davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-20
Railroad Kegula ton by Congress.


Whether Congress ought to interfere to
regulate the railroad traffic of the country is
O fair question for discussion, but we fail to
perceive that the recent strikes have any
proper bearing on it's decision. Strikes are
not confined to any branch of industry in
which large bodies Of hired workmen are
employed, and neither the federal govern
ment nor the State governments need notice
them except when they are carried to the
point of violence: 1t then becomes the clear
duty of the authorities to put down riots,
protect property and prevent interference
with the right of laborers to work for the
offered wages. 1t is absurd to maintain
that Congress ought to fix the price of
freights and the wages of labor on railroads
because there has been large strike of rail-
road employees, attended with violence.
Strikes have long been chronic in the coal
mines, but that is no reason why the Penn
sylvania Legislature should undertake to
regulate the price of coal or the wages of
miners. There have been frequent and
troublesome strikes among the cotton man
ufactories of New England, but it does not
follow that the price of cotton goods should
therefore be fixed by law The only prac-
teal lesson of the railroad strikes, so far as
we can see, is that the States should keep
their militia in a condition of efficiency and
be prepared promptly to put down riots
and to protect property against sudden out
bursts of violence.
The railroad question was one of great
importance before these riots, and it is
neither more nor less important since their
occurrence. The great and grasping cor
porations that conduct the transportation of
the country have long been objects of rea-
sonable jealousy and even alarm by thought
full men. They have corrupted our Legis-
latures, have shown themselves in many
instances more powerful than the State
governments, have wantonly trifled with
the rights and interests of their stock
holders and have demonstrated in hundred
ways the necessity of subjecting them to
more efficient control. Whether the assump-
ton of such control by Congress would
be beneficial is very grave question.
There is too much reason to fear that by
their combined power they would corrupt
Congress as they have separately corrupted
the State Legislatures. The Credit Mobilier
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-20

disclosures put this danger in o strong
light, and every scheme for procuring
Congressional legislation for railroad has
been accompanied with the suspicion, If
not the proof of bribery. The combined
railroad interests Of the whole country
might prove too strong for the virtue OF
Congress and repeat in Washington, on q
gigantic scale, what has been the source OF
so much scandal at the various State capt.
tails. The country should be in no haste
to try this experiment until it has better
assurances that the virtue of Congress would
Withstand the assaults of colossal ring
acting in the interest of all these unscrupu-
lous corporations.
Even if it should be thought expedient
for Congress to assume control OF the rail-
roads it may be questioned whether it
should so to the length recommended by
Secretary Sherman and regulate the price
OF freights. The mere power to regulate
commerce implies no such authority. Con-
gress has always regulated commerce on
our great rivers and lakes, has always regu-
lated the coasting trade, and always exer-
cised its power to regulate foreign COM
merce. But in no instance has it ever in
terpreted its authority to regulate COM
merce as conveying right to prescribe
the price Of freights. The attempt to exer-
else such power would be futile even if
Congress possesses it, 1t has been again
and again judicially decided that Con-
gress cannot regulate the strictly inter-
nal commerce Of State. Within the
limits of the same State o railroad
may charge such rates as its pleases,
and all the complaints Of exorbitant charges
have come from this source. 1t has been o
standing grievance for twenty years that the
railroads have made high charges for local
freights to make up their losses on through
freights. The Western people have been
feeced in getting their crops to Chicago, but
not in the through rates from that point
to the seaboard, which have been kept
down by competition. So, too, in the East
ern States it has cost more to get freight
transported from interior points to the sea-
ports than from points beyond Buffalo.
The proposal to put the railroads in control
Of Congress ought not to be adopted on a
sudden impulse, lest the last state of the
matter should be worse than the first.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-20

the extravagant pretensions of labor can
suggest. On another page we print COM
munication which gives some interest,"
ing details regarding the organization known
as 1.-THE Brotherhood Of Locomotive Engi-
neers." 1t is evident that from the very
nature of this Order it strikes at the common
liberties of capital as represented by prop
erty in railroads. The organization is gov
erned by an irresponsible chief whose de-
cisions are arbitrary and may be unjust.
Should the superintendent of road have
any reason for discharging an engineer which
this despotic parsonage deems insufficient
he forthwith demands the restoration Of his
''brother" and backs the demand by the
hint that unless it is granted immediately
the traffic on the road will be suspended at
the very moment when it is heaviest and
most important to the public interests If
we condemn the tyranny of capital-and it
is often heartless and grinding-must we not
also reprobate the tyranny Of labor, which is
always unjust to the laborers themselves
and frequently fails to hurt those at whom
it aims blow?
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-20
The IstAmus Canal.

In other columns we publish this morning
an interesting article on the proposed ship
canal across the isthmus OF Panama by
which the commerce of two great oceans
would unite at point where an immense
saving Of time and distance would be
Effected The undertaking is such q stu
pendous one and the estimated cost so heavy
that we may we'll pause before entering upon
it. But little consideration will satisfy
the most sceptical that the interoceanic
canal across the isthmus is fast becoming
commercial necessity and that questions of
physical difficulty and expense are fast los
ing their influence in retarding its COM
mencement. Numerous surveys, many Of
which have been made by United States
officers Of experience, demonstrate the prac-
ticability Of the scheme and have indicated
the most favorable routes. The engineer
ing difficulties, when compared with the i'm
portance of the object to be attained,
dwindle into insignifcance, so that really
the only obstacle now remaining to be re-
moved is the politico-fnancial one, by
which interested nations will share in the
control and cost Of the canal. The success
of M. de Lesseps' great work at the isthmus
of Suez encouraged the promoters of the
various Central american schemes to perse-
we're in behalf of their respective projects
until a healthy spirit of rivalry has been
aroused which has caused full inquiry into
the whole question. Our estimates of the
difficulties and cost of the proposed canal,
as well as the comparison it will bear with
the Suez Canal, will doubtless provoke in
teresting discussions that will add to the
general information with regard to the
whole project Anyway, it is time that the
governments interested should do some
thing practical toward giving it the neces-
sary stimulus and inducing capitalists to
seriously consider it's cost and its CONNER
cial value if completed.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-20

TIE Misunderstanding Saturday night and
yesterday morning the cooling of the atmosphere
caused general increase Of pressure, which was
Followed, however, by decrease rs the day adj
vanccd. Light rains fell on the Eastern Gulf and
South Atlantic coasts and in the Western lake
region. The temperature is generally high and
has varied considerably as to the area of maxi
mum heat during the day. Excluding tho
North Atlantic coast and at few points
in the Northwest and West, where it is
low, the difference between the highest
md lowest temperature throughout the
country is not moro than twenty degrees
light winds have prevailed at all points except
III the Nova Scotia coast, where II high wind
beloved the departing depression. Areas of
mm and fog were numerous yesterday over the
whole region east Of the Rocky Mountains The
Weather in New York today will be fair or partly
cloudy and warm, possibly with II thunder storm
coward niWht.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-20

The CHURCHES. The leading pastors of the
rity are still absent and the pulpits yesterday
generally filled by strangers. DIR. kittredgc,
OF Chicago made a strong appeal. tor Christian;
ity as against the spirit of rationalism and inf
deity sweeping over the country. DIR. Talmagc's
sermon was in somewhat the same vein, The
former took the ground that there can be no high
civilization without Christianity the latter that
40 one has right to feel glad except a Chris
han--positions OH which there is room for very
wide diversity of opinion. DR.. Hanlin, Of Troy,
presented n formidable list Of those who need
not hope to enter heaven. the citizenship Of
which was enlarged upon by DR.. Wildman, of
Connecticut.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-20

BARBARIsM IN MARYLAND.-An official report
Just made upon the condition and treatment of
the insane poor in the charitable institutions of
Maryland discoses a condition of affairs so hor-
rible and revolving to be almost beyond be-
lief In large number of the amshouses the
insane and idiotic OF both and of all colois
are permitted to live together indiscrmnatcy VI;
idiotc children are born OF idiotc mothers,
while the sanitary are even worse than the
moral surroundings OF the inmates. How such
4 condition Of affairs could exist for SO many
years in an otherwise fairly governed State is
beyond comprehension.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-20

TIE MINERs.-There is no change for the bet
ter III the situation at the coal mines. The strk-
Frs are obstinate in their refusal to go to work.
aud the companies will not listen to an increase
Of wages, because, they say, they cannot afford
It. Meanwhile the prospect of famine stares
the unfortunate men in the face, and thousands
OF them are already living on the charity of the
farmers. This condition of affairs cannot last
long but exactly what the end will be no one
ran tell
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-20

Mr.. CoRNELL's retention of his political pO-
stion in the face of the Presidents order gives
the Washington gossips something to talk about
in the absence Of more exciting topics. That
Mr. Cornell will get up what is called n test
ease is hardly probable. Senators, no matter
how mnch they may be opposed to civil service
reform privately, will hardly care to 80 upon
the record on the subject
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-20

THE TEMPERANCE ADVOCATES do not seem to
De in the least discouraged by the warm weather
Or by the unsatisfactory financial condition Of
their organizations, which was rather feelingly
referred to at some of the meetings yesterday.
We are really panied to hear that the American
Temperance Union is in such financial straits
that it can hardly afford to hire hall. This is
foo had
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-20

From o'~ reports This morning. the probabilities
are that ne ,ceaa.er IN NeW York to-day sciH be
fair partly cloudy and sca,na, possibly ariM a
N.atnder storm tODard niglt.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-20

THOUSANDS OF HONEST MECHANICS with their
families visited the Exhibition in Philadelphia
yesterday, which was opened for the first time on
sunday
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-20

The HERALD special newspaper tram to Sara
toga, Sharon and Riehtield Springs Lake Lal-es7se
and Lake George and all intermediate points, ria
Hudson Rirer, Albany and Schenectady, su'ls
srery Sunday during the summer season. Neacs-
dealers D,,lsl send il. their orders direct TO the New
YORK HERALD.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-20

BROOKLYN SAVINGS BANK DEPosIToRs will
interested in the reports OF some OF these insttl
tions, elsewhere printed.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-20

II Is To BE HOPED the reduction Of the pay
of employees the city railroads will be fol-
lowed by reduction of the hours of labor. That
the companies driven to this economy by the
pressure of hard times is hardly probable.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-20

The CATHOLIC CHURCH dedicated in Jersey
City yesterday is u handsome addition to the re-
ligious edifces of that place. 1t is intended to
be the cathedral of new bishopric which will
be shortly created.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-20

LONG BRANCH does not seem to be ex
periencing very hard times.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-20
The Deposited Greenbacks.

1t has been frequently stated as striking
demonstration Of the excess Of our currency
that very large amount Of legal tender
notes are on deposit in the Treasury. In
his speech at Mansfield Mr.. Sherman gives
the amount as something over fifty-seven
million dollars-a truly large sum if it
were really lying idle. But it has been
pointed out that large portion of it is
really performing the ordinary functions of
money in the business Of the national
banks. 1t may be asked how this
can be if the money is untouched. The
answer is that the certificates received by
the banks for such deposits are allowed to
be counted as part of their reserves, and that
they are also used by them in discharging
clearing house balances. The provision Of
the Revised Statutes relating to this subject
is as follows -
SECTION 8, 193.-The Secretary Of the Treasury may
receive United States notes deposit, without inter-
ee from any national banking association In sums of
not less than ten thousand dollars, and issue cert
Gates therefor In such form AS he may prescribe, in
denominations of not less than five thousand dollars
and payable on demand in United States notes ut tho
place where the deposits were made. The notes so
deposited shall not DO counted as part OF the lawful
money reserve OF the association but the certificates
Is ucd therefor may be counted as part OF its lawful
money reserve and may be accepted In the settle
ment OF clearing house balances ut the places where
the deposits therefor were made.
1t will be seen from this that the green
backs on deposit in the Treasury do not lie
absolutely idle, MS has been represented.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-20

est, there will be but one side to the specie
question.
The people who work for wages ought
also, after fair discussion, to be unanimous
as to the importance of foreign trade. This
question bears equally on wages and en-
ployment, the two great interests OF the
workingmen. The country is producing
more manufactured goods than it can sell,
which is the chief reason why mills are run
on short time and SO many operatives are
out of employment. We need foreign mar
kets to take of this surplus production, and
wise action on the part of the government
would open such markets. As we should
not give away the exported goods, but be
paid for them. the ships which carry them
abroad would come back freighted with re-
turn cargoes whose prices must not be 50 en-
HANGED by custom house exactions that our
people cannot afford to purchase them II 1t
would be an advantage to laborers to buy
our own productions at specie prices IN
stead of paper prices it would be still
greater advantage to buy foreign goods for
twenty or thirty per cent less than they
now cost. Having entered on period OF
low wages it is important that the working
classes have full and steady employment,
and that they be able to purchase their sup
plies with good money and in the cheapest
markets Of the world. We believe that the
activity of the workingmen in politics will
be wholesome, because their real interests
are identical with the general interest OF
the whole country, and they will not long
be dupes of ignorant CROCHET mongers alter
industrial questions shall have become the
staple subjects of political discussion.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-20

The HERALD acW be sent 10 any address, free Of
7ostage, for One Dollar per month.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-20
is as follow

Labor rsamizatfOns and7 the Strikes.
In the difficult task of adjusting the re-
lations between capital and labor on sat-
isfactory basis the enormous seltishness Of
the one and the extreme views on what are
termed rights of the other present the
most serious problems. Each side persists
in maintaining an offensive-defensive atti-
tude toward the other, and the organiza-
tons that grow out of this condition of an
tagonism are constantly coming into COL
lision. 1t must not be supposed, however,
that the representatives of capital and labor
go to war on abstract questions. There is
always some specific cause Of quarrel which
brings into the discussion Of rights every
argument that the selfshness of capital and
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-20

The very moderate toll sheet established
by the canal authorities last spring is JUS
tilted by the increase of business. 1t would
be worth while to gain an increase of bust
ness even by a loss of income, but the
canal revenue is not likely to be diminished
by the lower rates. The collections at Buffalo
for the first two weeks Of August this year
and last are given as follows -
1876. 1871
First week in August ...... $lll76 So Si7,9I6 81
Second week IN August. II, j94 70 1929 80
Total, two weeks........ s22, I'll - $35,075 81
The canals of the State IN ust hereafter be
managed with reference to attracting the
largest possible amount of business, and
low tolls must be the rule, whether they
bring much income little. In railroad
transportation we have no advantage, the
distance from the West to Baltimore and
Philadelphia by rail being less than it is to
New York But in water communication
we have no competitor but Canada, and if
this city is to retain its share of the Western
trade we must never return to the policy Of
high tolls. 1t is gratifying to know that the
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-20
ADJUSTMENTS TONIGHT.
WITH SUPPLE NJ E NJ

NEW YORK, MONDAY. AUGUST 20, 1877.
The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1877-04-03
LOUISIANA.
Going Over % leieholls.


New Orleans, April 1.-Two return
ing board members Of the Packard
house, Fred Fobb, of Ascension, and
n. A. burden, of Bassier parish, were
to-day sworn in as members and took
seats in the Nichols house, which now
has SO returning board members. F.
E. Heath, of Webster parish, returned
by the board but not elected, and here
tofore occupying a seat in the Packard
house, appeared before the Nichols
legislature, was accorded the privileges
of the floor, and said: " Recognizing
that the government now established
by Nichols is the only government in
this state that can give permanent
peace and prosperity to our troubled
people, 1 feel it my duty to aid as much
as possible in bringing about harmony
and good feeling. and tender my resig-
nation of all claims that I may have on
the general assembly. In order that my
appearance here may not be misunder-
stood, 1 desire to avow now, as in the
past, my fidelity to the great Republic
can party.
The bill placing the police depart
ment under the control of the city gov
eminent having been promulgated, the
police commissioners to-day waited on
Mayor Pillsbury and turned over to
him the administration of the police
force. .
The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1877-04-03
Hampton Made Happy.

Washington, April 2.-When Gov.
Hampton was informed in advance of
the official notification that an order
would be issued for the removal of
troops from the State House, he ex-
pressed himself much gratifed, but
said it was no more than he expected
from the principles announced in the
inaugural address. He was somewhat
interested to know whether the order
was to take place Immediately, us he
wished to be present in Columbia when
it was executed. However, as a pre-
cautionary measure, he would at once
telegraph to friends in Columbia his
earnest wish that there should be no
outward demonstrations such as might
disturb the public peace, and he was
satisfied his advice would be respected,
and on the withdrawal of the troops
from the State House, he would direct
that a guard of two unarmed men be
sent there to guard it from improper
intrusion, and he thought such a force
W .uld be sufficient for the purpose. He
felt satisfied that there would be no dis
turbance whatever, and that the people
throughout the state would take cour-
age in the effort to regain their shat
tered industries. He called this after
noon to take leave of the President and
thank him for the withdrawal of the
troops, repeating the assurances given
in his recent letter, that all should
share alike in the protection of the law.
and not doubling his ability topreserve
peace. He does not apprehend that
Gov. Chamberlain will take action with
regard to the custody of the State
House.
The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1877-04-03
TWEED'S TALES.
Which Are Soon to be Published

Which Are Soon to be Published.
Washington, April 2.-There are
ominous foreshadowings in private
circles here of startling disclo-
sures to follow Tweed's release this
week. 1t is understood his confession
exposes M criminal acts of his asso-
%ciates, except where the statute of linz
itations bars prosecution, but, never
theless, there is much sensation among
the friends of parties whose regulations
are likely to suffer by Tweed's expo
sures. Among these are a well-known
newspaper and its publisher, whose en-
dorsement will be exhibited upon
Tweed's check for money by thousands
to the journalist IS orders, for silence to
opposition to ring legislation and to
buy votes.
The story of Twned's escape and
wanderings is full of exciting and ro-
mantle interest. He disappeared De-
cember 9Th a year ago; was concealed
by professional criminals, in New Jer-
sey, in actual sight of New York, and
subsequently at a lonely burglars rem
devious on Staten Island until towards
the middle of the February following.
Thence he went to Florida, where he
remained up to midsummer, a part of
the time in Il coast lighthouse, whence
he crossed to Cuba, and thence pro-
ceeded to Spain in the vessel from
which he was captured on her arrival.
Weighing nearly 300 pounds in his
palmy days, he shrunk to 1855, but is
now rapidly improving.
Tweed has surrendered all his prop
erty and effects, and made a complete
assignment. He refuses counsel and
He has written to Chas. O'Conor that
he does not intend to resist or oppose
any suits that may be brought against
him in the name of the people. Last
Saturday was the last day of appeal in
the great suit brought against him.