davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-05-03
POLITICAL POINTS.

A Washington special to the Chicago 1'-ib-
us,e says: "a dispatch has been received here
that McIin, Of the Florida Returning Board,
has confessed that the State was carried for
Hayes by fraud
Hon. George G. Gorham, of California, has
been appointed Secretary of the National Re
publican Congressional Committee.
The President is reported to have informed
an inquiring Congressman that, under the
civil-service policy Of the administration, any
office-holder of the Government who volun-
tarily chooses to do SO may contribute to po-
Ideal campaign funds, but he desires it TO be
understood that no officer or employee Of the
Government will incur any danger as to the
tenure Of his Office by refusing to do 30.
Senator Barnum, of Connecticut, the Chair
man Of the Democratic National Executive
the committee at Washington May o. The
committee, in his judgment, will not make any
recommendation as to the Blair memorial, but
will abide by the judgment of the House Ju-
dietary Committee.
Postmaster General Key, in published inter-
view, says that he does not believe Congress
will take any steps toward the investi-
CATION of President Hayes title. He be-
lieves now that Hayes was honestly elected, al
though he did not think so in November, 1876.
at is said by prominent Democrats that
resolution will soon be introduced in the House
directing the Committee on the Judiciary to
investigate the alleged Florida frauds, and au-
thorize them to send for persons and papers.
This would include the statements Of McLin
and Dennis, and other proofs in that connec-
ton. The investigation will be made with a
view Of ascertaining all the facts, and not to
with the present position Of President
Hayes" So says an Associated Press telegram
from Washington.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-05-03
NEWS SUMMARY
FOREIGN NEWS.

The police have discovered important evi-
dence regarding the murder OF Lord Leitrim'
duplicating at least one OF the prisoners now
in custody.
Dispatches of April 23 say that the disturb
ance between the Russians and Turks In the
Balkan districts of Bulgaria and Roumela have
assumed proportions which threaten to make
the matter serious one. Fighting has been
going on for several days between the Turkish
residents on one side and the Russian garrisons
and Bulgarians on the other. and at last ac-
counts the Turks had proved more than
match for their enemies.
The International Telegraphic Congress-, an
nounced for July next, in London, has been
postponed for one year OIL the motion OF the
English Government.
In violent gale on the Black sea, Turkish
corvette was lost, with ninety Of the crew.
Pope Leo has issued his first encyclical,
which IS said to be generally moderate, but IL
renews the protest Of the late Pope against the
absorption Of the States of the Church by the
kingdom Of Italy.
Prof. Heinrich Leo, the German historian,
is dead.
A Constantinople dispatch states that 'assa
and vefik Pashas have left that city for the
scene of the instruction in the Rhodophe
mountains in the capacity of Turkish Commits
sioners. The insurgents are we'll Differed and
provided with abundance of ammunition.
They occupy imrregnable positions. depu-
tation of Mussuiman inhabitants Of Roumelia
waited upon Layard, the British Ambassador,
and begged him to telegraph his Government
to urge European intervention to put an end
to the atrocities committed by the Bulgarians
A London dispatch says great enthusiasm
was manifested in military circles on its be-
coming known that the whole of the staff and
commissioned officers at Aldershott had re-
ceived stringent orders from the War Office to
hold themselves in complete readiness for I'M
mediate active service. In addition it was
stated that all the principal officers had re-
ceiyed important secret instructions for certain
contingencies.
The Grand Duke Nicholas has been promoted
to the rank Of Field Marshal Ger eral of the
Russian army-and relieved Of his command OF
the forces in Turkey.
BY boiler explosion in Dublin foundry,
fifteen persons were killed and twelve seriously
wounded
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-05-03
MISCELLANEOUS GLRANINGS.

Sensational dispatches to the San Antonio
CTex.) Express, dated April 23, detail addi-
tonal Indian and Mexican outrages The
raiders murdered men and women and carried
children into captivity. No less than forty
persons have been killed and much stock taken.
During the progress of fire in Coburg. On
tario, the other day, one of the walls Of a
burning building fell and buried six firemen.
Three Of them were instantly killed, and
three badly injured, one of them fatally.
Friday, April 26, being the fifty-sixth ami
versary of Odd Fellowship in the United
States, was celebrated with due ceremony by
the members of the order throughout the
country.
In anticipation of a war between England
and Russia, a movement is on foot in San
Francisco to fit out privateer to prey on
British commerce. 1t is said letters of marque
from the Russian Government have already
been received in blank.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-05-03
WASHINGTON NOTES.

An order has been issued by the United
States Supreme Court, at Washington, assign
ing the Chief and Associate Justices to various
Supreme circuits, as follows: First circuit,
Nathan Clifford, Associate Justice; Second
circuit, Ward Hunt, Associate Justice; Third
circuit William Strong, Associate Justice |;
Fourth circuit, Morrison r. Waite, Chief JUS
tice Fifth circuit, Joseph P. Bradley, Asso-
ciate Justice; Sixth circuit, Noah II. Swayne,
Associate Justice Seventh circuit, John M.
Harlan, Associate Justice; Eighth circuit,
Samuel f. Miller, Associate Justice Ninth cir.
Gun, Stephen J. Field, Associate justice. The
new order was made in accordance with the
recent appointment OF new Associate Justice.
The House Committee OH Naval Affairs has
agreed to report bill Recommending that the
claim Of Mrs. Dahlgren, for the Dahlgren gun,
be referred to the Court Of Claims, with limit
OF se5,O0O.
The President has nominated Geo. L. Smith
TO be Collector OF Customs at New Orleans-
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-05-03
GREAT RAILWAY PROJECTS.
Propositions I'm Congress to Chespen Trans
DOrtatfon


The House Committee on Railways
and Canals has adopted the report of
the subcommittee on Representative
Schleicher's bill to provide for cheap
transportation Of freight between the
Atlantic coast and the Ohio and Missis-
sippi valleys, and agreed to report the
bill to the House with a favorable rec.
ommendation. The bill provides for the
appointment OF commission of twelve
persons by the Governors of the States
of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan,
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska and
Missouri, each State being entitled to
one Commissioner. 1t is proposed that
the board to be created shall constitute
body polite and corporate, under the
name OF 1.-The United States Railroad
Corporation" and the same shall be
recognized as corporation authorized
to obtain necessary franchises, and right
OF way and title thereto, in the manner
prescribed by the laws of the States, for
the purpose of locating, building and
operating n railway, principally for
freight, from New York to Council
Bluffs, Iowa, such as shall offer the best
connection with the system of railroads
west of the Missouri river. The COM
pensation of the Commissioners shall be
paid by the corporation at the rate of
50, 900 per annum each.
The House Committee on Railroads
also voted unanimously to report favor
ably on the bill gaanting a charter to
the Washington, Cincinnati and st.
Louis Narrow-G Gauge Railroad Company.
This company has already begun build
ing its road, and has about fifty miles of
it already graded in Virginia. 1t is as
serted that road of three-feet gauge
can be built and operated for less than
one-half the expense of the standard
gauge roads, and that the result will be
an immense reduction in the charges
for rail- Dad transportation between the
large cities of the West and the Atlantic
seaboard. This company proposes to
run line of freight steamers from
Washington to New York to connect
with its road. 1t also proposes to estab-
lish branches to Chicago, and gradually
TO extend narrow-gauge system to all
important points in the East and West
One of the great advantages claimed for
this road is that it will open up the
West Virginia coal fields, the splint and
camel coal, which is said to be 40 per
cent. higher as fuel for gas-making than
any coal produced in Pennsylvania.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-05-03
The Oldest Man Living.

AT recent meeting OF physicians In
Bogota, DIR. LUZ Hernandez read a
paper of unusual interest. 1t was an
account of visit he had paid to one
Miguel Soils half-breed farmer living
in the foot hills of the Sierra Mesilla.
The remarkable thing about Miguel is
that he gives himself out as $50 years
old, "more or less" and all his neigh.
bors believe it is good deal more rather
than less. Gray-headed men told the
do tor that they remembered Miguel, as
a reputed centenarian when they were
boys also, that the name of Miguel
Soils, colored farmer, appeared in list,
still preserved, of the contributors to the
building fund of Franciscan monas-
terry near San Sebastian, which was
founded in 1712, and that the present
Abbot is positive it was the same man.
The doctor found the old fellow at work
in his orchard-parchment skinned, ro-
bust, active, his snow-white hair twisted
turban-fashion around his head, and his
eyes so bright that the doctor felt I'M
comfortable when they were turned up.
on him. Questioned as to his habits.
Miguel told the doctor that the secret of
living a century or two was very simple
merely never getting drunk and never
overlooking. :" eat only once day
a big hearty meal, which it often takes
me half an hour to get through with
but, you see, it is not possible in half
hour to eat more than you can digest in
the next twenty-four. he went on to
say that he hadn't made up his mind
about meat, but did not eat much of it
he tasted on the first and middle days of
each month, eating nothing but drinking
all the water he could swallow he al
ways let cooked food cool before tasting
it I; that was the reason his teeth were as
sound as $50 years ago. 1t was hardly
necessary to add that all the Indians of
the neighborhood firmly believe that
old Miguel has sold his soul to the
devil
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-05-03
Big Six.

Tweed began life at the bottom, sold
cushions for chairs, run with an engine
in the old days of voluntary fire COM
panies, and got the nickname of Big
Six from the company of which he was
the leader BY some sort of hocus-
pocue he got admitted to the bar, was
chosen member of the Common Council,
was sent to Congress one term, became
School Committeeman, Alderman, and
Supervisor, and, finally, head of the De-
partment OF Public Works. In those
days he was tall, vigorous, good-looking,
with large head and commanding
presence. though afterward he grew fat
and somewhat heavy. His mind was
wonderfully quick in its perceptions and
movements. He could think round any
body he came in contact with. All his
movements were remarkably rapid, and
he would do more work in one day than
three ordinary men. He spoke with q
lightning rapidity of utterance, and,
when little excited, would discharge a
volley of words all at once as from a
mortar. Last fall, when before the
Aldermen, he calculated one of these
speeches, the words flying after each
other as though a charge of dynamite
had exploded under a dictionary,
electrifying the listeners and filling the
shorthand reporters with CONSERVATION.
The celebrity and grip of his mind and
his ability to organize and use men were
ut the bottom of his success. Then he
was royalty liberal. Ee gave as he got,
with free hand. To ask was to get, if
he had anything to give. In his pros
porous days he distributed thousands
every year in gifts to friends, aims to the
poor, contributions to societies and
churches. His almost unbounded iber-
atty made him popular and gained him
the support of hundreds. People felt
that there was royalty in his giving
that atoned in part for his questionable
getting, and took his donations without
stopping to ask questions. But, at the
bottom, Tweed was immoral. He seems
never to have had conscience, nor to
have been troubled with scruples of any
kind. He was often surprised when his
warned him not to offend the
moral sense of the community, and won
dered that civilized beings could be such
fools. He believed in neither God n)r
hereafter, and once wished that he might
die in ten-acre lot, where there would
be room enough to have good square
kick for the last time
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-05-03
The Poverty of India.

India has been for half century too
poor even to bear the slight cost of Gle.
veloping her own resources. The grand
mistake we have made has been in rul-
leg her as if she were the Ell Dorado of
romance instead of the famine-stricken
pauperized empire of reality. What
wealth there is exists in the hands of the
few, of whom the majority are foreign
ers. But public burdens and the cost
of government are wrung from the pen
hiless pockets OF the poor, who, while
they can hardly keep body and soul to-
gether, have been expected to pay for
costly Improvements" involving liza
bilities that it would tax the energies of
the richest states to meet.
Two millstones hang around the neck
of the Indian empire % ever-increas-
ing debt, (2) constantly-recurring de-
ficits. When the company handed over
the country to the crown in 1853 the
debt of India was f59, 800, 900. 1t is now
f234, 00O,O 900. In 1858 the charge for
interest on debt was co, 5OO,O 900. 1t is
now over ell, 900, 900, and, allowing that
railways and canals clear off nominally
about f3. 700, 900, we have still an an
nual debt charge to be met out of the
taxes Of E7,300,00 Of course il is said
that this huge debt has conferred benefits
on India in the shape of public works.
OF the railways we may safely say they
were built on an extravagant gauge,
which even rich country like England
could not have afforded, and that when
they are not dead loss they pay about
81 per cent. OF the per cent. dividend
guaranteed by the state. The very
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-05-03

The United States Senate has reconsidered
its action in rejecting the appointment Of Mr..
Colburn, Of the New York Times, as Consul
General to Mexico, and confirmed him by a
andsome vote.
A Washington dispatch announces the death.
after lingering illness, Of William M. Evarts,
Jr, the only son of the Secretary OF State. His
disease was consumption.
The investigation against George Seward,
Minister to China, is said to have disclosed
such facts that the members Of the House In
vestigating Committee are Of opinion that they
will recommend the impeachment both of Min
lister Seward and of Consular Agent Bradford.
This movement will be based upon alleged OK
tortionate charges and other Irregularities.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-05-03
DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.
EaRt.

The President and party of distinguished
guests were entertained by the citizens OF
Philadelphia on the Gath Of April.
The twelfth annual meeting Of tho National
Board of Fire Underwriters was held in New
York last week, Alfred G. Baker. of Philadel-
phia, presiding. About forty-fve companies
were represented. The following officers were
elected for the ensuing year Alfred q.
Baker, Philadelphia, President; b. Lockwood,
New York, Vice President M. Bennett, Jr.,
Hartford, Secretary J. s. Parish, Providence,
Treasurer.
The Erie railroad was sold the other day at
New York, in foreclosure suit by the Farmers
Loan and Trust Company. The road was
purchased for $4,000, 900 by ex-Gov. Z. d.
Morgan, David A. Wells and ]. Lamber
Welsh, who are Trustees for the stockholders.
delegation of Souther: Congressmen-Sen-
ators Gordon, Morgan and Jones, and Repre-
sentatives Carlisle, Ellis, Yeates, Whitthorne,
Clark, Hooper, Young, Morey and Goode-vis-
tied Boston in a body last week, as the guests
of the Commercial Club. There was much
speech-making considerable gush, and a cor
dial handshaking across the "bloody chasm."
Boston has the champion failure Of the sea-
son, that of Nathan Mathews, real-estate specu-
lator. His debts amount to about $4,000, 600.
south.
A San Antonio telegram reports another raid
on the northwest frontier of Texas by Indians
rom the Fort Stanton reservation. The In
dams who murdered fifteen persons near Lo-
redo and captured a large number of horses
made good their escape.
Advices from Northwestern Texas report an
other mail carrier killed by Indians between
Forts Davis and Stockton, making the sixth
person killed in that locality within few days.
wagon train was attacked between Stockton
and Fort Davis. The mountains are said to be
full of hostile savsges.
West.
Chicago elevators contain $40, 1893 bushels Of
wheat, 1887 003 bushels Of corn, 139, $50 bushels
of oats, 49, 162 bushels ofrye and AGO. 3l9 bushels
of barley, making grand total Of g. lao, 1927
bushels, against 1897, 1893 bushels at this period
last year.
A San Francisco telegram says that in that
city recently small sums of greenbacks have
been purchased for gold coin at premium Of
so cents on every 81, 600 in notes.
The Office of the Detroit Free Press was al
most totally destroyed by fire on the morning
OF the 29.h ult. Loss about 100000. The
fire was caused by the explosion OF a gas main.
There was very little delay in the publication
of any Of the editions of the Free Press, the
other papers in the city generously offering
their assistance.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-05-03
The Story OF May.Day.

Alas, children the world is growing
old. Not that dear old Mother Earth
begins to show her 6, 900 (more or less
years, by stiff joints and clumsy move
ments, by clinging to her winters rest
and her warm coverlet of snow, forget
ting to push up the blue-eyed violets in
the spring, or neglecting to unpack the
fresh green robes of the trees. No, in
deed The blessed mother spins around
the sun as gayly as she did in her first
year. She rises from her winter
sleep fresh and young as ever.
Every new violet is as exquisitely tinted,
as sweetly scented, as its predecessors
of thousand years ago. Each new ma
ple-leaf opens as delicate and lovely as
the first one that ever came out of its
tightly-packed bud in the spring. Mother
Nature never grows old.
But the human race changes in the
same way that each one of us does. The
race had its childhood when men and
women played the games that are now
left to you youngsters. We can even
see the change in our own day. Some
of us-who are not grandmothers, either
can remember when youth of IA and
Is played many games which nowadays
an unfortunate damsel of 6 years-ruf-
fled, embroidered and white gowned,
with delicate shoes, and hips in the vice.
liked grasp of modern sash-feels are
altogether too young for her. Well,
well What do you suppose our great
grandchildren will do?
When the Romans came to Britain to
live, many Hundred years ago, they
brought, of course, their own customs
and festivals, among which was one in
memory of Flora, the Goddess of Flow
ers. The heath en-our ancestors, you
know-adopted them with delight, be-
ing in the childhood of their race.
They became very popular; and when,
some years later, a good priest, Gregory,
came from Rome, also) to convert the
natives, no wisely took advantage Of
their fondness for festivals, and, not try
ing to suppress them, he simply altered
them from heather feasts to Christian
games, by substituting the names Of
saints and martyrs for heather gods and
goddesses. Thus the Floralia became
May-d day celebration, and lost none of
its popularity by the change. On the
COuhdIf ~ VINO CtItiCo Oh uli ONCI
gland for ages, till its origin would have
been lost but for few painstaking old
writer's, who "made notes" Of every
thing.
The Floralia we care nothing for, but
the May-day games have lasted nearly to
our day, and some relics of it still sur
vive in our young country. When you
crown May Queen, or go with May
party, you are simply following GUS
tom that the Romans began, and that
our remots ancestors in England carried
to such lengths that not only ordinary
people, but lords and ladies, and even
King and Queen, laid aside their state
and went ga Maying" early in the
morning, to wash their faces in May
dew, and bring home fresh boughs and
flowers to deck the May-pole, which
reared It's fowery crown in every village.
Olive 7horne, in ST. Nicholas for
May.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-05-03
Sc Blind" Letters at the New York
POstOfice.


" Blindv Letters at the New York
P0stOfice.
The average OF INSTRUCTED letters sent
up to this department is over 500 day;
the day l was there last it ran up to
about 1000. The most difficult of
these 60 to Mr.. Stone, who is called
"the blind man." perhaps because he
can decipher an inscription that is ut
terly illegible to any other man in Amer
lea. His most difficult cases are the
foreign letters. Here is q letter directed
to Sanduik," which he makes out to
be Sandy Hook. Sometimes the ar
rangement of the name and address is
curious:
For Mr. thomas
Smith Bridge
port postoffice
Conn. America
is very plain when you once understand
that is " For Mr.. Thomas Smith, Bridge
port, Conn, America" But when a
man says Hoio," how is anybody but
blind man to know that he means Ohio
One letter reads, "Bet Feet Rue de
Aqua" Now the blind man knows that
" Rue de Aqua" is Spanish for Water
street, and that there is Water street
in New Bedford, Mass. "Lysram,
Warner CO. ;" he translates into Lnzerne'
Warren Co.. and Common county, p.
A." is made into Cameron county,
Pa. But who would guess that Govern
G. d. Learey," in one line, means that
1t is to go to auburn, in search of @. ID.
L,2 One letter is directed to "Kun-
stanzer Brauerei, s. l., Amerika." Mr..
Stone recollects the fact that Constance's
Brewery is at Stapleton, Staten Island,
and the letter is sent there. He reads
" loci " into Iowa, and ste Pella in Yo-
nah" he makes to go to Pella, in the
same State. Nor does Ohio get off
with one miss. Here is one letter
that wants to go TO Stadt Hioh Zunso-
unati, Strasse Is, that is, to the State
of Ohio, Cincinnati, Street Is. But that
is not all. This other one wants to reach
the same city but it has a bad spell of
another kind, for its direction runs
Scitznaty." And then "Pizzo Burg
Messessip," is sent to Vicksburg. Michi-
gan is spelled mutting," "Glass
works Berkshire" is sent to Pittsfeld, in
Berkshire county, Massachusetts,, where
there is glass factory. But the hard
est one / saw was addressed to "John
Hermann Schirmen," in one line, with
the wonderful word Staguekaundo" for
the rest. Mr.. Stone cut the word in
twain, and read it "Chautauqua county,"
while he translated the wholeinto John
Hermann, Sherman Postoffice, Chautau-
qua county, N. Y"
But there are some which even blind
man cannot make out. One letter in
rather good handwriting is very
vaguely addressed to
Mackay, Esq., Amerique.
Another reads
Too much of'this.
From your affectionate son,
ANTON HIEMBURGER.
In this case the close of the letter has
been copied exactly by some one who
did not understand the language. In
stead of too much of this, there is really
too little. But here is case where the
top of the letter has been imperfectly
copied in the same fashion. It reads
j" Tuesday Evening, Nord America"
If Tuesday Evening should see this
article, he will know that his letter has
gone back again to Europe. Edward
an Scribner for May.