davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1874-12-23
Star Chamber Confederation OF the
Budget for 1875.

The Board Of Apportionment has recently
adopted the Objectionable policy of consider
ing the city estimates in secret session. The
people are thus kept i'll Ignorance OF the con-
templated action Of the Board on the several
appropriations until the amounts have been
finally determined upon. Public opinion
cannot be brought to bear upon the Board to
control its decisions, and the people are de-
MED any voice in, or knowledge of, the
amount to be levied on them by taxation until
it is too late to suggest desirable economies Or
to protest against extravaganza These star
Ter Green when, in conjunction with the late
Mayor, he sought to force upon the Board Of
Apportionment such budgets as suited his
own purposes; budgets i'll which he could Grip
pie departments not managed in his interest
and lavish extraVagant appropriations on
such as he controls. Ii was expected that the
change in the personne, OF the Board would
have put all end to these secret sessions. but
yesterday the meeting was held with closed
doors. II any public good were to be sub
served by excluding the representatives of the
press from the deliberations of the Board no
one would complain of the practice; but it is
notorious that the appropriations to some Of
the departments are exorbitant, that the taxa
ton OF the city is unnecessarily high, and that
undue influences are brought to bear on the
Board to prevent proper reductions. Secrecy,
therefore, is injurious to the public interests.
The people are entitled to know what argu-
ments are used to justify improper appro-
priations and who is responsible for opposing
economy.
Most of the public departments have become
huge political machines, and half the amount
expended by them is thrown away on personal
or political objects, and is not spent in the
service OF the city. This is especially the case
in the Finance Department. where Comptroller
Green has complicated the machinery,
stretched the law and increased the labor un-
necessarily in order to swell the patronage
With the new administration we shall no
doubt have new Comptroller, capable as well
as honest who will simplify the business of
the department, restore the Office to its legal
us what Mr.. Green has not the capacity to
supply-a clear, sensible and settled financial
policy. As the estimates now receiving the
consideration of the Board of Apportionment
are for the expenses of the city government
for 1875 the members of the Board should
bear in mind the fact that we are on the eve
Of financial reform. They may as we'll re-
member also that star chamber proceedings
cannot protect any member of the Board of
Apportionment from full responsibility, for
must be confirmed by a concurrent vote.
The New York herald., 1874-12-23

law does not declare imperatively that he
must interfere, but only permissively that he
may interfere in response to such applca-
tions. "It shall be lawful for the President"
to employ troops is the language of the law,
leaving him to decide on the necessity. But
it positively forbids his Intervention until he
shall have issued proclamation commanding
the insurgents to disperse and retire peaceably
to their respective places of abode, which is,
IN substance and effect, prohibition to use
troops or even to issue a proclamation unless
there are bodies of insurgents actually as
sembled in hostility to the State government.
We are, therefore, of the opinion that Presi-
dent Grant has in this instance acted with haste
and precipitation and overstepped the limits
Of his legal authority.
The New York herald., 1874-12-23

The LONDON Tines as win be seen from
our special cable despatch from London. has
issued declaration Of independence of
Reuter- news service on account Of having
been furnished despatch giving an untrue
account of the text of President Grants Mes
sage concerning our relations with Spain.
The Times declares it will henceforth trust its
own sources of news. Baron Reuter- promises
never to offend again. This important evil
dence of the independent spirit OF great and
free newspaper does not come to US from the
Associated Press.
The New York herald., 1874-12-23
Prize Pigs.

Our readers are probably not aware that on
the 7th Of January there will be, at the
Academy of Music, in this city, IAN inter-
collegiate literary contest Representatives
from six collegas-Lafayette, Williams, Rut-
gers, the New York University, Princeton and
Cornell-will be present and deliver speeches
before . committee of three distinguished
citizens, who will decide upon the merits Of
the orators and award the prizes. These
prizes are to the amount of four hundred dol
lars. The principal one will be 50 silver bay
wreath, and the successful competitor is to be
known as the wreath man." Mr.. Eyarts, we
understand, will preside, 'tand the boxes will
be sold at an early day."
The first point we observe in this is the
small number Of the colleges represented.
Neither Yale nor Harvard nor Columbia take
part. In the second place, it is a cruel test
to which to submit the students To bring
fresh-faced Lad from college into the Academy
of Music, filled with curious audience, and
to ask him to make q speech before COM
mittee of gifted men for a prize. is to
impose upon him task requiring, above all
tQlQgS, ASSURANCE anu cOuTdBe. 1Iu6 genius
for oratory or any function of this kind would
be more apt to shrink and falter before such
tribunal and in such presence.
The whole business of taking ou- young
men from their studies and bringing them
thus early before the world is unhealthy. 1t
tends to make prize pigs of them and those
who know anything OF agricultural fairs know
that there is no pig in the world more useless
than prize pig. fattened for the show, who
rolls about his pen for day or two and finds
no future but ham, side-ribs and lard. Let
our young men grow naturally! Let them
learn oratory in their own societies and
schools. Let them give as much time as they
can to outdoor amusements, and not waste any
of their leisure hours in forcing themselves
for an exhibition in the Academy Of Music.
It is also rather q serious thing for any
young man to win silver wreath in the be-
ginning Of his career and to be doomed to be
known through life as the wreath man.
The New York herald., 1874-12-23
Concerning Advertisements.

brilliant and enterprising contemporary
advances an ingenious theory of journalism.
majority of the New York newspapers, it says,
run after more advertisements, and think
more of them than of important news or bril-
liant wit or cogent logic in the editorial col
umns." 1t believes that one day we Shall
have newspaper from which all advertise
ments will be excluded, and looks forward to
the time which we trust will speedily come
when it will '.refuse a great many more ad-
vertisements than it publishes.
Nothing Injuries our Journalism more than
this tendency to 'run after more advertise
ments, to use large, glaring type and wood
cuts and strange designs-rat traps pipes,
racing horses and so on-in the hope of
attracting the eye of the reader. The adver-
tising business is as natural as the subscrip-
ton list. 1t is even more important to the
general public. The reader may look at the
news columns for amusement or instruction,
but he reads the business columns froIa ne
cessity. The HERALD custom is now what it
has always been. We print the news,
and when we have an extraordinary
press of advertisements we add to
the size of our sheet in order that
they may be accommodated, or leave them out,
as the London Times does, until we have
room. This results in the frequent publication
of our twelve, sixteen and twenty page edi-
tions. Furthermore, q journal like the
HERALD, journal for all classes and in
faractc would omit thu o,y,,<fiptr cnr-
tain classes of advertisements, which have all
the interest and value of news
Thus at the present time there is an artificial
flow of holiday lvertisements mainly from
dealers anxious to close out their stocks, and
who for that purpose take advantage of the era
of generosity and good feeling. But holiday
activity in business is not natural activity.
The true business season begins with the
spring, and with the spring we have that
healthy business rise in advertisements which
compels the issue of quadruple and quintuple
editions. This is the only way to NEE. all de-
mands of newspaper business, for the adver-
tlser has his rights as well as the reader.
A newspaper without advertisements, hv-
ing simply on the profits Of circulation,
would be an interesting and instructive ex-
pertinent. But representative cosmopolitan
newspaper that refused advertisements from
principle would be like man who cut off his
leg because he had conscientious scruples in
favor Of wooden limbs
The true way is to print the news first and
advertisements afterward; or, as the HERALD
does, to print them both together, and, il
necessary to do SO, issue q sheet of twenty
pages.
The New York herald., 1874-12-23
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC NOTES

.Davy Crockett" has been played over 400 times
by Frank Mayo. He ought to be tired.
Theodore Thomas Will have q choice programme
at SteinwaY Hall on Saturday afternoon.
Max Strakosch will inauguratc the new Academy
OF Music Baltimore, on January 7, with Mile. A.
bani in OPERA
George F. Bristow onlciates at the organ concert
to be given this afternoon at the Church OF the
Holy Trinity, on Madison avenue.
A rehearsal OF the oratOrio 'Messiah," which
will be the musical feature Of Christmas Day. takes
place this afternoon at Steinway Hall under the
leadership OF Dr. Damrosch.
Miles, Maresi and Donadio and Messrs. Debas-
sini and Florint sing at the Academy on Sunday
evening with the pupils OF the New York Oonser-
vatory. under Maretzex's direction.
Shall we have no more new playsi The same
round OF DavysCrocketts, Eileen Oges and Colleen
Bawns becomes irlghtully depressing. Paris has
novelties by the busnel, while decent new play
Is with treat.
We're to have an American Salvinl In the per-
son Of Ctprico, new Californian aspirant TO lame.
Not contenr with replacing Forrest, the Golden
state wants to superanuate the great Italian.
VIII no one turn on hose
John Brougham Is playing In his old game, "Tho
Lottery OF Llfe.n He does not appear to be -
fortunate as 50 good an actor deserves 70 bs.
Wnv didn't John learn to nre or pistols and
sav the air with bowie knives He might then
have died miilionnaire.
Mrs. Rousby, who has now settled at the Claren-
don. yesterday rode In the Central Park and
passed the evening at the Lyceum4 Theatre. To-
DAY her labors will commence, for, like Nine. Rs-
tori, Mrs. Rousby directs her rehearsals. The Arss
OF "vrwtxt Axe and Crown occurs at noon.
strskosch does not want to 60 TO Havana. be-
cause paper money Is not worth anything worth
speaking OF there. Why not come back TO Now
York and give lie Prophetic" ''Tannhauser," }"
"Fying Dutchman" ana "Lohengrin" for thirty
nights at p0Rolar prices. There's millions In II.
The Kiralfy Brothers have made arrangements
with Manager Jonn T. Ford Tor the transfer OF the
"Black Crook" TO Baltimore, which will prevent
its continuance mere after the holidays Tho
Christmas week Will AFFORD new ballets and other
features. Inclpqtng grand transformation scene.
The New York herald., 1874-12-23
Is 1t Pacific Mail or BlackmaiI!

We have only feeling of contempt for the
persons who for so long time have dis
honored American enterprise by their man.
agement OF the only American line Of steam
ships that crosses the seas. We do not refer
to one set Of directors or another-to this in
terest or that. As Mercutio said "a plague
on both your houses" Nor do We enter into
the merits OF the present controversy in Pa
citic Mail. We only know that great inter
est-one in which the credit of our country is
involved-has been dishonored, and great
scandals have arisen. That is a national
concern.
The case in Washington stands thus:-Mr.
Irwin was at one time an officer of the Pacific
Mail Steamship Company. He retired from
that service some time since. He makes a
statement to Congress to the effect that when
a servant of the company he drew from it's
he received this money. What did he do
with it? He says he expended it in
Washington for the purpose of inducing Con-
gress to vote half million dollars yearly for
ten years as subsidy to the company. When
asked to whom he paid this money he declines
to answer! He throws upon the congressman
who voted for the subsidy the suspicion of
having been bribed and there stops. Beyond
that his ''honor'' will not allow him to go.
The country is asked by many journals upon
evidence of this character to regard the voting
Of the subsidy as corrupt act and the men
who voted for it as having committed crime.
There may have been and no doubt was much
corruption, but let US have the proof before
We condemn. To arrive at such conclusion
upon evidence of this character would be a
great injustice. Any man may say that he
paid large sum of money to effect legislation;
but how are we to verify the statement? And
what remedy can any man in public life have
from system that may become the most
heinous form OF blacknailing?
Suppose an officer Of this company, like
Mr. Irwin, in collusion with other officers,
should take from the treasury million of
dollars and put it In their pockets. Suppose
upon being asked for statement of their
disbursements they should answer that they
had expended it in the procurement of legis-
lation. How could we confirm or deny the
statement? Are we not bound to say that
until the country knows from Mr.. Irwin an
exact account of what became of every dollar
he obtained from the company to whom he
paid it, to what Congressman or friends of
Congressman, we are bound to deal with him
and his associates as though they had ap-
propriated the money to their own uses.
Unless Mr. Irwin tells us frankly what he did
with this money we must assume that he has
it in his pocket, aud that his attitude is that
of confessed and contented blackmailer.
There is no avoiding this dilemma Until
this confession is clearly, fully and circum-
stantially given, Mr.. Irwin must accept the
severest condemnation, and as witness his
word cannot be considered for a moment so
far as it affects the public estimate OF Con-
gress. The question to be asked is, Are we
dealing with Pacific Mail or blackmail?
The New York herald., 1874-12-23

The CENTENNIAL Lord Derby, the Eng
lish Minister for Foreign Affairs, has ad-
dressed . letter to our Minister at the Court of
st. James announcing that the English gov
ernment will with much pleasure take part in
the international celebration to be held at
Philadelphia. The letter expresses the desire
of the British government to do all that lies in
its power to make the exhibition success
This cordial acquiescence of England in our
proposed Centennial is most important
event. and will contribute largely to its
success. Germany also comes into line, and
We have an imperial commission appointed to
represent Germany in Philadelphia under the
presidency Of Herr Jacob. These evidences
of European interest in the Centennial are
gratifying, and should inspire our own people
to renewed endeavors to make it success
worthy Of the nation and the anniversary.
The New York herald., 1874-12-23

The London Times records as pleasing
subject" the opening of the various soup
kitchens in Paris. This institution dates from
the time Of Louis XVI, the "well beloved
King whose head was taken of. 1t began
in winter season of historical severity. By
the operation Of these soup kitchens chari-
table persons are Afforded an opportunity of
purchasing tickets at the rate Of two cents
apiece, which they distribute among the poor.
Each Of these tickets entities the applicant to
receive soup, with meat, vegetables and bread
enough for . good meal, and ~ they have no
The New York herald., 1874-12-23
Familiar Spirits.

Robert Dale Owen has withdrawn his sup
port and turned away his countenance from
Katie King. He refuses to certify longer as
to the validity OF her ghostliness. He de-
nounces her as an unsatisfactory spirit. Ali
this because she has imposed upon him. 1t
seems to US that Robert Dale Owen is very
particular. In the first place it is perceptibly
aughable for q man who believes in ghosts
and in Spiritualism generally to specify as to
one particular occasion that he was imposed
upon then. Why then more than at other
times? Why not always, at every hour and
in every circumstance Of his daily life? It is
invidious on the part Of Mr. Owen to specify
against the imposition Of one particular
spirit. There is, moreover, in this notion
pretence that Mr.. Robert Dale
Owen was never imposed upon before,
or that the occurrence is SO uncommon that
it is necessary to give the public notice when
it happens. It seems to US that the life of
ghost-seers and that sort Of gentry is too
uncertain in its outlines for them to indulge
in pretences Of that nature. If a man sets up
a sort of gospel based ON the presumption
that the boundaries of sense and illusion are
uncertain makes a general declaration that
he is never very clear as to whether he is in
this world or the next or some other; pre-
tends that the flesh and blood about him is
no more real than less palpabe entities with
which he Is in constant communication, he
does as much as he may to blurr and even
obliterate the lines that divide the two
worlds and to say that there are no such lines
and for such a man to suddenly jump up
and announce to the public that he has been
fooled into believing himself for moment on
one side the lines when, in fact, he was on the
other, is ludicrous, both because it pretends
that the man is himself judge as to where he
is and also because it seems to assume that his
whereabouts is Of some consequence to the
world at large. There is, however, this i'm
portance in the present case--It is one case
in which . well vouched spirit has been
caught and proved to be very commonplace
woman ; and this may open the eyes of many
people who are the victims of this pitiful and
easy deception, and give the world notion of
what aimsy sort Of intellect it is that vouches
for spiritual phenomenon.
The New York herald., 1874-12-23

The SENATE spent a useful session yester-
day in discussing the financial question. The
bill relating to the resumption of specie pay
ments was taken up, Senator Sherman making
an elaborate and forcible speech defending
its propositions. But as our readers will see
from the debate the measure is rather po-
liticaI maneuvre than measure of finance
1t was finally passed by strictly party vote,
Mr. Schurz voting with the republicans. Mr..
Sherman assured the country that il would
be happy Christmas that would give US
bill that would settle the business OF the coun,
try. But we are far from feeling that the pas
sage of this bill would realize the Senator
holiday anticipation&
The New York herald., 1874-12-23

Mn c. X. Ross, the father. Of Charley
Ross, prints in our advertising columns, un-
der the head of Personal, card saying
that he is convinced the burglars killed at
Bay Ridge were the kidnappers of his son.
He will pay five thousand dollars to any one
who will return his son to any one of certain
addresses in Philadelphia, Baltimore or New
York that are specified in the card. 1t would
be most gratifying Christmas event to every
home in the land if this unfortunate lad could
be returned to his parents
The New York herald., 1874-12-23

value at the wine shops or drinking saloons
they are sure to afford real relief. We should
be glad to see an institution based on this prin-
ciple in New York-such an institution. for
instance. as would enable generously dis
posed individual to contribute toward il bv
purchasing tickets, which he could dis
tribute to the suffering
The New York herald., 1874-12-23

THE CASE OF WILLIAM M. TWEED, who is
now beating against his prison bars to secure
his liberty, was heard yesterday before Judge
Barrett in Oyer and Terminer The lawyers
had quite wrangle over the matter. Judge
Barrett refused to liberate Mr.. Tweed and
also declined to admit the prisoner to ball.
The matter now goes for argument to the
General Term. 1t seems to us that Mr.
Tweed's counsel missed great opportunity
when they did not announce to the Court
that the prisoner, before asking to be released,
had paid over to the city the whole or even
part OF the enormous sums for the stealing of
which he was sent to Jail.
The New York herald., 1874-12-23

HIS MAJESTY the King of Hawaii will leave
Washington this morning on the fast train,
and arrive in the city about four this after
noon. Mayor Vance will have the supreme
felicity, during his short term of Office, OF
doing honor to real king. Mr.. Ottendorfer
and Mr.. Brucks, representing the two munich
pal boards, will meet the King at Jersey City
and escort him to his hotel. 1t is not yet
known what will be done with His Majesty;
but we can promise him good time. The
metropolis of the Atlantic will do royal honor
to royal prince of the Pacific.
The New York herald., 1874-12-23

THE ACTION of District Attorney Phelps in
enforcing the excise laws has had good re-
suit. The liquor dealers have promised to
take out their licenses and refrain from any
organized opposition to the law.
The New York herald., 1874-12-23

PAUL FALK has been fined for disobeying
we must obey it. As President Grant said,
the only way to secure the repeal Of obnoxious
laws is to enforce them.
The New York herald., 1874-12-23

ROBERT DALE OWEN would do great deal
toward restoring confidence in his spiritual
manifestations if he couid find some phantom
from the other world who would tell VI where
we might find Charley RosA
The New York herald., 1874-12-23

SUPERINTENDENT WALLNo promises to put
an end to the street car outrages on Madison
avenue. We hope the superintendent will
have more success in this work than he has
had in the discovery of Charley Ross
The New York herald., 1874-12-23
The Coming HOlida ys.

On every hand we have evidences Of the
approaching holiday season. The shop win-
dows are gayly decked with toys, and, if we
were to Judge from the displays of Christmas
presents everywhere to be seen, the cry of
''hard times" would be pronounced without
foundation. In the churches as we'll as in the
homes of the rich and the poor preparations
are making for the yule-tide feast Our
Christmas, like our city, is cosmopolitan.
We deck the churches with evergreen after the
fashion of the English. We have the Christ.
mas tree and make presents like the Germans.
The st. Nicholas or Santa Claus of the Dutch
is the children's tutelar saint, taking the
on Christmas Eve. But for the boar's head Of
England, when it was merry England, we
have the innocent turkey, and the Christmas
dinner is with MS also the great feast of the
year. The holiday season. as it ought to be-
is season of rejoicing and of good works
We have it from that old gossip, Pepys,
that he heard Bishop Morley preach on
Christmas Day two hundred and two years
ago, and Pepys, who thought the sermon a
poor one, says the Bishop 'did much to
press us to joy in these public days Of joy and
to hospitality. But one that stood by
whispered in my care that the Bishop do not
spend one groate to the poor himself" We
wish to commend the sermon, but not the ex-
ample, of the Bishop. Among the prepara-
tions for the coming holidays none is more
important than to prepare TO give-to be
ready to add charity to hospitality. He will
not well deserve his Christmas dinner who
fails to give Christmas dinner to another
who would otherwise go without. Soon the
coming holidays will have come but if we all
vie TO make the season one Of general Joy
fewer men and women will be compelled to
take up the
The New York herald., 1874-12-23

BISMARCK proposes q new treaty of extra
dltion between Germany and the United
States, superseding all existing treaties. The
nature of the contemplated measure does not
appear.
The New York herald., 1874-12-23

WALL STREET YESTERDAY. were
frmer and higher. Money on call loans was
quoted at 81 per cent. Foreign exchange was
steady and without feature.
The New York herald., 1874-12-23

MARSHAL MAcMAHoN has suspended Cassag-
macs paper lie Pays. This shows that the
Marshal is disposed to take severe measures
with the Bonapartists, whose interests lie Pays
represents.