davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1876-12-24
Hyarophobia and spitx Dogs.

Hydrophobia as cause of death appears
to have greatly increased in England as well
as in the United States within recent years.
In the five years ending with 1864 there was
an average of four cases a year in the five
years ending with 1874 the average was
forty-three cases o year, and it is thought
that it has been still worse in 1876 and 1876.
For disease to suddenly increase in SO
great degree as this implies necessarily
the operation Of some very effective cause
not in operation in the earlier years, and
when an increase so great is observed in
countries SO widely separated as Eng
land and the United States all causes
related to climate and to communication
of the virus from one to another are of
couse excluded. But if we find active in
each country recently introduced agent
capable of originating the disease we may
conclude with reasonable certainty that that
is the cause of it's increased prevalence. In
either country this reasoning points to the
Spitz dog as the offender. In England, as
we'll as in the United States, this animal is
of recent introduction. But he has another
name. He is called in England the Pome-
ranian aog. This is because he was first
known in Europe coming from Pomera-
MIA, but he had reached Pomerania pre-
viously from some of the neighboring Scandi-
nayian or Russian countries toward the Arctic
Circle In this country the date of his in
PRODUCTION cannot be definitely fixed, but if
there were any specimens brought earlier
than the return of Kanes expedition there
is no record of it. So far as known his
spread through the country is due to the
specimens brought by that expedition. In
the case of each country the great increase
of hydrophobia is coeval, not perhaps with
the introduction, but certainly with the ex-
tensive distribution of this animal. HYDRO
phobia seems to be bred out eventually
in countries where the animals are
removed from possible contact with others
in wild state. In France and Germany it
is constant, for there the starved wolves
come down in winter and bite the dogs. In
England it was comparatively unknown
few years since, as shown by the statistics
quoted above, and in the United States it
was the same. But the introduction of an
animal only removed by slight differences
from his condition in a wild state. and
great change OF climate, with its peculiar
effect on his nervous system, have suddenly
revived an old evil, which will continue to
trouble us till we exterminate this species
of dog.
The New York herald., 1876-12-24
A Domestic Mystery.

Catharine Berth now lies dying of pistol
shot wound inflicted on her by her husband,
Charles Berth, nine days ago. When the
Coroner took the ante-mortem statement of
the poor woman she acquitted her husband
of blame and asserted that the shooting was,
in her belief, accidental. The affair was
consequently looked upon as one Of those
sad calamities that sometimes fall on us
without any fault Of our own, and no doubt
those who read the account of the Chrystie
street tragedy pitied the man whose hand
had brought this desolation on his home
even more than the woman who was the i'm.
mediate sufferer. Death might come to her
relief, but he would linger on with the pic
ture of the terrible event ever before him.
But a change comes over the story. Cath
crime Berth's brother arrives in the city and
hastens to the bedside of his dying sister to
learn from her lips that the tale she has told
the Coroner was untrue; that the husband
who should have been her protector delibcrs
ately took her life; that the shooting was in-
territorial, and that she is the victim of .
cruel murder. This at least is the story OK
The New York herald., 1876-12-24
Our Pnris Cable I1effar.

If things theatrical are dull in Paris and
nothing on the boards is new but an i'm
moral piece, we need not wonder that
it follows Shakespeares dici,tm, "All the
worlds stage and proceeds to
make the grave diplomats who hold
the peace of Europe in their hands ''meroy
PLAYERS" Thus the new constitution of Tur-
key becomes Midhat's coup de mfatrc, and we
almost look for the blue and red fires to illu-
inmate the tableau. Perhaps they take the
measure of the document in looking on il
as claptrap, and in any case Paris will laugh
over the position of the wise men Of the
nations with whom the Grand Vizicr is play
ing constitutional game of bluff The
home political difficulty docs not trouble
Paris as much as the forethought necessary
to preparing memL Tamburini, the singer,
has gone to his long home after being
twenty years and over ont of the
worlds sight. He made great deal
of money and kept some of it, unlike
his brother and sister Of the dramatic
stage who lately preceded him to the
grave, Lemaitre and D6iazet. To
see the old favortes of the stage
of twenty or thirty years ago potter
ing in toothless senility over the
boards on which they once strutted MS kings
and queens of the Thespian realms is al
ways pathetic, and faded child of song
who dies quietly after long retirement, and
is buried grandiy, offers pleasant change.
The American colony has come to
sober sense in amusements when it
confines itself to slipping mild cups of tea
in clerical parlors md showing few privi-
legged Frenchnen what fearful and wonder
full difference there is between the French
professional and the American actor.
Fashion concerns herself with wraps and
heels and shark skin.
The New York herald., 1876-12-24
Our London Cable Letter.

They are still afraid in London that
peace is not secure, and hence their an
ticipations are not cheerful as usual
slush is reported there, n slush, be
it remembered, to which New York's
most sloppery slushiness is as walking
over marble pavement compared with
tloundering through a mud scow. There
is slush and slush. Picture in addition to the
murky pail of yellow acrid smoke miscalled
an atmosphere enveloping the head and in
vading the lungs at every breath, clamminess
everywhere, and our citizens may realize the
heroic courage which enables three millions of
Londoners to reach the mental altitude
wherefrom they can wish each other
"Merry Christmas ny, and enjoy
it, too. All the theatres are Civ
ing the last daub to the gorgeous
pantomime scenery, all the ballet girls are
giving the last twirl to their toes, and
all the boys and girls are dividing their
moments not wholly given over to mischief
between dreams of Christmas puddings,
Christmas toys and the coming panto-
mines Mr.. Irving is to give grown
up London rehabilitated Richard
III" That gigantic rogue, the Itch
borne claimant, again comes to the
surface through the lips of the indomitable
Kenealy. Sport reckons up its winnings in
the papers and its losses in private. Litera-
ture makes its many-headed announce
ments. Art jots down its discoveries
and its projects. Smallpox dcvastatcs
poor neighborhoods, and the doctors
wrestle with it under government
patronage. The most striking thing, per-
haps, that comes to u.s. and still showing
British pertinacity, is the recommendation
of the Geographical Society that new
Arctic expedition should be sent out After
the paleocrystic fancy, the short lime juice,
the admitted failure of the last expedition,
the proposition for new one comes
ont of the London slush with heroism
that would be absolutely appalling if the
Royal geographers had to 60 themselves.
The New York herald., 1876-12-24
our M.nieip.l Governm.ns.

From the interesting review of the past
methods and proposed future plans for
''ruling our cities" which will be found in
to-day's HERALD it will be seen that the i'm
portant work on which Governor Tildens
municipal Commission" has been for
more than year engaged is now about CON-
pleted, and will be lai1 before the State
Legislature at an early day of the approach
ing session. We are promised by this COM
mission, of which Mr.. William NJ. Evarts is
chairman, system of municipal govern
ment which shall be backed by constitu-
tional provisions and shall apply to all the
cities of the State, so that its stability will
be assured. For many years New York
has received too much attention from the
State Legislature. Her large revenues and
tempting patronage have fascinated our
rural statesmen, and every new school OF
sharks that has foated into the legislative
pool at Albany has been ready TO
take its bite out of the unfortu-
nate metropolis. Charters have been made
not for the people, but for the politicians,
and as one political ring after another has
gained the ascendancy in the city the laws
have been changed and tinkered to suit the
interests of those who have for the moment
been uppermost. If Mr.. Evarts and his as
sociates propose a practical plan by which
we shall in future be protected against this
selfish and varying legislation, which will
make the machinery of the city government
more simple and less expensive, and which
will increase at once both the authority and
the responsibility Of our local rulers, they
will do good service to the people of New
York.
But these promised reforms are de-
pendent on constitutional amendments and
some time must elapse before they can be
put into operation. Meanwhile we must
trust to the city charter as it now exists and
to the new officers who will take charge Of
the government next month to give us a
wise, progressive and efficient administra-
ton for the next two years. Mayor Ely
Comptroller Kelly, President Purroy, of the
Aldermanic Board, President Wheeler, of
the Tax Department, and Corporation Coun-
sci Whitney, who will be the real
heads of the city government next
year, are political brothers-in -arms, who
smoke the pipe of fraternal love around the
fire of the Tammany Wigwam. There will
be no clashing between them as public Off
GERS, and the various departments Of the
municipal government will move as
smoothly and harmoniously under their
rule as do the various parts of one Of the
HERALp's famous Bullock presses. The
people have, therefore, a right to expect
from them strong and liberal government
for the next two years-a government that
will give MS well-paved streets, sufficient
water supply, improved docks, decreased
departmental expenditures and sound
financial policy. The city will then be in
better condition to receive the blessing of
the Municipal Commissions substantial re-
form. Will Mayor Ely and Comptroller
Kelly see that the hopes of the people are
not disappointed?
The New York herald., 1876-12-24
Shall tho street Cars BE Heated !.

The Aldermen have proposed to take up
in earnest the subject of warming the street
cars during the cold weather. and compel
ling the companies, which make enormous
profits out of the people and enjoy valuable
franchises free of cost, to do at least thus
much for the health and comfort of their
passengers. If the Alderman who stands
forward as the champion of this measure
does not, like the famous Killian Of mo
seat no fare notoriety, pretend to be on the
side of the people only for the purpose Of
selling them out, he may compel this con-
cession to the public on the part of the
wealthy horse car companies. 1t is only
question Of the expenditure of few dollars
and a little labor on each car There can
be no difficulty in devising mode Of heat
ing if the companies are willing to incur
the expense The most simple method
would seem to be the insertion of
an iron plate in the bottom of the
car from end to end, under which
should be placed a chauferct'e, run
ming the length of the car, to be filed
with hot water on each round trip At each
end of the chd,.ferette should be nozzle,
through one of which the cold water
could be let out, and through the other the
hot water could be let in. The cost of these
plates and chau,erettcs, and of one boiler and
two mems wages would form tho extent Of
the expense to the companies, some of which
are making more than one hundred per cent
yearly on their honest, bond .tde invest
ment.
Probably much Of the sickness and death
in the city might be traced to long rides in
cold weather on comfortless, unwholcsome,
damp and crowded cars, which are one
minute filled with foul vapors and
the next turned into icehouses by
cold currents of air. Rheumatism, con-
find their hotbeds in the cars of the
Third avenue line. Many of them, espe-
cielly those used at night, are old, rotten,
offensive pesthouses, only fit to be broken
up for tircwood. Yet this company realizes
enormous profits, a portion Of which it uses
corruptly to deprive tho people Of rapid
transit year after year. As the horse car
companies enjoy valuable franchises from
the people for which they pay nothing the
least they can do is to devote small frac-
ton of their large earnings to the public
safety aud comfort. The Aldermen can find
some method to compel the heating Of the
cars in the winter if they feel honestly dis
posed to do So, and we shall watch their
action on the resolution now before them
with some interest.
The New York herald., 1876-12-24
Patrols and Pistols.
of dog.

The operations of the masked bur-
glars at Ravcnswood Friday night shows
every householder what may happen to
himself on almost any evening this win
ter. 1t is easy to lay the successful issue
of such rascalities to the negligence of
the police, but the truth is that If there
were several times as many officers on
duty every night there would be moth
ing to prevent ruffians gathering them
selves together and attempting to rob
any house that seems to offer prospect
Of plumber. Instead Of wasting time in
grumbling at the police it is the manifest
The New York herald., 1876-12-24

Grand Vizier, of course, or any other office,
and even to parody the operation of minis
terial responsibility and representative gov
ernment but ''perfect equality between
all subjects and entire religious liberation
can never be even fairly slammed in the Ot-
toman Empire.
Belgium, it is reported, has positively
refused to furnish the troops with which
the occupation of Bulgaria might have been
kept free from the inevitable complications
of hate and passion that would follow occu-
patton by Russia. This seems to be re-
garded as lessening the chances Of peace.
1t was, therefore, evidently believed that
Turkey would yield her objections to occu-
patton if the occupation were made as little
offensive to her as possible. In fact the in
quiry officially made of Switzerland and
Belgium on this point indicates that Tur-
keys declarations not to submit to occupa-
ton had not affected the preliminary con-
ference, which was so far satisfied of the
imperative necessity of such measure
that its only doubt on the point was MS
to where the troops were to come from.
In the conference therefore, occupation is
recognized as necessary and Russia has
only so far yielded her imperative demand
for occupation as to say that she will give
way if any means equally effective can be
contrived for the protection OF the Christian
subjects of the Sultan, which, in fact, yields
nothing, MS there is no other means; and in
presence OF this Turkey, misled apparently
by the advice Of Englishmen in her military
service into overrating her own strength and
undertaking Russia's, assumes position
that if maintained will certainly lead to war.
All Europe will be against her, but only
Russia, perhaps, will take tie feld-that is of
the great Powers; for Greece will certainly
move and in Asia the Persans covet Turk
ish territory.
The New York herald., 1876-12-24
The Proposed Gable Monopoly.

Mr.. Lawrence Oliphant, the represents
tive in America of the Direct Cable Company,
gives to the Tribune his views in relation ia
the proposed amalgamation of that company
with the Anglo-American and the conse-
uuent restoration of cable monopoly.
Speaking only in the interest of che Direct
Companys bona fde stockholders Mr..
Oliphant condemns the scheme. The ANAL.
gamation OF the French line with the Anglo.
holders of the former and in like manner all
the owners of stock in the Direct Cable
Company who are outside particular
ssring" would suffer from the proposed con-
solidation. While this is unquestionably
true it is not so certain that the public
would in the end be injured by the new
amalgamation. An independent cable can
be constructed by popular subscription
among business men and the press at ar
investment according to Mr. Olphant
only one-ninth as large as the capi.
tai of the existing companies. Such
a cable could do easily twenty-five pei
cent of the present business, and would,
therefore, make on its investment moro than
double the profits of the existing companies.
Mr.. Oliphant's estimate of the cost of a new
business line is, of course, based on single
cable but if he is correct four cables could
be laid with only half as much capital aa
wonld be represented by the amalgamated
Direct and Anglo-Amcrican companies. It
is, therefore, probable that the proposed re-
turn to cable monopoly might, in tho end,
prove benefit to the public by promoting
the formation of company that would
not be hampercd with watered stock and
would have no other interest than that OF
doing the business of the public and the
press at as low u rate of tariff as possible.
The New York herald., 1876-12-24
The Elevated Railway Accident.

AS no one was killed outright by the re-
cent accident on the Elevated Railway the
matter will probably be dismissed with the
brief newspaper notice. The company may
however be more successful in slaughtering
some one on a second attempt, and pas
sengers are indisposed to act in the capacity
of victims if it can be avoided. There were
three persons who should have known that
the switch was misplaced-viz., the en-
gineer of the up train, the lookout of the
down train, and the switchman.
The first saw the error too late to avoid
collision the second although lying within
few yards, did not see the danger
at all, and the third was stupidity
oblivious Of the blunder under his
very nose. The engineer of the nj
train seems to be free from blame, the look
out to have been careless of his duties Gun
less he is meant to be simply an ornamental
appendage to the rear platform) and tha
switchman probably a cheap incapable.
The plan Of backing the down train is full
once. If the lookout is incapable of seeing
a fault in the line ahead when the train ID
at rest what is to be hoped for from him
when it is moving, particularly when the
only communication with the engine driver
is by means of cord and q bell, which
oftentimes will neither pull nor ring? Two
collisions in one week are two too many,
and the swinging over sidings at full speed
occurs too frequently either for the salts.
faction of passengers or for the success Of
the road
The New York herald., 1876-12-24

The WEATHER. The snow storm has now
passed off the coast, via Nova Scotia, and is
adding to the difficulties of navigation on
the Banks of Newfoundland. But a belt of
precipitation continues through the lower
lake region, the st. Lawrence Valley and
over Northern New England, due to the
influence of the falling temperature on the
tail Of humid atmosphere that follows
the main disturbance. The pressure is
now highest in Dakota and lowest at
Sydney, N. S. A depression is moving in
the western part Of the Gulf of Mexico,
causing high northeasterly winds and heavy
rain along the coast. This, although as yet
far to the southwark. is without doubt storm
Of considerable energy and will be felt to-day
as far to the eastward rs Florida and the
south Atlantic States Another area OF low
pressure is evidently crossing the Rocky
Mountains in the vicinity of Fort Benton,
md will be noticeable this afternoon in
the Northwest. This storm centre affected
equally the wind direction at San Francisco
and Cheyenne, Neb., during the early part
Of Yesterday. Snow is now falling at North
Plntte and Fort Sully. The temperature is
very low in the Lower Mississippi Valley,
nnt has fallen eastward to the Atlantic. We
predict bad weather during the greater part
Of the week in the southern and northern Sec
tions of the United States. The weather in
New York to-day will be colder and partly
cloudy or clear.
The New York herald., 1876-12-24
Tho Herald and the ship News
SYSTEM

SyStems
We reprint elsewhere an article from the
Daily Graphic describing the manner in
which the HEEALD's shipping news is
gathered. and giving some account of the
origin of the ship news system. We trust
we may not be reproached with egotism for
alluding further to u matter in which the
HERALD feels so just pride. To the HERALD
belongs the credit of originating this sys-
TEN, which. starting from the simple method
of gathering the news of incoming vessels by
the employment Of rowboats, has grown to
its present enormous proportions That the
HERALD has kept pace with the improve
ment which it inaugurated may be seen by a
glance at the shipping reports for the year.
Since January l, 1876. the HERALD has re-
ported the arrival at this port of $50 vessels
twenty-four hours in advance Of the an
nouncements in all other papers. In other
words, about one-sixth Of the whole number
of arrivals have been chronicled by the
HERALD twenty-four hours ahead Of the usual
reports The arrivals and departures Of
vessels from foreign ports have been an
nounced by the Herald in advance ofall other
papers in nearly five thousand instances dur
ing the year. To accomplish this feat neither
pains nor expense has been spared. steam
yacht is kept constantly busy for no other
purpose than the reporting of incoming
vessels ; special telegraphic lines have been
constructed to operate in connection with
the yacht, and the Atlantic cable is freely
used for the special announcements
Of the movements of vessels to and from
foreign ports. Every available method is
employed to get this news at the very earli-
est moment, and the result is, we are proud
to say, Of almost nestimable value to the
commercial and ship owning classes. The
everyday reader who has no interest beyond
that of general curiosity concerning those
who ''go down to the sen in ships" can
hardly appreciate the eagerness with which
the owner or part owner Of vessel or cargo
scrutinizes the reports for news of his prop
erty. The simple line for which he searches
may tell the whole story of his prosperity or
ruin. To know that story and to know it
quickly is of the most vital interest to him.
This is the function which the HERALD is
not least proud to have fulfilled. 1t would
be interesting could an estimate be made of
the amount of property of which the prosy
looking shipping columns have told the
safety or the loss for a single twelvemonth.
AS appliances become more perfect and
mechanical facilities increase we shall con-
tinue to improve this already serviceable
system until the thousands to whom it con-
yeys the choicest of news and the most in
teresting information may deem it as eff
cient, prompt and trustworthy as it is our
aim to make it.
The New York herald., 1876-12-24

THE LATE CARDINAL ANToNELLI was the
most abused and most suspected man Of his
day and generation, but in his last will and
testament, which we publish in full, he
commands the respect of his bitterest ene-
mics by the honesty, loyalty and affection
which he displays.
The New York herald., 1876-12-24

WALL STREET YESTERDAY. Gold was quiet
at 107 IA. Government bonds were firm, and
railway mortgages in fair demand. Money
on call loaned at 3 and per cent. The
stock market was irregular and in some of
tho fancy stocks lower.
The New York herald., 1876-12-24

In THE CouRT OF SPECIAL SESSIONS yester-
day John Blair, of the Belt Railroad, was
convicted of the charge of sailing the high
way and sentenced to pay fine of two hun
dred and fifty dollars. Mr.. Blair's counsel
tried to show that no criminal intent was
proved, but the salt was, and with it the
misdemcanor.
The New York herald., 1876-12-24

The BOARD OF Directors of the Western
Union Telegraph Company have decided to
destroy the copies Of all messages after keep
ing them short time. President Orton will
explain the action Of the company to the
public in few days.
The New York herald., 1876-12-24

ST.. NICHOLAS Used to come from an ice
cave in the north, but if tonight be would
come from coal mine and bring a smell CT
his home with him the shivoring poor would
indorsc his change of base