Newspaper Clippings, 1884 - "From Eastern Nevada"

TERRITORIAL ENTERPRISE

Sunday October 5, 1884

FROM EASTERN NEVADA.

The Democratic Convention - Heavy and Unseasonable Snow Storm - Congressman Cassidy - How Judge Scott Got Caught Out - Mill and Mining Matters - A Satisfactory Piece of Machinery - Old Ice - Cowhide Cocktail - Shoeing Cows - Curfew - Soreheads - Etc.

[Correspondence of the Enterprise]

AUSTIN, October 3, 1884

The Democratic County Convention, day before yesterday, brought a lively snow storm, which lasted until last evening, covering the whole country with a wintry blanket about four inches thick. Thus far we have had snow in every month in the year, sufficient to whiten the hillsides and mountain tops about here on each occasion. Last Winter was evidently a "holdover."

THAT CONVENTION.

The aforesaid convention of our Democratic friends was a model affair of its kind, and passed off very smoothly, James B. Eagan, Chairman, presiding like an old veteran, although he is a young man and this was his first attempt. There were many amusing incidents, such as forty-two votes being cast on the very first ballot, when there were only thirty-nine members. Four nominations were made for the three Assemblymen to be chosen, and a motion was carried to vote for each one separately. It took considerable argument to show that this could not well be done, when the motion was withdrawn, without reconsideration. For County Commissioner one ambitious delegate scattered his ballot by putting the names of all three candidates upon it. Our worthy County Assessor, trusting in the legality of the bill passed by the last Legislature, enabling all County Assessors to hold their offices two years longer than they were elected for, felt serene, and made no fight until the decision of the Supreme Court was telegraphically received, declaring the bill unconstitutional. Then he sailed in and got badly defeated in the convention. He probably saves money by it, however, as all the nominations of this convention, with, perhaps, two or three exceptions, are destined to be beaten at the November election. At the conclusion, three cheers were given for Cleveland and Hendricks, and all hands hilariously broke for the nearest saloons without waiting for any formal sine die adjournment. The chair is in doubt as to whether the convention has taken a general recess or a two years' vacation. All these harmless little irregularities merely gave the spice of variety to the occasion, and perhaps the Republican Convention to-morrow, may be similarly flavored.

CASSIDY.

The first heavy artillery of the campaign was fired last Saturday evening, when Congressman Cassidy addressed the population of Austin, giving his views of the political situation, and rendering an account of his stewardship. Bonfires blazed, cannon roared, and martial music swelled forth upon the cool evening air. The spacious court-room was crowded and quite a number of ladies were present. In a two hours' speech of fervid eloquence, our portly, handsome George vindicated himself and his course admirably, discussed the tariff, which, if intended for revenue, he said, should not be placed so high as to prevent importation, or there would be no revenue. He portrayed and represented Cleveland as one of the grandest, ablest, men of the present age, and proved to the satisfaction of all who knew no better, that all the past and present prosperity of this great American nation was due solely to the noble, pure and incorruptible old Democratic party. George is a man of fine presence, positive remarks, and bold, unblushing assertions.

CAUGHT OUT.

Among the most frequent visitors to Austin from Battle Mountain, especially during the sessions of the District Court, is Judge E.A. Scott, the veteran journalist. He tells a very good story on himself -- how he got caught out once. It was about nineteen years ago, and he was traveling one night over the New York and Erie Railroad. The train stopped at a station in the town of Binghampton, and he was awakened by a terrible row on the platform of the depot. He sprang out of his berth with nothing but his shirt, drawers and socks on, and rushed to see the fray. Two men were having a desperate and bloody rough and tumble fight, amid a wildly-excited crowd, and sundry policemen were trying to press in to the rescue. Scott got as badly excited as anybody, and joined in the surging mass. Just then the bell rang and the train started. He managed to get out of the crowd and rushed for the cars, but he was too late , and found himself left. Worse than that, the fight was over, and he found himself in the hands of the police and several angry persons, all asking what he had to do with the fight. "Nothing," said he. "Then what the devil are you stripped for?" He had a hard time explaining and making them believe, and they held possession of him six hours, till he telegraphed ahead to the next station, intercepting the train, and had his clothes and baggage sent back to him, after which he was permitted to go on.

MILL AND MINING MATTERS.

The Manhattan mill has started up again after a couple of weeks rest for much needed repairs to the roasting furnace and sundry improvements to the machinery. There is plenty of rich ore in the ore houses and in sight in the mine to keep the mill running for an indefinite length of time. The big Comstock plunger pump at the Frost shaft, of which I have heretofore made mention, has been running regularly ever since it first started, nearly three months ago, and does even better service than was expected of it. The pump, as stated, was from the Sierra Nevada mine and the bob from the Woodville, Lower Gold Hill. Having better foundations and being set up far better than it was originally, that ponderous bob works very much smoother and more perfectly than it ever did before; in fact the whole arrangement constitutes a very effective, economical and thoroughly satisfactory piece of machinery. Near the huge tank or reservoir into which this pump discharges, a powerful steam pump has recently been located for the purpose of forcing the water to the hoisting works of the neighboring mines, and also supplying the hydrants about the new and extensive buildings erected at the Frost shaft, giving prompt and effective protection in case of fire.

INCIDENTALS.

The present cold snap is discouraging and unprofitable to ice-dealers. Joaquin Patargo, who hauls Reese river to town every season and peddles it out in a frozen state, has ice in his storehouse over three years old. It keeps first-rate, not even getting mouldy or wormy.

A good-looking young lady the other morning stepped into a saloon and struck the barkeeper across the face with a cowhide, remarking: "I'll learn you how to talk about me. I'm too good for you to talk about." Then she left him, wondering what it was all about. The cowhide only made a little welt or dent across the corner of his eye, so he considered it a case of mistaken identity, until he could make further inquiries. Anyhow, he don't like that style of lick-er.

A few days ago, at Watson & Williams' blacksmith shop, I observed a small herd of cows being shod. They were young animals, of fine breed, and being driven from Salt Lake Valley to California. Their feet became worn and tender, so that shoeing became a necessity.

The curfew bell ringing at 8 o'clock every evening, still works to a charm, sending all the little boys home at the proper time. And everybody counts to see that Chief of Police King doesn't miss a stroke. There being so many candidates in the field for the various county offices, numerous sore-heads naturally resulted from the Democratic Convention, and many more will result from the Republican Convention to-morrow. Political buzzing is the chief feature among the general public just now.

ALF. DOTEN.

TERRITORIAL ENTERPRISE

Sunday October 12, 1884

FROM EASTERN NEVADA.

The Wild Political Epizootic - Candidates' Trials and Tribulations--Jubilant Saloon-keepers - Badgered Soreheads - Got His Fork in Where There Was No Guano - Independent Candidates - Coon Dogs - Another Model Convention - Hay Fever - H. Ward Beecher - Campaign Speakers - Ore and Bullion - Military - Third Party - Matrimonial Coaching - Nuts and Blankets - Grand Coon Dog Ball - County Consolidation.

[Correspondence of the Enterprise]

AUSTIN, October 10, 1884

The wild, whirling cloudburst of politics at present convulsing Eastern Nevada, has descended upon Austin like a cyclone on a millpond, and the consequent disturbance among both big and little fish is demoralizing to contemplate. The crowning culmination was the Republican County Convention of Saturday, placing both sets of political nominees squarely before the public. And now the buzzy candidate flitteth from knot to knot of his friends along the sidewalks and street corners, and the expectant saloonkeeper gleefully rubbeth his hands as he contemplates possible movements in his direction. He complaineth, however, of too much talk and too little beer, and draweth invidious comparisons between this and far more lucrative campaigns in the regretted past.

ON THE RACK.

Truth to speak, it were better for the contracted purses of the various candidates that these conventions had been held a week or two later. The successful nominees on both tickets, jealously watchful of their opponents in the contest for popularity and influence among the voters, recklessly spend their coveted official fees in advance, and the defeated aspirants serenely stand in at the bar and help deplete their borrowed treasures, philosophically remarking: "Go in you galled jades, our withers are unwrung." Success in the nomination is a tribulative, uncertain quantity at the best, and especially where the political parties are so unevenly divided as they are in Lander county. Many a troubled candidate ardently wishes now that he could sleep beneath the waters of oblivion till the 5th of November and then wake up elected.

SOREHEADS.

Conventions without resultant soreheads are not common in the State of Nevada, not even in Lander, the "mother of counties," and the soreheads here, as well everywhere else, look back retrospectively, and see and tell just how they got beaten, and what beat them. But the most fruitful source of soreheadedness is the having to continually explain the how, why and wherefore. If sympathizing friends or hypocritical interviewers would let them alone, as they come out of the fight with lacerated craniums and trailing tail feathers, they would not feel half so sore. We can all see further behind than we can ahead. One poor unfortunate deliberately went into one of the conventions, with the full slate of that convention in his starboard breast pocket, knowing that he was to be slaughtered. He put up his little $5 to learn something, learned it, captured all the votes outside of the slate, and came out defeated a little, yet not crushed nor soreheaded.

"He who fights and runs away,

May live to fight another day."

Sometimes it is good for a man to try his popularity in this way, to "drop on himself," as it were, and find out his definite status in the opinion of his fellow men. As Bobby Burns so aptly and suggestively remarks:

"O, wad some power the giftie gie us

To see oursels as ithers see us!

It would frae mony a blunder free us,

And foolish notion."

INDEPENDENTS.

Independent candidates who announce themselves after the convention, are naturally classed among the soreheads, and are equally to be feared. The sorehead naturally tries to get even by slyly coppering sundry portions of the ticket, and influencing his sympathizing friends to do the same. The Independent candidate, however, may have for his only motive the defeat of some individual whom he deems to have been unjustly preferred to him by the slate-makers, and he concentrates his efforts to that one point. In a county where a quiet combination of less than a hundred voters can "horse" either party and sway the election as they please, Independent candidates are powerful and have been successful. The only safety with the regular troops is to stand shoulder to shoulder, soothe the soreheads as much as possible, and vote the ticket straight. "All's well that ends well." These remarks are not intended to apply in this section any more than to the Comstock and the rest of the State.

COON DOGS.

In making up a party ticket blunders are too apt to be made in considering the political availability of individuals, and social preference instead of real merit and popular strength. The idea that a man must be good for a legislator, Superintendent of Schools, or other officer, etc., merely because he is available and thought to be strong, is the old coon dog style of argument: "H--ll on coons, is he?" "Well, I guess so; don't know." "Then what makes you call him a coon dog?" " 'Cause he ain't worth a damn for anything else." The chances are that the coon dogs in this fight will be among the corpses found on the field, after the battle in November.

OUR CONVENTION.

The Republican County Convention last Saturday bore a singular resemblance in some of its features to that of the Democracy a week previously. A. Nicholls was Chairman, and everything passed off as smoothly as though cut, dried and greased beforehand, occupying only four hours' time, most of the nominations being made by acclamation. The order of business was the same, and it started off exactly like the Democratic Convention, forty two votes being cast on the very first ballot, when there were but thirty-nine members. Some weak, injudicious nominations were made, but, on the whole, the ticket is stronger than that of the Democracy. Those coming under the head of "coon dogs," on either ticket, and destined to be slain in the November battle, can thank the injudicious management, as well as their own personal unfitness, weakness, and unpopularity, and not attribute their defeat to the superior strength and generalship of their opponents.

AT-CHOO !

September seems to be the favorite month for catarrh, hay-fever and universal sneezing. Anyhow Henry Ward Beecher has his annual attack of that disease in September, and many people in this section as well as in the East are now, like him, rapidly recovering from it. A New York correspondent of the New Haven Register, writing under date of September 16, says:

Beecher is so afflicted just now with hay-fever that I doubt if he cares whether we ever have another President. Although a certificate signed by him, and declaring that a certain medicine is a sure cure for that disease, is current in the advertisements, he is having his annual spell of it. His nose is the reddest I ever saw, and his sufferings are so acute that it might be dangerous to ask him why he didn't take the dose which he lauded.

Beecher has tried to escape the impending calamity by going to the White Mountains and other resorts in September, yet he has not been very successful. Uncle Henry may dodge female blandishments, conviction and tophet, but he can't dodge the hay-fever.

ANTICIPATION.

And now we are all looking ahead in hopeful anticipation of the promised visits of campaign speakers to this section -- Woodburn, Jones, Daggett and others. Jones promised to come here two years ago, when he was at Eureka, but disappointed us through inability to connect. He has a host of friends and admirers here who would like to see him and hear him expound some of the leading texts in the political gospel as only he can do it.

VARIETIES.

The Manhattan mill is steadily smashing rich ore and turning out plenty of bullion as usual. There is ore enough in sight and available to keep it running till New Years. Meanwhile further developments in the mines may furnish material to keep it running for an indefinite period.

Our local military company, the National Guard, will, as mentioned in my last, effect its reorganization next Sunday with a very largely-increased membership and Melville Curtis is the new Captain.

The formation of a third, or Independent party, composed of both Republicans and Democrats, dissatisfied with the result of the recent county conventions, has been quietly discussed the last few days, but the movement has not taken tangible form as yet.

The homeliest woman in Austin has, for the last twenty years, been spoiling for a husband. She has at last concluded to buy her a coach, but the only trouble now is to secure a suitable coachman.

The pine nut harvest has been extraordinarily good this season, the nuts being unusually large and plentiful. And the thrifty Piute sells his nuts for coin, and takes more interest in flaming red and yellow blankets than he does in politics.

A grand ball is advertised in the Reveille of candidates nominated at the recent county conventions of both parties, to take place at International Hall next Tuesday night. No outside invitations are extended, therefore we must infer that they do their own dancing and pay their own fiddler. But the grand coon dog ball, to be given on the night of November 5, composed of defeated candidates, slaughtered aspirants, kickers, independents and soured politicians generally, will totally eclipse anything of the season. Music by the Salt River Codfish band. Admission and exit free, with coon dog cocktails thrown in.

The ENTERPRISE idea of the consolidation of Washoe, Storey, Ormsby and Lyon into one county is good enough, but too extensive for sudden adoption. Storey should merge into Washoe, and Lyon and Douglas into Ormsby, thus forming two convenient-sized counties to very good advantage. Reno and Carson would then each be a boss county seat, of equalized importance and increased prosperity -- and with trebly increased mutual jealousy.

ALF. DOTEN.

TERRITORIAL ENTERPRISE

Sunday October 26, 1884

FROM EASTERN NEVADA.

Congressman Woodburn's Popular Reception and Address in Austin -- Lander Hill Aglow with Republican Enthusiasm -- Bonfires, Cannon and a Torchlight Procession on Wheels -- About the Public Land Donations -- The Senator Jones Standard -- Anxious Candidates -- Smiling Voters -- Salt River -- Coon Dogs -- A Bad "Pitch."

[Correspondence of the Enterprise.]

AUSTIN, October 24, 1884

Again were the patriotic echoes of the old Toiyabe range awakened on Monday evening last by a grand Republican demonstration, similar to that of the Saturday evening previous in honor of Senator Jones. This time it was Hon. William Woodburn, about to be re-elected to Congress from Nevada in place of Cassidy, who was the proud recipient of festive Austin honors and hospitalities. About 7 P.M. the torchlight procession and brass band, on a long train of flat-cars, handled by the street locomotive, Mule's Relief, moved slowly down the street, the numerous torches, huge flaming beacons and lettered transparencies giving it the appearance of an extensive load of seething fire. The cheers of the procession were heartily responded to by the crowds densely lining the sidewalks, and the martial music was rythmetically punctuated, as it were, by the frequent fierce reports of the loudmouthed little brass cannon on the street, near the lofty blazing bonfire. Woodburn had arrived on the train of the previous evening, visited the mines and mill in the forenoon, shook hands with most of the population, including numerous friends and old acquaintances, and was feeling first-rate. He appreciated the novel style of his reception and genuine heartiness very much. International Hall was densely crowded, the front seats being filled with ladies, and the brass band imparted the influence of choice, inspiring music. Chairman Andrew Nicholls, of the County Central Committee, introduced Mr. Woodburn to the audience, and he was received with demonstrative approval. He spoke fully two hours, and his attentive audience frequently interrupted him with appreciative applause. He was placed somewhat at a disadvantage by Jones having preceded him so recently, covering many points of his discourse. Moreover, his subject matter was largely made up of replies to Cassidy's bold, recklessly mendacious assertions, which must not be allowed to go unrefuted or unexposed, and which constitutes no small or easy task. The following is merely a brief sketch or summary of

MR. WOODBURN'S DISCOURSE.

Referring to Cassidy's bold claim to having not only his own party's vote, but also many Republican votes, he said: "I feel a little more modest, and shall only ask for the votes of the Republicans. So, too, as he claims to show up advantageously the Democratic side of this great political argument, I will show up t he Republican side. I also propose to show him up, tell my own story and let the people judge between us. He cites the McSweeney case, to show that our Republican Administration does not protect the rights of adopted or naturalized citizens, yet the record shows that McSweeney had renounced his American citizenship, returned to Ireland, became again an English subject, and was holding as office as such; therefore, was not entitled to any protection or influence on our part. The Kostza case was very different. Austrian officers attempted to kidnap him, in Smyrna, a neutral Turkish port, claiming him as an Austrian and liable to military duty. He called for protection as an American citizen, and Captain Ingraham promptly opened the ports of his war ship and compelled them to release their prisoner and took him under the protection of the stars and stripes. And it was James G. Blaine who called special attention of Congress to this matter, and caused an Act to be passed declaring that a certificate of American naturalization must be properly respected by all nations. Granting to foreigners, whether naturalized or not, who served in our army, 160 acres of land, the Homestead law, the Eight-hour law were all Republican, and not Democratic measures. Cassidy, with the most willful persistency, still states that the Democratic party has never given away one inch of the public domain to aid in building railroads and canals, when the official records show that during the ten years from 1850 to 1860 the Democratic administration did give away no less that 33,680,000 acres for that very purpose. He tries to blame the Republican party for only acquiring Alaska, and not Louisiana, which was acquired many years before the Republican party or even Cassidy was born. No Democrat has ever originated a law to exclude or restrict Chinese immigration. Cassidy ungenerously gives no credit whatever to Senator Jones on the silver question, but to Bland, who had no more to do with its origin than the man in the moon. Yet everybody knows Jones originated, promoted and engineered the Silver bill to final success, remonetizing silver and restoring to it its value and usefulness as a legal coin of the Nation. Dick Bland lived on the Comstock in 1866 and had his headquarters in Judge Pitzer's office. He had leanings toward law, and the height of his ambition was to run for Justice of the Peace. He got defeated, subsided and finally disappeared. He subsequently turned up in Congress, and was put on the Committee on Mines and Mining, being probably considered as a Comstock "expert." Banks drew up a Silver bill by way of experiment, and it was referred to the Mines and Mining Committee, who approved it, and Bland had the honor of lying it on the Clerk's desk. This gave it his name, and made him unexpectedly famous. It has kept him in Congress ever since, and it is a wonder that it has not elevated him to the Presidential chair. James G. Blaine was a friend of our silver and did all he could for us, as he also did in the Chinese restriction matter. Cassidy's tariff ideas are too limited and muddled for all practical purposes, -- uncertain and shaky as the tariff plank in the Democratic platform. Cleveland is the representative of free trade, and all the free traders in the country have arrayed themselves under his banner. Cassidy says a County Commissioner is good enough for a President. I don't mind his applying that proposition to his candidate, but not to ours. He also declares that there is too much corruption in Government affairs, anyhow, and thinks a change would be beneficial. I , too, want a change. I want Cassidy put out, and myself put in his place. He says we have no navy, yet what has our Democratic Congress done toward providing one. He claims to have secured the passage of an appropriation of $25,000 for the improvement of the Colorado river, yet it will be borne in mind that when the bill was being considered, Cassidy deliberately rose and said Nevada needed no such appropriation, for she had no river bigger than the stream flowing from the Sutro tunnel. He claims that his bill for $200,000, in liquidation of the Indian war debt passed, but the record shows that it did not. He got $12,000 appropriated for the removal of the remains of deceased soldiers from Fort Churchill, and has distributed barrels of seeds and bushels of documents throughout the State, yet he should not claim credit for doing the simple duty that he was elected, sent there and paid for doing. The Desert Land bill did not originate with Cassidy, but with Uncle Johnny Boland, down at Rye Patch. The meeting adjourned with cheers for Blaine and Logan, and for Woodburn. He left for Belmont next morning, addressed a large and enthusiastic audience there Wednesday evening, returned yesterday to Austin and left again this morning, to speak in Reno to-morrow evening. Woodburn is doing some very arduous and effective work in the good cause, and he will deserve his reward at the polls a week from next Tuesday. Cassidy, the man of bold, reckless assertions, should be glad of a chance to rest and recuperate his conscience.

A PAYING POLICY.

Among the numerous campaign documents distributed by the Democracy is a map showing the public lands that have been given away in aid of the construction of railroads and canals throughout the United States. The Democracy desires to thus show up Republican extravagance and venal wastefulness in that respect, totally ignoring the fact that this policy was commenced very liberally under Democratic rule and administration. And yet where is the detriment or loss in so doing? Is it not good policy? Has it not proven to be so? Building railroads through any country and any lands -- good, bad or indifferent -- infallibly increases the value of such lands, or gives a tangible value they never possessed before. Millions of acres given to the Central Pacific Railroad were totally and absolutely valueless until the road was built across the continent. Now the alternate sections reserved by Government are worth ten times more than all the sections ever were before. "Half a loaf is much better than no bread." The broad dark streaks on that map merely show improvement and prosperity, and form a most excellent argument in favor of Republican rule and progress. Even owners of valuable town sites or lots find it good paying policy to give away numerous lots to persons who will build upon and make substantial improvements, thereby far more than doubling the value of the rest of the property.

SENATOR JONES.

The recent visit of Senator Jones to Eastern Nevada was like a broad ray of warm sunshine beaming diagonally across the political horizon. He had a jolly smile for all, and all hands willingly smiled with him, regardless of political complexion. The Eureka folks declare that he is the best speaker, giving the best political address ever heard in that furnace-fumed burg. The Austin people all swear by Jones, and the old pioneers unhesitatingly declare that nothing like him has been here before or since the flood. They consider him a walking text book on tariff, currency or anything else in that line -- a single standard of forensic eloquence, by which all other speakers have to be comparatively judged and valued hereafter. It will be "Yes, he's a mighty good talker, but you oughter heerd Jones." Those who couldn't squeeze into the hall or get far enough up the stairway to hear his voice are regarded as unfortunate. Colonel A.C. Ellis, of Carson, is to be here next Monday evening and talk Democracy. Even now many are asking what sort of a talker he is as compared with Jones. If he falls too far below the standard he will be mobbed.

TAILINGS.

Strong delegations of candidates from both parties have gone down to Battle Mountain and the north end of the county electioneering. One stands the other off in the way of securing votes or influence, and the friendly voter smileth with either party when called upon.

Jones found one freshly-naturalized citizen here named John P. Jones, just like himself. He also found about forty other Jones's, all good men, and all Republicans.

The Salt River boat is being got ready for passengers, and the coon-dog ball on November 5 is sure to be the grandest success of the season. Many an anxious candidate is in a state of trepidation lest he should be proved to be a coon-dog. Some are already picked out as such.

The other evening "Red Jimmy" Williams, speaking politically, cocked his head over one side, as he sagaciously remarked, "It's my opinion, old son, that the Democratic party's workin' on tribute, and they's got a dam pad pitch." ALF. DOTEN.

TERRITORIAL ENTERPRISE

Sunday November 2, 1884

FROM EASTERN NEVADA.

Colonel A.C. Ellis Enlightens the Austin Political Horizon - He Talks Two Hours Without Serious Detriment - Silver, Tariff, Chinese and Mcsweeney - The Coon-Dog Ball and Supper - Not Registered - Cranky Notions - Dry Compliments - The Next Circus

[Correspondence of the Enterprise.]

AUSTIN, October 30, 1884

The political discourse of Colonel A.C. Ellis, on Monday Evening, was the latest sensation in that line. The Austin Democracy were out in full force, had two grand bonfires on Main street, and the little brass cannon banging away fiercely, making more noise than a whole park of artillery in war time. The National Guard Band did the music for the occasion in excellent style, and, although there was no procession, the street looked hilariously lively. International Hall was crowded to its utmost capacity, a large number of ladies being present, and numerous Republicans helping to make up the audience. The stage was adorned with green bushes, and, with the band in full uniform, presented a pleasing appearance. Hon. H. T. Creswell, Chairman of the Democratic County Central Committee, introduced Colonel Ellis to the audience, and he made a good lively address for a little over two hours. His good voice and delivery and general pleasing style impressed his audience very favorably, and he was frequently applauded. He spoke rapidly and talked more in two hours than many can in four. The following is a condensed reference to the principal points of his discourse:

COLONEL ELLIS' SPEECH.

He commenced by saying it was ten years ago that he first had the honor to address a meeting of citizens of Lander County in this very hall. At that time he was politically asking something for himself, but on this present occasion he only appeared in behalf of the Democratic ticket generally, and the national nominees, and neither should he resort to the repetition of those foul slanders regarding the private and domestic characters of the leading candidates on either ticket, which had already formed too much of the stock in the present campaign. He proposed to consider the respective candidates from the standpoint of their true merit and comparative qualifications. So, also, he should present and discuss the motives, acts, and national trend or drift of each party, and judging the present and future by the past, show which party was the best entitled to public confidence and support. This was a promisingly fair and candid starting out on the part of the talented speaker, but he seemed to forget all about it before he got half through, and constituted himself a special pleader in behalf of the Democratic party and its nominees. He saw nothing but usurpation, barefaced dishonesty and arrogant corruption on the part of the Republicans; while the Democracy shone forth as a model of patient, guileless innocence, and longsuffering, down-trodden ambition, whose sole desire was to once more get on deck and rescue the country from the chaos of ruin and disrepute into which it was plunged by the venal, destructive machinations of the willfully, selfishly corrupt party now in power. If he saw or knew of any good deeds by the Republican party, he did not apparently deem them worthy of mention, but claimed all good acts, deeds and intentions for the Democracy. In short, he distorted facts, and was not candidly honest in his charges and illustrations, freely laying himself open to criticism in that respect at various points. In the matter of bold, reckless assertions, he was almost equal to Cassidy, and could not fail to show that he was a genuine, consistent old dyed-in-the-wool Bourbon Democrat.

The first great burningly important measure which concerns the whole nation, and especially Lander county, said he, is called the silver question. You all remember how, like a thief in the night, silver was demonetized in 1873 at the hands of the Republican party. They had the Presidency, House, Senate and all departments of Government, therefore that party alone is responsible for that great wrong to our mining and business interests throughout the country. There was no relief from the consequent deep and disastrous depression until under beneficent Democratic rule silver was remonetized in 1878, and prosperity once more smiled throughout the land. A Democrat, of whom Mr. Woodburn has told you, formerly lived on the Comstock and whose highest ambition was to be a Justice of the Peace -- which was no criterion to judge of him detrimentally, for even Jefferson and others of our leading statesmen had similar aspirations -- this gentleman introduced a bill before Congress providing for the coinage of the silver dollar of 412 ½ grains and also for the free coinage of silver, on the same principle or privilege as that of gold. This part was stricken out by the Republicans, and among those voting against it was Mr. Blaine. He favored and advocated a dollar of 430 grains, which would debase silver still more in value, and be ruinous to our great Western silver mining interests. Colonel Ellis read the Bland bill, including the rejected free coinage provision, and went on to state that after it passed with a provision authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase from $2,000,000 to $4,000,000 of silver per month to be coined into the standard dollar of 412 ½ grains each, that Republican official, in the interest of those unfriendly to silver, always, from that day to this, has adhered to the minimum amount, and never purchased more than the $2,000,000 per month. Colonel Ellis says Blaine opposed and voted against the Bland bill, and was the enemy of silver, but the record shows very differently. Colonel Ellis also very deliberately ignored our "Silver Senator," Jones, entirely in the matter of giving him no credit whatever for his herculean efforts in the solution of the great silver problem. Yet the whole financial world knows that to Senator Jones are we principally indebted for the remonetization of silver, and the restoration of our silver dollars.

The Colonel, of course, claimed all honor for the Democratic party in the disposal of the Chinese question, that the Democratic party had fought that battle in many campaigns, and finally won it. He neglected to mention that they had any assistance from the Republicans of the Pacific Coast, but stated that only three Republicans east of the Rocky Mountains voted for the Restriction bill which is now rules. He neglected also to state that the Chinese came to the Pacific Coast in the early days of California by the direct invitation and under the fostering care and protection of the Democratic party. Democrats and Chinamen affiliated very well in those days, and would yet if the Chinese had been shrewd enough or cared to become citizens, and thus placed themselves on voting equality. All old timers will remember how the "China boys," with their little red button skull-caps, baggy-seated breeches and long tails, accompanied by their truly devilish band of music, were given an honorary position in public processions in California, and how old John Bigler, the Democratic Governor of California, presided at Chinese banquets until he naturally received the humorous soubriquet of "Mandarin John." It was not until the Republicans came into power that the Democrats discovered that their voteless Celestial brethren were all long-tailed curses of the first water.

The speaker compared the platforms of the two political parties, and showed how recklessly the Republican party has been giving away the public lands to railroads, canals, and foreigners, by millions upon millions of acres, during its reign of terror, yet omitted to mention the numerous millions of acres similarly given away by the Democracy, to say nothing of several entire States and other Government property before the Republican party came into power.

Next came the tariff. Daggett, sitting by a purling brook beneath the lovely banana trees of Honolulu, had read the platform of the Democratic party on that knotty problem in American politics, and couldn't make out what it meant, and he (the Colonel) was free to remark that the tariff planks of both parties are so worded that no living soul can understand them. He spoke of the enormous revenue which had caused $400,000,000 to accumulate as dead property in the Treasury, with $130,000,000 more surplus still coming in every year, all of no use to anybody, unless we "rake her," and yet the heavy burden of taxation goes on all the same. The Colonel was not posted, or willfully omitted to state that the great majority of that large accumulation is contingently appropriated, and in reality there is but $70,000,000 surplus in the Treasury. Moreover, if Cleveland is to be elected, and the Democracy once more to take command, which he says is sure to be next Tuesday, what objection can any hungry Democrat have to a fat Treasury, worth "raking?" As a matter of prudent provision against possible future trouble, surely a snug little home bank account of $500,000,000 in ready money is a good thing to have. When the Republicans came into power they found the whole country going to ruin and wholesale Democratic destruction, with the national. credit broken and the Treasury empty -- the Democracy had "raked" her clean. The Colonel did not claim to be a free trader, and said no statesman was, yet the more he discussed and argued this matter, the more he showed himself against a protective tariff. He attributed our lack of shipping, lack of employment in some of the manufacturing centers, and even the disadvantages of labor in the struggle with capital, to the protective tariff, which helps the monopolist far more than it protects the wages of labor and helps the poor man. He argued against labor-saving machinery, as throwing labor out of employment, saying by way of illustration, that two men, and two children, with their ingenious pin three machine make enough pins to supply three Nevadas. If such be the fact, how many hundreds or thousands of such machines will it take to supply the whole United States? He denied that the wool-growers are injured by the reduction of the tariff on wool. The reduction was only half a cent a pound, yet wool had declined ten cents.

He reviewed the respective records of Blaine and Cleveland, to the decided disadvantage of Blaine, of course. Blaine had taken advantage of his public position to benefit himself financially and otherwise. The chances are that the Colonel or any other level-headed man would do the same thing. Most public men do. The Mulligan letters he cited as showing how unfortunate Blaine was in his correspondence, yet the Colonel failed to show anything very culpable about them. Great cry and little wool -- not enough to wool the eyes of the average American voter.

Speaking of the McSweeney case, he said McSweeney was a naturalized American citizen, for several years in San Francisco, went back to Ireland, was put in prison, claimed protection from the American Republican government and it was refused. He saw McSweeney recently in New York and asked him about it. Mac stated that he never knew why he was imprisoned; didn't do anything, and was arrested, that's all he knew. Now the Colonel is smart lawyer enough to know that this is an unfair statement of the case; that McSweeney renounced his American citizenship, became an English subject, and was holding an office as such when he was arrested for seditious language, all of which however the Colonel omitted to state. He was equally infelicitous in his reference to the Kositza case.

The Colonel wound up his long and eloquent harangue with a brief review of the highly auspicious outlook of the present campaign for the Democratic party. The returns from Ohio indicated that it would go Democratic on the 4th of November. The great demonstrations in New York showed that it will go the Democratic ticket. New Jersey, Indiana and the Pacific States will fall into line, and on the 4th of November Providence will be in favor of the Democratic party in the national councils and throughout the whole county.

Three cheers were given for Cleveland and Hendricks, and the band played "Dixie." Then by way of apology, as it were, it played the Star Spangled Banner and Yankee Doodle, as the crowded assemblage filed out of the hall.

Taken as a whole, this political discourse of Colonel Ellis has no weighty effect. As a lively, interesting talk it did well enough, but even the Democrats did not believe more than half of it, and as the Republicans disbelieved the other half, the whole is repudiated. His argument was faulty, erratic and thin, therefore unsatisfactory, and did not carry conviction into the political souls of his hearers.

THE BALL.

The grand coon-dog ball next Wednesday night will most undoubtedly be one of the most interesting events of the season. As before remarked, admission free, and coon-dog cocktails thrown in. It cannot fail to be well attended, for all the defeated candidates will be there, and all their sympathizing and disappointed friends, as well as all those who promised to vote for them (and lied). Included in the programme of dances I notice the following: Scratched Ticket Schottische; Bread and Butter Waltz; Quadrille Cheat (with throw-off delegates in the center); Sorehead Lancers; Kickers' Galop; Grand Coon-Dog Supper March. The Salt River Quadrille Band will do the music for the occasion, free of charge, being in the constant employ of the time-honored and most liberally patronized hotel at the head of the blessed old river.

THE SUPPER.

This is also sure to be unanimously patronized, as it will be as free as the drinks. The music of the supper march will be the old familiar domestic aria and ditty of –

"Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard

to get her poor dog a bone."

Included in the menu I notice the following appetizing dishes: Fresh shysters on the half-shell; grilled mutton-heads, with Cleveland & Hendricks' famous sauce; Logan cutlets, served Blaine or breaded; coon-dog fricassee, with Salt River dope on the side; all aboard pudding, grand party chorus:

"I want to be a coon-dog

And up Salt River go," etc.

TAILINGS.

I notice the newspapers keep saying that Uncle Jimmy Fair is to arrive in Nevada in time to vote. But I see by the Enterprise that he is not registered in Virginia City, where he claims his residence, therefore he can't vote even if he does arrive. A crank in your city also writes me the following information: "The latest story here is that Mackay and Fair will both be here this week to work for Cassidy and Cleveland and Jones."

After his speaking the other evening Colonel Ellis did not run the round of the saloons and give the boys a drink. There is no hope of his ever getting elected for anything after such conduct. Several old stiffs bucked badly over the cold-blooded idea.

Yesterday a Piute, gazing at the large and handsome, various-colored political posters stuck up all round town, asked me: "Nudder circus come pooty soon, mebby so?" "Oh, yes! heapa biggy circus come next Tuesday. "

ALF. DOTEN.

TERRITORIAL ENTERPRISE

Sunday - November 9, 1884

FROM EASTERN NEVADA

Glorious Election Results - Eastern Nevada Republicans on Top - Good Effects of Senator Jones' Missionary Work In This Section - Local Politics - Anglo-Cornish Club - Wheels Within Wheels - Some Popular Democrats - Soreheads and Coon Dogs - Soothing Syrup - The Mendacious Telegraph - A Bonanza of Lies - The Coon Dog Ball - Up Salt River

[Correspondence of the Enterprise]

AUSTIN, November 6, 1884

The intense strain on the political mind of Austin during the present week has been terrible to endure. On Monday came the marshaling of the forces and on Tuesday the grand battle at the polls. It is seldom that such a very lively interest is taken in any election, and the result was a very decided surprise to all who participated. Heretofore Lander county has gone Democratic by more or less of a majority, occasionally some Republican managing to squeeze into office through extra-ordinary personal popularity or shrewd manipulation, but this time it went sweepingly Republican. Austin polled about 700 votes, and county nearly 1,000. Woodburn, for Congress, received a fine Republican majority of 168 over Cassidy, and the highest was 233 for Public Administrator, 230 being the highest for Assemblyman. Only two Democratic candidates for county offices were elected- Joe Miller for County Clerk, and H.T. Creswell for District Attorney, with respective majorities of 107 and 94. Blaine's majority was 197.

LOCAL POLITICS.

Austin, with her 700 votes, being nearly three-fourth of the county in point of population and voters, here was the principal battle-ground, and some excellent work was done. An Anglo-American Club was formed in the last week of the campaign. It was a secret arrangement and consisted of 125 members, exclusively Cornish; Englishmen not being admitted. And they pledged themselves to vote the Republican ticket straight, from top to bottom. They went to the polls in squads of five, carrying their ballots folded in their hands, and each voter watched his fellow very closely, so there was no show for sly changing of tickets or similar humbuggery. So the great free American privilege was thus carefully guarded from corruption, and the plan succeeded admirably. Yet it did not prevent Joe Miller and Harry Creswell from being elected. It is an evident fact that these two very successful Democrats received a large number of Republican votes. There were big spur wheels, and wheels within weeels in the running of the political machinery, but everything ran as smoothly as could be wished. Many Democrats declare that a "sack" was used, but fail to show precisely how or where.

THE DEAD AND WOUNDED.

The number of politically dead ones as the result of this well-fought battle is very small; in fact, perhaps, none, and none were crippled badly except in purse. The soreheads and coon-dogs all try and take the gruel of defeat as philosophically as possible. Those beaten in the convention have a fraternal regard for these still more unfortunate ones who succeeded, only to fall on the field of battle -- to "drop on themselves," as it were. And these poor victims of misplaced confidence in their own natural capability, political strength and personal popularity may now also reflectively apply unto themselves those consoling lines of Bobby Burns:

O wad some power the giftie gie us

To see ourselves as others see us!

It wad frae mony a blunder free us,

And foolish notion.

But there is a grain of satisfaction in the idea that some of those who look on and critically judge and who, perhaps, deliberately assisted in their defeat, may perhaps also have the vanity to place themselves before the public as candidates for political favor at some future day and give a chance to play for even. Yet, after all, it is not a good proposition to be brooding too long over real or fancied wrongs, and in a few weeks the bruises and sores of this last battle will heal of themselves if left along and unaggravated. The sooner the incidental acrimonies are settled and disposed of the better.

EFFECTIVE WORK.

The excellent results of Senator Jones' recent visit to this part of the State can now be plainly seen and appreciated. Never did an able and eloquent speaker logically, practically and comprehensively explain the important political topics of the campaign to more willing listeners and with better effect. He captured the reasoning powers of men, and the hearty, magnetic influence of his friendly presence inspired all with confidence in him wherever he went. Even many politically opposed to him yielded to his arguments and their own natural perceptions of right and wrong, and voted the Republican ticket when the proper time came. This most certainly is demonstrated in Lander and Eureka counties very satisfactorily by the magnificent and unexpected increase of Republican strength md effectiveness at the polls.

WIRED LIES.

If the lies that have been flashed over the continent during the last two or three days could be strung on the wires like dried appIes, there would be enough to reach from here to New York, where most of the lies come from. At first Cleveland was triumphant, next it was Blaine, then both were mixed. And fresh lies and contradictions came from the West as well as the East, and the numerous parties who had their money bet on the general result, or any special contingency were kept in a wild fever of doubts and fears, and if this thing is kept up much longer there will be suicides, fighting, or fresh subjects for the State Insane Asylum. There are thousands of dollars bet on this election, and fresh bets are being made. The last telegram to-night said Blaine was a little in the lead in New York, but the chances are it will be Cleveland's turn in the morning.

OTHER LIES.

If the atmosphere would allow it, I believe Austin would speedily become the banner precinct for square out-and-out whole cloth lying. But the purity of the atmosphere, saturated with an overflow of natural truthfulness prevails, except during political campaigns. Everyone of the recent candidates got unmercifully lied about, and it became an actual relief from the oppressive weight of accumulated mendacity to be able to get off a few rascally lies, or hear some fresh lying inventions told on somebody else. Ananias would be perfectly at home here. Some of the defeated candidates have been so badly and wilfully lied about that they have about lost confidence in their own integrity. It will take months to clear up those sulphurous lies, and some of them never will.

TAILINGS.

The grand ball of the soreheads, kickers and coon-dogs, the night after the election, was crowded, and all hands smiled and danced as philosophically as possible under the circumstances. The only independent candidate, who didn't get votes enough to be hardly worth counting, was the liveliest dancer of the lot, and his pas seul, executed on a single string was the finest terpsichorean feature of the evening. They all boarded the Salt River boat in the morning, and "went upward with the flood."

The Manhattan mill grinds right straight along, and it grinds exceedingly fine. And the work in the mines goes ahead as usual, regardless of politics. Senator Jones found numerous old Comstock miners here to shake hands with, many of whom used to work in the Crown Point and Kentuck, under his superintendency.

Sam. Crescenzo, of the International Hotel, ran up his flag Wednesday morning in honor of Cleveland's victory. Then the telegraph said Blaine had the best of it, but before he could pull down his flag Cleveland was on top again. Then it was Blaine and next Cleveland, until Sam. quit trying to even average either side, and now swears he will keep the flag up till he finds what it is flying for. Sam. and his partner, Tony Gondolfo, both despise lying telegrams and liars generally.

ALF. DOTEN .