davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-09

There We're reported TO the Board of Health
last year 1929 marriages in this city, against
1929 in 1871 Thus there was n gain Of just
800 marriages. This indicates a hopeful i'm
provemcnt in the material condition of the
people, and II the promise Of increasing pros
perty with which the new year starts out
shall be fulfilled, as there is good reason to
believe 1t will be fulfilled, we may expect to
record still further gain for 1879.
Estimating the population Of the city at a
million, one marriage occurred last year TO
every 13l Of the living inhabitants Of all
ages, or about one person Ia 65 was married,
This is very fair showing for New York,
and proves that, however II may be else
whore matrmony continues TO be popular
in the metropolis. We must bear in mind,
too that our marriage statistics, unlike our
statistics OF deaths, are not complete and
perfect For various reasons some clergy
men fail TO comply with tho law requiring
the registry OF every marriage they solemn
lie, and the Board Of Health, though It may
threaten punishment, IL slow TO actually
prosecute the offenders, who oftentimes are
in default because Of their cOnsciences, or be-
cause they have consecratcd with the rites
OF the Church unions already established,
and which, while they might have been
legal, had not received the priestly blessing
II we compare tho number OF our mar
riages during 1878 with those of tho whole
State OF Massachusetts, for instance, and
we select that State because its vital statls-
ties are gathered with thoroughnoss not
excclled, if it is cqualled, In this country, we
find that New York has the advantage
About one person in sixty-nve Of the inhabl-
tants was married In New York, 10 one in
sixty-eight in Massachusetts,. Tho rate,
however, is not 80 high as that Of England
or Germany in 1876; but the marriage rate
In those countries must decline under the
hard times which are now affecting them
as they afflicted us for five yoars
1t is interesting 10 observe that in New
York as in England for many years more
weddings occurred during the last three
months Of the year than in any other quar-
ter. October heads the twelve with 700
marriages, and November comes next with
74s. In 1877 October also was tho favorlte
month with brides, though the difference in
the number OF weddings for tho several
months 10 never 30 great In the city az
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-09
Defeat this Army Bill.

There Is remarkable provision in the
new Army bill concerning the exercise Of
the right of petition by persons in the mill
tary service Of the Government. 1t is con-
tanned in the clause which requires that
"all petitions to Congress relative TO sub
jects OF a military character shall be for
warded through the Commanding General
OF the Army and Secretary Of War for their
action and transmittal" The petitions it
will bo noticed, are to go TO these officers
not simply that they may be sent on to
Congress, but that they may be acted upon
In some manner by the Commanding Cen
cral and the Secretary. For their action"
are the words Of the proposed law
Now this must mean that the officers and
soldiers Of the army are not to petition the
national Legislature directly on any sub
ject connected with military affairs and
not only so, but that this privilege is to be
exercised subject to the express approval or
disapproval Of the Commanding General
and the Secretary OF War, and not other
wise. 1t is evidently intended that these
functiOnarics shall examine all such pcti-
tions when they come into their hands, and
then transmit them TO Congress with an cX-
preston Of opinion as 10 whether the prayer
Of the petitioner should be granted or not.
What else is imported by the phrase for
their action" in the bill, unless it means
that the paper may be detained absolutely
by the authorities and returned 10 the OIL
Ger or soldier who sent it
But the Constitution Of the United States
provides that Congress shall make no law
abridging the right Of the people 10 petition
the Government Tor redress of grievances.
This provision Of the fundamental law seems
TO have been forgotten by the trainers Of
this Army bill. Many OF them have been
officers, and they had in view the inconven-
fence Of military complaints TO Congress
rather than the vital Importance Of main
tanning the Constitution. But this is Il sub
jet which the people do not so readily over
look. They are convinced that 1t will not do
to disregard the Constitution in little things
or in great things whether it be in an APP
parcntly insignificant section of long
Army bill or IN the counting OF the electoral
vote.
There has seldom been any need Of defend
ing the right Of petition in this country, FOR
happily II has seldom been assaulted. Indeed,
some distinguished writer's have even been
inclined to doubt the necessity Of providing
for its maintenance by positive law at all
under a republican form of government
The present attempt to abrdgo the right in
the case Of the army however is convinc-
ing proof that this safeguard to personal
liberty could not prudcntly have been omit
ted from the Constitution OF the United
States
Probably there are no persons to whom
the right OF petition is practically more i'm
portant at this day than it is TO subor-
dinate military men; and the fact that the
Constitution guarantees its free exercise
ought to induce an increased regard for
constitutional law throughout the army.
For every reason the BURNsIDE-BANNING
bill should be crushingly defeated.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-09
CORRUPT PRAcTIcEs IN THE NAVY.
Robson and his Friends Under Examination
Before the n louise Committee.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8.-The examination Of
Robson and his friends before the House
Committee on Naval Affairs began to-day and
lasted six hours. No new facts were brought
out. Robeson was present-the first instance in
the history Of the Government where an ex-
Cabinet Minister has appeared before Com
mittee which had passed resolution recon-
mending his Indictment His old Chief Of tho
Bureau OF Engineering. Wood was there with
him-a thin-faced, pale man. with long white
hair. Robson is not thin-iacod nor pale but
he looks graver than he once did. The two men
sat side by side at the long table. Wood asking
most Of tho questions. as tho evidence. expert
for the most part. was an endeavor to show that
his official acts could be justified. After six ex-
perts, two OF them civilians. had testified that
water leg boiler was better than a water bottom
boiler. Chief Engineer T.. u. ROBBIE was exam.
ined on the same point. and also upon the OK
change Of old material for new. The simple
fact that these exchanges were not legal was not
touched upon.
Chief, Engineer Henry d. Stewart. member o,
board which condemned n largo amount OF
material which the best official authority In tho
navy has since reported should not have been
condemned. was next put on the stand. and
Jared well enough as long rs he was questioned
by Robeson and Wood. One STRAIGHTFORWARD
question from Congressman Morse OF Massa-
chusetts brought matters to n head.
dcmned and sold L ~ asked Mr.. Morse c"'' '0"'
confusion.
Stewart went on to explain that he meant II
he owned navy yard devoted to the building
Of ships only-which is not tho ease with tho
Governmcnt by tho wayne would not have
sold It, and Robeson. with tho ease OF a facile
examiner, took up tho matter and smOothed
over the rough place in Stewards testimony.
W. H. III. Smith. Woods chief clerk was tho
next witness. and brought out the fact that
certain order under which a lot OF doubtful pur-
chascs were made originated with Admiral
Porter and not with Roheson; but he also testi-
ned mat Thompson promptly changed the prac-
tee so long and so much abused.
Robeson's share OF the examination WINS con-
lined To asking each witness whether the Secrc-
try OF the Navy had himself in person, or
dered. directed or suggested this or that cor
rupt practice, and the witnesses uniformly an
swtred that ROheson had not.
The examination continues tomorrow. Thcn,
or nj later day Wood expocts 10 examine
Chiet Enginoer King. John Roach has asked
TO appear in his own behalf, and this with other
requests Tor examination, may not imprObably
prolong the sittlngs Of the committee for
month. To-day the vital points of the charges
against the corrupt management Of tho Navy
Department have not been touched
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-09

throughout the State. The fewcst mar
riages, 472, took place In August; and July
was also poor month for weddings, show
ing only 555; but February was even worse
than July, with its 507 brides. With slight
variations, about the same proportion is
maintained from year to year, the happy
pairs stunning the months when tho
weather is disagrecablc, and choosing those
when it is most propitous for their unions.
In England for long series OF years the
order of the four quarters Of the year In the
matter of marriages has been the fourth,
second, third, first. In New York, however,
the third quartcr-July, August, September
comes last, though the order otherwise is
the same. With us the most trying months
of the year are the summer months, while
in England they are the winter ones. Here
our mortality is at its highest in the sum
mer, and the winter is comparatively
healthy season; but in England the fatality
Is greatest In the cold season, and it is also
avoided by many brides, who wish more
salubrious weather for their weddings. or
the whole number OF marriages in New York
last year, 2,2Oi took place in the last quar-
ter 1854 in the second, 1,744 in the first, and
1907 in the third quarter. In the matter Of
the number Of births, the order is, third
quarter, 6,762; fourth, G,75s; first, GGSO; sec
ond quarter, $500.
OF the 1923 men married last year, 1888
for the first time led bride TO the altar,
and of the women a still larger number,
6,l27, took husband for the first time. Ac-
cording TO universal experience, more Wild
overs than widows again embark on the
sea OF matrimony, 1,i0i men and only 1877
women marrying for the second time, while
II men and 80 women entered into wedlock
for the third time. Only two men married
for the fourth time There were M Irish
brides and $50 Irish grooms; 1.GO6 German
brides and 2,27i German grooms. The fol-
lowing table shows the ages at which some
of the pouples ioinpd fhpir fortunoa.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-09
An Invitation Declined.

1t IS our duty to acknowledge the receipt
Of very polite letter from Mrs. c. ADELE
FAssETT, the lady artist in Washington who
is engaged upon an historic painting Of the
Electoral Commission. The essential part
of the letter is in the following language:
wish to extend YOU an invitation to visit my studio
and to see the picture for yourself and while there
would give me pleasure to add your portrait to the
Der OF distinguished men who the journalists gal
lery Should II happen that you never present at
any sitting Of the Commission perhaps you Will have the
kindness 10 name the proper representative Of your
paper that may extend the invitation to him.
We thank Mrs. FAssETT for her polltcness,
though we must decline her offer for rea-
sons that we are bound TO state frankly.
The Electoral Commission, which she Is
painting, was instituted in violation OF the
Constitution OF the United States; and it
was used In defiance Of fact and truth,
to complete the work OF Fraud first tri-
umphant in American history, by de-
privlng Of his office the man whom the peo-
pie had elected, and putting into it the man
who had been defeated at the polls and in
the electoral colleges.
Thus the Electoral Commission stands re-
corded as the most atrociOus, odlous, and
shameful thing in the history OF our coun-
try; and while 1t may be we'll enough
for the artist TO perpetuato the features OF
the men concerned In it-both of tho Re-
publican members, whom 1t has covered
With infamy, and OF the Democratic men,
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-09
Al Idea for the Grea, lie Dook.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SUY-Sr: Your
esteemed contemporary. the World. inquiries.
with an evidently sincere desire for information:

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sr: Your
esteemed contemporary. the World. inquiries.
with an evidently sincere desire for information
Do pearl. hreed' THIS question /. exciting no small
interest 10 the scientific mind At the present moment
pearls him from Boruco aud cunfcsscs himself
iniry puzzled Any one ae 20 throw ligt uron ts sub
street Regents Park The pearls resemble the common
grains Of re to iced NJ ~ three or nGS inonts have
now elapsed since the, were despatched on their Jour
ney uud tie has all the appearance ot having been
partially eaten cnrou. speech N the grain O, rice
deposited In the rice
Certainly pearls breed. This has been we'll
known in the United States ever since the time
OF Aristotle and Pliny. For every pearl there
is n mother Of pearl.
The American pearl culture. however. as far
as my observation goes. has always been con-
Quoted on a different plan from that of Borneo.
1t is found by carefully feeding the callow
brood on barley instead Of rice. that We obtain
better product. n cross-brced n species of
pearl barley So to speak. advise the English
man. Buckland. 90 try our method he will ind
II better than the rice plan.
am confident that pearl breeding II destined
10 yield grand results in this country. and even
tunly az. indeed not sooner become one of
our grent and Leading industries. | believe.
Tor instance that by ludiclous selection many
permanent and valuable additions to our fauna
may be introduced As an example might
say that II is my present opinion that by carc-
fully crossing pearl studs with the turquoise il
will be yet possible 10 obtain breed Of turkeys
far superior to any that have yet met with in Il
New York boarding house.
However,, this is only one OF many suggos-
tions that have In mind; | do not care Just nj
present TO give away any more ideas on this
subject, inasmuch ms | nm directly Interested
IN huge scheme looking toward the breeding
OF pearl shirt buttons from tho animal itself.
already have fine specimen OF the button
produced IN TINS way and am now only waiting
for my shirt to come back from my washer
woman. when, II the button is found suitable TO
the purpose. the products OF my scheme will be-
at once launched on the broad sea 81 commerce.
7. MARGARETTI.
Pres. Long Island Pearl ). u. B.Works.
BROOKLYN, Jan 3.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-09
How John sherman Places "Popu-
lar Loan.

We again call attention TO the phenomenal
increase in the rate Of subscription TO the
four per cent loan, and to the cause OF that
Increase.
On the first three business days OF the
year the subscriptions amounted to 9,0OO,-
$50. On Monday the unparalleled total Of
Sll,O03,j5O was subscribed, making the ag-
gregate subscriptions for the four days
nearly twenty-five million dollars.
Compare this with the sales on the four
corresponding days in December, before the
new circular took effect.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-09
Gloomy ForebodIng. OF the Russian and Ger.
man Emperors.

Tho Emperors Of Russia and Of Germany
seem 10 have been put rather out spirits by late
iesiciiai Su.mpt, Bob Of them speak Of The short
ing upon It, Accordin, the oicial paper his words
were as follows.
We have arrived of an era which endeavors 10
hrow princes IN the alhclnus hoe ot arriving at bet
ter state OF things A. TAR as concerns me can accord.
lng 10 all human probability, expect To live but short
tine longer commend my life TO Providence, and the
criminal tendencies o the Will not prevent from
accomplishing my duties asa sovereign, as have always
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-09
The New Turkish Grand vl.ler.


Tho following account Of the now Grand ViZier
lsglNcu by cuuntryman NJ his. osnan BcY In 1855
thiec snal chdrtn born IN the Caucasus. crouch
ins m corner uf the slave market 90 Tan Khan The
purNelor~ 10 the seragu and some Tuusau purchasers
began bargaining with the slave dealer the result being
mat the former bought two the boy and tc Tunislan
lunh one I'M. was khclciinc, now Grand NiAer
The boy oi iuus ~,ut him 20 France complete his
education Instead of losing his time. he worked with
suc zeal That on his return To lums he became
the principal persons at Court Promoted 20 be Minis
ter he hccanc the successor NJ his father iu.aw Kas
ntdar Musapha. The name kheredinc dhe delight OF
reg9n is for the Turks ahsman of good omen. II
calls the memory ut khcrvdue BArharussA the
sair who was the terror o the Mediterranean aud use
tomb at Bechiktach l. much frcquentcd by pilgrims
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-09

A New York correspondent Of the Troy
Times estimates that the amount Of loss inflicted
on banks by burglars is really small when COM
pared with that due to internal fraud. The his
tory Of tho National Bank OF the State of Mis-
souri,. told in THE Sun some days ago. is a re-
markable instance in support of the correspond
vfa
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-09

These facts cannot fail to be Of interest to
all the readers OF TIE SUN, for the subject
Of marriage has a perennial charm for men
and women of sentiment, whatever may be
their years. Moreover, the large number OF
our friends who are now contemplating
matrimony will be glad Of the hints and
suggestions the figures we have given af-
fnrd tbap,
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-09
FiHne from Normandy.

peasant maiden of Normandy
Heart whole and bright, with a footstep free,
With sweet brown eyes and clustering cugls,
Exactly like one of Greule'surls
II 10 or.she ous>e you chance TO have seen,
You have an idea of Josephine
Months pass on and the Norman maid
Has gone To Paris 10 learn a trade.
Whose coupe is that sweeping by the lake.
with an Enghshman galloping IN ITS wake
The blush has gone from the pretty face.
And layer Of rouge has taken its place
For the woollen scarf there's hchu Of lace
And she smokes cigar with insolent grnce
Egad o. cnos Milor, she going the pace
The nets NJ st. Cloud have drawn prize,
Ga2ed on by horror stricken eyes
CONNIE nted on with bated breath.
For even HaHe1s are AWcd by death.
So young IN years and So passing fair,
To reach the eNtrcme OF ten despair
Mute are the lips that sang withglce,
But u few months back Ma AorphHds
Yet signs are uttered AMI tears are shed
over the form Of the unknown dead.
There's a little hillock on Mont Parnassc
with scanty LAYER of shnyellcd grass
On the little cross above It seen
Nothing but this CigH FVdne"
FRAScis A, DvEyA,
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-09

bers, over whom It has cast q deplorable
shadow-lt Is difficult TO understand how
any person not directly connected with the
affair should be willing to figure upon Mrs.
FAssETTs canvas. One would as soon wish
to have his likeness appear in picture Of
BENEDICT ARNoLD's treason.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-09

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sr | have seen
schedule Of salaries prepared by Mayor Howell OF
Brooklyn The police there outrank the Fire Depart
ment II salaries are To- be reduced In New YORK and
they surely ought 10 boz let MS avoid such mistake.
Lat the nrcmrn by all means get larger pay than the
policemen The usefulness devotion. and readiness of
the rcmen compared with the general slothuness and
brutality J the police iuy JUSTIFY tins request l. r.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-09

Gov. NICHOLAS tolls the Louisiana Legis-
laturc that. although there have been some acts
Of lawlcss violence in the State this past year
that have startled and distressed the mass Of
the people. these are practically beyond the
reach Of the constituted authorities" II that is
so. the sooner the people Of Louisiana recon-
stitute the authorities the better for the reputa-
ton Of the State. What spectacle could DO more
humiliating than this Of the Governor Of an
American commonwealth publicly acknowledge
ing that its Executive and Judiciary are too
weak 70 deal with lawbreakers!
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-09

The New York Elevated Railroad Com
pany is bringing its mind to bear on the prob.
lem Of car heating. and there is every reason &c
believe that 10y June or July next the cars will
be comfortably warm.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-09

Ten years ago JAMES w. QUICK was an
honest. Woodworking carpenter. ran n Sunday
school, and was universally respected. Eight
years ago he took to politics. and was elected
Treasurer OF Pike County. Pennsylvania. Five
years ago he took TO drink. Last fall he signed
the pledge, and took TO lecturing on temperance
and making speeches to Sunday schools. Last
month no returned to his cups. Now no 10
missing. deficit has been discovered in his
accounts and his friends fear that after max
ing away with the countys money. he has made
away with himself.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-09
Speaker AlvOrd.

The contest for the place OF Speaker OF the
Assembly at Albany this year has been Of
unusual length and intensity. Tho Rcpub-
Leans have such large majority in the
Assembly that the contest was not between
their candidate and Democratic candidate,
but was in the Republican ranks, among
Republican leaders, for the Republican
nomination Last evening THOMAS q. Al
WORD, better known as "Old Salt Of Onon-
daga, received the nomination over his
competitor, Mr. SLoAN-the other recent
competitor for the place. Gen. Hustled hav-
ing some days ago given his strength TO the
ALvoRD side.
Mr.. ALvoRD Is old in years, and an old
member Of the Legislature; but he Is an
unfit man To hold the responsible and pow
crful Office Of Speaker of the Assembly. The
grounds of his unfitness are familiar to
every man acquainted with the politics Of
the State and the records Of legislation at
Albany.
The labors of the lobby in his behalf dur
ing the past few days have been very ener-
getic; and the Albany lobby is body that
always understands itself. He has been
supported as the accredited corpora
tion candldato-with the backing Of
the Canal Ring, and Insurance Super
intendent SMYTH, and Syracuse salt,
and great railroad corporations, that have
interests requiring special Legislation at
Albany. There is no danger that, in the
place of Speaker, Mr.. ALvoRD will ignore
or offend the influences that have secured
his election.
The people OF this city and State will be
minding their own business by watching
the proceedings Of the Assembly this winter.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-09

In the case OF Mr. NOAH Gill OF Balti-
more, who while suffering from congestion Of
the brain, was dragged TO a police station and
aiterwnrd taken handcufred and still uncon-
scious to the city jail. whore he died. the Cor
oner's jury mildly found
That death was perhaps conduccd n by mistake on
the part of the physician a. the North station
huusc AMI further. That his condition after arrival ~ the
ail was not reported 10 the attending physician soon
a. NC think Il should have been DONE
It would seem to be time for Baltimore IA well
as New York to adopt such measures as will
prevent men in Mr.. GILLs condition from being
victims to the blundcrs and brutality Of police
men.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-09
Mr.. HAnrnrDon of Georgia died yesterday

Mr.. HARTRTDGE OF Georgia died yesterday
morning. and the consequence was that tho
House did no work at all. The Senate. before
ndiournng. referred concurrent resolution
submitted Ivy ST. JEROME EDMUNDs to prevent
hasty Legislation in the closing days and hours
Of the session. gave GEORGE BANCROFT the
freedom Of the floor, and listened to personal
explanation from Mr.. GROVER OF Oregon. who
assured his brother Senators that the charge
brought against him OF having as Governor
made away improperly with t97. 900 Of Oregon's
money was wicked calumny.