davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1879-03-11
A Cable Jubilee.

The banquet given last night by Mr..
Cyrus w. Field in commemoration of the
twenty-ffth anniversary of the formation of
a company for laying the first Atlantic cable
was an event of no ordinary interest. The
liberality of the entertainment, the distin-
guished character Of the guests, the
"reminiscences which filed the rooms
of one of the most important enter
prises that ever enlisted the sympa-
thies or tested the genius and the energy of
man, united to render the evening o
memorable one to all who partook of Mr..
Fields hospitality. But there was some
thing more than this in the celebration.
Among the company were four out Of the
five gentlemen who first pledged their
names for the execution of work which,
from the grandeur and overshadowing
importance of the results promised in
case of its success, seemed almost hopeless
of accomplishment Through struggles
the severity Of which can scarcely be
imagined. and through discouragements such
as no one can now conceive. these five cap
italists persevered until the glorious end
wns reached and the two continents were
practically drawn into Immediate prox-
unity by the first Atlantic cable. The
great changes. the revolution, we
may say, which followed the linking
together Of Europe and America in
instantaneous telegraphic communication.
formed the topic Of the many eloquent
speeches made last night, and need not be
repeated here. The example Of tho men
now living among us, to whose hopefulness,
confidence, wonderful energy and untir-
ing perseverance, we are indebted for
ocean telegraphy. is certainly practical
encouragement to all who enlist in the
cause of science. and should spur them on
to action in enterprises which promise to
benefit the world, no mntter how insur-
mountable may appear the obstacles in
their path.
The New York herald., 1879-03-11
ANCIENT ROME.
ITS BUSINESS LIFE DESCRIBED IN xxcruRR
BEFORE THE XAVIER UNION.

ITS BUSINESS LIFE DESCRIBED IN A xrcTuRR
BEFORE THE XAVIER UNION.
At tho club house OF the Xavier Union, in West
Twenty seventh street. last evening. Intelligent
and critical audience gathered to listen to lee
ture by Professor Charles q. Herbermann, Phi. d.
His theme business Life In Ancient Rome" In
humorously beginning his essay the lecturer said
Of modern times are accustomed TO SPEAK Of our
selves rs race of money seekers. Horace saw
the man who wanted to make money in Romes
When the Empire supplanted tho Commonwealth.
very pronounced kind Modern students associate
him In togz and In q heroic attitude; but no wac
9"ns Ssa,aa san III
ent pursuit. Tho thirst h6f' EasR w4P't pfee
dominant characteristic. ~ iTrscipgssthg history
pcnditnros for articles Of dress and gourmandxIng.
that OF poverty indeed. Great the volume
oi business In commerce IL was small whom COM
gave an interesting account OF tho appearance Of
tho city after tho days of Nero. Its marrow and ir.
regular streets. brilliant shops and the gayoty OF
remarkable absence In the heart Of the metropolis
OF street traffic; surface railways stoam trnins
overhead there but instead occasional dray
was to DO scen drawn by mules. and from these the
perpatetic vencr disposed OF his with sharp
eye always TO the main chance The markets. with
delicacies for tho rich. and tho inns and res
taurants. with the good cheer offered therein for
the tired or thirsty Roman. were graphically and
humorously portrayed. The dwelling houses, ex-
cept those tcnsncd by the very poor were al buils
with open courts to Afford light and ventilattons
while tho shops for tho most part had open sides.
the readily 10 display their glittering warca
and W tho astonishcd eye OF the pssscrby
The trade OF Rome In those days was cxnausdvcly
considered Its volume Of buslne. was OF tmports
rathcr than export. and was extensive enough to
bring TO tho warehouses and counters OF Its mcr.
chants the products Of the world. The warchouscs
largo and somo Of them OF prodigous size. but
manufacturing was OF limited extent Tho cost OF
living In lome was compared with that Of the pres
ent day In New York, showing that the ancicnt
Roman lived much better and cheaper than 10 our lot
Reviewing the different classes OF people and their
mode of gaining livelihood the speskor rcfcrred to
tho government, the gloss and dross of the period,
and compared with it the Rome of to-day IN the
march ok civilization -.. ..
The New York herald., 1879-03-11
A nin tha. Needs Amendment,

A bill under the title of "An act to provide
for excavating, tunneliing and bridging for
transportation purposes. within villages
and cities OF the State" has been introduced
in the Assembly by DR.. Isaac /. Hayes. re-
ported favorably by the Committee on
Affairs of Cities. and will probably be con-
sidered in Committee of the Whole this week.
Although, in accordance with the constitu-
tionnl amendments, the bill is made general
in its provisions, its main object is said to
be to establish an underground railway ter
minus in the lower part of this city as m
adjunct to the proposed tunnel under the
Hudson River.
The bill rs drawn is very liberal one
and would. IL passed in it's present shape,
authorize the construction and operation of
q steam railroad, either ON the surface or
underneath any OF the streets of New York.
While the title is ''for excavating, tunnel
ling and bridging" the body of the bill
really provides for surface steam rail-
roads in any city of the State. One
feature of the bill appears to be open to
constitutional objection. The amendments
Of 1874 declare that no law shall authorize
the construction or operation of q street
railroad except on two precedent condi-
tions-namely, tho consent of the owners
Of one-half in value of the property on the
line and tho consent of the local authori-
ties having the control Of the streets.
way is provided for getting rid
of the consent of the property owners by
the determination Of q commission ap-
pointed by the Supreme Court that such a
railroad ought to be built but no provision
is made for dispensing with the consent OF
the municipal authoritios. Tho bill in
question seeks to dispense with the consent
of the city authorities in the same manner
Ms tho constitution lays down for getting
rid of the opposition of private property
owners. The bill obviously needs amend
ment in this particular. All such Iegisla-
tion should be very carefully guarded. for,
while everybody will favor any measure
calculated to promote the commercial pros
perity of the metropolis, few persons will
be willing to put IL in the power of q COM
mission to. run steam railroads on and
under any of the public streets and avenues
Of New York with or without The consent
OF tho commonalty and tho property
owners.
The New York herald., 1879-03-11

THE WEArHER.-The depression still DOM
mates the weather over the central valley and
lake districts Its centre of lowest pressure being
yesterday was very slow, as the large area Of
high barometer ON the Atlantic coast will not a.
low it TO take any course other than northeast
crly ono. The hlihdLof mca6 pressure has con-
tracted considerably, 50 that the influence Of ths
disturbance win be felt in comparatively small
portion of United States territory, mainly in tho
northern New England States The barometer
rapidly in the Northwest yesterday afternoon,
attended by n sharp fall in temperature. Rain
fell over the lower lake regions and tho Middle
Atlantic and Now England States In tho north
ern part Of the latter district light snow Is re-
ported. Local rains also fell in the Gulf States
but they we're exceedingly light. Tho weather
has been generally clear over all the country ex-
copt ON the southeastern margin Of the contre
Of disturbance. Morning fogs prevailed ON the
Atlantic coast north Of Cape Hatteras and over
thc lower lakes. The winds have been brisk On
tho lakos and light in the other sections- Tho
temperature has fallen decidedly in tho North
west, is falling slowly the lakes aud has
sisen elsewhere Reports from Halifax state
chat tBs snow storm that attended the disturb
ance which passed ovor Nova Scotia ON Friday
last was vory heavy. Trains were prevented
from running on many of the roads by the great
quantity of snow, drifts Of which werc in some
places eight and ten feet deep. Tho weather in
New York and its vicinity to-day will be warm
aud fair, followed toward night by decrcaaing
ten,porstufc. Tomorrow 1t will De cool and
clear. ..
The New York herald., 1879-03-11
LITERARY CHIT CHAT.

'The Two Voyages OF tho Pandora. In 1875 and
1876" by Sir Allen Young. IL brief but interesting
record Of the two we'll known expeditions which tho
author commanded In the succesaivc seasons above
named. The late Mr.. Macgahan accompanied the
hrst Of these cruises. and readers Of the HERALD
will remember his vivid narrative of tho voyage The
second cruise undertaken ct the request Of tho
English Admiralty tor the purpose OF communicating
with the Mares expedition. then working its way
toward the Pole. Both voyages are treated by Sir
Allen Young In tcrsc and graphic manner. and his
volume is enbeilshed by interesting wood cuts and
excellent maps. The proved strength and fitness Of
the Pandora during some OF the severcst trials to
which Arctic vessel bo exposed led to her &C.
lection for tho expedition now Atting out ut San
Francisco for departure next june Rcchsistncd the
Jean motto. and rebuilt In stanch manner by Lon
don shipwrights, sho viii again try her luck in
Arctic waters. this time In unexplorod and un-
known region Of the mysterious Polar Sea.
There has been great literary activity among the
Welsh during the past year. Two editions of the
national poet Goronwy Owain. have been published.
an English Welsh dictionary of l5l7 has been rc-
printed, and tho national encyclopedia called tho
..Gwy yddoniadur." has boon nearly completed.
Roberts Brothers have recently issued now cdi-
tion OF Dante hossctus poems and will have ready
during the present month AN American reprint Of
william Morris 'Sigurd. tho volsung."
AIRY Fairy Lillian" ia the gay and festive rtie OF
new novel by the author Of "Mollis Bswn."
Talma9es book. "The Masque Torn on" has been
issued by J. Fairbanks q Co., OF Chicago who sent
q duplicate set Of plates TO London and Canada.
THIS is said to be tho nrst instance Of . Western
Arm making such shipment.
third edition Of Professor Andcrson's 'sNorss
Mythology" has been issued by 8. G. Grisgs Co..
of Chicago.
Tho remainder Of the books belonging to thu
library Of Charles Dickens have been secured by
scribnor Wexford. They consist prtncpAlly Of
presentation copies from tho authors to Mr. Dickens.
Dr. I. y. SoEnsky contributes article on ''0ravs
Robbng and Dissection" 10 the March numbsr Of
the fs~n MoatAiy.
The April numbsr Of Frank Lssliss Sunday xasa-
n~s Will bc devoted - Easter. . M
The New York herald., 1879-03-11
plimentary contact with the friends Of Mr..

plimentary contact with the friends of Mr..
Tilden. From q simihr wish to keep out
of damaging complications he declined to
contribute to the great mass of democrntic
interviews which We published on Satur-
day. His competition. Mr.. Blackburn. prac-
tises no such re.icenoe. Mr. Blackburn is
an outspoken anti-Tilden man and an
avowed supporter of Senator Thurman for
the Presidency He doubtless counts upon
the favor Of the anti-Tilden democrats
in his canvass for the Speakership. while
Mr.. Randall takes position of neutrality
on the Presidential question. Mr.. Black
burn is likely to be warmly supported by
the Thurman interest, which has already
become very powerful in the democratic
party. To be sure, the election of Speaker
in 1879 has no proper connection with tho
election of President in 1880. but if
democratic politicians choose to make one
of these events bear upon the other nobody
can prevent them. In politics candidates
are strong in proportion as they seem to be
strong. and the supporters of Mr.. Thurman
will think it great point gained if they
can elect a Speaker who favors his
nomfnation, or even if they can force
Mr.. Randall and his friends to dis
connect themselves from the Tildcn
interest. If it were a mere question of the
Speakership MI. Randall's experience, CO.
pacity, integrity and party standing would
insure his success. even against SO pop
ular rival as Mr.. Blackburn. But it the
election of Speaker gets entangled with
Presidential preferences, and is made to
turn on the strength of aspiring candi-
dates, Mr.. Randall will win, if he wins at
all, only after hard fought battle.
The New York herald., 1879-03-11
Rapid Tr..sis Lssisiatisn.

The bill now before the Legislature for.
bidding ''level crossings" Of the IL" roads
at Chatham square or elsewhere. except
where the roads are owned and operated by
one company, deserves special considera-
tion; but we do not desire to see any legis-
lation that will have the effect of closing
routes against one company in the interest
OF another. What should be done by the
Legislature is to compel the two IL"
companies to adopt the safety plan
proposed by the HxnALD, or one
equally as effective in securing safety.
by preventing any crossings of oppo-
sition roads. The struggle between the
companies is for the trafic from the
vicinity OF City Hall and lower Broadway.
and it is not unlikely that the powers
OF the Legislature may be invoked by "the
road in possession" to exclude the rival line.
This must be guarded against as much
as possible without permitting any COM
promise that would mean level crossing
ut Chatham square or at any other point
The suggestion offered in the HEaArD that
the Il" roads pool their receipts, ,aouth of
Chatham square is q very fair ono, because
it enables both roads to derive profit from
source to which they have equal rights
A ''dog in the manger" policy will prove in
the end very improbable one for the New
York Il" company if it seeks by such a
means to grasp traffic which it is now not
able to accommodate. We say, on the other
hand, to the Metropolitan IL" company
that the suspension Of building the Second
avenue line, because it is not allowed to
cross the New York IL" at Chatham square
and use the section southward to Beaver
street junction in common, would be a
blunder disastrous to its interests. Let tho
Metropolitan IL" find new route to the
Battery-say 'ncross lots" and via South
street, on which it will catch much Of the
Brooklyn traffic, The case is one in which
twoprivate corporations ore squabbling over
o right which they both derive from the
people, and in which quarrel they strive
by pressure on public convenience or en-
dangering public safety to force settlement
of interest only to themselves.
The New York herald., 1879-03-11
A Good Example.

There are several reasons why the people
of New York should feel grateful to the gen.
tleman who rendered SO warm reception
on East Eighty-sixth street on last Sunday
evening. In the first place, if he had not
shot one Of the thieves dead the probability
is that all would have escaped, and there is
but little likelihood that any OF them would
have been discovered and arrested by the
police. In the next place. the story will
serve to convince housekeepers who are
favored with similar visits that it only re-
quires little common manhood to
protect their lives and property from
such rufians. When Mr.. Richards
laid one of the robbers dead at his
feet by we'll directed shot from his
revolver the others were so demoralized
that one ran away and the other begged for
his life in piteous accents. A thief is always
. coward, and when he meets with firm re-
sistancc invariably flies 6r succumbs. II
the example set by Mr.. Richards should be
generally followed we should have fewer
cases of burglary and of robberies by
sneak thieves. It is always better
TO use revolver on q housebreaker than to
summon the police In this case little
coolness and self.possession proved bet
ter protection to the family than whole
platoon Of patrolmen, and was moro effec-
tive than q criminal court in bringing the
offenders speedily to justice. Our citizens
will do we'll to remember that it is always
better to shoot burglar than to capture
him. 1t saves trouble and avoids all tho
uncertainties and procrastinations of the
Law
The New York herald., 1879-03-11
Tn. Direcsor OF the National surveys.

The Director OF the National Surveys.
The combination Of all the national sur
voys under the direction of one competent
and responsible head will place an impor-
tant work on footing which it has long
needed. While independent undertakings,
such as those of Wheeler, Hayden and
Powell, as we'll as those of tho Coast Survey
and the Land Office, gnvo scope for individ-
ual skill of the highest order, it was at the
expense of a unity of purpose which should
be the essential feature Of q great system Of
surveys. Besides, it led to an unnecessary
duplication of some parts of the work,
differences in the results attained, and
the creation of doubt in the public
mind As to whether some or any Of
the different and differing surveys were
correct. Now 1t is determined that
all our national surveys shall be in charge
of q director who will apply the abundant
means to be placed at his disposal to secur-
ing for the United States, on magnificent
scale. what the British have accomplished
The New York herald., 1879-03-11
PERSONAL INTELLIGENCE.

Sir A. ]. Gait has arrived from Europe.
Senator James H. Slater Of Oregon is ct the Gilsey
House.
Senator o. H. platt Of Connecticut. is at tho HoG-
man House.
Mr.. George H. Boxer. of Philadelphia. is at the
Brevoort House.
Mr.. Ward Gregory. editor Of tho Ithaca Democrat.
is at the Fifth Avenue Hotel.
Sir Edward Thornton. British Minister at Wash
ington. is at tho Clarendon Hotel.
Senator Henry N. Teller. OF Colorado. arrived at
the Sturtevant House last evening from Washington
Mr. Zamacona, the Mexican Minister, does not con
template returning to Mexico has been erroneously
reported.
writer in tho Boston Herald says that Alcott. OF
Concord is muddy Plato and that he is very indo-
lent. especially in housecleanng time when there
bureaus to move.
Ralph Waldo Emerson is spare liver, but takes
care of himself. OF an evening he plays whist. He
likes to wander through the streets Watching mo
chanics at work
Eceniag Telcarom:-"Genoral B. r. Butler being
out Of public employment. the citizens of New
Orleans could not do better than to invite him down
there to clean up tho city aud prevent revival Of
yellow fever this year. He knows how. He did 1t
in 1904
General Thomas w. sherman was thought slightly
better yesterday, having passed comfortable night
tho lst since his illness The crisis is believed
to have been passed.. Mrs. Sherman ia growing
alarmingly worse. and NO hopes entertained Of
her recovery.
There Ia considerable discussion abroad just now
~ to whcro tho operate and dramatic stage
shall place his hand when he is making love to
indicate where It comes from-his breast or his
head. In our opinion q good many love-inakcrs
should put their hands ON their ears.
London TraM:-"In politics must not lay
down principles Of universal application. but take
into consideration facts and Eventu-
ally the Irish will am convinced. have soine sort
OF Irish assembly which win regulate things exclu-
sively Irish 1t Ia the part OF q wise statesman
rather to regulate the mission OF this assembly
that it does not connct with imperial interests than
to oppose possurass to what 10 inevitable"
London Worid:-"The friends and admirers Of Mr..
Bret Harte who goes back to his consulate. but viii
return in q month"; propose to entertain hin at .
public dinner In recognition Of the delight which his
admirable humor and pathos have afforded to thou
sands OF English readers. and to bid him welcome to
this country. The date has bocn xod for Saturday,
the 18th Of March next; the chair will ba taken by
the Earl of Roscbery. and the management Of the
affair has been intrusted to the three gentlemen who
conducted the Archibald Forbes banquet last year
such successful ISSUE"
The New York herald., 1879-03-11
The Regi.ter and County Clerk.

1t is to be hoped that Governor Robinson
faction in this city which is aiming to get
the Offices held by Judge Loew and Mr..
Gumbleton vacated in order that this fac
ton may control their patronage. It would
not conduce to economy, it would not pro-
mote any public interest. to punish these
gentlemen, who have merely followed the
precedents set by their predecessors, and
who have taken only the customary fees
established by usage for whole generation.
The rates charged by the present incumbents
have been alike tolerated and countenanced
by both political parties. When General
Halpine-the popular "Miles OReilly"-
was Register the charges were not different,
and after his death General Patrick Jones,
his successor, took the same foes under o
stipulation that he would pay over the in
come of the Office to General Halpine's
widow. The fees were precisely the same
then as they have been since. It would be
harsh and unjust to punish the present
incumbents for following the rule which
they found established by long usage on
their accession to Office The fit thing to
be done is for the Legislature to prescribe
reasonable salary Tor the Register and
County Clerk, and require all the fees to be
paid into the city treasury. This would
cut up the whole evil by the roots,
without injustice to officers who have merely
followed the usage OF their predecessors
who took the same fees without complaint
or censure. If the Governor removes these
officers under present circumstances, and
at the instance of q faction whose only
motive is to get control of their places, his
action will be strongly condemned by pub
lie sentiment. There would be no fairness
in making scapegoat of men who are no
more blamabls than was General Halpine
or General Patrick Jones, or other prede-
cessors who continued the scale of fees
equitable thing is to stop the abuse, but
overlook what has been done with tho sanc-
tion Of long usage.
Why has this practice been SO long con-
nived at, not by one political party, but by
both? It is because it is the tendency of
our politics to hvor tho growth Of patron.
age and increase the value Of the prizes to
be scrambled for in our party contests
Both parties desire offices that can be
heavily assessed for electioneering funds.
When the fees of an Office amount to fifty
or seventy-6ve thousand dollars year the
political fnctions which control the nomina-
tioRs for such an Office are enabled to tax
the candidates heavily. The established fee
system in the Registers Office and County
Clerks Office has been SO long tolerated be-
cause political parties have an interest in
preserving such "plscers." II is unquestion-
ably gross abuse to fleece the public for
such purposes Hthere Is any sincerity in
the present demand for reform in these Of
foes it should be manifested in simply cor
recting the abuse. and not in ousting one
set OF officers in order to transfer the same
patronage to another set.
The New York herald., 1879-03-11

ALTHOUGH SPAIN has proclaimed an amnesty
In Cuba she is not, it seems, willing to allow the
old revolutionary leaders to live in the Ever
Faithful Isle. General Benitez, who venturcd to
return short time ago. was politely shown on
board the first foreign steamer that arrived. He
may be thankful that he received no harsher
t.eat Ineut.
The New York herald., 1879-03-11

Ir WILL BE SEEN by our special dispatches
from Tashkend that the Afghan ambassadors
have taken leave Of General Kaufman, who, it
is reported, under instructions from the Gar
sent no communication whatever to YAkoob
Khan On the other hand, Sir Stafford North
cote declares that the British government is on
the eve Of negotiations with him, if indeed they
have not been begun already.
The New York herald., 1879-03-11

lawyer in United States court in Kentucky,
that he could prove that United States detcc-
tives had made and passed spurious coin, ought
in some way to receive the attention Of the
authorities in Washington. 1t is too serious to
b. allowed to go unnoticed.
The New York herald., 1879-03-11

THE MEETING of the Police Mutual Aid As
Bociation yesterday was almost turbulent
enough to justify the interference of their
brethren of the club The investigation which
has been ordered into tho management Of the
society ought to be as thorough as possible.