davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-18

The proceedings in Committee, yesterday,
point to the adoption of Senator Sherman's
resolution that the United States recognize a
condition of war between Spain and Cuba,
and declare a strict neutrality. under the law
of nations. The difference between this and
other resolutions to the same effect is, that
while Senator Sherman plainly recognizes the
existence of war, Senator Morton and Others
content themselves with an announcement of
strict neutrality, essentially the same as that
declared by the law of 1873 In no case as
presented can Congress escape recognition in
some form or other. Unless Cuba perishes be-
fore this moral comfort reaches her, she Will
hardly escape it in one or other of the several
shapes presented.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-18

After much useless debate the Mississippi
bill, embracing the same obnoxious conditions
that were imposed on Virginia, passed the Sen
ate yesterday by a vote of 50 to II. While we
are glad to see the important work of the
restoration of the Southern States fastened
we cannot refrain from again protest
ing against the illiberal and i'm
polite terms which the Senate has
dictated Her elected Senators and Represen-
tatives appear at the capital instructed to ask
Congress to relieve the disabilities of all the
citizens of Mississippi. The spirit in which
they are admitted hardly encourages them or
us to hope that the true and magnanimous
policy of Universal Amnesty which they advO-
cate is so near adoption as the temper of the
times demands.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-18

We are something more than willing TO Join
in the eulOgies Of Recorder Iackett for hi1
rigorous enforcement of the law against crmi
nails Yestcrdayhe sent man to the State Prison
ten years for burglary he sent another 10 the
same place ten years for assault and battery; hs
gave another five years for burglary, and 10
still another he gave four years and nine
months for the same crime. In thus going 10
the limit Of the law with his sentence against
confessed criminals (fortlree OF the lourpleaded
guilty. he is doing something to spread the
terror which, according to Aristotle, assists in
the government of the passions" On Tuesday
he was no less pmgcnt in the application
OF law-giving one burglar twenty years.
another ten years, and several other sentence,
hardly less heavy. In fact, during the whole
OF the present week. he has been engaged in
dealing out tie penalties Of the law in q most
determined manner lie il apparently acting
without any thought Of the effect his conduct
will have in decreasing the Democratic vote
Our only fear is that this spasm Of executing
the law will end as previous ones have 30 often
done, and notably as did the one year ago
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-18

Having sought to prove that the Democratic
platform of 1868 meant Gold, The World, in
its present spasm of virtue, declares that
it meant Greenbacks. Having denounced
complaints against the conduct of our
recent elections rs Republican frauds, The
World now cOnfesscs that the elections them
selves were dlsgmceful frauds. Having sus-
tanned the Rings conduct OF the State can
vass, The World now tells us the Ring has
made our elections a farce. What pity that
such precept should be mated with such per
Torrance,
We attach very small importance to
the quarrel among the Democrats.
now raging. They always stick the closer TO-
gether after these not infrequent performances.
One faction may be turned out aud another
put in; but we, who remember how
Sweeny came after Fernando Wood, do not
mean to bo enthusiastic just yet about the man
that is To come after Sweeny. Ii is only II
change of soyereigns, not of dynasty; and sad
experience has taught us that every change Is
likely To be for the worse.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-18

Commissioner Dclano has been IN town ior
the last two days, engaged IN the examination
of the recent seizures made by Collector BAILEY
in tLe XXXIId District. In several oil the
cases the witnesses were brought before h''n'
in connection with District Attorney Pierrepoht,
Mr.. Bailey, and Mr. B. 7. Tracy, the couhSel
of the Collector, and were examined az iehgtn
in reference to the testimony 70 be gwen by
them in the proceedings now pending before
the U. s. Commissioners or before the Grand
.Jurv. The case of c. A. Fellows 81 Co. re-
ceiyed especial attention on account of repre-
sensations of the responsibility OF the hrm ana
the large interests involved IN the seizures OF
goods belonging to them. The Collector was
fully sustained in the action taken, and a con-
clnsion was reached that the several cases
should be vigorously prosecuted. Now let
some dissatisfied whisky dealer hurry to ash
ington, and get dispatch sent back 'haV Oo'-
lector Bailey is about to be removed
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-18

The picture of the disorganized condition of
Utah, as presented by the Chairman of the
House Committee on Territories in the debate
on the abolition Of poygamy in that Territory,
painful as it is, hardly justifes the proposition
to send small army there. The stu
alton in Utah is largely owing as
our letters from Salt Lake City have
shown, to the dissensions among tho
Mormons themselves. There is not much
danger, as the Chairman thinks, that the
Gentle population will be driven out unless
troops are sent to protect them. On the con-
trary, in the inevitable conflict between the
old Mormon settlers and the new Gentle emf
grants which the completion of the Pacific
Railroad hastens polygamy will disappear, we
trust without acceleration from either the
bayonet or bOwie-knife.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-18

Emilio CASTELAR, is one of those SpaDiards
who are not only not Infamous, but are illus
trious He is one of the most eloquent ora
tors in Europe, and is rhetorically excelled by
none. 1t is to the glory of Spain that she has
a Republican as earnest as he; yet it is due to
the loose state of her society that his efforts
have greater sentimental value than practical
effect. CASTELAR, though his genius has neces-
sarily made little impression on the Govern
ment of his nondescript country, is perhaps
the noblest idealist which Spain for centuries
has produced among her scholars and orators.
His speeches contain what a great deal of
modern Spanish poetry does not, and his
latest effort-a philippe against ,ae BOurbons
suffers from no want of argument. The re-
appearance of the Duke of Montpensier in
Madrid gives especial point to this mastery
speech, which we give elsewhere, in cOnnec-
ton with our letter from Spain.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-18

SPECIAL PLEAS FOR SPECIAL SESSIONS.
There are so many disciples of the creed that
" whatever is is right" that we are not sur
nrised 10 find that our arguments against the
Special Sessions have called up special plead
ers in behalf of that anomalous judicial lnstl-
tution. Without wasting time in discussing
what would have been proper two or three
years ago. we hold that under present clrcum-
stances its abolition would be in the interest
of order The time has arrived when law
makers should be less squeamish about law
breakers and should base legislation little
moro upon the idea that society has some rights
which outlaws must respect. In no way can
this greatly -needed lesson be so thoroughly
taught as by making the penalty swiftly fol-
low the Oflense; and in misdemeanOrs there
can be no better practical application OF the.
truth in this city than the abrogatiOn of the
Special Sessions. A petty thief detected in rob
bling till is caught and marched off to Police
Court The magistrate, after an investigation
sufficient to arrive at all the facts of the case,
sends it before himself and an associate for
trial, and the complainant Disguised by the
delay, frequently abandons the charge, and the
offender escapes. Now suppose the law re-
duired that magistrate then and there TO de-
termine the matter and infct the penalty
who would suffer except the criminal7 Nor
would the change to any great extent increase
the labors of the Police Courts, nor, as they
are now constituted, necessarily add single
dollar to the expenses OF those establishments.
while the city would have five tribunals for the
punishment of misdcmeanOrs constantly in ses-
sion instead of one sitting only on alternate days
Divide the 5000 eases of petty crimes disposed
of annually in the Special Sessions, with one
clerk, and trials held only three times in each
week, among the five Police Courts, with ten
clerks, sitting every day, and who will pre-
tend that investing the latter with the pre-
rogative of punishment as well as of eXamln-
alton will not be for the public benefit And
as every one of these cases must now go
through the Police Courts before reaching the
Special Sessions, is not this excrescence need
less multiplication of judicial forms.
Bat if we cannot have this tribunal cxtin-
guishcd entirely. let us have it remOdeled as
proposed by the bin of Mr.. NJ. c. Murphy.
with the addition that it be required to sit
every day. SO long as It's bench is occupied
by two magistrates out of nine, representing
only five wards out of the twenty-five, 1t I'M
plies extraordinary indifference to facts to
style it a Court of the People for the People"
But let it be composed of all the Police Justices
sitting alternately by twos or threes, and the
whole people will be represented on Its bench
Compel it to hold sessions every afternoon and
petty crime will be materially decreased.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-18

The facts elected by the Special Committee
on Navigation Interests, as presented III The
report and synopsis of evidence published Oh
our second page, are but further proofs SNOW
ING. what no one in this country any longer
prctends to deny, that the great decline IN Amer
can commercial marine during the last Ten
years is due almost wholly to the unscru-
pulous policy pursued by her foreign rivals
and particularly 10y Great Britain. The explana-
tons of the cause of this decline VIII be
generally accepted with less hesitation than
the remedies proposed 10y the Committee
These latter contemplate practically the re-
mission of all duties on materials used In snip
building and on all ship stores; the granting
of subsidies, the regulation of the present tax
upon tunnage, and the abolition of all State
and municipal taxes. Only the most liberal
policy on the part Of the Government can
restore the American shipping to its former
condition of prosperity; but the form which
the necessary encouragement shall take should
demand the best thought and deliberate con-
sideration of our Legislators.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-18

If Senator Genet wishes to get at the bot
tom of the concrete pavement swindle let HIM
examine Mayor Hail. Alexander Frear, and
John L. Brown. Does not the Senator rcmem-
Der the prodgics of pavements which the
Mayor promised last Winter if the Legislature
would only give him the means? Somebody
believed him, and Struggled the necessary
funds into the Tax Levy. Let the Mayor be
summoned by all means and answer distinctly
whether the Ffth-ave. poultce was his idea
of the proper way of getting rid of the money.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-18

The Legislature seems determined to de-
molish us at single session. Among other
means to that end bill has been introduced
prohibiting any but residents of New-IOrk
from leasing stalls in the public markets. the
object of course being to drive out producers
who cannot vote in the city for the benefit of
vendors who can vote quite frequently. Prices
will be enhanced to consumers and nobody
benefited but the undcrlings of Democracy !;
and for that very reason We suppose the ne
farious scheme defeated last Winter 10y the
Republicans will now succeed
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-18

Western Union Company, with special rates to
the Associated Press. AS member OF the
Associated Press, we appreciate, of course, TINS
proposed dispensation. but at the same time
we do not ask for any special legislation for
our benefit. We can do without it, The Asso-
ciated Press simply wants to be treated IKE
any other customer, and does not appreciate
being made Il lever to push along any scheme
like that Of Mr. Senator Ramsey.
Finally. and this embraces the whole ques-
ton, the principle of Mr.. Ramsey's bill Is radi-
cally wrong. We have shown its mischief In
detail, even supposing that there existed a
necessity for the proposed legislation. Cen
Washburne's bill is bad enough, but the Gene
raj would take the English plan; which is open
and honorable, makes the whole service respon-
sbe to the people, and recognizes vested nights
40 far az to pay telegraphic companies for the
money they have expended in establishing their
business. Senator Ramsey, on the contrary
crystallizes into monopoly a business as great
a. our postal system. 1t creates vested rights
which, in the end, must ibe purchased at large
cost by the public money. 1t permits Mr.. liuD-
bard TO exact greater tolls than other !rcspon-
sible companies would in time be willing to
charge for similar service. 1t commits the
Government directly to system which VIII
be extrayagant, foolish, and ruinOus. We can
not tolerate such scheme, especially at time
when we are doing all we can to pay old debts
without contracting new ones. The bill is par
tial, unjust, and unnecessary, and we hope to
see it swept into the sepulcher of dead lcglsla-
ton.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-18

them reached 100; and IN fact, the market mas
for several days ranged below that point
When. near the close of last year, the oecrc
tary refused to make deliveries under l2o, INC
fall of the premium had for some months pee"
very rapid and great and there were spec"''-
tive combinations operating to produce d'''i
rangement az a means of forwarding their own
schemes During the last two or three hoh'nS'
however. things have been quieter ana pe''oi
regulated. and the premium has shown very
steady tendency to decline. We think the Sec
retary did entirely right to accept the oiuS
Yesterday for the Treasury has no right 10
bolster up gold against It's legitimate uo""'
ward tendency.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-18

Commodore Vanderbilt is reported TO have said. in
his steamboating days, that a new line of commun-
cation between New-YOrk and Boston was needed
every ten years. This remark applies with equal or
greater force to lines of transportation between the
seaboard and the West. The last of the grea.
through railroad lines between the Atlantic and the
Mississippi Valley is the Chesapeake and Ohio. Of
which particulars have lately been given at length
in our columns. From the responsibility Of the par
ties connected with it, and the favorable character
of the country traversed by the road inclined
to regard it as one of the most important enterprises
now under construction.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-18

Mayor Hall has been disappointed in his cf-
forts to extract little profit for the Ring out
of the bore of the Pneumatic Transit Company
under Broadway Judge Cardozo yesterday
decided that nothing illegal is being DONE and
denying the motion for an injunction, has her
metically sealed the tunnel against the ma
raudcrs. Verify, hard times have come for
Tammany when it is baited at Albany and
hampered at home in its exertions to pocket
other peoples money.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-18

BY the especial favor of William VI. Tweed
one John Scott is a Police Justice of New
York. He being upon the bench, bully was
degrading and disturbing the courtroom with
his drunken antics, and the magistrate was
conveniently deaf and blind but a policeman,
with antiquated notions of decOrum, arrested
the bully, and dragged him to the bar to re-
ceive the punishment he so richly deserved.
The policeman had committed dreadful error,
for the bully proceeded to demonstrate himself
a power above the law. He deied the mags-
trate TO punish him, and bawled to all the
world that John Scott was his creature, be-
cause he had elected him. Language that
might appal a rum-hole, epithets that would
have disgraccd a brOthel, this bully at the bar
howled at this magistrate upon the bench.
The law crawled to the feet of the rui1an-
ism rampant in its sanctuary, and begged
it to depart in peace. There was not single
witness of that disgraceful scene that was not
scarlet with shame and rage 1t is thus estab-
lshed that the outlaw who has the skill and
daring to organize the gang of repeaters that
elects q magistrate, is at liberty TO defy him
and the law, in any outrageous way that may
please his drunken humOr. 1t is a startling
result of the great Democratic victory achieved
at what is called with bitter irony the charter
alnptigu
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-18

The law of April, 1850, relating to city assess
ments, specially provides that all assessments
confirmed by the Supreme Court or by the
Common Council shall at al convenient times
"be open to public inspection" Even were no
such statute in existence, it would be only
right that property owners should be permitted
to see, before paying, whether the assessments
charged against them are free from fraud and
legal irregularities. But Mr.. Henry Heack-
weather, Collector of Assessments in this city,
and father-i law of Gov. Hoffman, seems to
think differently, and has in several recent
cases peremptorly refused the authorized in
spection. NewYOrk property owners are al
ready sufficiently burdened by charges honestly
and legally imposed, and officials cutting off
the means of investigation lay themselves
open to the logical suppOsition that they pro-
pose to force the payment of assessments,
whether fraudulent or legal. To be sure, by
taking out a writ of mandamuS, any person
can compel the Collector to show an assessment
list but must our citizens be thus driven 10
the expense and trouble of tedious legal pro-
ceedingsf The act proposed to the Legislature,
preventing "the vacation of assessments made
Gin New-YoIl City" is still under conSidera-
ton. If it passes property holders here will
be entirely mt the mercy of few corrupt
officials
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-18

In the famous Mexican town of Onza6a,
800 prisoners have broken Jail, and, joined by
three generals, have pronounced. This event
has all the features of the most characteristic
pronunciamientos. There had been revolu-
ton in the same place some weeks before
that is to say, drove of armed thieves, strong
in numbers, entered the town and robbed 1t
wholesale. 1t is to be supposed that the recent
iail DELIVERIES have done the same. Poor Mex
leo seems to grow its money-crOp merely to
have the robber gather it.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-18

There is woe in Washington The Hon.
Carrot Davis of Kentucky has announced in
the Senate that he intends to speak at length
on the Mississippi bill. The dispatch which
informs the country of this impending sorrow
Immediately adds: "From present indications
it is not improbable that the discussion on
the bill may run over into next week" II
Mr. Davis is as good as his threat We think it
aLtOgether likely.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-18

The proposed repeal of the charter of Mr.
Bergh's Society is denounced as Democratic
Cruelty to animals The actual effect of the
repeal, however, will be cruelty to Democratic
animals. We beg our legislators to consider
the class of human brutes who may lose the
saving mercy of law for the preservation OF
live four footed property.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-18

The House of Representatives of Minnesota
has passed the "Woman's Suffrage Amend
" mentn of the Constitution but with one of
those exclusive. despotic, and, we may say, in
tolerable proyisos of which our fair friends
justly complain with many delicate groans. 1t
is provided that " the womens ballots shall be
put into separate boxes Why this invidious
distinction Why should not the vote dropped
by fairy fingers nestle lovingly by the side of
tho vote cast by stouter hand Marry come
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-18

The Ohio River has again been spanned-
this time at Louisville, kentucky. There is
good reason for the whole country to rejoice
in quiet way, as the Indianians and Ken
tuckians are doing. over this event, since the
physical bonds Of bridges and railways add to
the strength of the Union.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-18

The Democrats in Congress were, of course,
highly indignant at the decision IN the con-
tested election case of Van Wyck UerSHs Greene,
and on the announcement OF the vote giving
Mr.. Van Wyck his seat, several members on
that side of the House expressed their disgust
in terms which the Speaker promptly reprovcd,
as they deserved Democratic newspapers re-
echo these angry protests against Mr. Greenes
removal, and threaten his reelection on the
first opportunity. But the protests are not ar
guments, aud the election of Mr. Greene on
future occasion will not prove that he was
legally elected on former one. On the con-
trary, the evidences of fraud at the election IN
1868 are overwhelming. Nearly one thousand
persons were illegally naturalized in a single
county of the XIth District during the two months
prior to the election, and though the same
frauds were practiced on the same extensive
scale throughout the District, Mr.. Greene
was returned by a majority OF only 3}3. More
over, these same frauds were perpetratcd
throughout the State, and affected not
only the Congressional but the Gubernatoral
and Presidential elections. For days past the
Democratic Assemblymen at Albany have en-
Iivened debate on a bill which has for It's OBJ
ject the smplilication of election frauds for
future contingencies, by directly charging each
other with securing their seats through deIlbe-
rate cheating The Naturalization frauds, with
out the shadow of doubt, gave the State OF
New-York in the Presidential contest TO lioratio
Seymour, and placed John L. Hoffman in the
Governors chair. If justice could be dispensed
in the Legislature as it has been in Congress,
the noltical cOmpleXiOn of the former would
be materially changed; and if extended in an
other direction John T. Hoffman would be
driven from the chair he illegally holds.