was never SO favorable. Aud
majority Of farmers have been enabled to get in
their Spring wheat early.


Perhaps the worst failure has been that of the
ice crop. This luxury will have to be generally
dispensed with, the coming Summer. One Of
our ice men succeeded in partly filing one of his
houses with moderately good ice, but perhaps
not su ficient for his own business. Ice, next
Summer, will be for the few, at pretty steep
prices,
Year: 1878

ANOTHER FALLEN.-Major E. P. Bancroft, of
Emporia, one of the oldest citizens of Kan sas,
and man of very high standing, has been dis
covered to he defaulter in the sum of $4,000
or over. He was commissioner for selling the
Normal School lands, and it is discovered that
he sold a large quantity of them, besides certain
State salt lands which be had no authority to
sell, and has given no account of the money. 1t
is supposed he was tempted by the hard times,
and the terrible financial straits to which he was
reduced, having large quantities of real estate
which he could not realize upon. Like Lappin
and Scrsfford, he probably thought he could tide
himself over threatened bankruptcy, and replace
the money before the delinquency would he dis
covered
Year: 1878

INFORMATION WANTED.-W We would like to
know, from the bright Mason of the Bulletin,
who delights to parade his Masonry before the
public, what the object of Masonry isl Is it
simply to aid and protect him, give him suppo IT,


and shield him from trouble, or is sort of two
sided institution, that requires of him the same
treatment of brothers that he requires at the
hands of brothers He has paraded his Masonry
in the columns of his paper, as q sort of sign of


distress, to demand patronage and support un-
til many Masops have become disgusted with it,
and are not slow to express their disgust. In
private, be has threatened to invoke the laws of
the order against men who have exposed his
peccadilloes, or have refused to uphold him in
his shystering. But it seems that Masonry re-
quires nothing at his hands. Preceding the last
election, he took dislike to certain candidate,
who is as high in Masonry as he is, and in order
to injure him, be denounced him as an infidel
Masons tell Us that IN Infidel cannot belong to
the order; therefore, this man had become a
Mason through fraud and perjury. At this very
time, the Bulletin is deuouncing one of the most
prominent Masons Of Troy, who is far above its
editor in the order, with having violated the
Obligations of q public Office which be holds, and
with misappropriating and squanderng the
funds of the public for the purpose of paying
personal friends.


Since you have seen proper to drag Masonry
out of the Lodge Room, in order to make capt.
tai for yourself, we would like to put you on the
level and try you by the square. When you have
answered the above questions, we have some
more of your nice tricks in view, which would
not be allowable by the usages even of morgan"
Masonry, that We would like to hear from you
on.
Year: 1878

The WAY We LOOK AT IT, In reply to the
Topeka Com morWeaid, we admit its general pro-
positions-that every Republican has right to


advocate the men for Office that he chooses, and
that Republicans have a right to differ on minor
questions of policy. But that is not the difficult
ty, just now. The Republican party cannot live
on its glorious memories, but the time has come
when it must keep step with the sentiments of
the masses. Nine-tenths Of the people of the
West, of both parties, are in favor of silver and
greenbacks; and majority of the people of the
East are, too, if they would assert their inde-
pendence of the leaders who are in the interest
of the Money Power. The people Of the West
are terribly in earnest on this question. If that
financial plank of the Republican National Plat
form, that the Commonwealth speaks of, were put
forth now, Republican ticket could not carry
a single State on it, The Republican party can
not carry Kansas on q Gold or Resumption Plat
form; and If q candidate of that character is
placed in nomination. he will cost the ticket
thousands Of votes. George T. Anthony has
made good Governor, SO far as we know, aud
We have NO objecti on to any of his public acts.
But 1t is generally understood that his financial
ideas are such as are expressed by the Common
scealtk and the Eastern gold gamblers. The Re-
publicans of Kansas generally want to stick to
the party and the course of the Kansas delega-
tion in Congress has been the salvation of the
party in this State by showing the people,
through its Representatives, that the party in
Kansas is with them on the money question. 1t
is all well enough to refer to an obsolete plat
form of the past, and talk about the right of Re-
publicans to differ; but If the Republican party
Of Kansas does not show, by its acts and its can.
didates, that it is with the people in sentiment,
the people will make things right lively forit.
Year: 1878

y It is amusing to see q lot of Democratic
papers whseking away at Col. Phillips, aud try
ing to show why the Republicans should not re-
nominate him. As the Republicans do not ex-
pect Democratic support for their candidate,
they can dispense with advice from that SOURCE
Col. Phillips course in Congress is giving him .
bold upon the people that cauuot be affected by
all the Democratic pop-guus in the District