smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876



 A good general, prior to enter ing into anengagement will always make careful reconoisance of the ground, and map out with care and precision the plan of his ma nuuvrcs. Just upon the eve of oul political campaign, it may be well for us, in our Pope county politics, to initiate the skillful general and make, at least, a pre- liminary survey of the policy we shall pursue. It is true VIC have little to fear so far as the strength of our enemy is concerned, but we must not loose sight of the fact that the prosperity and general good reputation of our county depends upon the manner in which we shall use the power we have now in our possession. We must remember that the highest office and prerogative of any party IS to serve the best interests of the country, and that party which best subscrves this end will be the party which will longest enjoy the confidence. and challenge the support and admiration of the masses. It is upon the result of our own action, and the wisdom of our own choice for local officials here at home, that the peace and prosperity of Pope county mostly depends. It is the rule of our county officials which most near ly affects our home interests. In comrency, infidclity to trust, and weakness here, is what will hurt Us more than anything else. The necessity of getting good county officials is of first importance to us, and hence the importance oi watchfulness and caution on the part of every aNpaycr in the selection of these officials. The first question which meets us ut the threshold of thls subject IS how to place men of tie proper qualifications before the voters, and te determine who shall be candidates. Every citizen. of course, has right to announce himself for any office he may aspire to, but it has been found best to hold preliminary cNamina- tions, as it were, to pass upon the merits of aspirants and give pref erenne to those who seem best fitted for the position sought. This is done sometimes by con yentions and at other times by primary elections. The latter plan was tried at our last cam paign here, and gave pretty gen clal satisfaction We opine that it is by far the fairest and most satisfactory method of putting out candidates, and we have no hesitation in expressing our de cided preference for tms plan 50 far as we are personally concern cd. It is not for us to settle thls matter, however, and as it may require some time to arrive at the will of the people on this ques- ton, we have brought up the matter thus early that a chance may be afforded to hear from any who may have anything to say on the subject, so that no one may complain of snap judgment being taken.
Year: 1876

We commence in to-day's paper to reproduce from the Lit tie Rock Star the papers of Gen. Blocher on Arkansas Finances. This is a matter which should be read by everybody who feels an interest in his state, and these papers alone will be worth many times the price of the DEMOCRAT. The papers will run through sev- eral issues of the DEMOCRAT, and it would be well to keep file of them for reference.
Year: 1876

The act of 1873, winch repealed the act of 1871, did not go into effect until ninety days after the close of the session, and there. fore this judgment rendered in July, 1873, was properly under the act of 1871, if otherwise valid.

 Waiving the question of tho constitutionality of the act of 1871, it's provisions must have been strictly pursned. The clerk had no power to amend or quaslr the summons.

 The summons was irregular in that it did not give the name of any court, nor show the place where, or the office in which, the answer was required to be filed.

 If such a statutory judgment be allowable, the right of appeal lies from it at once, to correct any error or irregularity. The appel lant was not bound to wait until the session of the court.

 Judgment annulled and case rcmanded.
Year: 1876

ARKANSAS Gazette: From parties Just
over from Searcy Springs, we learn that
that town and the surrounding country
are very much excited over recent SEN
sation. A stranger on horseback rode
up to a house near the town, telling the
inmates that he was travelling in advance
of an emigrant party, and wished to leave
a little girl he had with him until the
wagons came along, when they would
pick her up. Permission was readily
given and the man rode off. He failed
to return that day and the wagons failed
to put in an appearance. Suspicious were
aroused that all was not right, and the
child was closely questioned. She stated
that the man was not her father, but
that he had "put her papa and mamma
into hole in the ground" The man
was stranger, and the child does not
know from whence she came. The af
fair has aroused the people, who are leav-
ing no means untried to fathom the
mystery.
Year: 1876

SLIGHTLY SARCASTIC. The printing
business is the most fascinating and en-
trancing occupation that man can follow
for livelihood. 1t is not only an ex-
ceedingly pleasant and highly respect
able calling, but, also, very lucrative
employment. Large fortunes are being
continually realized by newspaper pub
fishers without the slightest effort, and,
take it all in all, it is the easiest way to
gain subsistence one can find. Print
ing debts are almost selfcollectable.
You never have to ask for your pay only
once. Everybody is SO kind and thought.
full that it is no trick at all to gather in
your stamps. Buy printing office and
learn for yourself how truthful are these
remarks.
Year: 1876

DANBURY Ne,cs: We have got our safe
fixed now. The keys are so distributed
that five persons are necessary to open it.
One of these is the mail clerk, another
is the chief of police, the third is tax
collector, the fourth is butcher and the
fifth is the jailer. With this combiDa-
tion it is simply impossible to get to our
poetry.
Year: 1876

A Pennsylvania paper relates the fol-
lowing: A week or two since q gentle
man residing in this vicinity went to
Philadelphia and put up at 4 hotel, and
while resting after tea in the reception
room, overheard two gentlemen con-
versing in regard to trial then in prog
ress before one of the courts Of that
city. Our neighbor learned from this
conversation that a man had obtained
money upon his wife's property, the
wife giving mortgage. The money
was spent in dissipation, the wife be-
came q raving maniac, and was con-
fined in the asylum where she now is:
the husband died, and the children Of
this unfortunate couple were furnished
with guardian by the court who was
maintaining the suit, then being tried,
against the holder OF the mortgage on
the ground that the wife was not Of
legal age when the instrument was ex-
ecuted. The gentleman knew that q
niece of his who left this vicinity when
Child, had married man of the same
name rs the one mentioned as having
squandered his wife's patrimony, and
concluded to investigate. He made his
way to the Court House the following
morning, and to his intense surprise
and qualification was the very person
needed to establish to certainty the
age Of the unfortunate woman, and to
save her worse than orphaned chill
dren's property, valued at S2,5OO.
Year: 1876

The medical value of mustard plaster is un-
derstood in every family. Much time is spent
IN preparing q poultice, and often the mustard
Is q poor quality and will not act causing great
suffering This trying inconvenience Is now
perfectly overcome by Bensons Prepared Mus
tard Plaster: 1t is great Improvement on the
ordinary article. 1t is very clean and can be ap-
piled and removed without discoloring the cloth
ing or soillng the skin. It does not deteriorate
with age. 1t is always reliable. as only the best
quality OF mustard is used in its preparation 1t
ls ready Tor use at any moment. bv simply din
ping 1t In water. 1t is sold in half yard pieces
al p cents per roll by all druggists. Sent by
mail on receipt of price by 50


lt q SEABURY h JOHNSON.


1 Pharmaceutical Chemists New York
Year: 1876

d Editor Democrat The chief question


before the people now seems TO be who
shall be the candidate for Governor of


Louisiana against Boss Packard and


every morning notice that some enter


prising citizen trots out his man, sup


ported bya long column OF eulogy OF
one sort or other This is free country,
and, IN exercise Of the inaiiendble right,
II don't see any reason why should not
put up my man as we'll as the rest


= It is universally conceded by both


Republicans and Democrats that Pack
ard possesses but one single shining
virtue. from which emanated the ray of


light which caused him to receive the
nomination. This sole virtue is that he


is the favorite OF the National Adminis-'
ttTation, and will, 1t Is supposed, receive
financial and bayonet support from that
quarter. In opposition to this qualifi-
cation have thought proper TO suggest
the name Of Mr.. Sitting Bull 1 am sorry
that cannot feel justified In occupying
. column OF your paper In setting forth
the virtues OF that somewhat remarka-
BILE man, whose present chief occupation
seems to- be that of numbering some OF
the ablest and most gallant officers OF
the United States army, who have been
SO unfortunate as to have incurred the
displeasure OF the Administration


Sitting Bull is . bad man. but con
scientifically believe that he would make
as good q Governor rs Packard, and
that, bad as he is, he has shown no
greater disposition to plunge his fol-
lowers into opposition toseverything
good. w. eG tR e.s54 a.sais1aa slig


With this very equivocal eulogy, / put
my candidate before the country. @
Yours, etc., eza,, v MELroAENE.
Year: 1876

During the two days Of the Regatta July II
and l5 visitors to the Lake can get fine Dinner
by calling at the Washington Hotel. Those who
wish to spend the day On the wharf can be
served with all the delicacies at the Punch Bowl


jyl7 2t JOHN TRISCONI Proprietor,
Year: 1876

Our dispatch from Vienna, published
some days since, made the country ac.
quainted with the strange circumstances
that the President had gone all the way
to st. Petersburg to endeavor to drum
up moral support for his Cuban policy.
which had proved distasteful to the
American people, because, deeply srs-
Picio9s Of his intentions, the people be-
lieved that the policy was adopted as a
mere cover for the attempt to over
come the repugnance to third
term. We pointed out at the time
that this request for moral
support was as repugnant to our
traditional policy us the third term it,
self; that the fathers and founders OF
this Republic not only did not send
round q platter to European capitals for
diplomatic and political cold victuals,
but they maintained that the safety Of
this Government lay in the total inde-
pendence OF its policy, its complete al
stention from all European disputes.
and its complete exclusion Of European
Powers from any part in it's decisions
on American topics. An answer to
these structures Is now put forth In the
Government organ. 1t Is said that
the Government did not regularly send


a Cuban circular to the several Pow
ers, but that it called their attention to
the part Of the message that relates to
Cuba; and that there is nothing In tho
spirit Of the Monroe doctrine which
makes such course improper. As to
the matter OF fact, il the President in
serts in his message the parts Of a cir
cular intended for foreign contempla-
ton and then diplomatically requests
several foreign governments to give
him their opinion on those parts Of his
message, how is this essentially differ
ent from the allegations OF our Vienna
dispatch? As to the Monroe doctrine,
ernments for policy which we pro-
pose, do we not thereby admit that they
have such right to disapprove as we
would be in honor bound to notice and
is not this an abandonment Of the es-
sential point Of the Monroe doctrine?
Year: 1876

Rosa Metz was q good girl for all
work. She had supported her mother
and little brother and sister at Milwaus
kee since the death Of her father three
years ago. She served and thrived.
The other day she had Conrad Rein
into court carrying a three-weeks-old
baby. She said the baby was hers and
Conrad's, and she wanted the court to
fix proper sum for Conrad to pay for
the support Of the child. Conrad was
there ard told the judge he wanted to
marry Rosa, and was able to support
both her and her child and others that
might come. Rosa objected to such a
settlement OF her case on the ground
that she did not love Conrad as q wife
ought to love her husband, and she did
not believe in a woman's giving her
hand without heart in it. She asked
the Judge to please fix it up some other
way. Conrad went to her and talked
sweetly, and they were a good-looking
couple as they stood in court with only
the difference Of little child between
them. They were the admiration OF the
legal lookers-on, and the scene OF
counting in the court room was perfect
ly delicious. To all his promises to be
good to her and their child, she smil-
ingly shook her head, and still appealed
to the Judge to Tx IL up some Otner way.
She was young and strong, and could
ork to support her mother and BROTH
er and sister, but she thought in all
Justice that Conrad ought to be put un-
der legal obligations to provide for tho
child. The Judge told her that Conrad
stood willing to enter into the strongest
and holiest obligations to do his duty
as a husband and father, and he
thought in all reason she should con-
sent to marry him. He was we'll off,
and a good, good-looking fellow, and
she out to jump at such a chance. AL
most any other girl in Milwaukee


would marry him, and think herself
lucky. This seemed to give Rosa an


idea, and feeling she did not have be-
fore, and she, protesting, "She would


ne'er consent, consented" The couple


were neatly married in that courtroom.


Conrad called carriage. and the three


drove gaily away in search OF home


and happiness.
Year: 1876

We wish Boss Grant a happy New
Year, and add this piece Of friendly ad-
vice Give up your bad habits, abandon
all thoughts of Il third term, devote
yourself the year through in reforming
the abuses Of your Administration, and
then quietly pack up your valise,, and
step out OF the White House with an
approving conscience over one year
well spent. N Y. S,tn.
Year: 1876

not as yet tell whether the divining
rod indicated water or metal, but
he was confident that with the
proper means of noting the action
of the rod, the distinction could be
made. He believed that instru-
ments would yet be invented for
that purpose, which would not only
indicate the particular substance
hidden below the surface, but would
also show how deep it was buried.


The scientific world has only
very slight knowledge of the won
derful agent known as electricity,
which pervades all nature, and
which occasionally gives a glimpse
Of its power in the death-dealing
thunder-bolt or the flaming aurora,
and in this direction an immense
field is open to the investigator.


Mr.. Lattimer expected that his
theories would be ridiculed and re-
jected by many, but he was conf
dent that he was on the threshold
of a great discovery, and that in
spite of all caviling and foolish op-
position, the old maxim would be
verified, Truth is mighty, and will
prevail. - Chicago paper.
Year: 1876

A Christian was once asked how
he could keep 50 calm amid all the
cares of life. He answered:


"In this way: train my eyes; for
all evil, as well as all good, comes
from the mind to the heart. Every
morning before 1 enter upon my
daily work among men, I fix my
eye thoughtfully on three things.


"First, 1 raise them toward heaven
and remember that life and all it's
struggles will be over there.


Secondly, I look toward earth and
reflect how small portion of it I
shall need when am laid in my
grave.


Thirdly, and finally, 1 look upon
the surging crowds of mankind, and
think how much sadder many of
their lives are than mine. In this
way console myself for all sorrow,
and live amid the cares of life, sat
isfed in Cod"
Year: 1876

Lady Barker in a recent work
gives her ideal of a model boy,as fol
lows: 'IfI could make a model
boy, I'll tell you what he should be
like. He should love cold water,
and hate lie. He should be frank
and unsuspicious, as becomes a no
bic, trusting nature, and yet he
should be neither silly nor soft.
He should have plenty of manias.-
He should have an appetite like a
wolf, for 1 should wish him to be
tall and strong; but he should not
be a bit greedy. He should not be
afraid of loving and reyereEcing all
that is good and holy and pure, but
with nothing of the mollycoddle
about him. He should have a fine
sweet temper, yet he should be as
the Yankee song says, 'an orkered
man in a row, and he should know
how to take care of himself with his
fists
Year: 1876

1t is strange, but nevertheless true,
that many people have gotten a sort
of vague idea into their minds. that
some way or other we can manage
to be relieved from the financial
troubles that Cypress the State, with
out any material increase of the
taxes. There seems to be a grow.
ing opinion that there is some solu-
tion Of the difficulty within the reach
of our statesmen, which will be easy
upon the tax payers. We fear that
all this talk about a compromise is
lulling the people into a state of re
pose and fancied security. Their
minds are diverted from the bare
facts of the case, and the resistless
logic of the situation, by the ingen-
ious schemes that are being present
ed, which have for their object the
evasion, rather than the payment of
our State debt. BY this we do not
mean to say that repudiation is com
ing into favor, for, although some of
the plans suggested, upon which the
people seem to hang a hope, are but
modified forms of reputation, we
believe that at the bottom of the
popular heart there is an abiding
consciousness and a depreciating
sense of the wrong that would be
perpetrated by any such action
But many people, without any seri-
Gus Investigation, greedily accept
any method which proposes to re-
lieve them, and which makes plaus-
ible show of fair dealing towards
the creditors. It is well for US to
be undeceived in time, and learn be-
fore we raise our hopes too high,
that there is but one right way out
of the difficulty, and that is to pay.
1t is true it may take us a long time,
but long or short, that is the way.
1t is absurd then to talk about low
taxation. The taxes must be in
creased, not necessarily il a great
degree, but sufficiently increased to
pay the current expenses of the gov
ernment, and leave a respectable
surplus to be applied to the gradual
liquidation first of our interest debt,
and in the course of time the prin-
cipal itself


And, no matter what may be
done, should the debt be reduced by
an arrangement with the creditors,
which is unlikely, or should it be
consolidated into new bonds, bear
ing lower rate of interest, we can't
avoid the increase in the rate of tax
alton. 1t is an unpleasant conclu-
sion to arrive at, but it is a correct
one, and it is folly to expect any
thing less.
Year: 1876

Washington Capital.


We have been asserting for the
last five years that the official lead
ers of the Republican party we're
making a desperate struggle not to
retain power but to save themselves
from the penitentiary They knew,
as We knew. that a possession of the
departments by the opposition, with
the control of the creatures used in
defrauding the Government, would
make prosecution a necessity and g
shameful punis hment the result.


Our assertions were treated with
indifference, or regarded as the i'll
tempered utterances of a reckless
pen. Men could not be made to be
lieve that these honorable gentle
men, who rolled by in landaulets and
lived like princes, were really COM
mon thieves in uncommon places.
Even after Democratic House IN
augurated Investigations these were
sneered at, and few believed that
one could be caught or punished.


The sneers have died out upon the
pale lips of the Republican seoffers.
The narrow escape of the Presi-
dents good friend and private sec

retary is followed by startling dis
closure that opens the gates of a
common prison to a secretary OF
war. For the first time in the his
tory of the republic one ofthe Presi
dents constitutional advisers-head
of adepartment that is of more pow
er and Importance now than was the
entire Government in the days of
Washington-is not only charged,
but convicted by his own confess
ion, of crime that would shame
the commonest horse thief.


And yet General Belknap is the
most innocent, as he is the least
adroit of all those dishonest officials.
Where he took hundreds, his asso-
ciates have stolen thousands, while
his thousands all told shrink into
insignificance before the millions
that have disappeared from the
treasury under the cunning manip-
ulation OF men whose only claim to
distinction is their ability TO steal.
Year: 1876

Many people err in charging upon
the legislature the ills they bear
forgetting that the just and faithful
administration Of the laws is the
main secret of good government
Tennessee does not pay the interest
on her debt, but under the laws in
force is the property of the State as
sesscd at more than half its value2
and if not, whose is the fault? Are
the dogs in the State taxed as the
law requires? Our information is
that the assessors are much to blame
for the DEFICIENCIES in the amount Of
taxes; collectors in some instances
are as much TO blame, and that the
taxpayers a-e more than all TO blame
for their failure to elect competent
men to fiji every official position in
every department Of the State gov
ernment. Tennessee 10 able to pay
every dollar of its debt, but honesty
and economy must stand guard over
the Treasury and see that every
leak is stopped, every official dis
pensed with who is not ABSOLUTELY es-
sential to the execution Of the laws,
and the cost of their administration
eeduced to the lowest figures com
patible with efficiency. With such
a system Of economy, aided by the
Introduction of new industries and
the deveiopement Of our immense
resources Of agricultural and miner


Al wealth, the State can not only pay
+ of, utkeep QUITO debt, and become
both great aad prosperous. It is
for the people to say whether such
a career Of honor and prosperity is
not preferable to the shame and dis
honor consequent upon reputation
and bankrupt credit Carksvilie


CtrOHiole.
Year: 1876

The Nation In its last issue is
somewhat severe on Senator Nor
ton, as this paragraph viii attest:
"We presume there is nobody in the
country who now has the smallest
belief in Mr.. Morton's honesty as a
politician, or supposes that there is
any sincerity in anything he says.
He makes speeches, everybody
knows, on whichever side of any
question he supposes most likely 70
be popular, and he has no hesitation
in fatty and publicly contradicting
in January what he said in July
Nobody, in fact, credits him with
any convictions Of his own. In q
pure and healthy state Of politics
and of public opinion he would be
living in a close retirement and tax
ing his exercise after dark"
Year: 1876

The Cincinnati Enquirer IS Of
opinion that Bristow Is in as much
danger as Belknap, and that John
Sherman (brother Of the generaD.
who went to Washington with an
income Of two thousand dollars,
should be thoroughly investigated
to find out where he got his fortune
Of a million or more. The Enquirer
also says that Blain awas the bold
est and most defiant rascal Of them
all. until the lass few days, and now
that he is in danger Of being caught.
he is liable TO join Marsh at any
minute. He is at the bottom Of the
real estate pool"
Year: 1876

Oh, why cannot the mountains be,
Into the ocean hurled,
a highway made across the sea-,


railroad round the world
Oh, why cannot some lucky man,
Invent q large balloon,
All on a new unheRrd of plan


And travel to the moon
Oh, why cannot some dandy proud,
Watch for a lucky chance,
And lift himselfup to the clouds


b the seat of his pants
Oh, why cannot some city belle,


Put on her Sunday wear,
And upward with mighty swell
Go flying through the cir
oh, why would not woman's tongue,
Be better far by half,
Than all the wires that have been strung
To make q telegraph
June 2, 1874. G. BARKHART.