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AX
VOL. 9. NO. 1.
SALEM, OREGON, TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1859.
WHOLE NO. 417.
!; . . .
A Hvart-KrMftlK History-.
la Manchester a maiden dwelt.
Her name wm lht-he Drown I
Her rheeks were red. her hair was black,
And the m considered by rood judges, to
do y ui odds tbe best-looking girl In
town.
Her aire was nearly ewntoen s
Her evea were uparklinfr bright ;
very lovely fcirt waa he
And for about a year aud a half there bad
been a young man paying attention to
her bjr the name of lteubeu Wright.
Kow Renhen was a nirm young man
As any in th) town ;
And I'h.i be loved him very dear,
liut on arronnt of his being obliged to work
for a living, he never conld make him
self agreeable to old Mr. and Mr. Drown.
lfor parents were resolved
Another she should wed
A rich old wiser in the place t
And old Drown frequently declared that
rather than have bis daughter wiarry
Keuben Wright, he'd sooner knock him
vn the head.
lint Fhtrbe' heart waa brave and strong ;
- Hhe feared no parent's frowns :
And as for Reuben Wright so bold.
I ve heard bim say more than titty times, that
( with the exception of Phorbe) he didn't
care a for the whole race of Browns.
So Phcebe Brown and Senben Wright
Determined they would marry ;
Three weeks ago last Tuesday night
They started for old Parson Webster's deter
mined to be united in the holy bands of
matrimony, tboufrh it was tremendous
dark, and rained like old Harry.
Bnt Captain Brown was wide awake ;
He loaded np his gun.
And then pursued the loving pair ;
He overtook 'em when they got about half
way to the Parson's and then Reuben
and Phoebe started off on a ran.
Old Brown then took a deadly aim
Toward young Reuben's head ;
Bat oh ! it was a bleedin? shame.
U made a mistake and shot his only danarh-
ter, and had the unspeakable anguish of
seeing her drop right down stone dead.
Then anguish Slled younr Reuben's heart,
And vengeance erased nis brain;
lie drew an awful jacknife out,
And plunged it into old Brown about fifty or
sixty times, so that it was very doubtful
about his ever coming to again.
The briny drops from Reuben's eyes
la torrents poured down ;
He yielded np the ghost and died :
And in this melancholy and heart-rending
manner terminates the history of Reuben
. and rhcebo and likewise old Captain
Brown.
The Path aSi ska Car.
Wavy and bright in the summer air
Like a quite sea when the wind blows fair.
And its roughest breath has scarcely curled
The green highway to an unknown world
Soft w hispers passing from shore to shore.
Like a heart content yet desiring more ;
Who feels forlorn
Wandering thus on the path through the corn t
A short space since and the dead leaves lay,'
- Corrupting under the hedge row gray ;
Nor hum of insect nor voice of bird
O'er the desolate field was ever heard ;
-Only at even the pallid snow
1Hnhed rose red in the red snn's glow ;
Till one blessed morn.
.Shot np into life the young green corn.
Small and feeble, slender and pale.
It bent its head to the winter's gale,
Darkened the wren's soft note of cheer,
beared believing spring was near ;
Baw chestnuts put out. and champions blow,
And daisies mimic the vanished snow.
Where it was born,
a either side of the path through the corn.
Tbe com tbe corn the beautiful corn,
Rising wonderful, morn by morn.
First, scarce as high as a fairy's wand.
Then, just in reach of a child's wee hand.
Then growing, growing green and strong.
With the voice of the harvest in its song.
While in fond scorn
; The lark oatcarols the murmuring corn.
Oh, strange, sweet path, formed day by day.
Hew, w hen and w herefore, tongue cannot say.
No more than life's strange paths we know,
Whither they lead us or w hy we go.
Or whether onr eyes shall ever see
The wheat in the ear or the fruit on the tree.
Yet who is forlorn T
Heaven, that watered the furrows with the ripe
corn.
h Roberts Sbartle Claim.
Saxtiax City, O. T. Feb. 26th, 1S59.
.. Editor Statesman. Dear Sib : I learn
through the Statesman, that you have ob
jections to the action of the legislature in
, granting to Messrs. Roberts & Shartle two
; thoosand dollars for services, dec, perform
ed by them as subcontractors in furnishing
atone for the Penitentiary. In this you had
' an undoubted right to scrutinize any acts of
. that body and where they are wrong to ex
' pose them. But so far as my acts in rela
tion thereto they were done ia the best of
f faitk ; from all that I was able to learn,
.those men bad been badly dealt with ; mat
ters of facts were proven by affidavits and
Otherwise, that although these men were
gab-contractors, vet they would not under
take the job until they bad the assurance
from the commissioners themselves.il One
a whom I understand, went with said
Robert Si Shartle to the quarry and exam
jaed the stone and pronounced it sufficient.
lu best that was then known of, and re
commended raid Roberts & Shartle to go
-on and make the necessary preparations, 21
ad when they asked him whether they
should understand that tuey wonld be en
coaraged to got all the stone needed in the
Peniteutiary from said qnarry, they were
Sold to do so tbey then upon the faith
hey bad in said commissioner, (and not in
Abe first contractors, viz: Jacobs & Co.,) 3
vent on with their work, and after expend
ing between three and four thousand dollars,
Ceodily in preparation, they were ordered to
V-u.i by the commissioners, who over-stepped
tbe first contractors as thoogh tbey un
or!tcod themselves to be under obligation
to the said Roberts Shartle, as the com
jBissioners bad found a better quality of
toae, so much superior that one of tbe
Commissioners, Mr. J. S. Dickinson, testi
fied that it would be to tbe interest of tbe
Territory to pay for the stone obtained as
above and throw them away rather than use
them, since a better article bad been fonod ;
and farther stated, that be viewed tbe claim
cf Roberts & Shartle to be a just one.
These sub-contractors had theabeen at a
great ' expense in laying a track for convey
ing the stooe from tbe quarry to the Colum
bia River, some six miles, and making every
accessary arrangement for completing their
part of the contract, all in good faith, being
as I understood, poor young men, depend
ing npon their labor for their support. This
act of tbe eowimissioners threw them out of
employ men t, involved them in a debt of
over three thousand dollars ; yet being hon
est and reliable men," they set to .work at
other employment to obtain means to pay
off their indebtedness, still relying npon tbe
boaestr of tbe government to. make tbe.ni
yhoJe. yow tbe question would Deceasari-j
ly erise.snppose that a better quality of atone
bad not been found, and the stone which
waa under contract must necessarily be
used in the erection or the Penitentiary,
would not then the contract hare been,
valid, and those sub-contractors have pot
their pay ?4 The debt then would cer
tainly have been a just one, for the stone
under contract wa the best knownjaof when
the contract was made, and was pronounced
to be suitable by one of the then acting
commissioners, who had eucouraged these
men to proceed with their work. Now sir,
as I fro in for governments as well as Indi
viduals paying their just debts, whether con
tracted by themselves or by proxy, I voted
for the appropriation, and if the commis
sioners acted too hastily and without discre
tion, the government should bold them res
ponsible j and if the legislature appointed
commissioners who were incapable for trans
acting the business entrusted to thent, theu
the blame should rest upon the legislature,
and the Government should not allow their
agents to act iu a faithless and irresponsi
ble manner, but should hold litem accounta
ble for all their acts. 5 The idea of their
being sub-contractors does not lessen the
obligation of the government to fill her
plighted faith, even when made by ber
agents ; unless we allow governments to
wink and connive at a system of fraud
being carried on by ber ageuta, she should
see that those who complete ber contracts
as made by her agents are paid, and them
only. I did not stop to enquire whether
Roberta & Shartle were democrats or re
publicans, believing that men should receive
their just dues let them be of what politics
they may ; and further, I understand that
Judge Williams believed that there were
some show of equity in their claim, though
not strictly in law ;6 so likewise the com
mittee on claims in the House decided. 1
While I am upon this subject, permit me to
say that I think that while you condemn
this act of the legislature, you in connection
speak of the draining of the treasury, which
before the adjournment of the legislature
contained about 1,000, as though the acts
of the legislature was absurd in deed ; will
not your readers conclude that there has
been bad management to squander unjustly
so much money, which bad been drawn
from the pockets of the peopte.8 1 think
you should have stated things more defi
nitely ; for instance there was a bill passed
for the relief of certain creditors of the
Territory, amounting to over $2500, of
which 1 suppose you drew some $110.
Again, a bill was passed to pay off the ex
penses of the constitutional convention,
which enabled me to draw $105 and I would
be pleased to know how much the bill ena
bled you to draw Iikewise,D besides three
other relief bills ; all of these acts I sop-
pose you do not think were unjustifiable, at
least I thought right to vote for said bills,
but I would have sooner voted against the
bill making appropriation for paying the
constitutional convention, than the one for
the relief of Roberts & Shartle, with the
understanding that I bad received of their
case, while it was generally understood by
the people that Congress would pay the
expenses of the convention and that tbe
Territory would not have it to pay, &c.
J. T. CROOKS.
1. We heard of no evidence that the com
missioners gave any such assurance, thoogh a
man whose vote is wanted can Afar nearly
anvthinir tbousiht necessary to further tbe
payment of a claim when one is before
legislature, ihe acts of tbe board were
required to be recorded, and their record
is the best evidence of any agreement on
their part that Roberts & Shartle should
be paid anythiog. If Roberts & Shartle
bad then expected to look to anybody bat
the men they contracted with Jacobs &
Co. they would have been certain to have
had a written contract with that "anybody
The board did not give Roberts & Shartle
any assurance of payment had no right to,
as they bad agreed to pay Jacobs & Co.
2.. And. what does that amount to f The
board consisted of three, and one com mis
sioner had no power to bind tbe Territory,
even if an assurance bad been given in form
3. Then Roberts & Shartle made a con
tract with Jacobs & Co., by which they
were to look to the latter firm alone for
compensation, and at the same time had not
"faith" enough in them to proceed with tbe
contract. We don't believe anything of tbe
kind. Business men don't make those kind
of contracts. We have no doubt but that
Roberts & Shartle expected to get their
pay from Jacobs & Co., and that tbe appli
cation to tbe Territory, was an after
thought, which suggested itself when the
other and only legal or equitable remedy
failed. During the pendency of tbe relief
bill, Mr. Sloan, the Superintendent of the
Penitentiary, (and an bonest man) stated
that there were some important errors in
Mr. Dickinson's statement. And, since that
time, Mr. Fitch, another commissioner, (and
one known to be a man of integrity,) has
pointed out some of them. We are credibly
informed that Mr. Ladd, the third com mis-
. a a- Ti . a mi -
sioner, concurs witn -nr. jrucn. tnis ceruo-
cate of Mr. Dickinson's, let it be understood,
was procured by the claimants, and by them
placed before the legislature. Tbe other
commissioners were in Portland, and why
were not letters obtained and presented
from them ? The subsenoent letter from
Mr.Fitcb, and corroboratory statement of
Mr. l,add, explains J Jltey vtrt witnesses for
the Territory, and of conrse the claimants
only wanted their own evidence in. But
we submit that Mr. Crooks and other mem
bers were in duty bound, as tbe guardians
of the people's treasury, to have procured
testimony on the Territory's side, before
voting for a $2,000 appropriation, especial
ly as tbe Superintendent averred that the
other commissioners wonld contradict the
claimant's testimony,
4. No ; tbey onght not to have got it
from tbe Territory, The Territory contract-
ed with Jacobs & Co., aad ought jto have
settled with tbem as they did. Roberts &
bnartle contracted with Jacobs A Co., and
to them alone had a right to look for pay
liut, our information, derived from both
the Superintendent and keeper of the Peni
tentiary Is, that If there bad been no other
stone found, that quarried by Roberts &
Shartle for Jacob d Co. could not have
been used that it was unfit for use. Mr,
w-a . a . . .. .
ritcn says ne "did not consider it or as
good quality as the specimen furnished tbe
commsinioners." Then, clearly, Roberts &
bhnrtle bad neither a legnl or an equitable
claim against tho Territory, mid their bill
should have been entitled a donation bdl.
6. There was no proof that the "gov-
ernment airentw that Is the board of com
missioners "bad acted In a faithless or Irre
sponsible 'manuer." It acted In the best of
faith with Jacobs & Co., with whom it con
tracted ; it never engaged to do anything
for Roberta & Shartle.
0. As we before said, a member whose
vote is wanted, can "understand" anything
which is thought to be necessary to get a
claim through, particularly if it is lobbied
as industriously as this one was.
1. The chairman of the committee on
claims iuforms us that he did not understand
the committee to so decide ; that they were
of the opinion the claim was not a good one.
But, be says a portion of tbe committee
thought the claim had some equity, aud the
following was embodied in the report as a
concession, "and, although your committee
are of tbe opinion that tbe said Roberts &
Shartle have no legal claim, they will not
undertake to say that they have not au equit
able claim." The chairman did not under
stand that to imply a "decision" in favor of
the equity, but simply a waiving of an opin
ion npon the question of equity. He did
not regard tbe claim as an equitable one,
and would not have signed a report so char
acterizing it.
8. We do say there was a looseness npon
the subject of appropriations on the part of
the last Assembly. We instance the Rob
erts & Shartle act, which took from the
treasury full one tenth of the annual reve
nue of the Territory. .Also a standing act
to pay clerks 200 annually for copying
journals aud laws for the priuter. Tbe or
ganic act wisely provides that the Secretary
of the Territory shall copy the laws for the
printer ; wisely so provides, because the
laws then go to tbe world responsibly au
thenticated. It is the duty of tbe Secreta
ry ' to prepare the laws for publication, and
to certify to them ; and that is ono of the
duties for which he receives bis salary. Uu
der the law of the last Assembly be is re
lievetf of this duty.
9. We think we had a legal and equita
ble claim against the Territory, and that
we received nothing to which we were not
justly entitled. Mr. Crooks doubtless thinks
the same of bis own claim. But, having paid
us, to whom the Territory alone was respon
sible, w'd should not regard the Territory
bound to pay any others, who might after
wards say that they bad performed the
work for as as sub-contractors, and had not
been paid. We should expect the Territo
ry to refer them to the party who employed
them. That is such a case as we understand
Roberts & Shartle'a to have been. We
hold that Mr. Crooks was entitled to the
$105, for services as member of the consti
tutional convention ; but he having recciv
ed his pay, we should not regard tbe Terri
tory as bound to pay any person who might
allege that he had boarded Mr. C, while
attending upon the sittings of tbe conven
tion, or sold him garments which were worn
at that time, and for which he bad not been
paid. We bold it would be the duty of tbe
Territory to refer that claimant to the party
with whom bo contracted. That is the
kind of claim we understand Roberts &
Sbartlc's to have been. Indeed, as we un
demand it. it was not as equitable a case
as tbe above would have been. For it is
presumed that the work performed for our
self, or the accommodations and goods fur
nished Mr. Crooks, would have been of
utility, while Mr. Fitcb says Robert & Shar
tle'a material did uot come up to the "spec
imen," and Messrs. Sloan and Picket say it
conld not bare been used, even if the Terri
tory bad contracted for it. If Mr. Crooks
was to authorize an agent to contract with
a builder to construct bim a dwelling, would
be not think he bad performed his duty
when be complied with bis agent's contract
with that builder ? He would hardly con
sider himself bound cither ia law or equity
to also pay a sub-contractor, even if bis
agent had exceeded his potcers, and verbally
promised tbe sab-contractor that be too
should be paid. And tho board of commis
sioners did not give Roberts & Shartle any
such assurance.
Mr. Fitch says : "It does seem apparent
to me that tbe aforementioned claim was
passed through the Assembly npon one-sided
testimony, and without a just regard to the
interests cf the Territory." We think he
is correct, The fact that it bad been rejec
ted by former legislatures, by Judge Wil
liams, and that its justness was disputed by
Mr. Sloan, and Mr. Bonbam, tbe auditor,
(men mba might be presumed to know ,
something about the mater) ought ol least
to have stayed action npon it until both
sides could have been beard. -
In this connection, it may be. proper to
answer tbe question of a Linn county cor
respondent, who asks "where was Mr Cra
aer when tbe rote was taken upon tbe Rob
Shartle bill ; bis name does not ap
pear." Air. uraner was prevented irom be
n
ing in his seat by illness. He was strongly
opposed to tho bill, aud alter wards told us
that had he "known that ' it was np, he
should have gone to tbe House and voted
against it, sick as lie was."
Mr. II. W. Oorbctt, In a letter in
the Times complains that a Portland corres
pondent of the Statesman does bim injustice
in crediting him with the agency of the old
abolition party says he has "never given
utterance to abolition sentiments."
Rfuatlrr Bovrrrlgnlyi
March 14, 1859.
Kd. Statesman : Permit too to offer a
few remarks on tho subject of popular sov
ereignty in the Territories. This grand
and bold doctrine, promulgated a few years
ago by Douglas and others, was bitterly
assailed by a vast tin in ber of persons in the
United Slates. Those persons clung to the
Missouri Compromise line as tbe palladium
of their hopes. The sober second thought
of the great body of tbe people however,
sustained by action this measure, and it be
came the law of the land. It was incorpo
rated into the Cincinnati platform, aud it is
the grand supporting plank of that or any
other platform of any party who may ex
pect to succeed with the people of this
Union.
An old office holder in the State of Ohio,
who has held a government office for SO
years, writes to me : "Vou know that I
have ever been an "Old Line Whig" ; aud
iu the present state of sectional strife, you
may wish to know where I am. I will sny
that my feet are firmly Gxed on the doctrine
of "popular sovereignty," aud, whatever
party stand on that firm aud sure founda
tion, will hare my cordial support forever,
whatever may be their name. If Douglas
be the nominee of the squatter sovereignty
party, or if Crittenden, Hammond or 15 reck
eurblge be the man, be shall receive my sup
port." I cordially assent to the sentiments of the
foregoing extract. It is the true policy of
Oregon, and I rejoice that the masses of
the people of this Territory are firmly fixed
on this sure and safe foundation for future
State rights, and Territorial freedom from
tbe vassalage to which we hare been sub
jected heretofore. I cordially agree with
you, Mr. Lditor, in your sound and patriot
ic view of the subject, in your editorial in
the Statesman of the 1st of March, 1859.
Upon this great issue, let us, as a people,
whether State or Territorial, plaut our feet
immovably. No party or set of men shall
ever remove tue from the doctrine of uonu-
lar sovereignty. An American voter should
never lose any of his rights, because he emi
grates to the unsettled parts of our Union,
and helps to form a Territorial organization.
Indeed, Congress o lie red each voter of us a
donation laud claim here, if we would si emi
grate. Are you, Mr. Editor, in anywise
degradtd, as a free aud independent Ameri
can, because vou emigrated to Oregon r I
could, and freely would extend this subject
to greater length, but 1 will forbear. It is
in the bands ol able statesman and I ret
content. DAVID NEWSOM.
Ledasox, Linn Co, O. T.,
March 4lh, 1859. j
Dear Sir: I am asked to notice a com
munication from Albany, relative to the
clerkship in which Mr. Odcneal of Corval-
lis and myself acted in tho House of llepre
scntatives iu the winter of 1S5G. I don't
know that I should have giveu the facts iu
the case, in the form of a statement, bad uot
Mr. Ddcneal written his article in tbe Crisis
utterly denying what has recently gone to
the country, in print, tuat be ever agreed
(when takiug his seat at the desk, as chief
clerk, in the House for that session) to give
me as the assistant clerk, any remuneration
for additional help, on account of his inca
pacitr for that position: and as the affair
has now been made public, (not by auy de
mgii or expectation of mine, for I had long
a no let it pass irom my mind, as I bad 3lr.
Odencal,) I make the following statement of
tacts, to-wit: 1 nut session I was elected
clerk, pro cm., in the temporary organiza
tion of the House of Representatives, at
Corvallis. The Hon. Dclazou Smith was
elected speaker and took bis scat. Mr
Odcneal succeeded by a small majority iu
caucus in the clerkship only on the ground
that he was a lypo, and would make
good reader. He took his position at the
desk, and remarked to mo that he did not
expect the chief clerkship, but had run as
the enrolling officer saying that he felt in
competent, not having had any experience
in such duties, llo said to me; "Mr. IU
kius, I waut to make a proposition that
you, having served in a previous session,
assist me in my duties, in starting the jour
nal aud papers in their proper course, and
as 1 am to net live dollars per pay, whil
you get but three. I will give vou ono dol
lar each day, from mine, which will make
our wages equal." I told Mr. Odencal that
it was very generous in him, but that I did
not doubt but he would soon understand his
duties. Mr, Odcneal said that he desired to
make it equal, and that he wanted me to
accept the offer and assist bim, and that
wbcu we got our pny I should be thus re
warded with $60. I accepted the proposi
tion, and went to work with a deep interest
to have the duties discharged creditably to
ourselves, if possible.
The speaker was made aware of the prop-
. - a C . .-
ositiou a lew days auer tue session com
menced be expressed himself pleased at
Mr. Odeneal's kiud otter, believing that it
would inutally accommodate us without in
justice to either, x-nvaie menus iuiu me
- . i , . i i i
(hat expeneuceu wciuuers ui iuu uuu ex
pressed themselves sadly disappointed in Mr.
Odcueal's competency.
Tbe session was drawing to a closeMr,
Odeoeal begau to manifest a very knowing
and independent disposition, and was "oee
inir tbe shore:" he was trying to arrest my
claim upon him, seeming very dignified, be-
in? rather a sum young man. and was learn
ing to be quite an offhand journulizer, but
. . - i r 1. IT . - 1. . :.i
jn reautug uciore iu nuuao un uieia n uu
more trouble than be expected; some of tbe
members, it is said, wrote very business Wee
hands, aud truly 1 felt sorry lor Mr. Odcu
eal iu his attempt to read to the House a
memorial from Coos county, presented by
Capt. Ticbeuor--its representative the pen
write - was in oue of that "swift, slashing"
style His effort was fruitless, and the
erts
vexed Captain relieved him of i lie paper, and
it was read. The session ended Mr. Oden
eal drew from the secretary his $3001
drew $180 as coming to us by law. Mr.
Odeneal became indifferent, and seemed to
be so engrossed in contemplating tbe amount
of work goue through, that he scarcely
"looked tip" when I came into his presence
in the hall. I began to anticipate his deli
cacy in first speaking to me on the pay sub
ject, and, therefore, I politely asked bim if
he would now pay my tbe f GO, that he
agreed (as above stated) that I must go
home. He said, "Mr. Elkins, I do not feel
able to pay you uow I wish I could; I
will, tho', pay you sometime." I told him
that he could easily do so now, if be intend
ed ever to act honorable. Mr. Odeuenl be
came rather impertinent, and I left the man
after telling him that I never was so disap
pointed ip supposing bim to be a gentleman,
of honor, or that it all could be bought for
the paltry sum of sixty dollars.
Respectfully,
JAMES ELKINS.
v Lebanon, Linn county, O. T, $s
Personally came before me, a justice of
the pence in said county, James Elkins, who
solemnly swears, in presence of Almighty
Ood, that the foreeoin? statement is true.
HARVEY SMITH,
Justice of the Veace.
Ed. Statesman The closing exercises of
the first term of Jefferson Institute took
place on tbe 4th inst. The examination of
the pupils, in the various branches of educa
tion commenced at 9 o'clock, A. M , and
was continued until 2 1-2 o'clock, P. M.,
when the scholars and quite a number of
visitors, listened to a very interesting ad
dress from J. O. Wilson, Eq., Salem, for
which a vote rf thanks was tendered, with
a request that the address be published.
The exhibition at night was of the most
pleasing, instructive and interesting nature.
The oration, declamations, dialogues, com
positions, &c, were of a very high-toned,
intellectual character, and capitally per
formed by the students.
Permit me to remark, on . character of
the school, now nude r tht, i- ,-diate super
vision of Mr. and Mrs. Carr, that during
their examination into the several branches
of education, in which they bad received in
struction, the scholars exhibited a very
marked progress, for the last six months,
commendable alike to the teachers and the
scholars.
Too iiiucli praise cannot be awarded the
directors aud teachers of "Jefferson Insti
tute," for their unwearied industry, in try
iug to render this one of the first class in
stitutions iu our Territory. I find by refer
ence to the schedule that tbe maximum at
tendance Tor the last six months was eighty
nin students. A VISITOR.
Jefferson, O. T., Feb. 23, 1859.
Tillamook. 13r moc r lie Convention.
Pursuant to a call of the central coram
tee of Tillamook county, the citizens assem
bled at the school bouse, on Uoquarten
prairie, on the 19th of February, 1859, for
the purpose of selecting a delegate to repre
sent this couuty in the convention to meet
at Salem, on the 20th April, 1859.
On motion, E. Thomas was called to the
chair and W. E. B. Levy appointed secreta
ry, after which the meeting proceeded to the
election of a delegate.
Un motion, 11. l'. Casey was unanimous
ly elected" to represcut this countv in the
couveutiou, and invested with the authority
to appoint a proxy, should he not be able to
meet the aforesaid couvention.
On motion, the proceedings of this meeting-
were ordered to be pnblisbed iu tho
Statesman.
On motion, the meeting adjourned sine die,
E. THOMAS, Chairmau
W. E. B. Levy. Sec'y.
Masosrt IX THE Usiteo States. The fol
lowing statistics are derived from the latest infor
mation contained in tho proceedings of the va
rious JUasouic Orand .Lodges of the Lulled
States :
Louies.
Mombers.
Alabama,....-. ...... ...... J 17
7,223
1420
Arkansas,...-.-.......... . 103
California,.. 116
North Carolina, 106
South Carolina 00
District of Columbia. ... 11
Connecticut, . ...... fu
Delaware, 10
Flordia,
Georgia, 221
Illinois.. ..... .......... . 245
Indiana, 240
Iowa, 10S
Kansas,..............."..... 6
Kentucky, 290
I,ouisiana, ' 103
Maine 83
Massachusetts,.... 94
Marylaud, 33
Michigan....... T., 105
Mississippi.......... 205
Minnesota....... 24
Missouri, 126
4,174
5,100
3,100
:
4,7il
452
1,234
12,02d
3,526
2,5!14
1,178
176
0,978
3,079
3.291
3,800
1,626
"5,000
7,310
805
4,903
Nebraska, 3
New Hampshire, . . 37
New Jersey, 40
100
4,731
2,204
30,000
10,912
600
11,428
- 1,048
7,750
6,451
2,064
4,614
2,907
New York 409
Ohio, 253
Oregon 23
lennsylv.mi.i. ........... IM
Rliodo Island 16
Tennessee,.... 174
Texas,............,.,.,.,. 215
Vermont............ 41
Vircinia , 126
Wiuconsin,. 100
Total
4,202
163,833
Kstiuiatcd.
There are probably (says the A'. O. lice) almost
as many more Masons in the t inted states, who
are not admitted to Lodges, and wbose names
consequently do not appear on the records of the
Order. The number of members of tho fraternity
iu our country cannot bo much below half a mill
ion.
V-fU A gentleman in the habit of enter
taining very often a circle of friends, obser
ved that oue of them was in the habit of
eating something before grace was asked,
and determining to cure him upon a repeti
tion of the offence, he 6aid: "For what we
are about to receive, aud for wnat James
Taylor has already received, the Lord make
us truly thankful." Ihe effect may be im
agined. - ,
VQ- "Oh my friend," said a doctor to an
Irish patient, "be composed, we must all
die once." -"And it's that what rexes me"
replied Pat; "if I could die a balf dozen
times, I'd not care balf a penny about this
time." '
E2- Mr. D sat a long time very at
tentive, musing upon a cane-bottomed chair.
At length be said: "I wonder what fellow
took the trouble to find all them ar boles,
aud to pat the straws round them?" '
A Sad Story. A few days since the re
mains of a woman were found in a filthy
tenant honse in Mnlberry street, Xew York,
wholly divested of clothing, and in the same
room a bright lad elirbt years old, nearly
famished. It was atQrst supposed that the
woman had died of starvation, but the facts
brought out on the coroner's Inquest Fhowed
that she was a victim of intoxicating liquors
and died of delirium tremens. The woman
was the widow of the late Colonel Thomas
Hughes, formerly of the U. S. army, who
committed suicide at a mad house in Franco.
Only a year ago, Mrs. Hughes was living at
the Metropolitan Hotel in New York, and
afterwards at the Prescott House. -Her
descent was rapid. She formed habits of
intoxication; her friends deserted ber, and
her money was soon exhausted. ' One by
one she sold and pawned her articles of jew
elry and dress, aud spent tha avails for
liquor, until she actually sold the last arti
cle or dress she bad for a drink of brandy.
What can be more affecting than the story
of her little son before the eoroner :
"Thomas Hughes, sworn I am eight
years oM ; the deceased was my mother ;
she has been ill for fire or six weeks, and
complained of pains in her head and limbs ;
sometimes we had nothing to eat for two or
three days ; I was oue time three days
without anything to eat, except a small
piece of crust ; Mr. H. B. Ttbbetts, tny
uncle, who lives in Broadway, used to assist
us occasionally ; my mother drank a great
deal of liquor ; she was crazy a few days be
fore she died, and said she was going to
kill me with au axe ; she one time got a
knife and tried to stab me with it ; just be
fore she died she said she was very cold ;
she asked me to take bold of ber hands and
help her to the fire, so that she might warm
herself her eyes looked wild and strange ;
I tried to help her to the fire, bat she died ;
my mother 6oId all her clothes before she
died for rum ; she took everything off from
her ; I pledged a skirt for her for six cents
at a junk shop ; they told me I might have
it agaiu for seven cents ; she took off ber
clothes, one byline, and sold them till all
were gone, soTbat she bad nothing on her
when she died ; she sold her chemise to a
woman for three cents, aud sent me with
the money to get brandy.", .
The Streak of Life Life bears on like
the stream of a mighty river. Our boat at
first, glides swiftly down the narrow chan
nel, through the playful murmuring of tbe
little brook, aud winding along its '"grassy
borders, tbe trees shed their blossoms over
our young head, and the flowers ou the
brink seem to offer themselves to our young
bauds; wc are in hope, and we grasp eager
ly at tbe beauties around us, but tbe stream
hurries us on, and still our hands are empty.
Our course in youth aud manhood is along
a wider aud deeper flood, and mid ob
jects more striking and maguificeut. We
are animated by the moviu-r pictures of tu-.
jojmeut aud industry that are passing before
us; we are excited by short-lived success, or
depressed and rendered miserable Jy some
short-lived disappointment. But our ener
gy and dependence are both iu vain, Tbe
stream bears us on, and our joys aud griefs
are left behind us; we may bg shipwrecked
but we cannot anchor;, our vomers mar be
hastened, but we canuot be delayed; wheth
er rough or smooth, the river hastens to
wards its borne; tbe roaring, of the waves
is beneath our. keel, aud the land lessens
from onr eyes, tbe . floods are lifting up
around us, and we take our lost leave of
earth and its inhabitants, aud of our future
voyage there is no witness but tbe infinite
and the eternal.
Wili. or asf Karl of Pembroke. Im
primis i For my soul, I confess I have
beard very much of souls, but what they are,
or whom they are, or what they are for,
God knows I know not. Tbey tell now of
another world, where I never was, nor do I
know oue foot of tbe way thither. While
the King stood, I was of "bis religion made
my sou wear a cassock, and thought to
make him a bishop ; then came the Scots
and made bim a Presbyterian ; and, since
Cromwell entered, I have been an Independ
ent. These, I believe, are the Kingdom's
three estates ; and if any of the; can have
a soul, I may claim oue ; therefore, if my
executors do find I have a soul, I give it to
him who gave it to me. 'Item. I give my
deer to the Eirl of Salisbury, who I know
will preserve them, because he denied the
King a buck out of bis owu parks. Iiem.-
I give nothing to Lord Say ; which legacy
I give him because I know he will bestow
it on tho poor. Item. To Tom May I give
five shilliugs. I iutended bim more ; but
whoever has seen his "History of tbe Par
liament", thiuks fire shillings too much.
Item. I give Lieuteuant General Cromwell
one word of mine, because hitherto be
never kept
bis owu. Item. I give up the
ghost. , - -
Rcles ros tue Hard Times. 1st.. Stop
grumbling. i ,
2J. Get np two hours earlier in the morn
ing, aud begin to do something outside of
your regular profession. -
3d. btop grumbling.- ; : i i
4 tli. Mmd your own business, and with
all your migbt. Let other people alone.
5th. fetop grumbling,
6th. Live within your means. Sell -your
horse. Give away or kill your dog. -
7th. Stop grumbliug. V . .,
8th. Smoke your cigars - through an air
tight stove. Iiat with moderation aud go
to bed early. , : .., 1 , . '
9th. Stop grumbling. . - -
10th. Talk : less of your own peculiar
gifts and virtues, and more of those of your
frieuds and neighbors. . - . ;
11th. Stop grumbling. . ; j ,
12th. po all you can to make others
happy. Be cheerful. Bend your neck and
back more frequently when you pass those
outside of "select circles." . Fulfil your
promises. Pay your, debts. , : Be yourself
all you would see in others. Be a good
mau a true christian, and then you . can
not help to stop grumbliug. - . . :
One op THE StTPERSCRiPTiossw A letter pass
ed through the post office at Rock Island recent
ly with the following excruciating superscription;
"Ve Democratic P. M.'s don't let me delay, .
But send me along with speed on my way; . a .
To Lizzie S. Ellis I'm sent, that's true,
In Miami county in the village of Peru. -, -In
the State of Indiana, just as true as you are
born, ' , ' .
Where wbi&ky's legal tender, and tbe women
- boa tbe corn." - . . . - - ' .... . .
That fellow Certainly deserves a medal of some
kind, We suggest a Uather oije.
.A genius out West H dividing the honors
of a grateful country with Cyrus W. Field
and Mr. -Everett "He writes thus, in re
gard to the successful hanging of a gate tbe
effects of which, upon society in general, be
states, will be vastly more beneficial than all
the Atlantic cables ever laid;
"0q the thirty-Crst, the sun rose in the
east; and went ou tbe even tenor of its way.
Tbe binges were uot completed until 2 P. m.
Precisely at three o'clock, we commenced
the operation, the posts having been already
set. The hinges worked to a charm, and at
five o'clock the gate was raised to its place.
It looked majestic and swung magnificently.
At twenty minutes after five o'clock, we ele
vated our hat into the air, shot a gopher
with two charges, and, whistled a Te Deum
to the tune of Yankee Doodle. The other
post was theu set, and at five o'clock tho
connection was complete, and signals carce
through from post to post with remarkable
distinctness. ; With brow bared and locka
flowing, we swung through back and for-,
ward, thus proving to those who have be
lieved not the reality of the event, and its
capacity to take such messages through.-
That is a triumph. " It will be a bond of
union between tbe two fences, a sore thing
against hogs, and a great evangelizer of
those who po .through.. It bangs on "ita
easy simplicity, "and has already elicited the
most vociferous approbation. While the
Atlantic Cable binds continents together,
our gate binds the fence in one unbroken
string, fraternizing tbe two in one. At the
first swing of the gate, we forwarded a mes
sage to President Bechanan:
"The Oaks, Aog. SI.
"Dear Buchanan: We've got a gate.
It is National in arrangement. It knows
no South, no North, no East, no West, but
swings all round. Fetch over the children
and have a 'swing."
Mistakes or Pkixtebs. Some people are
contiuually wondering at the "carelessness''
of editors iu allowingso many errors and
blunders to appear in their colomus, and
mar tbe print Such people know very lit-,
tie of the difficulties we bad almost said
impossibilities of keeping tbem ont.. Tbe
most careful attention to these matters will
not prevent errors from creeping in, even
when professional proof-readers are engaged
expressly for the purpose. - And when it ia
borne ia mind that iu most papers such an
expense is necessarily dispensed with, and
the proofs, on that account, are often hurri
edly examined, the fact aiil no longer ap
pear strange. Ia connection- wiih this sub
ject, the following anecdote is not inappro
pnate: :i - ;: ,
A Glasgow' publishing bouse attempted
to publish a work that should be a perfect
specimen of typographical accuracy. After
baring- been carefully read by six experien
ced proof readers, it was posted in the ball
of the L'nlversityv and 'a reward of fifty
pounds offered to any one who should detect
an error. Each page remained two weeks
in thi place; aud yet, when tbe work was
i?.ued, several errors were discovered, one
of which was iu the first line of tbe first
pajre. " '" '"
When socb was ,tbe case in a city long
celebrated in Great Britain for publishing
the finest aud most correct editions of tbe
classics, what is to be expected iu a news
paper, which must necessarily be hurried
through while it is news; and where the
comjiensatioa will hardly afford one "es per
rieuced proof-reader," let alone six. Tba
wonted accuracy of our papers is really as.
touishiuij. 'Printer's jVrirs Lcllcr. -
- Throwing Sto.ves at" tjib Devil Tbe
lata Dr. Johnson was well known for bis
quaint wit a well as for bis goodness of
heart. Walking ont of bis house, where a
new street was opening, he saw an Irishman
hard at work with a. crow-bar striving to
dislodge a bnge stone from the ground,
where it was held fast by the roots of a tree.
His patience wa3 fairly exhausted by the vain
struggles he had made, and be at last ex
claimed in a passion: "The devil take it'
Tbe devil take it!" '
The old pastor approached bim, jyid qats
ly remarked that he ouht not to make such
free use of the name of the evil ffne, and cer
taiuly not wish to throw such- a big stono
at him as that.
The Irishman was quiet ia a minute, and
striking his crow-bar into the ground, and
leaning leisurely on it, he turned op bis face
at onco to the Doctor and tbe snnligbt,
while over it roughly played those indescri
bable foreruuners of genuine Irish wit, be
replied: "Och, then, aud it is yourself that's
finding a fault wid me for say in' that same,
when it's yees and the likes of yees that'
paid Ly tfie year for abusiu' tbe oold giutle
man all the time!" - a
The old pastor turned away to smile an4
enjoy the retort!
How rr strengthened Hiji. A student
of one of our State colleges had a barrel of
ale deposited in bis room contrary, of
course, to the rule and usage, ne received
a summons to appear before the President,
who said ; "Sir, J am informed that yon
have a barrel of ale in your room." "Yes,
sir." "Well, what explanation can yon
make ?" "Why, the fact is, sir, that my
physician advises me to try a little each day
as a tonic j and not wishing to stop at the
various places where the beverage is retailed,
I concluded to have a barrel taktn to my
room." Indeed; and have you derived any
benefit from the use of it V Ah, yes, sirj
when the barrel was first taken to my room,
two days since, I could scarcely lift it ;
now I can carry it with the greatest case."
The witty student was tnscnargea with a
special reprimand..
fgy For more than two years, Cornelias
Tanderbilt has been receiving a monthly
subsidy, of $40,000, or $iS0.0C0 a year,
from the Pacific Steamship Company and
the Atlantic United States Company, in
consideration of his withholding the boats
of the Nicaragua!! Company from competU
tion with tUeirJiues to California. "This
subsidy, has tieuii further increased within
the present rear bv a sum of $16,000 per :
mouth, or l92,0'00 a year, paid to Mr
Yanderbilt aa the price of bis private com
promise with Mr. C. K. Garrison, whom be
was ostensibly prosecuting for alleged dam-:
age done by bin? to the icaragnan Compa-
ny. All this immense sum Mr. Yanderbilt
has put in his own pocket, and now tbe 2f ic
aragaau Company have sued bim for" tb
monies received as their representative..