davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-12
Our Musical Taste.

The most successful feature of the verv
successful opening OF the Centennial Ex-
hibltion was the musical. Mr.. PASSES
hymn was noble choral, which might be
sung in an old cathedral, aud not jar with
Its echoes n single association of the vener-
able pile. All Mr.. PAINE's compositions
exhibit the severe and pious devotion TO
his art of the true artist. In this hymn he
did not suffer himself to yield to the temp
taton to introduce fancy effects, but kept
close to the simplicity which should dis
hnguish such composition.
Mr.. DUDLEY BUCK saved Mr., Sidney
LANIER's meaningless tumble OF words by
setting them to music which had o charm
Ing quality, and so fascinated the chorus
that when they had finished their melodi-
Gus labor they rose and heartily cheered
the deserving composer. Both in his treat
ment of the orchestral part and his man
agement OF the vocal muse he exhibited
his competence for the task set him.
II is gratifying 10 know that our Centen-
nial found such fitting musical expression.
The work of Mr.. PAINE and Mr. BUCK was
not heard 10 disadvantage, even in com
pal1son with that Of WAGNER. Ii is, how
ever, not safe to assume that because the
Herinan's march was not heard to satisfac-
non in the open air, 1t will prove uninter-
S"ug IN tue concert room. 1t has e ne
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-12
Grants Absences and Abuses.

Gen. GRANTS recent reply to the resolu-
ton of the House, asking whether any
executive offices, acts or duties have been
performed ut distance from the seat of
Government established by law, is the
smartest and most telling OF the various
documents issued In his name since his
noted authorization message. 1t has had
genuine success with the newspapers and
with the public, and has been praised by
those who are not in the habit of praising
GRANTS performances. 1t was intended
by its writer-GRANT did not write ito
be Insolent toward the House. and sue
ceeded in that intention; yet the fact
remains unchanged that the Presidents
protlacted absences from the capital, and
his ne"lcct of public business in order .;
employ the time in private diversions OF
his own. constitute q grave improperly,
amply deserving all the censure it has ever
received.
Gen. GRANT puts In two excuses ms
reason for not furnishing the inforCia-
ton demanded by the House The first Is
that of one who refuses to testify because
il would be determination. III, " he says
"this information be sought through an in
quiry Of the President as to his executive
acts, in view or in aid OF the power OF inn
parchment vested in the House, ii is asked
in derOgatiOn of an inherent natural right
recognized in this country by II constitu-
tional guarantee which protects every cti-
zen, the President as well as the humblest
in the land, from being made a witness
| against himself"
His second plea is an attempt to cover his
own delinquoncies behind examples from
the carly days of the republic, when the
public departments were hardly organized
Mt all. The public records do not furnish
any trustworthy evidence Of the absences
OF the early Presidents. The memorandum
on thar point, sent in from the State De-
partment along with the Message, does
not pretend even TO be accurate, while
all the traditions show 1t to he essen
tally false; and II Il were exact, II would
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-12
There was something comicai abou

There was something comical about
GRANTS illusions, In his Centennial speech, to
literature, philosophy, theology, science, and
law. The theological and philosophical "speci-
mems presented In the Exhibition are particu-
larry deserving OF admiration. In looking at
them, II is true, we must ngree with GRANT In
regretting that we have not done more; but
still, "a he saws, we must be proud OF what we
have done. II shows how far we can rival older
nations. GRANTS speech itself, however, which
was put on exhibition, oan hardly be called a
great triumph OF literature and philosophy.
SIN, II was the best thing be could get up In
that direction. The look of the speech leads us
to think that II was composed by GRANT him
self after consultation with the literary philoso-
pher, g. W. CHILDs, A. NJ.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-12

not relieve GRANT from blame. Speak
ing of WARRINGTON, 1t says, "he appeared
to have Been thus absent at least 1s1 days
during his term" II this statement were
strictly true, 1t would only prove that
WASHINGTON was absent less than twenty
three days in n year: while GRANTS alb
sences have amounted to about one-haf
of the entire time.
The State Department memorandum,
though furnished by Mr.. FISH without
having been called for, is really damning to
GRANT. 1t processes to give statement
covering six single terms Of the Presidency,
just preceding LINCOLN and JOHNSON, who
are excluded from the count only because
their names would make the comparison
more injurious to GRANT. These seven
Presidents and FILLMORE being
reckoned as one term-were absent in all,
$50 days during twenty-four years, or u
fraction over twenty-five days for every
year
Complaint has never been made against
the Presidents seeking reasonable recrea-
ton during the year. Conventional usage
comedies that indulgence But GRANT is
the first President who ever established
regular residence away from the Executive
Mansion, provided by law for his official
occupation. II is no secret that he was in
duced to go to Long Branch in the interest
of n large speculation, and that his cottage
and his outfit there were furnished with
out cost to him TO advance that scheme.
Since March 4. 1869, GRANT has been
absent from Washington more than four
years in all, taking the figures from
his own organs. He has drawn fun sal
airy and perqulsites for every day OF that
time, while the subordinatcs in the de-
partments are allowed only one month
absence in each year, and are docked for
every hour beyond ii. The effect OF this
practice is seen all through the service in
exposures of the fraud and rascality which
have disgraced the country and made
Grantism the synonym forthe worst phases
of corruption. However, the time is near
at hand when GRANT may not only go
away without censure. but will be invited
TO stay away for good.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-12
Did tue Grea, rrasodian Take thu, L mbrelIa,

To THE EDITOR or The sUN-ST: Many years
ago. inspecting portfolio Of choice engray.
ings at the residence Of the late John Allan. the anti
QuRrian-who thea dwelt IN Pearl street directly oppo.
site the gaping mouth Of the Centre street sewer-in
company with Ithie Town Of New Haven Old
Mlchae. Pan, the picture dealer our critical circle
Joined by George Jones the American tragedian who
GIFTED eth sight OF album containing
contributed Inn by all the leading American artists.
A. the weather OF August In those DAYS re-
gardcd uncertain, all OF Mr.. Allana vhitors had
brought with them Umbrellas with the exception Of the
tragedlan. As We anticipated thunder shower sprang
during which the traL edlan left When IN turn,
came to take my departure discovered that my UNI
brea had disappeared. For months past my mind has
been distressed through agitation OF aquesun u ct
Quette which may rest within your power tu solve
should George Jones, the American traged an haN" mad
yertcnty borrowed my umbrella, can cOuscleui!ousy
solicit OF George the Count Juannes the favor OF us
return. lhk OLD MAJ OF GOTHAM
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-12
When DIR. WARD said that BEEcHrR was

When DIR. WARD said that BEECHER was
guilty Of a monstrous crime, the brethren turned
him out OF the synagogue. When MouLroN put
In his solitary vote against the report Of the
withdrawing committee, the brethren and sis
ters hustled him out OF meeting, and he barely
escaped with his life. But when THEODORE
Triton rose In church meeting and asked
BEECHER " he bad any charge TO bring against
him, BEECHER replied that he had none. Yet
TmroN had accused him Of seducing his wife.
Then, instead OF trying him for so assaing the
purity OF the pastor, the church simply dropped
him for not coming TO hear the man he so
charged preach and pray When Mrs. MoULToN
called BEEcBER an adulterer and perjurer, the
brethren did not so much as think OF Furnishing
her for that offence. They dropped her because
she preferred to hear some other man than the
one she so charged preach the Gospel Of CHRIST.
MIR. Bowen makes the same charges, and II has
taken the brethren months TO deal with him.
Now, II BEECuER consents, he is to tell his story
to the Rev Dr. TAYLOR in the presence OF the
accused minister. IL Is doubtful. however.
whether BEECnER will meet Mr.. BOWEN without
insisting on bringing I'm his highly pious lawyer,
Brother SuEARMAN, to object TO MIR. BowEN's
answers. Ho might hide him In the cupboard
or.under the sofa. II Mr.. BOWEN got too close
could be dragged out to pettifog them away and
shut up the narrator. BEECHER Is very helpless
without Brother SHEARNAN, who is up TO no
end OF tricks In behalf Of tho pastor he loves
more than his own wife.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-12
What Might be Done with the Piers

Suppose that, In a contingency which
does not now seem probable the Brooklyn
bridge project should be abandoned; what
then could be done with the two big
towers7
The twin giants could not very well be
slowed away ana worshipped as municipal
divinities, like Goo and MAooo in Guild
hall. They are too big. To have them
standing as they are would be TO perpet-
uate the memory OF q piece OF folly. and
monuments TO folly, although sometimes
instructive, are seldom pleasant objects to
contemplate.
To convert the New York tower into q
grain elevator would be possible, al
though difficult and costly operation. Or,
being tall, II might make a tolerably good
reservoir Water might be pumped up into
1t from the river to supplement the Croton
supply in case of large Are in the lower
part Of the city. The only hindrance Is
that IL isn't hollow.
Several gentlemen Of France. admirers Of
our institutions and system OF government
have proposed to raise in New York harbor
a mammoth bronze figure to serve both as
n lighthouse and memorial of Franco
American amity. II the design would ad-
init such modification, the figure might be
planted with one foot on each pier, be-
striding the East river like a Colossus
and allowing the tallest ships 10 pass be-
tween its legs. These legs, indeed, nigh:
be hollow, and furnished with spiral stair
cases inside, afording means OF commu-
nication between New York and Brooklyn
on the rare occasions when the ferry boats
are stopped 10y ice. Ship owners and ship
masters would greatly prefer such an ar
rangement 10 the bridge.
Or New York might utilize its tower as
the pedestal for n colossal brazen bust OF
TWEED, while Brooklyn might set over
against il n companion representation Of
the head and shoulders of HENRY WARD
BEEcuER. Neither of these eminent citi.
zens is dead, but we do not see that the
usual objections to premature monuments
hold good in their case.
Possibly JAY GOULD might be persuaded
TO buy the New York pier and establish
stool pigeon on top of it. He would thus
acquire II taller newspaper Office than that
now under his control, taller even than
the Western Union building, quite us tall
rs the spire of Trinity Church
There are, therefore, several ways in
which these towers might be disposed of
in case the bridge project should be aban-
doned, But we have no doubt that many
that the most sensible plan of all would
be TO put large gang at work at two dol
lars day and pull the piers down again
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-12

There are other charges besides those of
gross and open wrong doing made against each
other by the clerical members OF the Methodist
Conference. The Rev j. NJ. BUCKLEY OF New
York, the clergyman who recently was In CON
tention with the Rev, ). IL. Plat on tho sub
ject Of modern miracles, accuses his fellow
members OF the Conference Of engaging in in
trigues not unlike those that are familiar to ma
chine politcians. The resolutions he has intro
duced tell Of the peculiar way in which tho OIL
cial patronage aDd salaried Offices of the Meth
odst denomination are paroeed out among the
preachers, who, says the Rev Mr.. BUCKLEY, are
led by their ambition for ofice and its emou-
ments to engage In bargaining, com binatI ons, and
contracts, and to make promises that are not Ia
the interest OF Justice. Brother BUCKLBYs de-
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-12
How Mrs. Minute sherman Fitch Can Obtain
the Ia cdiye's Present.

To THE EDITOR OF TIE SUN-SW Drexel,
Morgan Co., the cOnsignees send the Jewels on
ocean steamer to Mrs Minnie sherman Filcn. at
Liverpool or elsewhere. Let that lady accompanied by
her husband doth having previously been dcutned by
the Captain q tie vessel, 20 board thc same
steamer, and before the ship reaches LIVERPOOL Mrs.
Fitch take the jewel, from the casket and wear
them into the port She return by the nrN vessel
70 The lul'ed states, and IN the same manner wear
them iltu The port of Nov York. and while dong shc
cannot be- taxed for any thing worn. JED.
NEW YORK, May 10, 1876
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-12
A Grand Jury's Work.

The Hudson county grand Jurors have made
prescntmeut lg4inst the Guy Treasurer OF lloboken
and The Treasurer OF the town Of Union tor their loose
mana cement ana use OF the public moneys. OF CITY
Trensurer Kamena OF Hohokcn the Jurors say 4
large portion Of ne moneys received nv lin are re-
tHinrdn hs hands according to hs own discrruOn aud
not u'po.ItDd No check Upon the lroasurlr exists,
tacrc any city officer other than tue Treasurer
Ahe 70 zen any,hlns concerning ne Whereabouts or
disposition al lac Cty funds. The Town Treasurer Of
Iun ccnsurcd form habit Of using the town funds
Tor his uhal bcnctt, and the authorities are
asked to rtucuy the wrong by increasing the Treas.
urvrs sal ana designating proper suthOlty for the
ktO.lng OF tnc MONEYS
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-12
DrOokiyn's Pride.

When the Centennial ysitair
Shall visit cur city this summair,
We can show to hlm the great preachalr
Who wears such long and waving hair,
And has been proved an adulterairi
But who by experience has learned 10 swear
by everything IN earth and air
That he Il a White-souled creatualT,
And that any person else who dare
To contradict him on that affair
Is IA very wicked conspiratsir,
Aud must be crushed by foul or fair
To preserve the psme VI the great Beeehssr.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-12
Where Congress should Act.


The President of the Union Pacific Rail
road frankly states to "A coMmittee OF Congress
that If the company were made to set aside a
suklng fund to meet the Government loan
bones az maturity, 1t would be beyond the
Reasonable means Of the COMPANY" 80 the
company Is dividing all its earnings, and leaving
the Government bonds and interest To the Cow
erninent. Ana Congress. which has lawful
power To require the company to proVite "A
slr king fund To protect tue Government Is dong
nothing. Jay GOuid has ring IA its nose.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-12

sire 10 have this state Of things investigated was
thwarted, but we should suppose that the
ground OF his charges must be looked over be-
fore the adjournment Of the Conference. In
view Of some things that have taken place
among the Methodist preachers at Baltimore, 1t
seems that there must be Incompetence some
where in the management Of Methodist inter-
eata.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-12
The sun for the Campaign.

The events of the Presidential campaign
will be faithfully and fully illustrated In The
Sun, and we will send tho weekly edition, a
sheet Of eight pages, post paid. from June TIL
after tho election for 30 cents; the sunday edi-
ton, OF the same size, at the same price or The
daily. four pages, for SO.
Address The SuS, N. Y. City.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-12

A fair correspondent writing from New
town, l.. l., desires to know our authority for
the statement In THE SUN that the birds used
as ornaments In ladies' hats are "hayed alive To
preserve the feathers more securely Ia tbs skin"
The .aet that a crusade has been Commenced In
England against the brutal business affords, In
connection with the reports published in tho
English papers, sufficient confirmation OF the
statement. The baroness BURDEIT- Courts has
as already announced, organized u movement
among English women, the object OF which Is
TO dlscouutenance and, as far US possible, render
odious the use OF such ornaments. There Is no
woman deserving OF the name who, In view Of
such facts as this lady has revealed through the
English press, would not regard with adherence
the continuance Of this feature In the present
style Of ladies' hats. SO extensive has this traf-
the month of February, there were disposed Of
no fewer than 1854 humming birds alone. while
OF parrots there were 5000, and OF kngnshers,
1000, together with 10 900 algrettes made Of the
feathers of a variety of other birds. As this was
but one days sale we can Imagine the whole
sale destruction Of these beautiful creatures
that IL constantly going on to supply the de-
mands of fashion In Europe and America.
Hundreds OF agents are employed throughout
piumage for the wholesale dealers In London,
Paris, New York, and other centres of the trade,
| and SO great has been the slaughter Of the most
beautiful and rarest birds, that II Is feared that
] several varieties will become extinct Ia some
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-12
IL You IRE Engaged 10 Drinking Mnn Break
In oar


We tender our thanks to the Vermont
Judge WAC the other day. ia pronouncing upon
divorce suit. laid down the opinion that when
woman marries man of known intemperate
ma us, sue takes her happiness, pros perity. and
well re in her own hands, and has no claifn for
radiance OF him thercafter. We have great nifty
Tor the wife who Is Joined to an intemperate
husband, but we trembie for the fate OF the
woman who marres an incorporate man. IL
these words reach the Eye OF any woman under
engagement OF marriage TO such man, we
most sueInnly appeal 10 her to pause b"fore
Size impetiI her weil-being by accepting any
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-12

" The most eloquent prayer ever ad-
dressed to the Legislature Of Massachusetts,"
was the description OF an invocation once made
nominally to Heaven by the Rev. EDWARD Ev-
ERETr. The Centennial prayer Of Bishop SNIP
son was remarkable piece OF eloauence. lie
covered a great deal Of ground with fine phrases
beautifully arranged. He told this was prayer,
mind you y how the Puritans were led through
the deep to a land OF vast extent, towering
mountains, broad plains, unnumbered products,
and untold treasures, that had been yelled from
the ages. and from the ancient world. He told
Of the men OF mind and might who have done
great deeds In this country In laying the broad
foundations Of the grand structure Of civil free
dom. He reminded the Almighty OF the immor-
tai WASHINGTON and his grand associates. He
descanted, as he addressed the Divinity, upon
our labor-saving machinery, multiplied inven-
Ions. valuable discoveries, and periodicals that
are scattered like leaves over the land. He told
OF the long labors, anxieties. and difficulties OF
the Centennial missioners. He took occa-
sion to welcome our foreign guests In his prayer
tn the Creator. He referred to the relations Of
capital aud labor. He told of the Intelligence,
purity, and enterprise OF the women OF Ameri-
ca. who, he mentioned, for the first time In the
history OF our race, take SO conspicuous place
In "a national celebration. And he closed bis
brilliant prayer by telling the Almighty OF 81 that
Que OF our country's ilus,rious sons who ives
the arst to draw expermentally III was well to
be precise on this pointl the electric spark from
Heaven. which has since eirdled the globe
tsnAKEsPEARE1 with It's celestial Whispers" II
quence2 We have examples OF prayer In the
Scriptures; but 1t Is evident that Bishop SNIP
SON has too ornamental a mind to be able to
model his invocatory style upon theirs.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-12
The south Carolina Negroes Inqui-i,iou

From Wt thdTlesl1n J0NrnW OF toTl1Ifrce'
James Pyos and william Walker, color
ed, who live az Pyos's Plantation on the Cooper
river, went to the house OF Jacob Sass, a colured
hoy, and taking him TO their home, put MIN ~ o
a coffin and, screWing on the I'D, kept hun for
some time, and, taking him out, Imprisoned him
in n smoke house, ana there held nlm for two
and a hail days, merely to make him confess the
whereabouts OF missing box.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-12

BEEcHER is now engaged in a systematic
attempt TO rehabiltate himself. But he may
lecture every night and vet he will he able to
reconstruct his shattered reputation. His fame
must always hereafter be that OF minister who
was charged oy a par,shioner with having Sc
duced his wife, and who. instead OF meeting the
accusation. kissed the man and his wife and tried
70 Induce him to say nothing about the matter.
The HESRY WARD BRrCHER Of the past - dead
and buried. II ia only his ghost that goes about
lecturing nowadays-and the odor OF the tomb
goes with him.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-12

The resolutions Of the Republican Con-
vention Of Michigan request their delegates to
act In the National Convention " with as much
unanImty among themselves as possible" We
dare say this unique specimen of instructions
will be obeyed TO the letter.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-12


We gather the following allegations re-
spectng Vermont farmer from the columns
Of the Springfield Republ;odn
"sMrru WRIGHT OF wiliston Is said 10 have the
gees 600 ducks and 500 turkey, and they eat forty
Ousleis VI corn a day"
But how many hens has he? Hens are the
most important occupants Of poultry yard,
as important to IT, in fact as the Danish prince
IL TO the tragedy Of Hamlet" And yet the
Republican leaves out this Indispensable ele-
ment Send your reporter up there neghbor,
and let him tell us all about II. Judging by the
number of geese, ducks, and turkeys kept by
Mr. WRIGHT, he ought to have "a many as EN-
thousand hens. II this be 3d. what is the bi eed
that he prefers1 Does he 90 for beauty or for
nice eggs and fat spring chickens2 Are there
any game fowls 10 his household. and does he
have a cock fight now and then? w.
structure Of his poultry h.uses7 noes he war;,
them IN wluter' aud how does he shelter them
from the eHect OF he cold north and east winds {?
Does ne Zee" them nothing but corn2 And
what sor. OF feeding apparatus does he employ 2
it'' ne tried the effect OF giving them also a
little animal food2 Does he sell eggs princi-
pally, OF chickens2 Aud how does he fatten
the chickens for market? Let the Republican
take the necessary means to satisfy fully the ili-
telligent curiosity which It's meagre paragraph
evokes; and II II Will print an interesting article
on the subject, we shall he glad to copy 1t.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-12
AdycrfisiuQ ttntcs.

DAILY AND SUNDAY. 40 cents rn". ordinary sdver.
tsng large type. 30 cents and preferred positions,
70 cents to $3.50, according to classification.
wKEELY.-50 cents line no extra chary,i for lnrge
type. Preferred positions from 10 cents to az.