Argus and Patriot from Montpelier, Vermont • 7

Notes and Comments. made a chasm twelve feet deep and from World says it pays the highest compliment any intelligent man can possibly pay Mr. TO ani JJalrwi. Bennington County Court. This Conrt commenced its stated sessions at Bennington, on the 2nd Hon.

Hoyt H. Wheeler presiding Judge, assisted by Hon. Major W. Potter, of Pownal, and Hon. I.

N. Sykes, of Dorset. After prayer, and the jurors had been called and taken the oath, the court called the docket, when thirty causes were set for trial by jury, which number was much less than usual. There was no jury cause for trial on Tuesday and a portion of the day was spent in disposing of motions for continuance. The very important case of Troy and Bennington Railroad Company vs.

T. W. Park, was again continued, on the application of Montpelier, December 11, 1873. ANOTHER DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR STILL THEY COME Texas Speaks Unmistakably The Jacobins put off the State election in Texas until December, thinking thereby to keep the Mate in their clutches, as thev could at that season the better manipulate tne negro vote. Last week the polling for I i.

PS Jul 6 took Q(J the result is that Texas law and neither lose their official heads or en-will no longer have a Governor who is a i danger the republican ascendancy iu the Grantite, the Democrat bavin at least State. In the same vein is the snepph 20,000, and claiming majority for thir candidate, and having the Legislature both branches. Tally one more! A correspondent of the New York JAe- i aid gives some incidents of the recent ter- rible prairie fires iu Kansas and Dakota. The flames spread devastation through twelve counties in Kansas, so that the ex-1 tent of the territorv ravacr(1(i niav Wt be reckoned by hundred of square miles. Eye witnesses say that tbe fla lies came upon them in the shape and almost with the speed of a tornado.

Distant clouds were twenty five to thirty feet wide. In the brief interval between the collision and the sink ing of the steamer, the crew had only time to launch a whale boat and the captain's gio- Almost every one on board was lost, and among them many prominent men of the country, who had chosen this cplendidly fit ted up steamer as their medium of a pleasure trip to loreign countries. The idea of collision in mid ocean between ships, with lights all displayed, is in our minds the idea 01 criminal responsibility somewhere. We hope the truth may be ferreted out Perhaps the surviving passengers may be able to throw some light upon the sad affair, which has darkened so many homes in our country. and sent such a thrill of horror into every heart.

But it certainly looks now as Jf the pay of Con- givssrm-u would be put back to 5.ouo a year. The i-(iuuiiuaii pny in U)nresjs iiioroulily com iiiiittjtf iu tljis. by its actum in and the people can be trusted, we tbink, to watch their Kt'ptvaoiibiuvfM closely enough, and to sar.afy mem ftumcieruiy that popular indignation over pity iii.oi K'Unif lo "blow over' to en- 8uie voies enougu to curry the repeal, when it cumes 10 Young Sj says the Fres Press. A stinging com ment on it, if isuch facts can sting the scarred conj-ciences of the men who uphold the cor ruptions tbat fencer at Washington, is that Carpenter, the debauchee and the defender of the iin famous salary steal, occupies tbe chair of the Senate; that WiUun, whose connection with the Credit Mobilier Scandal, iua his wife, is notorious, is Vice President of tbe United States, in the place of tbe perjured Colfax that Credit Mobilier bribers have the first committees in Congress tbat the leader of the House, and members of all the imoor- tant committees in tbat body, are salary grab- bcis, with the greenbacks they have taken from the Treasury sticking out of their pock ets and that there is still one member from ermont that chos as with a death grasp. 10 -ne stealing tuat act put into his pockets.

Fokty-tuikd Congkess. The first ses- hion of the forty-third Congress commenced on Monday of last week. The House was promptly organized by the re-election of Speaker Blaine, and the other republican caucus nominations. So much time was taken up by the choice of seats and swearing in of members, that the Message was not delivered until Tuesday noon. In Kuts oeuate me standing cotumutees were arranged in accordance with the decision of the caucus, the chairmanship of the important committees remaining unchanged from last session.

The liberal republican Senators have inferior places assigned them. In the House the standiug committees are materially changed, of course by the' large numbers of new members, but those members who Were implicated in the Credit Mobilier scandal, and were prominent in the salary grab act, retain the places they occupied on committees during the last Congress. Speaker Elaine seems to have ignored both those notorious disqualifications for honest service, doubtless with the full approval of his party. The repeal of the salary grab excites great interest, and several bills were introduced looking towards its repeal. Prominent among these are the bids of Mr.

Hale, of Maine? and Niblack, of Indiana, which present both phases of the question. In some shape the salary grab act will, it is said, be repealed, though nothing can be done with salary of the President, the most infamous part of tbe whole transaction, since by con- i stitutional provision bis salary cannot be changed daring bis term of office. The repeal of the act is so universally demanded, that the representatives iu either branch will hardly dare face their constituents un- lessit is accomplished, and some provisions made by which those who have pocketed the stolen property shall refund it to the Treasury. We shall keep our readers posted up, by a brief summary from week to week, on the proceedings of Congress. Fire in Calais.

The barn of Carlos Jacob3, iu Calais, was burned last Monday evening, about 9 o'clock, with its contents. The fire was caused by the burning out of the chimney of C. A. Watson's house, it catching from sparks from that. Mr.

Watson's wagon, sleigh, mowing machine, which were housed in tbe barn, were burn ed. Burg laky. Th store of Jothatu Tal- cott, nt North Williston, waa broken into List Friday night, and an entire suit of clothes stolen. Nelson Gordon, was seen wearing the stolen clothes, and waa ar rested Monday, and lodged in jail. Parsing and Drill Book.

Messrs. Tnttlo A Uutlaml, have issued a new and enlarged edition of a drill book in the elements of the English language, by EdwardContmt, A. M. Prin cipal of the State Normal School at Kindolph. The booit contains a large number of selections forparsln; and nnnlysU, with introductory les sons, also tables of English words, prefixes, suf fixes, and a biographical index.

The first edition ws successfully used iu many of the best school In the State, being endorsed by thorough teaci. rs. It should bo generally iutrodaced into our schools. Tha adulteration of milk had become so notorious in England, with the consequences of it upon the health of the children of Lon don and other cities of that country, that in Sr2 Parliament passed a law affixing a pen aky of twenty pounds for the fy-st oQ'ence with publication of the seller 9 name and crime in the newspapers for the second of fence, in addition to the fioe, to be collected of any person who shall mix water with the tnilk, iu however small quantities. The re sult is an entire reform iu the milk trade.

The Londoners are enjoying pure milk, and the children are growing fat and healthy. There are other places than London where impure milk is sold, and not ouly that, but impure which are far worse in their effects upon the human system than watered milk, or even its adulteration with chalk. We hope to see the time in this country when the sale of adulterated liquors shall be for bidden by law, and the law enforced by such penalties as shall secure iu observance. At the late meeting of the Prohibition party in Manchester, N. to consider the question of nominating candidates for the local officers of the city, resolutions were passed condemning the republican paty for 'ignoring their own temperance laws, in not trying to execute them' and declaring it "our duty as a lant resort to support only such Cindidates as we believe will faithfully execute those laws." In the course of the discussion upon the general subject, one Mr.

Hassam said when the prohibitory law went into force there were 76 rum shops In that city; now, there are at the very least 220, He also related the case of a policeman who came along the street one Sunday just as a man came out of a liquor store with a jug the man tried to keep the jug behind him. to conceal it, but the officer said "vnu mini! your business, and Til mind mine." He thought that didn't look much like zeal 111 the enforcement of law. Others related similar instances, showing that republican officials had been taking lessons of similar officials in Vermont notably Rutland and Burlington as to how not in e.Ttctii fi l- hv rri Judge Upton at one of the prohibition meet-I ings, who said he wouli be in favor of pro hibkion if it could be enforced, but knowing what tie did of public sentiment, and of the utter of enforcing the law, he naa IjaJ llis faith in it somewhat shaken, nJeea" lie waa iu doubt whether it would DOt be Iolicy to try a local Ptwn He did Dot know as tbat would succeed. but it WUIU Uttrui 06 worse tlian tlie Present state of things. The Ikrald says the best flower to cultivate is the and announces that some of its friends have begun the cul tivation of that charming flower.

wnicn po- jsition be has specially Uistinguised himself (or obsequiousness to the President, having always at hand just such an opinion on the important matters referred to his investigation and decision as should accord with the President's viewsordesires. In this connection, we may mention his decision in the case of Louisiana, in which he fully sustained the usurpation of Judge Durell, and the election of the usurper Kellogg as Governor of that State, chiming in exactly with the President's views in opposition to the report of the investigating committee. The appointment is evidently one of gras aud palpable favoritism on the part of the President, for no doubt there are a thousand lawyers in the eountry, and noc of the tirst class, either, who would be more competent to fill that Potion, and add more dignity to the Bench, than Vr. Williams. But a hiirh standard of legal qualifications seems not to have been considered necessary by the President for that office.

He has selected a medium lawyer, and hardly that, and an obsequious partisan, to fill tbe pluca once dignified and made honorable by such eminent legal minds as Chief Justices Marshall and 'faney. No better selection could have been expected alter the same President sought to rfivprA decision nf thp Snnrpmo vuui 1 ij fcuu appointment of an attorney ns Justice whose opinions upon that point were known and declared before the case was argued. The Williams, when it admits that he will make about as capable a Chief Justice as General Grant is a President. The famine mentioned in our last issue as existing in Osceola county, is a fact, and no myth. That County, with others in that vicinity, have been but recently settled, mainly by soldiers who fought during the war, and who availed themselves of the llnmestead act to secure farms.

They bad no capital, or accumulated stock, or provis. ions. Early Summer brought on them the plague of grasshoppers, by which their crops were entirely destroyed. They did not leave behind them one green blade. Some of the settlers left, but others had no meaos of getting away, and are now destitute of clothing for the inclemency of the Winter.

They have no fuel, and are burning twists of hay and rushes, to keep themselves warm in their houses of boards and suds. They lack the plainest necessaries of life bread even, and meat. Their unwholesome diet has bred weakness and disease, and the new born babe dies on tbe milkless breast of the shivering mother. The worst suffering yet awaits them, as the biting cold comes on, and will be intense unless help shall reach them from the more favojed portions of the country. The radical papers pounce upon the Dem ocrats of the House of Representatives like a huugry lion upon its prey, because they vo.

ted tor Fernando Wood, of New York, tor Speaker, who they say voted for and took the back pay. In so doing they cbarze the Democrats with making 'an unequivocal endorsement of the back pay grab, as it is called. If that be good logic when applied to Democrats, will it not also apply with the same force to the republicans? Did thev not endorse the 4back pay grab," and the Credit Mobilier infamy als-o, in voting for Biaine for Speaker, and continuing arpeoier as rresioent pro tan. ot the benate, and in tbe reappointment of salary grabber: and Credit Mobiiiers to the important com mittees? But stop. Mr.

Wood did not vote for the back pay act. He was not in Washi ngton when that bill came up for action He was in New York on important business relating to his family. Had he been able to be present, he says he should have voted against it, and, besides "amid all tbe jobbing and plundering, the briberies and venali- ties which have marked the era of republican ascendancy, and soiled tbe names of every republican leader in the House, of many Sen ators, ana ot two Vice Presidents, Wood record is fair and clear, as his ability is unquestioned." The vote the Democrats gave bun was a compliment to his unstained character in this record, and a recognition of the fact that he is the oldest member in point of service and entry into Congress of all the men of either party in either House Mr. Wood did take the ''back pay," and we will venture the assertion that he will return it t5 the Treasury sooner than will the nrince of Salary grabbers. President Grant, or his Henchmen Jbenator Conkling or Representa tive Poland.

The radical papers had better save their breath to cool their own porridge, .1 LI uuu uui uo uiowiog at orners wnen their own party is so deep in the mire of corruption ana venality. hen the two Vice Presidents Uollax and ilson, and the party leader. liutier, et id ornne genus can present as clean a record of Congressional integrity as Fernando Wood, it will be time enough for tbe radical press to throw stones at the Democrats. Tilt then it bad better ponder over the old saw They that live in glass houses," etc. The nomination of Attorney General Williams to be Chiet Justice of the United States Supreme Court struck the Sanate as being so exceedingly inappropriate, that it was laid upon the table, to be referred.

This was contrary to their usual custom when a member or an ex-member of their own body is nominated to an office In such cases the Senate usually confirms at once without referring to a committee. It is understood, however, that the nomination will be confirmed. The edict has gone forth from the White House, and the Senate is too obsequious to resist, though as an expounder of Constitutional law, and an interpreter of the treaties and statutes passed in accordance therewith, Mr, Williams is inferior to nine-tenths of their number. It is remarkable that during the year 1873 about one third as many lives have been de. stroyed by accidents to trans Atlantic steamers, as during the period of thirty one years from 1841 to 1872.

The list for the present year is as follow-: Brittania, wrecked in Frith of Clyde, Jnmmry 27, I3(ii. jttantte, wrecked on Marr's Kock April 1 1S73; btii lives lost. City of ash i nylon! wrecked on coast of Nova Scou July 7 J87i Ismailia, left New York, September 2:) lsfi- vet not heard from. Missouri, wrecwed on touer 1873; no lives W. VUU ttu Havre, collided wiUl wmUhshlp Loch Earn, in laiiiu.le47 degrees longitude 35 degrees West: Uvea Irst.

The loss of the last vessel seems the mst heart rending of all. We are told that the ship passed safely through five days of Tog, and was superior to all storms, Tbe night of her disaster was clear but windy, and the sea an average as to heaviness- At '2 o'clock a. m. November 23J she collided with tbe Loch Earn, which struck her amidships and the defendant for the reason that the plaintiff bad not furnished specifications within the time ordered by the court, or by the rules of the court. The case was Alexander JVones, of Net York City vs.

Louis fforthouxe. of Benninaton. Action 1 Th pUlatifi claimed damr. for ihut tho (Jcleariaat, while driving hia horse and carrtire on trie me avennb wilh the plaintiff, in the city ot New Yurk, ward wheel, throwing out th plaintiff aoil hia uruve inio me puinfin i CArmiTB. breaking a for He, ana trreatlv iinurioir both of them Th plaintiff read on trial the ol' several witnesses, proving the injury, and that it hapoetjed witbuut hi- fault and llinm-'h I ha tunlt ihrlA.

feniiiut. Tho defendant testified that he did not drive Into tbe plai nt-ifs carriage, aud that bedid iiuiinue wun-n coDiriouiea to tno injury ol the plaintiff and his wire. As the plaintiff wad not present in person at the trial, nor anv of his wir- and as Uie defendant waa doim; business in Kbr York city at the time ot the altered itjurv, and the ttuitmiirht bave been urou''ht then-, iha defendant's counsel very atrophy intimated in argument that the plaintiff's wiiuees were straw Job by the plaintiff. The jury returned a Verdict ntcieu wane S8e3. ona that the suit was a.

nut un ir me ueienuunt iur ms Heury A. liaruian and C. N. Oavenport fur plaintiff. A.

B. and T. Stblsy lor defendant. Lorenzo D. Austin vs.

Oscar Chandler. Both nur- tiea reside in heon.n.rtan. Action of trespass, for sauit and From the plaintiff sow,) teati. mony and the teptimuny of twa boys, it appealed tnat on the of June. IS7-2 the called the plaintiff from his uu.se to see him on business; that when the plain 3 came up to tbe delaodant, the dfndnot imUcd off his hat, took hint by me hair with one hind.

And with other band fttute him a. Heavy bio in the inca. koocaintr him Be a se lest to the irr.iund. Ttia dtitd. ant testified that the plaintiff first struck at him, and tiial lie gave tbe blow id aaif deience.

Ver dict ainst defend int, $30 ddmaes, and costs. Wiiliaia bouthwoith for plaintiff il J-iulm-r ana liiuterdeld iur defendant. Hull Chandler vs. fFtntkrop Smith and Isin Smith. 'Ihe parties reide in Benainiriou: tn etion trespass, tor assault and battery.

Thd aliened trespass were committed on the occasion r.r raheareit of the scholars of the Sii.h.uh S-hool at the chapel in the Norttiea-t pirt oi Banaioton, known as Shirbshlre. On trial it. annenxrA ihs.r fh deieiidanis were present leading and conducting ine exercises oi the renearsai, preparatory to a picnic: that while so entraiied. tha r.tiiintitv i the chapel, makni more nuii than the delendant. ttmthrup thou-'ttt necearv: that the iiUuirifr and the defendant Winihrnp soon met, and alter a short interview mutually agreed to go out door and nam; mat notn went out, the plaintiff ladin; that plaintiff took off his cant and vsr th fendant Wiuthrop iiis coat oaly, when the fifat commenced, it bein dispute as to who made ihe first assault, or drew first blood that in Mimrt time it becatoe evident tU xt the pUmtiff was the better man, be having advantage by reason of uis uuir ana wnisKers neinij cut short and pleased.

It appeared that the defendant Wmthrjn had ha- come sumewhut disabled a broken thuit. and one ai temporarily paralyzed, when ni? brother isaao wme io nis assistance, ana that suoa alter Isaac appealed and took part tne nlaintiff retreat- ed in quick time, wituabudly bruised face and a lrsctured skull, as he claimei. It armored in eviJencethat alter the plamMT had given up the doi ana retreated, ne waa pursued ov the delend- auts, and lurtber assaults made upon tim. The Court, amn- other charged the jary that the plaintiff was not to recover tor the ment made tofixht the defendant VVinthrop, but only for such iujurles as be received froaatnede- munes receive! wane h'luios under the a-re- jenuant? auer ne jrave up the himt and retreated. Verdict aiinst the deteniaot VVinthrop South, fJd.titi damages and cost.

Verdict for Smith. Williamtf. bjiuhwortii ani J. K. bitclidlder tir plaintiff; T.

fciiuiey aud C.N. Davenport for de- lendauts. Jtf. Bates, pro ami.vs. Edaar Taft.

These Dirties reside in bbaltsaury; the nction lor assault and baitery. The parties were scholars at the school in South ShaUsriury. Tne plaintiff claims ttiit the deiuadaat. with other scholars, wiliully injured him in a certain play on fl jatio eikes of by aiaiutf and asistin2 otnei to throv ax down, and to indecently expose his pertm uinst his will. The dotendant did notdenvbut the plaintiff whs thrown down and Indecently exposed, but claimed that the act wss one of school box s' spurts, thm it wus done in sport, a nd thit the Plaintiff was uot iniured thereby.

Verdict nr-tinrft defendant tor carnages, and costs. A. B. tjsrj-cer and T. Si Die forpi'aiuiiff; 6.

Sj am worm for defendant. Washington County Court. The following cases have been disposed of by the Court, and not previously reported. Lemuel B. Carr vs.

Sabrina S. Carr. Marriage and residence proved, and bill granted fur intolerable severity. No deienoe. Rachel Jack vs.

John Jack. WW granted for intolerable severtf y. Petitioner has leave to resusne her maiden name of Rachatd A'nswortb. Ailmonv decreed according to agreement. 50 and one bed.

Statevs. George Tinkham. Indicted for pellinscl der. Pleaded guilty of three ofleaces. Fined $30, aud costs.

State v. George P. Foster. Indicted for selling liquor, lljods exiled and furfeitetl. State vs.

Nathaniel H. titration, Bonds called, and forfeited. State v. John Coiy. Indicted for se' cider.

Plead guilty of three offences fined $30 aud coats. State vs. John C. Stinehour. 1 od icted for totting patent nute without putno a statement to that el-fect in the body.

Indictment abated for a misnomer, respondent's true nam being Jesse titine-hour. State vr. William Parks. Indictments for selling liquor and cider, continued. Sta vs.

Thomas J. Hunt. Indicted for selling liquor, continued. State vs. Andrew E.

Field. Indicted for soiling liquor. Pleaded guilty of eight ollences. Fined $80, aud costs State vs. William Dodge.

Indicted for soiling liquor. Pleaded guilty of live second offonces. Fined $100 and coat. State vs W. H.

Wheeler and Merrill Dodje.la-dicttn? nt for abusing a horse. Fined and one-half the costs each. Iu the divorce case of Eddy vs, Eddy, it should have been May not Mary May E. Leland bein her maiden name. and not Mary E.

Cut His Foot. Last Saturday week, John Stukely, of Washington, cut his foot badly with an axe, while chopping in the woods. iuo wtria is responsible lor the statement among its Splinters" that "Castleton haa got up a Jotiery to raise fuuds to build a new road." Guess not. Fifty years ago such a thing may have been done in that town, hut not recently. The long agony is over.

The office of Chief Justice of tbe Supreme Court of the Suited States, which has been a sort of shut-and tic-cock between various candidates ever i8'nce the death or Chief Justice Chase, has DeenteQdered to Attorney General Williams, ol res0D anti uo Iias signified bis accept-battlefield aDCe of tbe aPP0otmeQt. Mr. Miliums TTr 'b'. he wa aP by fant as ofe joint "A "1 Tl mai seen, me air prsw stt 1 nri cwl-iit Stock, which thev will r.w to ut great sacrifice. In Dakota the fires swept over less territory, but the terror occasioned by the flames was scarcely less.

At Vermillion only the desperate effort of the citizens, who turned out with plows and axes, saved the town. The whole country in the vicinity was burned over, and it is feared that many lives have been lost. The seene in the streets was appalling. Women and children ran about crazy with fear, and the air was so oppressed with smoke and fire that breathing was diflicult. The Toronto (Out.) Citizen relates that seven lumbermen went from Sault St.

Marie, Ont, several miles up the Blind river, a tributary of Lake Huron, some weeks ago, to commence their operations for the winter, taking with them a large quantity of grain in bags. As nothing was heard from them for a long time, one of their employers went up, and entering the hut they had built, found them all dead under the grain. They had piled the grain up in the bag, and laid down with their heads near it and their feet toward the fire. During the night one of the bags at the I bottom had burst open, throwing the whole pile upon the sleepers and smothering hem. 0 j.

then the wind came in moaning ptifls. But, when nearer, there was no mistaking character of the visitation. The inbah-j itnts were compelled to flee for their livts; while the fire laid hold upon barns, houses, belts of timber, wood piles, and fences, and converted them into heaps of blazing embers. Hay ricks, wheat and corn shooks, straw stacks have been annihilated, Smoke smears upon stone buildings bhow similar havoc, and an occasional carcass of a horse or ox makes the resemblance to the almost perfect. To form a gen- eral estimate of the loss to the Slate would be impossible at present, but it will be count.

I ed by hundreds of thousands of dollars, if does not mountinto millions. The farm- ers are left without anything to feed their.