davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-03-03

Mr. Newsom ask9d and OBTAINED leave tc
introduce a bill, which was read iold placed
upon the calendar, becoming
House bill No. 465.
0"An act to authorize the Police Jury of the
parish of Tangipahoa to levya special tax to
redeem the outstanding Indebtedness" etco
The bill was passed to its second reading.
Mr.. Washburn moved to amend by adding
the WORT "Morehouse" after the word Tan
gipahoa." ..-.
The amendment was adopted.
Mr.. Barrett moved tooamend by inserting
also the words land Rapidesc, and by chang
ing the word ''parishoto parishes, where
ever it occurs in the bill
The amendment was adopted. a
Under suspension of the rules the bill was
considered engrossed and read third time,
and passed.
Mr.. Berry asked and Obtained leave to in
troduce bill, which was read and placed
upon the calendar, becoming ....."
House bill No, 466.
IAN act to suspend all taxation to pay the
interest, and to provide a sinking fund on the
whole bonded debt of the city of New Or
Jeans, to provide for the immediate invesh-
The New York herald., 1878-02-21
A Charity Emterta inme {.

The Martha Washington reception at the
Academy Of Music tomorrow evening will
be one of the most interesting social events
of the season. The Chinese pagodas in
Nilsson Hail. where the bellies of the pres
ent day in the toilets of century ago will
dispense tea and smiles sweet enough to
render needless the use of sugar, the
dancing, commencing with the stately min
uet, and the tasteful decorations, will form
n panorama of grace and beauty such as
the irequenters of the Academy have
seldom witnessed. When 1t is remembered
that underlying all these attractions is the
praiseworthy object of the entertainment
the relief Of the poor of the metropolis--we
are entitled to bespeak tor the Martha
Washington reception q most brilliant
success.
The New York herald., 1878-02-21
where tho n responsibility Rests.

The recent disgrnceful proceedings at
Princeton ought to put stop wholly and
forever to practice that would not for ON
instant be tolerated in any properly regu-
lated college. "Hazing" in its mildest form
is cowardly and reprehensible. It is the
abuse of the weak for the amusement of the
strong, and no young man OF sense or Of
gentlemanly instincts would take part in q
proceeding bearing such character. In some
Instances very serious consequences have
followed the practice. and in this case at
Princeton it may be that, not for the first
time, the unmanly frolic Of an hour, fol-
lowed by the excitement of passion, may
plunge happy home into the deepest sor-
row. The principals of q college are bound
to protect the students intrusted to their
care, and they are neglectful Of their duty
when they suffer an inexperienced and prob
ably weakly young man to be insulted.
mfsused and terrified by a rufianly crowd,
or allow dangerous riot like that which
has disgraced Princeton to become possible.
1t is all very well for the president and
others in authority to make excuses for such
occurrences or to discaim the responsible
ity. The disgraceful scene and its results
tell their own story and prove that the col
lege is under management that misunder-
stands its duty or is incapable Of enforcing
its authority.
The New York herald., 1878-02-21
Charges Against q stats omcer.

The charges of official malfeasance pre-
ferred by Comptroller Olcott against Mr..
John F. Smyth, the Superintendent of the
Insurance Department, are set forth with
that directness and force that mark all
Mr. Olcotts official communications. The
law of 1873. prescribing the manner in which
alone bills for examinations of insurance
companies by any attorney, appraiser or
officer of the department shall be made out,
audited and collected, is very distinct, and
its object is apparent. 1t was intended to
put a stop to any collusion between the
companies and the department, and to pre-
vent any direct money transactions between
them. The bills of the officers and en-
ployes of the Insurance Department for
making any examination OF a company,
other than the necessary travelling and
other actual expenses, are to be paid by
warrant on the State Treasurer in the usual
manner, after approval by the Superintend-
ent and audit by the Comptroller, and
the Treasury is subsequently to be re-
imb rsed by the company examined.
Mr.. Olcott charges that the Superintendent
has knowingly and wilfully disregarded
this law, and presented or caused to be
presented to insurance companies the bills
Of attorneys and appraisers Of the depart-
ment not bearing his own approval as
Superintendent and not audited by the
Comptroller, on which bills for large
amounts of money have been collected,
with the Superintendents knowledge, con-
sent, procurement and connivance.
Mr.. Smyth has yet to be heard from in
reply to these charges. 1t may be that he
will disclaim knowledge OF bills which have
not received his approval but, whatever
may be his explanation or defence. the fact
that the law has been disregarded seems to
be undeniable. But as the law makes the
insurance companies equally with the off,
GERS of the Insurance Department RESPONSE
BILE for any violation of these provisions,
the investigation may take wider range
than was at first supposed.
The New York herald., 1878-02-21
s.f.r,e. OF CITY omcer..

The salaries of the principal city officials
and of the members of the Board Of Alder
men are fixed by section 116 of the city
charter passed in 1873. Since that time the
cost of all the necessaries of life has materi-
ally decreased. We get lodging. food,
clothing and fuel much cheaper now than
we did five years ago. This consideration
has induced the reduction of the salaries OF
school teachers and janitors by scaling
process, and the cutting down OF the wages
of city laborers twenty per cent. 1t has
also been regarded as justifying general
decrease in the pay of subordinates in the
several municipal departments. There is
no reason why the rule applied to these
different classes of city employees should not
become general and be made to reach the
salaries Of heads of departments and Alder
mep, which at present remain at the liberal
rate fixed five years ago. Mr.. Fish has IN
troduced bill in the Assembly which en-
powers the Board of Apportionment to des-
ignate the salaries that shall be paid in oil
the departments of the city government.
Objections are made to this proposition on
the ground that two of the members of the
Board Of Apportionment are heads OF de-
partments, and that it is undesirable to
confer upon them the power to establish the
salaries of their own and oil other depart
ments.
If the employes of all the city depart
ments should be graduated in, say. three
classes. and the salaries paid in each class
be established. subject to revision every
three years, or as often as might be deemed
expedient, it would no doubt tend to pro-
mote both efficiency and economy in the
government The Common Council would
be the proper authority to fix the amount
of the salaries to be paid in the several
Glasses if it possessed the confidence OF
the people. As it does not it might be desir-
able to ntrust the duty to commission in
dependent of the departments, composed Of
public officers or of experienced merchants
who employ large numbers of men and un-
derstand the value Of clerical services. The
heads of departments could then assign
their employees to the several grades and
thus have it in their power to reward the
most efficient and faithful, and to encour-
age good service by the hope of promotion
and the fear Of degradation. Such plan
as this would be preferable to the one pro-
posed by Mr.. Fish. At the same time the
pruning knife might be applied to the
heads of departments and the overpaid
Aldermen by simple amendment of the
10th section.of the charter, changing the
amounts at which their several salaries are
fixed th erein.
The New York herald., 1878-02-21
A Mother. Trium phi.

A singular case that has occupied the
Court Of Common Pleas for some days was
brought to a close yesterday. Mr.. William
R. Hynes, of st. Louis gentleman pos
sessed of considerable property, formed the
acquaintance of q lady in London in 1871,
and, while no marriage ceremony was per-
formed, lived with and acknowledged her
as his wife. After the birth Of two
children, about year ago Mr. Hynes was
thrown from his carriage and received fatal
injuries When he recovered conscious
ness the first words he uttered were re-
quest that his .'wife and children" might be
brought to him. After his death his sisters
administered to his estate in this country
on the representation that he had died un-
married and intestate. Mrs. Hynes came
to New York, where the property is stu
ated, with her children, and the
suit which has just terminated was
brought to test the question whether
her alliance with the deceased was
q marriage recognized as valid by the
law. The case was fought with much bit
terness by the relatives of the deceased, by
whom the services of private detective
agency had been called into requisition to
ferret out the life history of the plaintiff in
the suit. The detectives discovered nothing
to her discredit The verdict was given
without hesitation for the plaintiff, the jury
evidently being convinced that in all but o
mere form she was the faithful wife Of the
deceased, and was recognized, trusted and
beloved as such by him to his dying hour.
AS the happy mother left the court room
with her children it was evident that the
sympathy of the Bench. the Bar and the
spectators was with her, nnd that the fnd-
ing Of the jury was regarded by all as q just
and righteous verdict.
The New York herald., 1878-02-21
John Brown and Gerrit smith.


We. print q piquant letter on the
lively dispute which hos arisen out Of
Dr. Frothingham's interesting biogra-
ply of Gerrit Smith. Our correspond
ent gives evidence by his hints and
suggestions Of more knowledge than he
chooses to state Of the inside history Of Mr.
Smiths alleged connection with John
Browns memorable assault on Harper's
Ferry. 1t seems to be his aim to call forth
authentic evidence from those who are sup
posed to have it in their possession. We
take no part in the controversy. but tho in
teresting historical questions which have
been raised ought to be settled. It is un-
derstood that the only requisite to o
full publication of the proofs is o
request by some authorized member Of
Mr.. Smiths family. Our correspondent
sets forth with much sharpness and pun
gency the awkward predicament in which
the impugners of DR.. Frothingham's fidelity
have placed themselves, and his letter
cannot escape their attention. The public
has no other interest in this dispute than q
desire to know the exact truth respecting a
most remarkable and memorable episode in
our national history.
The New York herald., 1878-02-21

of his own merits was decisive. for the
Papacy, like the Presidency, is an Office not
to be sought an Office not to be made the
prize of intrigue and traffic. 1t is at all
events certain that the choice Of a given
prelate, despite definite usage and tradi-
ton to the contrary. proves the strength of
the conviction on the part Of the electors
that no other cardinal was equally fit. and
that it was better to set aside an. ancient
usage than to sacrifice to it what all deemed
the real interests of the Papacy.
In our judgment the influence of this
choice upon the relations of the Church 70
the several governments with which it has
been in collision will be excellent Com
mitted to policy derogatory to its real in
fuence by the mistaken views Of those who
were intrusted with the control of those re-
lations no pride is surrendered and 20 dig
nifty sacrificed when men of other views,
taking the helm, change that policy, and
the whole difficulty has for some time been
in the possibility of making that change
gracefully. No objection to this appoint
ment will be made in any Catholic country,
and it is put within the power Of other coun-
tries to arrange modus rivendi with the new
administration.
The New York herald., 1878-02-21

zen has right to invoke the power OF the
State and has no other remedy but not to
promote personal interests, to aggravate
confusion or to embarrass legitimate efforts
by those most directly interested in corpo-
rate property to conserve their rights. and to
bring order and stability out OF disorder
and weakness. The Attorney Generals
power as public prosecutor has too fire.
quently been misused in this direction, not,
probably, from corrupt motives, but because
the incumbent Of the Office has allowed his
feelings to be enlisted Oh one side or the
other of controversy, and has not had SO
clear and sound comprehension of his
duties as is possessed by Mr.. Schoonmaker.
1t is certain that during the time he fills the
position Of chief law officer of the State no
MD will be extended to wreckers and no en-
couragement will be given to vexatious
litigation in the name of the people, while
unsound or offending corporations will be
held to strict accountability. ''This
Office" says Mr.. Schoonmaker. SHOULD act
for purposes Of preservation when that can
properly be done, or to extinguish cor
porate existence when that becomes neces-
sary or proper" This is sound doctrine
both in law and equity
The New York herald., 1878-02-21
German Innusncs ON the situation.

German influence the Situation
The utteranoes of Prince Bismarck in
answer to the Interpolation addressed to
the Empe-or's government in the Reichstag
were clothed in language of sufficiently
doubtful meaning as to leave the world as wise
garding the policy of Germany Directly
opposite INTERPRETATIONS will suit the am
biguous phrases by which the Prince
successfully concealed his intentions and
baffled the curiosity of political friends as
we'll as opponents. But we can safely
assume that Germany will fill no second
place in the councils that may decide the
grave European questions at issue. and that
if the situation demands action her sword
will weigh more heavily than her diplomacy
in determining the balance of power Herr
Bennngsen's declaration that it was ex-
pected by the German liberals that the gov
ernment would exercise restraint on Rus
sia's ambition for the protection of Aus
trian interests does not fully represent
German sentiment, and looks very like one
that would bo inspired by the Chancellor
himself, in order that he might have the
opportunity to deal with it in the manner
he has. The position assumed by Ger
many, as defined by Prince Bis
marck, does not place her in the
modest role of mediator by any means,
but in that Of Power whose
diplomatic suggestions are really commands
which she is in position to enforce. Ger
mary goes to war, if conflict is necessary,
for German interests only, but pending ne
gotiations she maintains an attitude which
enables her to represent great but un-
known quantity in the calculations of rela-
tive forces. 10 is not singular, therefore,
that all eyes turn on Germany when new
question is developed in the settlement of
old ones. The conditions that have vexed
the politicians OF Europe during the past
year or so are much older than the
existence of even the Prussian State
as considerable Power, not to men,
tion the German Empire. Hence the
doubts that Europe. entertains regarding
the policy of the Power created by Bismarck.
It is assuredly an evidence of self-contidence
on the part of that astute statesman that he
unhestatingly ''snubs" the leaders of the
ultramontane and socialist parties when
they tender him their conditional support.
The London Times complacently regards the
speech of Prince Bismarck as indicating
Germany's withdrawal as a factor from the
calculation, and states that ''the issue
rests between Russia. Austria and England"
We are inclined to take the opposite view,
mount in the settlement Of the present diff
culties.
The New York herald., 1878-02-21
MIR. AstOr rs v LIE q islatOr.

More than ordinary significance attaches
to Mr.. Astor's speech in the Assembly on
the excise question. So far as concerns the
immediate subject Of which it treats the
speech should insure beyond peradventure
the enactment Of good excise law for
the cities Of the State. 1t establishes the
fact that the great landed interests of the
city, which have heavy stake in the pres
ervation of law and order, recognize the
baneful tendency of sumptuary legislation
and favor the enactment of laws which can
be impartially and effectively enforced.
Mr.. Astor's statement that the law of 1857 is
an absurdity, means Of favoritism for
some and oppression for others, incapable
of enforcement in New York or any other
large city, and only calculated to place the
liquor traffic outside those wholesome re-
strictions and regulations by which it ought
to be surrounded, is in accordance with the
popular judgment and is worth whole
volume of temperance eloquence from the
earnest orators OF the rural districts who
suppose that New York. can be governed by
laws fitted for some little village Nesting
at the foot of Humbug Mountain, in Frank
lin county. But, aside from the excise
question to which it was addressed, Mr..
Astor's speech possesses interest as an evil
dence that in the highest ranks of the city's
wealth and culture are to be found young
men who are willing to accept the labor and
responsibility of public Office, and it will
be we'll il Mr.. Astor's example secures here
ff,ra
The New York herald., 1878-02-21
PERSONAL INTELLIGENCE.
err Of the owl:-"Hoo il hoos"

The cry Of the owl:--"Hoo IL hoos"
Mrs. Barney Williams has arrived homo.
Hon. G. H. Boxer has arrived from Europe
Flower pot manufacturing increases 10 England
II you would teach q boy patience lot him 90 ash.
Ing
Leather Medili, OF the Chicago Tribune, is In WASH
ington.
The Telegram thinks that wife behters who expect
20 TO heaven are tho maddest at Bob IngcraolL
An Englishman. for the FIRST time. looked at Nj.
agara Falls, and ther said, 'welI, what's to prevent
itY"
An English critic desires that thero should bc Eng
lisn words for musical terms, instead Of the Italian
nomenclature.
Tho dolls Of our daddies were not wax. ike ours
HERALD p. l. No, but their sons were whackssd like
ours -.yorrisso,on Herald
Now II Is claimed that hickory nuts arc almost a.
healthy as cod liver oil. That IS the reason why
squirrels seldom die Of consumption.
rhere are enough old tin cans. bottles and sardins
boxes along the route Of the Pacific Railway TO feed
all she goats In the United States tor one year
Paragraph humor alone Will not q country
paper. The country editor who would win success
must ransack every hen roost In the town Tor news
Nevada boy started an old wagon wheel down
long hill II struck chinese washhouse and the
Cinnamon went way while the boy went the other.
The Examinsr says that more than one EnRlishman
will remember with feelings of keen regret some
pleasant hours passed In ME Bowles' Now England
home
I.is srue .ha. the western man md the Southern
man resemble each other physically and In modes Of
thinking and in habits more than they resemble men
OF the East
Professor Morley says that the supidest novel has
the merit OF showing how the life OF an epoch pic
tured itsof ON the mind Of . living witness. 'It
Ii at least specimen OF tho stupidity Of tho time
Tho Chicago Tribune has opened Its columns to
ladies' who wish to advocate tho adoption OF a six
tconth amendment offered by Senator Sargent In
favor Of woman suffrage. Some OF tho lotters are
very strong and sensible.
Buffalo Grpren:--" Some OF tho creeds' says the
Nxw York HERALD. insist that wo must forgive
our enemies, but that God 10 going to roast His.
There may have been neatsr remarks on this sub
jcct, but We don't remember any,"
The New York herald., 1878-02-21

THE WEATnER.-The area of high pressure
OH the Atlantic coast has moved slowly north
eastward and is now over the New England and
New Brunswick districts, with light snowfals
northward of Boston. In the Southwest the
pressure las fallen very low and a storm of
considerable energy Is moving from Texas into
the Lower Mississippi Valley, attended by gen.
eral rains, which have fallen far to the north
eastward as Pittsburg, Pa The depression that
appeared in the Northwest simultaneously with
that advancing from the Southwest has moved
into the region north of the lakes, attended
on its western margin by light snow and slect.
The indications ut present point to the ap-
proach of u violent storm aud the prevalence
Of dangerous winds OH the Gulf Atlantic and
Lake coasts. Vessels leaving port for the South
during the last days of this week are likely to
experience heavy southcasterly and southwest
crly gales. The temperature has continued to
rise steadily and is very high on the Gulf coast,
and relatively 80 in the regions of the Missouri,
Mississippi and Ohio valleys. The conditions in
California are ngain very unfavorable. The
weather in New York and its vicinity to-day will
be warm and cloudy, with rain and increasing
eastcrly winds. Tomorrow the conditions will
be similar, followed probably by slowly and tenn
porarily clearing weather.
The New York herald., 1878-02-21

THE MERRILL WILL CASE has made delicious
contribution to the love literature of the time.
One of Mr.. George Merrills letters put in evi-
dence yesterday i'll W hich he tells the story of
his bleeding heart to his adopted mother would
certainly have run off "A hundred thousand
editions of "A dime novel In time, however, the
idol Of his young affections became Mrs. Merrill
and the romantic resolution of devotng life
time to the pursuit Of fame has crystallized into
an unromantic lawsuit for quarter of million.
The New York herald., 1878-02-21

WALL STREET YEsTERDAY.-The stock market
continues very dull, but prices were something
stronger, closing generally fairly strong. Gold
fuctuated all day between 1Olaa and 1918,
opening at the former and closing ut the latter
figure. Government bonds were active, States
dull and railroads strong. Money OH call was
easy at 3 per cent
The New York herald., 1878-02-21
A TESTIMONIAL CONCERT.

A testimonial concert was given last evening AZ
Grand Union Hail. on Seventh avenue, between
Tnir,y.fourth and Thlrtyafh streets, by Dr. Tyns's
Temperance Society. for shc benefit OF MI Thomas
Maslin, VINO has for somo time conducted the meet.
,pas of this association. large audience was prcs.
ent. Tho programme consisted Of songs, readings
and piano selections, BY q number oil ladies' and gen.
uemon who volunteered Tor tho occasion: OF giecs
by tho O. O. Quartet Club, ana addresses By Rev. &
u. Tying, Jr., and Rev. DAVID Gregg