The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-24
Good News from Africa-Sir Samuel
Baker Still Alive.

A cable despatch, special to the HERALD,
brings us the agreeable intelligence that the
late rumor of the death of Sir Samuel Baker il
without any foundation in fact. We did not
at the time give credence to the report. We
set it down as an Arab conjecture which had
grown and taken the shape Of rumor as il
came down the river. According to our spe-
cial despatch of this morning well-known
merchant of the interior had just arrived at
Khartoom from Gondokooro, bringing the
news that Baker and his party were well at
Falookra, place distant about one hundred
and fifty miles from Gondokooro, and soma
thirty miles from the Albert Nyanza. He was
present, he said, when Bakers agent came to
the son of the Governor Of Gondokooro and took
with him two hundred soldiers to Falookra.
Of course it is not impossible that Sir Samuel
Baker and his heroic wife, his companion in
all his journeyings, may have persisted; but
this later report while it contradicts the
former, lends encouragement to the belief
that the "White Pacha," as he is called by
the natives is still alive and successfully
prosecuting his work of discovery in
the regions of Central Africa Remem-
bering how frequently Livingstone has
been reported dead, we need not be
surprised that similar rumors should.
from time to time, be put in circulation re-
garding Baker. Sir Samuel, we know, had at
first some difficulty with the native chiefs
but his firmness and decision of character, "a
well as his admirably organized and well
disciplined band of attendants, soon COM
manded respect His progress, if it has been
somewhat slow, has been sure and steady;
and it will not be at all wonderful if, while
we are discussing the rumors of his death, he
is already rejoicing over his completed work.
It will scarcely be surprise if our next
despatch informs MS that Livingstone and
Baker have met and that the Nile problem has
been finally and satisfactorily solved.
Dangerous and Inconveniens.
Somebody is responsible-or should be-for
a custom which bodies danger to passengers in
many Of our streets. 1t happens that New
York property owners sometimes change their
plans. A high brick house standing flush
with the street line is suddenly attacked by
saPPCiS, WIZ eCoi away tHo iroAt WoA u 10
lower story, leaving the upper sections resting
upon slim supports of wood. This work pro-
ceeds with such despatch as indicates extreme
urgency but when the structure has reached
such point of demolition that every breath
of wind seems likely to precipitate the
weakened walls upon the sidewalk the work
halts, to wait for weeks or months, as though
counting disaster. That fatal results do not
oftener occur seems simply proof of providentiaI
care even for those who hardly know prudence
for themselves. Such criminal carelessness
should not be allowed to disgrace our city and
menace the public with death and manning.
Not alone are citizens annoyed by building
operations. Some of our streets constantly
look like the scene of volcanic upheaval and
CONFUSION. Just now the alteration of the
railroad grade in Fourth avenue cuts the cross
streets by on impossible gull, stopping tran
sit across the avenue needlessly, and to the
serious Inconvenience of large numbers Of
people A small outlay, not beyond the
means of the public spirited company which
monopolizes the use of that thoroughfare,
would furnish temporary bridges to accommo-
date those who have occasion to pass while
the work is in progress.