davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-30
CONGRESSMAN AS CLAIM AGENTS.

HOW THE LAW Is EVADED By MEMBERS AND
AGENTS.
URon TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, Dec. GAN abuse in the Civil
Service which, more than salmost any other needs re-
FORM grows Of the direct and indirect legal practice
OF members OF Congress In the Departments AS Is well
Known members OF Congress forbidden TO appear
attorneys for any claim against the Government and
they generally obey the letter Of this law but every
ca agent attorney who has found his paper pigeon
hoed subordinate office, hisscase likely TO be
decided adversely, knows how potent the simple re-
quest" OF member Of Congress often Is The niodus
operandi explained by |" who knows" If as fol
IOws Suppose claim has passed through the hands Of
the law officer OF q Department Bureau and he has
gwen an adverse opinion, rice persa the head OF De
parment or Bureau has examined the case himself and
Il likely reject H. the agent will Of DESIRE In
the first case, have the Secretary Commissioner
give personal examination, and In the second, 70
have Il take the customary To effect this
QuFes order from the head Of the Department Blu
which the agent finds himself unable to obtain. IL
tile Of considerable Importance, the exact
condition Of 10 10 known among claim agents generally,
aud the attorney III charge OF IL receives private int
nation that certain member OF Congress can
the order desired and that certain other man can inter
oct the member In the The last named man
eeves generous fee the honorable member makes the
request, and the moves forward
OF can say that the member OF Congress
receives aOytbng for his trouble nut the suspicion H.
strong that he does IL should not be inferred that all
members OF Congress engaged IN this indirect prac
see In tAs DeDsrrpents: there are many whose innu
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-30
INCREASING MILITARY AND NAVAL CADET
SHIPS

PROVISION TO BE MADE FOR ADDITIONAL AP-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. To AMEND TIE
LAW AND AVOID INCREASE.
lIROM REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29.-In examining the es-
Inmates appropriations for the support OF the Navy
for the ensuing fiscal year the House Appropriations
Committee find thatt is necessary to make provision for
the support OF 40 additional midshipmen at the Naval
Academy. The law authorizes the appointment Of one
every fourth year from each Congress District, and
the last session increased the num-
Der OF members Of the House from 24s to 292 It follows
that corresponding ncreasemust be made in the num-
Der OF midshpmen unless lsome ichaDge be made Ia the
law in relation TO their appointment The same increase
must also be made in the number Of cadets at the Mill
Academy the laws relating appointments being
action in the matter, 40 original vacancies in each
Academy WILL therefore, exist the 4th of March next
to be filed the recommendations Of Congressman
from the districts having no representative In the
academies.
The Appropriations Commttee'do not think It desra
Bile that this increase should be made Looking at the
eminent, and doubling tho necessity of enlarg
ing the capacity of either academy, they are
disposed 10 report some LEGISLATION limiting the
number Of cadets and mdshpmen that 10 shall not
exceed the present force This could be done Dy pro-
Udng that appointments TO the two academies from
instead Of once IN four retaDns the present
course of study Another plan suggested Is TO engthen
the course of study to five years has frequently been
recommended by Boards Of Visitors and the academic
authorities This plan would not Obvete the necessity
of increasing the number of cadets and mdshipmen 10
with the increased NUMBER OF DIS
trics hut il would make the yearly graduaons more
numerous than az present and would not oYerstock the
army and navy with too large supply OF new-hedged
officers, fresh from West Point Annapolis. The Com
mittee will nave the Secretaries OF War and the Navy
before them next week. and will obtain their views upon
the question before coming 10 any decision,
Another discovery made connection with the Naval
Appropriation b that the cost Of maintaining the
Marine Corps largely increased by the law OF last es
sion, increasing the pay Of private soldiers ana no-cOm
missoned officers OF the army. The pay or the Marine
Corps is asslmiated by law 10 nat of the army ana
when one Is raised the other follows without iurtner
legislation The increased amount which most be appro
priated for the corps is estimated at $4,000.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-30
CrrRIosITTEs OF POSTAL LAW.
IMPERFECT PREPAYMENT NO PAYMENT AT ALL
An UNEQUAL TAX ON NEWSPAPERS.

IMPERFECT PREPAYMENT NO PAYMENT AT ALL
An UNEQUAL TAX on NEWSPAPERS.
rYRoM A REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUSEI
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29.-The recent order of
the PostmaserGenera directing postmasters to collect
doube the amount unpaid letters only partially pre-
maid thus making account Of the stamps placed upon
such letters has before been reported been pro-
nouneed without warrant Of law by the House Post
Office Committee and viii doubt have 10 be rescinded
Beside this unjust and unwarrantable regulation
snober fully as indefensible and even annoying
has been put in force relation TO drop letters such
letters II only partially prepaid, are not delivered at ALL
but are retained and advertised as "unmaabie" For
e1ample a letter was mailed in this city on Tuesday
last TO gentleman having box tn the city post-otfce
BY mistake a one cent stamp was affixed instead
of a two cent stamp On Friday the gentleman
saw his name the published list Of persons to whom
unmafabe letters had been addressed on appneatl0n
at the Office he directed to the room OF ne IN
That Official informed him that he must 80 DacK 10 inc
stamp window aud purchase one-ceht stamp peloIe
he could have his letter. he wonld not receive tne cent
money but insisted on the stamp when ne on
the letter and Cancelled in due form The result on TINS
performance that the gentleman got ms letter 700
e FOR important information It contained 20 be OF any
sTyee 70 him Under the old system before the postal
authorities 10 have lost their common sense ana
tk 10 annoying people and hindering the delivery OF
their mail by absurd interpretations OF law suen
decent postage would have been charged in the quar-
terly account against the box or It would nave peen
Helyered by carrier II the owner had no box, the car
rier collecting the one cent due. .,, 49,, ...
Another decision equally IT ~ r ana SeseTe
o1ring the prepay by cent stamps OF all news
delivered nv in the cities In which they
Are published The Department will transport DAILY
newspaper printed here from Washington 10 san frsn
cisco and deliver IL a subscriber there for 80 cents
quarter but If the subscriber lives here In Washington
he must nav cent for each copy or rather this must
he prepaid for him by the publishers OF the paper 30
with weekly papers, the postage on which Is nye cents
uuarter For this the mails VIII carry apaPer from
1iaine 70 Texas and the carrier will deliver II without
extra charge the subscribers door but subscriber
living tie place where tho paper is published must
nav Is cents quarter II he gets his paper through the
mail The absurdity Of such decision Is too manifest
for serious argument. The wonder Is that any intel
gent person have interpreted the statutes IN such
Q way There Is nothing In It's letter OF spirit tDat
appears 10 warrant this construction.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-30
SUCCESSES OF THE INSURGENTS IN CUBA.
TOWN OF MAYARI ENTERED, But AFTEKWAR
ABANDONED-THE TOWN OF H0LGUIN Cal
TURED AND PARTIALLY SACKED.


TOWN OF MAYARI ENTERED, BUT AFTERwARD
ABANDONED-THE TOWN OF H0LGUIN CAP
TURED AND PARTIALLY SACKED.
HAVANA, Dec. 23-The insurgents attacked
Mayari on the night the nth inst. The town In
condition. the regulars and volunteers being
absent The man-of-war Hulva landed her marines and
Sailors who drove out the nsurgents-not, however,
before the latter had sacked several houses In the
attack twenty spaniards were killed The insurgents
succeeded In carrying of their dead and wounded.
About O'Clock the night Of the 10th, during the
absence of the troops expedition the Insurgents
under the command Vicente Garcia, entered the
OF HOlguin and captured Fort Perrquers The Hoguin
volunteers had been previously ordered TO march INTO
fort to replace the troops withdrawn, and as they
approached that had fallen into the hands
of the enemy they received heavy nre from the insur
gents.
The volunteers and few regulars subsequently at
tackled tho insurgents aud messengers were dispatched
TO recall the troops Operations were suspended until
DAYLIGHT of the goth. when the insurgents withdrew
aftar sackng six establishments and number OF pr
yate houses, A spanish Lieutenant Colonel. Major
and several other officers were killed The reports a. 10
tne total loss Of the 6panlards are CONFLICTING some
.placIug the figures as high as so killed.
The Spanish account acknowledges 20 Killed. Inc
troops are moving rapidly In pursuit Of Garcia ANXIOUS
10 ayee the death OF their comrades Full particulars
rendered at Trinidad On Friday. Gen. Riquelme has
established ES headquarters for the campaign at Puerto
Principe 1t reported that Gen. Ceba0s viii return
to spain upon the arrival Of Gen. Cordoya.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-30
FOREIGN NEWS.
HEALTH OF THE CZAROwITZ,

HE IL REPORTED OUT OF DANGER-THE FEVER
STILL CONTINUING.
ST. PETERSBURG, Saturday, Dec. %, 1874
II ia oflciallv announced that the CzarOwitz
Is now out Of danger.
LIrER-The Court physicians have issued q bulletin
stating that the fevershness OF the Czaowz has some
what Increased to-day During the night he perspred'
and had four and half hours uninterrupted sleep. He
ia stronger today than he was yesterday.
ST. PETERSBURG, Dec. 49, 1872
The physicians bulletin dated IL o'clock this morning.
states that the Czarowitz passed quiet night having
had five ;hours Of uninterrupted Sleep The lever ha
neither increased decreased. The patients conui-
ton as to strength was satisfactory.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-30

ence no claim agent has ever been able 20 buy, and
whom nobody Dretends 20 influence. But there are not
few in Congress whose services every claim agent
In Washington processes his ability TO Obtain aud whose
next friend Is known of all men.
The evils OF this practice have more than once been
recognized by Congress The act forbdding members OF
Congress 70 act agents for claims against the United
States reformed the abuse In measure but does not
prevent men OF easy conscience from evadng 1t as has
been described above Bills intended TO strike at the
root OF the matter have at various times been introduced
In either House, but have never passed beyond second
reading The remaining days of this Congress are too
few Ia expect from any important reforms least of all
one like tins which would be strongly opposed and give
% "A
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-30
FOREIGN NOTES.

II is expected that 1900 British coal miners
will strike work on the LIST OF January.
The Madrid impartial says Gen. Pieltain
viii probably be appointed Captain General Of the Island
of Cuba.
After the list of January, persons entering
Germany from France Will not DO required 70 provide
themselves with passports
The pleuro-pneumonis has become epidemic
in the villages Of Prussia and Belgium, the line
separating those two countries.
France will pay Germany S40,0O0,000 of the
war indemnity on the LIST OF January. and will psy
A5ooo,OO0 each succeeding month until May next.
The smallpox Ia spreading in many Of the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-30
SNOW AND ICE DANGERS.
TILE AMII ANlnE IN IInAII

SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 27.-But little addi-
tonaI INTEL gence has been received concerning the
Cottonwood avalanche 1t ia asserted that II men are
roissing The slide came from the mount an distance
Of mile with frightfu speed and force. Tho storm
prevented any warning OF ts approach until was upon
tho lines Of passing at the point where crossed
the road Men, mules, wagons and sacks of orc were
carried away like sraws The body OF snow where the
force ~ soyeers are at work large and oXcava
on il very slow. one dead body was recovered to-day
The storm continues, with rain here aud enow III tho
mountains
THE MISSISSIPPI ICE-GORGE - MORE TROUBLE
fRARED.
MEMPHIS, Dec. 2S.--The weather has mod
Grated very much this afternoon and The ice Is thinning
out considerably, but the river IL rising steadily
steamboat men are still apprehensiyo OF danger
although the condition OF the boats a the landing is
unchanged The work OF wrecsng the sunken boats 10
proceeding.
L,rER.-Ihe river Is still rising u is now feared
that Il the rise continues. immense field Of ice tho
month OF Wolf River viii be swept down against the
boats at the evee with irresistible force. All the boats
that have fuel have steam ny. Tho Gas Company nus
made arrang ements 10 receive i've carloads Of coal
daily which, with the present supply, WIZ enable hem
to meet the demand Tor gas. The prfe OF eoil nss
advanced 81 so per barrel steps nave Deen taken 10
prevent suffering among the poor.
MEMPHIS, Doe 29.-The river has been falling since
O'Clock this afternoon but saster has occurred
The little steamers Helen Brooks and Summer Koon
have sunk The T. p Walt has been wrecked Her
boilers will be saved.
All the freight on the Belle OF Pike has been saved
cept about bales OF cotton. She ia gradually settling.
and viii prove total loss. Only the cabin furniture
The condition Of the steamers Cleburne Excelsior,
and Nellie Thomas apl the dry docks Ia unchanged but
ut. or MOI trouble 10 .sDD,Ss he demand Tor gas
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-30
THE LATE WAR IN EUROPE.

THE ATTITUDE OF AUoIhIA-EtFECI UF TIE Dis
CLOSURES OF THE DUKE DE GRAMoNr.
LONDON, jDec. %, 1872.
The Austrian, French, and Prussian news
papers are engaged lively controversy the dis
made by the Duke de GramOnt in regard 10 the
origin of the late The Duke brings documentary evil
dence to support the truth Of his assertion that Austria
promised to assist France in Of with Prussia
He publishes Austrian dispatch to the French Gov
ernment in which the pledge is given In the following
words: " Your is ours We will contribute TO the
Of the French arms 1t is reported that the
Austrian Government has determined to dispense alto
gether with the services Of Count Won Beust.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-30
PROBABLE WIFE-MURDER.

At 10 o'clock last night, Chas. Kellner, q
German age a. had quarrel with his wife Annie, at
their residence, no. s4s Bushwckave., Brooklyn ana
stabbed her several times with knife used by him in
his business basket maker. One OF the wounds pen
erated tho right side and will prove fatal the phys
clans entertain hopes OF her recovery. Kener
arrested by Officer Drum Of the Sixth Precinct.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-30
CHURCH AND STATE IN EUROPE.

TIE ALLoCUTIoN OF THE POPE sTIGMATIZED As
AN INSULT TO THE EMPEROR OF GERMANY
RESIGNATION OF THE FRENCH EhBAssADoh
TO THE VATICAN.
BERLIN, Saturday, Dec. %, 1874
The Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung stigma
ties the aocuton OF the Pope devesed at the Consist
DRY held in Rome on the 23d inst asian objectionable In
suit to the Emperor of Germany The colossal mpudence
Of the Pope says The Gazette the inevitable neces
sity for the immediate passage OF law defining the
boundaries between the State and the Roman Catholic
PARIS, Dec. %, 1871.
NJ. Bourgong. the French ambassador to the Papal
Court has resigned because some French naval officers
In Rome at the begnningof the holidays called on the
King and the Pope the same day, and rendered the
compliments OF the season. Tho Monarchists seek 10
make political capital out the affair. The Union pub
hshes an address praising the minister's act
striking disayOwal OF policy which would abandon
the Holy Father to spolation and insult
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-30
PARIS. Dec. %. 1879.
SUCCESSION TO THE THRONE OF BRUINS
| WICK.

THE EX-KING OF HANOVER OR HIS SON TO BE-
COME DUKE-0PPosITIoN IN GERMANY
BERLIN, Saturday, Dec. %, 1917.
The Spener'Sche Zeitung strongly opposes
decree Of tue brunswick Council Of Ministers issued
the Of December prov ling that upon the demise OF
tile present Sovereign, Duke William, the ex-Klns OF
Hanover, his son. shall succeed to the throne. The
Duca House " Brunswick is the point CT becoming
extinct the present Sovereign, who is &C years DID, IL
unmarried His only brother, whom he succeeded fed
the Duchy breaking OF the riot in the City OF
Brunswick Sept g. $780, and was afterward declared by
a resolution OF the German Diet, " unfit to govern"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-30
TURBULENCE IN MEXICO.

AN ELECTION QUARREL AT TAMPICo-EIGHr
PERSONS KILLED AND MORE WOUNDED.
MATAMoRos, Dec. 2S.-The election for mu-
ncipa officers Tampico is reported to have passed of
in a very disorderly manner During the counting OF
the votes disturbance arose, during which eight per-
Sous were killed and wounded. Great excitement pre-
vailed. The opposing parties style themselves the Tam
pcienos and Tampoes and each claim TO have won the
election.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-30
OBITUARY..
DEAN RAMSAY.

A cable telegram announces the death on
Dean Ramsay OF Edinburgh, widely known as an author
and churchman He the fourth son Of the late SIR
A. Ramsay, Bart, OF Bamain Scotland, and was born
in I793 He graduated Master OF Arts at Cambridge
in 1884, and entered the ministry Of the Protestant Eps
copa Church, receiving in lsi the Deanery OF Edin-
burgh. In 1857 he published his "Reminiscences OF
Scottish Life and Character" which was so popular as
to pass through eight editions I'm years. besides two
In this country 1t attained the 18th edition In 1863, and
about the same time the Dean gave to the public mis-
pulpit Table Talk: Containing Remarks and Anec-
dotes" another wel-read book. In 1861 he published
second series Of "reminiscences and besides wrote from
time to time number Of works Of theological and
scriptura character He was tolerant in hs views, and
was held in regard by clersymen Of other de
nominations.
ID. O'C. TOWNLEY.
ID. O'C. Townley, business manager of the
Grand Opera House. died in this city. saturday Ho
was born at Newry in the North Of Ireland in Deccm-
ber 1884, received liberal education, and con-
trbutor to London and Dublin periodicals. H. came to
this country in 1860 and for few years the stan
Of The Ne York Times previous 10 the establishment or
The Erenng Mall when he resigned TO accept an edi-
toria position on that journal He contributed occa
sonal articles to Seri6ers Magazine and wrote humor-
Gus sketches under the nom de plume of Alderman
TO act as Mr.. Days business manager at the Grand
Opera House His associates speak OF him in terms OF
warm appreciation.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-30

sPECULATI0NS UPON THE SPEAKER
SHIP OF THE NEXT H0UsE-SECRETARY BOUT
WELLS SUCCESSOR - JUDGE STRICKLANDs
REsIGNATION-MR. BRISBANE'S PNEUMATIC
TUBE-PRoBABLE DEFEAT OF THE TWO PER
CENT CLAIM.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-30
WINTER VICISSITUDES.
THE SNOW BLOCKADE.

SPORT ON TIE ROAD AND ON THE ICE-BRoAD-
WAY UNRESTRICTED - TRAINS AND MAILS
TIME.
The semi-weekly Republican. (St. Francisville, La.) 1872-1872, 1872-04-16
KEW SERIES-- !. NO, y.

Condensation and absorption of
mo'sture 10y change of temperature
sometimes produces very singular
results. 1t is related that ut q bull
in Russia, after the room had be-
bone very warm, the air very moist,
some of the ladies tainted, and in
stantly all Of the gallants rushed to
the windows to throw them open.
Thus, instead Of opening one or two
windows, all the windows in the
room were thrown wide open, and
the result wassucl sudden influx
of cold air and lowering of the gen.
eral temperature that the moisture
was precipitatetl in the form ofsnow,
and there WIS presented singular
phenomenon of Il heavy shower of
snowflakes falling ON ball dresses
and bare necks.
The semi-weekly Republican. (St. Francisville, La.) 1872-1872, 1872-04-16

do NOT BE AN IpLER. idle
man is an annoyance-a nuisance.
lie is an intruder in the busy thor
oughfares of everyday life. He
stands in our path, and we push
him contemptuously aside. He is of
no advantage anywhere. He an
ncys busy men. He makes them
unhappy. He is a unit in society.
He may have an income to support
him in id'eness, Or may sponge"
on his good-natured friends. But
in either case he is despised. Young
man, do something in this busy, bust
ling wide-awalc world! Move about
for the benefit of mankind, if not for
yourself. Do not be idle. Gods
law is, that by the sweat of thy brow
we shall earn our bread. That law
is a good one, and the bread we earn
is sweet. Do not be idle. Minutes
are too precious to be squandcred
thoughtless]y. Every man and every
woman, however exaulted, or how
ever humble, can do in this short life,
if SO declined therefore, do not be
idle.
The semi-weekly Republican. (St. Francisville, La.) 1872-1872, 1872-04-16
FROM FRIDAYS ISSUE.

LONDON, April 11.-O'Connor, tried
for attempting to assassinate the
Queen was sentenced to II months
at hard labor and twenty lashes.
The French Atlantic Telegraph
Company concluded Il contract for
laying Il fourth line of telegraph ca
bic between Europe and America.
CAIRO, April 1.-THE Steamer
Oceanus from Red River to St. Louis.
when near Brooks Point, thirty miles
above Cairo exploded, the boiler
blowing up the upper works, almost
entirely, after which the wreck took
fire and burned to the waters edge,
were fifty cabin and twenty-five deck
passengers, making tho crow near
one hundred, about eighty of whom
arc supposed to have been lost. No
news from the passengers. No reli-
able account of the number lost has
yet been obtained. There were five
lady passengers all Of whom aro
supposed to have been lost. The
bodies of four ladies were seen float
ing past near Watkins landing to-
day, but were not recovered. Capt.
Riddle, Watchmen Harris were bu-
ried in the debris. Kenney, Second
Engineer, scalded and Drmplay.
mate and Charles Murray, Cabin
boy were found dead floating in the
river with Life-prcscrvers, scalded to
death.
LArEr-The Steamer Grand Tow
er just arrived and reports that the
first Engineer, Mate and thirty other
people were picked up by the steam
er Belle of st. Louis. Fisher. the
ard Parish, the Pilot,
were saved.
F1cKsDuEa, April 11.-Down, Bis
marck, at 5 P. NJ.
NEW ORLEANS, April 12.-Nothing
in the colored Convention
to-day, except some wrangling be-
tween partizans of Sumner and
.5rant' Lieut.. Gov. Pinchback pre-
IelTed Sumner to one thousand
Grants
New ORLEANS, April 12-Gold
quoted at 10 II.
Cotton, qaiet-Low Aliddling, %
cents.
Sugar, Good Fair 8 3-s.
Mol,sses, prime IS cents.
C,1r.