davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1877-12-19

found? Children are the property OF
the State; they are the future State
itself If they grow up ignorant and
vicious the State takes cognizance OF the
fact and deprives them OF liberty or life
The power to punish the vices born OF
ignorance implies not only the power to
prevent these vices by education, but also
to make that education the very best. The
State has the right to train the talents OF her
children to her use, just as she has the right
to train sailors and soldiers; and the free
State or people which neglects to increase
the value Of the children by failing to offer
to all that can accept it, not only the most
liberal education, but also an education abb
solutely free from the faintest trace OF a
charitable or elcemosynary character, fails
to do its duty and will inevitably be COM
PEELED to face the results Of that failure.
A sufficiently complete educational sys-
tenn is now established in the public schools
and colleges Of the city of New York, and it
is to be hoped that the day may never como
when it shall be overturned to crafty per-
sonal prejudice or private interest
The New York herald., 1877-12-19

don Board are sharply criticised by the
Times and seem to be open to objection.
But this only applies to the details. such as
the means to be adopted for the regulation
Of the purposes for which the old
and new supply shall be respectively
used. The two supplies, which
must necessarily be entirely independent
one Of the other in order to keep the new
water pure, will naturally occasion much
embarrassment and present many practical
difficulties But the Board of Works have
at least got at the true groundwork Of the
needed reform. They recognize the neces-
sity Of seeking new sources Of supply, and
admit the inevitable contamination Of any
source of supply rs the district from which
it comes gets to be thickly populated. As
they are right on these main principles
there is no doubt Of their ability to over
come all difficulties Of detail in carrying out
their desirable work of improving the Lon
don water, both in quantity and quality.
The New York herald., 1877-12-19
The Trouble In Texas.

The dispatches from Texas tell succinctly
the tragic story OF the end of the riot at San
Elizario The handful of armed men called
the Stateetroops were besieged, and fought
while their ammunition lasted, and then,
not knowing how near assistance was, sur
rendered. Q Their surrender was immedi-
ately followed by the murder ofthree oftheir
number, or Of men with them, named How
ard Atkinson and Mcbride. Howard, it will
be remembered, had excited the peculiar
enmity Of the people of that district by his
acts in regard to the dispute about the
salt ponds and by his having killed an
Italian who had become sort of cham
pion of the people in supporting their
right to take salt without hindrance or
impediment 1t is to be regretted that the
riot has had this bloody end; but it was
melted by the Texas authorities--if not will
fully, yet stupidly-for the Governor was
not ignorant Of the nature of the dispute
and Of the force with which it could DO sup
ported and when he deemed there was
q necessity to send force there he should
have sent enough not only to protect itself,
but to compel respect to the law whose
mandates the force was to sustain. Upon
him the whole responsibility falls But q
riot even in Texas is only riot, and though
a dozen men are killed it cannot have any
international significance, since the men Of
both sides are residents of the State. II
only makes a necessity for vigorous hunt
ing out Of the murderers and the assertion
Of the law against them. That is the whole
signifcanceof of the event, and all the howlipg
that will be done over it will not give it
any other character
The New York herald., 1877-12-19
Turkeys Terms.

If the Ottoman Cabinet supposed that the
object with which Russia went to war was
to force upon Turkey the acceptance of the
proposals made by the Constantinople con-
ference its explanation of its late circular is
natural enough; but it is no wonder that
second note was needed to explain that that
sublimely comical conception was enter
tanned and was the basis Of the recent cir
cular. 1t is only in Constantinople that
they comprehend the outside world SO little
as to indulge diplomatic fancies OF that sort.
"As the war began" says the official explana-
tion Of the circular, sowing to Turkeys re-
fusal to adhere to those proposals, the Porte
thinks it might be terminated now on that
basis" But the Porte assuredly has mo-
nopoly of that sort Of thought. Russia, in
virtue OF her moral relation to portion of the
people OF Turkey, made demand for such
reforms of the Ottoman government MS
would better their hard condition, and the
Powers invited to consider the subject
named in a sort of diplomatic bill of par
Had Turkey conceded those reforms peace
fully Russia would have accepted them
but those terms were offered to the Sultan
with one hand and war with the other. The
Sultan preferred war. Why? Because he
hoped that successful war might give him
better conditions. AS they INDUCED that
hope in Constantinople they must have
thought of the possibility that tho war
would be unsuccessful, and that then
the terms would be worse. They certainly
will be. This sort Of childish cunning
of the Turk will scarcely arrest the atten-
ton of his adversary. Forced into u tre-
mendous conflict to secure what all Europe
recognized as right, the Czar, with seventy
thousand dead, will not at the end OF his
labors accept the feeble compromise with
which he would have been content If it
could have been had peacefully. With this
explanation, even less than without il, the
Turkish note can have no results. Turkey
declared her Independence of the Powers
which made the Treaty of Paris when she
went to war in defiance Of their advice, and
they can only reply that as she was inde-
pendent enough to make war she must be
also Independent enough to fight it out and
make peace. All the reports of English
preparation for war and division in the
English Cabinet rs to what shall be done
are idle gossip
The New York herald., 1877-12-19
Free Education for All.

Why not? The rich pay taxes as well as
the poor, and therefore have an equal right
with the poor to the benefits to be derived
therefrom. IF the rich have discovered that
the instruction obtained at the public
schools and colleges by the children of the
poor is better than can be found elsewhere
why should they not also send their chill
dren to these schools and colleges Under
republican form. of government rich and
poor must work together for the manten-
ance of government, and if the rich man is
wise enough to perceive that to be an in
telligent coworker his son must be q CO.
student with the poor, and he should desire
to make him one, why should he be denied
the privilege when he has paid his share Of
tax for the purpose?
In the vicissitndes of fortune, which are
the law in America, it frequently happens
that the possessors of ample means SEQ their
wealth melt away by causes which they are
powerless to prevent. These persons, hav-
ing contributed their share to generous
system of public education, have right to
expect and even demand for their children
the same privileges TREY have aided in CIV
ing to others. The taxes they have annually
paid have beenthe premiums on mutual
insurance educational fund, and it is
neither right nor just that their children
should be deprived of the benefits arising
therefroni. As to the character OF these ben
efits there can be no question; they were
never intended to be confined in Mig
gardly spirit to- the mere rudiments, but
were expected to give to the youth of the
city the opportunity of obtaining rs liberal
an education as their parents have had and
which has been paid for in advance.
The poor are the progenitors of the rich,
and, since when wealth has been accumu-
lated the time for gaining education has
generally passed away, the interests OF TIE
community demand that its future rich
men shall he offered the opportunity for
gaining liberal instruction while still con-
tending with their poverty, SO that when
property has been amassed tho owners
thereof shall not constitute class of
ignorant rich men, the existence OF which
must ever be an obstacle and hindrance to
the advancement and prosperity of free
people.
Have those who would grudgingly give
nothing but rudimentary instruction in the
public schools ever considered that tho in
terosts which grant the right to give any
education whatsoever necessarily imply
the right to give the best that CON be
The New York herald., 1877-12-19
Black Kids.

No maison de deuu ever presented more
varied or finer assortment Of black ''kids"
than that to be found at Gilmores Garden
at the present time. To call the colored
baby show greater success than the white
baby show would be but poor compliment
to the former, A white show could never
equal gathering Of infants of African de-
scent, either in fun and frolic, in the cute
ness Of the little ones or in the garrulity
and delight of the mothers. To appreciate
babies in all their infantile attractions it is
necessary to visit Gilmore's. The eyes of the
younger members of the African family were
never surpassed in brilliancy, and the
cleaning whiteness Of the teeth of those
more advanced are alone q revelation.
Then for the mothers-What a variety of
shades Of beauty is there displayed and in
what splendid relief do the flashing eyes
and pearly teeth of the dark skinned bellies
appear! There is hearty fun at the colored
show; nor is the exhibition without it's aspi-
rations for fashionable reputation, since, in
accordance with the latest dictates of the
mode, the ladies are all found to have black
'skids" on their hands.
The New York herald., 1877-12-19
Snow and Ice ia the Streets.

Although at all seasons our streets are in
bad enough condition it is within the ex-
perience of the public that they only reach
sublimely horrible state when the snow
comes BY contrast with our streets foot
deep in snow our streets at any other time
are almost as sweet and beautiful as the
streets in Jerusalem, my happy home. "
For if the weather is dry the snow in q
street like Broadway is worked into u sub
stance that more nearly resembles sand than
anything else u; but it is sand with an
arctic temperature and that substance,
ankle deep, remains for days. II the
weather is wet our streets are all rivers
Of sush, and the slush becomes ice,
and every thoroughfare becomes sue
cession of hummocks and holes. In all
streets in which horse cars run the snow
is turned from the track toward the side
walk, SO that vt either side of the track is
formed ridge that mounts higher and
higher with each successive storm, until it
puts the cars out of sight and q visitor from
the country might go down street for a
great ways IN the happy faith that the
millennium was come and there were horse
cars no more. In order to be prepared for
the coming of the snow Mayor Ely has set
ON foot IL measure for cooperation between
the street cleaning authorities and the
horse car lcompanies for the removal OF
the faky yet substantial nuisance. AS
the particulars arc given in our report it
would appear that the car men are disposed
to act in what seems liberal spirit. Ii an
appropriation is made which will authorize
the city authorities to supply the labor then
the car mpanies will supply the transport
tation and will cooperate in taking the
snow from the whole surface of the greater
thoroughfares of the city, like Broadway
and Fifth avenue, and throwing it into the
river. But this plan is not yet agreed upon.
1t is in the circumlocution Office; for the
railway representatives are sent from pillar
TO post to get the necessary consent OF
everybody. From the Police and the Board
Of Estimate they must go to the Dock Com
missioncrs and thence to the Harbor Com
missioners; and in all likelihood they will
weary of the project before it reaches any
practical point. With Mayor who was
under tho law the actual executive all thnt
could be settled III ten minutes, which, as
things are, will not be settled for MONTH
/ perhaps never
The New York herald., 1877-12-19
How They do IL im London.

The Londoncrs have been suffering from
an insufficient and impure water supply,
and the Metropolitan Board OF Works have
taken up the subject, recognizing 1t as a
problem whose proper solution is of the
most vital importance to the welfare of the
metropolis In London, unlike New York,
the water companies are private enterprises,
and the Board of Works have determined,
first that these private rights must be pur-
chased by the city, and next that the supply
and quality must be improved, whatever
may be the cost. Wisely, they look to new
sources for the increase of the supply, in
stead of attempting to drain the last avail
able drop out of existing sources which,
even il they could be made to yield more than
they now do by 'storage reservoirs" or any
other contrivances, would still fail to give an
improved quality OF water The authorities
have been prompt to recognize the fact that
the sources from which the great bulk of the
supply is drawn, while at one time yielding
pure water have become contaminated by
the sewage of an increased population and
are no longer desirable. They therefore
look to new sources of supply as much for
the sake of the public health of the metrop-
oils as Tor its general cleanliness and secur-
ity against fire.
The precise plans suggested by the Lon.
The New York herald., 1877-12-19

they are all in full blast again, as if
nothing had happened. There is widely
prevailing suspicion that these sudden
raids, followed by long intervals of conni-
vance or tolerance, are resorted to as ameans
of inspiring terror and extorting contrbu-
tions. BE this as it may, the law should be
administered with steady uniformity, if
either it or it's officers are to acquire public
respect. II the Legislature could be absurd
enough to enact that the laws against selling
liquor shall be in force for three days in
May and for three weeks in November and
December and q dead letter all the rest of
the year, such preposterous legislation
would match the spasmodic execution OF
the law by the Police Commissioners. This
city is not under government of law, but
of tynnnical and annoying caprice, and it is
high time that an end were put to such
state of things.
When Mayor Ely shall have disposed of
these recreant Police Commissioners and
have filed their places with Efficient officers
the public will expect him to execute the
like Justice on the Commissioners of Excise
What right had they to take the money of
the liquor dealers when they knew that
they had no authority to grant licenses
What have they done with that money?
How will they justify themselves for decoy-
ing the dealers into this scrape? If Judge
Davis is even half right in thinking that
they ought to be indicted as criminals Mayor
Ely would be wholly right in deciding that
they are unfit for their places.
The New York herald., 1877-12-19
Rapid Transit mnd tho Working
Clnsses.

Rapid transit is now making good prog
ress on both sides of the city, On the Sixth
avenue route the work is being vigorously
pushed. On Chatham street, the Bowery
and Third avenue the hearts OF the east
siders are gladdened by the sight of small
armies of laborcrs busily engaged in laying
the foundations for the iron columns of the
New York Elevated road The days Of
doubt and uncertainty have passed away,
and the consummation of the desired inn
provement seems now to be assured The
horse car corporations have been taught
lesson of prudence in the action brought
against the Ninth Avenue Company, and,
better still, the courts since the decision of
the Court Of Appeals, have disposed sum-
marly of all vexatious mandamus appli-
cations. We may fairly expect to
be able to travel by steam between
the Battery and Harlem Bridge on
both sides of the city next autumn. This
will be great public convenience, and, in
deed, in view of the revolution it is certain
in time to make in the present deplorable
down town tenement house system great
public blessing.
But to accomplish it's full purpose rapid
transit must be made to come within the
reach Of the laboring classes. Rapid tran
sit roads run only at high rates of fare
would be worse than none OF all, since
they would cripple the present horse car
accommodations and at the same time be
unavailable for the poorer classes. The
Gilbert Elevated and New York Elevated
companies must both run cheap trains, at
five cents for the through fare. in the hours
of the morning and evening when laboring
people 60 to and return from their work.
Night trains must also be run to accommo-
date those who are employed on night
work. These are absolutely necessary fea-
lures of sufficient and successful rapid
transit for the city, and the managers Of
both corporations have fortunately sufi-
cient intelligence and experience to appre-
ciate that fact.
The New York herald., 1877-12-19

English versus American Football.
In the recent football match between Yale
and Princeton the working OF the new Rugby
rules came out in sharp contrast with the old
fashioned style, and not always in favor Of
the former. Now and then there were most
excited and determined rushes, pretty
dashes and duckings, and, for minute, the
spectator was admirably entertained. But
then there would come q pause, one man
would get the ball and place it on the
ground, many more would bunch around
him. all STOPPING low, and then for long in
terval the game seemed at dead standstill,
no one doing anything at all. Whenever the
ball got over the side line of the field,
thus producing 'foul," there was more
delay, so that the untechnical spectator
could not tell whether the game was over or
not Under the new rules, too, instead OF win
ming victory by kicking the ball anywhere
over the long line forming the end Of the
field at the enemy's rear, it must be sent
between two standards and over q bar
scarcely longer than gymnast's horizontal
bar--a feat that would seem we'll nigh i'm
possible where there are SO many on side.
As between all this fnesse and dull delay
and the good old American game, where
from beginning to end it Was one unceasng
desperate struggle, man after man falling
out exhausted and the stayers winning the
fight, it seems to us that little has been
gained by the innovation. Alertness, dash,
feetness and intrepidity-theso qualities
this admirable pastime begets in greater
degree than any other game except, per-
haps. polo. But why not have also stay-a
quality almost as valuable as all the rest
together? Under the American rules the
winners must have it; under the Rugby
rules, as played by Yale and Princeton, it
seems to be entirely unnecessary.
The New York herald., 1877-12-19

The WEATHER.-rhc movement Of the two
areas OF high pressure which we described yes
terday as being In contact has resulted in the
advance Of the northern area over the lakes.
Canada aud the Middle and New England
States, where the pressure rapidly Increased
The southern area remained central over the
Gulf and South Atlantic States but the pressure
fell rs the volume of the dense atmosphere con
tracted. The dividing line between the two
high areas continued to be defined by the winds
and the existence of very narrow zone OF low
barometer, which extended from the Upper
Mississippi Valley through the Ohio Valley to
the New Jersey coast. As the day advanced
very little change took place in the rcla-
tive positions OF the two high areas but
rains set IN over tie lower lakes
and the Northwest. with "a light precipitation
ON the Gulf coast. The low barometer re-.
maiucd central in Dakota. thus bearing ont our
suggestion that its movement would be very
slow. Last evening the centres Of high pressure
wcrc ON the New England and South Atlantic
COASTS respectively, and little advance was
made by the low barometer in the Northwest or
It's attendant rain area The weather in New
York and It's vicinity to-day will be cloudy and
warm, with rain and probably fog. On to-
MORROW about the same conditions will prevail.
The New York herald., 1877-12-19
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC NOTES.

sWon at Last" is exceedingly well and evenly acted.
Helena Modjeska, the Countess Bozenta, Is at the
Clarendon.
The Theatre ComIque presents steady round Of va.
riety attractions.
"rhc Mothers Secret" will shortly give place to
worthy successor
Miss Mary Anderson takes her benefit at the Fifth
Avenue Theatre ON Friday evening
Janauschek Is said to DO dong much larger bust.
ness than she did while in New York.
Thomas and his orchestra givo another OF their
symphony concerts on Saturday evening.
spxygcn" at the Eagle Is drawing we'll. Miss
Roseau tho new soprano, IS an addition TO tho CON-
pany.
Henry J. Byron's burosque, .Lttlc Doctor Faust,n
is DO best that has written for eighteen
years.
Gounod the composer, is taid to be very religious
man. and to be respected In Paris for his unosen,a.
tieus goodness Of heart.
Al Tony PASTORS the management is apparently
never satisfied unless novelties are on the stage
"Qu,ck changes and large profits" 10 apparently the
motto.
Owing TO the failure Of several OF the combinations
which so hopefully started from New York In the DC.
ginning OF the dramatic season tho o,y Is unusually
full OF actors out OF employment
Tho Elevated Railroad, when complete will be
blessing TO all OF our city theatres. All will derive
benefit from tho fact that they bc reached In ten
or fifteen minutes from almost any portion Of tho city,
Mr.. J. 9. Fryer writes from New Orleans that his
company will commence brief season at the Acad-
cmy OF Music In this city, commencing about the 1th
Of February. The opera OF "F,doo'' bus been added
TO tho repertoire.
lSome OF tho variety people IN England advertise
themselves under curious namcs, as tor instance
"The Court Illusonist" "Thc Lion Comique,n
"Bluck Blossoms, "rhe Solid Man." "rhe Original
star OF Erin," "Arcuc Skaters,n "I.ady Ceinne
Walker" "Monarch OF the Tank" 1.-TWO Wooden.
hcedcd Foundlings." ''rhe MuIatto Lady, "rhs e.
male Barmau," "rhe Elastic Klcgapoos,p . "The Lad,
Fly" "rho Man Fly" 'sTho Bonocss Wonder and
Man-snake," "rno Muscular Athlete, I" "Tho Peculiar
Black Cloud" and, lastly. "The Man OF Mysteryn
The New York herald., 1877-12-19
ADJUSTMENTS.
THE THEATRE FRANcAIs.

Owing to certain adverse circumstances, in which
the Shers deputies are playing part, tho pleasant
performances at the Theatre Erancas apparently
about to como to end. Yet the audience that as.
senbed last evening to witness the first production OF
.Ie Due job" comedy In four acts by Leon Laya,
was as refined any that ever assembled first
nights presentation. SO far MS the actors are
cerned they likewise did iu justice to the
text ~ veniai, Jean due dc Ricux, played WITH Q
force and Intelligence that recalled tho memory OF
Got Paris, who made the part, and Miss Mathilde
Leblanc handsomely represented the fine points that
belong 10 the character OF Emma. Tho next produc.
ton OF the comedy will probably DO In New Orleans
The New York herald., 1877-12-19
Another pernnce Man.

Dr. Lambert, also, is temperance man.
He Is the president of the Popular Life In
surance Company and is on trial for per-
jury He is alleged to have been of opinion
that if a certain temperance man on the jury
could be informed that he Uamber) was
also temperance man, then it might make
no difference whether he was a periurer or
not Perhaps this view hardly does justice
to the juryman, who is likely to bo n
person with sufficient prejudice in regard
to his sworn duty not to depart from it be-
cause the person on trial has opinions like
his own in regard to the use of liquor.
All men do not possess that easy disregard
to tho obligations Of an oath that results in
The New York herald., 1877-12-19

LAWYERS WILL BE INTERESTED in the desciip-
ton in our Washington dispatches of the first
volume Of the new edition of the Revised Stat
utes which has just been finished by. .cx-Sccrc-
tary Boutwell,. 1t appears to be very complete
and great Improvement upon the old edition.