davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1871-12-06
A General Amnesty.

Z The President, in his Message, on the sub
jcct OF general amnesty, says :-s'More than
six years having elapsed since the last hostile
gun was fired between the armies then
arrayed against each other-one for the per-
petuation and the other for the destruction Of
the Uniou-it may be well considered whether
it is not now time that the disabilities against
certain classes of rebels holding Office,
national or State) imposed by the fourteenth
amendment should be removed" Then he
says :-sI do not see the advantage or pro-
priety of excluding men from Office merely
because they were, before the rebellion, of
standing and character sufficient to be elected
to positions requiring them to take oaths to
support the constitution" &c. But then,
after suggesting general amnesty, says our
Chief Magistrate, eff there are any great
criminals, distinguished above all others for
the part they took in opposition to the govern
ment, they might, in the judgment Of Con-
gress, be excluded from such an amnesty"
No, Mr.. President let there be no exclu-
sion. Let the amnesty be universal and con-
clnsive--let it embrace JEFF Davis, Brec kin
ridge, Stephens, Toombs, and all the men OF
that class, aud the men of all the intermediate
! grades down to the poorest Sandhillers pressed d
into the rebel service-and let us have the
books closed on the rebellion. That is the
amnesty which now should be pas sed by Con-
gress, and we hope that when the question is
tried the required two-thirds vote will be
secured in each House in favor of the bill.
The New York herald., 1871-12-06
The Income Tax-Lct tho Present Con-
NJ h v cgrcss Abolish Ii.

The Income Tax-Lct tho Present Con-
VI G u ogress Abolish II.
Congress has already taken the subject Of
the income tax in hand, and two or three bills
looking to it's abolishment were introduced in
each House on Monday. A more important
movement towards its abolishlnent, however,
is contained in the suggestion of the President
in his Message, that oil taxes from internal
sources be abolished, except those on spiritu-
ous, vinous and malt liquors, tobacco and
stamps, and in the conclusive statement of the
Secretary Of the Treasury, that 1t is practical
BILE to dispense with all internal taxes, except
those mentioned, and still secure a revenue OF
q hundred and ten million dollars from inter-
nal taxation alone. We have, therefore, not
only cheerful sentiment in Congress in favor
of the abolition Of the income tax, but also the
recommendation of the President, and what
may be remarked as clear conversion from
direct opposition to it, the free acquiescence
of Secretary Boutwell, m ,e,
The sentiment Of the last Congress was
strongly In favor Of its abolition, and such
measure was only defeated by the dilly daily
ing devices of the few in opposition. The
House, through the influence of one or two
dissatisfied members, failed to pass Senate
measure on the subject on the fimsy pretext
that iis constitutional privileges were imposed
upon by the action of the Senate in first pro-
posing measure which in the view Of those
wiseacres should have first originated in the
House because it provided for the raising OF
money. Similar filibustering movements sue
ceeded in delaying the passage of the measure
in the Senate, and, indeed, the bill, after being
kicked about Ike football all through the
session, was finally prevented from passing
mainly by the adroit anessing Of a minority.
Now, however, something less like burlesqie
legislation is demanded on this subject The
people complain grievously of the burden Of
the tax, as we'll as of its inqusitorial and
odious character. They demand that straight
forward legislation shall be had upon the sub
ject by the present Congress, and that the tax
shall be abolished. m -r.a aHH
The New York herald., 1871-12-06
Il r Z l. E S III f E T
New York. Wednesday. December 6. 1871.
CONTENTS OF To-DaY,s HERALD.

TAGk ~ -'~------~>~
acknowledgements. N0
acknowledgements 4sl HU -eas4
3-Washlngron: Important Debate on the Postal
Telegraph PROJECT II the House; General Rlair
Beaten III His Attack on the naDeas corpus
Stisp-nsion Revival of the Southern Outrage
Committee in Inc House: the Retirement OF
calacalv; General shcrmans Reporl on tie
Condition oil The Army
1.-The Dai nond nother Argum"n' at Albany IN
ooouor nm" o. smsI a ,den nen9Y; 9npos,g uIles es
C'ainis o. Tweed, The County OF sew Yurk
,.ccsl Government, Without Authorll, The
Grand Jury-in Love with Nilss0n-The Gt,-
cago FIRE und--SpecE.l Ses.ions-A Free
Library for ChcagO-Lecture by Professor
Doremus-Ihe National Rine Association
Views OF the Past. na4 N9HA
S-1hc Cit Zens' Association: Is the Association to
Break W and Dissolve Into Thin Alr-Music
aud the Drama-Au Matters-"farragut IN
Mohtlc Bayr-lle Broken Banks nice lag VI
The historical Soclety--ihc Roosevelt Street
Murter-ibe Murders IN Observation-Disclosures
way Outrages IN New Jcrscy-lhe Methodist
Ministers Auidlc-A New Savings Bank for
Seainen. 0Hn al
8-Editurlals: Leading Article. "Our National
Finances undcr MIR. BouIwe!is Manage
mcnt' Amusement Announcements.
p The i'rirce OF Wales Iiness-inrcies'ing from
England France and Observation-Disclosures Out
ages on Whites - I'olyncsiaGs, DISASTERS 1T
Sea Tn Revolution IN hexlco Caba: Cap
tam General Nalnaseda Not Removed; Sur
reuter o1 insurgcn s-MisceiliDeOus Teie-
grams Winters lerrois- PERSONAL lnicli
eeaceEuslness Notices.
g. u Caha ior "a c. The Snar,sh Corcs I.ashcd
Into Tremendous Fur, on the subject: Effort
w upset the Mlnistiy-1he DruEslsls' Diu-
cultes The Law Licensing Dispensers of
Drugs: re autions Against Accidental Pol
enning-'tct There Bc lARit:i work 10 he
Accomplished by the New scientific EA pivring
Ixpediton y Tie Kniek erbocker Cub.
O--1he tlty Prison: Uisease Fnstele by Tie Laws
Delay: the Dilapidaed ..TomDs'' and the
Prospective Demise or Its Ovcrcrow'ied
Prisoners Death at jefferson Markct--1he
San francisco Breach Of Promise Case
Fatal Accident on the Hudson Hiver Rail-
financial ami commercial Reports
bones tc MarketS-City Goyernnent-Mar-
riapes and Deaths.
IO-Inc TRIAL OF Mrs. whorton In Annapolis. Md.--
Miscellaneous Telcgrams--Iocal News The
Meialiic Races-ShIpplng Intelligence Adj
vcrilseincnis.
1J-AdverilscmentS.
J2-AdvertlscmenIs. 4It la N.f
The New York herald., 1871-12-06

CsaGrcss Yesserday-A Repulse Of the Ad-
ninistratiou Fercss-The Postal Telegraph
Project.
There was lively skirmish in the House
yesterday, which resulted in a defeat of the
administration forces. II arose out of the re-
commendation by the President, in his annual
Message, that the telegraph system should be
united with the postal service Of the country,
after the plan that has been found to work so
successfully in Great Britain. Belgium and
other European nations. In the general dis
tribution of the Message the portion relating
to this subject was to be referred to select
committee. AT least such was the disposition
of 1t contemplated by Mr.. Dawes, chairman of
the Committee on Ways and Means, and
leader Of the House; but the resolution Of
reference was attacked by Mr. Randall, Of
Pennsylvapia, one of the guerilla leaders
on the democratic side, wro was Immediately
supported by Mr.. Farnsworth, of Illinois.
free lance in all party conflicts, but who is
generally to be found battling against his own
party majority. These skirmishers were re-
inforced by some Of the big guns Of the oppo-
sition-Messrs. Niblack, Eldridge and Beck
and even General Banks. chairman Of the
Committee on Foreign Affairs turned his
artillery against his colleague and his party
On the administration side the fight was con-
Quoted by Mr.. Dawes single-handed, till at
the close and when the day was irrevocably
lost Mr.. Garfield, chairman Of the Committee
on Appropriations, came to the rescue, but
all to no purpose. The blows aimed at the
project were too powerful and well directed to
be either borne harmlessly or evaded, and
when the skirmish was ended and the result
reached it was found that the administration
party was defeated by vote of one hundred
and FIVE to ninety-eight. The proposition
for select committee was rejected, and the
whole subject was referred 10 the standing
Committee on Appropriations, which is re-
garded as decidedly unfavorable to the pro-
ject of letting the government take charge of
the telegraphic business Of the country. 1t
may well be imagined that the democracy,
which voted as unit on the question, is
elated at its triumph.
In the other wing Of the Capitol, however,
it had no such cause for jubiation; but, on
the contrary, it sustained a crushing, disheart-
ening and merciless defeat. Senator Blair, Of
Missouri-Frank Blair, as he is more
familiarly known-made an effort to
get taken up for discussion and action
the resolution which he had introduced
on Monday rejecting on the Presidents action
in establishing martial law in some of the
Southern States, and in bringing the pious Ku
Klux to realizing sense Of the power Of the
federal government. But Frank was stopped
in his wild career of arraigning the President,
the Senate refusing, by q vote of forty-fv to
eleven, to take up or consider his resolution.
So that the repulse which the Presidential
policy sustained in the one House was more
than counterbalanced by the endorsement
which it received in the other. The Congress
sional campaign opens spiritedly and prom
ises TO be full Of stirring events. tsia oe9H
The New York herald., 1871-12-06

AMERICAN CITIZENS AS CUBAN SLAVE
moLDERs.-In his Message the President
throws out some very curious hints on this
subject, and also on the general subject OF
Spanish slavery in the islands of Cuba and
Porto Rico. Here we have splendid theme
for Mr.. Sumner in applying the constitution
and human rights to our citizens as slave
holders in foreign ports, and we hope the
learned Senator will vcntilato this matter
before long In one OF his ponderous speeches.
The New York herald., 1871-12-06


The HERALD correspondent in Madrid fur,
nishes letter, which we print in another
page, descriptive of scene which took place
recently In the Spanish Cortes. The scene
was stormy in the extreme regular tempest.
in fact. The cause of all the confusion arose
from somebody saying that something was
said at some Cabinet meeting regarding the
sale of Cuba. This was deemed SUFFICIENT
ground for grand display Of oratorical turbu-
lence, in which unionists, progressists, Car.
lists and republicans took part. Personali-
ties were indulged In to disgraceful extent.
SeHors Navarro and Zorrilla were the first to
lead of in a duel Of words; then old Admiral
Topete was drawn into the quarrel; Figueras
could not remain silent, but had to make
speech, which did not serve to quiet
matters; then Topete again had to make
explanations, after which Canovas del Cas-
tello entered into the fray and reopened an old
sore by referring to the abandonment Of st.
Domingo. On this the Cuban question was
dropped, and the members, now fred up to a
patriotic pitch of excitement, demanded the
reading of the list of those who voted against
the abandonment Of st. Domingo. The re-
publican leader Figueras urged on this de-
mand until finally the most uproarious scene
ensued, ending with the demand being COM
piled With, and the list was read. The Cuban
question was again taken up. who offered
to sell the Ever Faithful Isle ~ No one.
Zorrilla spurned such thought Topete
would even 60 out to Cuba to hold it for
Spain; but he would not 60 under the orders
of Senor Malcampo or Caballero de Rodas.
Other members spoke in equally patriotic
strains, and the unanimous opinion seemed to
be that the only price at which Cuba could be
bought was seas Of Spanish blood. The whole
discussion was intended to draw from the
Ministers and ex-Ministers Of present
and past Cabinets what course, if any,
was pursued in regard to the sale of Cuba.
Topete said that propositions had been made
for the parchase Of the island, but by whom
he did not mention. The proposition, he said,
was never discussed in Cabinet council; but
even this explanation was not sufficient.
There appeared to be degree of reticence on
the part of the friends Of Zorrilla which helped
to irritate his opponents and render the dis
cussion bitter in the extreme. This was OBJ
servabe throughout the whole session, and
the explanations, although full, did not tend
to allay the bitterness Of the discussion.
There were many respectable persons, it was
stated, who had no faith in the salvation OF
Cuba--an announcement not at all calculated to
please the Cortes The scene which our cor
respondent describes is not by any means an
exceptional one in the Spanish Cortes. We
have on past occasions had to chronicle like
displays, and we feel moreover that this will
not be the last. Cuba, if we are to Judge from
this latest manifestation, is not for sale, and
Spain will still continue to send troops to the
tropics to endeavor to bring the Cubans to
subj lGH s.a r III 6s.g
The New York herald., 1871-12-06

plan of operation. The only really good
feature in his propositions for disposng of .
portion Of the new reduced per cents Of the
debt is that TO force the national banks to
take these securities. That is just, for the
banks have most valuable privileges and
make vast sum annually out OF the govern
ment and people. Another ridiculous idea ad-
vanced by Mr.. Boutwell, is that Of compelling
the people and banks of the Pacific coast to
make paper money their circulating medium.
While he pretends to be anxious to bring
about specie payments he actually contem-
plates forcing the Californians. who have
specie circulation, to abandon that and to take
paper currency. How long are we to have
such an incapable aud narrow minded Secre-
tary Of the treasury With an able man, a
statesman, in that position, what great finan-
cial measures and reforms might be carried
out! No country was ever in such favorable
and prosperous condition for attaining great
results. Nothing but the right man is wanted.
There is no trouble about the revenue, re-
sources or credit of the country. II remains
only to know how to use these and to tax the
industry Of the people as little as possible.
President Theirs and tho French Assembly.
Our cable dispatches this morning regard
Ing the state of affairs in France are more
than usually interesting. President Theirs, it
seems, has not yet handed in his message. 1t
Is not denied that the outlines of the message
which came across the cable on Saturday last
are substantially correct. But for some cause
or other the handing in of the message is still
delayed. It would seem that the main cause
Of the delay is the determination of the Princes
Of the House Of Orleans, particularly the Due
use of what they call their rights and take
their seats in the Assembly. The status of
the Orleans Princes is said to be the leading
question in the Assembly. The President,
who has been for some hours closeted with the
Princes, is said to be opposed to their taking
their seats in present circumstances. Ac-
cording to our latest accounts they are deter
mined, in spite Of NJ. Theirs, to make full use
of their lawful rights and take their seats.
The Left, it seems, is quite as determined as
the Princes of the House Of Orleans. If the
Princes are allowed to take their seats the
Left says there must first of all be general
amnesty. The simple fact that the President
has not yet formally handed in bis message
justfes all that we have said regarding the
gravity of the situation in France. The situa-
ton is really critical, but it is not yet time to
comment upon 1t at any length. As things
now are France promises to give us a fresh
sensation. ss.1a tHf 4aH1H.l 20
The New York herald., 1871-12-06

His HOLINESS THE PorE is about TO pro-
mulgate an encyclicai letter against the estab-
lishment Of the Italian Parliament in Rome.
Even the extraordinary rafulgence of the
planet Venus at midday, in bestowing her
smile on the completion Of the unity of the
Italian nation, cannot wean the Pontiff from
cncycIicals. A comet was equally powerless
IN former times; SO King Victor Emmanuel
must not complain.
The New York herald., 1871-12-06

THE LYyoHBuRe Republican (democratic)
has yet to see the nrst democratic Journal
which has advanced any hope Of success
under the leadership Of one who can in any
way be identified with what Is known as the
Bourbon democracy. The same paper thinks
that Grant is apparently on the ''plain road to
another four years lease Of power and oppres
sion" Is It not strange that an American
journal should feel Obliged to say that any one
In this country is on the way for any lease OF
power to opprcss the people? Where is all
the talk and fume about the majesty OF the
people" the tremendous force Of public opin-
iop." and all thatf
The New York herald., 1871-12-06

TIE TRIAL or Mrs. WHARTON, the alleged
poisoner Of General Ketchum and others at
Baltimore, was commenced at Annapolis yes
terday. the jury list having been completed
during the day. This trial is one Of
the most remarkable cases Of the day.
The high respectability Of the prisoner
and OF the murdered man, the Wholesale
extent Of the alleged poisoning, the touching
devotion of the prisoners young daughter and
the general commotion which 1t has produced
among the best society Of Baltimore, all 60 to
render It one OF the most interesting and, al
the same time, one Of the saddest cases that
has ever been cbronicled iu the records Of our
courts.
The New York herald., 1871-12-06

A STATE FOR Our RED BRETH REN.-The
Indian Terri.ory-for many years occupied by
the Cherokees, Choctaws, Chickasaws, Semi
noles, &C., In their several reservations--lies
west Of Arkansas, and has Kansas on the
north and Texas on the south. 1t is a magnifi-
cent, rich and beautifully watered country of
seventy -one thousand square miles in extent,
or over one-half larger than the State of New
York. The Indians occupying this delightful
and productive region have become completely
civilized. They cultivate the soil, they live in
comfortable houses, they dress like white men,
they have schools and churches and federal
council, and they give less trouble to the
general government than any other Territory
of the United States. General Grant, in his
Message, suggests that these people might be
advantage geously admitted to the dignities of .
State government And why not2 They have
room enough in their ample territory for all
the Indian tribes east Of the Rocky Mountains
Bundle them all in and give them lift, and
give them chance as State. and we dare
say that as Indians they will finally disappear
only in being whitened to the prevailing
American type. ~ aa0
The New York herald., 1871-12-06

, Paris has been again visited by FIRE. An
extensive confagration occurred yesterday in
the business arcades OF the Hotel du Louvre.
The storekeepers who trade in the place suf-
fered immense losses, but the fremen obtained
control of the flames before the Louvre
Palace sustained injury. The advent Of fire
in great city is an unfortunate event at any
time. 1t is particularly unfortunate in Paris
just now, and still more truly unfortu-
nate that it should have visited the Louvre
arcades. 1t will alarm the people. Still worse,
it will bring them heavy pecuniary losses at
time when they are very badly prepared to
sustain the burden. 1t will interrupt their
trade at the very moment when it had o chance
to recuperate-the season Of Christmas and
that of the holiday trade to and after New Year.
All this is bad for Theirs. The unfortunate
tradesmen Of the Louvre will growl against
their ell luck" They will hug their sorrow
almost to superstition, and most likely exclaim,
"When the Emperor and young Prince came
to purchase Of us at their latest Christmas in
Paris we were happy in our families and free
from the fire fend."
The New York herald., 1871-12-06

PROGRRss OF THE PRESS. The HERALD was
yesterday marvel Of newspaper. 1t con-
tanned, beside the tnll text of the Presidents
Message and the report of the Secretary Of
the Treasury, ample and comprehensive
abstracts Of the reports OF all the Cabinet
Ministers, as we'll as those Of the subordinate
departments of the government. Matter
which in former years would occupy the col
umns Of newspapers for days and weeks was
here cleared off in single issue. and that,
too, without trespassing too greatly upon the
space usually allotted for general news. The
HERALD OF yesterday was volume in itself
compendious history Of the official doings
Of the great republic for the past year. Verify,
this is the age OF newspaper progress. u
The New York herald., 1871-12-06

THE BILL repeating the Women Suffrage
act in Wyoming has been vetoed by the
Governor, so that the women, who were about
to see their hardly earned and highly
cherished rights ruthlessly torn from them,
have yet another aud strong hopes
The New York herald., 1871-12-06

PRiNoE ALEXIS returned from Philadelphia
yesterday, having passed very agreeable
time in that city. He will leave for Boston
tomorrow. and will not return TO New York
until just previous TO his final departure for
The New York herald., 1871-12-06
The Iusurrection In Cuba.

The latest news from Cuba is of more
peaceful character than could have been ex-
pected after the late scenes of blood and vo-
lence. The brutal rage of the volunteers has
apparently spent itself, and the city of Havana
is resuming her former aspect. The report
from Madrid of the removal of Captain
General Valmaseda seems to be unfounded,
for, according to our Havana despatch,
he is TO remain the ruler of Cuba.
Whatever charges Of cruelty might
be brought against Count Valmaseda,
the responsibility for the late massacre of the
unfortunate students more properly belongs
to his deputy. General Crespo, who allowed
himself to be intimidated by the threats Of
rufianly mob, which might have been
resisted by man Of firmncss and decision.
The advices from the seat of the insurrec-
ton are largely In favor of the Spanish
authorities. Some allowance being made for
Spanish exaggeration, 1t cannot be doubted
that, with the arrival Of the large reinforce
ments sent from Spain, the chances Of the
Cuban patriots are becoming very slim indeed.
The telegraph lines are being and have already
in part been restored in the districts which
were but lately the principal seat of the strug-
gle, and the fact that these telegraph lines re-
main undsturbed is considered proof of the
decline of the insurrection. The wholesale
surrender of prominent Cubans, whose names
are given in the despatch, adds confirmation
to this report. The news on the whole is Of
q hopeful nature, and, whether independent or
under Spanish rule, there may yet be better
times in store for the unfortunate island.
THE BRITISH ANNEXATION or THE SouTu
AFRICAN DIAMOND FIELps-The South Afri-
can diamond fields cover an extensive and
beautiful country on the great Orange River
and its tributaries, hundreds of miles north of
the British colonial settlements of the Cape Of
Good Hope. But those diamond diggings
have drawn to that region an immense emf
grafton which will evidently crystalline into a
powerful civilized community-a la Cali
fornia-and so England, taking time by the
forelock, has annexed those diamond Dig
gings to her South African colonies. Very
good Those diamond regions, occupied by a
powerful Anglo-Sax community, will con-
tribute so much more TO the general trade of
the civilized world, Of which we shall have our
share. Let England and France 60 ahead
with their African colonies. The field is
large open and inviting on all sides, and in
the heart Of Africa, and, in thousand forms,
the profits Of these enterprises Of building up
its waste places are difusad over the whole
face Of th globe
The LYyoHBuRa Republican democratic }
has yet to see the drst democratic Journal
which has advanced any hope Of success