davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1876-12-17
Our Paris Cable Letter.

The Ministerial crisis having passed away
without leaving any very widespread bitter
ness behind it, Paris settles down with
a seriousness as great as that with
which it goes to war to preparing
for the Christmas holidays. Perhaps the
Frenchmans most earnest moment is when
he is getting ready to be excessively jolly.
AS for the French woman, she brings so
much vivacity to her serious seconds that
it takes time to find out when she is
enjoying herself in earnest. The very pow
erty and apparent contradiction in terms of
our attempted explanation will con-
vey family the difficulty the for
eigner experiences in divining Lu-
tetia's frame of mind at par
ticular instant. The men millners,
with the daring of their profession, are
busy cutting the ladies' ball dresses down
to the shoulders the dealers are busy
displaying their Christmas novelties for
the juveniles the theatrical managers are
hard at work getting up their reviews Of the
year the official censor is busy cutting them
down; parents are busy laying out
their economies" for their children.
and the latter are busy dreaming
Of toys and sugarplums. Such is life just
now in Paris. but it has its darker side.
There is n fashion in suicides MS in Christ
mas snowballs and Easter eggs Scan
dals fit hither and thither, and
even the sacred institution of the
mother-in-law no longer inspires its
accustomed terrors. What they are we
all know in this favored land. Men have
been found in America who privily cursed
them under their breath in remote by
ways; but what shall be said of a land
that can produce young Count who lays
felonious hands upon his mother-in- laws
diamonds, and-but the shrieking pen re-
fuses to do more than refer tho curious to
the bolder despatch elsewhere. There, in
deed, will be found other pieces of intelli-
gence-- social, political and dramatic-but
nothing SO horrifying as the story of the
wicked Count.
The New York herald., 1876-12-17
The south caroIina Troubles.

The Chamberlain government in South
Carolina seems to be doing its best to pro-
woke an outbreak, but is not likely to sue
ceed. There is q rumor that it is the
intention of Governor Chamberlain to
cause the arrest Of General Hampton on
a charge of treason, and our special
report indicates that in case the attempt
should be made by any force other than that
of United States troops it would be resisted.
The Mackey House has passed law de-
claring that any persons setting up
government or claiming to be gov.
ernment against the legally elected
government of the State shall be ad.
judged guilty of treason, and i'm
posing very heavy penalties in fine
and imprisonment All who aid or abet in
the offence are subjected to similar punish
ment But such law, or the arrest Of
General Hampton with or without such
law, would be futile. The question would
still remain, Which is the regular and legally
elected government? The State courts
alone can decide this unless the State is put
under the military rule of the United States.
Suppose General Hampton should be ar.
rested? He would be taken before the
courts on o writ of habeas corpus and re-
leased. There would be no necessity for
forcible resistance. Suppose the Mackey
House law should be passed by the Senate
and signed by the Governor9 The
courts would pronounce it waste paper and
no law at all. 1t is true the Mackey House
and Governor Chamberlain threaten to turn
out the judges of the Supreme Court
and put in creatures Of their own, but
this would excite such general indignation
that it could scarcely be carried out. The
4th of March next would terminate the out
rage if Governor Hayes should then be in
the Presidential chair. The friends of GEN
eral Hampton have only to keep the peace,
under any and all circumstances, and to let
the law take it's course.
The New York herald., 1876-12-17

England. probably because the hypocrite
when there produced is a specially odious
animal, and the handsome young officer who
ran away with another mans wife whom he
first pitied and then in the kinship Of the
passions proceeded to love fell victim to
this prejudice. Appearances were sadly
against him, and his defence would elicit
contemptuous expression from the average
New Yorker, which would translate the
judges decision into bold vernacular-he
would call it diaphanous Yet we must
remember Joseph. The Prince of Wales
has taken fitting place at the head
of British endeavor to explore
and civilize Africa and thus we
may soon hope to see this
matter, which has been hitherto left to
individual effort backed by private
means, taken up in broad
spirit by the nations who have
passed the continent of Hannibal and Au-
gustine by with reference to the mission
ary and the traveller.
The New York herald., 1876-12-17
dren all his life and was their implacabls

dren all his life and was their implacabe
enemy He delighted to make toys tor
ment, and anything suggestive of pony
nightmare was delicious to him." The ex-
preston Of the countenances of his giants,
goblins and devils in boxes, "was safe to de-
stroy the peace of mind of any young gentle
man between the ages of six and eleven for the
whole Christmas or midsummer vacation"
But Tackleton is dead and beauty now pre-
sides in the toy shop. Yet children are fantas-
tic ia their likes, and do not always prefer the
magnificent creatures who parade the latest
Parisian fashions for dolls in the windows.
Little girls, like large girls. often misplace
their affections and adore the most horrible
effigies of humanity. Little Four-year-old
will love with all her heart and soul some
bald-headed doll, without nose, deprived
of leg, hopelessly blind, and will
hug it to sleep in her crib. Charlotte
Bronte tells how such forlorn gypsy con-
soled Jane Eyre in her childish grief. No
dazzling beauty from Paris could atone for
the loss of the first love, awful as it may
appear to the disinterested eye. Are we not
oil deceived by similar illusions? If the
girl loves her doll and cherishes il
in all its Affections the boy regards his
toys moro philosophically He cuts open
the drum to see what makes the noise. am
putates Harlequin and sinks Noah and the
Ark in the washtub. The simplest toys, We
think, are the best for young children, as
the simplest pleasures are the best for
children of larger growth. But Christmas
toys and Christmas joys are not to be sep
arated, and to all who remember their own
childhood there are few sights as charming
as that of a toy shop filed with the sappy
faces Of children.
The New York herald., 1876-12-17
The weather-A Destructive Storm.

Yesterdays heavy gale in New York and
along the coast as well as in the lake re-
gion, Canada and the Eastern States, has
fully verified our statements and predictions
regarding the severity of the storm. The
erntic movements of these great atmos-
pheric disturbances render it necessary to
follow them closely in every stage
of their progress in order to pre-
determine their local influences in
this city and it's vicinity. We noted
the depression just passed before its centre
had come within the area of regular obser-
vation, and then remarked that the indica-
tions were decided enough to warrant the
prediction that it would prove a genuine
storm-that is, one accompanied by violent
winds and considerable precipitation. The
effects of the gale in New York and its
neighborhood include some damage to ship
ping in the harbor and to house property at
exposed points, but in the former instance it
was out of oil proportion to that caused
by the storm of the 9th inst, although the
gale was equally violent. The timely warn
ing given by the HERALD, and the prompt
display of the danger flag by the Signal
Service Bureau, prepared shipmasters for
the coming blow and enabled them to secure
their vessels against damage. The ravages
of the storm throughout the regions swept
by it are very great. We print elsewhere
the details so far as known, but we fear that
they do not present the full losses sus-
tained from the gale The Temperature
in the Northwest during yesterday fell
as low as 3S degrees below zero at Penn
bina, SO at Fort Garry and 2S at Duluth
At other and more southerly points the cold
was proportionately intense, and snow and
rain fell along the lake region, in Canada
and in the Northeast. while slight furry
of short duration was observable in this
city. Generally clear but cool weather pre-
walls in the South, with high wind at
Indianola, Texas. The centre of high
est pressure is now moving eastward
over Lake Michigan, accompanied by
decided cold. The temperature at New
York varied considerably yesterday, being
degrees warmer in the morning than on
Friday afternoon, and only 10 degrees
above zero as night approached. Although
intensely cold weather prevails through the
St. Lawrence Valley there are points on the
Nova Scotia const, within the central area of
the storm, where the temperature is de-
| grees above freezing. or equal to that of st.
Marks, Fla, yesterday morning.
| Another storm centre is now moving east
The New York herald., 1876-12-17
marshallinr tho Forces.

The demands made respectively by Russia
and Turkey before the conference are such
as evidently to put further away the possi-
bility of agreement. For Turkey to demand
an indemnity from Russia on the ground
that her covert help to Servia prolonged the
war, and for Russia to demand that Turkey
shall pay the expense Of foreign military oc-
cupation of Turkish territory. is as if either
sought to make adjustment impossible.
This attitude of the disputants will give in
terest to consideration of the military prep
arations.
If nation that prepares for war may
therefore be supposed to desire peace then
Russia is at this moment doubtless the
most pacifcally inclined of European
Powers. The order last issued in regard to
the mobilization of the army will increase
her active force to an army larger by fifty
thousand men than the active army of the
Ottoman Empire. Russia has modified
under the previous orders six corps ddr7n<e.
Each corps contains twenty-five thousand
artillery. Thus the six will count one hun
dred and eighty thousand men, and thirteen
regiments of Cossacks, not attached to any
corps, will raise the number to two hundred
thousand.
Four Of these corps will constitute the
army of the Danube, though that designa-
ton is not yet officially given, and two are
placed in reserve, one at Odessa and one in
the Crimea. With the Danube army there
will be four hundred pieces of artillery, or
one hundred to corps. By the recent order
one hundred thousand men are added to tho
force thus under arms. Russia will there
fore have with the colors, probably before
the end of the conference, three hundred
thousand men, and this will certainly be
sufficient to open operations with q
Power whose active army is rated on
paper at two hundred and fifty thousand.
1t is evidently the intention of the Rus
sian government to add very largely to the
forces now mobilized, so that if the army
concentrating on the Danube should be
roughly handled in first collision with the
Osmanli there will be another not for behind
it ready to deprive the enemy Of any advan.
tage he might otherwise gain from victory
English correspondents and recent English
writers generally have greatly lauded the
military quality of the Ottoman SOL
dier; but the great excellences they
claim for him are more apparent to
their favoring eyes than in the history of
late wars. In the Servian war he was
triton among the minnows; but Russia is
not Servia. 1t is possible there may be sur
prises in store if war really occurs; but we
incline to the opinion that the nation which
maintained resolute struggle for year
with tho united forces of England, France
and Turkey win be able to give good ac-
count of Turkey alone without an extreme
trial Of her resources.
The New York herald., 1876-12-17
Following tho Fire.

The inspection of theatres and other places
Of resort continues. and we read every day
of the various ways of exit which exist. To
determine whether these are sufficient, and
whether their arrangement is as good as can
be, seems to be as far as the law
allows the authorities to go. Sugges-
tions Of ireproof scenery, drop curtains
which would be impervious to flame
and fire brigades of theatre employees are
numerous and sensible; but until the law
can be made to enforce them the danger is
as great as it was prior to Brooklyn's night
of horror. The public will closely watch
owners Of theatres to see what precautions
they will take of their own free will, but in
the meantime there is great deal that the
authorities can do under such laws as ore in
operation.
One cheap and effective preventive of
harm in case of fire consists in letting people
know where the why's of escape are and how
they are to be used. No matter how many
doors and windows theatre has, people
never think of getting out by any but the
few and narrow passages by which they got
for exit should bear conspicuous
placard announcing the fact and tell
ing how it may be opened Had
such information been familiar to the audi
ence of the Brooklyn Theatre many of the
victims might have escaped. 1t is also
Of people about the doors of crowded build
ings. 1t should be made the duty Of the
police to force people away from burning
building as fast as they escape, instead of al
lowing them to form circle rs near the
flames as they dare to stand, and thus
safeguard is in the hands of the authorities
in the case Of buildings still to be erected.
Almost every theatre is in the centre of
block of buildings and approachable only
through two or three narrow alleys. 1t is in
the power of the proper bureau to refuse to
issue building permit for any new theatre
unless it is to be built upon corner or
with a front which shall all be available for
passageway.
The reports of inspections of churches
will be awaited with peculiar interest. To
run the risk of being roasted in this world
while listening to warnings against the
same fate in the next has altogether too
much sameness about it to be agreeable.
People are generally as reluctant to go out
of church as they are to 60 in, and builders
of sanctuaries have taken advantage of this
habit to locate congregations behind narrow
doors and even up single stairways, and to
fill aisles with fixed or movable seats. The
danger of fire is not SO great in churches as
in theatres, but the least risk is enough to
justify the utmost caution.
The New York herald., 1876-12-17
Freedom OF the Press In France.

An important suit against newspaper has
just been decided in Paris and, contrary to
the usual rule, not by the condemnation Of
the journal. This seems to imply at once q
great change in the way things are seen by
those who administer the law, and IN adm s.
sion that the recent legislation has so far
modified the relations of tho press to So
nalist may say with impunity. In the
Paris Figaro an article was published
entitled "The Military Demi-Monde," !"
which satirized certain elements of the
army, that element particularly which is
known to believe in the Republic and does
Certain soldiers who are members of the
Senate were also touched sharply by the ar
ticle. AS the law makes it an offence to vii
ify constituted bodies," and requires the
government to prosecute, proceedings were
initiated by the criminal authorities. But
the Court held that government could
only prosecute under the law upon COM
plant from the vilified body, and
neither the army nor the Senate had COM
planned, and that the bodies named were
not vilifed as such or in their entirety, but
only certain members of them, indicated
with sufficient clearness to enable these
persons to demand individually at the
hands of the Court the punishment of their
assailants. Judgments in favor of news
papers have been rare in France, but this
case seems to indicate an easier future for
the press in that country.
The New York herald., 1876-12-17
Our London Cable Letter.

'Chill and dreary" the weather is reported
to have been in London, and the
passage Of the uncomfortable words
under three thousand miles of cold
wintry water does not warm them particu-
larly. Other bits of news however come out
of the ocean with a CHEEKY ring Christmas
is coming, the great English home festival
and its benign influence is felt though
there be such fiery talk abroad of
war to stalk along the Balkans
They do not forget the poor there
either, and in the heaving heart of
mighty London there is an ocean Of thin,
poor blood. We are not pleased to hear
that murder is rife in England, but
until the millennium is reached we must
not be overshocked if man breaks into man q
bloody house." as Shakespeare hath it.
There is latent dislike of hypocrisy in
The New York herald., 1876-12-17

WHEN THE CONTRACTOR who erects a
shocking bad house presents the architects
certificate stating that the work is complete
according to contract it is generally con-
sidered the thing for the unfortunate owner
TO pay the bill and look to profanity for his
sole satisfaction. There is something in our
court reports to-day. however, which arouses
trembling hope that hereafter an architects
decision may be no more final in it's nature
than that of returning board, and that if
what is apparently house turns out to be
only barn or model for a ventilator it
need only be paid for according to what it is.
The New York herald., 1876-12-17

WALL STREET YESTERDAY. On account of
The increase in specie the bank statement
shows gain Of So. 760, 900 over last week in
the surplus reserve. The principal activity
Shore and Michigan Central, due to the
termination Of the railway war. Gold
opened at 107 5-S and closed Mt 1O7 "a, sell
ing meanwhile Mt 107 7-S. Money on call
was supplied ut 1-2 and 5 per cent Gov
eminent bonds were firm.
The New York herald., 1876-12-17


city government. Mayor Ely has now only
to take hold of this vital necessity of the
city in earnest and to insist that the neces-
sary means shall be forthcoming. and the
work will be no longer delayed. Will he do
so?
Mayor Ely is required by the charter to be
vigilant and active in causing the ordi-
nances Of the city and the laws of the State to
be executed and enforced. and he can thus
insist that every department shall discharge
its duties in an efficient and satisfactory
manner This gives him in truth q
city government. There is depart
ment of Buildings, for instance, which,
if it properly enforces the laws,
can do much to protect tho people against
the danger of fires in places of public re-
sort--a danger that has recently been so
terribly illustrated. We mention this only
incidentally as specimen of what Mayor
Ely can do toward giving US an efficient city
government. He can aid the departments
materially in their work, as we'll as enforce
energy and efficiency on their part. Will he
do so?
Comptroller Kelly. as the political and
personal friend of Mayor Ely, can do much
toward making the new administration
brilliant success. The power OF the head OF
the Finance Department is very great even
without being strained and made to interfere
with and infringe upon the duties Of other
II II, Ia tbsa
and the other municipal officers it can be
made useful and benefcent power. In
all the acts we have enumerated as
pertaining to the new Mayors du-
ties Comptroller Kelly can materially
aid He can exercise wise discretion in
literally interpreting laws that are meant to
give the city desirable improvements and to
insure it's progress and prosperity. If the
Mayor can secure for us. through the CO
operation Of the Common Council and the
departments, well paved streets, improved
docks and an unfailing water supply, Comp
promptly paying the city laborers and con-
tractors and removing all financial obstacles
Will he do so?
Comptroller Kelly can save money to the
taxpayers in various ways. He can adopt
broad, liberal and intelligent financial
policy, which we have hitherto lacked. He
can discontinue paying for money for the
city's use one or two per cent above the
regular market rate. He can discharge all
honest city Indebtedness promptly and
without captious opposition, and by
SO doing can insure more favorable
bids from contractors and get all public
work done at more reasonable rates. No
person will work as cheaply for the city as
for private individuals when it is notorious
that they will only get their pay at the end
of long lawsuit. This is the difficulty
under which we have hitherto labored, and
Comptroller Kelly can remove it. The
Comptroller can also save much individual
suffering by promptly paying the salaries
and wages of all who work for the city.
Will he do so?
In word. Mayor Ely, Comptroller Kelly
and all their democratic associates in the
new democratic city government can do
their duty like sensible men and honest,
capable public officers, and the people of
New York expect that they will do SO.
The New York herald., 1876-12-17
WHILE DIFFERENT HIGH TONED bodies were

WHILE DIFFERENT HIGH TONED bodies were
debating about what should be done for
"Ginx's Baby" the poor wretch starved to
death. There is q promise of similar re-
suit from the lack of harmony among the
workingmen's relief committees. The
points Of disagreement are detailed in an
other column, with some information about
the sufferers Any benevolent soul who
wants TO know more can be accommodated
by the magistrates at the Tombs.
The New York herald., 1876-12-17

THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE The engineers Of
The Brooklyn Bridge Company have finished
testing the one hundred pound samples fur
nished by the bidders for the contract of six
million eight hundred thousand pounds of
wire. Mr.. Albert Hill has rather severely
criticised the fundamental formulm upon
which the specifications were based, and also
makes q severe attack upon the mathemati-
cnl work relating to the total stretch" It
appears strange to find in work of such
magnitude as the Brooklyn Bridge errors in
the specifications for the letting of con-
tract. II Mr. Hill. is correct in his state
ment it would be well for Mayor Wickham
aud Mayor Schroeder to look into the mat
ter and see that the taxpayers Of both cities
are protected from failure and consequent
loss that might arise from any fdsco in such
IN important and expensive public work.
The New York herald., 1876-12-17
ADJUSTMENTS TOMORROW.


LYcEUM THEATRE.
RICHELIEU. a, 5 7. NJ. Edwin Booth.
THE scuooy FIFTH Eth 4, AykYaf xS,i rnEarEE T,
wALLACK's THEATRE.
THE shAUGHRAuN. at 5 T. ~
MUsETTE. MsP. NJ. Lo,ta.
MISC y,, re rNioS ,s9%IAKE THEATRE
NEW YORK AQUARIUM.
EowERY THEATRE
REBEL TO THE CORE. atsp. NJ. oliver Doud Byron.
sTEINwAY HALL.
CONCERT ntsPM NJ
GIIMORKs GARDEN
GRAND EoUEsTRiAN FESTIVAL. assr.M.
n,,or cpooGERA.Ssp GRASp OPERA HOUSE.
OLYMPIC THEATRE.
VARIETY AND DRAMA. Mt Z - N.
TONY. PASTORS THEATRE
VARIETY, NsP. VI.
PARTISAN VARIETIES
VARIETY ;. TIvoLl THEATRE.
VARIETY ,,sp NAcLE THEATRE.
SAN FRANCISCO MINsrRELs.
KELLY Icons MINsrRELs,
pKrsrrprcrrA1Euh HThLnE.s Fl I p THEATRE II
COLUMBIA OPERA HOUSE.
VARIETY. ntsP. NJ.
THEATRE coMIQUE
VARIETY, Mt g +. VI.
MASONIC TEMPLE.
cROMWELLS ILLUSTRATIONS. Mt 3 r. VI.
CRITERION THEATRE
VARIETY, at 8 T. M
PHILADELPHIA THEATRES
unrsE kiGHLtss OK yoYaE ~ rr fAEAGs kakHn
NEW NATIONAL THEATRE.
LESP1ONNE FRANCHISE.
The New York herald., 1876-12-17

ONE WOULD SUPPOSE that our city charter
was akin to the constitution Of the United
States by the number Of attempts that are
being made to modify it. On another page
are fcreshadowed some of the onslaughts it
must sustain at Albany this winter. The
Legislature deserves the prayers of the
righteous and the sympathies of the tor
mented.
The New York herald., 1876-12-17

READ COLONEL SALroNsrALL's account of
his Southern trip, and learn how Florida
alligators are not the only voracious animals
in their native land.
The New York herald., 1876-12-17

VIZ PRINT AN INTERESTING description of
the electric light and its possible influence
in subduing gas companies and making
easier the path of the taxpayer.
The New York herald., 1876-12-17
GU AID RU PIE SH EET
NEW YORK. SUNDAY. DECEMBER Il. 1876.

YES are that The 'ceather today ,cW be rery
Iold and clear or partly cloudy.
The New York herald., 1876-12-17

WE PRINT TO-DAY all that is known on
The street about the end of the railroad war,
and readers of judicial turn Of mind will
find enough in the news to occupy all their
snare moments.