davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-09
The Army Staf Cows.

Every staff officer in the army of the
United States Is theoretically supposed to
require two horses for his personal service.
In order that these horses may always be
In good condition to carry their riders into
the field, the Government has from time
out of mind allowed for each horse twelve
pounds of corn or oats and fourteen
pounds Of hay or straw daily. Formerly
this forage was committed for i'm money at
the rate of eight dollars per month for
each horse, which was paid the officer on
his pay account, to which was affixed his
certificate that he actually owned and
kept in service the horses for which he
drew the forage communication.
There can be no doubt that for stan and
field officers serving with troops this al
lowance was just and proper where they
actually owned and rode their own
horses. But in the carly part of the rebel
lion this privilege became greatly abused.
STAFF officers who never left Washington
during the whole war and who would
have been exceedingly astonished to flud
themselves astride a horse, rs well as OIL
GERS In the field who constantly rode Gov
eminent animals found no scruples In the
drawing the money thereon. Whereupon
the War Department directed the forage
to issue in kind, hut, apparently TO render
evasion still praC ticablc, the certificate was
made To read, 81 have kept in service at
the station where | am serving. the horses
for which 1 have drawn forage" The
consequence was that the meaning of the
word horse" was stretched SO M 10 IN
clude "cow,' or hack hire, and au officer
who had never dreamed of owning horse
signed the certificate ali the same. and
drew forage for his cow or forage horse"
~ il Is familiarity termed Those whose
stations were in cities drew their forage
from the Quartermaster. and, hauling IL to
some livery stable, took out the value of il
IN hack hire. And this Is to-day the general
practice Throughout; the army. Net many
months ago an officer on being remonstrat-
ell with for this Inconsistency between his
certificate and the facts of the case, replied,
"Why, they all do II Mt Washington. The
Secretary OF War understands IT and per
mits it,"
We commend this matter TO the atten-
ton Of Congress. A considerable saw
ing may he made by framing n law
which shall give this forage allowance
only TO officers actually owning horses
which they use, and then only while serv-
ing with troops; that these horses shall be
mustered with the troops at their bi-
monthly musters; and further, that the
officers shall only draw the forage Oh
their certificates that they do actually
own the horses so mustered. The law
should further make it the duty of muster
ing officers to report violations Of tins law,
with the view of bringing offenders to
trial for signing false certificates in VIOLA
tion of the stxtieth article of war, an Of
fence which is punishable with dismissal
from the army.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-09
Thou Art the Man.
The editor of Hdrper's Weekly philoso-
pixies, of course, upon the detection of
BEIKNAP:

The editor of Hdrper's Weekly philoso-
phizes, of course, upon the detection of
BELKNAP:
The sccretary's fan Is natural result Of the relaxed
tone OF political honor and character which not prca.
mar to ANY party tut which weakens our whole politi-
grace; It Is a national shame."
When the robberies Of TWEED and Cos
MOLLY were discovered, there was no such
philosophy as this. Then 1t was the Demo-
cratic party that was at fault. Just re-
member how this same editor treated the
question then.
Four years ago THE Sun revealed the
fact that among other Illegal transactions,
deserving impeachment, Secretary ROBE
SON had plundered $685. 900 from the Treas
ury, induced thereto by "a present TO a
lady" and then this same solemn NAV
WORM, who now pleads that BELKNAP is a
national shame and not n party disgrace,
lifted up his voice in justification of ROBE
SONS villainy, pouring out soft encour-
agement TO other public robbers to initiate
his example.
Suppose that, instead OF such n crea-
ture as u. s. GRANT, we had for President
a man of character and conscience, some
such man, for instance ms BENJAMIN ii.
Bmsrow, or THOMAS F. BAYARD, or
CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS or SAMUEL j.
TlLDEN, would such a shame as this of
BELKNAP's have been possible? Under
such auspices, could the national capital
have become the degraded concentration
Of political and social corruption which it
now ISL
The Republican party made GRANT Pres
ident, and reelected him after his utter
unworthiness and unfltness had been fully
demonstrated; and no man of any public
standing exhibited more reckless disre-
gard of truth and justice in securing this
reelection than this very editor of Hdr-
pers Weekly who, now that the facts can
no longer be denied, breaches over them
this hypooritical sermon from which we
have quoted.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-09
MON LIFE IN WASHINGTON.
Its Glories Rather Diminished-The Lenders
OF Fashion.
from me Home Journal.


Mrs. Grant held brilliant reception on
Saturday. Col. Fred Grant made the presenta-
tons. az usual Mrs Grant woro opal tinted
SILK, with garni-hings of white lace. Mrs. Fred.
Grant, sleeveless basque and overdress Of pale
blue SILK, over black velvet. Mrs. DR.. Newm an
also assisted in receiving. Nearly all the Cab
inet Ministers and members OF the Diplomatic
corps were present, with their ladies', while nun
dreds OF other people Of distinction called %
paw the last compliments OF tue season TO Mrs.
Grant and her far daughter.
There are more lovely whte-haired ladies' in
Washington this seasun tndn can probably be
seen IN any city IN America Mrs. Col. Mcclure
of Indiana, Mrs. Gen. Dunn, Mrs. A. q. Riddle,
Mrs. speaker Kerr, Mrs. ID. ID. Pratt, Mrs. Secre-
try hobeson, and several Others, might be men
toned, VINO are naudsomer probably tnsn they
were WIN brown or golden locks. Bat the most
distinguish d looking woman In Washington So
ci"tv Was Mrs. Gen. kraman, OF Philadelphia,
and magnificent form, she blends the regal
presence Of an Empress with the cure complex
Ton aud unconscious innocence Of a child. She
seems not to know that all are observing her (;
but she walks amid the throuv like a roval ladv
~ We olden time, Just stepped out from some
unique picture frame. Her dresses ore Lac
herself, m gnilcent. There is no other word To
SUIT her. Her shoulders. Of alabaster whiteness
though broad, are tender and dimped as those
OF child, ana she shows her good taste Nv
wearing necklace of pearls Instead of dia-
monds. At Lady IhorntOn's last reception sue
was attired IN pale rose-coloIed satin, with
white lace overdrcss ana pearl ornaments.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-09

The step the Chinese Government has
taken in appointing two Ministers TO
represent that empire Mt Washington
enrols her among the civilized nations OF
the world. II is the nearest approach
China has yet made toward tearing down
the wall OF exclusiveness which she has
built about herself; and it will rebound
more to her own advantage than to that of
the powers To which SHE may send Minis
tiers.
There is especial and urgent need that
China should have diplomatic representa-
ton nj Washington. since so many of her
subjects are immigrants to the United
States. Unprotected by their own Gov
eminent they have suffered at the hands
of our people many and gross wrongs.
Though entitled TO all the rights enjoyed
by the Immigrant of nominal Christian
faith, the "heathen Chinee has had to
endure grievous injustice; and bigoted
men have advocated the imposition upon
these industrious Orientals of disabilities
which would practically drive them from
the country.
japan was quick to adapt itself TO the
habits of Western civilization; too quick,
indeed, since 1t is yet to be proved that our
civilization is in all respects suited to ORR
entail conditions. These japanese fastened
even TO change their manner of dress, and
to follow the European model. This might
have been wise If our garments were alto
gether perfect and manifest improve
ment in every respect upon those which
they are replacing. But they are not and
while it might have been well for the
japanese TO get hints from us in this matter
of costume, 1t was not creditable to their
independence of thought and action that
they should be so eager TO don coats, waii l.
coats, and trousers, instead of their own
flowing garments. The costume OF the Jap
anese ladies has had much to recommend
il over that OF our women. 1t is graceful
and easy, and the fabrics are some Of the
most beautiful anywhere worn by women.
japanese lady who looks very charming
III her own soft robes, may appear very
awk ward and unattractive in "A pull-back
gown, corset, and bonnet tied TO the back
OF her head. Though in the progress of
ages the confusion of the tongues at Babel
may be overcome, and though il Is daily
becoming apparent that in the matter OF
costume all civilized peoples will before
long be substantially in agreement, yet il
is not pleasant to see nation like Japan
so abruptly replacing the pajaIna with
trousers simply because the latter is the
garment of the Western nations.
China has shown far more independence.
she has paid ~ hee9 70 our fashions. and
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-09

The Dlasphemous extravaganza OF the
Rev. MIR. HEPwoRrH at the IIppodrome on
Monday has offended not few Of the lore Gull
tvated clergymen woo support the revival. It
Is no excuse for him TO say that be Is In the habit
Of INDUCING In extrava0ant and startling ian.
RuaRe In his own church He enjoys privileges
there which do not belong TO him In the Hippo
drome, and he addresses from his o wn pulpit an
audience which can endure things that are In
toerablo elsewhere. When he speaks In the
Hippodrome, all the ministers on the platform
are, In certain sense, responsible for his utter
ances, and their responsibilities are increased
when they fail TO rebuke him publicly for such
speech as that Of Monday. The least they can
now do about It Is to insist that he shall not
again open his mouth over the Hippodroms
platform. In the words OF Scripture, his tongue
should there be bridled.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-09

hating friends lncapacity TO judge more
accurately Of it's general merits. He may
be quite sure that In what he fails TO re-
cognize, rs in what he censures, the dim
Guilty is not with us, but with him. III
he will give the subject praverful con
sideration, he will certainly find that in
every case of difference, IA in every case
of want of appreciation, the cmbnrrass-
ment is in the limitation of his own facul-
ties. full comprehension of the merits
aud duties and functions of a popular
daily journal, is not to he obtaine except
from very high standpoint. 1t Ia n sub
ject upon which our hating friend, owing
to his prejudiccs, is not entitled to u vote.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-09

therefore when the new imperial Ministers
present their credentials at Washington
they will appear in the garb CoNFucIUs
prescribed, and a very handsome and pic
turcsque garb 1t IL when made of elegant
materials We not long ago saw on Broad
way Chinese gentleman in his traditional
costume, and there was not on all the street
better or more becomingly dressed man
than he, nor one who gave evidence Of
higher breeding or greater intelligence.
Unlike most of the low Chinese to whom
we are accustomed, but like some OF those
distinguished representatives of the Celes-
tlal Empire who accoa panied the late Mr.
BURLrNGAME TO this country, he was man
Of fun height and graceful figure, and had
the carriage of gentleman. More than
that, he had face expressive OF great
goodness and kindness, simplicity of char
acter and true culture-not that spurious
slang culture about which young editorial
snobs are fond OF talking.
The presence Of Il well-appointed Chi
nese embassy Mt Washington viii add
much to the interest Of the capitals and
we advise those people there who now lead
its society, If they are not then in Jail or
exiles from the country, TO go to school TO
these Orentals to learn manners.
Most important, however, il the advan-
population. These Woodworking people
need, rs they deserve, the formal protec-
ton OF their Government.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-09
A watch for Her Majesty.



THE NEW YORK Sun publishes n fac-sim-
lie OF memorandum winch accompanied the
gift To Mrs. GRAFT Of an elegant wat and ain,
IA the year 1871, which elf. was made 10y Gen.
RUFUS lngals, at that time Assistant . IArter-
master General, stationed In New YORK. The
watch was manufactured for presentation to
Queen Victoria. Oy Oudin OF Paris, aud cost
$3.50. When Gen. ingalls, entered upon the q u
ties OF Assistant Quartermaster he was poor
man, dependent upon his salary as an officer Of
tue regular army Tor his support. Though I'M
u artiei, his cornwall habits must have exacted
the last doll r OF that income, ana the question
arises how could he have Afforded to make sucn
All expensive presentf Hut the most significant
event IN connection with this costly pledge Of
friendship was his subsequent promotion to the
post OF Acting y Iart master General at WASH
lngton, anu the oaniSumenL To Europe OF Gen.
MeiSs the upright and fdit hfui head ~ that de-
prtment. Gen. ingalls,, M his new position, had
supervision of toe enormous contracts for army
supplies. and curiosity VIII now be unIversalig
excited To know something of the manner IN
winch the General supervised thom. Ii he has
any thing To say, IT'S good time Tor him to get
up and say II. Most hkely Mr. Charm an Clymer
Will call on him Tor his budget.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-09

The friends OF Gen. BABCoCK are passing
round the hat, and expect ~ raise $4,000 for tn
povrrs privae secre airy. Mr. sELIGNAN o. New
lufk hess the subscription list, ana We notice urt er
such nistiu nj ned names - District Attorney
CIASDiEk and A. h. BoRIE. The last gentle Is tet
uown tor Tue handsome sun Of So OOO. -iAhlIe phld
IiInes.
The characteristic feature Of this little enter
prise appears when we state the fact that the
real expenses OF BABCoCK's trial did not exceed
Sl25oO, or $1,000 at the outside. Judge PORTER
was paid $3.50; the compensation OF SroRRs
and kRUM was In proportion; and that beauti-
full and pure gentleman, MIR. GEORGE II. WILL
LIAMs OF Washington, generously gave his
services for nothing. OF course, when there
was such llne chance &c turn an honest penny,
BABcocK would not leave Il unImproved We
regret. however, to learn that Senator CoNKLINO
has thought 1t more prudent to check this con
trbution for the benefit OF so vlrtuous man, by
advising that II should he postponed until some
time when the temper Of the public mind shall
have become more placid. Mr.. CoNKLING ap.
proves highly OF the substitution, as we are as
sured, but II seems better to him that II should
be put OF little
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-09

BAncDCK bad no bushes. to make use OF the
lr'i tp DiEa. inc cslient couli not Win
" Vsiry or stirt, keep Tue prrpctritur uf sucA
Nf nee Hn ris p"I~o or confgu" To maintain iuu
mat g. al No " Ga MIA 4 ~ IHes.
True. most true. II was perfectly proper for
GRANT t. keep BNucOcis after hc hal accom-
plsned the robbery of $l.3blOJJ by false mea-
suremcnis in the District Of C,lumoia, and MS
quit had been proved pv the House OF Repre-
sentativcs; IL WAS perfectly proper to Keep hiin,
although he was eNl tag diyvy Dut Of count
less jOo- a. every dep irtnont II the public ser
wee, aud bad Accumulated a fortune by that
mode of pupli' plunder; It was perfectly proper
10 keep him, although he mad be n u p .rty to tue
great "asho, f,aiGs ~ WHICH mil!.sns had eccn
stolen from the Government; but to copy a let
ter surreptiuously was = crime against GRANT
that sucn a heightened gentleman could not
stand. Yes, prouriety aud safety required that
BABCoCK should DC turned out.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-09
A Thing 90 Look Into.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: While
there Is general overhaulinR OF records, 1t
would be well to inquire by whose authority the
United States revenue steamer Grant, attached
to the New York Custom House, was detailed
for the use OF Col. Fred Grant and wife for a
cruise to Newport as part Of their wedding
tour.
Also was not the same cutter Grant detailed
Tor the use Of Mr.. AlgernOn Sartoris and his
Yacht Club last June
These people seem to think that the Govern
mont and all the public vessels are their private
property. YANKEE
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-09
a REBUKE FOR CERTAIN FASHION
ABLE WOMEN.
Mrs. Zna Fay Peirce on the Mistakes Of the
Women'a Centennial IInInn.

Women's Centennial Union,
To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: am
very grateful to the XII nd unknown friends who
have so warmly taken up nv cause In your col.
umns but will you permit me to deprecate a
little thus placing me before the public as AN az
Rrieved party In any action taken by the New
York womens Centennial Unioni MY interest
In the Centennial, and in the womens work in
connection with It. Is intense and 1t would have
made difference where I fouod myself,
whether In aremote hamlet or in great nietrop-
otis should In any case have endeavored u
bring the women OF that particular locality into
active cooperation with II. deserve, therefore,
no special credit for getting up tho meeting At
ChickerinR Hall which set the New York ball
rolling; for, as 1 look at II, I only did what II
was my duty as patriotic woman 60 do. II Is
true that think the New York ladies' to whom,
by their own desire and motion, l. and the wo-
men who had come forward TO sustain me, yield
ed the movement, and who since have managed
things entirely according to their own Views,
made mistake In organizing IL in an exclusive
and fashionable spirit. when II should have in
Guided all and eve ythlDR that deserves the
name OF womanhood. 1t seems to me a lower
ing OF the DIGNITY OF the sex and OF the coun-
try, to beg from school cnil0ren for the o.
men's Pavilion, and to ask favors for It from
foreign musicians. As stated at the meeting
IN Chickerins Hall. l bell We that there are IN
THIS city and vicinity hftv Thousand wives and
mothers who would be glad to contribute an
aver lRe OF dollar each to this most notewor-
tny thing that has ever vet been attempted by
women, VIZ; tde gathering together Of all that
women have done and can do tnat Ia skilful,
beautiful, and intellectual, II only II had
been brought propery before them. But wo-
men are not yet accusto meu to look bevond the
bounus OF a particular point or social circle, and
so II IL not surprising that e frst they should
have thought tue Centenni.l movement could
prosper under gldss Ike a hot house plant,
when, In fact, " Ia a tree that must either nave
the Tree air aud sunshine, aud the deep, CON-
mon soil, or inguish.
judging from their late public announcement
however, the officers OF the New York Women's
Centennial Union are realizing this themselves.
! understand That there Is soon to be a meeting
held at Chickering Hail. at which Mrs. Gil
leepie OF Philadelphi' ., the President OF the
Women's National Executive Committee. and
the great granddaughter Of Franklin, ~ expect
ed To speak. | trust the meeting, II held, will
prove u genuine women's reunion, Without
distinction OF class or sect and that there such
aotlon will be taken as will draw Into symp thy
with the ladies of the New York committee the
ten Thousands OF their sisters VINO have hitherto
been apart or Indifferent to their noole aud
Patriotic work. T. II. PIERCE.
2U2 " EST TWENTY THIRD STREET, March 9.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-09
Getting the Hest In Kentucky.


FToTh ne JesSdnaIne J0nrndl.
A visit has been made TO Madison county
by Mr.. David Bonner, brother Of Robert Bonner,
ana a son OF the latter, who purchased OF DIR. j .
Z: Miller the dam OF the great horse Grafton,
elghteen years old, for thr nice little price of
$26pO. IL appears that Mr. Bonner intends the
world TO know the full powers OF Grafton, as he
has put him into the hands OF the renowned
driver, Charlie Green, who regards him his the
idstest horse 10 America. horsemen will eagerly
look forward TO the full DEVELOPMENT OF this
great horse, feeling sure that In the hands OF
such men nothing will be left unturned. and
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-09

The investigation of the Freedmnns
Bunk does not seem to make much outward
show 81 progress, judging from the teleeraphic
reports Of the testimony thus far taken which
have been sent from Washington. These con-
sist mainly of statements of facts which were
made known through THE Sun long before the
sWindling bank put up It's shutters. The work
before the committee IA very simple. An i'm
mense amount OF money belonging TO poor, ig-
norant negroes has been stolen, and the people
want TO know who got II. The committee have
the records OF the bank 10 show where the
money went, and "a the most OF 1t undoubtedly
remained In Washington, II ought to be easily
traced. The friends Of Major DOUGLAS, who
has the investigation In charge, assure us that
he Is thoroughly I'm earnest In his determination
To- get the facts; and M the task before him lie
an exceedingly easy one, we hope TO learn OF hts
success at an early date.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-09

Now that President GRANT, i'm terror of
outraged public opinion, has felt himself COM
PEELED TO turn his most intimate personal friend
and confidential secretary out OF doors, per
haps II may occur TO the Democratic members
Of the appropriate committees that u will he
well to Investigate the accounts OF BABooCK.
This officer of the army who q few years ago
was in such straitened circumstances that when
he went to Washington he was unable to afford
the expense Of hiring whole house, but messed
with two other officers and their families, has
been intrusted during the administration OF
GRANT with the disbursement OF millions of
dollars OF the public funds, and In the mean
time, with less than the salary OF a nrst-class
New York bookkeeper, he has been enabled to
build rows OF houses, TO say nothing OF cottages
by the sea. ut the same time living at q rate
which only men OF large fortune can afford. IL
was proved in the investigation OF District
affairs, which resulted In reducing the Presi-
dents other next friend, ALEXANDER r. SHEP-
HERD, from the Official post Of Governor to the
merely complimentary on 20 OF Boss OF the Dis
trict Of Coumbii, that BABCOCK had certified
to false measurements and fabricated vouchers,
by which the United States was defrauded out
OF millions Of dollars but this did not seem to
lnjure MIN at all IN the estimation OF the Presi-
dent, and he was permitted to go on handling
the money OF the tOvernmenti IN enormous sums,
without being held to the strict accountability
which was exacted OF officials who had less favor
at court. Indeed, II was only when GRANT be-
came demoraized by the BELRNAP explosion,
that this remarkable possessor of multifarious
ofi1ces was dropped from his confidential post
In the White House. There Is reason to believe
that BABCoCK has been permitted to tumble"
his accounts IN manner which Is strongly sue-
sestivo OF fraud; and his entire disbursements
during the past eight years should at once be
m AIDE the subject OF severe inquiry.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-09
Not the President, but Mrs. Grant.

from an Mterrie0 unh Gen. Sherman IN ne S. Lom,
Repubicut.
Reporter-General. there was once a re-
port that you had refused a request OF President
Grant to give hrs sou Fred. place on your stat !;
Was TINS sof
Gen Sherman-Gen. Grant had too much
sense To make such u req lest. Mrs. Grant asked
me To give her son place. but refused because
no was not httad for It. lie lacked age and ex-
perience. believe In promoting men to Official
position for past services, and for the proficiency
they have acquired. Gen. Grant himself would
never have asked me TO DO such thing.