davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
, 1877-08-12

There must be sweet-scented State of
affairs in. Snn Francisco when Cinnamon
implore United States Senator and the
steamship companies to lay obstacles in the
way of further Celestial immigration. A
deputation of a1mond-eyed merchants waited
on Senator h1onroS recently and invoked him
that he secure the passage Of . bill provid-
ing for modification or nbrogation of the
BuE11soAME Trenty, and imposing a tar of
500 upon every disciple of CoSruc1us land
ing on American shores They recommend
that the fund thus raised be utilized in ex-
porting to his native home such portions of
each Chinaman as may escape the clutches
of the hoodlums, and they propose petition
ing the steamship companies to raise the fare
this way to SIS, and reduce the outgoing
fare to $50, TINT the sons Of the Orient may
be deferred from coming, or enabled to get
out when it becomes too hot for them. It
is now mora than ever proper for civilized
America to declaim against the rule in China
that obstructs the explorations of foreigners.
, 1877-08-12

As the Chinese Of frisco emigrated from
the British port of Hong Kong, it is pro-
posed to present their claims for damages
sustained during the riots through the Brit
ish Minister. It is doubtful if he will
pay any attention to the matter. It
is true China has no representative
at the seat of our National Govern
ment, but this does not make Chinaman q
Briton any more than it makes him French
man, or prarie-hen. or steam ferryboat
with red paddles and green light. He is a
Chinaman from scalp to sole, and subject
Of the Chinese Empire, and all the English
men upon whom the sun never set can't
help him in his present dilemma That
the pig-tai1s Of San Francisco have
been seriously pulled of late is unquestiop-
able, and the indemnifcation Of their owners
would be simple act of justice; but they
must secure such indemnitication in legal
way, and not further compucate matters BY
suddenly turning up, minus aspirates, and
claiming kindred with the Union Jack.
, 1877-08-12

Reports from Russia do not sustain the
great prophesies of grand uprising to fill
the ranks Of the Landwehr. The yeomanry
upon whom the Gar depended are inclined
to stick to their rights, and point out
various statutes in which it is provided
that they cannot be called out of
Russia for military duty. To this the
Car replies that they will be only
used as reserves and to garrison the forts
from which troops are to be withdrawn:for
the front, and this arrangement being held
US satisfactory as any other, the would-be
volunteers still hold back Moscow is form
ing q legion which it will support until the
end Of the war, but from other portions Of
the Empire news e rapid enlistment is very
meQTe. -
, 1877-08-12

Judge FAnwn1 has granted the motion to
quash the indictment against WALLER, but,
in his opinion, he holds that the special
Grand Jury WAS regularly drawn, which
is knock down blow for the indict-
e1 RING Commissioners. WALKER was
only advanced as n fgurehead, with
the expectation that the tenire which
brought together the body that indicted the
batch would be declared Illegal, and the
whole crowd would escape. This scheme
has failed signally. So far as is known, the
other indictments are sound, and the pros
poet is that the Ring will get its deserts.
, 1877-08-12

been changed. The gold dollar was made
much lighter in 1894; it was changed from
one-ffteenth of the weight Of the silver dol
lar to one-si1teenth, being reduced about 6
per cent. Thus, while the weight of silver in
the subsidiary coins has been changed, once
down and once up, and the weight of gold
in the gold dollar has been reduced, the
weight of silver in the original money stand
ard of ya1ues-the silver dollar Of 179o-
has never been changed and when Congress
remonetizes the silver dollar it will still con-
tain, as it did eighty-tive years ago, 3714
praius of pure silver.
, 1877-08-12

Tie Judiciary Committee of the Council
report that the Park Commissioners, under
the advice Of their counsel, will not accept
the responsibility of taking possession of
Michigan avenue and keeping it in decent
condition. But the Judiciary Committee
recommends, in lieu Of the project proposed,
that an ordinance be passed providing for the
improvement Of Michigan avenue, between
Monroe and Thirty-ffth streets, BY special
assessment upon the abutting property. We
fear this will prove to be a slow process.
Under the present law it takes about
two years to make such an assess
ment, fight it through the courts, aud
collect the money, and therefore the i'm
proyement would not be made much before
1850, unless the city advances the money,
which it is not very likely to do. But, if
anything be done to repair the street, it will
be wise and proper to pass such an ordinance
as the Committee has suggested,-i it is
within the power of the Council, ,-regu-
1ating the width Of the tires Of trucks, carts,
wagons, stages, and other heavy vehicles
that shall be allowed to drive On Michigan
avenue or any other graveled thoroughfares.
It is mathematically certain that heavy 1oad
on wheel-tires four inches wide will net do
ne-quarter the damage to a street that is
done by the same load on whee1-tires only
two inches wide. The narrow tires cut into
q graveled road like an az when borne down
by great pressure, especially in wet weather.
The resistance of the road-bed is governed
more by the width of the tire than the
weight Of the load. If the tires could be
made wide enough, heavy loads might i'm
prove rather than damage graveled streets,
as they would act US rollers; of course, this
is out of the question, and it is only men,
toned to illustrate the principle. But the
width of the tires on heavy wagons may be
so regulated that either the heavy teaming
will seek some other street or will not cause
special and destructive damage to the extent
that it shall travel on Michigan avenue. Such
an ordinance might be passed with advan-
tage, Whatever be the action IN regard to the
scheme for transferring the street to the.
Park Commissioners.
, 1877-08-12
BUILD THE CTTY-HALL!

Now that the construction of the City-Hal1
is again live question, and urged By all
classes, there is danger that it may be re-
tardcd by the confusion certain persons are
trying to stir up, as to who is the architect,
what plans have been adopted, what stone
shall be used and how thick it shall be, etc.
There is just one fact that stands out boldly
in this whole discussion, and it is TINT the
needs of tue city and the conditions of the
Law require TINT work shall be begun on the
City Hull without further fooling or procras-
tination, md prosecuted energetical1y to the
end. The points TINT illustrate and lead up
to this position may be briefly restated:
l. There is no longer any doubt that the
city authorities have been trif1ing with the
condition imposed upon them in the act of
the Legislature restoring the canal fund of
So, 121, ,420 to the City Of Chicago, and re-
quiring that from one-sixth to one-third of
TINT fund shall be applied to the restoration
of the public structures destroyed in the fire
of 1871. The sum of S317, ,149 WAS expended
in bridges and $4,000 for making the City
Hall excavations, and, though it is nearly
four years since all the money was paid over
to the city, nothing has yet been done on
the City~Hau. There remains Of the original
Canal~Lien Fund the sum of $775, 343; and,
as there ore no other public buildings to be
restored, the entire amount may be devoted
to the construction Of the City-Hall.
2. As far back as June 80, 1874, over three
years ago, the Common Council appropriated
the sum of SC61, 900 for building tha City.
Hall, to be taken from the Cana]-Redemp-
ton Fund This was included in the annual
appropriation bill for that year, and the
obligation to fulfill it is increased instead of
diminished by the length Of time during
which it has been ignored.
8. The Canal-Redemption Fund was q
trust-fund from the beginning, since it was
voted to the City Of Chicago by the State
under certain conditions, and to be used
for special purposes. Any diversion Of that
fund to other uses was not good faith as
trust fund it has claim prior to the city
certificates which have been drawn against
the general tax-levy. What remains OF the
Canal-Redemption Fund is now the City
Hall Fund proper, and so the City Fund
is trust-fund in the same sense. Indeed,
the Common Council have decided that it
must be regarded in this light, and at the
session Of July IL last passed the following
resolution:
~ ResoEred, That the Mayor and Comptroller be
and they hereby directed to hold and retain in
the Treasury snch sum Of the back taxes which may
properly be credited mad apportioned to tbs City
, 1877-08-12

The Chicago produce markets were active and
weak Saturday. Mess pork closed TIC per br1
lower at S13. .1oE1l3 Il; for September and
Sl3. 0,1*@l13. O5 for October. Lard closed Sc per
100 lbs lower, At 81. .o0@s. 62A for September and
Ss. GoH@S. 65 for October. Meats we're etcady,
zt4Sc for loose shoulders and 6Ac for do short
ribs Lake treishts were less active and f1mcr,
at 3HG34c for corn to Buffalo. Highwincs were
unchanged. at 81 o8 pcrgallon. Flour was dull and
weak Wheat closed 1z@14c lower, at 81. 06A
for august and 091tc for September. Corn closed
sc lower, at 44Ee for August and 44c for Sep
tembcr. Oats closed L@:sc lower at 231sc for
Angustand 23H6 H6Go3A c for September Rye closed
casier, at 64Hc- Barley closed steady, at SIC for
September Hogs were active and firm at, 81. 75@
80. Cattle were quiet and steady, ut So. 500
<5. IS. Sheep were quiet Mt S. 5094. so. One
hundred dollars in gold would buy S1O5. o5 in
CfeenbackB at the close.
, 1877-08-12

If any one feels despondent about the fall
trade Of Chicago, or about the value of real
estate in this city, be cannot do better than
read the article on another page Of this num-
Der of TIE TRIBUNE under the head Of
'4Hard Pan" Elements of prosperity are
there shown to exist, and to be growing,
which must sooner or later give Chicago IN
exceptional prosperity as compared with any
othe. city in the world.
, 1877-08-12

Those who have not made careful study
Of political economy, and of what is termed
bv HEEBEnr SPENCER and others Sociology,
| have little idea of the fixed laws which run
| through human society, and which decide
the events that daily occur. The popular
idea is that things 'shappen or ''coms
| about " in mysterious aud ine1plicable
| way; or else that they are traceab1e to some
particularly significant thing that certain
powerful man did, who was so situated that
! he could bless or curse whole land If the
uneducated mind is piously inclined, it takes
the shorthand method of referring every
important event, or series of events, to the
direct act of GoD. Thus, some imagine
that the idea Of sociological laws is fataGstic,
as being inconsistent with the free will
of the individual, while others accuse it of
being atheistic, as If it denied any Divine
agency in human affairs. But neither obiec-
ton holds good No intelligent advocate Of
free will imagines that the will is out Of all
relations with mans other faculties. He
knows that it is linked on the one side to
thought, on the other to feeling, and that it
requires motives or reasons in order to act.
These come from< outward objects, inward
tendencies, ideas, habits, etc. Hence, what
ever affects these affects the appearances,
and influences, and surroundings amid which
man makes his choices; aud often, while
the man is conscious Of deciding freely, no.
body doubts what his decision will be, or
what will be that Of thousand
stanced. For human notion is more
or less under fixed conditions of
nature and society, which render only
such and such causes apparently reasonable
in given circumstances. As little need we
conceive that economic and social laws are
inconsistent with Divine plans and agency
They are its result. They indicate its
method. They prove that Divine work is
orderly and systematic work. They lay
basis for human forethought and calculation
and for profting by past experience. Cop
ordains laws, and then uses laws. These
permeate all existence and regulate all ac-
ton. Therefore civilization is in reaity an
orderly and normal development, and human
society cannot work wisely at haphazard,
but only by comprehending aud obeying
economic principles. Such subjects as those
concerning banks, paper money, metallic
currency, protective tariffs, free-trade, meth
DDS of taxation, credits, cash sales, stock
companies, speculations, conditions of pros
porous commerce, and manufactures, and
financial crises, are capable Of as careful anal
ysis and explanation as is steam-engine or
the spinning machinery Of q cotton factory.
One Of the most convincing proofs of this
is to bo found in the predictions which clear
visioned, philosophical economists are able
to make Of coming events, in the realm Of
labor and Of wealth. 1t is of evidential value
to be able to classify and explain the phe-
nomena after they have appeared, showing
their relation to their causes; but it is more
impressive when one has such knowledge Of
causes as to see in them their included ef-
fects, and to be able to describe them in ad-
vance. Now this is often done in respect to
, 1877-08-12
rHr CHICAGO rR1buNE SUNDAY PAGES

work by striking a. present. On the
one hand, they have to consider a question OF
policy, the certainty of work at $1.25 per
day, with an increase when business warrants
it, or the probability Of no work at any
wages On the other hand, they have to
consider State statute which admits of no
compromise, or arbitration, or Infringement
without penalty. Can they afford to strike,
even though they have the right? If they
do strike, can they afford to disobey the laws
of tha State +?
, 1877-08-12
! Hall Fund, and which may hereafter be collected
and apportioucd and credited to that fund; and be

Hall Fund, and which may hereafter be col'ectco
and apportioned and credited to that fund; and %
1t funncr
I.esolred. That the Mayor be and he is hereby
requested to communicate to the Council statc-
ncnt Of the present condition Of all arrangements
heretofore made with reference to plans and ma.
teria for snch City Hall building, that the Council
may without delay take steps looking to the imme-
diatc opening OF work in the construction OF such
City Hall.
4. 1t is not true, as alleged IN certain
reckless, mendacious sheet, that this tnnd
has been squandered and stolen. There are
now $1.00o,0oo of money in the City
Treasury; and if the City Hall Fund be given
a priority over all others, as it ought to be,
then oil that remains Of it C5775,343) is
available for immediate use. But, even It
other special funds be regarded as trust
funds and entitled to proportion Of the
money on hand, then the quota belonging
to the City-Hall Fund now IN the City
Treasury amounts to $460,0 900, which is an
ample sum to begin on, to work through the
season, and to last till the money begins to
come in under the collection Of back taxes
next year, as provided by the new law.
Thus there is no excuse for further delay.
Competent architects ngree that good, SOL
id, broad foundation of thick aag-stoncs and
cement will completely obviate the necessity
for driving piles,--a process that would not
admit Of beginning other work perhaps be-
fore next spring. The sum Of S46o,ooo at
least will lie idle in the City Treasury all
summer, and fall, and winter, unless the
work be begun at once. We now have
Reform Council, that is, q Council which
will not steal or squander the money. The
city needs the hall badly, and the working
men are suffering for want of employment
II the work be delayed, under these circum-
stances, by procrastination aud pickering,
the Aldermen responsible for tho delay will
be held to strict account.
, 1877-08-12

cent, $4,000. Total estimate, S160,oo0 ;
which, at the end Of the work, would sum up
original contract price, S2,250, 900; extras
allowed by architect, $3.50, 600; extras allow
ed by Board, so per cent, $2,o00,ooo; total
allowance, s., 500, 900. Once recognized as
possessing discretionary power to vote any
compensation to the contractors, unre-
strained by contract or architects measure
ment. who can estimate the iberahty
with which the Commissioners would dis
pense the public money? The decision Of
Judge FARwm1 arrests this business at the
threshold. The first attempt to plunder the
treasury on the ''extra" dodge was stopped,
and an effectual prohibition placed on any
further operations Of that kind. Judge
FARwE11 admonished the Commissioners
and all other public officers as to their official
duty in terms SO timely and so fitting that
they cannot be too frequently presented.
He said:
As to the law of the case,-H there was no dis
pute about the facts understand it to be this:
thar the Board OF County Commissioners have d
right to build the Court House, and to decide how
it snail be built, and In what manner d contract
sns''i W 1e" "no "4i"s st*1 oe a.o ~ - "s'H'
~ eoa's' ~ .:.'a-.. -a s:.s~..,a
an ~ e1c ~ 1a ~ s.'.s,e.1. =.
w. s,t r.. - ,t...,, 49,. 49,. 49,.
rsht to be generous; they have no right to giva
away money to people. They to conduct the
business Of the county on business principles and
~ 49, ,h;.,, ~ar,.o .nd ~;ts ",sA
eTtv whtch tbev bavc charoe Of for the nnrno.e =,
makins presents OF Of engaging in acts OF bcnovo-
lence. Il u man employs person to
10 piece OF WORE los MN ~ con
,.horer pl ~ nsc,r;c haa mt cntten ,aia ~ hts
work, it is very honorable thing for such man
10 give the mechanic money to which he has no
legal claim. that u very honorable thing. bat
,narnv .ho ,re ,ctna ~ m o,c,a, c.n,c,r~ ara
no richt to exercise such generous Impulses Of
heart. The Board Of County Commissioners are
sort OF corporation. 1hcy are mualclpal cor
ea' p"v, a 49, 49,, 49, Thar @ .ro - a. nv
h,.fness m intrns1ed to them in a stdctlv business
way, without fear or favor to anybody. And when
Mr.. HARRIS got through with his WORK he had no
eal elaas a.s. tse ~ w. ~.
him Tbry had no rirht to Give It to him, no mat
ter ii they voted it in the best motive and acted in
way for which they would be praised II acting as
private etkens ius ~ ene 'rth atbn, nson,s.
MONEY. mon ~
This is not the on1v obstacle placed in the
v,r ~ t1;e County R;no dnrinc thu last few
d.;s II or;,ar r. avoid the v;c;1ance and
;n:aa,.;tv of tba a,ch;tect md the inter.
80. - 49, oo,,rt. +ho Commissioners "a
,o1,,od t,,.+ tha ro,y hn;}d;no sbon,d have a
n.,o,,, aona one-ha,f # which shontd
ta orar tha county wins, and the other ba1f
.-.o- 49, a;tr,, ,ort;on - thu bn;1a;no. and
, 1877-08-12

Our English brethren Of the Parliamentary
persuasion are in an undue condition OF funk
over the Irish members and their flibustering-
They don't know but what at some crisis ali.
PARSELL and his co -ohstructionists may succeed
in so embarrassing the course Of Parliament
and dropping uowbars, as 1t were, into tue
clockwork Of tho British Constitution, that the
Russians will have declared war, oycrrun India,
and besieged London before the Commons viii
have been able to vote the necessary supplies
Their anxiety Is superauous There ia pEooa-
, 1877-08-12

The Judiciary Committee Of the Common
Council, to whom was referred the project
for transferring the control Of Michigan
proved and kept in repair as part OF the
park system, have reported adversely to the
proposition This decision is based upon
information, as the report sets forth, that
the Park Commissioners, under the advice Of
their counsel. will not accept the street.
This determination on the part of the Park
Commissioners has been reached, SO it is
said, because they are advised there is no
authority Of law for their accepting the trust.
And in this roundabout way project is to be
defeated which is admittedly in the interest
of the street, the city, the parks, and the
public, aud which is enthusiastically ap-
proved by all whom the matter concerns, and
opposed by nobody, unless it may be some
individuals of the dog-in- n-the-manger sort.
The people Of the South Division of the
city and of Hyde Park will not like to rest
satisfied with this disposal of the project.
The Council should hardly be governed BY u
report of q committee which has been made
LAW
that the proposed transfer of Michigan
avenue Is demanded by their constituents, is
it not the duty Of the Council to pass a
resolution granting to tho Park Commits
sioners all the city's interest, and title, and
control in Michigan avenue, provided that the
Park Commissioners will assume the trust as
part Of the system under their control, in
medintely improve the thoroughfare in the
same mnnner as their other boulevards, and
henceforth keep it perpetually in repair?
Such q resolution will jeonardize no in
terests, IS, in case the Park Commissioners
refuse to accept the conditions, the control
of the street will remain where it is now;
but it will place the responsibility upon
the Park Commissioners. It will then
bo for them to soy whether they will
accept the street under these conditions or
not, and the Council will huve done its duty
to its constituents When the case is thus
presented to the Park Commissioners, it is
not unlikely that they will take different
view of it from that which has been accred-
tied to them. Their counsel will probably
find special act of the Legislature, passed
several years ago, which permits the Park
Commissioners to extend their jurisdiction
over property not originally included in the
park system, and precedent will be cited in
the case of Oakwood Boulevard, which was
accepted as grant from the property-own-
ers, improved, and is now kept in repair
and managed by the Park Commissioners,
tho same as the Grand and Dre1el Boule-
Yards. At all events, no harm can come
from the passage BY the Council Of such a
resolution Us suggested. 1t will show the
Councils willingness to crafty popular de-
mand, md it can be determined afterwards
whether the Park Commissioners will be JUS
titled by the law In accepting the grant and
assuming the trust.
, 1877-08-12

It is curious how mans language and habit
Of thought will inscnsibly become affected By
his occupation. After the last convulsion On
the New York Herald, by which the leader
writer became foreman OF the prcss-room and
the wrappcr-clerk was placed in charge OF the
financial columns, q member OF the editorial
staff entered an adjacent saloon and said to the
attendant high-priest OF BAccHUs: "JimmJ,1
amt feeling very well to-day. Mix me nico
little shake~'em-up!"