davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1873-12-11
THE MURDERER MECHELLA.

Medical Experts Pronounce Him Per-
fectly Sane-Another Appeal TO the
Court OF Pardons.
Since the reprieve was granted TO the murderer
Mechena, incarcerated in Jersey City, he has been
examined by three prominent physicans-two
residing in Jersey City and one in Hoboken
They are unanimous In the conclusion that
he is perfectly sane. County Physician
Buck wrote to Governor Parker, setting
forth his opinion on the and those OF the other
physicians VINO investigated It, Deputy Sherin
OBrien. who is still detailed on special duty ia
keep strict watch over the prisoner, states that
Mechella has at no time given the slightest
evidence that his mind is deranged. "Ho played
the fool with the Keepers" added OBrlen, "but
when he found that that game could not be PLAYED
with me he altered the tune and was
Saturday from cell No. on the ground floor to the
cell on the northeast corner OF the third noor,
overlooking the great thorOughfare, Newark ave.
nue., and he appreciates this act OF Kindness. HIS
present abode is not properly cell, but room
set apart for witnesses and DEBTORS and aechella
seems TO enjoy the privilege OF having wide space
to walk about during the day. 1884
In justice TO Governor Parker 1t Is proper to state
that in granting the reprieve he was imposed
upon BY few fanatics, who grossly misrepre.
sented public opinion, and who, like the ToOley
street tailors, set themselves up as the peo.
Governor learned that his act elected
the most outspoken disapproval he rebuked
the fanatics by refusing to appoint medical CON-
mission to examine Mechela. The Court OF Par.
dOns will be convened on the first Tuesday OF
January, at Trenton, to consider this case sec,
are seeking for some physician who will pronounce
him
The New York herald., 1873-12-11
THE RETURN OF MR. PAUL B. DU
CHAILLU.

Mr.. Du Chaillu has just returned to New YORK
from his new field OF exploration in Scandinavia
and along the border of the Arctic regions. He
has been two years searching the realm OF widest
nature and among the most primitive and interest.
ing people the civilized world for materials for
book and lectures. Those who have read his ex-
plorations, discoveries and adventures in equae
torial Africa, or have heard him lecture on them,
can readily imagine the treat in store for the
public. The one extreme OF nature and OF the
world will be made, no douDt, as interesting
in his hands as the otner. He Will tell
us OF the midnight and continuous
daylight OF the darkness that reigns unbroken, OF
the eternal Ice and grandeur OF natural scenery ia
the widest Of all countries, as well as OF the habits
and traits OF character OF a people little better
known than the negroes OF interior Africa. He
speaks with enthusiasm Of his experience and the
materials ne to lay before the public. His long
absence, and being beyond the limits of communi-
cation with his friends, caused some anxiety Tor
some time as to his late; and IT appears that
some adventurous scaawag in the United States,
thinking Mr.. Du Chalilu might he dead, had actu-
ally used his name for ecturng purposes, just as
others had plagiarized his popular books Oh
equatorial Africa. Now however, the intrepid ex.
plorer will be welcomed back to his country, and
the people will have what Is genuine.
The New York herald., 1873-12-11
HARE0R ENCROACHMENTS.

Important Action of the Pilot Commits.
sion to the Harbor Encroach-
mcnts-Thc City Liable for Heavy
Dana gcs-A Letter to Governor DIX.
Pilot Commissioner Blunt is at work trying to
move the forthcoming Legislature in favor OF legis.
lation for preventing the encroachments on New
York Harbor. Yesterday reporter OF the HERALD
called upon the Commissioner to inquire as to hia
prospects.
Commissioner Blunt detailed to the reporter
several of the grievances, among which was one ol
a recent and most ragrant character, in which the
street Cleaning Commission were the dehnquents.
About six weeks ago 1t was discovered that parties
in charge OF the city scows were dumping at one
time 8, 900 cart loads OF ashes and sweepings into
the harbor. They were caught in the
act and suit has been commenced against the
city Tor the recovery OF heavy penalties, for which
the city has made itself liable by this dsgracefu
proceeding This Is not the only mode In which
the navigation OF the harbor is interfered with.
European steamers, and even those belonging to
The latter, however, when caught pay the dne one
half OF which goes to the informer. 1t has been
that 20 DAY are thu. into
said:-"The encroachment upon the harbor OF New
York by the New Jersey Central Railroad alone
face. This dlminishcs the tidal now rs, ,00o,00 Of
cubic feet One cubic foot Is nearly eight gallons,
This amounts to 100. .oooooo pounds OF water dis.
placed every tide. the securing eject OF which ID
lost TO the harbor.'
Tho continuance OF these abuses has rendered
the Pilot Commission desperate ana deterninedx
and letter has been addressed to Governor d. e.
in answer to some inquiries which the Cover nor,
made, by Commissioner Blunt. This letter con-
cudes as follows:-
Now Tor thu remedy is suggested in the a. a n;ace
.hat he Zines OF restored as far IS can oe
aisnscna sructures completed that A,oemt In ws
shnd be passed against throwing rubbish tho hsrbor
New jersey should he invited 70 appoint eommieionsrs
wLo should be citzcns Of that Ss "a being on the
principle hs, Ney Yess ADOPTED ss In scsslnsni q
BASIS OF treaty ike that Of 1884. Shich couId not he
changed BY ordinary legislation, ~ n had ~ rseosJ
By cSnss s;o hs on KoS,S e Rive aighy penal throw
Creek Is rccommended by vcu should sIso bo pssscd
The laws passed for ne pr <ervaton or the hsrbor arc
very imperecs ING 20 lomissoners ara amost power
less Means snouid provided for them to watch
It's intefcsn .oi " Atance, the purchase Of small
steame MtnusI W steam launch used BY Q United
States snip o. WA which would cost to exceed $780,
and VIC cos' ~ running II would not exceed a. SOD
annum 70 cruise day aud night to watch violations
the tne entire jurisdiction OF the waters OF the
narpot ~ Tar as the hmenD and dredging and
nr0wg dirt &S 10 i should 70 under The asrbof
c91sructon, ana consequenty inehcient An ides Of
can be shown by the fact that they have been obliged
10 ind place for the posit OF 9 cubic yards Of
the dredging from tho harbos TO be deposited where nd
detriment could be caused the hsrbor o
such drsdgngs and 1t Is believed hsi met win sae
cssA =
The New York herald., 1873-12-11
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 1879.
cr.pAN INDFpRxnpNcE

CUgAN INDEpENpENcE.
Mr.. PHILLIPS, rep) OF Kansas, asked leave to
ofrer resolution, reclting the fact that state OF
war has existed for somo years In the island OF
Cuba, and that under It's excitement the steamer
virginius has been scized the American nag
The New York herald., 1873-12-11
A card from the Author.

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
Your correspondent "Playgoer" accuses me OF
egotsm in the few words spoken last Saturday night
To the announcement that Lied Astrayn was the
first OF a series OF five act comedies written with
the intention Of bringing back possbe, taste for
the legitimate drama. There would be egOtism
and vanity in the assumption that alone am the
person capable OF undertaking this task, II there
were any other individual living who could be as
s0cated with me in IT, Unfortunately there Is not.
1t may be lamentable fact. but it so happens.
happen to be the only dramatist living whom
the English speaking world have been pleased to
accept as capable OF writing legitimate comedies
that have been ranged among the standard drama
OF the past. am alone 1t Is not merit to be
alone. 1t Is an accident The 75,000,000 people
speaking our language have not furnished me
during the last 30 years with companion.
When / set myself the task to furnish succession
OF i've act comedies and PLAYS to constitute q mod
ern drama OF this day II was clear one man could
not supply the whole world single handed. In such
a task some assistance is necessary; so brought
IN two of the most distinguished dramatists OF
France to help me. Thus produce three hve-act
plays during this month. Among the score OF legiti-
mate plays to be thus furnished some Will be from
my unaided resources; some in collaboration with
fellow laborers, not furtively put openly.
Really cannot perceive anything particularly
heinous In all this transaction, nor any prOv0ca-
ton OF the bilious attack un Ter which certain jour-
nasts appear to be laboring-a disorder regard
with more curiosity than concern. The public and
the more liberal journals Will deal sincerely ana
generously with me in this work. forgving the fail-
ures-tne best OF US must 1ail sometimes-and en-
couraging the successes, and so | shall proceed
with the work, with the appreciation OF the bilious
party II they so please, II not, without IT. Yours
truly, DION BOUClCAULT.
MANHATTAN CLUB, Dec. Q.
The New York herald., 1873-12-11
CITY AND COUNTY TREASURY.

Comptroller Green reports the following dsburse-
ments and receipts Of the treasury yesterday
Claims paid number Of warrants g. amounting $s459
Pay rolls number Of warrants Al, amounting 2952
Total number OF warrants 1O5 amounting $42l All
From taxes Of 1873 and interest est......... Sos, 2ss
From arrears OF taxes, assessments and interest sO4
From collection Of ssniens and interest bg3l
From market rents and fees.................... 80
From water rents. l0U
From licenses, Mayors Office cc.................... rs
34A
The New York herald., 1873-12-11

ent. H 10 happy recurrence TO Mr.. Boucicault's
best STYLE the magic OF which he seemed lately TO
have some ewhat lost.
Tne Count, the Countess, the lover the little
daughter. Hector, the two grandmothers, all these
are successes in character. They are drawn with
firm, clear hand, that gives individuality at every
touch, and one remembers them as II they were
persons and leaves the theatre, too, happier Tor
having known them.
Permit me TO say word more as to the acting.
II is evenly excellent throughout; done with
nicely and finish and an unstagy art that Is worthy
the highest praise. Miss Eytinge and the young
lady who did excellently the naive little
daughter with Mr. Thorne and the personator OF
Hector, were perfect FLIBBERTIGIBBET.
The New York herald., 1873-12-11

by the recent stage that they don't know morality
when they see itS
lied Astrayn is an admirably told story, and lts
scenes are succession OF situations OF great
dramatic force, satirlcal point or dainty humor.
Its dramatic now reaches high tide at the last
scene OF the third act-the proper point-where
the Count Chandoce (Mr. Thorne). having sur
prised De Ia Spare making love to the
wife, who had vainly endeavored to escape him,
comes to an understanding with the iover-an un-
derstandlng that they must fight. but that the
true cause OF their ghting must not be known lest
the scandal should touch the lady's name. The
consequent hasty game Of cards. the imputstion OF
cheating the blow-all this rapidly, naturally, skill
fully presented-is first class success In writing
and acting.
Mr. Boucicault acknowledges his indebtedness TO
octave Feuillet; but he is no more indebted to
Feuillet than Feuillet himself was indebted to the
original author OF the story, MAJOR yabzehn Of the
French army. valbzehn's story was entitled "Le
Chen dAlcibiade, - and was published nearly twenty
years ago. am inclined 70 believe that Mr.. Bouci-
cault has, well Feuillet used the original story.
In valbzehn the story really turns upon the nice
sense OF honor toward the woman In the dealings
between the two men; not only In keeping the
secret from the world, which the husband cxacts
OF the lover for the sake Of his swn name, but also
in keeping from the woman the secret OF the oue'
and even keeping from her the very knowledge
| that her weakness had been dscovered-all Of
which the lover exacts from the HUSBAND 10
| chivalrous spirit OF tenderness, which evidently
| had all the gallant MAJORS sympathes In Vsio-
yehn,s story the wife fell but TINS ls not necessary
to the eject, and is changed in the present play.
Take n altogether, we have had no new play on
our staue this long while combining such depth in
the subject win skul in the treatment ~ the nyes-
The New York herald., 1873-12-11

every emergency.
Mr.. srARKwEArHER, (rep.) OF Conn.,, said that
had been undcrrated he thought that no harm could
come from stating the fact that the navy was in q
tnat was likely to arise. He hoped and believed
that no war would occur with Spain; out II war
was to come ne hoped II would come on no idle or
frivolous pretext. but in compliance with the sub
stantial judgment OF the country; not to avenge
any fancied wrongs. but to defend the honor and
integrity OF the nation 1t was true that there had
been only Is guns OF the American navy In the
vicinity OF the difficulty but to-day there were more
than 800 guns within reach OF that difficulty. They
were not all there, but they were within very
Sss GsssgHss X ssa Isas Ys assS Would SBs Ss e.
necessity FOR that hat, he hoped not because the
to recuperate from the ravages of the last war.
After further discussion by Messrs. Beck, OF Ken
Hale, Of Maine, Mr. Garheld's amendment was
adopted, and the bll! thus amended Yes passed.
CoDIPTcATI0N OF THE LAWS.
Mr.. BUTLER, (rep.) OF Mass, presented codin.
cation OF United states laws prepared by commits
soncrs Tor that purpose, and on his motion it was
referred to the Committee on the Revision OF the
Laws.
FOUR MILLION DOLLARS FOR rHE NAVY.
Mr.. GARFIELD, OF Ohio, from the Committee on
s4,0c0,o0o for extraordinary expenses OF tie navy
Referred TO the Committee OF the Whole.
TIE SALARY DEBATE.
The House, then, Mt haifpasJ one O'Clock, re-
sumed the DEBATE on the salary question.
Mr.. TREMAIN lrep.) ofN. r., addressed the House
with The report OF the minority Of the select COM
mlttee In the statement that in every form by
which the public c win could be expressed through
through the pubic press, the increase Of salary
had been condemned. As 70 the suggestions made
urged by demagogues, he remarked tnat II that X at
representative Is demagoguo who faithfully labors
TO carry out the popular WIN, and who IN doing 80
Is willing TO submit to personal sacriice and loss,
then he wished that the House were null OF such
seNsgogneM Hs epppessd that GAppemsn n "
New-York tribune., 1873-01-21
CITIES AND SUBURBS.

measure now before the Massachusetts
Senate proposes an enormous extension of the
limits of Boston. That hide bound settlement
has of late years exhibited all the symptoms
of hypertrOphy. We have seen this complaint
break out with great violence in other cities.
Philadelphia was overcome by it several years
ago, and became inflated in all directions.
More recently it seized Cincinnati, ST. Louis,
and Chicago almost simultaneously. The last
named city had it in the most exaggerated form,
and swelled all over the adjoining prairie to
such an extent that the pOstmen for that ter
rtory had to be mounted on horseback to get
around it, by special order from Washington.
Since then Chicago has had everything large,
including fire. The Boston case is developed
beyond any doubt of diagnosis. Dorchester
and Roxbury were absorbed some time ago:
and the Coliseum and the fire were very
large affairs. The present proposition is 10
take in about dozen neighbOring towns
and half million, more or less, iDhabi-
tauts. We trust the process will stop
short of the Hoosac tunnel. 1t might
be awkward to have the City of
Boston encroaching on our State line. The
real difficulty with this sort of development
is that there is no knowing where to stop it,
If, in a thickly populated State like Massa
chusetts, the spread is hundred square miles
one Winter, why not as many or twice as
many the neKt9 In the West the limits seem
to have been only reached when the town
surveyors found neither buildings nor land
marks worth jOtting down.
On the whole, however, it appears to be a
beneficial experience in most cases. Dropping
our simile-thOugh tempted to say something
about the healthy growth of children after the
mumps-we may say that in general real
consolidation gradually succeeds the nominal
one. 4 growth la material interest takes
place in the annexed towns, and the wealth of
the original city simultaneously increases We
may yet be glad to take copy from Bos-
ton in this matter = barring, Of course
coliseums and fires. When COM
munity so exceedingly conservative takes
the lead. we may be sure that the measure
has much to recommend it. No consideration
would have been given to the present prOpo-
sition, if previous steps of the sort had not
been made, and their consequences carefully
investigated. Boston has found annexation
profitable. II is worth while to ask whether
the same causes are not at work in New
York and whether it is not advisable to
turn them to our advantage in similar man
ner.
We may note that the principal opposition
30 consolidation usually comes from the out
lying communities. They object to being as
sociated politically with the more benighted
and less virtuOus classes that help 80 largely
to swell the vote of the great cities. The highly
respectable gentlemen who live in rural villas
and drive elegant buggies to railway depots
dislike to share the management of their
turnpike with the people who live IN
tepemsnt-hoasss i've Vr ten miles away,
New-York tribune., 1873-01-21

contrayenti0n of the plain intent OF the law,
he made an oppressive regulation about hnes
ON insufficiently paid mail matter, and the
House Post Office Committee was obliged to
Interfere and explain Che statute to him. Now
he is arguing the Postal Telegraph scheme, and
he shows at every step how little he knows
about it. The following dialogue occurred tne
other day during the discussion Derore 'ne
Committee ut Washington:
Mr. Nblaok-Is IL not true, also that every Govern
that has taken charge Of the telegraph business
bas a,so taken charge OF the railroads with the excep
ton of Great Britanf
The Postmaster er-General-Canada has not.
Mr. Ortou-Canada has not the Government telegraph
The Postmaster Genersl-No. 1t has not the govern
mental telegraph but Canada has but one telegraph
line and that is managed on the most hocra pncpes'
Mr. sweet-Canada has two Telegraph Companies.
The Postmaster General-f not as well informed on
that point as the gentleman.
On the question of cost Mr.. Creswell made
the remarkable statement that all the tele-
graph property in the United States probably
cost much less than $lO,OOO,OOO, and could be
reproduced for $i1,SS0,OOO. TO substantiate
that estimate he put upon the stand only one
witness, Mr.. Charles Il. Chester, and his figures
tell a very different story. Mr.. Chester Omits
from his calculation the duty on wire, amount
ing to about $3,6OOOOO, and even then his
estimates foot up $18,250,0 ,0O0-tbat is to say
(allowing for the duty just about S1O,OOO,OOO
more than Mr. Creswels statement. Mr.
Creswell was not only unwise to call
witness whose views differed so widely
from his own, but he made great
blunder in calling Mr.. Chester at any rate.
For Mr. Chester, it seems, had built but one
telegraph line and that was the Fire-AlGrm
| Telegraph in this city. 1t has go miles or
wire and so miles of poles, and Mr.. Chester
charged and was paid for ii SS5O,OOO. Ii he
| built all the lines in the United States at the
same rate per mile of wire the cost would be,
not S18. $50 900, but no less than S23S, ,0OO 900 !;
and if he charged at the same rate per mile
of poles, the cost would be nearly eight humid
red millions! On the other hand, 1t his bill
for the Fire-Alarm Telegraph had been audited
on the basis of his estimate of SlS,25O,OOO for
the Postal Telegraph, he would have got for
his work only S6j,OOO.
Really, if these manifestations of ignorance
and incapacty among Gen. Grants principal
official advisers are to continue, we shall have
to apply to Cabinet officers the rule of COM
petitiye examinations Shut up the candidates
in rooms by themselves. Give them printed
list of questions in arithmetic, geography,
history, department, the Constitution of the
United States, and the art of polite letter
writing. And il the regulation could be ap-
piled to the present incumbents. the country
would feel relieved, and the President would
| soon have one or two offices at his disposal.
New-York tribune., 1873-01-21

But the economy with which all civic
improvements can be introduced after con-
solidation, and the prospect OF a rapid rise OF
their real estate, usually convert these gentle
men. The backbone of the Opposltion IL
generally found in the petty governments OIL
the smaller communities, and among those
who are there seeking political preierment'
They fear q reduction of the number OF CIVIC
offices. Their prospects of employment III tno
larger city are small. Consolidation Will take
the bread out of their mouths. Now, it Is TINS
very fact that should commend CONSOLIDATION
to the rest of the citizens. Dispensing with sup
ernumerary officials is evident economy. IL Is
be also to noted that the business interests Oh
the leading inhabitants of the neighboring cities
and towns are for the most part eentered i'll
BOSTON and New-York. The people who elect
the civil officers in each of these cities
are not in very large proportion the owners
of the vast properties they thus control. Inc
residents of Brooklyn and Westchester dong
business in this city, and suffering in com
mon with the rest of us vast losses from OBJ
structed streets rotten piers; the absence OF
facilities for receipt and delivery of railroad
freight, have no vote gin our civic affairs.
In all these matters already Boston is
ahead. and under the impulse of the proposed
enlargement may become our most formida-
BILE rival AS we have said, the opposition to
consolidation here comes from the outside.
Perhaps if the nonresident business men OF
New-York would fairly consider their own in
terests, the opposition of oflice-holders in the
adjoining cities would be regarded at its full
value.
New-York tribune., 1873-01-21
4 GREAT RAILWAY COMBINATION.

The details of the great railroad c0ns0llda-
ton which we publish to-day are OF COM
manding interest to the commercial and trav-
cling community. The system now nearly
completed has been long in course of silent
preparation and, though the project seems to
have sprung full l-grown from the brain of some
fertile inventor, it is the work OF years. "A
glance at the map printed on another page
will show how comprehensive is the scheme,
so far as it relates to the interests OF New
England Canada, and eNew-York. con-
sidered together. The New-York, Boston
and Montreal Railroad, with its New
England branches, win embrace a great man
ufacturing region. But its connections with
the Erie Railway, and with the New-Jersey
and PENNSYLVANIA system of railroads. Will
bring it into vast coal and iron producing fields,
clasping together the great sources OF product
and the workshops of the nation. Besides, there
will be made easy connections with the trade
centers of the seaboard and the interior.
IL is too early to calculate any of
the results likely to flow from
such combination of railroad interests
and it will take some time for the problems
connected with the speedy change in business
and trade currents to be wrought out. But
enough has already been shown in the dis
cussions of this new project in the columns
of THE TRIBUNE, to point the signifi-
cance which it has in the business of
the country. Old means of communication may
temporarily suffer, but the eventual result of
the new arrangement of lines will be
beneficial not only to New-York but to the
whole country,