davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-14

gether and predicted " carnival of bank
"ruptcyD " Here was blow at public pros
"perityw says KnickerbOcker. "All those
" who specialized on the rise and fall OF this
" fluctuating currency found their calling at
:" an end those, too, who had boarded Indian
"mOney by barrels-full found their capital
"shrunk IN amount; but above all, the
yankee traders who were accustomed to
I" flood the market with newly-co.ned oyster
"shells, and 20 abstract Dutch merchandise In
exchange, were loud-mOuthed in decrylng
"this 'tampering with the currency 1t was
"clipping the wings Of commerce; it was
Checking the development of public pros
"perity; trade would be at an end goods
would mOulder on the shelves; grain would
"rot in the granaries; grass would grow in
q" the :narket-place. In a word, no one who
"has not heard the outcries and hOwlings OF
ga modern Tarshish at any check upon paper
money can have any idea of the ciamor
"against Peter the HeadstrOng for checking
"the circulation of Oyster-shells."
Such is the account of the wampum currency
of Dutch Manhattan, as we find 1t IN che
humorous pages of Irving. 1t is not mere fc-
ton. The Dutch and New-England cOlOnists
did use currency of wampum belts, OF first
in their traffic with the Indians, and after
ward among themselves. Musket balls at one
time were legal-tender at the value OF a
farthlng each. OF the shell beads the
" fat value" was fixed at three black ones or
six white ones for q penny. But OF course
the usual result followed. With the growing
consumption of clans and oysters, and the in
crease of shells, the currency became inflated,
and no laws, no resembling resolutions, no
popular clamor against vampires and leeches,
could stop the depreciation OF black and white
beads. All the coin that new settlers brought
into the colonies Immediately flowed back to
Europe. The blgoted Old World would not
have the strings of wampum on any terms
when the cOlonists wanted to buy European
goods, hut somehow when the people sold
colonial produce they never got anything but
wampum in exchange for it. Thus the value
of fiat clam-shells went on falling; the
amount of grain, and of meat. and of cloth,
and of labor, that any given amount of them
would buy became less and less, until 1t
finally became nothing at all and the people
had TO come back to " the IdiOtic proposition
"of making gold and silver basis for
money" Such will always be the end OF
experiments with absolute" money, till men
learn how to lift themselves from the ground
by Juggling ut their bOOt-straps.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-14
Jnofr 10 AopernsemenIs

ANrsENENTs-Oh Pa0e-6th column
BANKIsO AND EINkNCIAL-7h PdQe-3d column
BANKRuPT kOTiCEs-8M Pd0e-5th column
BOARD AND ROoMs-0M PG0e-5tb column
BUSINESS NOTICEs-4th Pd0e-lst column.
COUNTRY BOARD-9h PdQe-4th column.
DANCING ACADEMIEa-9h PQge-4th column
DUfDEND NOTICFs-SM P0OC-1st column.
DRY GOODs-9h PdOe-5tb column.
ENCuHsIONs- Oh F0Oe-6th column.
RUROPFAN ADYEEIIsEMENTs--9M Pdge-0th Column
FIRANCIAL--8M PGGe-lst cOuDn
CRATES AND FENDERs-8h Pdgo-36 column
HEiP WANTED-3d PG0e-6th column -
HOUSES AND FARMS WAETED-Sm Pa0e -6th column
ICR CREAM--8M Pdge-3d column on,
ISsIRVCT1ON-6h Pa0e-5tB and 9th columns 5m
Pagc- LIST, %. 50 ANA Attn columns
LAW fCHOOLs-0h PdOe-4th column.
MARBLE AND SLATE MAETEIS-Sta Pd0e-3d column
hABRlAGEs AND DRATHs--5th PG0e-5th column 80,
MIsCFiIANROUs- Sh Pd0e-8th column lOh Page-oth
and 9th columns -
NEW PUBLIC TIoNsBth Pd0e-3d Attn and oth Columns
PROPOsAIS-Sh Pd0e-6tb column.
RAJ ESTATE For SALB-fiTY-Sh PoQe-6th column !
COUHTRY-8M PdOe-6th column To EXcHANGh-e"
PGOe-6th column.
REIigIous HoTICEs-Sh P0Ge-1st and I'd columns.
BAIEs BY AUCTION-8M Pave % sou iii
sPECJAL NOTICEs-5h. Pace 9TH aud 9th columns
MUTATIONS WANTLD-MALES-3d Pd0e-6th column ;
FEMALEs- Sd rage 6th co univ. 80,
eTEANROATs AND KAlLROADs-Sh Page th ana oth
sfEAsTRs. OcEAN-sn Paoe-3d and 4th columns.
IEACHRRs-9h Page-4th column. -
10 LET-CITY PROPERTY-SM Paqe-6th column; COUN-
TRY-sh Pdge--6th column.
To WHOM IT MAY CONCBRN-6h Pa0e-5th column
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-14
4 MLRRnR FnR TILE TINES.

We believe that in the opinion of Green
hackers, Nationals, Labor RefOmers, Keamey-
ties, and the other followers of General But
Ter, nobody but q bOnd-shark or a bloody
gold-bug would be so venOmous and lost to
shame rs to read history aud profit by the
lessons Of experiences. Still we shall venture
TO remind the new party that their scheme of
forever banishng from America the idiotic
proposition of making commodities of shift
cling values like gold and silver basis for
money is by no means original. 1t was
tried in New York two hundred years ago,
and in the pages of Diedrich KnickerbOcker's
veracious history of this island they will find
a full account of the experiment. Observing
that the Indians carried on the system of bar
ter with the aid of strings of beads wrought
out of shells, it occurred to Governor KIeft,
better known as William the Testy, that clam
shells would make an excellent absolute
"noney" based on the credit and resources
of the whole people. To turn q clam-shell
into coin, it was only necessary to pass Il
law declaring it coin, and to stamp it with
something equivalent to the modern legend,
"This is a dollar; in God we trust" The
Governor accordingly sent emi,saries to
sweep JHb buOItb VI llOn4 lSlHUu, WHICH was
the Ophir of this modern Solomon, and
"abOunded in shell-fsh These were trans
"ported in loads 10 Amsterdam, coined
"intO Indian money, and launched into circu-
"latIon. And now for q time affairs went
"On swimmingly; money became as plentiful
L" as in the modern days of paper currency; and,
to use tho popular phrase, a wonderful i'm
"'pu1se was given to public prosperity" But
alas the prosperity was evanescent Traders
poured into the province, buying everything
they could lay their hands on. and paying the
Dutchmen IN absolute clan. money. but re-
fusing to take the same coin in exchange for
their own wares; nothing would do for them
but hard metal Thus in short time New
Amsterdam was stripped of all its produce and
of all its gold and silver, and had nothing to
show for the loss but heap of clam-shells
which nobody outside Of New-Netherland
would touch.
So matters went on from bad to worse till
Governor Peter Stuyvesant ordained that fiat
clam shells should no longer be legal-tender,
thus establishing the first American precedent
for the " ubiquitous, deceiving and clap-trap
" resumption act" If there had been political
conventions iu those days, the men of New
Amsterdam would no doubt have como to-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-14
TREASHRY PAYMENTS

1t is surprising that 80 many persons, in
Guiding some who are sincere friends of re-
sumption, forget that Secretary Sherman can
not pay out money from the Treasury with
out an appropriation. Everybody knows the
fact. Yet the strangest errors find Judgment,
and the straDgest fears are expressed, even
by men of sound principles and much intel
hgence. because this obvious fact is over
looked IN It's bearing upon financial questions.
For example, when the act was passed Tequir-
ing the Secretary of the Treasury to "relssue
"and keep outstanding" the amount of legal
tenders therein named, we observed at once
that it must prove as empty and void of eff
feet as POpe's bull against the comet, and
yet some excellent friends of a sound cur
rency were much distressed. One of them
observes, even now, that " the only danger
Gin the financial situation lies in the absurd
"notiOn of reissuing legal-tender, which per-
"mits notes to be used over and over again
" to drain the Treasury of gold" In many
respects, it is exceedingly important that this
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-14
WITH SUPPLEMENT.
TIE NEWS rms MOANING.

FOREIGN-Much cOmmotIOn has been caused in
Vienna by the retrograde movements in Bosnia
- The DOncaster Cup was won Yesterday
by Pageant The Conservatives are dis
satisfied with the success of the Liberals
in choosing the officers of the new
German Parliament. - The Russians are
about to leave Erzerum. - Some points are
siiI unsettled in the German negotiations with the
Vatican.
DoMssTIc.-A heavy storm of wind and rain has
done great damage south Of the Potomac, and
in Ohio and Pennsylvania. - General Butler has
issued circular to Massachusetts, Democrats
saying that the State Committee cannot dictate
what they shall do =-= The New-Hampshire Dem
Oerats did not, as reported, adopt the Greenback
resolutions presented to their convention. -==
The yellow fever is mOderating slightly -= Dr.
White Of New-Hayen, testified IN the Stannard muir
der ease yesterday that he found traces Of blood
on the Rev Mr. Hayden's knife. - Miss Billings
testified against her father at the trial IN Balston
N. Y, yesterday. - President Hayes arrived
in Chicago yesterday, and spoke at the Chamber Of
Commerce.
CITY AND SUBURBAN-The work of preparing
the charges against the county officers was
nearly finished yesterday; similar charges
against Kings County officers are reported
in preparation. - The Custom House In
vestgating Committee heard testimony about
the Naval Office and Surveyors Department.
60 The total yellow fever subscriptions
nre now over 1925, 900. =- An answer TO
Controller Keays criticism on the Depart
inent Of Public Works made by the
Deputy Commissioners. - Gold 1OO5lG. 1908,
IOO5e Gold value Of the egal-tender dollar at the
close 99lio cents Stocks dull but generally higher.
closing firm.
THE WEATHER.-TRIBUNE local observations in
dieate clear, cool weather. Thermometer yester-
day, 500, 75o, 60
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-14

There ia n good deal in the preamble which the
New-IIampshire Democrats adopted with their plat
form the other day that the average voter will find
difficult to fathOm. It's mighty pretty reading
flows with a melodiously recurring "kerchug,'
"kerchug." like water out of jug; but what it
means no fellow can end out and we rather sus-
pect the Convention adjourned hurriedly and went
off with furtive eye over its shoulder, fearing lest
some person of prying mind should run after 1t for
an explanation. And Yet IT'S pretty preamble
n preamble that Harry Bingham. If he
invented 1.-THE reported it to the Conyenhon--may
well be proud Of It recites the anomalous con-
dition of public and business Affairs" Ian abundant
harvest throughout the land" limitess resources
of field, forest and mine yet undeyeoped" "the
Old World reaching its hands for the varied pro-
ducts of American industry and genius now how
good that is, and how vivid those hands reaching
for our varied products and not able to got them,
because the Democrats are out OF power. yet
with millions Of capital lying idle, hun
dreds of thousands of labOrers unemployed.
business depression ana financial ruin on
every hand, want and misery staring multitudes
III the face" etc, etc., and on account of these
things it confidently appeals to the people for
restoration of the Government to Democratic
hands" 1t is beautiful that IL is not worth whlo
to inquire too closely what it means One clause Of
IT, however, seems TO quite clear: that is the one
which appeals for the restoration Of the Government
to Democratic hands because Of want and misery
staring mulutudes in the face" That Is phenome-
non accompanying all Democratic oonven-
lions. IL is the want of Office and the misery
of not getting it. And as to the multtudes stared
in the faee-multitudes Is no name for them |
Think of the vast hOrdes from Kentucky whom this
kind of want and misery had been staring in the
face for years. who at The opening of the last ses-
sion tried 10 get even by going to Washington and
staring Congress in the face. II amounted to an
invasion. Yes, there's great deal of truth in the
want and misery statement; but the " Old World"
and harvest" part Of the preamble we don't quite
grasp. And yet it's mighty pretty.
Mr.. s. 8. Cox-we thought 1t was about time for
him to be heard from-cOntributed long letter to
the proceedings of the Shupe Nationals tho other
night, and pished and pshawed at Mr.. Hewitt In
most extraordinary fashion because the volunteer
witnesses before the Labor Committee gave express
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-14
Buslness Monies.

Mensman's Peptonized Beef Tonic is the
only preparation Of beet containing rs eTe nutritious
Fropefcs NJ ~ invaluable all enteebled cOndillons
whether the result Of exhaustion, nervous postau9n
pverwork or acute disease and In every form Of dc
6tv Particularly n resulting from pulmonary complaints.
It Isl friendly helpful the most delicate stomach CAS-
HAZkRD prOpretOrs 9th Ave- Hotel bull0lhg,
and bth-ave, Of S9tlisi.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-14
Nmnssmsnts ono Rssllnas 90 Niqhl.

BOoru's TnEATRE-I:3O and 8; "Jane Shore" =,
BROADWAY rBEGTRE-2 and The New Magoaehll' !,
FTFTH AVENUE THRATRE-2 and 8 1.-THE HuncnDscK.s
PAIN rurATRE-2 snd 8 "Oid Love LetterS anu
" Hurricanes" 90
ekN FRANCISCO MISsTRELs' OPERA HOUSE. ana ,
STANDARD THEATRE-i:3O and 8 a" An Optn Nriuict'
UkI0N SQUARE fHRATRE-1;30 and /: Ohyia =,
WAlIACKs THEATRE-I:30 and 3 /; /" Ciaris6a darioWe.
AMERICAN INSTITUTE Exhibition.
GfIMOHE's GARDEN-CODoert: Thomas.
NEw-IORK AoUAmCN-Day ana Evening.
TERRACE GARBEN-Summer-Hights Festival
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-14

The recent festival in honor of LamartIne
suggests interesting "reminiscences of similar
enterprises to our Partisan correspondent,
who writes with the facility which
comes from extended observation. Most
people will be somewhat surprised to find the
leading part mercenary motives play in these
matters.
If il is painful, rs it always is, for an Ou-
dience 70 listen to the prattle of the
child who swears away the liberty of
her father in "a Celebrated Case,'
what must have been the sensations of
the crowd in the courtroom at BallstOn, when
Miss Billings testified against her father 1t
is not strange that the poor girl took
refuge in Mysteries new feature of
this remarkable murder trial is the
introduction Of documentary evidence in the
handwriting of Mrs. Billings, in regard
to her husbands plot against her life.
In Connecticut the evidence IN the Stannard
case was quite as sensational. BlOOd-stains
were found on the clergyman's jack-lnife.
The execution of the Treasury order in re-
lation 10 the exchange of silver dollars for
greenbacks has been temporarily postponed
Stress has been laid upon the point that the
rency liabilities before January 1 will be in
conflict with recent legislation, and the Sec
rotary deems it prudent to wait until the
bearing Of certain Acts Is ascertained by the
Treasury lawyers The delay is unfortunate.
We trust that the Secretary will soon see bis
way clear toward carrying out his policy.
There will be an exquisite satisfaction in
using the tools which the silver infatiOnists
unwittiDgly placed in his hands against them
selves.
The Presidents speech in Chicago was veined
with good sense. His pleato the practical bust
ness men of the West was simply this " Let
"well enough alone" He argued that the
country had got 10 the bottom of whatever
evils the Resumption Act might have wrought,
and had come to point where coin
and paper were fairly abreast of each other.
He urged that Secretary Sherman had no Sc
crets, but was frank and fair with the
public, and that the time had come
when It was true wisdom for Legislators
TO let the business Of the country alone. This
was wholesome advice. The President spoke
oif-hand, with rare tact and hOmely simplicity.
The proceedings at the close of the Monetary
Conference which the Silver Bill initiated are
summarized clearly IN the letter on another
page. Il viii be seen that our representatives
presented their views forcibly, but failed to
shake the decision Of the ether members of
the Conference, who we're obviously governed
by the monetary exigencies which now restrain
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-14

An extremely hlgh-tOned and chiyalric affair ia
reported from the Ninth Avenue, where gentleman
aged fourteen shot gentleman aged nine, on ac-
count Of the marked attentions shown by the gen.
tleman Of nine to a lady of twelve in whom the
gentleman Of fourteen aforesaid was particularly in
terested. II is that although the ball struck
the victims TO ehead 1t failed to penetrate the SKULL
because the pistol. like the actors, was very SMALL
The affair nevertheless conceived on the largest
SCALE and carried out in a spirit which viii
be appreciated at the Union Club. We have
no doubt that the accomplished participants
in this most creditable transaction well read IN
dime literature.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-14

England, has actually been carried away by
the Greenback craze and fat money madness.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-14

The ancient and honorable managers of the
Democratic party in Massachusetts, have at
tempted TO put up the wicket and keep the
Butler goats out in the pasture. The stampede,
however, has already begun, and before the
gate-tenders fairly know what they are abOut
the barrier will be broken down and it will
be impossible to separate the sheep from the
goats. A large number of Butler delegates
have been already chosen; Lynn elected
eighteen and Taunton twenty-One yesterday
and the Executive Committee will find it no
easy matter to close the doors of the COnven-
ton upon them. Those venerable statesmen
have taken il upon themselves to dictate that
"nO person known by his acts or declared
"OpiniOns to be in favor Of nominating
through the Democratic Convention as q
candidate for Governor person who is not
ga recognized member of the Democratic
"party is entitled to sit or vote in the Demo-
"cratic State Convention" This effort Of the
party managers to "bulldOze" the local
caucuses will be certain to kindle wrath.
Little TarbOx, fOrsOoth, is already believing
like bull in q chalk-pIt. The Committee have
not only exceeded their powers, but ignored the
precedents for it was only two years ago
that the Democratic State Convention under
the manipulation of Mr.. Tilden's agents, nom
mated, almost without dissent, man who
was not "a recognized member of the party"
Whether General Butler captures the COnven-
ton OF not, there will be a clasEing of fac
hons and an old-fashioned Irish shindy at
Worcester next week. Is it for naught that
he has been delivering lectures On the Celtic
saints and heroes and posing as a political
outlow and tramn He will have Democratic
votes, though he may fail to get the nOmina-
ton. The Republicans may as well face the
facts. The PrOhibitiOnists likewise; for al
though it is a yirtuOus and harmless thing
for them to vote the Temperance ticket in
ordinary years, it may be vicious and danger
GUS for them to do it this Fall.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-14

sion to good many "crude though honest ideas.7
"Where did the Committee get tho power" asks
Mr.. Cox in temper, Z" to sit in the Federal Post
Office and to give saucy lectures to honest folk TO
show their own omniscience and alrightinessp
Let MS beg agile friend to take to himself the
advice which he telegraphed TO Mr. Hewitt in No
vember. 1875: Reverse yourself" Air. Cox, and
resume your judgment"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-14

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER ID, 1878.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-14

the European nations from making any radical
changes in their metallic currency. The de-
tailed report which our representatives VIII
make cannot fail to be a valuable document.
Coming from men who defended their me-
tallic client so ably, 1t will have weight with
people whose minds are not hopelessly obtuse.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-14
Neru3lor Daily Griklaare,

FOUNDED BY HORACE GREELEY.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-14

Complete returns from Maine show that
the lower house of the Legislature will be
made up of sixty-fve Republicans two Re
pubicans elected with the aid of Democrats,
twenty-sevcn Democrats and fifty-seven
Greenback men. The Fusion party will,
therefore, have a majority of either seventeen
OF nineteen votes. The State election law pro-
vides that when no candidate has majority
the lower house shall select two candidates,
and of these two the Senate shall elect one
who shall be declared Governor. In this in
stance the Republican majority in the Senate
will be forced to elect either the Democratic
or the Greenback candidate. If they choose
the Democrat, the next Governor of Maine
will be the candidate of the party which polled
the fowest votes and has the weakest rep
resentatiOn in both branches of the Legis-
lature SO anomalous result will lead not
directly but ultimately to a modification OF
the election law in that State. The majority
system sometimes works admirably. In France.
for instance, when an election is held for
Deputy, there may be half a dozen Republic
cans in the canvass and only one ConServa-
tive candidate, and inasmuch as a majority
and not a plurality is required, the vote of
the former party can safely be split up; but
when a second ballot is taken the Republican
who has had the strongest support remains in
the field and easily defeats the Conservative
who may have had large plurality on the
first ballot. In State election, however, sec
Ond ballot cannot conveniently be had and
legislative action, whether by joint ballot or
by each house under constitutional restlic-
tons, is O clumsy and unsatisfactory solution.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-14

We are very glad to learn that there Is
probability of Mr.. Boutwells nomination IN
the With District as General Buffers success
sor. Our Boston correspondent comedies
single Congressional district, the WITH, to the
Democrats, and maintains that even there
the ground could be regained If the Republic
cans were in their best fighting trim.
There are at least three districts, however
in which the factions must unite so as to bring
forward the strongest man. and even then our
friends must work hard. We cannot believe
that the greenback craze has turned many
heads IN Massachusetts. The result OF the
Maine election. however makes the present
campaign very serious. We trust that it Will
put the Republicans on their mettle and enable
them to carry every Congressional district in
the State.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-14

The equinoctial cannot come too early in a
year of pestilence. There have been drencb-
ing rains in Canada for four days in North
em Ohio there has been terrific tempest
in West Virginia and Virginia there have
been furious storms with torrents of rain;
and throughout the country the temperature
has been lower during the last twenty-four
hours. In New-0rleans with clear and
cool weather the death-list has fallen
off, although large number of new
cases of yellow fever are reported. In the
plague-spOts Of Mississippi the change OF
weather has not been so beneficial. In Memphis
the death-lIst is still large, but the new cases
are said to be more manageable. In Cairo
there has been grOundless panic, and
sporadic cases in Chicago and Cincin-
natl have caused needless alarm. Sixteen
cases of some mysterious fever resembling
the plague have been reported near Gallipolis,
on the river below Cincinnati. On the whole,
however, the situation is more encouraging.
There may be no signs of light, but there is
a sense Of departing darkness IN the Missis-
sipp Valley.