davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

The cancan question came up in court yes
terday in a suit brought against the pro-
'prietor OF the Metropolitan Theatre, and the
evidence taken and the charge Of Recorder
Hackett to the jury are published in our col
mnns. There is no question, in our opinion,
as to the character OF the cancan. 1t is necessa-
rily indecent, and without indecent exposure
could not exist. The ordinary costume Of the
ballet which is intended to display beauty Of
form and grace of motion, is discarded in
this notorious dance, in which the dress
submits to the nodesty Of society only to
outrage it the more effectively. 1t was
invented by people unrivalled in the
refinements of vice and has been vulgar
lied by American coarseness. We say that
there is no question about its indecency. be-
cause it is matter of common knowledge
that The cancan owes all its unhappy popu-
larty to its lascjvious gestures and that a
decent cancan--if that we're possible--would
be the tamest and dulles. exhibition on the
stage. To attempt to justify it by the "Black
Crook is impossible. The ballet known by
that title is liberal in its display of the
female person, but for that precise reason
is destitute of the opportunities for those lewd
revelations in which the cancan delights.
There is nothing obscene in nature. Obscenity
exists in the vague, inde6nabie realm betw cen
the simplicity Of nature and the customs Of
artificial society, and this is the realm in
winch the cancan rules-the debatable ground
between the purity Of the Venus of Milo and
the silks and rouge Of splendid strumpet.
IL the apologists for the cancan desired a re-
spectacle precedent or excuse they should
rather have sought it in the opera bogfe, in
which obscenity has been raised to the dignity
of fine art and music has been degraded TO
the service Of the revelry Of Comus An opera
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

the purpose Of deciding whether there wers
any legal grounds for their detention. II this
Infamous bill passes President Grant can make
close prisoner of every leading democratic
statesman and crush out all opposition to his
third election in 1876. L: the power is co.,
ferred on the President to stretch forth his
hand and imprison any citizen he pleases and
confne him in a government fort as long as
he pleases, nothing can be easier for him than
to secure third election and as many subse-
quent elections as he chooses to have, so long
as he has power to suspend the habeas corpus.
The practical effect of this disgraceiul bill, If
it passes and becomes law is to make every
citizen OF the United States dependent on the
mere will of the President for his liberty and
when we confer on General Grant authority
to imprison whom he pleases and to detain
them in custody rs long as he pleases, without
responsibility to courts of justice, we make
him absolute master of tho country. Our
Washington dispatches lead us to believe that
he is not even the absolute master Of Con-
gress, and that that long-suffering and faith
full body is in this matter not willing to
surrender all our rights ct the Presidents
demand
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

The expense and inconv enience to which the
citizens of New York have been put by the
freezing of the supply pipes leading from the
Croton water mains to the houses will direct
attention to the necessity of law in relation
both to the laying of water pipes and to the
work of plumbing generally. The pipes should
be laid sufficient depth to be secure against
frost. and the connections should he made in
q similar manner. The prevailing system of
tinkering on the part of the plumbers should
be put stop to by the law. People know
but little about plumbing. The work is out
Of sight, and in too many instances y done in
an insufficient and dishonest manner. The
plumbing work in houses and the pipes in
the streets should be subject to inspection by
duly qualified officers, and severe penalties
should be imposed whenever il is discovered
that imposition has been prsctised by
plumbers or that the provisions of the law
have not been properly complied with. The
inclement weather has also mad deleterious
influence in regard to cur excellent Fire De-
partment. few alarms were sounded yes
tertlay, and the hydrants were found to be
frozen. According to the present laws fire.
men cannot interfere, unless in the case Of
actual fire, with these hydrants, aud the De-
rmrtmcnt of Public Works is alone respon-
sible There is vital necessity for providing
against the terrible effects Of such winter as
we have NJ present. Frozen bsdrants, ex-
ploding kitchen boilers and flooded houses
render the question one of interest 10 every
person living in this city.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

The Corporation Counsel has written On
elaborate and carefully prepared opinion as
to the effect of the recently adopted constitu-
tional amendments on the appropriations
made in accordance with existing laws to the
charitable institutions of the city. He holds
that the amendments do not prohibit thu city
from making provision for the aid and sup
port of the poor through any agencies o.
instruments heretofore created or sanctioned
by legislative act for the relief of the desti
tute. He holds, further, that the appropris
tons for the present year, having been made
before the amendments came into operation.
could not be affected by those amendments.
The first position, if correct, obviates the ne.
cessity for the consideration of the second.
We have always held that the constitutional
amendments leave untouched the power Of the
city to make such appropriations to institu-
tons for the said and support of the city
poor as are or may be authorized by law, and
We are glad to find that the Corporation Coun-
sci arrives at the same conclusion. It would
be deplorably short-sighted policy to strike
down institutions that call forth q liberal sup.
ply of private charity, and thus throw wholly
upon the city the thousands of suffering and
destitute beings they relieve.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

like "La Timbale d Argent, as played in New
York this winter, is little moro than the can
can disguised in q higher form of art, and
perhaps for that reason more offensive. Re-
corder Hackett, in his charge to the jury,
forcibly made the distinction, which
shows that intrinsically unobjectionabie
acts may be made odious by their
improper display, and there is no
stronger illustration of his argument than
the cancan itself-an exhibition which has
been only introduced recently to our stage,
but has in its brief career done more to cor
rupt the standard OF music halls than any
other innovation. He warned the jury that
its verdict might be regarded as the prevailing
sentiment of our community on the subject,
and the result of the trial is important to
public morals. 1t is not requ ired, however,
that the particular performance in question
should be criticised in order to decide the
merits of the general question. We have only
to say that if this dance was not indecent,
disgusting, lewd and immoral, that then it was
not the caucan. On the other hand, if it was
the cancan, then the lewdness indecency, i'm
morality and ilegality are proved without the
necessity of any further argument.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

The CENTENNIAL OF AMERICAN INDErEN-
DENCE.-Al the States are expected to con-
tribute to the success Of the Centennial Exhi.
bition, for all are interested in making it q
thorough representation of American progress.
New York should be among the first and in
the work Of organizing her own display cannot
wisely lose time. The subscriptions to the
Centennial stock have begun, and we trust
that in few weeks the shares taken by our
citizens will prove that we are neither unpatri-
otto nor neglectful of this great opportunity
Elsewhere we give report of the proceedings
at Governor Bisler's headquarters, where ell
information concerning the national Exhibi-
ton can be obtained.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

Mr.. BERGH is a benevolent old gentleman
vho is unfortunate enough to be always in hot
water, through his excess of zeal in the cause
Of animals OF every description, except those
OF the human species. His last trouble is
With the Grand Jury about dog fight, and
his extraordinary temper has led him into a
fickiish position. Abuse OF the Grand Jury
young gentleman, and Mr.. Bergh may find it
something that may curtai his sphere of use
fitness
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16
Our Old Men.

curious and tender interest attaches to old
age which makes glad the heart of the younger
generation when contemplating the venerable
men who have fingered long past the three
score years and ten that are accepted as the
space of human life. In looking back over
the history of the country we are astonished
at the very small number Of our very old men
once eminent in trade, in politics, in litera-
ture or Id science who are spared to us. There
are only two of the graduates of Harvard Col
lege in the last century who are still alive
Horace Binney, of Philadelphia, now in his
ninety-sixth year, and Willard Hall, of Della
ware, who was born in 1850 and graduated in
1799 These are the Oldest living citizens
who sat in Congress both in years and in the
date of service. In our own city we have no
men of equal character and prominence who
approach them in years. Mr.. Binney was at
college when Mr.. Bryant was born. Peter
Cooper is ten years younger than the
younger of these old gentlemen. The
Delafields, who are now all dead, were
lads compared with them. When they die
we shall grieve for them as we should scarcely
grieve for younger men. II is "a solemn thing
to stand by the open grave of man who had
nearly completed a century of existence. 1t
is much more solemn to stand by the graves
Of three venerable men, brothers to each other,
eminent each IL his own sphere, beloved and
honored all of them, and consign them to the
earth together Within three days three sur
viving brothers Of noted family-,Joseph,
Henry and Edward Delafeld-have died, all
carried away by the same disease-pneumonia
Seven in ALL these brothers Delafeld were we'll
known men in their day, and all Of them
reached ripe old age. John Delafield was
the friend of Washington Irving, and he was
the first to die. IL is only year or SO since
Richard, William and Rufus departed and
now these, the oldest as we'll as the longest
lived, follow them, Joseph dying on Saturday,
Edward on Sunday and Henry yesterday.
They will all be buried on the same day, in
the presence Of the same mourners and to
the grief of a whole city. In their
death another link with the past is
severed; but they have left lesson Of life
worth learning. They all contributed toward
making the name Of Delafeld respected in
their lives and honored after they are dead.
Each Of them served well his fellow and made
US regret them the more because years could
scarcely impair their usefulness. That the
three eldest of the brothers should die to-
gcther and be buried together has in il some
thing of epic and dyllic grandeur that cannot
fail to touch the heart. On account of their
years we regret them more than if they had
died in the fitness of their strength and their
youth. We reverence their open graves be-
cause they were old, and we honor them be-
cause they were useful This winter has been
one particularly fatal to age. Yesterday died
Mr.. Henry q. Freeman, of Philadelphia, al
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16
New Method Of Dealing will
Grant.

We present this morning q rather striking
communication which suggests a new method
of disposing of our American Cesar. The
only value we attach to this really clever letter
lies in its demonstration Of the promptitude
and ease with which the federal constitution
may be amended in an emergency. The
greater part of the State legislatures meet in
January Of each year, and as Congress is
always in session at that time our CORE
spondent presents in clear light the extreme
facility of amending the federal constitution
in any e1igency which brings the people into
substantial unanimity. He shows that a
single month may suffice for changing the
fundamental law on any great question upon
which the people are agreed If Congress is
in session and thIee-fourths of the State leg
islatures in session in January or February Of
any year our correspondent shows that any
alteration of the constitution could DO accom-
plished at once. A two-thirds majority of
both houses of Congress could propose an
amendment. and if three-fourths of the State
Legislatures happen to be in session their
ratification could be given without delay and
our whole frame of government be changed
at once.
But while this is true in theory we think it
impossible in practice. we were 10 test it
by the scheme which our correspondent pro-
poses it is obvious that it could lead to no
practical result Certain it is that neither
two-thirds of both houses of Congress nor
three-fourths Of the legislatures of the States
could, at present, be brought to sanction an
amendment OF the federal constitution which
would put Grant out of Office and provide for
the election of his successor in November
next. We print the communication, not be-
cause its practical suggestions have any value,
but because it shows, more clearly than has
ever been shown before how quickly and
easily the federal constitution might be
amended, if the people, as represented in
Congress and the State legislatures, were
practically unanimous 1t is an advantage to
know how perfectly our institutions are within
the immediate control of the people. But in
other respects we find little to indorse in the
letter of our correspondent who is evidently
an able lawyer.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

to the Bar OF that city in 1909, leaving anothe'
Cup between Mr.. Horace Binuey and the
younger generation OF the profession Of Law.
But our regret at the departure of each OF the
venerable men called away within the last
few weeks is relieved by the presence of the
many old men who remain. While we honor
the dead we may hope that for the living
there are still many days.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

THE ILLNESS OF DoRE is reported by cable
despatch from Paris, and the news will cause
Athrill ofregret among the lovers of art. He
is probably the most prolific and most popu-
lar of modern artists; but though he has
achieved SO much he is still young, and his
death now would prematurely end splendid
raraer
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

Yesterday the resolution to admit MIR.
Pincbback as Senator from Louisiana was
taken mp in the Senate and discussed at
length by Mr.. Sargent. He reviewed the
whole Louisiana question and had not finished
when the Senate adjourned as. mark Of
respect to the late Mr. Samuel Hooper. There
are indications that SIr. Pinchback's fate will
be decided without much further debate.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

WALL STREET YEsTEKDAY.-Th The stock mar
ket was without important feature. Foreign
nchange was steady, and money loaned at
ate rates. Gold was quoted at 114s
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

The ARCTIC WEATHER of this winter has
been productive of much suffering and dis
aster Railroad companies should be particu-
tarly careful of the terrible effects which fire.
auently occur after such an exceptional
season. The sudden changes of temperature
from one extreme to the other are apt TO e1er-
rise dangerous influence on rail and axle,
and sudden break in either case may cause
loss of life and property. The iron work of
everything connected with railroad should
at this time be subjected to daily supervision.
PURIoNER OF PICTURES. Whether it was
love of art that induced the person arrested
yesterday to steal pictures from the present
exhibition ut the Academy Of Design is not of
much importance to the directors of that in
stitntion but it is not likely that man who
carries out paintings under his overcoat pays
as much regard to quality as to quantity in
his selections He might admire q marble
group, but would hardly attempt to purloin
il, while he might not be pleased with a
Meissonner, and yet would take it because il
WAS so handy. His selection of "The Stool OF
Repentance yesterday, therefore, was not
probably dictated by anxiety to profit by its
moral teachings but rather by desire to sell
L for the spiritual benefit Of somebody else.
He will now have the lessons of the picture
impressed upon him in more vivid colors than
hose of the painter, and it is to be hoped
that when he emerges from the academy he Ia
destined to inhabit for while his mind will
be in better frame
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

The BROOKLYN SCANDAL never loses its in
terest across the river. The plaintiffs Cross
examination by Mr.. Evarts closed yesterday
and he then underwent redirect examina-
ton from Judge Fullerton. There is suffi-
cient excitement among our neighbors to
thaw out to certain extent, the icy letters in
which both cities are at present encased.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16
TRIPLE S HEET.
NEW YORK, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY l6, 1875.

From our reports this morning the probabilities
Uc That the heather to-day riD be MARINER and
pdytly cloudy
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

NEW YORK HERALD
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET.
JAMES GORDON BENNETT,
PROPRIETOR.
NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS On and
after January /, 1875, the daily and weekly
editions of the NEW YORK HERALD viii be
sent free of postage.
THE DAILY HERALD. published every
day in the gear. Four cents per copy. An-
nual subscription price Sl2.
All business or news letters and Geographic
dispatches must be addressed NEW YORK
HERALD.
Rejected communications will not be re-
turned.
Letters and packages should be properly
sealed.
LONDON OFFICE OF THE NEW YORK
HERALD-NO. As FLEET STREET.
Subscriptions and advertisements will be
received and forwarded on the same terms
as in New York.
vOLUME N........................-. A.
ADJUSTMENTS TONIGHT.
50 s,o.ar yHEAThE 9o Y 81 close. a. 10 As
FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE
Espyeghth stree, and % iT or H.:
Davenport Mrs Gilbert
TONY PASTORS OPERA HOUSE .,o.
20; ;oi sowsry--VAKiErY' at p NJ closes At 0a'
LYcEuM THEATRE, ovu - ,,,
and TIE DobGER at r. N. closes at ios ?. NJ Mr.
siNsTRELsY, &C. at 5 p NJ; closes at 10 +. Il Dan
VARIETY, At s p 4 closes at 10 IS F. n ''
rot..ns .rss sESHAsA Ef aoERsEs ..-
B.oses NJ l0:45 +. NJ.
Bro1dway-French opera OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES,
tsP. N. Mile. Coralie Geofroy.
r 4 Edwin F. Thorne.
COLOSSEUM
Brse1ysy and Thirty fourth street-PARIs BY NIGHT.
BOOTHS THEATRE,
HENRY ", ats T. NJ. closes at IL p NJ
SAN FRANCISCO MINsTRELs.
a cesss !. %
sixteenth sr.e.- hGsaSsHi DILL HHIt CARE
closes at 10 As p. NJ. Mr. Maccabe
ACADEMY OF DESIGN.
PRTr q U street T ana Foa IyX.
from "a. N. 10 5 r. NJ. and trOm6P p. NJ to9P. NJ
.-. ru yA N KS THEATRE TIE
10 SOP NJ MI. Boucicault
WOODS MUSEUM
BT1adway corner of Thirteth streetIMAkkED FOR
HHaGii + PI M fGses at io'' f. W. A'''nee
TIvoLI THEATRE,
Eisnyn street: between second and Third avenuex-
VARIETY, at sP NJ; closes at II r. N.
BROOKLYN THEATRE
wsnsto % & fENEv koc SEosS
way.
sovsg;-JJaE MERRY WIVES Of WINDSOR, ats P
Bro o1Eks1f 7H asF Gloss. q. ,o
ROMAN HIPPoDRoME
Twenty sixth street and Fourth avenue-Anernoon and
mn TnT IN q TIT IN m
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE,
Tweuty-eighth sire Ell and Broadway.-WOMENO OF THE
pay, atsP. NJ; closes at IO:so r. N. Mr.. Lewis Miss
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

LONDON OFFICE OF THE NEW YORK
HERALD-NO. 46 FLEET STREET
Subscriptions and advertisements VIII De
received and forwarded on the same terms
as in New York.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

THEATRE CoMIQUE.
Ia. 5ll Broadway-vARIETY, At r. NJ closes at 10 -
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS. On and
after January i, 1875, the daily and weekly
editions of the NEW York HERALD will be
sent free of postage
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16
NEW YORK HERALD
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET.

JAMES GORDON BENNETT,
PROPRIErOR
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

TONY PASTORS OPERA HOUSE.
20l Bowery. at p. NJ closes At 10 ab
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

LYCEUM THEATRE,
suy-teenth street and sixth avenue.-OFF THE LINE
and He DODGER. at sP. NJ. closes at lo:45 p. NJ Mr..
I Il. ionic
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

BRYANTS OPERA HOUSE,
WeG Twenty third street, near Sixth avenue-EEGRO
NfNSTRELsY, &C.. at s p. NJ. closes at 10 p. n Dan
bryant
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

BROOKLYN PARK THEATRE.
RI, ct p. u. closes At 10 As p. N.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

Letters and packages should be properly
sealed.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

ROMAN HIPPODROME.
Twenty. six tn and Fourth avenue-Aernoon an
evening. at 2 and g
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

THE DAILY HERALD, published every
day in the gear. Four cents per copy. An-
nual subscription price Sl2.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

GERMANIA THEATRE.
roVxteenth street-FAMILIE HOERNER, 1t . ?. II I;
DooeA IT l0:45 r. ".
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-10-01

again next day or day after, 1.-THE weather
isn't too bad or his rheumatics too troub-
lesome. There have been cases of the
admission and death Of the same palmer
between the visits OF the physician. This
should not be.
Ii the system is modified BY the court
as above indicated, aud the commission
given to understand that they will not
be allowed to put any part Of their re-
sponsibility upon the court, and the
chairman keep them to a rigid account,
why the institution must certainly grow
self sustaining and become in reality
what its name indicates and what the
law requires, an asylum for the poor,
and net a poor-house, which brings to
the mind the idea Of a poor, famished
and squalid wretch, stretched on o, litter
Of dirty straw, his nakedness half COW
cred with a piece of filthy blanket, shiv.
ering maybe with cold. trying to MUNICH
a chunk Of sour corr bread to allay the
psugs OF hunger. Such accommoda-
tons some contractor might deli GIT to
furnish for a good price, but certainly
no u else. OBSERVER.