davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
, 1876-02-20

The New York Times prints some state
ments concerning the character Of the coun-
try through which ToM Sco1T's Texas Pacific
Road must run, if it is constructed, which
arc not generally known, and which are
main1y derived from 9 report made by JET
fERsoN DAVIS, who also at one time favored
the route along tie 32d parallel The road
runs through country, with sufficient wood
and water until it reaches the eastern border
of the Lano Estacado, or Staked Plain,
which is about $50 miles west Of the Alissis-
s;ppi, and near the Tooth meridian. Across
this plain, the road runs lbs miles to the
Pecos River, through an arid country which
is destitute Of water during tie larger part of
the year, and never has enough for railroad
purposes. From the Pccos to the Rio Grande,
1C3 miles, three mountain chains have to be
crossed, aud in this stretch of country there
is not water enough for eny agricultural pur-
poses. From the Rio Grande to the Gila
River the road will pass over great, water
less, desert plain, broken by short ranges OF
mountains. Tbs correspondent Of the Times
says:
In the entire 355 miles there only five points
where water sy bo found ut Ill scasoEs Of the year,
the distances between the water stations varying from
63 to 50 miles. One stretch without water. except
s1nau strea ut Of the year, Is Isl miles
long, which AIR. DAVIS eays in his report is not 30
great distance that railroad trains could not cross it.
when special arrangements have been made for ths
purpose The entire distance through the arid desert
lands which cannot under circumstances be cul-
tvated is ut least 100 miles, In no part Of this dis
ance is agriculture possible beyond the cultivation Of
small patches Of ground where there happens to he
little water for irrigation.
Apart from all other adverse considerations,
and the very forcible one TINT one Company
has already agreed to construct the rosd out
Of private capital, is it worth the while Of
| the Government to guarantee Ton Sco77s
| bonds at the rate of S35, 900 q mile, when
! 200 miles of the road ere in q country with
out water, which can never be settled, and
can never produce anything but cactuses
| II it is worth the while of the Government
to throw away money in this fashion, then
there is no good reason why the Government
should not also guarantee some astronomers
| bonds and build road to the moon for him.
, 1876-02-20

Mr.. BEEcuER, in his emphatic statement,
challenges all men, all the angels, and God
Himself, if they had anything to say to his
detriment, to speak It out It is little re-
uarkable that he excepted women from his
category. If he Ind included them, who
Knows that some Of them would not have
spoken out? There never yet was woman
challenged to talk who failed to reply.
, 1876-02-20

WNs1ow, the Boston forger, held BY the
London authorities, is reported to be taking
ihings very easily. He desires to return to
Boston as SOON as possible, that be may ex-
plain, as he mtimates, soms little misunder-
standings connected with 1tis recent financial
operations and sudden departure. Mrs.
NEs1ow h.x, been relieved by the Rotterdam
officers of some 5000 in money and bonds,
which she claims are her own private prop
erty, and the lady is now in London with q
depleted s:1chequer,
, 1876-02-20
THE CITY CERTIFICATES: A G1AVE CUES"
TON

We understand that very respectable law
yer of this city has given professional opln-
ion to q bank in one Of the Eastern States
TINT the City of Chicago is not legally held to
the payment Of any Of the outstanding Ger
tifcates Of Indebtedness of the City of Chi
cago, on the grounds that they are unconsti-
tulionnl and void We understand, further,
that he intimates that the only persons liable
for the same are those who have issued and
whose names are signed to them.
These certificates have been issued by the
city during many years, but always until re-
Gently under the express authority of law.
During the various amendments to the city
charter the power to make temporary loans
in anticipation Of the collection of taxes to
pay the interest On the various bonds of the
city, and to pay the current expenditures un-
der appropriations previously made, were
continued and re-enactel The power to do
so Was contained in the old charter, which
the ballot-box suffers destroyed last spring.
The following provisions Of the old charter
covered the case:
Actor Feb. H. 1865, SEE e5-To provide for month
IT, or my other payments which sh.u have tcea
thorized by the Common Council and required to te
made =. any time before the collection OF the taxes Of
any year. the Comptroller may, with the sanction Of
the Mayor and Finance Committee, borrow the neces-
sary money for time not longer than the LIST day OF
February next thereafter.
act ef 44pr1i -, 1869, See. THE Mayor and
Comptroller msy mike temporary loans to pay special
assessments against city property when due, aud may
mako Ill temporary loans nov provided for, falling
due on the let day Of JUNG Of ouch year.
Besides these provisions, there were others
authorizing temporary loans to meet interest
and other specific expenditures. These
charter provisions continued to be the law OF
the city until, in April, 1875, the Mayor, q
portion of the City Council, and gang OF
ballot-bo1 suffers repealed all these provis-
ions of law by the adoption Of an entirely
new city charter, which especially prohibits
any general or special loans for permanent or
temporary purposes, or any loan or debt Of
any Kind for any purpose whatsoever: so1onG
es the existing debt Of the city exceeded per
cent of the assessed value of the taxable
property within the city.
Here is the point-blank provision Of the
charter Of 1872, adopted by the City-Han
ballot-box suffers in April, 1875:
ART. y, Sec. l. The City Council In cties. and the
Board OF Trustees in villages ela have the following
powers:
Ftfh-To borrow money The credit OF the cor
posadon for corporate purposes, and issue bonds
therefor, III such amounts and form aad Oh such
dt'one as It shall prescribe, but shell net become
debteJ in manner for my purpose to n amount
including existing indebtedness, in tho aggregate ID
exceed I've ~ per centu1n the value Of the taxable
the-eu. In ba thA 1.o+
, 1876-02-20

lively contest hns for some time been
golng on h=tween B. F. ALLEN and his cred
ators for tie possession Of his 5000, 600 house
end grounds at Desdoines, he asserting that
1t was bis homestead, and so remained to
him, snd they declaring that it formed por-
lion Of his assets. and Injured to their benefit
The discovery Of the fact TINT 21r. ALLEN
voted here in 1874, and consequently re-
nounced his citizenship in Iowa, will gladden.
the zou1s OF the creditors, since it seems to
upset the homestead theory, and to giye
chee rfu1 promise Of Il dividend
, 1876-02-20

Mr.. HENRI ". SAGE, in his testimony be-
fore the Advisory Council at Brooklyn yes
terday, said that it was considered unneces-
sary by the Investigating Con mittee to sum-
mon BOWEN before them, because he was not
supposed to know anything. This is rather
hard upon the Sphinx, who has oil along
been supposed to know pre- tty nearly every
thing about it Fortunately, in few days,
exactly what he does know will bs made
1nh1ic
, 1876-02-20

hotel-chargos will probably have mors to do
with the attendance from the West, and the
company Of the wives end daughters, than
any other single circumstance. This the
Philadelphia people must control for them
selves. # they will furnish good accommo-
dations for So, 50, and S. day, instead Of
bad accommodations at 81, S., and sc day,
they will hare plenty of visitors from the
West: otherwise not.
, 1876-02-20

The Investigations of the reporter who is
iaing the City Government in collecting its
Enloon licenses reveal the fect that the beer
Ei2ces run by Aldermen and town officials
Immediately opposite the City-aall have as
yet escaped the watchful eyes Of the Mayors
police, and that the city is $500 out on sa-
:oons running within few blocks Of head
hnnftarc
, 1876-02-20
TERMS OF THE TRIBUNE,

RATES OF SUBSCRIPTION {pATABLE n ApVAScR).
Postage Prcpaid At this Office.
Daily Edition, postpaid year.
Parts OF year ut taHne rzte.
Mailed to 6ny address roER wEEKs for.......- LOO
Aund4y Edition: Literary and Religious Double ~
s1sgGt
1zl- eakly. postpaid 900
Parts OF year 1t same FAte.
WEEKLY EDITION. POSTPAID.
Lad CI per
Cirb ui twenty. peI copy. Lilo
1lc postage is Is cents Jeaf which We Will prepay.
Specimen copies sent fsee+
To dclay aad mistakes be sure and ese Post
0:5ce address In fail including State and County.
nenitt4nces maJ bs made either by draft c1press,
Poa,Occ ORDER or registered letters IT risk.
TERMS TO clIT SUBSCRIBERS.
Ds1ly deEered Sunday excepted. 2j cents per week,
Day, de1tsere1, Sundas included, so cents week.
Addres1 THE TRIBUNE COMPANY,
Co1uer Madison and Dcarhorn.sts.. Chicago Ill
, 1876-02-20
SOCIETY MEETINGS.
OBJ QJfb5lce;:9tga Qribu,se.

Sunday Morning, February 30, 1915.
, 1876-02-20
ADJUSTMENTS.
To-DAT.

TO-DAT-
MCCORMICK HALI-Sorth Clark street. corner
K,nzte. Lecture at ; p. II. oy Noncure D. Conway.
Subject: London
GROWS OpEEA-HALL-No. Ell Tes. Madison
street Lecture At ) p. H. by Leonard SWEET nub-
joel: " Abraham Lincoln"
ADELpuI THEATRE-Dea1bosn street, corner
Monroe. Variety Performance
NORTH SIDE TURNER HALLConce1t by the
German Military BAND.
NEW CHICAGO TnEATRE-Czrk street, between
Lake and Randolph "Tho Elephant"
TOMORROW.
Ecv1CKERS THEATRE-Mad.son street. between
Dearborn and Stzte- Engagement Of John T. lay
xaond. Col Mulberry Sellers.''
HooLEy's THEATRE-nandolph street, betEeen
Clark and L:Salle. The California Mios.1els.
ADuPH1 THEATRE Dearborn street, corner
Mouroe- Variety performance
WOODS MUsEuM-Monroe street, between Desf, M :,
born and State. Afternoon, Captain q the hssea
md ~ ~Toodle5." Evening. avid Dl1-"
SOCIETY MEETINGS
ORIENTAL CoNs1STORY, s...F.-.R.:.S-. So
Sts:ed Assembly 1t Cunsistorisl Hail. r Aonroe-et,
lhurod4y evening. Feb. II. Important business
,axpendneut to By-IaEa). By order
Gil v. BARNARD, 33o.
JAMES l. +. B1RD, So, Grand Secretary.
, 1876-09-23

Sunken Lake, in Florida, is a
most remarkable body of water. 1t
is situated in the Cascade Mount
aims, about seventy-five miles north
east from Jacksonville. This Lake
rivals the famous valley of Sinbad
the Sailor. 1t is thought to average
two thousand feet down to the sur
face of the water all round. The
walls are almost perpendicular, run
ming down into the water, and leav-
ing no beach. The depth of the
water is unknown, and its surface is
smooth and unruffled, and it lies so
far below the surface of the mount
ain that the air currents do not af-
feet it. Its length is estimated at
twelve miles, and its breadth at ten.
No living man ever has and pioba-
bly, never will be able to reach the
waters edge. It lies silent, still and
mysterious in the bosom of the ever
lasting hills, like a huge we'll,
scooped out by the hands of the
giant genii of the mountain in un-
known ages gone by, and around
it the primeval forests are keeping g
watch and ward. A rifle fired into
the water, at an angle of forty-fve
degrees, gave space Of several
seconds of time from the report Of
the gun until the ball struck the
water. The lake is a most re-
markable curiosity.
, 1876-09-23

Tn,si is the way the matrimonial
knot is tied in Borneo. On the
wedding day the bride and bride
groom are brought ON opposite
ends of the village to the spot where
the ceremony is to be performed.
They are made to sit on two bars OF
iron, that blessings as lasting and
health as vigorous may attend the
pair. A cigar and betel leaf, pre-
pared with the areka nut, are next
put into the hands of the bride and
bridegroom. One of the priests
then waves two fowls over the heads
of the couple, and in long address
to the Supreme Being, calls down
blessings upon the pair, and i'm
plores that peace and happiness
may attend the union. After the
heads of the affianced have been
knocked against each other three or
four times, the bridegroom puts the
prepared leaf and the cigar into the
mouth of the bride, while she does
the same to him, whom she thus
acknowledges as her husband.
, 1876-09-23
BRITISH COLUMBIA.
[From ihe Co,onist. ]

1t is stated that person suffering
from small pox arrived here recently
from San Francisco and that he was
taken from the steamer and conveyed
secretly to house in town. A mum :
Der of Indians are also infected with the
disease, and yesterday several deaths
occurred. The Health Officer should
use every precaution to avoid spread
of the dreadful scouige.
The body Of an Indian woman was
found lately on Beacon Hill near
the Butts, where the rifle shooting lras
proceeding. On examination it was
found to be that of an Indian woman
who died en- Friday and whose body
white man was paid $25 to inter. In
stead of burying the body he threw the
coffin containing it into the sea. Du-
ring Friday night it floated ashore end
the bex was broken open by the surf,
allowing the body to escape. The po-
lice took charge of the corpse and effect
ually disposed of it.
, 1876-09-23
LATEST BY TELEGRAPH.
From OREGON.
Especial 20 the Evening Dispatch ]

[speeisl 20 the Evening Dispatch
SALEM, Sept. 19.-lhe vote for
Senator to-day stood as follows:
Senate = Grover, 90; Jesse Apple-
gate, Z; Nesmith, /; Campbell, l.
House Grover, %; Applegate, p;
Nesmith, Z; blank, l. The seat va
Gated by The death Of Senator Smith
has been filed by the election OF a
Republican, who has not yet taken
his seat. If his credentials arrive
tomorrow Grover will have 45 votes
against 45 for all opposing candl-
dates, otherwise Grover will have a
majority of one on joint ballot.
, 1876-09-23

The thermometer at Atlanta
dosen't fool around and play with
the North wind. A young man
who attended church with hissweet-
heart on Sunday attempted to sit
the sermon out with a paper shirt
bosom, but was not altogether sue
cessful. It is said that when he
came out, waving his rattan, his ap-
pearance was such as &c give rise to
a suspician that a saleratus bomb
shell had struck him in the stomach.
The girl said she had accepted an
invitation to take dinner with a
friend.
, 1876-09-23

PUTTING Down CARPETS Why
people will persist in the use Of
straw under carpets, I cannot imag-
inc. 1t is unpleasant to clean up,
rough under the floor cloth, and
not being uniform, makes sort of
open work, the meshes of which be-
come filed with dust. The only
satisfactory material to place under
carpets is Taper, that manufactured
for the purpose is best, but a good
substitute is common brown paper,
or even newspapers. These should
be placed evenly over the floor, and
the carpet SO placed before stretch
ing as not to displace them. This
makes good protection to the car
pet from inequalities in the floor,
and an even surface to tread upon.
Carpets should be stretched smooth,
not only for appearance sake, but as
a matter of economy, for wherevera
wrinkle occurs there the frs5 holes
are made.
, 1876-09-23

A we'll meaning but unsophisticated
countrymau rambled into a music store
n the city of Portland one day in
search of drum. He succe eded in
finding one the touch and quality of
tone Of which seemed to suit him. He
inquired the price, which was perfectly
satisfactory. Upon the side of the
drum were the words "E pluribus
unum," painted in brilliant colors; OBJ
serving them, he inquired of the shop
keeper, with smile upon bis face, if
that was the makers name, to which
the tradesman replied that he was not
altogether certain about it, but rather
thought it was. Very well" said the
customer, if you'll jist rub it of, and
put on Ezekiel Thaxter, that's my
name. I'll take the drum" The shop
keeper smilingIy assented. and thus
was a fellow-crcature made happy
Exchange.
, 1876-09-23
Desperate Robbers.

A special dispatch to the St. Paul
Pioneer, dated Northfeld, Mime
sofa, September 7th, says that about
2 o'clock P. NJ. eight men, we'll
mounted, entered the town and pro-
ceeded to the bank. Three Of them
entered it and sprang over the coun-
ter and ordered the Cashier, Mr.. J.
I. Hayward, with a knife held todlis
throat, to open the vault. At the
same time all the persons in the
bank were ordered to hold up their
hands. Mr.. Haywood refused to
obey their orders and open the vault.
His neck was slightly scratched with
the knife, and, still. persisting, one
of the robbers put the muzzle of q
pistol to his right temple and fired,
killing him instantly.
They then turned to Mr.. Bunker
and ordered him to open the VaTt.
He said he did net know the COM
bination; and, as the robbers made
demonstrations toward him he ran
out of the back door, upon which
they fred, shooting him through
the shoulder. Mr.. WilcoX~was not
interfered with.
While this was transpiring within
the people of the city without were
doing good work. Two of the rob-
bers were killed outwright and one
wounded man was taken away by
his confederates. The citizens be-
haved like old veterans, and many
of them are.
, 1876-09-23

Among q number of documents
received few days ago by the Chief
of the Bureau of Statistics, were
several returns from the Collector of
Customs at Puget Sound. They
were enclosed in an envelope which
bore marks of rough usage and con-
tanned the following Endorsement:
"Torn by robbers Oh Siskujan
mountain, Jackson county, Oregon,
August 10, 1876, at half-past P. NJ" F"
The envelope was no doubt returned
by the Disguised robbers because
they were in search of facts not
figures.
, 1876-09-23

IL the jurisdiction of SaEcti Espiritu
insurgents are soliciting PARDON from
the Spanish authorities in order to es-
cape service in the rebel ranks. Sam
gull recently came from the jurisdic-
ticn of Puerto Principe to collect the
scattered insurgents into one body for
fighting purposes. Many refused to
obey his orders. Several local leaders
were seized by Sanguili and forcibly
conducted into the Puerto Principe jur-
isdiction. Tie insurgents recently es-
sassinated seven peaceful countrymen,
as they were collecting cattle, four
leagues from Sancti Espiritu. The ont
rage has caused great indignation.
, 1876-09-23

ASUsPIcioUs CHARACTER, An arche-
olcgist is sketching Roman ruin. says
the Paris Figaro, in Brittany. A spec
tator becomes interested in his occura-
ton, and asks to see his papers. He
hasn't them with him, and the rural
policeman conveys him to the guard~
house of the nearest village, where he
is questioned by the Mayor:
"You are Prussian spy, that is evi-
dent. What is your name, and what
are you doing hereI"
my name is X, ard I study Roman
history"
"Oh, oh you study the history ct
Rome. do you p? How many volumes are
there of it Answer me that
You are jestirg. sir
81 know it. You are an agent OF
Bismark. There are five volumes OF
the history of Rome. l have the last
work at my house"
, 1876-09-23

At the AS ICES at Exe' er. Erglsrd
the other day, two cases were tried, one
directly following the other. which to
the rejecting mind will present some
ineyplicab.e features. In The first case
a man was charged With manslaneh:er
of his wife at Davenport. He pleaded
guilty. The evidence OF policeman
was that he struck her with his clenched
fist. and she died in bali an hour. The
judge, Baron Amphle,t, said there was
no doubt that the prisoner had struck
his wife q violent blow. Assaults Oh
women should be severely treated, and
in order to make a serious example, OF
the prisoner, he would be sentenced to
six months Imprisonment. In The next
case marine store dealer was charged
with stealing four Aeeces c. WOOL,
which were found u. bis poss ess len ana
clearly identified ty Tie pro>ecu or and
his WITNESSES. The accused SAID he
Sought the wool. The prisoner had
hitherto born good character. The
same Judge sentenced him 10 five years
penal servitude. The discrepancy In
the two sentences rather surprised the
people in the court.
, 1876-09-23
-AR~S

ST. PAUL. 1O.-The pursuit cf the
Northfeld robbers has been given up.
Two Of them were followed into Dakota
between Sioux City and Yaakton. 1t is
not stated positively in what direction
the four others escaped, though they
are undoubtedly out Of reach. The
bankers of this city to dav subscribed
$500 for the widow Of Haywood. the
bank cashier, murdered by the robbers,
and have pIinted a circular which it is
proposed to send to tie hanks in all
parts Of TIE country. asking offerings
on the part OF each as recognition of
his rare fidelity to duty.
, 1876-09-23

An excellent and honored citizen
OF Louisville was going home one
night ,ipsy. for the first and last
;me in his life, as he protests. and
no doubt truly, when he met Prem
tice reeling from one side OF the
walk to the other. Prentice" ex-
claimed the elated novice, I'm
drlnkr' Staggered anew by this
amazing announcement, the veteran
slowly drew himself up, with the
aid of neighboiing picket, and,
surveying his disguised friend, said,
severely: "Weil, Josh, I have been
guilty ir my time of many scanda-
lous things, and some outrageous
oues, and some id mean ones, but,
thank God T never was drunkr-
Louisville Courier Journal.
, 1876-09-23

LITTLE Billy was very cross and
tired the other night, and he wan
ted his father to take him on his
knee; but father was tired. or pre-
tended to be. II want you to hold
me on your knee" he whined. II
tell you l cannot do it, I am tired, 4"
replied his father, impatiently.
seTired! You wasen't very tired last
night when you held Mary on your
knee in the F'tchen."
, 1876-09-23

Patient to his doctor r-"And it is
really true that I shall recover
"Irfallibly," answers the man of
medicine, taking from his pocket
a paper full Of figures. "Here,
look at the statistics of your case;
you will find that one per cent. of
those attacked with your malady
are cured" "Well," says the sick
man, in an unsaiisfed manner.
"Well," you are the hundreth per-
son with this disease that / have had
under my care, and the first ninety
nine are all dead"
, 1876-09-23

It is pleasant to know that Tilden
was once a nice little baby with CO.
raj beads on his neck and spoonful
of paregoric gurgl1ng in his throat.
Mr.. Tilden was never married, and
does not know what it is to empty wash
water on Monday afternoons.
, 1876-09-23

A South Carolina man, was bitten
by q moccasin snake, and being car
ried to the nearest drug store was
cured with three pints of apple
whisky. Now there ale several of
the South Carolina fellows who me-
auder in moccasin districts, hoping
that they may soon encounter three
pints.
, 1876-09-23

PARIS, it seems, has steam street
cars that don't frighten the horses,
seat forty persons, run ten miles an
hour, can be stopped within five
feet by a brake, turn sharp corners,
and cost but 81 a day for fuel and
attendance.