W
JHjATON
EEKLY
EMOCRAT.
F. T. FOSTER, Publisher. Devoted to the Interests of the Democratic Party, and the Collection of Local and General News. Two Dollars per Annum, In Advance,
VOL. V.-NO: 10. EATON, OHIO, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1871. WHOLE NUMBER 241.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
Third Annual Message of President
Grant to Congress.
Delivered December 4th, 1871.
To the Senate and Hense of Renresentatives
In addressing my third annual mes
sage to the law-making branch of the
Government, it is gratifying to be able
to state that during the past year suc
cess has generally attended the ffort
to execute all the laws found upon the
statute books. The policy has been not
to inquire into the wisdom ot laws al
ready enacted, but to learn their spe
cial intent, and to enforce them accord
inely.
The past year has, under the wisdom
of a wise Providence,- been one of gen
eral prosperity to the nation. It has,
however, been attended with more than
the usual chastisements in loss of life
and property by storm and fire. These
disasters have served to call forth the
best elements of human nature in our
country, and to develop a friendship for
us on the part of foreign nations, which
goes far toward alleviating the distress
occasioned bv the calamities. The be
nevolent, who have generously shared
their means, with these misiortunes,
will reap their reward in the conscious
ness of having performed a noble act,
receiving the grateful thanks of the
men, women and children, whose sui
ferines thev have reliveed.
The relation of the United States
with foreign powers continue to be
friendly. The year has been an event
ful one in witnessing two great nations,
speaking one language, and having one
lineage, settling, by peaceful arbitration,
disputes of long standing and liable at
any time to bring those nations into
bloody and hostile conflict. An exam
ple has thus been Bet, which, if success
nil in its final issue, may be followed by
other civilized nations, and bo the final
means of returning to productive in
dustry millions of men maintained to
settle the disputes ot nations by the
bayonet and sword. I transmit here
with a copy of the treaty alluded to,
which has been concluded since the ad
journment of Congress with Her Brit-
amc Majesty, and a copy ot the pro
tocols of the conferences of the Com
missioners by whom it was negotiated.
This treaty provides methods for ad
justing the questions pending between
the two nations. Various questions are
to be adjusted by arbitration. 1 recom
mend Congress at an early day to make
the necessary provision for the tribunal
at Geneva, and for the several Commis
sions on the part of the United States,
called lor by the treaty. His Majesty,
the King of Italy, the President of the
Swiss Confederation, and His Majesty
the Emperor of Brazil, have each con
sented, on the joint request of the two
Powers to name an arbitratory for the
tribunal at Geneva. I have caused my
thanks to be suitably expressed for the
readiness with which the "joint request
has been complied with by the appoint
ment of gentlemen of eminence and
learning to these important positions.
His Majesty, the Emperor of Uermany,
has been pleased to comply with the
joint action of the two Governments,
and has consented to act as the arbi
trator of the disputed water boundary
between the United States and Great
Britain. The contracting parties
in the treaty have undertaken to regard
as between themselves certain princi
ples of public law for which the United
States have contended from the com
mencement of their history. They
have also agreed to bring these princi
ples to the knowledge of the other
maritime powers, and to invite others
to accede to them. Negotiations are
going on as to the form of the note by
which the invitatian is to be extended
to the Powers. I recommend the legis
lation necessary on the part of the
United States to bring into operation
the articles of the treaty relating to the
fisheries, and to the other matters
touching the relations of the United
States toward the British North Ameri
can possessions, to become operative as
soon as the proper legislation shall be
had on the part of Great Britain and
-its possessions. It is much to be desired
that this legislation may become opera
tive before the fishermen of the United
States begin to make their arrange
ments for the coming season.
"Without exceeding the number of men
or of expenditures authorized by law,
during the past year, the navy has, in
addition to Its regular service, supplied
the men and officers for the vessels of
the Coast Survey, and has completed
the surveys authorized by Congress of
the Isthmus of Darien and Tehaunte
pec, and, under like authority, has sent
out an expedition, completely furnished
and equipped, to explore the unknown
ocean of the North. The suggestions
of the report as to the necessity for in
creasing and improving the material of
the navy, and the plan recommended
for reducing the personnel of the service
to a peace standard, by the gradual
abolition of certain grades of officers,
the reduction of others, and the em
ployment of some in the service of the
commercial marine, are well considered
and deserve the thoughtful attention
of Congress. I also recommend that all
promotions in the navy above the rank
.ptain be by selection instead of by
priorit, This course will secure in the
j r S'des greater efficiency, and
hold an inceutive to young officers to
improve them in the knowledge
of their profession. Tne preSent cost
of maintaining the navy its cost com
pared with that of the prellli
Ld the estimates for tETSfS'
are contained in the accompanying re'
port of the Secretary of the Navy.
The enlarged receipts of the Po'tst Of-
fice Department, as shown by the ac
companying report of the Postmaster
General, exhibits gratifying increase
in the index of the growth of education
and of the prosperity of the people
two elements highly conducive to the
vigor and stability of reoublics. With
vast ter ltory like ours much of it
sparsely populated, but all requiring the
services of the mail, it is not at present
to be expected that this Department
can be made self-sustaining but a grad
ual approach to this end, from year to
jm; ia vonnuenuy relied upon, and the
dny is not far distant when the Post
Office Department of the Government
will prove a much greater blessing to
the whole people than it is now.
The suggestions of the Postmaster
General for improvements in the De
partment presided over by him, are
earnestly recommended to your special
attention especially to the documents
favorable to the consideration of the
plan for uniting the telegraph system
of the United States with the postal
system. It is believed that by such a
course the cost of telegraphing could be
much reduced and the service as well,
if not better rendered. It would secure
the further advantage by extending the
telegraph through portions of the coun
try where private enterprise will not
construct it. Commerce, trade, and,
above all, the efforts to bring a people
widely separated into a community of
interests, are always benehtted by a
rapid intercommunication. Education,
the groundwork of republican institu
tions, is encouraged by increasing the
facilities for gathering speedy news
from all parts of the country. The de
sire to reap the benefit of such rmprove
ments will stimulate education. I refer
you to the report of the Postmaster
General for full details of tho operations
of last year, and for comparative state
ments of the results with former years.
There has been imposed upon the Exe
cutive branch of the Government the
execution of the act of Congress, ap
proved April 20, 1871, and commonly
known as the Ku-Klux law," in a por
tion of the State of South Carolina.
The necessity of the course pursued will
be demonstrated by the report of the
committee appointed to investigate the
Southern outrages. Under the provi
sions of the above act, I issued a procla
mation, calling the attention of the
people of the United States to the same,
and declaring my reluctance to exercise
any of the extraordinary powers there
by conferred upon me, except in the
case of an imperative necessity, but
making known my purpose to exercise
such powers whenever it should become
necessary to do so for the purpose of
securing to all citizens of the United
States the peaceful enjoyment of the
rights guaranteed to them by the Con
stitution and the law.
After the passage of this law informa
tion was received, from time to time,
that combinations of the character re
ferred to in this law existed, and were
powerful in many parts of the Southern
States, particularly in certain counties
in the State of South Carolina. Careful
investigation was made, and it was as
certained that in nine counties of that
State such combinations were active
and powerful, embracing a sufficient
portion of the citizens to control the
local authority, and having, among
other things, the object of depriving
the emancipated class of the substan
tial benefits of freedom, and of privi
lege, and the free political action of
those citizens who did not sympathize
with their own views. Among their
operations were frequent scourgings and
occasional assassinations, generally per
petrated at night by disguised persons,
the victims, in almost all cases, being
citizens of different political sentiments
from their own, or free persons who
had shown a disposition to claim equal
rights with other citizens. Thousands
of inoffensive and well-disposed citi
zens were the sufferers by this lawless
violence. Thereupon, on the 13th of
October, 1871, a proclamation was is
sued, suspending the privilege of the
writ of habeas corpus, in nine counties in
that State. Direction was given that
within the counties so designated per
sons supposed, upon creditable infor
mation, to be members of such unlaw
ful combinations, should be arrested by
the military forces of the United States,
and delivered to the Marshal, to be
dealt with accordiug to law. In two of
the said counties (York and Spartans
burg) many arrests have been made.
At last account the number of pereons
thus arrested was 1C8. Several hun
dred whose criminality was ascertained
to be of an inferior degree, were re
leased for the present. These have
generally made confessions of -their
guilt. Great caution has been exer
cised in making test arrests. Notwith
standing the large number, it is be
lieved that no innocent person is now
in custody. The prisoners will be held
for regular trial in tho judicial trib
unals of the United States. As soon as
it appeared that the authorities of the
United States were about to take vig-'
orous measures to enforce the law,
many persons absconded, and there is
good ground for supposing that all such
persons nave Deen violating ins taw. -A
full report of what has been done under
this law will be submitted to Congress
by the Attorney General.
In Utah there still remains a remnant
of barbarism repugnant to civilization,
decency and the laws of the United
States. Territorial officers, however,
have been found who are willing to per
form their duty in a spirit of equity,
and with a due sense of sustaining the
majesty of the law. Neither polygamy,
nor any other violation of existing
statutes, will be permitted within the
territory of the United States. It is
not with the religion of the self-sty ed
saints that we are now dealing, but
with their practices. They will be pro
tected in the worship of God according
to the dictates of their consciences, but
they will not be permitted to violate
the laws under the cloak of religion,
it may be advisable for Congress to con- I
sider what, in the execution of the laws
against polygamy, is to be the status of
the plural wives and their offspring.
The propriety of Congress passing an
enabling act, authorizing the Territorial
Legislature of Utah to legitimatize all
children born prior to a time fixed in
the act might be justified by its human
ity to those innocent children. This is
a suggestion only, and not a recom
mendation. The policy pursued toward the In
dians has resulted favorably so far as
can be judged from the limited time
during which it has been in operation.
Through the exertion of the various
societies of Christians to whom has
been entrusted the execution of the
policy, and the Board of Commissioners
authorized by the law of April 10, 1869,
many tribes of Indians have been in
duced to settle upon reservations, to
cultivate the soil and perform product
ive labor of various kinds, and to par
tially accept civilization. Thev are
being cared for in such a way, it is
hoped, as to induce those still pursuing
a
their old habits of life to embrace the
only opportunity which is left them to
avoid extermination. I recommend
liberal appropriations to carry out the
Indian peace policy, not only because
it is humane, Christian-like and eco
nomical, but because it right. I recom
mend to your favorble consideration,
also, the policy of granting a territorial
government to the Indians in the In
dian Territory west of Arkansas and
Missouri and south of Kansas. In do
ing so every right is guaranteed to the
Indians by the treaty.
I have addressed a communication, of
which a copy is transmitted herewith,
to the Governors of New York, Penn
sylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illi
nois, and Wisconsin, urging upon the
Governments of those States, respec
tively, the necessary action on their
part, to carry into effect the object of
the article of the treaty which contem
plates the use of the canals on either
side, connected with the navigation of
the lakes and rivers forming the boun
dary, in terms of equity, by the inhabi
tants of both countries. It is hoped
that the importance of the object and
the benefits to flow therefrom, will se
cure the speedy approval and legislative
sanction of the States concerned.
I renew the recommendation for an
appropriation for determining the true
position of the 49th parallel of latitude,
where it forms the boundary between
the United States and the British North
American possessions between the Lake
of the Woods and the summit of the
Rocky Mountains. The early action of
Congress in the recommendation named
would put it in the power of the War
Department to place a force in the field
during the next summer.
The resumption of diplomatic rela
tions between France and Germany has
enabled me to give directions for the
withdrawal of the protection extended
to the Germans in France by the diplo
matic and consular representatives of
the United btates in that country. It
is just to add that the delicate duty of
this protection has been performed by
the Minister and Consul at Paris, and
the various Consuls in France, under
the supervision of the latter, with great
kindness, as well as with prudence and
tact. Their course has received the
commendation of the German Govern
ment, and has wounded no susceptibil
ity of the French.
The Government of the Emperor of
Germany continues to manifest a friend
ly feeling toward the United States, and
a desire to harmonize with the mode
rate and just policy with this Govern
ment maintains with the Asiatic
Powers, as well as with the South
American Republics. I have given
assurance that the friendly feelings of
that Government are fully shared by
the United States. The ratification of
the consular and naturalization connec
tions with the Austrian Empires have
been exchanged. I have been officially
informed of the annexations of the
States of the Church to the Kingdom
of Italy, and the removal ot the capital
of that Kingdom to Rome. In con
formity with the established policy of
the United States, I have recognized
this change. The ratification of the
new treaty of commerce between the
United States and Italy has been ex
changed, and the Powers have agreed
in their treaty that property at sea shall
be exempt from capture in case of war
between the two Powers.
The United States have spared no
opportunity of incorporating this rule
into the obligations of nations. The
Forty-hrst Congress, at its third session.
made an appropriation for the organiza
tion of a mixed commission of adjudica
tion upon the claims of the citizens of
the United btates against Spam, crow
ing out of the insurrection in Cuba.
that Commission has since been organ
ized. I transmit herewith the corres
pondent relating to its formation and
its jurisdiction. It is to bo hoped that
this Commission will afford the claim
ants a complete remedy for their inju
ries. It has been made the agreeable duty
of the United States to preside over a
conference at Washington, between the
plenipotentiaries of Spain and the
allied South American Republics, which
has resulted in an armistic, with the
reasonable assurance of a permanent
peace.
The intimate and friendly relations
which have so long existed between the
United States and Russia continues un
disturbed. The visit of the third son of
the Russian Emperor is a proof that
there is no desire on the part of his
Government to diminish the cordiality
of those relations. The hospitable re
ception which has been given to the
Grand Duke is a proef that on our side
we share the wishes of that govern
ment. The inexcusable course of the Rus
sian Minister at Washington rendered
it necessary to ask for his recall, and to
decline to longer receive that function
ary as a diplomatic representative. It
was impossible, with self-respect, or with
just regard to the dignity of the coun
try, to permit Mr. Catacazy to hold in
terviews with this government after his
abuse of government officials, and dur
ing his persistent interference, through
various means, with the relations be
tween the United States and other pow
ers. In accordance with my wishes,
our government has been relieved of
further intercourse with Mr. Catacazy,
and the management of the affairs of
the Imperial nation has passed into the
hands of a gentleman entirely unobjec
tionable. With Japan we continue to maintain
intimate relations. The Cabinet of thei
Mikado has since the close of the last
session of Congress, selected citizens of
the United States to serve in offices of
importance in several departments of
the Government. I have reason to
think that this selection is due to an
appreciation of the disinterestedness of
the policy which the United States have
pursued toward Japan. It is our desire
to continue to maintain this disinterest
ed and just policy with China as well as
Japan. The correspondence transmit
ted herewith shows that there is no dis
position on the part of this Government
to swerve from its established course.
Prompted by a desire to put an end
to the barbarous treatment of our ship
wrecked sailors on the Corean coast, I
instructed our Minister at Pekin to en
deavor to conclude a convention with
Corea for securing the safety and huj
mane treatment of such mariners. Ad,
miral Rogers was instructed to accom
a
a
pany him with a sufficient force to
protect him in case of need. A small
surveying party sent out, on reaching
the coast, was treacherously attackedat
a disadvantage. Ample opportunity
was given for explanation and apology,
for the insult. Neither come. A force
was then landed. After an arduous
march over a rugged and difficult coun
try, the forts from which the outrages
had been committed were gallantly as
saulted, and were destroyed. Having
thus punished the criminals, and having
vindicated the honor of the flag, the
expedition returned, finding it imprac
ticable, under the circumstances, to
conclude the desired convention. I re
spectfully refer to the correspondence
relating thereto, herewith submitted,
and leave the subject for such action as
Congress may see fit to take.
The national debt has been reduced
to the extent of $86,057,826.80 during
the year, and by the negotiation of na
tional bonds at a lower rate of interest,
the interest on the public debt has
been so far diminished that the sum to
be raised for interest account is nearly
$17,000,000 less than on the 1st of
March, I860. It was highlv desirable
that this rapid diminution should take
place, both to strengthen the credit of
the country and to convince its citizens
of their ability to entirely meet every
dollar of liability without bankrupting
them but in view of the accomplish
ment of these desirable ends, of the
rapid development of the resources of
the country, its increasing ability to
meet the large demands, and the
amount already paid, it is not desirable
that the present resources of the coun
try should continue to be taxed in or
der to continue this rapid payment.
I, therefore, recommend a modification
of both the internal tax laws. I recom
mend that all taxes from internal
sources be abolished, except those on
spirituous wines and malt liquors, to
bacco in its various forms, and from
stamps. In readjusting the tariff, I
suggest that a careful estimate be made
of the amount of surplus revenue col
lected under the present law after pro
viding for the current expenses of the
Government, the interest account, and
sinking fund, and that this surplus be
reduced in such manner as to afford the
greatest relief to the greatest number.
There are many articles not produced
at home, such as medicines and com
pounded essences, from which very lit
tle revenue is derived, but which enter
into general use. All such articles I
recommend to be placed on the free
list. Should a further reduction prove
advisable, I would then recommend
that it be made upon those articles
which can bear it without disturbing
home production or reducing th wages
of American labor: I have not entered
into figures, because to do so would be
to repeat all that is laid before you in
the report of the Secretary of the
Treasury.
The present laws for collecting the
revenues pay the Collectors of Customs
small salaries, but provide for shares in
all seizures, which, at the principal
ports of entry particularly raise the
compensation of these officials to a
large sum. It has always seemed to me
as if this system must at times work
perniciously. It holds out inducement
to dishonest men, should such get pos
session of those offices, to be lax in their
scrutiny of goods entered, to enable
them finally to make large seizures.
Your attention is respectfully invited
to this subject.
Continued fluctuations in the value of
gold, compared with the national cur
rency, has a most damaging effect upon
the increase and development of the
country in keeping up prices of all arti
cles necessary in every-day life. It fos
ters a spirit of grumbling prejudicial
alike to national morals and the national
finances. If the question can be met
as to how to get a fixed value to our
currency,- that value constantly and
uniformly approaching her with specie,
very desirable object will be gained.
For the operations of the army in the
past year, the expense of maintaining
it, the estimates for the ensuing year,
and for continuing sea-coast and other
improvements conducted under the su
pervision of the War Department, I
refer you to the accompanying report of
the Secretary of War. I call your at
tention, to the provisions of an act of
Congress approved March 3, 1869, which
discontinues promotions in the staff
corps of the army until provided for by
law. I recommend that the number of
officers in each grade of the staff corps
be fixed, and that whenever the num
ber in any one grade falls below the
number so fixed, that the vacancy may
be fixed by promotion from the grade
below. I also recommend that when
the office of chief of a corps becomes
vacant, the place may be filled by selec
tion from the corps in which the vacan
cy exists.
The report of the Secretary of the
Navy chows an improvement in the
number and efficiency of the naval
force, without material increase in the
expense of supporting it. This is due
to the policy which has been adopted,
and is being extended as fast as our ma
terial will admit, of using smaller ves
sels as cruisers on the several stations.
By these means we have been enabled
to occupy at once a larger extent of
cruising ground, to visit more frequent
ly the posts where the presence of our
flag is desirable, and generally to dis
charge more efficiently the appropriate
duties of the navy in time of peace.
It has been the aim of the Admistra
tion to enforce honesty and efficiency
in all public affairs. Every public ser
vant who has violated the trust placed
in him has been proceeded against with
all the rigor of the law. If bad men
have secured places it has been the
fault of the system established by law
and custom of making appointments,
or the fault of those who recommend
for Government positions persons not
sufficiently well known to them per
sonally, or who give letters indorsing
the character of office seekers, without
proper sense of the grave responsi
bilities which such a course devolves
upon them. A- Civil Service Reform
which can correct this abuse is much
desired. In mercantile pursuits the
business man who gives a letter of re
commendation to a friend to enable
him to obtain credit from a stranger, is
regarded as morally responsible for the
integrity of his friend, and his ability
to meet his obligations. A reformation
which would enforce this principle
against all indorsers of persons for pub
lic place, would insure great caution in
making recommendations. A salutary
lesson has boen taught the careless and
the dishonest servant in the great num-'
ber of prosecutions and convictions in
the last two years. It is gratifying to
notice the favorable change which is
taking place throughout the country in
bringing to punishment those who have
proved recreant to the trusts confided
to them, and in the elevating to public
office none but those who possess the
confidence of the honest and virtuous,
who, it will always be found, comprise
the majority of the community in which
they live. In my message to Congress
one year ago, I urgently recommended
a reform in the civil service of the
country. In conformity with that re
commendation, Congress, in the ninth
section of an act making appropriations
for sundry civil expenses of the govern
ment and for other purposes, approved
March 3, 1871, gave the necessary au
thority to the Executive to inaugurate a
civil service reform, and placed upon
him the responsibility of doing so. Un
der the authority of said act, I convened
a board of gentlemen eminently quali
fied for the work, to devise rules and
regulations to effect the needed reform.
Their labors are not yet completed, but
it is believed that they will succeed in
devising a plan which can be adopted
to the great relief of the Executive, the
heads of departments and members of
Congress, and which will redound to the
true interest of the public service. At
all events the experiment shall have a
fair trial.
Under the provisions of the act of
Congress, approved February 21, 1871,
a Territorial Government was organized
in the District of Columbia. Its results
have thus far fully realized the expecta
tions of its advocates. Under the di
rection of the territorial officers, a sys
tem of improvements has been inaugu
rated by which Washington is rapidly
becoming a city worthy of the nattonal
capital, the citizens of the District hav
ing voluntarily taxed themselves to a
large amount for the purpose of con
tributing to the advance of the seat of
government. I recommend liberal ap
propriations on the part of Congress in
order that the Government may bear
its just share of the expense of carrying
out the various systems of improvement.
By the great fire in Chicago, the most
important of the'government buildings
in that city were consumed. Those
burned had already become inadequate
to the wants of the government in that
growing city, and looking to the near
future, were totally inadequate. I re
commend, therefore, that an appropria
tion be made immediately to purchase
the remainder of the square on which
thejburned building stood, provided it
can be purchased at a lair valuation,'
and provided the Legislature of Illinois
will pass a law authorising its condemna
tion for Government purposes, and also
an appropriation of as much money as
can properly be expended towards the
erection of new buildings during the
fiscal year.
I have thus hastily summed up the
operations of the Government during
the last year, and made such sugges
tions as occur to me to be proper for
your consideration. I submit them
with a confidence that your combined
action will be wise, statesmanlike and
in the best interest of the whole com
U. S. GRANT, President.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, December 4, 1871.
Ladies, Stand Up.
In view of the demand for female
suffrage, it is proposed that the follow
ing political catechism for ladies desir
ous of entering the arena of politics be
propounded, for answers, to all candi
dates
What is the best seasoning for ballot
box stuffing
In opening a marking list, would you
use silk or worsted
Do you consider election-eering the
jewelry of the campaign
Would you measure the canvass of a
ward by the yard
Is it measures, not men," that you
desire
Do you consider caucuses Irishmen
from Cork?
Would you stand up to vote a motion
down?
Would you propose musk or cologne
when the scents of the meeting was
called for
Ought a chip hat to be worn in log
rolling for an election
Are you too modest to press the ques
tion
Are you familiar with the music of
political organs
What sort of a vehicle is a political
hack?
How old must a woman be to be en
titled to the right of suffer-age
Are good teeth requisite for stump
speeches?
Do you believe in the doctrine, to
the victor belongs the spoils," and, if
so, do you consider a man spoils in po
litical life?
Would yu sit on a standing commit
tee? Would you insist on having your
weigh when the vote was declared to be
a light one Boston Commercial Bulletin.
A curious fact is related of the Maine
wood-choppers, who, in the winter
months, while felling trees amid snow
and ice, cannot wear close-fitting boots,
but very large sizes, that allow their
feet to slip to and fro, thus creating
friction and warmth. But from this
they have their feet completely en
crusted with corns. In the spring,
when they raft their logs, they do not
change their clothing or boots for weeks,
until they arrive at the saw-mills. All
the while their feet havebeen saturated
with water, and when the boots are re
moved the corns fall off like nutshells
from the kernel.
A wealthy young farmer in another
county, says the Zanesville Courier, made
a vow at the time of his marriage, that
he would plant forty peach or apple
trees for each child born during the first
ten years of his married life. He has
been married seven years, and has about
320 trees. He talks about going back
on his vow. He hasn't the land to
spare.
Among the competitors for the darn
ing prize lately offered in the Georgia
State Fair one lady presented a stocking
so neatly mended that the judges
couldn't find the mark of a needle about
the darned thing.
A Man Falls Dead and Revives Again.
From the Virginia City (Nev.) Enterprise, Nov. 10th.
A new importation to this city kicked
up such a row about town night before
last that the police and many others be
gan to think about half the people in
town were dropping down dead in their
tracks. First, a man had dropped down
dead at a house on such a street, then a
man had fallen down in a dying condi
tion in another place, and soon it was in
another place that a man lay dying."
At length it was discovered that one
man was doing all the dying. He had
then died about half a dozen times, and
had been as often restored to life that
he was almost too drunk to die naturally.
He first went into a house on D Street,
took a fit and fell so dead that with all
the stimulants that could be poured
down his gullet he refused to come to
life until the woman of the house be
came half frightened out of her wits,
and blew her whistle for a policeman,
when lo a miracle, the dead man got
upon his pins and ran away. He next
went into another house of the same
class and the same street and died there,
falling headlong to the floor with such
utter abandon as to shake the whole
house. The women were terribly
frightened they poured water on his
face, bathed his head, and as fast as he
revived a little, turned brandy (the
only thing besides whisky or gin that
he could swallow) down his throat. He
went for brandy like a kitten after new
milk, and as soon as he had swallowed
all in sight relapsed in the hope of ti
ing revived again with the congenial
resuscitator. Finding that a physician
had been sent for, he recovered, and
got out of the house. When he next
fell dead we do not know, but during
the night he went to Storr's dance
house, on South C Street, and fell,
dead as a door-nail. Water outside and
brandy inside, with talk of bringing in
a policeman, sat him on his pins, and
he departed. He afterward went to
Evan's chop-house, corner of C and
Union streets, and, going back to the
filter, drew a glas3 of water, and, while
trying to drink, took two or thre steps
backward, jumped high in the air, then
came down like a thousand of brick
between two tables, to the great con
sternation of the two waiters. There
he lay at full length, his head thrown
back, and only the whites of his eyes
visible, to all appearance as dead as a
door-nail. The boys sopped him and
mopped him with cold water, rubbed
his head, and did all they could for
him, but he was to all appearance stone
dead. His face was white, no pulse
could be felt, and his eyes were set in
his head with not a bit of" speculation"
in theml One of the waiters was about
going for a doctor, when the dead man
suddenly lifted his head and, began
laughing."" Leavings the dumfounded
waiters, he stalked away, no doubt to
die in som place where his favorite
revivers were more likely to be found.
Those who saw his performance and
assisted in restoring him, say that
they would have sworn that he was dy
ing and then a dead man, not believing
such a piece of acting possible with any
human being. He seemed, they say, to
have the power of instantly stopping
the beating of his pulse, and of chang
ing the healthful appearance of his
face to the pallor of death.
A Rare Relic.
A rare relic has been sent to Bologna,
in Italy, by Prince Piombino, an Italian
nobleman, which is to be placed on pub
lic exhibition at the International Con
gress of Archaeologists, who are shortly
to meet in that city. This relic is the
skeleton of a petrified man which has
long been in possession of the Prince's
family. The historical origin of this
skeleton is unknown it is only known
that it was sent as a gift to Pope Greg
ory XV.; but the members of the
Prince's family assert their knowledge
of the fact, according to the family tra
ditions, that this precious gift was
brought to Rome and presented to Pope
Gregory XV. by a Japanese deputation.
During the days of this Pontiff the
skeleton was exposed to public inspec
tion but it was somewhat mutilated at
this time by sight-seers. From that
time forth the chest containing the
skeleton was hermetically sealed. The
interior of the chest was lined with vel
vet, while the outside was covered with
skin and gilded clasps, and with the
papal arms engraved upon the key
cover. Since that time the skeleton
has never been shown to the public,
having been kept under took, and key
in the chest.
Bacon Answered.
Most towns of any pretension possess
one or more inhabitants specially odi
ous to all the rest, by having, as the
Irishman said of them, very winning
ways to make himself hated." This
disagreeable pre-eminence was possessed
to a high degree, in a certain town in
Vermont, by a man named Bacon.
One winter day Mr. Bacon was bor
ing a butcher of the village in his
shop, when in strolled a well-known
doctor of divinity to make a purchase.
Mr. Bacon forthwith left the butcher
and turned his banter upon the cler
gyman. Can you tell me, Doctor
said he, placing his hand on a frozen
porker which was stretched full length
near by Can you tell me, sir, why
the head of this hog is called a minister's
facer1
I will try, sir, if you will tell me
whv this (the other extremity) is
calied bacon," was the ready reply of
the doctor, and exit Mr. Bacon in bad
odor.
Australian Preserved Meat.
Experiments have recently been made
in England on the comparative econo
my ot using Australian preserved
meat and butcher's meat. Australian
meat is prepared without bone, and is
sold in a cooked state in England at
from twelve to fourteen cents a pound.
A leg of mutton costing nineteen cents
a pound, weighed before roasting nine
pounds and ten ounces, and after roast
ing six pounds and twelve ounces. The
weight of the cooked meat was four
pounds and thirteen ounces, of the
bones one pound and thirteen ounces,
and of the gravy ten ounces. At this
rate a slice of roast mutton in England
costs thirty-eight cents a pound.
From Punch.
Chicago Rediviva.
Chicago's been burnt down in timber to-day,
Chicago '11 be built up in marble to-morrow
Chicago has capital losses to pay.
Or Chicago has credit her losses to borrow.
No fabulous Phoenix with flames circled thick.
Give us henceforth, as swift resurrection s
imctffo
In its stead paint up heralds, an Illinois Chick,
With the legend in gold letters tacked to it
Ago."
For this Illinois Chick from her circlet of flame.
Looks calmly and coolly, victorious o'er ruin,
And this word has a right to, in more than in
name.
For Aao't I do." and Chicago is doing.
Current Items.
They are building a new Opera House
at Chattanooga, Tenn., at a cost of
$125,000.
Wm. S. Frist shot and killed himself
in Wilmington, Del. Cause love, opi
ates, and liquor.
The Jarves collection of Italian paint
ings has been bought by Yale College
for $22,000.
Inbian Joe," a Piute medicine man,
well known among the whites, was
stoned to death by his tribe, having
failed to restore to health two sick In
dians. The practice of medicine among
Indians evidently has its unpleasant
features.
The London Morning Post will soon
celebrate its one hundredth anniversary
having been established in 1772.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge was at one
time its editor, and Southey and Lamb
contributors.
At Birmingham, near Pittsburgh, they
were burning the bedding upon which
a man had died of small-pox, when the
old mother of the deceased rushed into
the flames and snatched a roll of bills
worth $500 from the mattrass. She had
forgotten that the money was concealed
in the bedding when she sent it away.
Rev. Alexander Ellis (colored), of
Boston, has recovered $400 damages
from the Narragansett Steamship Com-
Eany for refusing him a seat at the ta
le of the steamer Providence.
The remains of the wife and child of
Buckskin, alias Pyburn the desperado,
who was shot near San Rafeal, Lower
California, by the Sheriff of Los Ange
los some months since, have been found
near Guadalupe Rancho. It is supposed
that the woman became insane and
wandered away and died.
John Brown, Joe Brown, and John
Hanx, the Sonoma (Cal.), stage robbers
and mutderers, have been held for trial.
Hanx turned States evidence. He says
there were nine engaged in the gang,
but one was killed in a recent attack on
a stage. Officers are now in pursuit of
the remainder of the gang.
As the mail stage from Rockland to
Belfast (Me.) was passing through Rock
port, recently, a large hog that was in
the road rushed at the team, caught the
leader's hind leg in his mouth and bit it
severely, tearing the flesh and tendons
in such a manner as to spoil the horse.
The stage people intend to make a claim
upon the owner of the hog for the value
of the horse.
A public man in this country was
once accused of drunkenness, and one
of his friends was very indignant. Some
one suggested that public persons were
always lied about. Oh, I don't care
for lies," he said, but the trouble with
this story is, they prove it"
The cultivation of the tea plant seems
to be successful in Georgia and other
Southern States. A Mr. J. J. McCoy,
writing from Kentucky to the Ironton
(Ohio) Journal says that for three years
he has grown his own tea. The plant
produces yearly four or five crops of
leaves, and on a space only thirty feet
square he can raise enough to last a
small family for a year. Several mer
chants and tea-drinkers, he says, have
tasted his tea and pronounced it equal
to tne best imported.
Alarm bells of a new style have re
cently been attached to thirty-four loco
motives of a railroad company in Michi
gan. The bell is placed immediately in
front, and is so attached that at each
revolution of the driving-wheels it is
struck once by a hammer. It is claimed
that the position of the bell causes the
sound to be thrown forward, and is con
ducted by the earth and railroad track
so that it can be heard a considerable
distance ahead of the train.
A party of mischievous boys near
Kankakee, 111., last week, stuffed an
suit of clothes with straw, with sticks of
wood for legs, and buried it in the
ground. They then killed a couple of
chickens, and sprinkled the blood
plenteously over and in the vicinity of
the grave. As they expected, the grave
and the blood were discovered, suspi
cions of murder were raised, the Coro
ner was summoned, a jury empanelled,
and an inauest prepared for. Coroner,
jury, and bystanders all acknowledged
themselves "sold" wnen ine straw
dummy was exhumed.
What Rats Will Do.
Farmers who have large amounts of
corn do not realize what quantities rats
will take away to their nests and stor
ing places. Thousands of bushels are
annually consumed by the pests, and as
it is the small drainages usually which
take off the profit of farming, the mat
ter of securely storing corn should be
attended to.
An exchange gives an account of the
work of rats in a hardware store, from
which something of an estimate can be
made. Forty-five pounds of choice white
pop-corn was left in a box on the floor,
near the centre of the store. Next
morning the box was nearly empty, and
upon examination it was found that
during the night the rats conveyed off
thirty-one and two-thirds pounds of the
corn, and concealed it in three different
parts of the building. About ten
pounds were taken through a small
hole in the door between the store and
the warehouse, some of which wps con
cealed under the stairs in that part of
the building, while four pounds were
carried up the stairs composed of',
twelve steps and hid away in a pile
of paper rags lying on the floor of the
second story of the warehouse. The
rats evidently worked faithfully all
night, and no doubt chuckled hugely
next day over the princely supply of
corn laid away for the wintei's use.