davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-12
A Serious Wrong.

In setting TO work to look into the con-
dition Of the Police Department, Mayor
COOPER saw fit TO undertake the work in
secret He first heard the statement Of Mr..
J. Il. ERHARDT respecting the other Com
missioners. Then he allowed Mr.. ERHARDr
to bring before him n number of persons, 10
whose statements he also listened and he
had the whole recorded by stenographer.
Not one Of these persons was sworn nor one
cross-examincd. Thus the methods by which
justice is secured in taking evidence respect
ing the acts and the character OF individuals
were entirely ignored and set aside by Mr..
COOPER in this case.
The result appears 10 have been the col
lection OF mass Of matter covering about
orc thousand pages. In a letter addressed
10 the Mayor by Gen. SMITH and published in
another column Of this paper, lac dcnounccs
this record as false, perverted, and deiama-
tory; and such, We dare say, 1t Is.
But while the Mayor has conducted this
In the form Of secret investigation. he has
allowed portions Of the so-callcd evidence 20
be made public in the press This, We say.
II q serious wrong. There can bc no greater
injury than for public officer 10 collect,
under the guisc 81 secrecy. a mass OF dciama-
tory allegations respecting another with
out giving the party intended 10 bee injured
by them an opportunity Of confronting his
accusers and subJecting them To the test 81
cross-cxamination; and then to take this
mass Of dcfamatory allegations thus secretly
got together and to publish it.
This is the attitude in which Mayor
COOPER has placed himself In this affair
and We are confident that when he comes "a
reflect upon what he has done and To apply
thereto the rules Of ordinary fair dealing
and gentlcmanly conduct, he will see that
there is occasion for very bitter regret on his
| part
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-12

versal in It's application. No business OF
higher Importance can come before the
Legislature than to pass upon the merits Of
this new revision OF fundamental statutes.
And now for sample OF the proceedings.
Mr. THRooPs huge budget was recently
taken up by the Senate. Few OF the mem
bers had even looked at It. II was put on Its
final passage. Tho Constitution perempto-
rily requires that when bill reaches that
stage IL shall be read through. The clcrk
OF tho Senate wrestled little while with
the BILL and then lcaped over thousands OF
sections to the last page. The yeas and
nays were called, and the reports inform us
that the bill was passed "amid great laugh
ter"
Would their friends excuse Senators on
the ground that they knew nothing about
the now revision OF our statutes, or were in
capable OF understanding it, or were not
aware OF the improperly OF such lcgisla-
tion2 They might better have followed the
example of their predecessors on so grave
subject.
The first revision OF our statutes was in
trusted to JOHN c. SPENCER. JOHN DUER,
and BENJAMIN +. BUTLER, three OF the
ablest lawyers In the State. After years OF
labor they laid their work before the Lcgis-
laturc. A special session was convened TO
consider It, which sat thrcc months. Mr.
SPENCER was n member OF the Senate. Mr.
BUTLER, then the law partner OF MARTIN
VAN BURES. was chosen To the Assembly
for the sole purpose Of cooperating with
Mr.. SPENCER in carrying the measure
through the Legislature. At this and other
sessions the work was cautiously examined
and amended, and the product was those
Revised Statutes which have ruled our
great state for half century. and have
served as models for the Legislatures OF
many other States in the codiiicatiOn Of
their laws.
We think our present Legislature has
formed u just estimate Of the value Of the
| kind Of service rendered since the salary
was raised. Let it be- rcduccdl
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-12
Ertravagant Pay for Poor Work.

When the annual pay Of the Legislature
was raised from $500 10 81 800 it was pre-
dictcd that the change would elevate the
character Of that body and restore much Of
its former prestige. The step recently taken
in the Assembly toward reduction in the
salary shows that in the judgment Of that
branch OF the Legislature the experiment
has proved n failure.
The people generally concur in opinion
with the Assembly We have reached tho
middle OF the fourth session since the sal
airy was raised, and We doubt If the Legisla-
ture ever made worse record in so brief u
period From largo group OF examples
we will select only two TO verify our as
sertion.
There has been a great deal Of grossly
partisan legislation in New York. But from
the days OF GEORGE CLINTON till now we
doubt II tho Capitol at Albany ever wit
messed such contempt for the Constitution
and such hardihoOd In the employment
OF means to secure a political advan-
tago as Il majority Of the Republicans have
exhibited on the apportiunment question
for the last three years. II Judges were to
dispose in like manner Of important cases
III couIl9 vi ldWi IL Noulh NV pV HoV'Hodl
to impeach them for high crimes and mis-
domeanors. Public sentiment would drive
them from tho bench.
An increase Of salary seems not TO have
enlarged the mental capacity OF the Lcgis-
laturr. The bunglng manner in which it
disposed Of Mr.. THRoor's Code OF Remedial
Justice three years ago, made it the laugh
ing stock Of the State. The Senate has not
learned wisdom by experience Mr.. THRoop
recently laid another volume OF his code on
its table. 1t affects the rights and interests
of everybody, and when once enacted it will
| be as inllcxible In its texture as 1t Is uni
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-12
THE ELEcroRAL COMMISSION PICTURE
How q. w. ChIIds, \. NJ, Tried to Oct His
Portrait Painted at Public Expense.


One OF the best acts Of the last Congress was
tho refusal to purchase painting Of the Electoral Com
mission. by a Mrs Fasscu Of Washington We know
nothing Of this lady artist nothing OF the merits Of
the painting In question and nothing css Tor the
historical interest which cugs around the Electoral
Commission IL was body of saiablc politicians and
their abors were wholly unconstitutional Their dec
entirely partisan and will forever be regarded
a. unfortunately not Hence poseriy will want
no painting Of said Commission.
We learn. incidentally. that the artist aborcd eighteen
months in painting this picture that Is colossal in size
that the price demanded was s2OOO0 Furthermore.
are informed that several political gentlemen who
not Members Of the Electoral Commission and were not
auditors At its sungs. have had their portraits
painted among the group u spectators Among them
said To be two spapcr menAr T. y. Waters. the
handsome editor Of the Boston Adeatss, aud Mr. q. W
Childs, NJ the editor and poet Of the Philadelphia
Lofger. They paid handsome u the artist TO get
their faces ia among the distinguished characters who
sided eounsced and plotted with the Commissioner in
their partisan tolls
The bad taste and worse fraud. Of painting small
politicians historical pictare SUFFICIENT
for It's not becoming national property But suspect
there other and muc'bettsr FOR discarng
WORTHLESS, picture OF The Electoral Commission. There
IL yet another chance for Mrs. Fas-ett Possibly she
sell her famous work 20 Barnum. who Is last getting
ready TO start his annual circus tour through the
country. The great historical picture OF the Electoral
Commission might draw larger audiences than trick
horses, consumpu sionkeys, and Jolly cownS
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-12


enco OF troops at the polls. Mr.. ATKINS
speaking for his side OF tho House, In re-
porting the final disagreement on the Legis-
latlve Appropriation bill, said there would
be no objection made by the Democrats to
retaining the supervisors OF election, prop
erly guarded, though the States ought to
provide all the means of election and to
protect the purity OF the ballot box. Further
than that they would not go, and they ought
not to 60. The Republicans, on the other
hand, insist upon holding on to the last
vcstige OF departing power, and threaten
to resist to the bitter end the wiping
out Of laws that are n disgrace to the
statute book, defiance Of the Constitution,
and that contain an assertion OF power
which no monarchcal government with n
constitution would at this day dare to
enforce. Upon this Issue the two great
parties are divided. and a struggle seems
about 20 como in this so-callcd FREQ Govern
mcnt to vindicato a principle which lies at
the very foundation Of republican institu-
tions. Letit comel
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-12

To THE EDITOR OF The SUN-Sir: have been
constant reader Of TINS srS for the past twelve years
and now am going to add my complaint To tho many
You have been kind enough 10 pnnt was soldier OF
the Potomac leniscd sept 30, 1901 with the promise
Of sl00 when discharged enlste in two years rcg
ment the Thirty second New York Volunteers to serve
the uneNItIed term of sad regiment was discharged
june -, rtA, anu was allowed mo- bounty lost dis.
charge, ami made the necessary am luV according to
law tu got Justice done me received reply from the
or three years, ana not having served twcutvthrcc
months. WAS not entitled To bounty under amy cNtsuug
law, ruling, or decision Now wish On know is thcrr
any Justice in promtlng a man bounty. dscharging
uht man without asking his leave, aud then refusing
INN ms bounty because he had not served within two
mhhs OF lht hmr lhtN snW n ~ specify ltcanuot be
ium uck W service, for the Thirty second has record
as bright AS any regiment IN the army. LEWIS Cl1kM
Sergeant Ca. u. Thirty sec ond Regiment n Y Vols.
ATutNs. \. y. March
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-12

To THE EDITOR or THE SUN-Sir: The
sentiments n Charles Ahrccht about the dedication Of
Archbishop Purcell PUT forward In this days srS are
disgrace from man OF any creed l say 10 him that
too have hundred yes two hundred pennies. to JOIN
owen cavanaFh in his worthy purpose for feel in my
heart that neither Archbishop Purcell. ms brother
ever used dshonornbly one penny OF tho money nusted
BE- the first time that such has been done
Let Nj Abrccht cnnnne his attention 10 the trusted
with millions Il because they didn't have a chance,
but who tooS all they could. and used q themselves
There plenty Of out u PRISON that deserve IL
more than that gentle, trusting man. who has received
affair Al all events Mr. Abrecht can suspend his ude
mont a. no one Is going TO ask either his opinion hls
contribution 70 the cause hope ~ his letter where
he ought to be hmSrlf In oblivion.
LiEzN BRlES PoLIock. 2t2 ClAson avenue
BRooELrs, March H.
To Enron THE suS-s6! notice in io-day's
suSA communication from Charles AlbrechL condemn.
Ing owen P cavanAgh for having 100 cnnics to spare
for Archbishop Purcell. for one as well as thousands
more uphold Mr. CavAnagh for his feeling heart for the
aged prelats HT. Aibrech aud every other the
same mnd will IN few months see the archiocesc "
which Or Purcell Is head clear from the great debt Mr.
Alrrch may be ia the same Kind OF trouble some time
and we Will then have 10 pennies for rrosccutus hun.
70 EproR TINS srS-Sir, am Proie itant and
know nothing OF Archbishop Purcell except what the
world knows Although the losses sustained seem very
Nrse, with proper efforts they be paid . full Let
leading Roman Catholics IA whom the peop have
We ',tI hl ~ WI u, zone VIII guar give so To-
ward H. ana double 10 n necessary To accomplish de.
sired object KNOW several other fTo who, ac-
eordug 20 thcr means Will contribute literally. only
let the work be commenced at once. u O. b.
To rnt EniroR % rHF suS-Nr ! notice in TnE sus a
hun look after the welfare of Beeoher and never mind
JAsts o'BRiES 64s East Ninth street
X. a.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-12
j. u. ERHARDT AND MS CHARGES.
Gen. Smith to Hi. Honor Mayor Cooper.


Hon Eiurrd dsrer Mayor ON, CYnv NJ Ne~ FORK
SIR lately received from you copy OF the
minutes Of a conversation between you and Mr. Joel B.
Erhardt understand from your remark, reported on
page III Of these that you have regarded the in
tervew as designed TO afford information concerning
matters which might subsequently become the subject
OF proof aud dsproof inasmuch As you there say that
the general theory that 1T is not proof that are
after now so much asst is a statement Of things that can
be proven hereafter"
The defamaory statements Of = scandal monrer, set
forth In the 900 pages you have sent entitled TO
notice my part solely by reason Of the fact that they
have been made to you Mayor Of this city. notice
them only say this Mr. Erhardts representations so
far as they concern me characterized throughout by
faischood or rcrverson Wherever they are not false,
they are perverted to false conclusions
observe that you speak OF the conversation between
yourself and Mr. Erhard In the following words MY
own mprc ssion II that we have wasted good deal Of
time and given the stenographcr the work Of putting
down good deal that will seem to anybody that ads II
being rsy al,HrIn To the correctness Il this remark
think every one who reads the minutes must assent
Yours, respectfully, W. y. SAITH
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-12
An EmpIoyee,. Letter Opened.

To THE EDITOR or THE SUN-Sr! Would you
point out the proper course to pursue bringing jus.
ucc an employer who Wliuly and mahciously opens a
private letter directed TO OF his employees aud ca
poses the contents to a crowded Workshop
does the Post once Department end its responsi.
b when 1t delivers the letter the employer in whose
care it is drcctcdi
lI-Wmeh would be the proper party to institute pro.
cecdngs IN such case-the writer or the employee IA
whom IL was writton' Bv putting on the right trac
you VIII not only AID IN bringing Ia punishment ths ras
caliy employer, but confer a favor upona
I.-Yes.
1.-THE person. II any. WIN has sustained
actual damage in property or reputation by the
opening Of the letter, II both the writer and tho
employee sustained such damage. each would
have Il cause Of action.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-12
4 WKLCOME FOR GRANT.
A Monster Excursion Across the Continent 90
Greet Him ON Its Return from the East.

OMAHA. Nch.. March lO-A letter received at
the headquarters OF the Union Pacific Railroad today de-
tails plan for grant excursion from Washington to
San Francisco about the st Of August next q receive
and welcome XPrcsdent Grant his return from the
ORIENT The writer states be has spent some weeks at
Washington couyersd with leading senators ant Repre-
sentauvcs. aud that favor the project enthusiastic
ealy. Particulars Of irp through Indiana, correspond
encc with Kcoss and Ftkn IN Louisiana and other de-
tails given. which indicate that Gfy thousand to
seycnty.hye thousand persons would join In the
sion. Preparations for such excursion would require
much time. and the letter is written to reduced
rates previous TO public ounccmcnt II Is stated
thatcVcry state the Union will be repre- scncd and
the excursion will require from hundred hun
drcd aud twenty-five trains " ten cars each.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-12

The California papers are filed with re-
ports Of the public protests against HAyEs's veto
Of the Anti-Chinese bill. At Ukiah tho Chair
men Of the Democratic and Republican Com
mittecs called meeting, at which the veto was
denounced At Shasta, joint Democratic and
Republican meeting censured HAYES. At Cop
per City the workmen expelled the Cinnamon.
AT San Benito both parties condemned tho veto.
At Sonoma an Indignation meeting, addressed
by BREcTENBACH and YAsQUEz. burned HAYES
in efllgy. At san Rafael the charmen and sec
retarcs ofthc County Committees Of both parties
signed n joint declaration OF belief that tho
life and prosperity OF tho Pacific slope. II not
the public peace, depend on the passage Of the
bill.' In Salinas. an 'anu-IIAYEs" meeting. held
in the Court House, passed these resolutions;
Reat,f That we are opposed tn Chinese immigration.
t' Sc r pers To- our coast hnd shall use every means
toptcNrnt NOR longer remaining here
. hewc'f That hc who Advocates their influx, aids
their labor or susihns the kuNiNGANt treaty Is enc
my, ana deserves political osIraclsm."
In Bakersfield the veto was pronounced by
the Democratic County Committee q" n wantOn
outrage" In Truckee an enthusiastic meeting
hanged HAYES in clIlgy. In Vallejo a mass
meeting Of Republicans denounced HAYES aud
cheercd BLAINE In San Francisco there have
been scores OF public protests against tho veto
and at tho Representative Trades Assembly. the
following Unions were rcpresented The Typo
grap HEAL tho Tailors tho Coopcrs tho Stone
cutters the Custom Shoemakers, tho Painters
the Carpenters. the UpholstereIs. the PAYERS
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-12
Justice TO Distinguished Man - He
Does il Himself.

Some men have tried to pcrpctuate their
fame by providing, in their wills, for the
erection OF costly monuments over their
own remains. But requests for such pur-
poses are not sure TO be carried out. Capt
JONAS SMITH OF Long Island directed by
his will that monument costing fifty thou
sand dollars should bo erected over his
grave. But lawyer, sometimes known as
Law Scavenger, interfered and prevented
the full execution Of the plan
Lord TIMOTHY DEXTER OF Newburyport,
Mass, who made fortune by sending old
fashioned bed warming pans 10 the West
Indies, whore the pan was used for dipping
molasses and the top for straner, once
had n mock funeral during his lifetime, just
to see what n gorgeous procession might
one day be got up behind his remains.
Somewhat after the style OF Lord TIM
oTHY DEXTER's mock funeral was the sup
per party given ON Monday evening by Sir
CYRUS W. FIELD. Seldom has any man en-
joyed the luxury Of blowing his own horn
so long and loud.
Twenty-Five years ago Mr.. FIELD acted an
important part in the commendablc enter
prise Of laying the ocean telegraph cable.
The cold and busy world is prone to neglect
aud to forget its bencfactors. Mr.. FIELD
shrewdly secs TO IL that the world does not
forget or neglect him. He received due
praise from his guests; only DR.. ADAMS
was somewhat blatant and extravaganza
The FIELDS are a remarkable family. We
hope the Hon. DAVID DUDLEY FIELD will be
sent back to Congress, while Mr. Justice
STEPHEN J, FIELD is talked Of for the DEM
ocratic candidate for President. The Rev,
HENRY NJ. FIELD continues to edit the NCc
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-12
Snonkor ALyoRn unnamed ns No Sd

Speaker ALvORD appointed as the select
committee 10 investigate accusations OF dis
ordinations in railroad freight charges men
who are 50 VIGOROUSLY in tho interest Of the
corporations that the instigators OF the inquiry
were compelled TO move that four more names
be added. ALvorD in wrath sent tho resolu-
ton 10 the table on an alleged point Of order.
but to-day il is TO be up again. Meantime Al
Word has declared that this is an insult he
cannot let pass, and it Is reported that he has
threatened to resign the speakership if the res
oluton is adopted
The people can endure ALyoRDs resignation.
but at the same time the railroads chartered
and protected 10y the State must be operated in
the interests Of tho people at whose expense
they are run.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-12
Testing the Con.titutIouamty OF the Thurman
Act.

WAsHINGToN. March 1.-THE case OF tho
Central Pacific Railroad Company against Gallaun,
which was submitted to the United States Supreme
Court on printed briefs nearly two months ago and
sequenty. motion OF the Attorney General rcassgnei
for oral argument will come before court again tomor
row itinvolvcs the validity and consuuuonalty of the
legislation generally known the q" Thurman Act" and
was ortcrod tor oral argument IN order that the Atto
ncN-'eutrul might have am opportunity tn make 4 ful
presentation u TIE interest ui the therein
HE sut brought h Gahun is a. cared hy the Attorney
bcncra Ca be sham suit, intended tOresall similar
action ON the mart of The Government which il the rail
road company real antagonist In case Justice Brad
ley. VINO l. SICK todnN. should he un duty to-uor.
row the case viii be POSTPONED until he shall be able to
lpu tlt a
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-12

tho Cigarmakers. the Shareholders, the Book
binders. and tho Cabinetmakers. In this AS
sembly the representative Of tho Cigarmakers
Union said HAYEs's veto had mado committee
work useless.
A voice-we don't want committees hut guns
" Mr.. DANIELS thought II all the wOrkinRncn OF the
Eastern states should petition HAYES he would laugh az
them az at the whole people OF this lie DASiEIs
preferred to buy guns and powder Applause
Mr.. RoBtTsOF Of the Committee sail that was one OF
The things tho Committee shoud sneeiAlY cOnAlder
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-12

fare over this line not to exceed i've cents. and
the franchise to be sold at auction to the highest
bidder. But fifteen Of the twenty Aldermen
present did not feel disposed to commit them-
selves on these points. and Mr.. RoBERTss reso-
luton was referred with the others.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-12
Gunour.ter Wizard Outdone.


Tho gun bursting in II. NJ T. Thunderer in
the sea ot Narmura beats norman Wards They
ranmed ms p,cA or - of powder with SHOT weighing
one lhitd 90 ton AMI teu because 10 diut or put
Anuutr peek aud another shot of the stmc ske-ra,ug
an interval, Ca make explosion certain Result Ton NJ
turrtt blown OIL nine men kcd and thirty uld wound.
ed Maras practice was mere pop gun business 10 this
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-12

Investigation into tho probability OF
reducing the salaries OF State officers drew
forth report against doing so from the Repub-
lcan majority OF the Committee. and ono in
favor Of rsducton from the Democratic minor
ity. Mr.. GLIDDES moved rs an amendment 10 a
bill yesterday that twenty-five per cent. be
taken from snch salaries. Tho debate that fol-
lowed indicated that the proposal was favorably
received. but some of the Republicans desired
that II should be embodied in a separate bill.
and this was done The Senate. too. had a
short debate on the same general topic. the
question being on reducing the annual appro-
priaton for the executive department. but the
reduction was not made.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-12

II the pastor OF the largest Presbyterian
church in Brooklyn has told lies on several oc-
casions and Is a tricky and untrustworthy per-
son, that Is certainly pretty serious fact II
common rumor asserts him TO be such person.
that is also serious fact, and the Prcsbytery.
OF which he ia a member. has not taken judicial
cognzance Of 1t a day too soon. At its session
yesterday the trial was set down for March a.
a week from next Monday. Brother TAI
MAGE was for having 1t begin at once.
but the brethren designated to prosecute
tho case were not ready. Tho feeling exhib-
tied on both sides in these initiatory proceed
inRs warrants fear that unseemly tempcrs
will bo developed unless all the brethren re-
solve before tho trial begins to ruo their spirits
more vigorously than some of them have done
hitherto. Yesterday Brother VAN DYKE called
Brother TALMAGE to order for an assertion
which he said was not in accordance with tho
facts; Brother CROSBY denied that he was
Brother VAN DYKES mouse-a curious importa-
ton OF sporting slang into ecclesiastical pro-
cecdings: and Brother VAN DYKE accused
whiteheaded and vehement Brother SPEAR Of
stating as true what was not true.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-12

Those OF our readers who indulge In the
foolishness Of betting should keep in mind the
important truth that international walking
matches are not over until they are finished.
Il may be money In their pockets.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-12

Messrs. 4. b. Peterson Brothers Of Phila-
dclphia published about dozen different cook books
and one Of the hest among them all is Mrs Ilales New
Cook Book" of which they have lust issued revised
edition in very handsome style.