davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
, 1878-02-23
The Five-TwentieS.

The masked repudiators in
Congress having circulated the
story that Secretary Sherman
in 1868 declared that the prinei-
pal Of the five-twenty bonds was
payable and ought to be paid in
legal tender, the Secretary has
written a letter at the request of
Senator Morrill,, explanatory of
his position then and now. The
government, he says, has the
technical legal right to redeem
the fve-twenties in legal tender,
but before it can legally or just
ly execute that right it must be
prepared to pay the legal tender
notes in coin in accordance with
the promise printed on their
face, or must restore the right
of the holder to convert them
into interest bearing govern
ment bonds. He regards the
act of 1862, which, under the
pressure of war and to promote
the sale of bonds made legal ten
ders inconvertible into interest
bearing bonds, as an unfortunate
measure. The right Of CONVEX
sion might have been suspended,
but should never have been re-
pealed. Secretary Sherman's
present positive position is that
we are under both legal and
moral obligations TO bring our
notes to par Ill coin before fore
ing them on the public creditor
in payment of his bonds, and as
that was the ground on which he
stood in 1868 he denies that he
has changed his views or is
amenable to the charge of in
consistently. Y. Herald.
, 1878-02-23

The Democratic Press comes to
US this week as lively as usual.
We always welcome this sheet,
as it contains a style of litera-
ture which we find in none other
of our exchanges. Horace Gree
ley said it was an easy matter
to edit a blackguard newspaper,
and evidently the editor Of the
Press has found by experience
the truth of his assertion. Men
achieve notoriety in various
ways, each following the drift
of his inclinations, and if the
editor of that paper keeps up
his lick his success as noteri-
Gus blackguard is assured.
, 1878-02-23
Art Criticism.

Carpenters painting of the
"Signing of the Proclamation of
Emancipation,' was purchased
by Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson of
New York, at cost of $4,000,
and presented to Congress. The
bill to accept 1t passed the House
without dissent, but when it
went to the Senate it was OBJ
jected to on the ground that the
picture was not of a character,
in point of art, that made it ap-
propriate for an adornment of
the capitol or for cultivating the
taste Of the American people.
The New York Sun, alluding to
the matter, says that "Mr. Tim
othy o. Howe disposed of this
objection very summarily, and,
being the official organ of the
Senate on art, his judgment of
course stands in the nature of a
decree. He said, in his most
polished and classic manner,
speaking with an air of author
ity:
cit was painted at the White
House. in the very place where the
act was performed. Historically, it
is correct undoubtedly. It has the
loc,ss; it has all the merits that DA
VINCI's painting of The Last Sup
per- ever had. 1 guess, and is quite
as commendable as a work of art.
That never had any merit, I think,
except its accuracy Of details"
This Senatorial contribution to
artistic criticism and literature
must make a profound impress
sion. The suggestion that The
Last Supper was painted from
life,' and that its only merit is
accuracy of Details must give
Mr.. Howe a fame even greater
than that of Carpenters picture,
whose cause he espoused with
such fervid patriotism and such
faithful devotion to the Ameri-
can eagle"
, 1878-02-23

1t Is astonishing that so many
we'll informed people should be
made the victims of Life fnsur-
ance swindlers. These insti-
tutlons are at present on the de-
cline in the Eastern States. no
less than five having gone by
the board within the past two
years and their principal officers
serving terms in penitentiaries
for perjury and other crimes.
There are several wildcat insti-
tutions of this character extant
on this coast which are reaping
rich harvest from the natural
desire of men to provide their
families againt want in the event
Of their death. AS an instance
of the vanity Of a mans hopes
in this direction, we cite that of
Albert Meyn, a recently de-
ceased merchant of Boston. Du-
ring twelve years Mr.. Meyn paid
the premiums on $4,000 of life
insurance. This burden was the
cause of his bankruptcy; but he
struggled hard and made the
payments, believing that by do
ing so he was securing his fam
lily against poverty after his
death. Within two years one
after another of the companies
in which he was insured have
gone to pieces, and when hedied
all his policies were worthless,
and his wife and children left
penniless. The case of Meyn is
only one Of the hundreds of like
character which are of yearly
occurrence; yet with the fact
constantly presented people con-
tinue to pay premiums on life
policies as worthless as the pa
per on which they are printed.
If the amounts yearly expended
by the patrons of worthless In
surance Companies in the pay
ment of premiums were invested
in safe securities, their families
would be certain Of provision
in case of their death.
, 1878-02-23
A STORY is told of a shrewist

A STORY is told Of a shrewish
Scotch-wOman who tried to wean
her husband from the public
house by employing her brother
to act the part of a ghost and
frighten John on his way home.
"Who are you?" said the guild
man, as the apparition rose be-
fore him from behind bush.
ri am Auld Nick" was the re-
plo. "Come ava, man." said
John, nothing daunted; "gie's a
shake O. your hand-I am mar
ried tae sister O yours
, 1878-02-23
NJ. Dugue, a Partisan drama

NJ. Dugue, a Partisan drama,
tist, had nearly $4,000 in gold
in his desk, and beside the gold
was a sack full of bright, new
sous that his wife had been saw
ing up IN accordance with the
that their presence
brings luck. 1t did; for an en-
terprising burglar, taking the
sous for forty franc pieces, car
ried them off with the next bag,
and left $4,000 untouched.
, 1878-02-23

Mary Clemmer says that eight
years ago she witnessed the first
appearance on public platform
of Mrs. Isabella Beecher Hook
er; who was then the personifi-
cation of meekness, and so diff
dent that she was unable to
stand while making an address.
She again saw Mrs. Hooker, a
few days ago, in Washington,
when she "advanced toward the
front of the platform with a
quick step, her head thrown back
defantly, her handsome nose
high in the air, her hands gestic-
ulating, and her voice loud and
ringing, yet thrilling with an
unmistakable emotional timbre."
, 1878-02-23

A teacher in a Boston school
was delighted to see every child's
hand go up in answer to
the question of how many had
ever heard of Mr.. Emerson, but
her soul sunk within her when
she discovered it was Billy En-
erson, the minstrel, whose show
bills had placarded the walls of
the Hub for several DAYS.
, 1878-02-23
A bill for the suppression o

A bill for the suppression of
tramps is before the Maryland
Legislature. It provides that
any wandering, INDECENT, and
unemployed person may be SEN
fenced by a Justice of the Peace
to six months imprisonment.
The tramp thus dealt with is to
be put to work; but before the
committal he can have if he de-
mands it, a trial by jury.
, 1878-02-23

A meddlesome old woman was
sneering at young mothers awk-
wardness with her infant, and said,
Il declare. a woman ought never to
have baby unless she knows how
to hold it, "Nor tongue either"
quietly responded the young
mother.
, 1878-02-23

Old Bumblebee of Newberyport,
made hole in the hen house for his
hens to 60 in to roost, and then
made one about quarter of the size
beside it. "What's the small one
for?" asked his peighbor. "Why,
for the chickensr said Bumblebee,
astonished at so silly a question.
, 1878-02-23

edo they miss you at homer"
he asked, as she folded and put
away letter she had Just re-
ceived from her mother. "Nev-
er," she answered; "They call
me sis"
, 1878-02-23

There is a movement in Rock
castle, KY. against the Bust
head whlskey," brought in from
outside the State. The pledge
permits the signer to drink as
much as he wants of the pure
home made beverage.
, 1878-02-23

On March 13, Vermont will
celebrate the Tooth anniversary
of the first meeting of the State
Legislature at Windsor.
, 1878-02-23
Civil Service Reform.

ST. PAUL, MINI Jan. 25.-
Gabriel Renville, Chief of the
Sisseton and Washpetaw Indians
at Sisseton Agency, is in the
city consulting with Gen. II. II.
Sibley and other friends in ref
erence to petitioning the depart
ment at Washington for the re-
moval Of the agent, E. II. c.
Cooper. Renville says that
Hooper knows nothing Of the
Indian character, and from edu-
cation and habits is untitled for
such a position. HIS specific 81
legation against Hooper is that
in November last he exchanged
a lot Of good steers for old, dis
eased cattle, which he had killed
and issued, the stencil being so
great when killed that the dogs
would not eat the meat. Rem
vile says there is great excite
ment among the Indians, who
have had three great councils, by
whom he was delegated to make
an effort to secure Hooper's re-
moval, and he fears if it is not
done trouble will result. Hoop
er was appointed from Maine, in
August last, but did not enter
upon his duties until November.
Particulars of the last moments
of Victor Emanuel are minutely
described. The King met death
with the simplicity of brave
man who has striven to do his
duty. He had a private colo
guy with his eldest son, now
King of Italy, which must have
tried his failing forces. He took
a calm farewell Of all those Off
GERS Of his household and other
personages who happened to be
within the palace at the time.
His eyes never lost the clear,
candid look until they closed in
death. Prof. Scipione Vannut-
ELI, one of the most distinguish
ed painters in Romo, was sent
for by Prince Humbert to paint
the dead Kings face as it lay
peacefully on the pillow where
he died.
, 1878-02-23

John Robinson, a leading
sporting man of Nottingham,
Eng, was elected a member of
the Town Council, and celebrated
the event by offering $500 for
the relief of the poor, to be
distributed by local ministers,
but each one has Indignantly
refused to touch the money.
, 1878-02-23
Is 1t True ?

Llcle DaScu on historical foCOfuS,
going to show that the earth is
approaching one of the most
pestilential periods in its history.
Since the commencement Of the
Christian era the perihelia OF
the four great planets of the So
lar system - Jupiter, Saturn,
Uranus and Neptune-have not
been coincident. But this is
about to occur; and, in the Ian
guage of DR.. Knapp, who has
traced the history Of the great
est epidemics that ever afflicted
the human race to the perihelia
of these planets, there will soon
be '1ively times for doctors. "
The theory is that when one or
more of the large planets is
nearest the sun, the temperature
and condition of our atmosphere
are so disturbed as to cause IN
furious vicissitudes of the wealth
er, extreme heat, excessive cold,
terrible rains, and prolonged
droughts, resulting in the de-
struction of crops and fruits,
famine in many places, and pest
Hence among human beings and
domestic animals.
DIR. Knapp has collected a
mass of statistical data, all going
to show that perihelian periods
have always been marked by
unusual mortality, and that sick
ness and death have Invariably
corresponded with the number
of planets in perhelian at the
same time. The revolution of
Jupiter around the sun is accom-
plished in a little less than
twelve years; Of Saturn in less
than thirty years; of Uranus in
about eighty-four years; of Nep-
tune in about 164 years. Ifit be
true, therefore that the perhelia
of these plants occasion atmos-
pheric conditions unfavorable to
life, pestilential periods should
occur once dozen years, and
aggravated and still more wide
spread epidemics at longer inter-
walls. In tracing the epldemics
for more than 1000 years, DR..
Knapp finds the facts in all cases
to validate the theory. Thus,
in the sixth, and again in the
sixteenth century, three Of
these planets were coincidently
in perihelian, and those were the
most pestilential times of the
Christian era.
But soon we are to have fol
the first time in 1000 years, all
four of thete planets against us
They will be at their nearest ap-
proach to the sun i'll or soon af
ter 1880 to 1885, the vitality OF
every living thing on the earth
will De put to trying ordeal
Some persons think they see, in
the signs Of the times, evidences
of great disaster in the imme-
diate future. The excessive heat
of last Summer; the unexampled
cold of last Winter; the preva-
lence of floods and disasters at
sea; the general failure Of the
potato crop; the wide spread
chill among human beings, and
the prevalence of epizooty among
ANIMALS, are mentioned among
the premonitions of the rapidly
approaching perlhella.
Coincident with the above,
close Bible students and those
who have given much time to
searching out the meaning of
the prophecies in the Bible, are
looking for the fulfilling Of the
prophecy found in Mathew, 24th
chapter, which says: Gimme
diately after the tribulation of
'those days shall the sun be dark
ened, and the moon shall not
, 1878-02-23
N. p. Railroad Prospects.

|
On the 29th of last month Mr..
Baker Rep, Ind moved in the
House to suspend the rules and
adopt a resolution declaring that
in the judgment of the House,
no subsidies in money, bonds,
public land, endorsements, or by
pledge of public credit should
be granted or renewed by Con-
gress to associations or corpo-
rations engaged in or proposing
to engage In public or private
enterprises, but that all appro-
priations ought to be limited to
such amount and purposes only
as shall be imperatively de-
manded by the public service.
The resolution was adopted by
ia against S5.
The passage of this resolu-
tion is equivalent to the state
ment Of ia members of the
House that they will oppose the
renewal of the Northern Pacific
Railroad grant. 1t is noticea-
bic that since the passage of this
resolution the officers of the
Company have been gradually
making concessions, until about
all the people of this Territory
and of Oregon required has been
promised, except a line of rail
road frcm the interior to tide
water. The Company now even
intimate that the road will be
built to Seattle, If the extension
of time is granted.
A letter from Hon. C. B..
Wright, President of the N. P.
Railroad Company, to the Off
cial organ of the Company in
this city, says that "the Gem
pany do not expect to be able to
build any road this year. In
the event Of the extension of
their time they will endeavor to
build two hundred miles next
year on the main line, which is
to be extended down the Co.
lumbia and via Kalama to the
waters of the Sound. He states
that he contemplates coming to
this coast during the present
year, and to Seattle. Relative
to terminus matters he says that
the reason of the location at
Tacoma in 1873 was that the
financial crisis compelled them
to stop at the nearest available
point on Puget Sound"
This is too transparent for our
people who know the history of
the bargain by which the mana
gers of the Company engaged
in tho Tacoma town lot specula-
ton. The letter is au evidence
that the Company are driven to
desperate measures by the efforts
of Hons. o. Jacobs and John J.
McGilvra to secure the interests
of our Territory, and are en-
deavoring to weaken the sup
port of these gentlemen by hold
ing up the terminus bait to Sc
attic, while they still refuse to
obligate themselves to build a
road from any point in Eastern
Washington or Oregon to tide
water on the Pacific. Our peo-
pie are too we'll informed to be
purchased by this seeming prom
ise which the Company make in
this mornings Lntelligencer.
, 1878-02-23

Queen vrc.cria's New, Years gifts to the poor Of
Windsor, som eight hundred iu all, werej ,ints Of
meats aud sacks Of coal, In all. 200 pounds OF
b. ef aui xsy-ivs tons o. coal we're distributed.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-11-05
General News.

During the season that has just closed over two
thousand Mormons have left Liverpool for Utah
Bees swarmed into Shelbyville. Ind, last weel
in such countless numbers that the mer
chants had to close their stores.
Musicians and organ grinders have been per
mitted to resume their occupations in New Or
leans, sure proof that the epidemic is over.
The Editorial and Farmers Excursion into thi
county the past season has awakened an increased
interest that will bring thousands of settlers upon
our unoccuped lands. There has never been sea
son when so many have visited us as the present
and so far as we know, all have left with the i'm
preston that this 10 the best portion Of our State
for farming Sunrise.
Reports from the famine sticken districts OF
northern Brazil show great diminution in the
death rate and in the sufferings Of the people
Public relief is now given with much greater
promptness and certainty than formerly. and
much has been done, by immigration and other
wise, to relieve many of the towns from the great
burden of starving refugees. there is yet much
distress, however.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-11-05

speculation in Massachusetts,. To begin
with, no national bank is started upon the
basis of $40 In currency to 81 in coin.
| But, to make use of the small sum he
adopts in his suppostion, suppose man
has $40 in gold and wants to start bank
In the first place he has to deposit with
the government securities OF the face value
of $40, but generally costing more. On
this he has issued to him 80 in currency.
He opens his bank and receives deposits.
If there was any object in his starting the
bank there is little doubt of his ability TO
redeem all his currency when it is present
ed. But supposing 1t is not redeemed
there is no possibility of the bill-holder
losing anything, for the government holds
the basis of its value and stands ready to
redeem it.
But will Gen. Cary be good enough to
change his hypothesis and suppose that
the bank had invested its gold in fiat mon
ey. man brings in 81 for redemption.
In bis suppositious case of the national
bank the 81 was redeemed, but for the fat
money there is no redemption at the bank.
If the man goes to the government there
he will find that there has been no deposit
of ten per cent. more value than the
amount of the fiat money issueed. as is the
case with the national bank currency. and
that the government has no fund upon
which to draw for its redemption. He will
find that the fiat money is not based upon
value, but "faith." Now. perhaps basis
of gold and silver may be "cheat."
"delusion and snare to the poor" as
General Cary styles it, but, if so, what
sort of a basis are we TO consider "faith.'
when under no circumstances can any one
get any tangible value from it ? If ma
tional bank fails to redeem its bills the
government, in its capacity of trustee.
will do so, as it holds the necessary funds.
But with fiat currency no provision is to
be made for its redemption, and conse
quently no redemption is possible.
Faith without works, it has been said
on high authority, is dead it is certainly
valueless as basis for confidence ia the
government but with or without faith
basis of 800 for every $50 of currency is
sued is good foundation for confidence
in the banks.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-11-05

Senator Bayard stands mp with Roman
resolution against the yielding of the dem
ocratic party to the soft money delusion
In speech at Philadelphia. Friday even
ing, he said:
The currency Of . government is its political
life blood. When money has not . debt value
and purchasing power it corrupts everything it
touches and prevents the proper computation OF
values. There is . cry against the Resumption
act and cry for its repeal. We have resumed, and
do you wish to rep al the Resumption act : At q
democratic convention at st. Louis, in 1876, the
repeal of the Resumption act was demanded. but
resumption WAS not, and we must not stultify our
selves BY opposing resumption. The reasons for
the repeal Of the resumption act 10 1876 do moi
exist now. A cry is raised against the national
banks. These banks were compelled to array
themselves with the government during the wal
and the State banks bad to 90 out Of existence
| propose to vote against any measures which
will disturb the rights of the national banks. We
should wait until their charters expire. Banking
is free and it can be entered into by any persons
who will furnish the government with the proper
securities. think Congress should not have the
power to authorize the issue of Treasury notes
which could not be redeemsble at will.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-11-05
Political.

The Tammanyites ought to have listened yes
terdsy to Dean Staney's sermon. His text wa,
appropriate to the relations of the Tammany Gen
eral Committee to their dictator" Kelly-"Many
members, yet one body."-Yew York World.
A prominent greenbacker came to the writer Z
few days since DESTROYS that be shonld find him
buyer for his 6ne farm, located not many miles
from Quincy. But before the terms were all I'M
dcrstood, be added "unless | can get q certain
farm am thinking about, or re-invest immediate
ly in some other farm do not wish to sell. "And
upon being asked why. provided he could get hi,
price, his answer was, that he was afraid if thi.
greenback party got into power the money he
would get would not be worth much" 1t was q
wise outlook, and confession which many of the
greenbsckers would make if the shoe were on the
other foot.-Qaincy Greeabacker.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-11-05
The Elections.

The elections of this month are the most
important Of the year. The polls are
open to-day in thirty States. Connecticut,
Delaware, Kansas, Massachusetts,, Mich
gan, Nebraska. Nevada. New Hampshire,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee
and Texas elect Governors. Other States
will elect minor State officers. In all the
States where elections are held to-day,
Congressman will be elected. In the foI-
lowing States the legislatures to be chosen
will elect United States Senators /:
Connecticut, Florida. Illinois. Kansas,
Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, New Hamp
shire, New York, South Carolina and Wis
consin. The vote of the several States in
which there are elections for State officers
to-day, was at their last contested general
election as follows:
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-11-05
Fact uERsIis THEORY.

On August I'd, 1873, Western Union Telegraph
stock sold at the New York Stock Exchange fol
"a 2 per share. September 18th, 1873, this same
stock sold at 80 Ia fuctustion of III per cent
10 a days. 10000 shares of this stock bought al
"a on Q margin OF per cent, required an &C
tual capital of &c., 900. The stock sold at the
advanced price 90 l 4. showed profit of LIE
per 100 shares. or IL "a per cent. on the stock
% the whole 5000 shares the actual profit was
SLY 500, or ii times the capital used within
the brief space mentioned. People often theorize
about supposable cases. The above are hard
facts shown by the official record. Very few per
sons however, are able TO inves, sngly the SlO.-
oOO necessary to reap such ous profits as cert
gained by the above transaction, but Messrs. Law
renee & Co, Bankers. rs Exchange Place, New
York City, have issued new circular showing
how large or small sums may be used successful
" in stock speculstions by their new Combination
Method of pooling thousands Of orders into one
immense sum and operating them as whole,
which places every customer on an equality with
the largest operators and divides profits pro rata
among the shareholders every 30 days. BY this
system large profits are made in short periods.
Sl5 would make S75, or per cent. $50 pays
$3.50 or per cent. 500 makes 81 900 or 10 per
per cent. on the stock during the month, accord
ing to the market. The new circular explains
everything, also contains 1.-Two uuerring rules
for success 10 stock opei atoms, and much other
valuable information. Copyrighted and sent
free. This firm furnishes best of references as TO
standing and responsibility. All kinds of Stocks
and Bonds wanted. New Government Loan sup
Piled Apply to Messrs. Lawrence 4 Co., Bank
ers, 81 Exchange Place, n. Y. City.