davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-08

and then after smoking q while, and being
placed where there was slight current OF air.
burst suddenly into blaze. Painters rags
are probably quicker at this performance than
the waste used in oiling machinery and in
printing Offices, but there is plenty OF evidence
that even the heavier oils thus thinly spread
in cotton stuff will heat If in mass, and
start fire. Bituminous coal, If wet, IS about
as bad as oiled rags, though larger quantity
is required: gas company in Brooklyn had
fire few years ago in their coal heap, thus
occasioned, which lasted week; and only the
other day the burning Of the bark Aurelie at
sea, from this cause, was chronicled In our
columns, the case being Of interest On account
of the many lives endangered. Perhaps the
most curious of instances of spontaneous COM
bustion were those of black silks stored on the
shelves of warehouses in Paris. The facts
were well authenticated, but the evidence
rather tended to show that the silks most In
cincd to this freak had been loaded with some
substance, during manufacture, to increase their
weight.
Not strictly speaking spontaneous but nearly
so, have been many fires occurring In wood
work adjoining heat fues. 1t was stated De-
fore a Government commission that IRE
which took place in the Houses OF Parliament
originated in woodwork against which pipe
for heating purposes had lain. The wood IN
that and similar cases has been found re-
dnced to q condition like punk; and
it is the opinion of good engineers that
the heat from steam-ppes may be quite SUI
ticent to set such wood on fire. OF course the
greater number of household fires occur from
more direct careessness from leaky flues, from
kerosene, from matches, from curtains that
float near a gas-burner. But it would be very
little consolation to the owner OF house or
factory to learn after fire that his was one of
the rarer cases of spontaneous combustion.
On such an occasion good policy of insur-
ance serves far better to console than the most
lucid scientific explanation.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-08

ticians and the people. When the Republican
press was demanding to know. only few days
ago, what was Gov, Tilden's policy for the
management of the canals, it seems to have
been forgotten that tho Governor can have
no policy in . matter over which he
has no CONTROL and that tho manage
ment of the canals belongs to the Canal Board.
All the frauds were committed through the
instrumentality of this Board, or of the Legs
lature or of both. Now it rests with the Re-
publican State Convention to take the first
step for the prevention of further abuses by
nominating canal officers whose integrity and
efficiency are beyond all suspicion, not only
men who are too good to steal, but men who
will not let others steal. Of officers personally
honest we have had we trust great many !;
but a Canal Board that does It's duty IS
aImOpt unknown.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-08
MTSIC At The CENTENNIAL.

What has been done about music for the
Centennial This is matter which ought to
have been settled long ago. good band
cannot be inprovised and even the best
of veteran musical organizations cannot
make ready for great celebration
ut few weeks or few months
notice. For the opening of the exhibition,
and for all the ceremonies of the anniversary
of independence, there must of course be i'll
posing musical programmes, and there ought
also to be frequent concerts of the highest
class as long as the exhibition remains
open. But these performances should
be- something moro than mere popular
entertainments. They ought to be an
integral part of the international display,
specimen of the very best that America can
do in this branch of art. Foreign visitors will
naturally Judge from them what progress we
have made in the cultivation of music,
and they will make a much deeper and more
lasting impression upon our guests than the exhi-
bi,ion of all our excellent varieties of pianos
and cabinet organs.
Several of the Philadelphia papers, and also
Journals in other cities, are urging the authOri-
ties to secure the services Of Theodore Thomas
and his ORCHESTRA. Ills pau IL no ooNlou>iy
the proper and the only one that it hardly
needs urging. No other scheme ought
to be thought = of for minute
if Thomas is not already pledged to other en-
ployments- about which we know nothing.
But to those who do not fully realize what
this orchestra is, we may mention the follow
ing reasons why Thomas ought to direct the
music of the Centennial. His band is so Far
before all Others in America that comparisons
with the others are out of the question. 1t is not
only the best in America, but probably there
are only two that seriously rival it in the en-
tire world. 1t is therefore something which we
shall tako great pride in showing to our friends
from abroad. 1t is one of the very few Or
chestras in existence that always keep together
and play in public every day; we ought to ex-
hibit it therefore as one of the most interesting
products of our aesthetic culture and triumph
of American enterprise. Finally, Thomas him
self has remarkable talent for organizing
great celebrations and producing magnificent
effects by thoroughly artistic means. But
whatever is done about this matter ought to
be done Immediately. There has been too
much delay already.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-08
TIE NEWS THIS MORNING.

FoRyIGS-The building of the National Opera
House at London was begun. 80 Biscayans were
inclined for peace. A mutny was reported among
tho Carlists in Tolosa. Gen. Dorregaray was pnr-
sued by the Royal forces. - II was announced
that the Papal Consstory will he held tomorrow.
r. The Mexican man-of-war Libertad arrived at
Havana. - Guibords remains were guarded by
armed men, - Fifteen thousand animals were
affected with foot and mouth disease in England
& The Russians routed force OF 10000 rebels
in KLokand. - Cardinal McClo-key arrived III
Rome - About 60 German pilgrims arrived III
Belgium. on their way to France.
DoMKsTIc-At Saratoga, George William Curtis
was aSreed upon for permanent Chairman OF the
Republican Convention and platform favorlng
canal REFORM hard money and non-scctarian schools
and Imposing a third term. - The Canal Board
suspended Engineer Fay, and ordered soppage Of
work at Black Rock Harbor, and inquiry into the
rise OF elevator rates. - At Erie, Penn, among
the delegates gathering for the Democratic State
Convention, ex-Gov. Bgler ard Col. Noyes were
leading candidates for the nomination for Governor;
q compromise currency platform was settled upon.
q The City of Boston asked for loan OF
81 600 900. -= The State Board of Equalization
met and memorial from New-fork City for lower
taxes was presented - The North Carolina Con-
stitutional Convention organized, with Dr. Ransom,
Dom, as Chairman. - The peaches shipped to
Europe by the Ohio spoiled the way. - Mr..
Lamar and Senator Gordon made conciliatory
speeches at Holly Springs, Miss.
CITY AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS of the
yew-York Elevated Railroad and the Gilbert Com
pany stated that the two corporations would unite
in building rapid transit road where Their routes
coipoided. - The eoroper's jury in the Connolly
case found that death was accelerated by brutal
treatment from Keepers Gesry, Cewenhoven,
Reese. and Hardy. - The Board OF En-
eineers assembled to consider improvements OF
the mouth of the Mississippi reported approving
Capt Eads's plans. - An objection 10 the array
of grand jurors in the Court of General Sessions was
denied by Recorder Hackett. - Two Italians
vsrs arrested at the Grand Central Depot having
shIfully counterfeited bank bills ID their posses
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-08
THE PEPUBLICANS AND THE CANALS.

THE REPUBLICANS AND THE CANALS.
The conclusions at which most of the Repub-
lean papers of this State arrived after long
consideration of the Canal question may be
summed up as follows: 1. The Canal Ring is
an infamous conspiracy which will have to be
broken up. 2. 1t is out of the question, how
ever, to admit that Democrat can by any
possibility be a friend of reform, that role
being reserved exclusively for the party of
moral ideas. which is the Republican. 3. The
recent exposures of the Ring amount to nothing,
and the pursuit of the thieves ought not
to be encouraged until we are ready to take a
hand in it ourselves. 4. The Governor is not
in earnest. He is making a noise because he
wishes to be President, but he can't take us in.
8. We do not care about these Lord, Bcldcn,
and Dcnison frauds, which are two or three
years old the Governor ought to be ashamed
of himself for not telling us what he is going
to do to prevent frauds for the future That's
the question how is he going to manage the
canals in futuref 6. Old Tilden is sink of
iniauity anyhow let's pitch into him.
This programme was neither as simple nor
rs consistent as might DO desired, but it had
the advantage of facilitating the labors of a
great many able party editors, who, afraid
either to oppose reform which is so popular
or to commend anything accomplished by n
Democrat, must have felt themselves between
the devil and the deep sea. But after
the adoption of this programme they could
approve the reform and denounce the reform
ers in the same breath, and we have seen them
carrying out that curious policy with so much
industry and such incessant alterations of
mild cynicism and furious vigOr that
their real attitude became one OF the
puzzles of contemporary politics. The
time has come, however, for a change, and
the whole party begins to comprehend that it
must deal frankly and honestly with the Ca
nal question if it would go into the canvass
with any hope of success. We have every rea-
son to expect, therefore, from the Saratoga
Convention declaration that will satisfy all
friends of reform and place the Repr bican
party in the position which its proud profess
sions and its honorable past alike claim for it.
We may remind the Convention, however,
that fine-soundns declaration will not be
| enough. The IeXt step in the reform must be
taken not by the Governor but by the poll
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-08
SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION.

No matter how thorough are the investiga-
tons made after the event, the origin of a
considerable percentage of fires remains OBJ
scure. Especially is this apt to be the case
with those attributed to Spontaneous combus-
"tion.' The absence of human agency in
starting these makes their history difficult
one. 1t is quite possible in the nature of things
that fires thus caused are more frequent than
the records indicate.
An ordinary fire is simply process in which
certain amounts OF matter, principally carbon and
hydrogen, combine with oxygen. During the COM
bina.ion, heat is given off. The same amount
of heat il produced, however the combination
is effected; but it may be so slowly evolved as
not to reach the performance of combustion.
Iron, in becoming iron-rust by exposure, gives
out as much heat as if it were burned in the
bright sparks which fly from the scissors
grinders wheel; but the heat produced in
rustiDg is continually dissipated in the air,
and is not perceptibie. When the heat de-
veloped in some slow process of oxidation is
confined and contracted, so that the tempera-
t,ire of fire Is reached, spontaneous combustion
becomes possible.
The most frequent instances of this happen
with cotton rags or waste, that may have been
moro or less saturated with OIL Few people arc
aware of the ease with which these materials
originate fire. Two or three bushels of rags
wet with linseed oil--the drying oil such as
painters use--left in q heap, have been known
to char in the interior within little over An hour,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-08
NOW OR GETER.

The Rapid Transit problem, If we under
stand it, now takes the following shape
Under the provisions of Section 4 of the Act
of 1875 the Commissioners have designated
the routes and the companies, or corporations,
who are to build and equip the lines. With
in 80 days from the date OF their report
or, more precisely, within 90 days from
the date of their organization, they are
to decide upon plans for the con-
struction of the railways already designated
They have already fixed the time within which
the roads, or important sections OF them, arc
to be constructed, with the maximum rates OF
fare and the hours during which special trains
are to be run at reduced rates of passage. All
these things have been decided on and look
well on paper.
The Commissioners have now to determine
the style of structure and equipment to be
used, the amount of the capital stock, the
number of shares, and the amount to be PAID
in in cash ON each subscription Within the
next 60 DAYS ga suitable book of subscription
"to the capital stocks" of tho projected ele-
waited roads Is to be opened, provided, we
suppose, the requisite capital shall not already
have been secured under the provisions OF the
preGxisting charters. To orr apprehension
the procurement of the necessary subscriptions
and guarantees of capital is the most import
ant part of what remains to be done. Labor
is cheap. Iron is cheap Real estate, which
will be required for stations, car-hOuses, Offices,
&C., is cheap. Last, and of most Importance,
money is abundant. "Loanable capital" is
plning for employment and capitalists are
searching high and low for good investments.
Here is their opportuaity-the best opportu-
nifty for On Investment that Rapid Transit can
offer within the lifetime of this generation.
Here is chance for public spirit to make Its
existence known and its power felt Let New
York speak within go days, or forever keep
silence on the subject OF Rapid Transit.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-08

Sion - The Police Board instructed superin-
tendent Walhng to suppress unlicensed iiquo:
saloons. - Joseph Seger. a laberer, was Killed
with cart-rung in quarrel in Ferryst by another
laborer named John Garland. - The corner
stone Of monument to the Low Dutch poet frlts
Reuter-, was laid ut Union HILL N. j. = Gold
115, 115ls. 11o. Gold value Of the legal-tender
dollar at the close, $500 cents.
THE WEATHER.-The Government report predic"
clear orpartly cloudy and slightly warmer weather.
- In this city, yesterday. the day was clear and
cool; thermometer, 800, TO- $50.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-08
TERMS or THE TRIBUNE.

DauY TRIBUNE, Mail Subscribers. $40 per annuin.
PEMI-WEEkIY TRIBUNE, Mail Subscribers 81 per an
WEEKLY tribune. Mail Subscribers ~ Per snnum.
Advertising Rates.
DAuv TRIHUSE 2Oc SOC 4Oc 6oc. and 81 per line.
HEMI-WxKKLY TRIBUNE, IS and so cents per line.
WYExLY TRIBUNE, 81, o.. and IS per line.
According to position In the pspsr
Terms cash in advance.
Address. TIE TRIBUNE, NewYOrk.
THr DAILY TRIBUNE will be mailed, postpaid, to
sny address (which will be changed whenever re-
oucstedI in the United States Canada, one month
{or 81 in Great Britain, Germany, switzerland,
Russia, Turkey, Italy, sweden, and Norway, Tor
81 ~. and in France for ST. 70. THE SEMI WEEKLY
tribune will be sent three months, OF iHY W RELY
TRIBUNE six months, for the same amount
Persons unable TO obtain The TRIBUNE IN yof The
hGirs boats or hotels in uhiot 10 Nsndliy soid ,cp oo-
fey favor Ly Informing this Office OF the C'rcamssancSs
Tuv WEEKLY TRIBUNE will be ready this morning
at O'clock. in wrappers for mailing. Price cents
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-08

The awards of Sir Edward Thornton, the
umpire of the Mexican Claims Commission, upon
claims of American citizens against Mexico,
are not encouraging to greedy claimants.
OF the seven awards reported to-day six are
favorable to the Mexican Government, and IN
nearly every case the simple statement gwen
iustifes the decision of the umpire.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-08
BRANCH OFFICES OF THE TRIBUNE.

NEw-YoRK-No. ,23s Broadway, corner Thirty
hrst-st; No. sos West Twenty-third-st., corner
TirhtIl-ave.; No. 760 Thrd-ave., corner Forty
eeyenth-st.; No. 2,3S6 Fourth-ave. liarlemJ
BROOKLYN-No. 1923 Westinghouse, next door 70
the ost-Offce.-EAsGERs DISTRICT, BRookLfS'
No. 81 Broadway
PniLADEIPnIA-No. 112 South Sixthst.
WAsHINGTON-No. SO FOuIteenth-st
LONDON-No. S4 Fleet-st., T.. {.
Advertisements and subscriptions are received at
publishers rates. and single copies of The TRIBUNE
may slwayS be- obtained at all the above ofhces
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-08
ANNE e,neuts ano Aleetinas.

ACADEMY OF Music" Around the World"
Boora's THEArER-"R chelieu." Barry Sullivan.
GxASD OPERA House. Othello." L. L. Davenpors.
LYCEUM TnEArER.-" Nine LArchiduc"
OLYMPIC THgArER.-At and 8: Variety performance
PARK THEATER--" The Mighty Dollar"
GAN FRANCISCO MTNsTRELs
THRArER CoxioUE-At 2 and g: Variety Performance
UNION SQUARE TuEATER.-" The Gilded Ago"
vALLAcxs THEArER.-" The Grand Duchess" Miss
Julia Matthew'S
AMERICAN NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
CENTRAL PARK GARDRS.-COncert Thomas
GILxoRE's GARDEN.-Concert.
MErROrOLIrAS MUSEUM OF ART.-Paintinss statusry'
10
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-08

Gen. Kaufman has gained brilliant victory
in Khokand, where. with little loss, he has
routed an army of 10000 rebels. This tri-
umph of the Russian arms is calculated to
spread dismay far and wide among the people
of Central Asia
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-08

TIE Largest CIRCULATION AMONG THE BE IT
PEorII-TuE TEBr NJ hasi The fact u demonsrn,od oy
fs nnbsed 6curss months after IN sir puo
before Its stunned rivals abe TO utter even
bald denial The superior circulation shown IN Tie orders OF
tie AMERICAN Company, OF the New YORK News Conl
PAW Union News Company and 81 the o,,er meafy
tss ocia report Postmaster Of the city :" Tue rostna
ter General authorities refuse 70 permit the iur.seT ~
al the figures of the complaints % TWAS
Lut IL u known they continue down TO nidsamInes
u exhibit relative proportions as wnen ~
snuounced isst April The orders Of the news cynpsniss
Then and now demonstrate that TfH TRibtNs lily
CIRCULATION Is greater than the combined DAILY enSus
tiops OF World and Ytnes while its WkLhf araeI
thsn the combned Of all its city rivals Adver-
Esers who want further information these points nsve only
a. cali al THE TKlB Publication Once r see t- afuc
sOf interest Advertiser among the Special Nouces On
NE next
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-08

THE TRIBUNEs MONTHLY CAL FNDAR
IN, ayce ngTes fdieae Days Of The month tie small onei
III ans OF The
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-08
brsinrss Notices.

SENSIBLE, SOUND, AND SAFE-The Low Rate
Fash Plan IN Life Insurance Of the TRAvRiRRs
RIEnLE Bros. are shipping their well known
FURNACE SEALS 10 Mexico proof OF then SUPERB
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-08

This country is not disposed to engage in
the undignifed and proftless contest to which
Sir A. T. Gait invites us by favOring :" retail
"atorv system" because of the high duties
on Canadian products. Canada is soon likely
to tire of conflict of this kind, for she can
not alter her tariff for the purpose OF bullying
us without losing more than she will gain.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-08

There is cautious platform building by the
Democrats at Erie as well by the Repub
lcans ut Saratoga. 1t is eredtable alike to
Senator Wallace and Representative Randall
that they have laid aside, for the present at
least, petty differences of opinion as to
party management and struck hands in
an effort to prevent the bowling in
hationists of Western Pennsylvania from
running away with the Convention. 1t
would seem from our dispatches that the
brains of the body are on the side of hard
money, while the money men may be in
the majority. Under such circumstances it
will be as much "a we can expect if the plat
form is made to declare against both contraction
and expansion But in that case the Pennsyl-
vania Democrats will have fallen short Of the
expectations Of their brethren in neigh
boring States who are committed to
a speedy return to an honest currency, and
who need strengthening against the growing
National Republican., 1875-09-07
A Monument to Edgar A. Poe.

The Baltimore American says: "The monu-
ment to Edgar Allen Poe, to be erected over the
last resting place Of the poet at Westminster
Col. Hugh Sisson on last Saturday, and will be
placed In position In about four weeks. The move
ment ior a monument non 70 the dead poet was nau.
about q year ago, when committee was sp-
pointed to make collections for this purpose. The
committee, with Professor Elliott, President of
the Baltimore City College, at its head, has
labored faithfully and energetically, and as soon
as the necessary sum had been subscribed, Mr..
George A. Frederick, the architect Of the new
City Hall, was appointed to prepare a design for
the monument. The execution Of the work was
intrusted to Mr.. Hugh Sisson. Even after the
necessary sum had been subscribed, considerable
dificuty was experienced in the collection OF the
money. Through the munifcence of Mr. George
W. Childs, of Philadelphia, the committee was
enabled to have the monument completed ct
this early day. Owing to the fact that some
members Of the teachers committee on the Poe
nSs,S mSnT%snt are not in the city as present 4 s i'm
OIL the memorial. A nesting Of the committee
Will be held next week, however, when all the
yitations have been sent to Henry W. RonSfelloW.
Oliver Wendell Holmes and John @. SAKE
letters in reply, but they In the possession Of
smember Of the committee who is out OF the city
ana ~ s NOT known whether any Of them have
day Of the dedication Of the monument Two
poems have been composed for the occasion-one
aNorthern State. Professor Shepherd viii dc.
liver the grafton. The memorial consists of a
plain Grecian pedestal, formed Of italian marble,
with granite base. The base is about foot
high, and the pedestal seven feet. Only two Of
the dye blocks will be used at present, one for
the bas-relief and the other for an Inscription
recording the name and age Of the poet. 1t was
Mr.. Frederieks design to make the monument
simple, chaste and dlgnjhed; to strike more By
graceful outline than BY crowdipg with unneces-
sary ornsmentation. The likeness Of Poe, as
chiseled on the monument, was taken from .
model of Voickisu
National Republican., 1875-09-07
Mount Vernon Seminarv,

A visit to the building lately erected for this
institution convinces us that the principals, Mrs
]. Eddy Somers and Miss 8. L. Magee, are un.
ceasing in their efforts to supply their pupils
with all the sppurtenances Of frst-class SEM
mary. Their schooLrooms are well heated and
ventilated, and supplied with the most comfort
able, convenient and modern furniture and con-
nected with q conservatory of choice flowers. The
course OF study will be equal in all respects to
that Of any college for ladies in any section of
the country. The principals are ladies admirably
fitted by education and experience to success
fully conduct the institution they have in charge
Miss Msgee has been preceptress for sixteen
years Of one Of the most fourishing semInaries
In the State Of Pennsylvania, and comes highly
recommended as popular and successful teacher.
MIS- Somers has spent a number Of years in
teaching, and is highly educated and refined
lady, and is well known in our city as possessing
superior attalnments. The boarding pupils will
receive all the care attention and comfort of q
Christian home. The corps Of teachers, as
whole, are masters Of the branches they propose
to teach. The instruction will be thorough and
practical The Mount Vernon Seminary Is to be
one OF our prominent Institutions, and as such
commends itself to all thoughtful c!tizeng