The Galveston Daily News. (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 45, No. 250, Ed. 1 Saturday, January 1, 1887 Page: 4 of 8
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Texas Digital Newspaper Program and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Abilene Library Consortium.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
THE GALVESTON DAILY NEWS. SATURDAY. JANUARY 1,1867.
'A'ho Jlaxly Hems
A. H. BF.LO & CO., Publishers.
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION.
Daily.
PER COPY «
ONE MONTH 1 00
THREE MONTHS a 00
61X MONTHS (by mall) 5 !>0
TWELVEMONTHS (by mail)....$10 00
Weekly.
ENLARGED AND IMPROVED,
COIIipi islllg twelve i'aoks ok hkvkntv two
columns, made up from the cream of the
•lutlv editions, is tho largutt and cheapest
newspaper In the South.
1 COPY 1 YEAR $1 50
CLUB OF 10 1 YEAR (each) 1 <0
CLUB OF 21 1 YEAR (each) 1 25
CLUB OF 50 1 YEAR (oaeli) 1 IS
Invariably In Advance.
FREE OF POSTAGE TO ALL PARTS OF TIIK
UNITED STATES AND CANADA.
liemlt by draft on (In Ives ton, l'ostodlje mo-
»«y order or registered letter. If sent other-
vibe we will not bo responsible for miauar-
lluge. Address
A. II. BELO A CO., Galveston, Tex.
Specimen copies sent free on application.
ALL PAPERS DISCONTINUED AT THE EXPI-
RATION OF THE TIME PAID FOR.
Look at the printed label on your paper.
Tin' (lute thereon shows when the subscription
expires. Forward the money In ample time
for renewal, If you desire unbroken flies, as
•we can not always furnish back numbers.
Subscribers desiring the address of their pa-
per changed. will please state In their commu-
nication both the old and new address.
ADVERTISING KATES.
Daily Edition.
[Classified Advertisements on Fifth Page.]
Tluee Lines—Nonpareil—One time, 50c; each
additional insertion, 25c; one week, $2; two
weeks, $3 40; three weeks, $4 45; per month,
55 60.
Six Lines—One time, ?1; each additional Inser-
tion, tOc; one w«>ek,!f4 00; two weeks, ?fl 83;
thiee weeks, $8 80; per month, $11 00. For
additional space, If the advertisement Is to
be Insetted with tlioso that are classified
charge will be made pro rata for excess oi
space
Advertisements oi Seven Lines and Over.
I When to be Inserted on any page publishers
may select. | Cts. per line.
Displayed or solid, nonpareil $ 15
Due week's consccutlvo Insertions Ii2
Two weeks' consecutive insertions 1(7
Three weeks' consecutive Insertions 1 25
J'ermonth, or over, consecutive Insertions 1 52
When ordered on first page, double price
eighth page, 50 per cent, additional; ou any
specified lnsldo page, 25 per cent, additional.
Reading Matter.
Nonpareil measurement, loadod or solid non
tiarell or minion solid, double price for space
•ecupled; specified pages, 50 per cent, extra.
Weekly Edition.
AnvBhTiBKMKNTS—Per nonpareil line, 20e for
first insertion; 15c two or more insertions.
Rkadino Matter—Nonpareil measurement -
leaded or solid nonpareil or minion solid,
double price for space occupied.
Weekly advertisements Inserted every other
■week charged at 20c per line each Insertion.
No advertisements taken for either edition
for a less space than three lines.
Double column advertisements, in either
edition, 25 per cent, additional.
Si'KCiAL Positions—Subject to special con
tract.
Terms strictly in advance. Those having
open accounts with us will be rendered bills
in i ull each month.
Discounts.
Contracts running far three months or more
me subject to the following discounts, pro-
vided the payment of the whole amounts are
nuide iu advance:
Three months 5 per cent, off
fix months 10 per cent, off
Nine months 15 per cent, pff
Twelve months 20 per cent, off
Branch OSfices of The News.
Eastern Office—Business and Advertising
— No. 117 Tribune building, New Yorfc. Est!
tt ntes made for advertising. The Galveston
mid Dallas Editions of The News on lilo. New
York Correspondent's Office, No. * Broad
ttrect.
Hocston—Rpportorial and Business Oflice,
at 113;, Main street, opposite Capitol hotel.
San Antomo—lieportorial and Business of
fice ?3 Soledad street.
Austin—Keportorial and Business Office, 810
Congress avenue.
Waco—Reportorlal and Business Oflice, 171
South Fourth street.
Foht WoRin—lieportorial and Business Of-
fice, in ollice of Fort Worth Gaslight company,
611 Houston street.
The News Is on sale and can be procured at
the following stands:
W. S. Roose, Metropolitan hotel, Washing-
ton, D. C.
J', ltoeder. 322 Olive street, St. Louis, Mo.
Ed. Jett, 802 Olive street, St. Louis, Mo.
James Overton, Southern hotel and Union
depot, St. Louis, Mo.
Geo. F. Wharton & Bro., 5 Carondelet street,
Kew Orleans.
Geo. Ellis, opposite postofllce, New Orleans.
(SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 1887.
THE STATE MILITIA AND THE AD-
JUTANT- GENERAL SI1IP.
Texas has not only the best military com-
pany in the Union, but three or four others
equal in every respect to the best of any
other State. These facts show the preva-
lence of a strong military spirit and an apt-
ness for military duties, rendered all the
More conspicuous by the general lack of en-
couragement on the part of the State.
Every State, or nearly every State, en-
courages its citizen soldiers by annual en-
campments at the expense of the State and
by furnishing each company arms, ammii-
■ition, uniforms and every other requisite.
Texas does nothing of this kind except to
furnish arms, which, at present, are old-
-fashioned and almost useless, according to
the best modern standards. Texas calls on
her soldiers in times of riots and other dis-
orders. She exacts obedience from them
fcot Rives no substantial encouragement iu
return. At present the whole of rtie state
ferces are thoroughly disorganized, each
company being assigned to some regi-
■oent and each regiment to some
brigade, but when the word " as-
signed " is used the whole case is
stated. There is an urgent need of closer
ties and the infusion of regimental and bri-
gade rivalry, or rather emulation, into the
organization, and this fact is recognized by
the best men in the state service, as is evi-
denced by the officers of the First regi-
ment, composed of the Houston, Galveston,
Tyler, Orange and several other companies,
making arrangements to hold an encamp-
ment next May at Houston, each company
paying its own expenses. Everything that
Jbas been done up to this time by the Texas
companies has been done without the
elighest encouragement on the part of the
State. There has of late years been no
bond of sympathy or interest between
the militia and the state authorities,
yand, apparently from being absorbed in
fcrticr matters, the action of the state au-
tljfcfi'itiee, though unintentional as to this
effeV, has been casually to discourage the
ai doK of the soldiers. If an active member
of the state militia could be chosen by
Governor Ross for the position of adju-
tant-general it would at once enliven the
department and create a feeling of kinship
among the volunteer " soldier boys." It
would cause them to look with greater af-
fection upon the department, and would
thus immediately do more to advance mili-
tary organization in Texas than anything
else. The News understands that the
citizen soldiers ask no changes in the
present law of the State; they ask
■o money for expenses; thay ask no
uniform. They ask for nothing ex-
cept a proper official recognition
ef their past services and their ptgsent
splendid standing before the military men
of the country. Sach recognition should
be in the form which would assure
the best interest of the military
organization and therefore the best
development of the defensive arm of the
State. This is not a politicians' view,
though politicians- should have nothing
against it. It is taken wholly apart from
personal politics. The idea is thrown out
that an active Texas militia man of full ca-
pacity and experience should fill the place
mentioned; that such an appointment
would be wisdom on the part of the incom-
ing governor, for its effects upon the militia
would beisucli as could not be arrived at in
any other way. Efficient military service
begins in organization, and this requires
the homogeneous quality. The essential
logic of the civil service is pre-eminently
true of the military service, and The
News views each according to the neces-
sity of inspiration and system, without re-
gard to personal questions or personal am-
bitions further than as these are fuel for
the engines of peace and the engines of
war, which must be kept under control.
/ S,S(;AND1T8 MEMORABLE EVENTS
To day marks another year gone and an-
other just begi n. With the sweep of the
centuries cometi the sweep of events in
every clime and country. Wars, pesti-
lences, intrigues, conspiracies, shipwrecks,
crimes, murders, storms, fires, deaths and
earthquakes follow each other iu rapid
and overwhelming succession. With the
birth of a new year it is natural to look
back upon the year just gone and try to
conceive the mighty tide of movement that
is never still for one moment. Action aud
progress go hand in hand. They consti-
tute the systole and dyastole of this mar-
velous age of enlightenment and civiliza-
tion. The one can not do without the other.
While constantly evolving some ne,v
truth, or some new phase of truth, visions
flit phantom like before the eyes of the
world of "wonders that will be,"
though perhaps ages will have
sunk into silent oblivion before
some of these wonders materialize.
Some years are more eventful, and more
deeply punctuated with catastrophes and
disasters than others. The year 183G was
such a year. It is the purpose here to give
only a summary outline of the most memo-
rable events of the period, local, national
and foreign.
From January 10 to the 13th Galveston
had a notable experience in cold weather.
The whole bay was sheeted with ice over
an inch in thickness, and snow fell to quite
a depth.
The Great Southwestern Strike.—Be-
ginning with the discharge from the em-
ploy of the Texas and Pacific road of a man
named Chas. A. Hall, on February 11, one
of the greatest strikes this country or any
country over experienced, perhaps,-wa» set
in motion. There was a general uprising
throughout the United States from ocean
to ocean of the organization known as the
Knights of Labor, whose leaders for the
first time demonstrated what a powerful
body they represented. From this time until
the beginning ct summer the Southwest
was in a state of general turmoil. Trains
were dernilcd and railroad systems
paralyzed, while freight traffic of
all kfnfls between the great trade
centers was virtually suspended.
7lie country looked forward to the issue
with much interest. Arbitration was
eventually proposed. H. II. Hoxle and
Jay Gould and Powderly interchanged
e xpressions. Hoxie came to the front with
some pertinent assertions with regard to the
methods adopted by the knights, and re-
luted to deal with them as intermediaries
between the Missouri-Pacific railway man-
agement and its ex employes. He main-
tained his refusal to the last. The strike
wore itself out against his inflexible firm-
ness, and its local leaders, under cover of
the gracious advice of a congressional sub-
committee, quietly accepted the situation.
As was feared, however, the strike was at-
tended with incidents of violence, train-
wrecking, bloodshed and slaughter. The
situation in Texas near Fort Worth became
serious. Un April 2 the militia was called
out. This was followed by the organization
of a posse comitatus bv the sheriff, and an
encounter took place between them and a
body of knights off Fort Worth. Three offi-
cers and one knight were killed and many
wounded. In East St. Louis a body of Pink-
erton's men and special police fired into a
crowd composed of citizens and strikers
and several were slain. The strike in its
various ramifications generally came to a
close about the 1st of May, with the loss of
millions of dollars in property and trade,
besides the loss of human life.
On April 1 Samuel J. Tilden died at
Graystone, Yonkers, N. Y., at the age of
72. His death oaused general regret. One
of the foremost scholars, thinkers and
statesmen of the age, he was long promi-
nent as the natural leader and revered
sage of the Democratic party; was the
Democratic president-elect, but defrauded
in the celebrated Hayes-Tilden contest,
and after several years retirement in a
state of physical invalidism, died, leaving
a great fortune, dedicated mostly to the
establishment of free libraries, jbut to be
generally scrambled over by litigious
heirs.
TheHaymarket Tragedy.—On the night
of May 3 Chicago was the scene of a fearful
tragedy. A body of anarchists assembled
and made what was considered by the
authorities an incendiary and riotous de
monstration. They were charged by the
police. A dynamite bomb was thrown into
the midst of the police, killing a number
and wounding many others. Seven an-
archists were subsequently arrested, tried
on the charge of conspiracy to murder,
convicted and sentenced to bo hanged on
December 1. A writ of supersedeas was
issued and execution stayed to await the
decision of the Illinois Supreme Court.
A. IC. Cutting.—About the latter part of
June a man named A. K. Cutting suddenly
became notorious by getting involved in
what was subsequently termed a Mexican
Imbroglio. CuttiDg was a newspaper man,
and having published a libelous article re-
lative to Mexicans in a paper published at
El Paso, Tex., on crossing the Rio Grande
into Mexico, he was arrested by the Mexi-
can authorities and thrown into a Mexican
dungeon. The matter created quite a sen-
sation. The state department at Wash-
ington, learning that Cutting was held in
Mexico for an offense committed on Amer-
ican territory, Secretary Bayard demanded
bis release in a manner to plainly indicate
that the United States government would
not tolerate any such exercise of extra ter-
ritorial jurisdiction by the Mexican authori-
ties. Cutting was obstinate, and not
accepting certain conciliatory prof-
fers, was finally sentenced to one
year's imprisonment in the Mexican
jail. He was released soon after, however,
on the pretext that he had been sufficiently
punished, but as the United States govern-
ment had persisted in the original demand
for his release it was thought that Cutting
was relieved from the execution of the sen-
tence in order to avoid a war. Subsequent-
ly Chas. E. Sedgwick was dispatched to
Mexico by Secretary Bayard to make a
thorough investigation of Cutting's case
and report to the secretary of state upon
hisieturn. Sedgwick fell into unfortunate
associations and did not make a distin-
guished success of his mission. The presi-
dent and Secretary Bayard stand firm,
however, and it i3 probable that the Mexi-
can claim of extra-territorial jurisdiction,
as to American citizens at least, will only
figure hereafter as a futile and barren pre-
tension Not long ago Cutting flashed out
again into prominence in connection with
some filibustering scheme for Ehe invasion
of certain Mexican territory. It is believed
that the movement has fallen flat, however,
as nothing
lately.
has been heard concerning it
The Interstate Drill.—On August 5 the
great interstate drill and encampment be
gan in Galveston. The sum of $15,000 had
been subscribed to the enterprise. It was
divideded into prizes, the greatest prize
being (fBOOO, for the best drilled infantry
company. The drill was a grand sunless
iu tvery feature. Over 1000 troops were en-
campeel and upward of 20,000 visitors ware
in the city, and the attendance every day at
the camp was very great. The first prize
of .+0000 was carried away by the famous
Houston Light Guard teani, adding another
laurel to their wreath of victory.
Democratic State Convention.—On Au-
gust 10 the Democratic State convention
was began in Galveston at the Beach skat-
ing rink, and lasted nearly four days, re-
sulting in the nomination of Sul Ross for
governor, who was subsequently eleoted by
the expected large majority, along with the
whole Democratic state ticket as nomi-
nated.
On August 20 Galveston was visited by
the severest wind and the highest sea which
she had experienced since the storm of
1670. Much destruction of property was
wrought. The Beach rink was washed
irom its foundation and the exterior of the
Beach hotel was considerably damaged.
All along the east beach, also, the destruc
tion of property was great.
Abdication of Prince Alexander.—On
the 21st of August Europe was startled
with the announcement that Prince Ales>
ander, of Bulgaria, had abdicated the
throne. Subsequent events revealod that
be was dethroned by conspiracy, concocted
in the interest of Russian ambition. This
daring action and the subsequent conduct
of the Russian agent—General Kaulbars—
came neai involving Europe in general
war. The Bulgarian throne remains va-
cant, opposition within and rivalries with-
out rendering the choice of a successor to
Alexander both difficult and hazardous.
On August 14 quite a tragedy was enacted
in Galveston, on Market street. A profes-
sional gambler named Charles Ouinlan was
shot dead by James Odeil, another gam-
bler, in the Two Brothers saloon. Odell,
under writ of habeas corpus before the
Criminal Court, secured a release on bond.
Charleston Earthquake.—O a August
31 Charleston, S. C., was visited by the
most terrible and destructive earthquake
ever known on this continent, according to
any historical account. It was peculiar
from the fact that it remained there in in-
termittent activity for over two months,
every day and night shocks being experi-
enced, and all more or less violent in their
nature. Portions of Charleston were laid
in ruins, handsome buildings cracked and
rendered unfit for use, and the whole city
bore evidence of the dread visitor. About
thirty lives were lost altogether, and the
people of Charleston were panic3tricken.
For miles outside of the city the ground
had clacked, and iu many places dimiuu-
tive geysers had spurted up from the
fissures in the earth. While the shock
mainly confined itself to Charleston aud
its vicinity, it was pretty general over con-
tiguous regions. Numerous theories have
been advanced as to the causes and origin
of this great earthquake, none of which,
however, have commanded scientific ac-
ceptance. At all events, Charleston, the
" proud city by the sea," was a complete
wreck of her former self by the time the
earthquake had done its work, necesitating
the expenditure of millions of dollars to re-
pair the wreck and ruin. A generous re-
sponse to calls for rolief came from all
quarters, and none really destitute or needy
were allowed to suffer, but the bulk of the
damage—about $S,000,000—had to be borne
by local capitalists and property-owners.
This earthquake had the effect of startling
the whole country, as the United States wa3
thought to be pretty much out of the line of
these seismic disturbances of a dangerous
character.
The Sabine Pass Disaster.—One of the
most appalling and destructive storms the
country ever experienced occurred at Sa-
bine Pass on October 12. The flood from
the sea literally swept the town away,
elrowning some 100 persons at the Pass, in
Texas, and on Johnson's bayou, in Louisi-
ana. The effect of the storm was also felt
at Galveston.
On October 20 one of the most daring ex-
press robberies on record was enacted on
the Adams express car at a place called
Pacific Junction, on the St. Louis and San
Francisco road. About $80,000 was stolen.
Recently the robbers were tracked by de-
tectives and bagged.
Toward the latter part of October the
great Dallas fairs were inaugurated, with
all due elaboration and system. They
lasted about a week, attracted immense
crowds, and proved a great financial suc-
cess for the projectors, and a great success
in every sense for Dallas and its wide-
trading constituency.
On October 28 the great Bartholdi statue,
Liberty Enlightening the World, was un-
veiled on Bedloe's island, in New York
harbor, with a great display of pomp and
enthusiasm. This statue is thought to be
the tallest in the world at present, includ-
ing the height of the pedestal, which' makes
it reach a total height of 30B feet from the
ground.
Quite a sensation was caused throughout
the country at the beginning of November
last, which had its origtn in New York in
what is known as the " George movement."
Henry George was the labor candidate for
mayor of New York city, and though lie
was defeated, the large vote he gaineel
(about a third of the aggregate vote of the
city), attracted the attention of the most
thoughtfnl politicians. In fact, it is thought
that he will be a very prominent political
factor in 1888. A. H. Hewitt, who had re-
presented the Tenth congressional district
of New York for many years, |was elected
over George in the contest.
On November 10 Chester A. Arthur, ex-
president of the United States, died at his
residence in New York. He had been in
failing health for a long time and his death
was not altogether unexpected. He suc-
ceeded Jas. A. Garfield to the presidency
after the latter had been assassinated by
Guiteau at Washington.
Herbert M. Hoxie, general manager of
the Gould System of Southwestern rail-
ways, died in New York on November 23,
after a lingering illness. In important re
spects he was perhaps the greatest practi-
cal railroad man of the day. His body was
interred in Des Moines, la.
On Saturday, December 11, another train
robbery occurred on the Fort W orth and
Denver, not far from Bowie, Texas. A few
thousand dollars in all was secured. It was
a very cool and daring piece of work. The
perpetratprs were aot caught.
Early in December Alfred Tennyson com-
pleted a new poem called Locksley Hall
Sixty Years After, which was cabled to the
country and widely printed. As regards its
poetic and sentimental merits it is gener-
ally admitted to be after the original avery
long way.
Congress met again on December 6 and 5
the president's message was read before
the assembly.
On December 23 the world-famed canta-
trice, Adelina Patti, appeared at the Tre-
mont opera-house to a large audience. It
was the first time the distinguished prima
donna had ever visited Texas, and she was
given a right royal reception.
On Sunday, December 26, John A. Logan
died at Washington after a brief but paiu-
ful illness. General Logan, if not a states-
man or a great man, was a splendid sol-
dier, and as a stalwart and -inccessful poli-
tician was one of the most remarkable men
of his time. He was commonly recognized
83 the most illustrious type of the volunteer
soldiery in the Union cause. Several cities
claimed him for burial, and Chicago was at
last chosen as the place.
During December London experienced a
great sensational divorce ease. Ladv Colin
Campbell and Lord Campbell were the par-
ties. The case proved to be one of the
most revolting in its nature that had ever
come before the courts. It lasted quite a
while, and resulted in what might be called
a. verdict of " not proved," leaving Lady
Colin lelieved of every charge made against
her.
In Great Britain last summer, politics got
reilhot with a contest over Gladstone's
measure of home rule for Ireland. Glad
stone was defeated by a coalition of
Liberal Unionists, represented by Ilarting-
ton and Chamberlain, with the Tories, re-
presented by Salisbury and CUnrchlll.
Going out of office, he was succeeded as
premier by Salisbury with a cabinet which,
inherently weak, and perplexed equally by
the Irish problem and the foreign pro-
blem, seems to be verging toward dissolu-
tion.
Such is a concise, enrsorv though by no
means exhaustive review of salient occur-
rences and developments—commotions of
nature, commotions of &umanitv, personal,
social, political incidents—comprised in the
recorded division of timo known as 18S0.
But, after all, what is the old year but a
memory, a dream of things that were aud
are no more, gone to feed the infinite hun-
ger of time—the Saturnian Past. And what
is the Present but the spirit and process of
deathless nature, defying that appetite, and
escaping from that tomb, and materialized
in a ceaseless Now, where the pulse of iifd
beats forever, whero the star of faith and
hope shines forever? Let the pessimist dis-
miss his wretched philosophy. Death is an
illusion; age, decay, deterioration are illu-
sions; and this very New Year morn "the
world's unwithered countenance is bright
as at creation's day."
THE
PROItLEM OF MUNICIPAL
GOVERNMENT.
The late action of Judge Pardee, of the
United States court, with regard to the debt
oftheciiy of Houston—incurred, as the
citizens hold, through fraud and without
a fair consideration—is causing some dis-
cussion among the papers of some other
cities that are drifting into a like
vortex. Efforts have been made by
Texas through her constitution to
limit the amounts of taxation and
debt by municipal governments, though
with but little effect. It is believed that
Galveston has transcended such limits, but
no attempts are made to evade any respon-
sibility to creditors, and plans are continu-
ally suggested to increase expenditures and
indebtedness. A contemporary speaks of
the wsntof perfection in municipal sys-
tems of government as something far
greater than that in the govern-
ments of the slate and nation; but
it may be doubted whether the
saire assumptions of authority and loose
construction of organic law does not per-
vade the administration of all three, though
the abuse is comparatively greatest in
cities and towns. Fraud and disregard of
law are more at fault than the laws them-
selves. Even as thoughtful a publication
as Popular Science, however, regards these
abuses rather as the outgrowth of the sys-
tem, or want of system, in mu-
nicipal government than the loose
practices of those who control
the tffairs of city corporations. That pub-
lication says: "There has never been de-
velqjed anything which, even by courtesy,
i onld be called a science of municipal gov-
ernment." This is a pretty broad asser-
tion. Fifty years ago that thoughtful writer
and political economist, M. de Tocque-
ville, studied the system of local govern-
ment in the United States and admired it
as one of the best American institutions.
Popular Science now says:
Monstrosities which are the legitimate fruit
of the hap hazard s-ystem, or rutiier lack of
system, which characterizes the government
of many cities, civil administrations and bur-
dens of taxation that had become almost un
endurable; the astounding frauds which have
been broughtto llieht within the last few years
in New Yorh and Philadelphia andthe usitrpa
tion of power by demasogues through tiio aid
of the most degraded elements or society,
have at last forceel an inquiry as to what forru
of municipal government will most efficiently
correct present abuses and rceinco to thu mini-
mum the opportunities for harm to the body
politie.Mcn begin to ask whetner the municipal
authority may not be so organized and ad
ministered that it shall promote and protect
the Interests of both the corporation and the
individual, whether the evils are inhorant in
our municipal system or only Incident there
to. And some effoitlias been made to ascer-
tain the principles which underlie a legitimate
municipal authority and the most efficient
means of making the applicatiem of those
principles practical. Not a vei y great deal has
been accomplished by tills study. The problem
Is eompiicated and many sided. Its solution
depends on careful and extended observation,
and on the concurrent action of wise, patient,
self sacrificing and public spirited citizens.
In this study the conclusions of purely
theoretical political economists, and of those
men whose thought and experience have been
limited to special aspects of the subject, are
alike unsafe and misleading—the first, be-
cause political communities never afford the
pioper conditions for the application of ab-
stract principles; and the second, because
the entire machinery of government Is so
Interdependent and complicated that success-
ful modifications ot any special department
imply corresponding changes in all the as-
sociated agencies. But whatever difficulties
may embarrass the subject, we have good
cause for congratulation In the fact that the
pioblem Is being studied, and not altogether
studied in vain.
The late convictions in New York afford
pretty fair evidence that systems and laws
are not so much at fault as the neglect to
observe and administer them. Judges and
juries, backed by wholesome pnbllc opin-
ion, may do more than merely amending
city charters may do.
Since government buys only a part of
the supply of silver bullion and forbids'any
one elte in tbis country to put silver
bullion to its most natural use, that of
money, of course the rest of the disowned
thing is somewhat depreciated. If govern-
ment were to demand more than the mines
supply, the metal would just as surely be
appreciated above its moral value. Free
coinage will alone make the material of a
silver elollar or a gold dollar or any other
kind of a dollar worth the same as the coin.
As for making different things of equal
value, that is the problem of fixing values
for all things—an absurdity of paternal
government.
The News has been saying it, and alone
in saying it, but now comes the Philadel-
phia llacord and speaks right out: " Repeal
of the navigation laws is all that is re-
quired for legitimate encouragement of the
merchant marine of the United States."
That is it. Let the waters be as free as the
common roads of the country. Then all
vessels will be ours in a sense the political
bigots dream not of. They will find their
home in the freest waters and the freest
ports.
An Ohio protectionist has heard or read
that duties are protective to the amount of
the duty, and he supposes that it this is
true the sugarmen get as much as the gov-
ernment. A closer study of the subject
would have enabled the Ohio man to en-
lighten himself. The meaning of the state-
ment referred to is that when the duty is so
much per ton, pound or yard of importod
merchandise, the home manufacturers who
produce a similar article have a chance to
charge an equal sum per ton, pound or
yard. They may make far more as extra
profit in the aggregate than the government
collects, because they may make and sell
more goods than are imported. The
sugarmen in this country pro-
duce only a small propoitlon of
the sugar consumed. They get
upon each pound abont as much advantage
as the duty per pound, but as they grow
only a comparatively small part of the
sugar consumed their takings are only
about $1 to $7 50 of revenue which the gov-
ernment gets. The duty benefits the home
manufacturer by excluding foreign comoe
tition below a certain price. The home
manufacturer can chargo up to this price,
but if he makes and sells few goods of
course he gets a correspondingly small
aggregate of profit. His gains are by the
pound or yard, etc.
The Courier-Journal attacks Civil Ser-
vice Commissioner J ..yuan, and charges
that he is making a partisan use of his
office. Unconsciously, perhaps, theCourier-
Journal is relying upon the sense of ap-
preciation of the civil service reform prin
ciple in formulating the charge.
Competition takes a longer or shorter
time to settle some things, as special tax-
ation takes a certain time to distribute itself,
and there are grievances in the meantime
The Philadelphia Record has a significant
paragraph on the coal traffic. The last
sentence is encouraging, but it must be re-
membered that these men can not at pre-
sent be subject to anything like full com-
petition. So far as competition is permit-
ted bv law it does its work- but there are
so many handles to legalized fraud that
the ringsters may work one after another
till the people's patience is exhausted.
Even taxation io a handle when it is worked
in connection with exemption, thus offering
the state of natural liberty as a political
faver. The Record says:
The antliracltecoal carryingcompanlos have
driven the manufacturer away from tlio terri-
tory along their lines, and have forced him to
locate at some competitiva point where cheap
mcl may be obtained. It is now given out that
these companies proposo to entice capitalists
Into their webs by offering land for sites at
cheap rates, and by inducing the local author
itles to exempt the new enterprises from tax
ation. Xliis movement Is a confession of the
failure of the policy of combining the business
of cool prod notion with that of coal transporta-
tion. Nearness to the eonl-flelds, instead of
being an advantage to manufacturers, has been
mode a disadvantage to them because of the
exactions of tho carriers, The leveling forces
of competition are now beginning to assert
themselves, ond the companies find that thov
have been worstetl In their uttempts to combat
universal laws of trade.
Who knows yet whether the interstate
commerce campaign will be a long or a
short haul, or whether it will be a politi-
cians' haul?
The New York Telegram speaks grand
praise for John A. Logan when it says:
He was not ashamed to confess faults and to
acknowledge changes of opinion. Tho enlogy
which millions ol his countrymen are passing
en liim to-day Is summed up In a brief and
pithy phrase, " IIo w as a square man." There
was no sanctimonious hypocrisy about hiin.
He never tiled both to run with the hare and
to bunt with the hounds, lie never stabbed
an adversary in tne dark, lie never sulked
after defeat.
The half of this is enough to characterize
a man as far better than to be a great poll-
tician or magnetic fraud. If present ap-
preciation of Logan is justified, it would
seem pretty clear that he might have been
elected president if nominated instead of
Blaine.
There has been no more practical sug-
gestion made lately for saving time in
superior courts than that just made bv
General W. H. Hamman for dispensing
with the reading of opinions which are filed
and accessible.
Mrs. Aveling says she was struck with
the intelligence, quickness of mind and
eagerness to learn and know everything of
the workinginen and women of the United
States. The lady had an instance of this
intelligence when the socialist committee
cut down her husband's claim for $390
extra for cigars, wine, theater tickets, etc.,
during the three months trip and allowed
him only $100, which was pretty liberal
when they were paying the couple $100 a
week for their orations. The American
socialists are now more intelligent about
their late European visitors than they were
three months ago.
The Baltimore Sun, speaking of a series
of social parties at which Miss Winnie
Davis was present in the North, says:
Evidently there was a disposition on the
poit of the daughter of the president of the
Confederacy to do everything in her power to
promote the reconciliation of the sections.
The reporter should have learned that
the reconciliation was effected before Miss
Davis was in her teens, and any reference
of that kind to politics is now in bad taste.
The Chicago Herald says:
Mr. Powderly is right in the declaration that
the men who threw tho bomb in Chicago did
not receive their teachings In an assembly of
the Knights of labor, nor did they act In ac-
cordance with any law, legal summons or com-
mand of the order, or any of its officers in
committing any acts of violence.
How does the Herald know this? After a
long trial it was decided that the man who
threw the bomb remains unknown. It is
just to hold all Knights of Labor innocent
till proved guilty, but whether the bomb-
thrower was a Knight of Labor or simply
a knight of deviltry there is not the slight-
est evidence to show, and this is what the
judge, jury and state attorney in the case
agreed npon. Powderly seems to fear that
the knights will be accused of something of
which they have not yet been accused. If
this is his frame of mind it is lucky for him
that the grim old methods of taking evi-
dence have been abolished.
Fame Comes High.
Mr. Whiterock was a genial and accom-
plished train-robber, but he wrote too many
letters. Why, in the face of so many warn-
ings, is it that train-robbers statesmen and
various other persons write letter3 by
which they are certain to he exposed and
entrapped? But for this fatal weakness,
Mr. Whiterock might have got off to E i
rope with his plunder, ami a well knowa
magnetic statesman might hay,e got the
presidency. [Chicago rimes.
Powderly's Business Quality.
Mr. Powderly advises the Knights of
Labor not to become subscribers to any
fund for the benefit of the anarchists. AU
of the money that Knights of Labor can
afford to subscribe for anything is nequired
by Mr. Powderly and their master work-
men. | Chicago Times.
A young man, one of a party of hunters
in Colorado, left camp to go out and set a
trap. He did not return in due time, and
search was made for him. It was six days
before he was found, and then it was seen
that in setting the trap both hands had been
caught in it, and thus he had been held un-
til he was frozen to death.
A lawyei's clerical error in the tranfer of
a certain piece of property in Kansas City,
which in 1844 was sold for $880, has led to a
lawsuit over the possession of the land,
which is now valued at $200,000.
THE STATE PRESS.
What the Papers Throughout Texas Ar*
Talking About.
The Fort Worth Gazette is no longer " on
with the bust," but still on with the on. It
is now "on to Gainesville. Next the cry
will be, on to Albuquerque. 'Not stop at
Brownwood,' say the quidnuncs. Well,
Ihen, on to Topolovampo." And so the
Gazette goes on every day. It has luold
intervals, however, in one of which it says:
Never before has there been so muoh in-
terest manifested in the public-school ques-
tion, and it is to be hopeel that the members
of the present legislature will be fully alive
to the demands of tho hour, and provide
sue;h a system as shall place Texas on a
level with older States in the advantages
lurnished the children of the State; that
they may also have far-seeing wisdom to
adopt such measures as shall lead to the
selection of the beBt text-books, and raise
the standard of teachers' qualifications to a
height commensurate with the desired ad-
vancement. Another subject brought to
their attention 1r a reformatory for youth-
ful offenders. The necessity for such an
institution need scarcely be urged, the rea-
sons for its establishment aie so apparent
as to render argument unnecessary. To-
force the young in crime to constant asso-
ciation with the hardened criminal is a
course of state policy suicidal in it3 tend-
ency. It can not be the object of any gov-
ernment to foster crime, and yet the pre-
sent system of herding criminals debars
the tender youth from all elevating influ-
ences, and leaves him a prey to that har-
dening process that contact with vice miist
inevitably produce.
Mr. Wm. D. Cox is now sole owner of the
Temple Bee. The name of the paper will
be changed to the Temple Daily Times o»
or about January 1.
The Columbus Citizen says:
Applicants are numerous for every office'
in the gift of the legislature. Some people
work hard and expend money for an office
who could do much better by applying
boih in a different channel. . . .We are
gratified to learn that there is very little-
chance of the Blair edueational bill to pass-
Education is a matter for every State to
attend to. . , .Our old friend Will Lam-
bert has announced as a candidate for
chief clerk of the House ot Representa-
tives. He makes an efficient clerk" when he
wants to.
The Bellville Standard's local depart-
ment, town and county, is comprehensive
and complete—a moelel for novices on
country weeklies.
The Abilene Reporter says:
Farmers report the wheat crop looking-
splendid, but say a good rain in tha next
four weeks will be a groat benefit to it
The building of railroads and all other en-
terprises that have for their object the
building up and development of countries,
cities and towns, are always preceded by
full, free and elaborate discussion. The
possibility and advisability of the scheme
to be put on foot is always thoroughly dis-
cussed. When all ore fully agreed that the
projeot is a good one, one that will result
in great benefit to the community, then the
second move on the checkerboard is in
order. The second move is made general-
ly by a mass meeting of the peoDle inter-',
c-sted, where ways and means are adopted
for carrying the measure forward to com-
pletion. Abilene is now ready for the
second move, and to that end Gen-
eral Sayles, chairman of the pro-
gressive committee, has called a
mass meeting of our citizens.
At this meeting it will be necessary for the
people to fully unite on a line of poliay, so
that a united pull can be made, "for iu.
unity there is strength." The progressive
committee, who have had this mattav in
hand for the past two months, have worked
faithfully and untiringly, but it seems that
their line of policy has not met with the in-
dorsement of all. The progressive com-
mittee have had the best interests of the
country at heart and have followed a line
of policy which, in their opinions, was the
proper one and whereby the procuring of
another trjink line of railroad would be
Eoonest accomplished.
The Brenham Banner says:
The greatest mistake that propertyown*
ers in towns that are having booms can
make is to hold their property too high.
Many towns have been literally kilftef in
this way.
The Houston Herald says the legislature
should repeal the libel law.
The Herald booms as follows:
Houston will soon have a large flouring
mill. Houston will soon have another
ailroad. Houston will soon have the
Southern Pacifio shops. Houston will soon,
have tne finest depot In Texas. Houston
will soon have the largest cotton-seed oil
mill in the South.
Tho San Antonio Times prints another
letter from the indefatigable pen of Sena-
tor John M. Claiborne, of Galveston. He
rises to explain the ox-cart letter, and
says:
I have a copy of the Times in which you:
say that yon are my friend, but that I am
" fnrninst" railways and call my attention,
to the fact that railways have greatly
benefitted onr State. I also see iroin the
San Antonio Express that " long horns
must go," and that I am a crank. I have
no doubt the idea was obtained from ex-
pressions that I made use of in writing a
private letter tc Captain Thos. C. Cain, at
my old home, Bastrop, in which I said that
old things will pass away with the advent
of railways, and cautioned the old citizens
to be watchful, as they would be driven out
by the new, and regretted that they, having
paid for the road, could not have the bene-
fits, and other matters purely personal, as
it were, but there was no statement in the
letter not a fact. In my public expression
as to what would be my line of action a3 a.
legislator, I bave said that I would make
an investigation as lo the charges made by
Ihe producers, that they were being robbed
by tariff charges, rebates and watered
bonds, and discrimination in favor of long
over short hauls, and special rates to large
over small users. If the railways have
complied with the law, they have nothing
to fear; if they have violated the law, why
not punish them for it? Are not corpora-
tions as amenable to law as are private in-
dividuals? I am not an anti railway man,
but am for the enforcement of the la vs that
are on the statutes so long as they are there.
If a law is oppressive 1 want to ropeal it.
When a law is inoperative I want to at
once reveal it. When only 10 years of age
I sold my pet cows, pony, a few sheep, in
fact put all 1 had into the old Air Line
railway, and never saw the road nor heard
of the money aeain. That was thirty eight;
yearp since, and I did not then demur. 1
thought it all rieht to give up all I had if!
we never bed a railway. It showed a dis-
position to develop the country aud build
up old Bastion. 1 have done the sa<ne iu.
my mature years, but 1 do not own any
stock nor did I ever s>tll nny, but the rail-
ways always managed V.o get in debt and
get sold ont. and a few men swallowed the
whole, but it developed the country. 1
want another road right now from Galves-
ton to Camargo, and will do all I can to get
it, and agree to fix the tariff so they (the
builders) f;an make 15 per cent, on their
capital. The fact is I desire to a mind the
stale constitution so as to allow a loan by
the State to bliild new railways. I am in
favor of remilting taxes for a term oE
years on all taps or new roads built by
home people and home capital. 1 am also
In favor of exempting all inannfaotirers og
arlicles of food and wearing apparel from
taxation in Texas, but I want the owners to
be honest with the State and her people,
'l'liey snv they are. Tf«s producers and
users say they r,re n»t. Whie-h is correct?
This I intend to find out, and this is the
whole of my offending.
On which Ihe Times remarks:
General Claiborne is given the benefit of
his disclaimer, but the next time he shoultl
add Mr. Blaine's famous admonition,
"Burn this letter." Probably wrong in-
ferences bave heeu drawn from the Bastrop
letter, but those inferences have been pub-
lished largely. Somehow, a number oE
newspapers got the idea r.hat General Clai;
borne ] ropct"-d to become the chsmpji
the anti-railroad crowd.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
The Galveston Daily News. (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 45, No. 250, Ed. 1 Saturday, January 1, 1887, newspaper, January 1, 1887; Galveston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth463319/m1/4/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.