smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

TIE session of Congress just closed
has been remarkable for the occur
renee of new and important constitu.
t'onal questions. The President had re-
turned, without his signature, bill
providing for the sale of some Indian
lands, bat before action had been
taken upon it had sent in another
message stating that he had since
been convinced that bis action was
premature, and requesting that the
bill be returned for signature. II
was held By such OF the Senators as
spoke on the question that the act Of
vetoing was complete, and could not
he withdrawn from bY action of the
President. The end desired was at
tanned, however, by passing the bill
over the veto by q unanimous vote.
The ruling is ore Of very considerable
importance.
Year: 1876

TIE GRAIN MARKgT.-The fact that
a strictly agricultural paper, as is the
California f;smer, should advise grain
growers TO sell their wheat when
prices are ruling as low as now is
something unusual. But this paper,
however, having gathered statistics
from all quarters regarding the prOba-
bic supply and demand, says:


Let our grain>growers carefully
read the condition of the growing
crops all over Europe, and note also
that the present month, August, is
the time that settles the fate of the
English crops, and we tbiak every
wise grain,grower and grain>holder
must realize tie good ground we have
for believing that tie markets cannot
possibly rule higher this year, unless
there should occur more cause Tor war
than Appearances justify now. There
fore, We reilerate our often expressed
opinion that it is better for our grain
growers TO sell their wheat now.
Year: 1876

Your Regulator is one Of the best family med
cines l ever used. l have not spent one dollar
for my family for medicine in five years, only
for your Regulator and must say it does all 1t
says it will. You can also recommend it in
Collie for Stock, it having cured fine mule OF
mine worth FIVE hundred dollars. ID a Nelson,
Year: 1876

Last evening, while Harper, the
clown of Barnum's circus, was passing
up Broadway, n little child slipped
from athree-story window, came head
long toward the pavement. Harper
at the instant, and, as 1t would seem,
providentially, caught sight of the
child as it left the window above, and,
with the alacrity of Il cat, placed him
self in position to break its fall. When
it came down to him he caught it with
a firm grasp, and not only broke its
its fall, but held it from going to the
pavement. The act was bold and
dangerous, but successful. The ath-
lete suffered some little injury, but
not enough to speak of in connection
with SO extra ordinary a feat. Daily
,Sdrdtogidn.
Year: 1876

There is considerable misundcr-
standing by the public of the spirit of
the awards made by the Commission
ers of the Centennial Exposition. One
article did not come in competition
with another, nor were medals award
ed for the reason merely that one ar
ticle was better than another of the
same class. The object and spirit Of
the awards were to commend and re-
ward merit, genius, advancement, en-
ergy, enterprise and valuable improve
ments in all departments of science,
arts, industry and invention. If two
or more articles in the same class were
improved in any way by the industry
or genius of the owner, it was the OBJ
ject of the Commission to make IA ia
vorable mention to the world of the
same. So if it is seen that this sew
ing machine or that agricultural inn
plement, has been awarded a premium
it is not for the reason that ii is super
ior to all Others of that class, but for
the reason that the owner has made
valuable Improvements beneficial TO
the world in this article exhibited
And the awards when made public,
will in all eases specify the particu-
lar point for which the award was
made. As announced at present it
would appear that the Commission
had awarded the medals to everything
exhibited. Not so. The catalogues
show a list of over 5000 articles on
exhibition, and the awards will prob
ably be about 1900. There must be
something in the article or industry
and enterprise in preparing it for ex-
hibition to entitle it to marked dis
tinction. Two hundred and fifty of
the best men that could be found i'm
this or any other country on the globe
were selected and amply paid SO that
their deliberations could be learned,
scientific, and thorough. These re-
ported to the Commission who spent
three long and laborous weeks i'm ar
ranging, perfecting and declaring
these awards. There are many croak-
ers, and among them we are sorry to
record some OF the most respectable
agricultural papers in the Union. But
all has been done that practical indus
try, backed by skilled experts, could
do to have the most ample justice done
in all departments of the Exposition,
and impartial history will yindicate
its labors.
Year: 1876

Theodore seems to be about rs sound
a sleeper as Bessie Turner. That
somnolent damsel didn't wake up
when Theodore carried her from one
bed to another; Theodore is SO sleepy
nights that, when he strays into the
wrong berth in sleeping car, really
doesn't notice the tritiing fact that
there is a woman in it until his atten-
ton Is specially called to the matter.
Year: 1876

The Watertown, On. W Times asks:
What il pleasanter to look upon than
happy family? That is what we
saw at the depot this morning. The
father of the family once lived in this
section. He went West and grew up
with Iowa, and to-day returned with
a family of wife and six children to
visit relatives. The children were all
nicely dressed, and from the appear
ance of their happy faces one would
suppose they were going to visit cir
Gus instead of grandmother.
Year: 1876

The tramp law enacted by our legis-
lature at the last session will probably
be declared unconstitutional. The
State of Maine has a similar law, and
the Supreme Court there has decided
that it il violation of the Constution
of the United States to send a tramp
or vagrant to the work-house without
due process of law. The language OF
the court is as follows: "


"If white men and women can thus
summarily be disposed of at the North,
of course black ones may be disposed
of in the same way at the South. Thus
the very evil which it was particular
ly the object of the Fourteenth
Amendment to eradicate will still ex-
ist." The Amendment provides that
mo State shall deprive any person of
life, liberty or property without due
process of law" The Supreme Court
of Maine holds that the summary
commitment of cramps and general
vagrants to the work-house," Is q de-
privation of liberty not in conformity
with the "due process of law" and
hence forbidden by the Fourteenth
Amendment.-Cedar Rapids Repub-
cH31, s .a
Year: 1876

In addition to this vast amount of IA
general nature, an immense number
OF private relief bills was introduced
by the Democrats for use and damage
done to or destruction of property in
the insurrectionary States, and for
stores and supplies taken, cotton and
other property captured, and other
miscellaneous claims arising out Of
the late Rebellion. These are classi
Year: 1876

A SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT The handsome and commodious new store house of Mr. J. l.. Shinu on the corner of Main and River is now almost ready for use, and IS indeed a substantial improve ment to the town. The building is constructed of brick, with tin roof, and is fifty by ninety. The proprietor will occupy the two store rooms on the ground floor, which he will fill with a tremen- dous stock of goods in a short time; he will also use the second floor of one room for clothing, furnishing goods, notions, &c. The second story over the corner room is divided into offices, of which there are six, as nice, well ventilated and light as can be found in the State.
Year: 1876

As a matter of considerable inn portance, and one in which every taxpayer feels a lively interest, we call attention to the fact that the last legislature changed sec. 623 of Gantt's Digest so as to re- quire the county courts after each regular or special term there of to make out and publish a statement of all sums of money allowed and for what purpose. This publication is to he made by the clerk posting the same on the court house door. The same act also requires detailed statement of the receipts and expenditures for the past year to be made out and published between the third Monday in January and the third Monday in February Of each each year. To this statement is to be attached n complete detailed report of the indebtedness and financial condition of the county. And recognizing the fact that such a financial showing as this, would not only be very interest ing and desirable to tax payers, hut also a great check upon the county courts, the legislature wisely provided that the same should be printed in the county paper of each county, if so ordered by the court. We see that most ofour exchanges from other coun ties are publishing such yearly statements by order of their coun- ty courts. and in consideration of the fact that the newspaper Is universally conceded to be the best and most suitable medium of givmg publicity to such mat ters, we see no reason why our county court should not order the financial statement of Pope coun- ty published in the DEMOCRAT and thus afford the tax xpayers an opportunity to see how we stand.
Year: 1876

People are getting the worth of their money sure at the sale going on at the old stand of J. G. Ferguson. Every body agrees on this point.

 Our Little Rock mail failed to reach us again Tuesday. We think the frequent Irregularities on this mail line call for an in vestigation.

 The show given by Prof Dur ham last Thursday night was very slimly attended, owing to the very bad weather. The Prof, however, did his very best 10 be agreeable and give his little audi ence a pleasant evenings enter tainment.

 The 1st came in with sharp, cutting wind which continued most all day, making a close proximity to a good heater very pleasant.
Year: 1876

A ten-nu.e team, drawing lumber,
while coming from the vicinity OF the
lake this morning, went over the grade
near tue head of Kings canyon. The
driver sprang from the saddle. there
by saving his life. He then stood still.
a Mortified and speechless witness of
one of the most terrible scenes possi-
BILE to imagine. The mules, wagon
and lumber pitched downward in one
confused, rolling mass, nearly 2,OOO
feet into the bottom of the gorge, wild
cries from the crushed animals rend-
ing the air as they were hurled msdiy
down the steep mountain side. until
when nearing the bottom. and life be-
coming extinct, the agonizing sounds
ceased and all became silent in death.
The man says that after the first hun
dred feet had been passed the entire
mass became hidden in great cloud
of snow torn up snd scattered through
the air, but that he could distinctly
hear all sounds proceeding from the
white cloud as it rolled swiftly ON
ward, until it struck the battom OF the
canyon with a crash like that OF an
earthquake.
Year: 1876

Cotton is lower to-day than it has
been since the war. and what is worse
there is no prospect of its ever rising
from its present ruiuous low figure.


The Wilson Adyance says this, and,
in saying it, it declares fact which
we ale glad of. We heartily wish
the figure of its price would descend
to that '1ower depth" and sink SO
deeply therein. that the hand of the
speculator could never reach it. When
this time comes, common sense will
control the muscle of the farmer,
and he will then strive to throw around
the home of his family some of the
comforts and enioyments of life,
Year: 1876

Nature seems addicted to her freaks
as often in the vegetable as in the an
imal kingdom. Yesterday we selected
banana from large bunch hanging
in Messrs. Curtis & Boatwright's store
on Front street. Toe selection was
made for its size and general
beauty. Only the ordinary skin
covered the golden fruit, and
there was nothing in the service
to indie ,te that the lobe was duplex.
When the skin was removed. however,
two perfect bananas were found en-
closed-a clear lusus nature, and the
only one of the sort we have ever
heard of.
Year: 1876

The survey of the Warrenton rail-
road has just been completed. and we
learn that the track for almost the
entire route will be nearly straight.
1t is cheering also to know that the
cost of grading the road Will be some
what in the neighborhood of the first
estimates, and its early completion is
pretty certain.
Year: 1876

A petition is being circulated for sig
natures looking to opposition to the
closing up of New Inlet The opposi-
ton is in the interest of those who are
engaged in the coasting trade between
this city and the Eastern counties.
There is certai lly plausibility in the
views entertained by those gentlemen,
but it seems to US that they are too
late in expressing them, and that the
better plan now would be to complete
the work already begun and then open
up inland navigation by means of
canals which shall connect Whining
ton with the counties of the East.
Year: 1876

WHAT To DO WITH THE TRAMP is the ques-
ton here as everywhere else. Indeed, the
nuisance has become so huge in its proper
tions that it is assuming almost a national
attitude, to say nothing of its terrible local
significance. But in the absence of any
law or other public measure to resort to,
the question is, shall We feed all that ask
for bread, lest we needlessly turn he that
Is anhungered from our door; or shall we
bolt our gates against the professional sum-
mcr loafer to save our purse and our pa
tience from strain that neither can stand?
1t may be, and doubtless is, a bolt against
many needy mouths to fasten our doors in
the face of all that seek our charity, but it is
an invitation to double the number next
summer to feed those who call on us this
summer. The point is, are we not promo
ting public nuisance in the name Of
charity? We really think so. The section
that feeds them is the section that may be
sure of their annual return. We owe 6
duty to tho public as well as to our cup
boards. and we think that that duty is any
;hing that will help to abolish the tramp
nuisance. Feeding them is not a move il
that direction.
Year: 1876

This postal card business has been a
source of more worry to the postmasters
than one would suppose could have been
got out of bit of pasteboard. First, the
clerks were ordered under no circumstances
to read anything but the address, and then
Immediately after were directed to stop any
card of disreputable nature, though how
they were to find that out without reading
it nobody knew. And then the country
postmaster finds that they give him great
deal to do. The whiting is often bad, and
he gets the gossip of the neighborhood
mixed. Occasionally, as we have heard Of
postmaster's doing, he calls in outside
assistance to help him untangle some twis.
ted sentence or samilegible word. The
latest thing in postal cards however, is the
frankness Of a Yankee postmaster, who ran
from his waysids station the other day,
hourishing card and calling out to a lady
as she drove up h, meet a lady friend


" You'd better read it'll She amt comm y
Year: 1876

1T LOOKS now as if we and ogher localities
would have considerable difficulty to Sc
cure any Government aid for the improve
ment of creek navigation. Congress is dis
posed to cut down such appropriations and
the President seems even more disposed
than Congress. In a message to the House
on Monday he told that body that if it had
been compulsory to spend the money ap-
propriated in the river and harbor bill he
would have vetoed it. But, as the appro-
priations can be applied or not, he signed
the bill, and says he will take care that
none Of the monoy be squandered on use
less or local streams. The improvements
must be clearly of a national character if
he consent to the expenditure of the ap-
preparations.


An appropriation was not even made for
our Creek, therefore the Presidents deci
sion has no practical bearing upon our case
but we are quite sure that it would be de
cidedly for the public good to clear away
the bar at the mouth of tho stream. As
convenience, and even in its present filled
up condition affords shelter to many ligh
draft boats during the fierce nor'easter:
But ills of little use to the larger craft, b'
cause the sand bar keeps them out Of il
harbor. Thus, while the Government SUI
ports a lighthouse on the bank Of Il
Creek to show vessels where the harbOr


it allows the sand bank to deny them Il


privilege of entering. A Little eiiortoa I.


part of our Congressman might have p


vented this state of affairs.
Year: 1876

In view of the current statement That
one Of the causes of Executive opposition
to Mr.. Jewell was an interference to pre-
vent the confirmation Of George 7. Fisher
rs United States District Attorney for Della
ware the following letter received by the
Judiciary Committee Of the Senate on the
same subject is both significant and in
tprcSting -
Year: 1876

An inquiry into the illegal sale of liquor
to Indians at the Indian Wells, in the Mo-
have desert, has served to exhibit at once
the loose way in which the business OF the
Interior Department has been conducted OF
late years, and the rapacity of the railroad
corporation which for SO long period con-
trolled the politics of California. The
Southern Pacific Railroad, an offshoot OF
the Central Pacific, has established tenn
porary terminus at the point mentioned,
and rum shops being opened on the lands
adjoining, the attention Of the Indian agent
was called to the matter He investigated
the subject and discovered that the land
where the railroad depot was built was on
a section which many years ago had been
transferred to the State of California for
school purposes, while the Secretary of the
Interior had subsequently set the same land
opart as an Indian reservation. Thus the
Interior Department claimed land belong
ING to the State of California, and designa-
tied il as an Indian reservation, while the
railroad company, without any claim what
ever to the ground. has seized and occu-
pied IL.
Year: 1876

five were Uncle Ben Butler, we would
not fret ourselves about going to Congress.
Even if elected, he is liable to be abused ,and
the chances are that he will be beaten. He is
rich, handsome, and saucy. Why cannot he
be contented? Besides, the time has passed
away for his sort of talent in the House.
Year: 1876

The Philadelphia, Wilmington & Bal
timore Railroad Company aie doing a
good work for Wilmington; one which
will result in Transforming large sec
tion on the Southern Christiana front
from an unsightly morass II solid earth,
and complete the extension Of wharves
from Market street bridge to the Third
street bridge. This marsh, few years
since, extended over about seventeen
acres; great deal of it has been filled
in the last five years; and now tho Rail
road Company has, at immense expense,
made foundation upon it for a large
round house, and tracks leading to it.
This is done by driving long piles down
to solid ground, covering them with tim
ber pieces twelve inches square fitted
and bolted over the tops of the piles,
and upon them is built solid wall with
great pieces Of granite, many of which
weigh almost q ton each. This round
house and its approaches will cover a
large part of the triangular lot which
was few years ago sold to the company
by the late Mrs. Rebecca Stevens. When
the work is completed il will not be long
before the whole Of the piece of marsh
will be fitted up; and then the Christi
ana will be wharfed from above the Har-
Ian & Hollingsworth works to what was
known as "The Old Rocks"


This round house is being pushed for.
ward as fast as possible in order to be
made serviceable next year, when the
number of trains over the read will pro-
badly be almost duplicated, requiring
the storing of a very large number Of
locomotives here.


The filling up of the marsh will be an
Improvement to that section of the city
which has long been needed; making il
much more inviting and affording many
line sites for the work shops of the
road, some of which will doubtless have
to be moved there next Spring.
Year: 1876

New YORK, August 2l.-The employ
es of the New York and New Jersey rail
roads have struck and traffic over that
road is suspended. The cause of the
strike is nonpayment Of wages for the
past four months and the protesting ol
notes given for the previous four months
wages.
Year: 1876

NEW-ORLEANs, Dec. s. The Returning
Board met at IL a. III. yesterday, all the members being
present The Democratic Committee was in the room,
but for the Republicans there appeared only Senator
Sherman large quantity OF written evidence OF wit
nesses in contested cases filed by the Democratic
and Republican counsel The Democratic counsel also
entered protest regard to the manner in which the
committees had been treated in the opening OF the re
turns also an objection against receiving any protests
except those accompanying supervis0rs returns
in the and form provided for by law.
Col Zachare Of the Democratic counsel called the at
tention of the board the following facts When the
returns from Ouachta Parish opened by the board
IL was announced by the secretary that they had been
received the 24h the day before they were opened
When they turned to the Democratic counsel
for inspection there found in the sealed package
said to have been received the oath, the following
letter: - a., n,
c. s. ABELI, esq. Secretary RetTntn0 Board r.....
which received too late to file with my returns Please
zee that it is brought in with other aidayts hed with
ny Supervisor OF Ouachita.


Col Zachare stated that two facts were established,


first that the statement OF the secretary that the papers
were only fled on the oath untrue, because the let
ter found in the sealed package showed that the returns
had been filed with the secretary before the 3d. and
shows second that as this letter and the affidavit OF
Eliza PinkstOn were found in the sealed package
the secretary OF the board had complied with
the request of the supervisor, and that he had
opened the package and put into 1t the ahda and by
mistake the letter Of the supervisor also


The matter was referred 10 the consideration OF the
board


Judge Dbble fled large amount OF testimony In be-
half OF the Republican party.


The OF poll in the parish OF TanHpahoa the vote
Of which had been omitted in the supervisors returns,
which had been sent for on application OF the Demo
cratic counsel brought in and opened The state
ment of votes &c, taken OUT received by the
hoard and ordered to be compiled The vote stood: TIL
den electors, GA Hayes electors, IL.


The board then adjourned subject to the call OF the
President The clerks went to work compiling the re-
turns of the election The electoral vote at least VIII
no promulgated on Tuesday. The Republican visiting
committee departed for home this afternoon.