davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21

Advantage OF Good Excise Law.
The resolutions of the mass meeting last
night strongly Endorsed an equitable excise
law, deplored the loss of the excise
moneys to the public charities, de-
nounced the operations of the present
Excise and Police boards, and declared
that both the democrats and republicans OF
New York demand a good law at the hands
of the next Legislature. There can be no
question OF the expediency of prompt action
by the next Legislature to relieve the me-
tropolis from it's present uncertain and
deplorable condition in regard to the
liquor business. The law OF 1857 now in
operation has been repeatedly pronounced
by State Legislatures MS untitled for New
York, and its provisions have been set aside.
1t is now restored by an accident Of omis-
sion in the laws by which it was succeeded,
but it is less adaptable to the city now than
it was ten years ago. Under it, while we
do not promote temperance, we ruin an
important and respectable business inter-
business men, encourage law breaking
and offer premium on police dishonesty.
Above all, We fail to put stop to the illegal
traffic in spirits, while at the same time we
strip the splendid charitable institutions Of
the city OF the money they receive from the
fees paid by those who desire to pursue
legalized liquor business.
Fanaticism and crime, in this matter as
in many Others go hand in hand. The dis
honest man, who will evade any law and
never pay license fee, joins with the blind
fanatic in denouncing o new excise law.
He does not desire to break up the
present confusion, which enables him the
more easily to violate the law. He now has
companions and sympathizers in his offence,
who, if we had a fair excise law, would con-
denim and denounce him. 1t is not the
bucket-shop keeper and the disreputa-
BILE rum-hole proprietor who want q
good license law. These men are as
earnest shouters for the law of 1857 as the
most jealous Of the mistaken temperance
apostles. The respectable dealers agree
with Mr.. Beecher in desiring fair license
law, and they care not how stringent its
provisions may be made. They are
ready to pay their license fees and
to obey tho law, and when the liquor BUSH
ness is in the hands Of such men and tho
police do their duty honestly and steadily
we shall soon find an improvement in the
morals Of the city and tho cause of temper
ance will score substantial victory.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21

1869, that. first, Congress has power at any
time to issue irredeemable promises to pay |;
and, second. that q State is competent to
prescribe the price which one man may
charge another for labor done. If it should
now decide that municipal corporation,
having borrowed money and engaged to
pay q certain rate Of interest, may there
upon retain q part of that interest on the
plea of taxes, it is perhaps not too much to
say that these conclusions, carried into
effect by ON unprincipled majority, would
leave the most besotted Communist very
little to sigh for.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21

The WEATIIER.-Thc rain belt extended yes
tcrday as OH the previous day, from the Missouri
Valley to the Atlantic, with little change in the
conditions, except rs to pressure over the lower
lakes and New England States, u decided rise
being observable in the latter district. In the
Southwest and chiefly on the Texas coast the
pressure fell quite rapidly, with increasing cast
erly winds, marking the development of .
cyclonic disturbance, which is likely to sweep
Along the Gulf coast with some severity.
A noticeable feature of yesterdays weather
was tho high temperature that prevailed
over the interior districts south OF the lakes and
the ST. Lawrence Valley, except in northern New
England. The temperature ut Chicago was two
degrees higher than at New Orleans in the after
noon. Fog very generally prevailed east OF the
Mississippi during the early morning. The
weather in New York and its vicinity to-day will
be colder and cloudy, possibly with occasional
light ruin. On tomorrow II will be partly cloudy
or cloudy, with threatening Of rain.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21

The Mayor having signifed his intention
to remove the Police Commissioners for
cause those officials yesterday appeared in
the Executive Chamber to be heard, the OPP
portunity having been afforded them in nc
cordance with the provisions of the charter.
The Commissioners were represented by an
array of able lawyers, including David
Dudley Field, Judge Fullerton and ex-
United States District Attorney Bliss, who
used their best efforts ON behalf of their
clients to befog the issue and force the
Mayor into the position of public prose-
cutor, who is bound to make up
case against an indicted person and
to produce his witnesses before the
Court. Of course the learned counsel were
aware that the Mayor, as chief magistrate OF
the city, is required by the charter to keep
himself informed of the doings OF the several
departments" subdivision 3 OF section 23),
and ito be vigilant and active in caus-
ing the ordinances Of the city and
laws Of the State to be executed and en-
forced" subdivision Of the same section)
OF course they also knew that, by the pro-
visions Of the charter, any heads Of depart
ments ''may be removed by the Mayor for
cause, and after opportunity to be heard,
subject, however, before such removal shall
take effect, to the approval OF the
Governor, expressed in writing" (section 25).
OF course they understand that when the
Mayor, in pursuance Of the duties thus i'm
posed upon him, finds that any department
is incapably or unfaithfully managed, and
that the ordinances Of the city and laws Of
the State are not executed and enforced by
those to whom their execution and enforce
ment are intrusted, he is bound to exercise
the power confded in him by the charter
and to remove the delinquent officials for
the cause thus supplied. But the Police
Commissioners having already admitted
their neglect to clean the streets, plead
ing as one of their excuses their in
ability to compel the people to obey the
city ordinances, their counsel could do
nothing better on their behalf than to at
tempt to lead the Mayor of on a false issue
and induce him to forego the power be-
slowed upon him by the law.
Mayor Ely very properly declined to al
low any sharp legal bubbles to turn him
aside from the straight path before him. In
reply to Mr.. David Dudley Fields call for
witnesses he, reminded the counsel
that he was Mayor of the city; that
his own observation and information,
gathered in the discharge of his official
duties, are the basis on which his proposed
action rests, and that he only designs to
hear what the accused officials have to say
why, for the causes stated In his communica-
ton, they should not be removed For this
positive and clearly tenable position, and
for the frmness with which he refused
postponement of the hearing, the Mayor de-
serves commentator. The incapacity of
the Police Commission is notorious, and
there should be no unnecessary delay,
either here or at Albany, in their removal.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21

Is there a systematic effort toward O
general reputation of debts and lessening
of the security of private property? The
Communists in the House began the ex-
ira session with two measures having for
their confessed objects the swindling of
creditors and the imitation of the currency
The whole tone of the arguments used to
recommend the Ewing bill was that Of men
who think it more convenient to swindle
their creditors than to pay their debts. The
House is representative body, and the
public has become accustomed to see many
wild and crude notions aired there, We
have not forgotten the late Thaddeus
Stevens attempt to make legal tenders
equal to gold by forbidding differential
quotations, which is as though we should
endeavor to cool the air on a hot summers
day by smashing all the thermometers. But
the unblushing way in which members of
the present House have preached reputation
Of public and private debts is still novelty.
We should not notice this, however, just
now if our attention had not been called, by
q Washington despatch, to case now be-
fore the Supreme Court. That Court has
always, until recently. been regarded MS the
final but impregnable bulwark Of private
rights. The reversal of Mr. Chase's legal
tender decision shook public confidence in
it's independence and We must confess,
with all proper respect for the Court. which
we like to think of rs the most exalted tri-
bunal in the world, that its decision in the
.sGranger cases. and more yet in the less
known Chicago elevator case, staggered u.s.
The latter case still seems to US, after re-
reading the decision of the Court, to author
ize clear invasion Of private rights and to
be an attack on private property. In 1862
certain persons built grain elevator in
Chicago and began the business OF storing
and handling grain. In 1870 Illinois adopted
a new constitution, one section OF which
declares that ''all elevators or storehouses
where grain or other property is stored Tor a
compensation, whether the property stored
be kept separate or not, are public ware
houses" In the following year the Legisla-
ture, acting under this provision, prescribed
the maximum rate which such elevator COM
panies should charge Tor doing their work,
and imposed heavy penalty upon any one
who should violate this law. The owners OF
the elevator resisted, and the case between
them and the State was carried to the Su-
preme Court, which decided, at the March
term of the present year, for the State. 1t
appears to us that the Court In fact
decided that State may prescribe the
terms on which one man shall LABOR for
another That Is very serious mat
ter. 1t may be that the Court did
not intend that its decision should be
30 far-reaching but, in fact, it is, If we
comprehend the meaning of language and
Il is because we have recently re-rcad the
decision in the elevator case that We look
with some apprehension for the decision OF
the Court in the case OF the city OF Charles
| ton.
The Supreme Court has decided. since
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21

A DESPERATE GANG of Virginia river pirates
have fortunately fallen into the meshcs Of the
law. During the last four or five months they
have robbed large number OF vessels in the
harbor of Norfolk, burned others and committed
serious depredations in the same line on shore.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21

Ex-Governor JEWELL seems to be anxious
to find out why ex-Presidcnt Grant asked him
to resign his place in the Cabinet. He does not
think Mr.. Murphy had anything to do with it,
and is inclined to believe that it was owing to
his devotion to Mr.. Bristow and his opposition
to a third term.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21

From Our reports his morning The probabilities
are that the ,ccather ~ Ncc York aud its riciMiiy
to-day wiH be colder and ciomdy, possibly ariM
siomal light ruin. On to-moiroec il riH be partly
cloudy cloudy, rith threatening Of rain.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21

WALL STREET YEsTERDAY.-The stock mar
kct was again dull and inactive, but prices were
steady and strong mt the close. Gold fell from
1928 to 1929. Government bonds were quiet,
States weak and railroads steady. Money on
call was easy Mt per cent.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21

The COMMISSION appointed to reduce, If pos
sible the force in the city Post Office have re-
ported that it cannot be done without dctriment
to the service. Mr.. James is descrvedly COM
plmentcd for its high condition Of efficiency.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21

The LIEUTENANT who surrendered to the mob
ut San Elizario insists that his assailants were
Mexicans from Mexico, and Congressman Mills
hastcns to communicate the information to the
President Before believing the story the coun-
try win require its confirmation from less
prciudiced source
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21

factory tragedy was enacted. We now have
another. which when the whole truth is
known may equal in the painfulness of its
details the worst of its predecessors. The
people will insist on knowing whether this
terrible loss of life, this infection of
misery and suffering on SO many people
is the result of neglect, carelessness
or disregard of law on any ones part
It is Mt least evident from such calami.
ties that some stringent legislation is
needed to protect human life in factories
and other buildings where large number
of persons are employed. The law should
require, when engines are used in such
places, that they shall be located in a
separate building, apart from the main
building. The regulation in regard to fire
escapes and stairways should be of the most
stringent character and rigidly enforced.
No tinder-box building should be allowed
to be used for any business that employs
large number of workmen, and especially
OF females and children. It is pos
sible that no blame attaches to any
person for yesterdays heartrending ca
lamity, and that it was one of those acct
dents which no human foresight can avert.
But it is ut least certain, from the fierce and
swift progress of the fire, that the building
occupied by the burned factory was of
most infammable and flimsy character, and
was perilous place in which to employ
nearly two hundred young girls and boys,
especially in business which requires the
use of engines and boilers.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21

ture. although there are, doubtless. some
concerns still in existence which do not
deserve confidence, and which must be
closed up before the public can be consid-
cred entirely safe.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21
T RIPPLE SH e e Il
NEW YORK. FRIDAY, DECEMBER q. 1877.

IMPORTANT NOTICE. TO ADvERTrsERs.-Io
insure The proper classification Of advertisements
it is absolutely necessary Mat they be handed i's
tcforc eight o'clock crey evening.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21

THE EsTELLE has received her certificate,
but she is still under guard OF the government
cutter. In her trial trip size is said to have
made OH a squirt sixteen miles an hour.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21

The South CAROLINA LEGISLATURE has wisely
ratified the amendment TO the State constitution
providing for an annual tax for educational pur-
poses 1t required n two-thirds majority.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21

The TRAMPs IN MARYLAND have become SO
numerous that meeting has been held in Balti-
more to devise measures to rid the State Of
them. Put them to work.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21

The EXAMPLE Of one of the Marine Court
judges yesterday, who, the supply of jurymcn
running out pressed lot Of idle lawyers into
the service, would not be very safe one to fol
low in all cases.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21

EARL DuFFERINs term rs Governor General
OF Canada having expired he will be succeeded
by the Duke Of Manchester Earl Duffcrin has
made an able and popular Executive and his
retirement will be generally regretted
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21

A CoLoRED LAWYER from Massachusetts, has
been very foolishly denied admission to practice
by the Maryland Court Of Appeals This ought
to wake up Funeuil Hall.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21

THERE is REroRT IN the West that Sitting
Bull has crossed the border and is on the Miles
battle field with large force Of Sioux and Nez
Pcrccs, but the rimor is not believed Mt the
War Department, and is. it is to be hoped, un-
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21

THE UNION DINE SAVINGS BANK is to have
III entire new board OF trustees Other institu-
tons Of like character could be improved in
the same way.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21

ACCORDING To MINISTER BOXER there is very
little chance for American surgeons i'll Russia.
They had better saw bones or wood at home.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21

Mn. GEORGE BARKER's banking house in
Chester, Pa, is the latest on the list OF banks
that are no more.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21

DR.. Lambert, the ex-president Of the
American Popular Life Insurance Company,
was yesterday found guilty of perjury and
consigned to the Tombs to await the result
Of o motion for a new trial which is to be
made on Wednesday next The jury in the
case were only one hour and u half in DELHI
alton before they agreed on verdict, thus
showing that the finding must have
been unanimous. In this case, as
in that of the president Of the Security In
surance Company, previously convicted,
the defence was that the accused signed the
annual statement of the company in blank
and hence did not swear to it. But the
tended to show that the affidavit had actu-
ally been made. This second conviction
will have IN excellent effect on the officers of
life insurance companies and kindred insti-
tutions, for it will prove to them that they
cannot, by o violation of law in signing
false statements in blank, hope to escape
the full penalty for perjury The law
requires that the true condition Of such
companies shall be set before the public
once year. in order that the people may
know whether the money they invest in
them is safe. 1t places the duty of
making sworn statements of the con-
dition of the companies on their several
presidents and secretaries and makes will
fully false statements perjury. This is a
plain provision of the law and O success.
iul plea that wilfully false statement had
not been actually sworn to but signed in
blank, would only save the guilty party
from conviction for perjury to render him
liable 10 prosecution for constructive for
gerry.
It is to be hoped that in the future we
shall hear less Of fraudulent life insurance
companies and broken savings banks
than we have heard in the past.
The Bank Superintendent is doing
his best to gradually close up, where
he cannot redeem. doubtful institu-
tons, and to compel strict compliance
with the provisions Of the existing law. The
next years report will, it Is said, furnish
gratifying evidence of improvement in
the condition Of nearly all the savings
banks. The Insurance Superintendent has
given evidence of earnestness in his work.
1t il not at oil likely in the face OF
the recent convictions that we shall
have any more perjured statements, either
from bank or insurance officials. We may,
therefore, look for o return Of confidence in
such institutions in the not far distant fu'
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21
ADJUSTMENTS TONIGHT.

UNION SQUARE THEATRE-THE MornKR's sEcREI
EAGLE THEATRE-OxycES
wALLAcK's THEATRE-woS AT LAsE
LYCkUM THEATRE-LA MARJoLAISe.
BROADWAY TIIEATaE-MoSrr Cgisro
GRAND OPERA HOUSE-rHE OcroRoos.
FIFTH AVENUE THEArRE-MIss ASDKnsoS's BENEFIT.
NEW YORK AQUARIUM-RARE FISHES AND SNAKES
PARK TMEATRE-OuR AMERICAS COUSIN.
FIFTH AVENUE HALL-rnnsriDIGirAriox
EIBLO's GARDEN-PooR or NEW York
THEATRE FRANCAIS-LEs DiABLKs ROSES
BOwERY THEATRE-CniLD SrEALER.
GERMANIA TIE ATRE-DbR LEDGE HoF.
OLYMPIC Observation-Disclosures.
TONY RESPONSIVENESS
TlvOLl THEATRE-yAEi.r.
EGYPTIAN HALL-vARIErY
GILMOkE'S GARDEN-CoLoasp BABY SHOW CIRCUS
SAN FRANCISCO MINsrRkLs
THEATRE COMIQUE-yAKlErY
COLUMBIA OPERA 10 USE VARIETY
THE NEW AMERICAN MUsEUM-cUniosITIK
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21
Separate war and separate Peace.

Separate War and Separate Peace.
Russia intends that Turkey, whose armies
she has fought for over half year, shall
make peace with her and not with her enc
mics, nor even with those Of her friends in
whose sincerity she has little faith. This is
purpose SO reasonable that it seems almost
ridiculous any one. should deem it unjust.
But England's position is that peace be-
tween Russia and Turkey must not be made
by these Powers; that their war must be set
tied, not by themselves, but by their neigh
bors; and that, in short, any pretence to set
tie this great conflict otherwise than by
conference Of the Powers is an invasion Of
the rights Of England. 1t would have been
as natural for England at the end OF our war
to claim that we were under obligation to
make peace with her and not with the rep
resentatives of the Southern people.
England is an American Power and has
great territorial and commercial interests on
this continent. She WAS also deeply inter-
ested in the fate Of the Confederacy. There
would have been as good reasons for such
laughable claim Us her Eastern interests
are for the preposterous position she takes
with regard to Turkey. No objection can
fairly be made to Russia's demand that
Turkey shall treat directly with her, save
on the ground or pretence that Russia, in
making war on the Ottoman Empire, was
Executing the will OF Europe by authority
81 all the other Powers. If the war was
maSdeS in pursuance Of tho Constantinople
conference, with Russia deputed and desig-
mated as the Power to execute common
purpose. then it is not unnatural to sup
pose that at the end she will report the re-
suits to another conference, which will
thereupon make them the basis of peace.
Was that the relation of Russia to
the other Power in this war? Upon
the 'iclose of the conference Of Con-
stantinople Russia endeavored to secure q
common assent to her recognition in this
light, but it was not admitted, and the
English government particularly repudiated
the notion that Russia was in any respect
whatever charged to execute the will of the
combined Powers. That denial of Russias
position must be forgotten in the Foreign
Office, since they now claim what could
only be their due if they had admitted that
Russia made war in the common interest.
Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1877-02-22

NEVADA ITEMS.

A citizen Of Eureka loaded up his shot.
gan with six fingers Of powder and . dou'
BILE charge Of shot, and laid In wait for
the dog that had nightly sersnaded him.
The eur came Of the appointed time, and
the citizen turned the old gun loose. The
doctor thinks he will recover sufficiently
10 attend 10 business In about . month.
The dog has left town until the excitement
Gains down.
The Silver State says : We learn from the
Piutes that their honored chief and i'd
vfssr. Nachez. IL very sick with pneumo-
MIA at his ranch on the Big Meadows. An
he Is . sensible Indian. and has always
counseled his tribe TO live at peace with
the pale faces, whites - we'll ~ Indians
will regret that he 10 seriously Ill, and
hope for his speedy recovery.
Tho total gross yield OF tho mines Of
Elko county for the quarter ending De
cember 81, 1876, was $l95, l62 40. Tho
amount Of taxes on this was $2.Gli 40.
Tho Austin Rsrsine has been sndsavor-
ing to solve the mysteries Of Indian poker.
but admits that tits tso complicated. and
gives 1t up In despair.
The Reno .Josruai has Q libel suit on IL
hands. Hon. William Thompson sues that
paper for $4,000 damages, for defamation
Of character.