The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-10

Information Wanted.
Under this title we have been honored with
the following interesting letter, which ought
to be Of profound interest to every house
hold -
To THE EDERroR OF THE HsARALp:-
understand that the Government has otcrd 500 dol
lars for every malc child born the 4th of July
sutch being my case send to you for information as
think 1t was published n your paper and you will
greatly oblidge poor widow.
MARY j., No. E. st., Jersey City.
We would inform Mrs. j that this ex-
cellent measure has not yet passed either
house of Congress, though it has, no doubt,
the approval of all the members who are
is admirable; for all philosophers agree that
the family is the foundation of society, and
it therefore follows that to encourage
families is the duty of the government.
There is no better way to develop the re-
sources of the United States than to en-
courage the women of America, and it is an
honor to any young citizen to triumph in a
double birthday, and to celebrate not only
his own nativity but also that of the Repub-
lie. Five hundred dollars is little enough
to pay for male child born on the Fourth
OF July; and we think that such being the
case of Mrs. j she is entitled to the cash.
Young j may be President yet His
career will be watched with interest.
But Mrs J. must not forget that
there are obstacles in the way of this noble
measure. The democratic House of Repre-
sentatives has been cutting down the ex-
penses of the government, and a party
which would reduce the army and prac-
tically do away with the Signal Service
Bureau cannot be expected to encourage the
patriotism Of American mothers. General
Grant, who is father himself, has opposed
this false economy. We cannot depend
upon emigration entirely. Home manufac-
lures must be developed, and this bounty of
five hundred dollars for every male child
born on the Fourth of July would be in har-
mony with the principles Of the protective
tariff We call the attention of Mr.. Ran
dali, the leader of the House, and, as
father, also, the leader of the household, to
this important question.
The expense to the government is the
least consideration. Surely any American
baby, whether boy or GIRL is worth five
hundred dollars. We should move an
amendment to the bill including all females
born on the Fourth of July We shall have
female suffrage some day, and, sutch being
the case, why should the ladies be excluded
from the benefits of their own patriotism?
Suppose sutch were not the case and that
Mrs. is boy had been GIRL should she
then have been deprived of the benefits Of
Fourth of July accident? No. Our opin-
ion is that if boy is valued at five hundred
dollars girl ought to be worth a thousand
Mrs. j herself ought to have q pension
for her distinguished patriotism
But the greatest difficulty is yet to be
named. The success Of this noble measure
depends upon the result of the Presidential
election Mrs. j will find Governor
Tilden to be her worst foe. If he is elected
oil hope is gone for the five hundred dollars
Uncle Sammy is bachelor, and does not
know what it is to be parent. Sutch is his
case. If Mr.. Randall, as the leader of the
House, and Mr.. Pig Iron Kelley, as the
champion of protection, should pass this
bill, Governor Tilden, as the next President,
would surely veto it: Governor Tilden is
resolved to be revenged on the ladies of
America. What personal interest has he in
this grand measure of encouragement, or
what benefit could he derive from it None
Uncle Sammy is an old bachelor and takes
no interest in the domestic affairs of Mrs
speedily changes his ideas of Reform" the
Fourth Of July will be one of the most I'M
popular days for births in the year.