davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1873-01-03
SCIENCE FOR SCHOOLS.

Natural Science, as distinct and noble fea-
ture of our schools, is no longer considered a
luxury or an impOssibility. 1t is a keen
pleasure to note the larger ideas on this sub
iect which are daily floating into the atmOs-
phere of instruction. The practical study of
the sciences is about to be begun by the public
schools of Massachusetts it has already taken
ground in Illinois, and the Teachers Assoca-
tons of that State and of Michigan have lately
passed resolutions indOrsing and urging the
same. There are but few professors and teach
ers anywhere who have the courage or the
bigotry to protest. Almost every educational
convention and academic address brings valu-
able aid to the scientific idea, and the ability to
give technical instruction is fast becoming a
necessary part of the teachers qualifications.
A dangerous thing to be guarded against is
the attempt of incompetent, half-taught people
to give such instruction. In these hands
scientific study would be worse than igno-
rance, since it could only serve to disgust
and confuse the pupil Normal Schools and
State Superintendents should take care of this.
1t is feared by some Of the newly converted
that these studies will wrest too much time
and attention from those cOmmoner ones
WDlc0 L0cy COHblucI 50 muCu uolC uSClui'
In st. Louis they have reached the point of
giving an hour each week to the Natural
Sciences-not generous, but still better than
nothing. A change in our methods 6t tuition
would leave plenty Of time for the new in
struction. Liberality, intuition, and thorough
ness in knowledge on the part Of the teacher,
and a great deal more oral teaching, are
agents which would do much to effect this. AS
the practical arts become more and more
strictly ranked as honorable professions,
the necessity for technical tuition beginning
in the primary schools grows more urgent. A
child old enough to go to school at all ia old
enough to understand and be fascinated by
the simple and attractively presented element
ary principles of, at least, one natural science
one that may some time become a ladder
for his ambition. In a country still new, and
above everything industrial, all that will go
to make the useful as we'll as the learned pro-
fessions distinguished should be untringly en-
cOuraged 1t is weak if not worse longer
to disregard science either in the abstract or
in its practical application to the arts and
the ignorant conservatism which opposes its
presence in general education is beyond ex-
cuse. A thing to be considered in the begin
ming is the need of vivid and accurate text
books for the primary schools. Hero is n
suggestion for some of our brilliant sayants ;
the preparation of such books would be alike
honorable and remuneative. May all the
saints OF education save us from course fur
New-York tribune., 1873-01-03
TILE GREAT SCAND1L.

The Cincinnati Gazette, one of the principal
Administration papers of the West, was con-
spicuous during the. Autumn for its teryid de-
tense OF the twelve Congressman implicated in
the Ames and McCOmb scandal. 1t prepared,
"by direct authority of those interested, two
"of the denials so widely published )" it went
as far as the most uncOmprOfnisng of the party
journals in denOuncing the story Of McComb
as base and malicious fabrication, without
"even the foundation of distorted truth TO
crest upon" Yet The Gdsette now says, After
"a full belief, founded upon such information
"as could be obtained here that the denials
"were all tF1e in the unqualified sense in
(which the public received them, it was very
"far from pleasant to know that the Com
"mittee of Investigation had scarcely touched
"the matter in hand before the whole fabric
"Of denial fell and every one whose name
"appeared on the Oalles Ames list was found
"to be in greater or less degree involved
"There is no intention of asserting here that
call were disreputably involved; but in the
every mildest form in which the matter can be
"stated, all ore in very embarrassing posi-
"tiOnr The significance of such remark,
coming from such source, is too obvious TO
require comment. 1t proves that the scandal
has made a very deep impression upon the
public mind, and it fully justifes the course
which THE TRIBUNE has pursued toward it
from the beginning.
We need hardly say that in the hottest
days of the canvass we published no charges
against our political opponents which we did
not believe " be true. With regard " .he
New-York tribune., 1873-01-03
nisl,ed by the innumerable charatans and
amateurs in science.
SLIPPERY SIDKWALKS.

| We ventured to say few words the othef
day upon the pleasures and advantages oil
walking. Unfortunately, just at tins time, the
condition of the pavements of New-fork IA
such that any pace worthy of being called
walking is out of the question. The state OF
our thoroughfares is simply shocking. We
leave the middle of them 10 be discussed and
possibly sworn at by the drivers of different
vehicles; but we must ask, in the name OF
our shambling, shufiling, slipping and sprawl
ing fellow creatures, if nothing can be done to
render sidewalks less a msnomer9 The ordi-
nance requires that both snow and ice shall
be removed by abutters, and there is a pretense
of doing this. When the snow has ceased to
fall somebody comes out OF the house ano
lazily scrapes the stones with shovel. In nine
cases out of ten the work is so incompletely dOns
that it would have been better to have left II
uninterrupted. A thin glazing, or a rough
hummOcky surface remains, upon which IL
at once painful and dangerous to work
sidewalk may be thoroughly cleaned. No"
and then you come to the work of an ener-
getic and thorough going Samaritan, and az
you pass jauntily by his premises you bid
God bless him. But most sidewalks are mol
thoroughly cleaned, or anything ike IT, Az
for the crossings and cutters, 1t being
nobody's business To care for them, OF course
they are not cared for at all by anybody.
What dreadful traps they arc, it is next TO
impossible to describe. There is a partlcu-
larry bad bit near Fulton Market, on Fulton
ST., and close by the entrance of that pala-
tial structure, which is eminently fitted
for the breaking both of legs and heads.
PeopIe ON New Years Day, fell down and
groaned on the ground, as If they had been
shot in line of battle, The crossing, In con-
sequence of carts, is not an easy one to
achieve at any time Except midnght), but
when plateaus of ice and ridges of snow and
slippery hag-stOnes are supperadded to the
common difficulties you go through with
something which might be a minor episode in
the ascent of Mt. Blanc. Another dangerous
nuisance is the iron cover of the cOal-hole in
the sidewalk. Generally it is as polished "a
the smoothest OF Mr. TennysOn's verses.
When it is covered with flmy vail OF snow,
every pedestrian who steps upon 1t must go
down. unless saved by a special interpOsition
of Providence. So down you go, and are
laughed at by the inhuman observers, lucky
if you are famed only for week, and not for
the rest of your natural life.
We have indicated no trouble which may
not be avoided. The whole nuisance results
from cold-blooded selfishness and the most
reprehensible neglect 1t is the more aggra-
vating because in cold weather it is necessary
for our comfort to proceed at q good brisk
pace. We have law enough to remedy the
difficulty. Why can we not have it enforcedf
New-York tribune., 1873-01-03

cipatiou limiting their action to appeals, IN be-
half of threatened interests, for reserve
or prudence or, to use still more en-
phuistic phrase, for "a certain parsimony In
Z" the adoption of reforms" But on the other
hand, the deputies from Porto Rico, seven III
number, come boldly forward, and, denounc-
ing Slavery as disgrace to the nation when
retains it, demand its immediate abolition In
that Island, as called for both by humanity and
by expediency. The lists are set, and the con-
test cannot now be declined We think we
may hope that the side of civilization VIII
carry the day.
New-York tribune., 1873-01-03

Credit MObier business, l0th as we were to
suspect certain men named in McCOmb's list,
we had special reasons for thinking that the
story of McComb deserved publicity and in
yestigation. In the first pace, we knew that
some of the shrewdest and most eminent law
yers in this city, after careful examination
of the evidence, were satisfied of its truth.
Secondly, we had positive knowledge that the
very suspicious letters of 0akes Ames were
genuine. Finally, one of the inculpated Con-
gressmen (and we may add that he is one of
those who have been most profuse in public
professions of innocence) admitted privately
that he did hold some of the Credit Mobilier
stock Others, we had grounds for believing,
made similar Acknowledgements; but in the
case of this gentleman our knowledge was
positive, for he had made his statement to
one of THE TRIBUNE stockholders. Under
these circumstances, we reproduced to Nc
Combs startling charges, and we have never
ceased to urge that they should be taken up
in Congress and submitted to the most rigld
investigation. If they prove to be unfounded,
we shall be the first to congratulate the ac-
cused and the country upon the removal OF a
stain not only upon private character, but
upon the honor of the National Legislature.
But il must be evident that the investiga-
ton. az at present conducted, is doing no
good. A great deal of truth, mingled with a
great deal of distorted rumoT, escapes from
the closed doors of the COmmittee-room, and
the result is to persuade the country that ugly
facts have been brought to light which the
Committee is trying to suppress The opinion
of the Republican organ in Cincinnati that
"every one whose name appeared on the
"Oakes Ames list was found to be in greater
cor less degree involved is the opinion of
more than half the community. The elaborate
denials published by several of these gentle
men during the months of September and
October go for nothing since it is understood
that some of them have already been con-
tradicted point blank by the testimony and
the most that is now said for the twelve by
their political defenders is that they may have
acquired the stock hOnOrably and held it with
out rendering any service TO the company
1t is time, however, that mystery should be
dropped. The whole history of the connection
of the Credit MObilier, the Union Pacific Rail-
road Company, and Mr.. Oakes Ames with
Congress and Congressman must be exposed
There can be no good reason for holding the
inquest in secret. Innocence has everything
to gain and nothing to lose by public in
quiry; only guilt can profit by private one.
Whatever the result nothing will now satisfy the
suspicious public mind, which already begins
unfairly to question the integrity of the Com
mittee, but an open trial and daily report of
the evidence. 1t is no more than kind and
Just to warn the Committee that their indi-
vidual Judgment expressed in a formal report
to the House after n secret examination, will
not be accepted by the public. If they persist
in keeping their doors shut, every one of the
twelve gentlemen named on the McComb list
will bear forever a stain upon his reputation.
New-York tribune., 1873-01-03
TERMS OF THE TRIBUNE
3gesu'I}ork Daily gri5MerH,
FOUNDED BY HORACE GREELEY.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 3. 1873.

Lieut. Gen. Kameke is TO be Prussian Minister Of
War. .= The health Of the CzarOwit2 is improving.
- An uprising has taken piace in the Philippine
Islands.
Inaugural addresses were presented by Gov. iPerham
of Maine Gov. Noyes of OHIO. and Gov. Wsshburn Of
Massachusetts,. So Eight negroes were killed By a
railroad accident in Georgia.
new witness in the Stokes case testified that Fisk
was armed. The Erie Directory is pressing an ID
suit for $5OOOOO against Commodore Vanderbilt. -
The Municipal Boards held important sessions. s-
DR.. ]. p. Newman lectured on The Polar Regions"
== Important revelations promised in reference
TO the East River Bridge. Gold, 112s, III. 11li.
Thermometer, 292, 2Io, 800.
New-York tribune., 1873-01-03

It was hardly to be expected that human
nature as represented in Congress could abide
any scheme to prevent the proposed increase
of naval cadetships. So, instead of keeping
the number of appointments where they are
now, the apportionment to the augmented
representation in the Lower House is proposed
to be continued. The two years added to the
academic term will, no doubt, improve the
service; but the best part of it is that the
number of appointments will not be
decreased; and Congressman may breathe
easier. As for the military cadetships,
the reason given for continuing the present
proportion of these is sad one. Gen. Sher-
man thinks that so many officers are killed in
the Indian wars that the anticipated increase
of graduates from the Military Academy can
not swamp the army. And this is under our
admirable Indian policy, which is expensive
because it is peaceful, and also makes a re-
enforcement of the officers of the line highly
desirable.
New-York tribune., 1873-01-03
amusements, etr., CHS Gpenins.

BooTH's THEATER.-" Richard Ill" Edwin Booth.
GRAND OPERA HOUSE," Round the Clock"
NBLO's GARDEN" Leo and LotOs"
OLYMPIC THEATER.-0pera Boufie: 'LaPerichole"
Mile Aimee and Mons. Juteau.
UNION SQUARE THEATER,--" Son of the SOIL" and
Orange Blossoms"
WALLACK's THEATER. - Brother Saut." L. A.
Sothern
ACADEMY OF MUSICAL q m. Philharmonic
Rehearsal
ASSOCIATION HAIL.-Lecturc James T. Fields.
STEINwAY HAIL. Concert. Anton RuDlnsteln,
Henn Wieniswsh and Theodore Thomas.
ST. JAMES THEATER.-San Francisco Minstrel.
Tony PAsToE's OPERA HoUsE.-Varieties.
New-York tribune., 1873-01-03

We have felt for years wretched conviction that
nothing on earth would ever deliver US from the
slow avalanche of marble EYES, and Venuses, and
Dianas and Floras and Apollos and other people OF
their time and peculiar costumes with which sculp
tors are eternally threatening us. After long ex-
pericnce of these beauties of modern art we were
glad to see even dabOlical horrors in the shape OF
CHASTITY and unnatural stone statesmen and generals.
But our trials are now. We can afford to for
get the unhappy classical limitations and to smile al
the dreadful marble things in buttons and thick
soled boots for new era in sculpture hath come.
An American artist in Florence, disregarding tradi-
tons etc. has actually gone back TO the days OF his
childhood for a subject, and has made statue Of
Robinson Crusoe How he ever came to do so Is more
than we can tell, but it extremely good Of him.
Here's novelty. Here are mines Of richness! The
aspiring sculptor need seek more the mythology
cal or biographical dictionaries; let him turn to
nursery literature and be wise Why not make
beautiful the walks of Central Park with something
of this kind There are Fe-fo-fum, and Blunder-
bore, and their pleasant set-hOw improving and
beautiful would be their figures Also, how graceful
and heart-warmIng statue of dear old Mother
Goose herself all frills and fatness These gen
tie suggestions which should not be wasted.
New-York tribune., 1873-01-03

The testimony in the Stokes case of the girl
Turner as to the picking up of a pistol sup
posed to be Fisk's, and resembling the one he
habitually carried and displayed on his visits
to the Grand Central Hotel, is the most i'm
portant evidence yet submitted in behalf of
the prisoner. The defense closed its testi-
mony yesterday Unexpectedly; the prosecution
had no Witnesses present, and considerable de-
lay was the consequence.
New-York tribune., 1873-01-03

The little breeze that was raised among the
outgoing Supervisors and the incoming Alder
men, yesterday, seems an unnecessary one.
The law provides that the official existence Of
the Board of Supervisors shall cease with Jan.
1 Of the year following their service. But the
gentlemen whose term of Office has thus ex-
pired hold that, as there can be no new Board
of Supervisors until the new Board OF Aldermen
meet and organize (Monday, Jan. @, their term
must be extended until next Monday, or there
will be no Supervisors in existence. The an
swer to this anxious quibble is clear. The law
explicitly provides that the Supervisors shall
90 out of Office Jan. 1. The failure of the
law to provide for any interregnum does not
and cannot legalze the action of any man who
exercises official functions after the expiration
of his term of Office.
New-York tribune., 1873-01-03

Seven bodies, in all, have been found in the
ruins of the Centre-st. building. SO the tale
of the missing is complete, much to the relief
of surviving friends. Next will come the usual
inquest, from which we must expect only a
confirmation of the opinion arrived at by those
who conducted the examination already made.
1t is tolerably well ascertained how the fire
caught; it is also clear that there were not
sufficient means Of exit provided in the build
ing. The coroner's jury may blame somebody
but to what end AS for the Fifth Avenue
Theater fire. an investigation is needless and
impracticable. All traces of the origin of the
fire have disappeared in the general ruin. The
catastrophe breaches its own sermon. Taken
in connection with two or three similar dis
asters which just preceded it, it may well alarm
theater-goers.
New-York tribune., 1873-01-03

Though there may be nothing striking in
the inaugural addresses of the three Gov
ernors, of which we print the substance to-
day, they all have the special interest of show
ing prosperity in three States. Ohio, Maine,
and Massachusetts, have all achieved great in
dustrial progress during the past year, and the
customary messages of their respective Gov
ernors are chiefly valuable for the encour-
aging exhibit which they furnish.
New-York tribune., 1873-01-03

Some new reports about the management
of the Brooklyn Bridge Company are promised
publicity to-day; and from all accounts the
allegations will be equally disagreeable to the
Directors and the taxpayers. Rumors of mis-
management of the finances of the Company
have long prevailed in Brooklyn, but the piers
advanced so rapidly and the prospects of the
early completion of the great work were so
fair that people had begun to hope that these
damaging stories were untrue. The reports to
BE- submitted to-day to the Directors belong
also to the public, and we hope no further
effort will be made to suppress them. We are
clad that they have been kept secret until the
management could prepare its defense, for we
want to sec the whole truth brought out at
once.
New-York tribune., 1873-01-03

The tendency toward technical instruction is rap
idly growing in Germany. Very successful are their
schools for printers in which the pupil is taught not
only the theory and practice of printing, but
knowledge of other languages and of the types Of
all languages which he may be apt to meet in the
exercise of his trade. Beside these schools there
has lately been established at Lepsc one for book
sellers Three years study is eDoined by the course.
which takes in both the literary and commercial
phases of the business The studies prescribed are
terrifcally numerous and comprehensive. There are
the ancient and modern languages natural sciences.
mathematics, the science of commerce, geography.
drawing, writing, photography, booksellers tech
nical information and business management, history.
statistics aesthetics debate elocution, and the types
and written characters of all languages. With ac-
quirements like these, the bookseling trade viii be
not merely trade but most worthy and dignifed
profession. Nothing could be more hopeful and lib
eralizng in all directions than such accurate tech
nical education.
New-York tribune., 1873-01-03

If there has been any doubt as to the COM
plicity of the Portuguese Government with the
cOOlie trade, there need be none now. Our
dispatches show that the Portuguese Governor
of Macao virtually compelled the Superintend-
ent of immigration to pass the papers which
consign cargoes of poor wretches to the hor-
rors of the middle passage and the plantations
of Central America. While civilized nations
are considering how to suppress the slave
trade at Zanzibar, why not bring a moral
pressure on POrtugal9
New-York tribune., 1873-01-03

China has signihed its national individuality
by adopting an imperial flag. This means
something more than a mere sign of imperial
power; for a distinctive flag is only required
when the nation which uses it takes its place
among the commercial communities of the
world The flag described, however, is not
banner with a new device, though strange
one. II was the ready invention of the late
New-York tribune., 1873-01-03
NEw-1oRk DAILY TRIBUNE FRIDAY JANUARY 3 1873

Mr.. Burlingame when the Embassy of which
he was the head, came to this country, the
need of a national flag was at once perceived; /;
and as yellow is the imperial color and the
flying dragon is part of the imperial insignia,
their combination made what will now be
known as the official flag of China among
civilized nations.
New-York tribune., 1873-01-03

A fatal collision on the West Pennsylvania
Railroad, yesterday, adds another item of evil
dence to the volume in favor of some contriv-
ance which shall make platforms stronger.
In this case, as in many Others the doubling
up of the platforms caused the only DEATH
Platforms which cannot be crushed may save
a car from being "telescoped." But even in
a collision of moderate force frail platforms
are almost sure to be fatal traps.
New-York tribune., 1873-01-03

The unexpected demand for TIE TRrBUNEs
reproduction on half sheet Of its entire series
of reports of Prof. 1yndall's lectures, yester-
day, exhausted our supply There has been no
more curious illustration of the recent and
marked development of public interest in the
direction Of scientific inquiry. A fresh edition
will be printed and ready Tor sale this morn
ing at our counter; price cents per single
copy, cents if by mail, the usual discount to
wholesale dealers.
New-York tribune., 1873-01-03

The Commercial AGrafis0 established in li4.'
came out yesterday in dress rs natty end ele-
CANT "a the youngest Of newcomers might assume.
and full of vitality which ED age seeais only 10
have Increased.
New-York tribune., 1873-01-03

At this bitter season. it may have warming effect
to read about the Minnesota Winters. The ST. PAU
Dispatch praises greatly the Spring, the Summer, and
the Autumn of those regions but admits that the
Winter there is abominably cold" and thus graphi-
cay describes the process Of being frozen to death
in Minnesota " The bitter cold does not chill and
shake person as in damper climates 1t stealthily
creeps within all defenses and nips at the bone with
out warning. Riding along with busy thoughts,
quiet pleasurable drowjuess takes possession ef The
~ - --:-I - - -,
U0uy ana m.n., ,.ic lencos grow lndlstinci me
thoughts wander weird fancies come trooping about
with fantastic forms, the memory fails, and in con-
fused dream of wife and home the soul steps out into
oblivion without pang or regret The plain En-
glsh Of this is that may be frozen 70 death
more pleasantly in Minnesota than anywhere else IN
the world. Those anxious to die in that way VIII
please take notice
New-York tribune., 1873-01-03

We have in the English sewspapers fep0fts N IN
annual lecture which it appears Chat Mr. Grant Duff,
NJ. p, is in the habit Of delivering 20 his consitn.
ents at Elgn The most interesting pTrt o. This al.
dress at least to foreign nations Mr.. Grant Duifs
opinion that whenever England shall be dragged
into war all the world will be astonded Vt tho
turn for war displayed by the inhabitants OF the
island, who, lawabiding and quiet they On The
surface, yet under the surface the iercest and
most determined population in Europe" We have
heard something like this before and therefore are
not unduy alarmed. We do not say that English
soldiers aud sailors are easily TO be beaten but we
do say that what has been done can usually DO done
again. Sometimes it has happened chat 1t was the
Lion who was astOunded.