smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1871

This table shows that in ten years
the State taxes have increased thirty
three per cent, and that local taxes
have increased almost one hundred
and seventy per cent; in other words,
that less than one-tenth of the increase
has been in State taxes, and more than
nine-tenths in local taxes.


The increase of local taxation has
been far greater than the growth OF
the State in business, population, OF
wealth. It is not to be doubted that
this burden has grown to dimensions
which seriously threaten the prosperi-
ty Of the State.


No full and exact statement can be
made from the official reports rs to the
amount annually collected from the
property-holders Of the State in the
form OF special assessments for what
are termed local improvements, but
it is certain that this burden is also
great and rapidly growing.


The Auditor of State reports cases
in which such assessments have been
made, amounting to half the cash
value Of the property on which they
were levied, and, in one case, which
he refers to the assessment was double
the value Of the property.


In respect to these evils II Is un-
doubtedly easier TO find fault than to
provide q remedy. No single meas
ure will remove them. Probably no
system of measures which the General
Assembly can adopt will of them
selves accomplish what is desired. 4
complete reform is impossible, unless
A nfN
are disposed and thoroughly compe-
tent to 10 the work Of cutting of every
unnecessary expenditure.


Much, however, can be accomplish
ed by wise legislation. Let the Cen
erAl Assembly firmly adhere to the
policy Of the Constitution, and refuse
to enact special laws granting powers
TO tax or make assessments. Let such
powers be exercised only in pursuance
Of general laws. Local authorities
IbouId be empowered to levy no high
er rate of taxation than Is absolutely
required for practical efficiency under
ordinary circumstances. In eXtraOr-
binary cases general laws should pro-
vide for the submission Of the pro-
posed tax or assessment to the people
to be affected by it, under such regula-
tions that it can not be levied unless
at least tWO-thirds OF the tax payers
approve the measure.


LOCAL INDEBTEDNESS.


One of the most valuable Articles Of
the present State Constitution is that
which prohibits the State, save in a
few exceptional cases, from creating
any debt, and which provides for the
payment at an early day Of the debt
already contracted. I am convinced
that ii would be wise to extend the
same policy to the creation Of public
debts by County, City, and other To-
cal authorities. The rule, pay as you
Ro.n leads tO economy In public IS
well as in private affairs, while the
power 70 contract debts opens the door
to wastfulness, eXtraYagance and
corruption.


In the early history Of the State,
when capital was scarce and eXpen-
aive, public works were required for
transporting the products Of the State
to market, public debts were probably
unavoidable. But the time, believe,
has come when not only the State,
but ell Of its subordinate DIVISIONS
ought to be forbidden TO incur debit
The same rule on this subject ought
to be applied to local authorities which
the Constitution applies to the state
Year: 1871

The report of the Superintendent
and Trustees of the Soldiers Or
phans' Home will engage your earn
est attention. The duty of providing
for the education and support Of the
children Of the soldiers OF Ohio who
fell in war for the Union, was fully
recognized by the resolutions and acts
OF your last session, 1t is not doubted
that your action was in accordance
with the will OF the people OF the
State, and they earnestly desire that
the duty of caring for the soldiers
Year: 1871

The importance OF classification
among cOnviets is now universally
admitted. For economical OF other
reasons the establishment OF an inter-
mediate prison will perhaps be DEEM
ed inexpedient at this time. 1t is
believed, however, that by employ
ing convict labor the additional build
ings and improvements required for a
satisfactory classification, can be erect
ed on the ground adjoining the old
prison, recently purchased and now
inelOsed, at a small expense compared
with the cost OF a new prison. This
plan, 1t is hoped, will receive your
careful consideration.
Year: 1871

DR.. Stevenson, of Hall county, Ga,


who has recently spent much time in


investigating the geological formation


of the diamond district in that State,


and in collecting practical information
about it, states that in Hall county
about forty diamonds have been found,
but the most valuable Of them have
been lost or destroyed in ignorance of
their valuo. Some negroes broke q


large fine one to sec what it was made
of; it is thought to have been worth a
hundred thousand dollars. a farmer
describes one which was given to him
when boy, thirty years ago, and used
by him, and subsequently by his boys,
as a middle man in playing marbles; it
| was lost about six months ago, and he
is now hunting for it. No idea of its
| value was had until attention was
called to tho subject by the discovery
of much smaller ones, whose real
nature was detected. From the size
and description of the lost middle man,


DR.. Stevenson estimates its market


value as high as half a million dollars
Year: 1871

1t actually makes tho head dizzy to
try to keep up with the endless multi
plication of schemes for depicting the
State or the city treasury and for rs1uccZ-
ing the last dollar out of the State or
the city credit by any kind of huckster-
ing process.


Before we have ferretcd out the spc-
cial iniquity which turks behind the
specious title Of one, n legion looms up
which seems to be only Il part of a pro-
cession that will stretch out to the crack
of doom. For a while we could amuse
ourselves with the ironical homage
which it is their custom to pay to de-
concy in the announcement OF their
purposes in demanding Legislative CO.
operation. The sanitary plea was a
pretty good joke at first; so was the in
dustrial plea and SO there was some
thing of grimly pleasant waggery about
the plea Of promoting navigation; the
plea of promoting immigration, and Il
variety Of other pleas equally suggestive
of celestial livery worn in the DEVILS
service. But they have all become mis-
erlbly stale and transparent. Wit must
surprise or puzzle; and they do neither.
There is no dcccncy for any manner of
indeccncy TO shock. Tho scene resolves
itself into Al plain, unVarnished, unmcr-
ciful assault upon the public treasury
and the public credit. The treasure
gobblcd up to the last particle, Heaven
only knows what can save the credit
from total extinction. To Sublunary
vision, bankruptcy and involuntary re-
pudiation would seem to DO tho ineVi-
table conclusion Of the trcary story
n. q. bulletin.


The concluding sentence of our cotcm-
porary's article is worthy of scrutiny
and reflection.
Year: 1871

We find the following in the st.
Louis Daily Times:


The work on the Southern extension OF
the Iron Mountain road is being pushed
forward as fast as the state of the wealth
or will permit. About seventy men
are now engaged in track laying and
the finishing part of the work. They
nrc advancing at the rate Of Il mile per
day on an average, although storms of
snow and rain have materially hinder
ed their progress recently. About
twenty-five miles of grading is COM
plcted below Pilot Knob, and ready for
the rails which have been laid for five
or six miles. The contracts have been
let for over twenty miles in addition.


AS regards the Ciaro and Fulton
road, which was recently transferred
to Mr.. Thos. Allen, president of the
Iron Mountain road, Il petition wns in
troduccd in the Legislature on Wcdnes-
day, asking that the title of this road
might be confirmed to Mr.. Allen and
his heirs and assigns by the Assembly.
This is to free the transfer from that
endless litigation on technicalities
which in connection with such trnnnC-
tions is frequently carried on by persons
of n meddlCSome turn of mind. Mr..
Allen has advertised for bids for the
grubbing and grading necessary on the
old line which was about twelve miles.
The rails Of the road which were torn
up some time since, arc now lying
along the road bed. The first twelve
miles which need little moro than re-
construction, will be completed first,
after which it is proposed to extend the
road fifty miles farther west.
Year: 1871

A poor widow, the mother of two children,
used to call on them at the close Of each day
to tell her the good they had done. One
night the Oldest hesitated in her reply to her
mothers question, What kindness have you
shown2" q don't know, mother" The moth.
er, touched with the tone of her answer, re-
solved to unravel the mystery and the lit
tie girl went on to say;


" Going to school this morning, found
little Annie g., who had been absent some
days, crying very hard. | asked her, mother,
what made her cry 30, which made her cry
more, so that | could not help leaning my
head on her neck and crying too. Then her
sobs grew less aud less, till she told me Of her
little baby brother, whom she had nursed so
long and loved so much, how he had sick
ened, grown pale and thin, writhing with
pain until he died and then they put him
from her forever.


" Mother, she told me this and then she
hid her face in a book, and cried as if her
heart would break Mother, could not help
putting my face on the other page of the
book and crying too as hard as she did. Af-
ter we had cried together long time she
Rugged me and kissed me, telling me had
done good. Mother, don't know how did
her good, for | only cried with her. This
is all can tell, for can't tell how 1 did her
goodn
Year: 1871

hood, to dwell among her children and that
till health and strength left her God forbid
that conscience should accuse any of you Of
lngratitude or murmuring on account of the
care she has been to you Of late


" When you 60 back to your homes, be care.
tu of your example before your own children :;
for the fruit Of your own doing you will sure
ly reap from them when you yourselves totter
on the brink Of the grave cntreat you rs
a friend, as one who has himself entered the
evening Of life, that you may never say in the
presence Of your families nor Of heaven: Our
mother has out-iycd her usefulness-shc was
a burden to us. Never, never mother
cannot live so long as that No when she
can no longer labor for her children, nor yet
care for herself she can fall like precious
weight on their bosoms, and call forth by her
all the noble generous feelings
of their natures


Adieu, then, poor toil-worn mother; there
are no more days Of pain for thee Undying
vigor and everlasting usefulness are part Of
the Inheritance Of the redeemed.
Year: 1871

The works of man seldom bear close inspec.
ton. You may take needle which is highly
polished, and appears to be without the
slightest inequality upon the surface, you
may put it under a microscope, and you will
discover it to be a rough and rusty bar of
iron; but take the wing or the foot of an in
sect, and put this under the lens, you will
discover no flaw, magnify it as much as you
will, or gaze at it as long as you please. So,
take the words Of man. The first time YOU
hear them, they strike you you hear them
again, and still admire their sentiments but
when often heard, you are weary of them.
and you wonder how it was that people could


become so infatuated as TO quote such feeble
words, which by repetition lose all their pow
er. The words Of Jesus are the very opposite
of this. You may ring the changes upon
them, and never exhaust their music you
may think Of them, consider them, by day and
by night you may, as it were, put them into
a mortar aud beat them with the pestle of
contemplation, and there will be fragrance
and perfume all the more discoverabe when
you have bruised them and brought them
down to the very lowest point of criticism


| remember being in the Island of Lido, off
Venice, listening to the music of the bells,
thinking how charming it was-perhaps no
melody could be sweeter; but on returning to
the city on the same day, the bells there ring
ing seemed to drive one mad there was no
sweetness, apparently, in any one; distance
had lent enchantment to the sound. And so
with the word of man. At distance, it
rings out melody only; but take it to pieces,
and find out each quality, each separate
thought and you find nothing but dissonance.
1t is never SO with the great words of Jesus.
You can hear them ring very far when you
are sinner, alone on the mountain wilds, and
they still ring of hope and you can after
ward listen to each distinct word, each sepa.
rate silver bell, aud, among all, say of each
separate one " never thought there was
anything so inexpressibly sweet as this, out.
side of heaven. ."-Ree c. II Splrgeon.
Year: 1871

Have the courage to discharge debt while
you have the money in your pocket Have
the courage to do without that which you do
not need, however much your eyes may covet
It, Have the courage to speak your mind
when 1t is necessary yoa should do so, and to
hold your tongue whenever it is prudent you
should do SO. Have the courage to speak to
friend In seedy" coat, even though you
are in company with rich one and richly
attired. Have the courage to show that you
respect honesty in whatever guise it appears,
and your contempt for dishonest duplicity,
by whomsoever exhibited. Have the courage
to wear your old clothes until you can pay
for new ones. Have the courage to obey
your Maker at the risk of being ridiculed by
men. Have the courage TO prefer comfort
and prosperity to fashion in all things.
Year: 1871

OK TIE HuNr. Republican sheets are on
the hunt for recruits from Democratic hold
over Senators. They say Beige of San
Francisco can be had. Beige is the man
these Republican prints accused of robbine
San Francisco by duplicating hip bills for
stationery. At that time they abused him
like pickpocket, and if he should now 60
over to them we should have no doubt but
that he wa, the dirty, swindling fellow they
charged him with being. Others say that it
is not Beige, but McClay Of Santa Clara;
and If they get him, VIC have parting word
for his ear that will keep it warm through
the winter. We have no desire that the
Senate should be Democratic, but prefer that
the mongrels should have full sweep and no
excuses for their foul deeds.
Year: 1871

Confound il :" he would sometimes
say to himself, " how very provoking the
dear girl is She never will look this
way do wish could catch her eye, if
only for moment What horribly
sour-lookiug old crab the mother is De-
pend upon it, Willoaghby. that poor child
is anything but happy at home with those
two old ioges Indeed, her letters hint as
much > And having given vent to his
feelings, he would put on his hat and
walk to the post-of'icc, or shut himself in
lis room aud compose another note to his
Z" Dearest Eva"


At length, three weeks having flown
rapidly away in thiq manner. he received
n letter one morning from the young lady,
which run as follows:
Year: 1871

TRADE WITH V1RG1NIA.-During the last
few years there has been u marked improve
ment in the trade with Virginia. The ports
which transact most business with New
York are Richmond and Norfolk. In Rich
mond almost all the tobacco manufactures
which were destroyed during the war have
been rebuilt, and large quantities of tobacco,
both manufactured and in the leaf, are
shipped from there for this port. From
Norfolk, which is reached by steam from
New York in twenty-four hours, immense
quantities of garden truck, vegetables, and
fruit are sent on every day to supply the
tables of New Workers. The steamers ply
ing between this port and Virginia take
down general cargoes OF manufactured
goods and groceries. Just at present is the
dullest part Of the year, but even now a
considerable amount of leaf tobacco in
hogsheads is sent on. Most of this is eX-
ported to Europe, where it is made UP to
suit the taste OF consumers OF the fragrant
weed. In the early fall business will begin
to get brisk again, and the coastwise steam
srs will have US much freight as they can
carry. -New York Commercial.
Year: 1871

Corn AND FLOUR ExCHANGE.-The an
n,al meeting of the Corn Exchange will be
held this evening at 5 O'Clock in the rooms
of the Chamber of Commerce, for the elec-


ton of officers and the transaction Of other
important business.
Year: 1871

TRIAL OF THE PRIZE FIGHTERs.-The trial
of the parties engaged in the recent White
Kersey prize-fght will be commenced in
the Henrico County Court OH Monday.
White is to be tried first.
Year: 1871

FLoRECE PARADISE :-The gentlemen who visited Florence last week, as members of a committee referred to elsewhere, speak in about the strongest terms that language can express, regarding the matchless landscape beauty of the Gila valley at the town of Flor- ence. The general plan of the embryo city is remarkable for regularity. The streets are smbelIished on either side by regular rows of trees whose tangled foliage, besides forming an effective shelter from. the fierce mid-day heat is the favorite resort of inDumerabIe singing hirds that warble gratuitOusly to the Florentnes during the hours of day. In one continued expense extending along the valley for a distance of Is miles, with the river winding through it's midst, lies the settlement of Florence, dotted with comfortable cabins and giving forth the thousand and one sounds which bespeak the presence of civilization and rural comfort The prospects of the inhabi- tants were never more promising than at present; and surrounded by all that can please the eye and contribute to comfort they are about the happiest community in Arizona.
Year: 1871

Such is the result of the interview and in our opinion it is about as unsatisfactory as the most disgusted could have expected. One point, however, is at rest that the people of Arizona would have protection thsyi.must not look to Gen Stoneman to obtain it.
Year: 1871

A hunting party returned to town on Sun. day after an absence of five days B. sides a goodly force of deer aud turkeys which they readily vanquished'in in battle, they discovered, first Apache signs and then ApAchss and feel- ing that discretion were the better part of valor, abandoned the chase and saved their hair"
Year: 1871

yEANTED-A SMART BUSINESS LADY OR GENTLE


w With cash cspial, to take interest in and
charge OF good cash business No night work For par
ticurs apply at Ill Fourth avcnue corner Twelfth street
Year: 1871

A dressing which
is at once agreeable,
healthy, and edectual
for preserving the
hair. Faded or gray
hair Is soon restored
to its original color
~iM The gloss and
freshness Of youth.
Thin hair "a thick.
Year: 1871

We feel it a positive duty 10 return thanks 10 our subscribers for the promptness with which many have responded to our call, to pay up. And most satisfactory next 10 the presence Of the greenbaess-was the evident good Will with which the same were transferred-not as though the payments were made under protect or grudgingly, but with all that li6craiity which goes 10 prove that our efforts in behalf Of AriEous are appre- cia'ed. We have eudeavored aud still endcAyor 10 make of tnc MINER all ths, frontier journal should be, and i Is souroe Of gratincAtion that our patrons arc ever ready 10 aid In the per foTn.ance of that which we consider a necessary work
Year: 1871

The first snow Of tue season set in on Sunday and continued to fall for upwards of an hour. The flakes were few and far between, and were no longer visible upon reaching the ground. Nevertheless it was n snow storm-and the first ws have witnessed during lapse of seven years
Year: 1871

HORRIBLE OUTEAGE.-A negro by the
name of Maurice Banks was arraigned for
trial before Justice White yesterday morn
ing, on warrant procured by his wife,
charged with having outraged the person of
Il little cololcd girl y years OF age, who is
his niece.


This horrible outrage was made on the
evening of the 11th of July, from which the
girl was very seriously injured, and is now
eplaciated and apparently declining in
health. After the matter was made known to
the wife of the man physician was sum-
moned, but the true cause of the suffering
was not made known 10 him, and she was
consequently treated for some disease.
Upon the testimony Of the woman and the
statement of the little gill the negro was
sent on to the grand jury of the Hastings
Court for the first Monday in SEPTEMBER.
Year: 1871

INTRODUCTION OF THE GERMAN LANGUAGE
IN THE PUBLIC SCuoULs.--BelOw we publish
Il petition 10 the City School Board, which
Is being circulated in this city for the pur-
pose of procuring the signatures OF the tax
payers, asking that the German language
may DC introduced into 1T least one of the
public schools in each ward Of the city. 1t
Is il subject worthy OF attention.


''TO the Honorable board Of Education oJ


the city Of Mctmond:


The German language is becoming every
day more and more necessary, not only for
professional men, but those engaged i'll the
ordinary business pursuits OF life; and be-
lieving that its introduction into our pub
lie schools would not only prove benefit or
this account, but bring more emigrants tt
our city than any other measure We coulC
now advise, the undersigned taxpayers ant
citizens OF Richmond therefore respectful.
ly request your honorable body to intro
duce the study Of German into at least
one school OF each ward Of the city,
Year: 1871

RAILROAD ACCIDENT NEAR DANvILLE.-
The freight train bound for Dauvile from


this city on Saturday night last, met with
quite q serious accident just this side OF
Danville, near the compauy's workshops.
After switching off the entire train, The


engine ran down on the switch, but not
going far enough, the cars which had been
let loose came with such force against the
engine as to smash the tender to atoms and
seriously damage the engine. Several
freight cars were thrown from the track
and the contents scattered. IL being the


engineers first trip, and the night quite;


dark, he was consequently not acquainted


with the track. lie jumped from the engine
| lust in time to save his life.
Year: 1871

Transportation for life will be the mildest


penalty Of his failure. Nevertheless, there
| is no apprehensiveness in his manner, but n
steady selEcontidence and fearlessness il,
his defiant attitude to his opponents. One
would expect deep rascal to he humble


toward the family, and certainly not ex-


pect him to needlessly identify his case-as
, he has done-with the social ruin of lady


moving I'm 1.-THE highest social rank. All
these things look as if he were unconscious


of being knave and q conspirator. Yet
the case has mystery within mystery. |
| have just heard from private source that


gentleman connected with The Shipping
Gazette had some; curiosity to look up
the records concerning tho Bella, the
ship which was lost with the real
Roger Tichborne on it, and from
whose wreck the claimant says he was res
cucd, and he finds that aboutthe same time
q ship named the Middleton clcured for
Australia. The captain and mate of the
Middleton bore the exact names which this
claimant now assigns to the captain and


mate of the Bella; and among those who
embarked on the Middleton was "hrthur
Ortou, butcher" the very name whom the
Tichbornes declare this claimant to be.
This curious fact was discovered few days
ago, and suppose it will be brought
forward by the Solicitor-General. 1t is
one of many facts which certainly look
bad for the claimant. Then he ad-
mits that he sent photographs of


his wife and children to the Orton


family at Wrapping rs portraits of Arthur


Olton's wife and children. he said it was


lie, but does not explain why he so deceived


hem. 1t now seems likely that the jury


will be no more able to come to clear de-


ci>ion on the subject than the rest of us,


and il so, the case may run OH until all now


concerned in it are dead and buried. Eng


gland has known great suits to lust over


n century. But, in conclusion, may say


that, after watching the claimant closely,


and listening to his evidence, am inclined


to believe that he is the real Roger Itch


borne.