davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-16
Mr.. Adams's Proposition.

In view of the calamity at the Ashta-
bula bridge, Mr.. CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS
,Ir., proposes the establishment of "A Ma
tional Bureau of Statistics to make inquiry
into the causes OF every railway accident
that may occur.
a hundred crispod corpses speak to ne,
speak most forciby in their silence, from
under the bridge of Ashtabula, and adj
monish us that something ought to be done
to make travel byral safe.
Is Mr.. ADAMs's plan the best that can be
devisedi We are inclined to think not.
The tendency Of the national Govern
ment, since the beginning of the war, to
absorb everything into its grasp is in itself,
ii seems to us, very objectionable If not
alarming. Hardly anything that the gem
eral Government does is done well. There
is enough, much more than can be done
properly, that necessarily pertains to il;
it is very undesirable that it should under
take extraneous duties. The design of its
founders was that IL should possess but
few and clearly restricted powers. A
National Bureau of Railroad Statistics,
we npprehend, would soon become an asy-
lum for decaycd politicians, as inefficient
as so many sitting hens.
Why should not the several States take
up this matter, each within its own limits 2
For instance, we should ike to see COM
mission of civil engineers appointed in
our own State, with authority not to re-
port on accidents after their occurrence,
but to examine all the railways within the
State limits and report upon their condi-
ton. If n bridge was reported by such n
commission to be unsafe, the company
could hardly afford TO leave it without
suitable Strengthening.
The state Of Ohio might very properly
appoint n commission TO investigate the
Ashtabula disaster, and report whether it
was merely culpahle negligence, or cul-
pable negligence mixed with wiful crime.
If an incorruptblc committee of sufficient
intelligence could be obtained, a great good
might be accomplished.
Meanwhile the subject should not be
dropped till something is done.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-16

The natc committee that has been
holding sessions IA Columbia, s C, to inquire
into the circumstances 4 the recent election,
examined some Interesting witnesses. Among
these were two hog thieves, who swore they mad
20 leave .urens county solely on account Of
their political opinions, when, 10 fact, they were
stl evadng the service OF warrants against
them for stealing swine. They also examined a
notorious house burner, and the negro coroner
OF Edgeheld county, who at the time he gave
his testimony was under indictment for per-
jury, committed In an attempt to defraud tue
owners Of property sold AZ Sheriff. sale out OF
5000. All Of these patriots testified To outrage
Gus intimidation on the part OF Demo-
Gratis. and the Republican majority OF the com
mittee refused to bear evidence In rebuttal Of
their lies.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-16

To THE EDITOR OF The SUN-Sir:
notice with heartfelt sorrow, hy the report IN
The Sun to-day, headed, WHAT "A Phtlosop
says" that George Francis Train, the once
GENIAL genius OF sensation, Is now confirmed
pessimist. "'lis true. It's pity. aud pity lis It's
true" says Shakespeare Polonius in III inlet"
! also perceive that rrain, II anything. Ia even
more determined than scho penhaur was In his
declaration ;htt "evcrythng Is rs bad Us IL can
he"
Now, It matters very little whether George
Francis ram follows Scnopenhhui's pessimist lie
~ jean jacques ROusseau's 49, timistlc or II
for IN" nest' theory. They both result from the
mvafinnie law Of evolution. ~ lswari Krishna
originally shows IN the "Sankya kaukl." or
MEMORIAL Neises on rue SaukuNa Philosophy. a
smtll work, IN mefricil form, divided in + veutv-
two statzi IS IN nscrit, of witch kallla, a
liihdoo who houushrd seye 81 thous lnd We ara
ago Nhe tx ct date unkuovn), IL said to he the
author. Ne douhtle-s r'ad Herbert Spencer
aud lluxl - theory ~ evolution.
The >dnhhDd comurchcuis; |. Tho principles
Of all tbin-s. :. he combinations when result
therclromi 3. me consuumation a. an Things
4 kn wlcdFe ~ the whole l. reduced to twenty
I've pluclple' the first of when Is Nature. tho
root II nll tninss. second priucinlH Is lutelli-
gen e., Jr the great Irincul' the Nrst pro iuct ni
nature, ana ~ IT. turn the producer II other
pUncpies. Ihid lrnciplr l. G. 90 sci Husurs.. , +
the sentiment of inilYiiu NV. Ne. Nr..&r
In the ucginnlug Che cummeutA'N Of The
NWhlDl suy,; " he WHO knows tine tW,niy-N,,
principles. wh-'eNer orier 4 nj" h. m y ",
entered, md Nll thor me wear nrlider h.ur. A
topknot uulv, or he shHveu, d, is iocrlf ed tir.n
exist ucr), Of t.ts there D.. no dOunfI' Ana the
ntv skin c0uVirt SAYS: "rhi. ptulutinn - \ ".
ture from intellect To- the special clements h.,
trriprned tor tho driV'r nee If etcn soul re-
specify 'lN, doue i1r uuutnrr's sac Tor self "
Whatever II l.. Like ho-ets IKE. Nothing hap
leho hN chance. Il =, : IN PERSISTS in his de-
TERMINATION to live ln solitude. like tim n If
Athens, ira hermit "a tho desert, or a n u IN
tue cnuyeni, or IN oyster IN the shell stuck In
the mud under water, let MIN. He IS welcome
20 sHch life. and the happiness ne may derive
thorrirom. But thit is "a stop backward, IN
q n. la ua flt.t
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-16

Tomorrow the Senatorial election in
Massachusetts, comes before the Legislature in
a preliminary vote to be taken In each House,
and on wednesd, " the Legislature will vote on
Joint ballot for a successor to Mr.. BOUTWELL,.
who hopes to be that successor himself. But IL
Is evident that great uncertainty exists In re-
gard to tho choice. and doubts are espresso as
to the sincerity OF the support That BOUTWELL,
counts upon from Gen. BUTLER. The friends OF
Mr.. G.. f. HoAR are, confident that he will he
the chosen man, but outside of his rersonai
allies there are not many who consider his
chances even moderately good, while IL " GER
tain that the nuTLER influence Will be forcibly
exerted to prevent hls election. IL IL said that
Mr. SEELyE does not desire to be considered a
candidate. though he has not said that he would
decline the ONCE II he should be elected; and at
present 1t does not appear that there is much
probability Of his name being pressed for the
place. In the event 81 BOuTwELLs defeat.
which seems moro than probable. there Is a
possibility that Mr.. HoARs friends and the
Democrats may combine upon Gov. BULLOCK,
who would undoubtedly receive strong SUP
port from Independent Republicans If 1t should
appear that ke can be elected.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-16
No Making President by Tossing up
u Penny.

1t is reported on authority good enough
TO be startling that the committees
on counting the electoral votes, appoint
cd by the two Houses of Congress. have
agreed that the subject shah be referred
to novel sort of tribunal, which is to
be endowed with absolute power to deter
mine who has been elected President, To
make this tribunsl, According to the ru-
mors, Ave Senators and five Reprcsun-
respective Houses; and, after they have
been chosen, one of hem, selected by lot
from among the whole ten is to be
dropped, in order that their number may
be uneven To this body Of nine members,
four Justices OF the supreme Court are to
be alded, those beng selected who are OH
est in commission; ana if any one of these
shall decline to serve, the next oldest is 10
be invited to take his place Thus a Ma
ticpal Returning Board Of thirtoen Nom.
bers is TO be formed, in which seven Will
form controlling majority, and by their
decision tho two Houses are to agree be-
lorrhand TO be bound.
The rumor that the two committees have
agreed or arc likely TO lgree upon such a
plan IA this may or may not be entirely
correct; but, whether correct or not,
the scheme is not ono with which the
country will DO contented.
In the first place, the element of chance
should not enter into the settlement OF
this question Law, patriotism, and the
established usages of the Government
should alone determine it. without resort
ing TO any throwing of dice or tossing up
of pennies.
In the second place, it would not become
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-16

I'VE lost tho @lection in November
said "a thoroughgoiug Republican manager
not long ago, "principally through the
wishy-washy talk of the Miss NANcIEs of
our party. Men like CARL SCuURZ and
Others that | could name, went on tho
stump and killed the cause with too much
apologzng. Tho Republican party was
in a bad way. BAucoCK, aud BLLKNAP,
and Boss SHEPHERD were very wicked
men, while GRANT was mono too good.
The party was full Of dishonesty and
corruption. Then the Miss NANCIEs would
pun ont their embroidered pocket hand
kerchiefs and shuttle, aud would wind
up by advising their hearers to vote
for all that dishonesty and corruption.
1t was rs If clearinghouse keeper
should send out runners to say. Come aud
board with us. We have cheerful family
OF gamblers, pickpockets, burglars, and
roughs. You cannot find a pleasanter and
more respectable place TO live in
The party leaders have certainly had no
reason To complain Of the conduct of the
Miss NASCIEs since tue eth of November.
CARL ScHCRz especially has apparently
shut his eyes tight to all the in
fanny that Is IN progress. Among all the
gentlemen who conferred last May at tho
Filth Avenue Hotel on tho necessity of
political reform, not one Republican has
dared to protest against the conspiracy into
which the party las been dragged by lis
worst elements.
Up to the time of his nomination NJ Gin
cinnan, GOV. HAYES ranked ms q Ni,,
NANcY in the estimation Of leaders like the
frank Republican quoted above. Now he
l. ~ .lInntlN .uhrnI - We ~ In. Mt
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-16

Mr.. GIBBS, who keeps what is called a
dairy restaurant In town, said az a temperance
meeting on sunday that ait was d ficult 20 find
a sober reporter or editor connected with the
press Of this city" This is startling statement,
and, II true, reveals a sad state OF things among
our newspaper people. Our own observation,
however. does not confirm its truth. We have
seen botn editors and reporters who were not
sober, but a. to finding sober ones, we have not
experienced great 01lcuiy. stl, JAY GouLD's
rum shop may be too assiduously pa onzed by
the young men who write Tor newsp pers. They
may mink int rum viii 1--WE them wit. but II
nature has deprived them OF ide.s. ulcohol
viii not supply the deficiency. Every ludicious
editor will always squeeze the whi-kcy out Of
the articles which may be submitted to him.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-16

Tho cattle and other live animals on
their way from the West to our shambles, have
had hard time II 1t during the snow storm of
the last week. The roads have been blocked,
the stock cars are showed w, aud the beasts
are detained on the journey, while great num-
bers Of tho sufferers are crowded together at
Buffalo, awaiting transportation eastward. The
remnant Of their days Is fun Of sorrow, and the
meat will not be 30 good in consequence Of
their trials. Cattle do not enjoy car travel I'M
der the best circumstances they prefer to
mediate in pastures or at stalls and the I'M
usual delays and hardships Of the last week OF
ten days must have been very wearing on them.
However, man and beast both are doomed to
suffering. and the cattle, at least, were not
burned up at the Asbtabula bridge to save the
railroad monnN.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-16

the Supreme Court or any of its mombers
to intervene extra judicially in this matter.
That court has its proper functions, and
the canvass of the electoral votes Is not
one of them.
The Constitution makes manifest that
this question must. be settled by the Senate
and House Of Representatives acting to-
gether, yet each preserving its indepen-
dcnce as regards the other. A Returning
Board organized by casting lots would bo
very absurd substitute for the method
of the Constitution.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-16

In worldly point Of view the Mormons are
hiynly prosperous The COMMUNITY central store.
which has a6 at hundred branches last year dh a
bus ness over $1,000 uODi capita Is highly rcmuue.
and commands return Of IL 10 pr cent per
month, double the Amount Of nrst-cass collateral
nut W as secutiiy.-kmcr Sepaen HuSseI Ia ne Lam
caster EJ uniner
Elder MUssER jsproves bis own proposition.
No people can be prosperous when mon y Ia
worth ~ to 2 per cent. month among ,hem.
such rates of interest are often paid bv desper-
ate men ON the verge OF bankruptcy, but never
by those whose capital is solid aud whose busi-
ness Is safe.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-16

A Washington detective who was picked
out to do the practical part Of the plot OF MuR-
TACH and sECOR RoBEsON for blackmailino Mr..
WHIITnoRNE, was yesterday examined by tho
House Investigating Committee. He cotrobo-
rated the testimony Of Major RICHARDS, the
chief OF Police ana also testified to the impor-
tnnt fact that he went to GRANT with another
detective at tho time when the President de-
mandcd the designations OF the Washington Po-
lice Board. and gave him the full details Of tho
matchmaking coma piracy, In order to prevent the
reappolntment OF MURTAGH. Yet GRANT. as
we know. retained the scurvy MuRrAGH. The
witness was asked what the President said In
tho Interview. but for the present was permit
ted not to reply to the question. 1t Is enough
for to-day, however. TO know that GRANT kept
MuurAGH. spite of his knowledge OF his VIII
lainy though there Is nothing surprising In the
act, flr 1t IL IN Keeping With GRANTS previous
dealings with such fellows. Besides, MURTAGH
undertook the tlAckmhiling job for the benefit.
and probably At tue instance, Of GRANTS CaOi-
net onIcer, ROBrsON.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-16

less grasp, HAYES can have no chance of
being declared President on the 18th Of
next month.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-16

II seems that there are three ZACu
CHAMBERS. ZACH CHANDLER. the Hepublicln
politci u and conspiritor. does things whicn
ZACH tnASDLER. the Cabinet officer, declines to
reveal. on the ground of privilege; while the
third ZACH iHANDLER wauder- around the
streets II Washington late ~ ntgnt, armed with
a rse pistol ami calling IN a terror-inspirns
voice for DION POTT
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-16

Advertisements FOR THE WEEKLY Sr-N, is
trcd to-morior i1orrhlj. must DC handed IL this
rcHing before sir O'clock.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-16

WANT HiS 'HhtH loilg Sl'pi uiNECIOuS
md alarming, toward prccipitatinga revo-
luton in New Orleans. against the lawful
Government, by military force
There is Il state Government there, of
which Gov. NICHOLS is the head, elected
by the people, supported by them. obeycd
by them, firmly established, working
In every department, enforcing order
through its officers, administering justice
through the courts, and sustained by
lawful legislature. Gen. GRANT has issued
III order, guarded in its terms, but far
reaching in its implications, which indi-
Gates his determination TO overthrow this
Government by the army OF the United
States.
There is fraudulent usurp alton there
with PACKARD at its head, which dare not
show Itself III public, has thus far secured
safety by taking refuge in for
tilted State House, is totally destitute
OF authority and power in New Orleans
or any other part of the State, and is
islaiure which has been falling to pieces.
Gen. GRANTS order directs that this
usurpaiion shall be recognized and upheld
by tho Federal officer in command at New
Orleans.
The object and scope Of his order must
be INTERPRETED through the proclamation
which PACKARD issued Immediately after
its receipt.
II was during the sacred hours Of last
sabbath day that GRANr, doubtless after
consultation with CnAADLLn and CAM
ERoN. telegtaphed the order in question
from Washington to New Orleans.
lie hurried it OF, because if he had not
done so there would very soon have been
no bogus Government and no pretender TO
the Office of Governor for him TO support.
PAcKARD's downfall was at hand, and
herewith the sham named after him
would have disappeared. But for
GRANTS Interference, it is more than like
ly that the dispute which has so long dis
tracted Louisiana would have been peace
ably settled yesterday or to-day, and not q
citizen OF the State would have offered any
obstacle TO the exercise Of Gov. NICHOLS
authority. 1t was at the very time when
things were about TO be adjusted in an or
deily and lawful way that GRANT stepped
in as II sirrer-up of strife. He himself had
promi.e that he would adhere to the policy
of non-iut,rfereuco, but he flung lis prom
ises 10 the Winds
As soon as PACKARD obtained GRANT' ;
Sunday order, directing Gen. AUGuR to
recognize the bogus Government, uphold
the runp Legislature, and disregard the
Supreme Com. Of the State, PACKARD Is
sued his Proclamation ordering the lawful
Legislature to dispense, menacing the law
full authorities with the pains and penal
flies Of the law, and commanding them to
surrender to him the arms in their keep
ing. soon after putting out this proc
lamation, he sent his agents to demand
possession Of the Court Houses and other
pun oihcesi pul' us Il nl"tler Oh COURSE
they were met with prompt and peremp-
tory refusal
lie knows they will not be surrendered,
except to force lie knows he cannot
obtain IN New Organs or ia the State
The force required Tor that purpose
But then GHANr has ordered Gen. AUGUR
to "reoo@nAe PAcKAHp's authority and
thorels no doupi lhalFAokAhp VIII call INTO
r'qu'siioh mo fed'ral troops under Cen
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-16

II appears that the preachers also are
suffering from tho hardness Of the times, and
are In many vi 'ces having their salaries LARGELY
reduced. 4 re ,llv doleful account Of the situa-
ton In which many Of them are placed is given
In the Port Jcrvi. Gdzcttc. The Mothodists In
the PENNSYLVANIA town of Milford are not to
have regular preacher at all this year, bee use
they c,nnot support MIN. 4 large number ~
the churches Of the New rk Methodist Confer
ence are unable to pay the salaries demand
ed by the preachers. From other localities
II Is reported that churches feel COM
PEELED to ask the privilege OF doing
without" regular preaching for year or so.
Such reports are coming IN from many parts OF
the country. Wei, what are the preachers to
do. when they find themselves out OF their
churches, or have their wages cut DOWN. They
cannot stand byand see this wicked world run
from bad to worse, for the lack of preaching,
and they cannot obtain salaries which their
hearers are unable to pay. We fear that some
OF them will have to do as the early preachers Of
Chrstiauity did. when they were glad OF the
privilege Of promulgating the Gospel on very
small incomes indeed This, Of course, will not
he So agreeable as the enjoyment OF the lat Of
the land on easy terms, out we can suggest "A 9TH
Ing better.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-16

rooih's Theatre DAN D-iee
Fewer, Thentrc The Two orphan.
Frris Thcntrc-vNeiy.
Egy ptian Hail as e., naaf Nav. Mahns.
INA Avenue Theatre Lemlna
Grand 0pcrn House Divorce.
tiimort'. Garden o. iu r. Ne
Heller. Wonder Thsat OPP. New York lioti
Nell, a T. on'- Min-ircl. -!sd g., aeM 81 Az.
Iyceum nire--ii,nsL
Nibio's Cardtn-irrns
New american uu-eum-ioi nowerv.
New York Aquarium Broadway AMI lifi IT,
Now Broadway Ilcrlrc -racle Toms calm.
PARK Theatre -Iae MuD. ii.ut
ran frunci.co iinsirci. Bf.sivv AMI 9'nr.
1fcnttc 'omiauc N.fHr.
Tony Pastor. New Theatre .v,,i,,y. Matinee,
Union sturrc ihcntr Mic fiuiton.
Nnlinok'- Theatre fartMd.n Fruit
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-16

Of Representatives, the Circuit Courts are re-
lieved from all responsibility. and have only to
yield obedience to the judgment Of the highest
tribunal I'm the state.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-16
An damn Cnhlc IiroLcn.

The Anglo-Amercan Cable lad in 1860, was
broken On saturday, Tue precise place of the fau Is
lpl yci SHOWN out Is suppD.ed 10 BE- 1870 miles from
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-16

II THpES wins. It Is by rum in New York and
reNVlytrs IL the south NciiieH Ptiilips.
As usual Mr.. PuIILIPs Is partly right and
partly wrong. Rum and revolvers have had
something to do with the defeat Of the Repub-
lcan party For further particulars inquire at
the White House and at the War Department.
Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1877-05-05

AIRS. DR.. p. F. STEPHENS, THE
Nl greatest astrologist, clairvoyant physi-
clan and test medium o. the age has arrived
and can be consulted at her rooms on South
penter's livery stable. Past, present and fu-
ture truthfullv delineated. Special attention
given to tho afflicted. Charges reasoable.
ap4-1m
The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1877-04-28
A Remarkable Priest

A French Journal says that a ia
nous French surgeon, lately decealsed'
who was brusque and unp"lls1ied'
found, on entering his house t one gay gay,
an old priest who had oeen 'ons
waiting his return. "What do yoo
want Of me y II want you to look
At this" meekly rejoined the priest
taking off an old vooI'en cra'a!,
Which revealed upon the nape OF Ills
neck a hideous tumor. "YouIl nave
to die with that" cody remarked the {,
surgeon. II thank YOU Doctor,
simply replied the priest, te t,'';a"S
bis cravat, land | am m y co'' .;Ss
to YOU for warning me, for t can pre- pre-,
rafe myself; as we'll as my Poor! par :,
iShio;nsrss, Milo love me vary mucn:'
TGe S;a il y who was neveE aston aoo,
| i;hsd AZ great things, LOOKED on ac upon
| {bYS bbfFiiesst,; Who received bis death
tSa&h{EtftItSte 1n'mo7edy with amazemcnt'
The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1877-04-28

and said, "Come tomorrow, at eight
o'clock, to the Hotel Diru, and ask
iov me. The priest was prompt. The
surgeon procured fr: him Il special
room, and in a mouth the man went
out cured. When leaving he took
out of his sack thirty francs in small
change. at is all have to offer you,
1octor,' he said | came here on
foot from Roucn in order to save this"
The doctor looked at the money,
smiled, and drawing a handful of gold
from his pocket, put it in the bag
along with the thirty francs, saying,
Its for your poor" and the priest
went away. Some years later the
Surgeon, feeling death to be near,
hetloryht him of the priest, and
wrote to him. He came at once, and
the surgeon received at his hands
the last consolation Of religion.
The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1877-04-28

A punstcr was once thrust into q
closet with the threat that he would
not be released until he made pun
Almost simultaneously he exclaimed,
"O-pun the door"
Josh Billing says: "Hhe mewl ia
a larger bird than tho gnso or turkey,
II has two legs to walk with, and
two more to kick with, and wears Its
wings on the side of its he'd"
Pat Maginnis has a very st"hbor,s
mule, which he calls "O'd M"sAet.
On being asked why lie gave the
mule that name he said, "Because tho
stubborn beast won't 80 otf.wlthout a
kick"
The Cincinnati Commercial mar
says: "Afica produces the most un'
dressed black kids"
One touch Of rheumatism make"
the whole world aching.