davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-19
RIILHOAD SCI CEIIIES.

If the world ID; gins to diStrIlSt American
railway Socurlca, we can neither complain
nor wonder Almost every week important
annual reports appear, which are 80 vague
aid incXplicahlc as To Justify The aSscr-
ton that language WAS invented in order
to conceal ideas. The recent decisions of
the Supreme Cont, in themselves by
no means a feather, have been added to a
loal already too heavy, and the Intelligent
foreigner who knows what wild and semi
barbarOus measures have been adopted by
Legislatures in some of the States, and
in some still exist, must he pardOned if
he views with alarm the exposure of all
railway property to possible cOntiscatiOn by
the action of State Legislatures. Unhappiy,
too, American railway enterprise has wOOed
foreign capital, and it has loved not wisely
but too well. The losses by investment in
such enterprises have been prodigiOus. Even
the startling figures recently quoted from The
RdilWdy Age do not adequately set forth the
magnitude of the disaster. Not merely ST.
100000, 600, or 80 per cent of the capital re-
ported as invested i'll railways, is wholly I'M
"productive to investors" but much larger
sum. What wonder, then, that The London
Times and Economist give frank expression TO
the prevailing distrust in foreign markets?
According to Poor's Manual for last year, only
100 ont of G91 railroads paid any dividends
in 1876. But u very large proportion OF
these, namely, 1O3, paid comparatively small
dividends; the aggregate thus paid by all these
roads was only $lj,000,000, or less than 4
per cent on their capital stock. Only 60 roads
paid large dividends, and by these few roads
about four-filtls of the entire amount paid by
all railways in the country to stockholders was
disbursed. Now the later and even more I'M
welcome fact is that Of these more fortu-
nate roads several have become bankrupt,
Others have ceased to pay dividends,
Others still have reduced their payments, and
the aggregate payment by the 81 roads this
year will be not more than $47, 500, 900,
against $59,347,1S1 last year. loss Of 20
per cent. The New-Jersey Central and some
minor roads have gone into the hands of re-
ceivers the Reading. Delaware and Hudson,
and others are watched with anxiety and of
the 81 roads which paid handsome dividends i'm
1886 only 81 are now paying dividends at all.
These companies operate IL 300 miles of road
and their capital stock is S577,31 $50, while
their latest reported dividends are at such rates
as to yield only 81 100000 during ,he cur
rent year. If these, the very best and strong
est, have been forced to reduce dividends to
this extent, the other dvidend-paying roads,
which paid about $15 100000, cannot pay
this year more than $l2,0OO,OO0. Thus we
have for the year dividends amounting TO
only 500, 100000, upon a capital stock of
$9O5, 100000. while companies operating
5000 miles of road, and having a capital
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-19
LIFE INSURANCE OFFICERS.

The affairs of the Continental Life lnsur-
ancc Company certainly needed all the over
hauling they are getting. The legal proceed
ings are still somewhat complicated and the
issue of some of the suits cannot he
readily foret0ld. Enough has already
been developed to show that the man
agement was not only loose but
vicious Not all at once, says the old
proverb, do men become utterly base In its
earlier years no doubt the officers of that
company meant to act honestly. Their errors
then were of kind that might be classcd as
imprudence. and as such be forgiven. The
company was born in the hot era
of speculation at the close of the
war. Even tie soberest of mercantile mon
were at that period little wild in their cal
cnlations. Business poured in upon the young
concern. Promises that could only have been
carried out if the inflated condition of affairs
had continued, were freely made and of course
bad eventually to be broken. lDjudicous in
yestments were the rule in that era. The
Continental swan with the tide, and
when the tide changed found itself at sea.
Its officers then recognized the danger of its
position. From that time forward its history
is one of desperate shifts and expedients.
Toward the last, il now appears that the OH
GERS themselves became desperate. and some
of their transactions can only be compared
with the madness Of gamester who snatches
the stakes which his cards fail to win.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-19
Jnacx TO ADVERTISEMENTS.


AuusEMgSTs- pa0t-5th and 9th columns
BANNING HOUSES AND BANKERS-7h Pdqe-6tn coluun'
BoARp ASH RooMs-7M Page 9Th column.
ErsINEss NOTICls-4N PdGe-1st column.
BUSINESS CnANCES-3d P0Gc-2d column.
DlvIDESD NOTICEs-7H Edge-6th column.
DRY GooDs-3d Pd6c-2d and 4th columns
FINANCIAL tn FdOr-5th and 9th columns
TCRSITURt- IA Pd0e-Gth column
HorELs-7M I00e-Gth cOrlmn 49,
Houses AND FARMS WANTED-6h PdGc-4tD Column
ICE CREAM-1h Idgc-6th column.
INsTRrCTlOS- 6M IIge-ls and I'd columns.
LECTURES AM, MEETINGs-3d Pd0e-6tb column.
MARRIAGES AND DEATIls-Jth fG0e-bth column.
MuIISTRY-6h Pdge-5th column. o.,
MisCKLLANEous-G Pdge-4th column; Sh la5c-oth
column. -
MUSICAL lSsTRUMENTs-6h Pdqe-2d column.
NEW PUBIICArIoNs-6fh fdOe-1st column. -
REAL ESTATE For SsLB-tITY-Ott IdQe-3h coiuinh
BROOKIYN-Gh PdOC-3d column; COUNTkl-OM Fc-c
80 and 4th columns; AUCTION SALES-oW RUG
4th column.
SALES By AuCTIoT- Gu Pdqe-5th column.
SPECIAL NOTICES 5M PdGe-Gth column. 49,,
sIInATIJSs WANTED MAILS 81 Pd0e-4th ana ON
columns; FEnALEs-3d Pd0e-Jih and 9th columns
STEAMBnATS AND RAILROAD 9Th Fdgt-9th CotdHiA'
srrAarus OCEAN On Pd1c-21 and Sd columns.
1EACHERs-6h Pdq'-2d column. 49, -,
To IIT-ClT PROPERTY - 6h PdGc-4th column
BRoOKLYX-6h P0ge-ith column; CoUNrEf-o" '"'e
-4th column.
WINTER REsoETs-7h PaGe-Gh column
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-19

stock of 81 ,293, OOo,o 900, pay no dividends
whatever.
The Rai1,ray Age has shown that 3O.7 per
cent of all railway bonds outstanding have de-
faulted within few years. About $S14,OOO,-
600 moro has thus been rendered unpro-
ductve. Though some part OF this sum may
be recovered, the situation which investors
contemplate with gloom, if not with anger, Is
substantially this: Out of $4,363, 100000
represented by railway bonds and stocks,
about So, los, 900, 900 will this year return no
earnings whatever to the investor. At least
for the time about One-half of the capital
thus invested is proftless, barren, and practi-
caly dead. A large part of it will never
yield anything; another part Will yield
only after delay and greater or less
sacrifice by investors. Excessive railway
building reckless speculation, and dishonest
management have done much to bring Ameri-
can railway specuations into disgrace; fraud
ulcnt reports have also done much and now,
to the foreign investor new cause OF alarm
is added in the recent decision, which appears to
him to remove the last barrier of protection for
railway property against the ignorance or ra-
pacity of Legislatures. To those who nope to
sustain faiiing railways by new foreign loans
the prospect is by no means encouraging. But
the cloud has its silver lining. For the cOun-
try as a whole it will be all the better that
old losses and mismanagcments can no longer
be concealed by creating now debts. The load
is quite large enough already.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-19

Two recent pamphlets mako material additions to
the slight knowledge We have of one of the earlier
and more romantic figures in the war of the RevOlu-
ton. Gen. Cullum prepared brief biographical
sketch of Major-Gen. Richard Montgomery for the
authors and antquarians who gathered in Philadel-
pIia last Summer This deals somewhat critically
with Montgomery's brief aud brilliant military rec
ord. Another sketch enriched by everything valu-
able which the carefully treasured private CORE
spondence OF the family could furnish, has been pre-
pared with equal grace and painstakng
care by tho flal hands of the fair lady
to whom Montgomery Place has descended. This
is Of special interest from the gmpSes it gives Of
the Generals private life and the manners and feel
ing of the times. There is here and there slight
discrepancy between the two accounts, az, for in-
stance where it is asserted in the one that Gen.
Montcomery's dead body was carried from the field
ut Quebec by Benedict Arnold, while the other
shows that this could not have occurred. But after
all the person whom both these pamphlets leave most
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-19
LOOK OFT FOR YOUR RFLA7ITFSl

LOOK OUT FOR lOIR RfLd ~ RS!
COMPARATIVELY few in this city or elsewhere
have 81 100000 to devise, as old Joseph
Lewis (of IIobOken) had. Few like him, IN
default of heirs at law, would bequeath that
sum of money to the United States OF America,
as Joseph did. But if there Is anybody with
property to leave who is about to publish and
declare his last will and testament, and to
give the money to hospitals or churches or
missions or tract societies or Bible societies or
TO other strangers, it will be well for that
person to remember that there does not exist
upon the face OF the earth at this time a single
human being without an heir at law either in
the ascending or descending line, or 60 speak
legally in this way, that way, or some other
way.
OF course old Joseph Lewis had niece with
out knowing it. Aud, OF course, he being de-
funct, she has now made her appearance,
weeping for her dear Uncle Joseph and claim
ing the whole Of the money winch alone can
assllage the giIef of her great bereavement.
Ii is useless to tell her that her uncle was
extremely anxious in his old age to have the
National Debt paid off, and bequeathcd his
million toward that desirable end. Nleces
under such circumstances do not care much
foy the National Debt. Their views of finance
are lively, but personal and not public They
see no reason for allowing the fortune TO go
10 Uncle Samuel, whose avuncular title Is
merely honorary and iigilratvc. \ niece Is
better entitled to inherit than all imaginary.
lncoIp0real uncle. Most of us would be Of
the same mind, for the sake of magnificent
million.
Admitting that the niece is a genuine niece,
a phrase or two III Joseph Lewis's will would
have saved trouble. He might have said:
- Item. also give and bcQueath to my beloved
niece the sum of ore dollar, 10 be to her
paid by my executors as aforesaid" &c., &c.
Or thus a. am not sure that l have any
"nieces, but if, after my dccease any person
$50 related should be discovered, | hereby
"give and bequeath to her the sum of one
dollar, to be paid to her by my said execu-
"tors upon proof to them satisfactory OF her
"consangllinity." Or thus "IO each of my
"rrlativcs. if | have any, upon proof OF Their
consequently as aforesaid, hereby direct
"my said executors To pay the sum OF hVe
"dolais." The mOrbund about to constitute
thc United State, sole logatce of their prop
cfty will hereafter do well to observe these
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-19
TIE CHICO .DISSiCRE.

The story of the wholesale murder OF China
men near Chico, Butte County, California, by
a gang of whites, is about as diSlgrecable and
discouragng as any which we coud receive
from that quarter. Five Chinese agriculturlsts
were set upon in the night and their sleep by
the whites, were shot dead, and their cabin
set on fire. They seem to have given no
proyocation except that OF working on the
land. This act of cruel violence has created
great excitement in the neghborhOOd. We are
clad TO say that the citizens of the place have
behaved very WELL and are doing what they
can to bring the aSsassins t0'Jistlce. IL APP
pears that there Is secret society III Call
fornia called the Order of the CHucasians, and
there is a strong disposition to hold it re-
spOnsiblc for this as well rs for lesser outrages
upon the Chinese Meanwhile 1t must be OBJ
served that the prosecuted race shows no dis
position to submit quietly to wrong. The
Cinnamon of Chico have sent deputatiOn to
San Francisco to procure $1,000 from the
Chinese companies, to be offered IA reward
for the apprehension and conviction OF the
murdererS.
Whatever may be the best opinion respect
ing the Chinese question III California, good
citizens there can have but one mind ab0A
crimes against the person or property OF the
obnoxious race. A few more Outrages like
this, and the sympathy of the whole country
will be not only with the outraged, but with
all their kith and KIN. 1t is hard that the
rational and humane adjustment of delicate
and difficult question should be thus embar-
rassed by the murdcrous interference of the
ignorant, passionate, INSCRIPTIONS, and blood
thirsty. However, we have great confidence
in the general good sense of the California
community. This is shown in the indignation
which the Chico affair has created, and we be-
lieve that a point has been reached beyond
which those inclined to resort to h0mcidal
force will hardly dare to 20.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-19
THE NEWS THIS NORNIhG.

TORrIGN-Gen. IgnatiCff will remain in England
until Thursday. 60 Bosnian deputatlOn Is on
it's way to ask the aid of the Car. - Betting IS
two to one in favor of the Oxford crew. -|- Stnor
Iglesias has issued a manifesto claiming tn" MeNi-
Gan Presidency. == The lnternatonaliStS have
made a demonstration in Bernc. - The French
Legislature is to be proroGucd on the oath inst
DoMrsnC-Frederick Douglass's nomination as
Marshal is confirmed; several Democrats voted for
him. - Gen. Grant will 90 abroad in May to
remain for two years - Mr.. Conant is not inl-
plicated in the Treasury scandal.
CITY AND SUBURBAN.-The steamer Rusland from
Antwerp went ashore at Long Branch, but all the
passengers were saved. == -. PatricKs Day was
celebrated with professions ard banqucts. --
Gen. Sherman made striking speech on
the army. = A rejected lover at Newark
stabbed the woman who rejected him and shot HIM
self -- Gold, 1914, 1913, 1913. Gold value
of the legaltender dollar at the close, $3.50 cents
Stocks active and lower, closing without recovery.
The WTArHeR.-TRIBUNE local observations indi-
cate clear and cold followed by somewhat warmer
and threatening weather. Thermometer yesterday
IL, %, 16'.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-19

NJ lie Vcrricr has not given up his hope Of discoy-
ering al intra- Mercurial planet. According to his
calculations, there is chance of transit of the
doubtful planet over some part of the suns disk on
March 22. While few of our astronomers share the
belief of VI. lie Verrier, all Of them who have the
opportunity Will doubtless scan the solar surface
with unusual care on the DIST, ODD, and Odd inst
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-19

An Appcndir Of 16 pages, embodging the teri
fensire account of tie proceedings connected 'rh
the electoral count, is nor ready, accompanying
the ftH edition Of The TRIBUNE ALMANAC
Price Of the almanac, wih AppendiT, trcnty-hre
CENTS per copy, postpaid. Fire copies Jor one
dollar.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-19

DAILY TRIBUNE, Mail Subscribers. Sl0por ann'nn.
SRNI-WEEKIy TRIBUNE. Mail Subscribers. 81 per an.
WEEKLY tribune. Mail Subscribers, 81 per anhuii'
Terms cash in advance
Address. TIE TRIBUNE. Nrw-fnrE.
Persons unable 10 obtain THE TRIBUNE N dngo Tue
GAINS Boats or hotels IN rhch usually SoF H con-
r Jdr0r bv iafoimnO this once OF TIC circumstances
town advertisers can eavo favors for THE rEUN
~ 233 Broadway 3lsts OF sos W 2Jdst cor olh'e
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-19

recent decision of the Supreme Court has fur
nished the opportunity for q square meal to those
legislators who furnishing for propitous invita-
tons for the exercise of rctrcnchment and reform.
Our harbor masters have always been paid for their
services in tonnage dues-a direct tax levied upon
the commerce of the port. The constitutional right
to collect such tax has always been denied, but
scos of the powers of annoyance possessed by thcs
officials, merchants have hitherto paid the dues
rather than escape from the exaciOn bv the thOrny
pathway of legal contest But ut last test case,
brought before the Judges has been decided in favor
of commerce. aud the harbOr masters are left with
good deal more jurisdiction than emOlument For
tunaicly, certain affairs under control of the
Dock Department constituted are intrusted
to officers who Of necessity must traverse the ter
ritory over which the harbor masters have had range
and these officers coud perform all the duties with
which the harbor masters are charged without any
additional expense 20 the city or the State. The
Legislature will therefore DO relieved from the
guli3h of voting any money out of the treasury to
maintain supernumerary board of officials, our tax
burened commerce can be relieved of imposition,
and the business of this abnormal body can be
transacted under the supervision of the department
where it naturally belongs.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-19

better luck next Summer are decldedly slln.
Gen. Ignatieff has concluded his diplomatic
Journey by visit to London, where he has
been very cordially received in official circles.
The protocol which he negotiated at Berlin
has been virtually accepted and hopes are
entertained that Russia will use it to retreat
from the warlke attitude she had assumed.
1t is significant, however. that the Russian
organ at Brussels holds that the new agree
ment does not bind either Russia or Turkey
to dsam The document is step In the di-
rection of peace, but until Russia disperses the
immense army she has maSsed on the RoIl-
manian frontier, war will continue imminent.
Gen. Smith, President of the Police Board,
makes the recent degradation Of the Wall-st
detectives a timely test lie shows elsewhere
the necessity for action by the Legislature
which will put the detective bureau really
under the control of the Commissioners. 1t Is
impossible to get frst-class men for patrol
mans nav, and usually impossible to get men
who can withstand temptation on small sal
airy. The bill for whose passage Gen. Smith
argues is row before the Legislature, was
before it last year, will lie before IL
next wear from present appearances. Inc
revelations of the past week, however, ought
TO bc sufficient to insure the enactment OF at
least so much of the Police bill as will allow
The Commissioners to organize detective
force on their own plan. When the officers
placed in special charge of the great interests
of Wall-St are found to be in collision with
the thieves they were set to watch, If Is time
to break up a system of which the Commits
sioners have SO long urged the Legislature to
relieve them. If our lawmakers leave Jhls
duty again undonc, they will sin with Their
eyes OUpn.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-19
omnssmsuts ano Alfstinss Co Night.

ACADEMY OF Tannhauser.' Nine. Pappen-
helm. - :,
BooTus THKNTER-" A Trip TO the Moon"
EAGLE THEAIER-" Nine. EATchduc.' Aimee
FIFTH AVENUE THEAIER.-" London Assurance
NEW BROADWAY THEATER.-" Medea"
OLYMPIC THEATER-" Jack and Jill" .
PARK THF ATER.-" our Boarding House,"
FRANCISCO MINsTRELS
Tony PASTORS NEW THEAIER.-Varlctv.
Union SQUARE, THRATER.-" The Daniche1s."
WAILACKs THEATKR.-" My Awful Dad"
UFIIER's WONDER THEATER-Magical and Musical Per-
Torrance. -. -,
METRopoIrTAS MUSEUM OF ART.-Castellani Collection
NEw-YoRK AoUARIUM-Day aud Evening.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-19

place goes without saying. 1t makes it all the
harder to think that lightning seldom strikes
twice in the same place, and the chances OF
better luck next Summer are decidedly SLIM
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-19

The latest attempt to convert young
woman to matrimony by means of murderouS
weapons will probably result in the death OF
the man and not of the girl. For once, the
bullet used discrimination.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-19

Mr.. Bristow is vindicatcd from his mules
This prccipitates the opportunity OF Nh W
II. Barnum's life.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-19

Mr.. Douglass's confirmation marks new
era in the Democratic party, at least When one
Democratic Senator boasts that neither he nor
any of his family ever held slave, and when
another VOWS that he will give the Republican
Administration a steady support, the old days
have gone by. When the carpct-bagger and
the Bourbon combine, these men will associate
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-19

There are some forms of delu8ion which live for
ever. For instance, the fools in various parts OF
the country who claim Horace Greeley as an
advocate of the greenback intercOnvertlbe bond,
have been brayed in the mortar scores of
times and yet their folly has not departed
from them. correspondent writes us from
Michigan that the greenback men in those
parts are still claiming Mr.. Greeley one Of them
selves, and are circulating Qarbled extracts from
some of his editorials distorted to give color to their
statements. What Mr.. Greeley did advocate was
gold 3.6J bond, about as unlike greenback
3.G5 bond as Horace Greeley was unlike
q roaring rcpudiatiOnst. His own words, in
one Of the few articles in which he advocated this
theory, were" bonds drawing an annual interest
of $4,000 in coin " and, again, he speaks in the same
article Of making grecnbacks convertible at
pleasure into bonds bearing a moderate gold in
terest." The fact is that, so far from having any
sympathy with the wild schemes of inAationists
and grecnbacl men, Mr. Greeley was one of the
earliest. most Incorporating and most persistent
advocates of specie payments. The war had hardly
ceased to fill the public ear with the clash Of arms
before he lifted up his voice for immediate resump-
zion. This view he continued to assert in season and
ont of season, and he a candidate for
the Presidency in the last year of bis life,
on a platform which declared "a speedy re-
turn to specie payments" to be demanded
alike by the highest considerations of commercial
morality and honest government" Facts like these
ought TO be sufficient to save from further insult the
memory of one who. while he lived, was never sus-
pcctcd of willingness to aid in betrayal of the
public faith
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-19
Business Nontss.
PIPER-H EIDsIECK
and
II. PIPER & cos sec
CHAMPAGNE.

Sold by ali grocers and wine merchants throughout inc
United States aud Canada