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Newspaper
Freeport Weekly Journal
Location
Freeport, Illinois, United States of America
Date
Jan 11, 1871
Page
2
The governor lauds the new constitution but notes it is not self executing and urges the Legislature to operationalize its provisions. He argues against salaries by fees, outlines when general laws should pass, and addresses railroads warehouses and state finances with clear, advanced commentary.
Our legislative body at Springfield has hardly begun work and will likely delay until after next Tuesday’s U S Senator election. No clear front runner yet with Logan and Cassidy claiming, while General Logan appears strongest presently as the likely choice.
On Mt Julian's motion Congress is urged to report a bill allowing every veteran with ninety days or more service in the Union Army to receive 160 acres under the Homestead law. The proposal deducts military service from the five years of actual residence required and favors granting actual homesteads on favorable terms.
The order freeing 127 army officers from duty becomes effective January 1. The army will eliminate supernumerary officers and resume line promotions only to fill vacancies after a two year pause. Staff corps will not receive new appointments but will shrink as deaths and resignations occur.
The proposed amendment to the Am nesty bill by Mr. Bingham of Ohio removes most legal disabilities imposed by the Fourteenth Amendment except for Senators or Representatives in 1860 61 and officers heads of departments in the U S government and foreign ministers plus those who held office after June 1 1870. The plan targets only congress members and army navy officers who left office to join the rebellion, estimated at under two hundred and steadily shrinking each year.
An Illinois political view notes the decisive influence of women, especially Mrs Logan, in Governor Ogelsby’s political scene. The writer credits Mrs Logan with mobilizing support for General Logan, suggesting the senator’s likely Senate seat hinges on her efforts, a pattern echoed by Mrs Stephen A. Douglas’s example.
A garbled Chicago Post clipping mentions Mrs. Madison, Bremont, and Pathander in a vague political context. It references Minnesota and Dutch ancestry, but leaves most details unreadable.
Letters From The People presents a living sermon about a worn street preacher. The faded figure, once strong and swift, now wanders homeless and broken, a cautionary emblem of whisky’s ruin and lost family. His mute eloquence provokes lingering reflection on hunger, love, and judgment.
A robber aboard an American Express car during the 8:20 train to the Hudson River bridge shot messenger Thomas A. Halpine through the neck and eye, then escaped with 2269 dollars from the safe after crossing the bridge. Halpine, wounded but lucid, was taken to City Hospital. Detectives pursue the suspect, described as five feet ten with moustache and goatee, dark clothes, and cap. Halpine resides in the city and may not recover.
A New York World correspondent in Paris Sept 1 details a scene of mass sheep grazing around the Luxembourg Garden. He notes dense dust clouds, loads of hay, water halffishes for the animals, and calls the sight a prompt to consider reducing animal consumption amid urban chaos and street bustle.
In an Indiana town thirty two young ladies met in council and passed resolutions condemning tobacco use in any form and late hours. They pledged to avoid accompanying any man who drinks beer or whiskey or engages in billiards. They also stated they will discard men who play cuchye poker or use profane language and will not harbor those known to keep late hours.
The Illinois legislature forms its permanent organization electing Mr. Smith as Speaker by a 101 to 75 vote. Committees appoint officers including Clerk Daniel Shepard and assistants J.M. Rice and Eric Johnson. Various chairmanships and roles are assigned across Judiciary, Railroads, Finance, Revenue, and more, as the new General Assembly outlines its leadership and stewardship.
The Senate passes tax and bond measures while considering a San Domingo inquiry and a bill to relieve Congressmen from importunity. Debates over internal taxation and naval conduct accompany House actions on Indian appropriations and a submarine cable project.
A resolution was adopted urging the Cotnmittte on Public Lands to inquire into providing land to every veteran who served ninety days in the Civil War and was honorably discharged. The proposal would grant 160 acres of public land as a homestead credit toward the five years required by the Homestead Act of 1862.
Foreign news item reports Erisalaty Ablé making a bold claim about progress in a disputed region. The report notes political tensions, regional responses, and statements from officials in neighboring states.
Dispatches describe bombardments south of Paris while forts near Notra Dame de Clamant exchange fire with Prussians. Paris forts Rosny and adjacent positions suffer, French infantry reportedly absent outside fortifications. activity expected. Reports from Versailles and Margency note continued siege fire and weakened French defense along Loire operations. German prisoners transported to Oleron. Bonapartist agents reportedly arrested in France.
The fragment references Taylor and Pinewall and a claim of “one of the handsomest” gal andars from 187L, with phrases about being isolated by the Home Assurance Company of New York. Details are sparse and context is unclear.
A fragmented 1870 county record notes marriage licenses issued in Stephenson County. The source mentions Newcomer and Lena Sia with stray phrases about New Year duties and personal misfortune, reflecting garbled OCR text rather than clear events.
On Saturday evening January 11 the meeting will discuss the resolution that the granting of public lands to railroads creates monopoly injury to the country. The public is cordially invited to attend. J R Hanley secretary.
Citizens enjoyed a brief sleighing spell as press time approaches Tuesday afternoon with snow rapidly melting and mud rising as the outlook for continued sleigh travel fades.
A 15 by 11 by 8 inch silverware box built by W. W. Hart, now of Warren Illinois, in black walnut with 1100 surface pieces forming a moralle motif. Created in 66 hours, it displays diverse wood tones from sap wood to the darkest walnut. McMillan of Galena Street noted many wood varieties used.
In Buckeye Township a debating society named The Nestor Debating Club was formed at the Buckeye School House. Organized December 13, 187, with officers President F. Clingman Vice President O. Clingman Secretary M. Wumphrey and Treasurer unknown, signaling a revival of local civility despite distance from Freeport and Cedarville.
The event schedule lists lectures beginning at seven with topics and speakers. Cochran and Kings, among others, address Reading and The Necessity of Political Education on Monday evenings January 28 and 30. An audience of listeners attended, enjoying the program and the President’s presence.
Installation of officers of Wineshirk Lodge No 80 I O F C F on Wednesday evening January 4 1871 lists Deputy Grand Master Wem SechrIs assisted by P G Lewis Colby and others as officers with appointments for Noble Grand and Vice Grand and named recruits and attendees in a concise ceremony record.
The report recalls Lena villagers' decades old feud with a man named Old Dick. He sought revenge by a Washington pilgrimage that stirred strong local anger. A dispatch from Hon. C BurowaRp in Washington on Jan 5 notes Bond and notice and hints the scheme failed, leaving Lenaites hopeful.
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