davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1879-12-13
THE ASTOR LIBRARY.

reporter called upon Mr.. John Jacob Astor yes
terday to ascertain that gentleman's plans and in
tentions in making the important real estate trans
fer by which Mr.. Astor and his wife jointly make
over to the Astor Library piece Of ground 100 by
90 feet on Lafayette place. adjoining the library.
The transfer in question was briefly mentioned
among the list of real estate transactions of Thurs
day, but no particulars given. The property is
on the east side of Lafayette place. 161 feet south of
Astor place. Immediately adjoining the Astor Library
building on the north. As stated above. it is 100
feet front by so feet in DEPTH and at present tho
ground Is partially occupied by brick livery stable
found at his Office in Prince street. He stated that
the information gwen above is all that is do
veloped at present. The ground has been
given to the Astor Library for the purpose Of build
ing an extension This is all he has to do with it.
aud the matter will now bo in the hands Of the trus
tees of the library. They have not even been in.
formed yet of the transfer, they be until
they meet, in the course or o week They will
probably then discuss and decide upon the and
manner in which the extension to the building will
be made. and the amount of money to be expended.
Then architect will be called upon to furnish
plans and drawings, and after all this is done, said
Mr. Astor 1.-THE public may bo able to get infor-
nation to what will be done with the ground. Ono
OF tho papers stated this morning that the plans
agreed upon. This is not true; moreover, as have
fer yet" Alexander Hamilton is president the
Board Of Trustees; Mr.. Astor, treasurer Robbins
Little, superintendent, and Frederick Saunders. Ii
brarian.
The New York herald., 1879-12-13
The broadway Railroad.

Once more the project for horse car line
In Broadway wriggles and shows signs of
life. But in all the period since it was
last heard from it has evidently not lain
dormant, since it appears to have developed
new and startling proportions. 1t is now
not merely Broadway railroad, but
whole system of downtown surface roads
Wall, Cortlandt Fulton and Chambers
streets are named as included in the plan.
This is somewhat as if the sea serpent
should disappear for a summer and return
to us as q monster devil fish, with illimit-
able arms spreading out in every direction.
Fortunately, however, neither railroads in
Broadway nor any other street--at least not
railroads of this species--can now be made
in absolute defiance Of the will of the prop
erty owners; and ifa majority ofthe owners
believe this road would be an injury they can
stop it. There has, however come over the
minds of Broadway property owners some
change from the days when they were
resolutely opposed to such use Of that
street as is now proposed. They appear to
be much less hostile to it, and their assent
could perhaps be obtained if they had any
certainty that the franchise would be
properly limited one and would fall into
good hands Without such security and
without an ample price paid down for this
valuable privilege the franchise would start
in life as swindle and would be a swindle
all through. If we cannot have a road in
which the rights of the public will be
properly guaranteed it would be a good
deal better to preserve the last great down
town street we have devoted to the exclu-
sive use of ordinary wheeled vehicles.
The New York herald., 1879-12-13
FREQ ships.

We cannot look with any favor upon
attempts in Congress to bring up the ques-
ton OF free ships in such a way as to alarm
that great interest which is engaged in the
coasting trade. 1t is folly to bring in side
issues and provoke needless opposition
when we need all the strength we can
muster in fighting the main battle.
If we desire to defeat the proposal
to give an American registry to
foreign built ships owned by American
citizens we would couple it with proposal
to admit foreign ships to our coasting trade
and thus array one Of tho most important,
wealthy and active interests of the country
in fierce opposition. IL is not our domestic
but our foreign navigation that needs to be
rehabilitated. 1t is inexpedient to attempt
to modify our navigation acts at present
any further than may be necessary for
recovering what we have lost in the
transportation of our foreign COM
merce. The free purchase of iron
steamers to be employed in the foreign
trade is all we can expect to accomplish in
the present state of public opinion, and it
The New York herald., 1879-12-13
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.

Gee Jam, Chinese missionary connected with the
American Missionary Association ut San Francisco.
was present at Plymouth Church prayer meeting
last evening. and delivered u short address.
He told of his conversion to Christianity
and the work of tho American Mission
Association on the Pacific coast by the request Of
Mr. Bcecher he repeated the Lords Prayer and sang
q hymn in the Chinese language
AT the conclusion OF tho prayer meeting the an-
nuai business meeting of the Church was
held. Tie report of the treasurer showed
that the total contributions during the year
had been SG5.365 "a; for pew rents. s41.220. The
collections for the poor during the period were
sI.170 03. The clerks report set forth that the
total number OF members on the roll book
of the church at last report was 2.ol6, OF
which SOC males and 1619 females. Tho
total admissions during the year by letter
33. Or this number were males and "a females.
The number OF admissions by profession was 81 (;
males, IL; females, 49, making the total number OF
admissions during the year 81 The deaths during
the year numbered az. AZ OF whom were males and
~ females. There were also - Withdrawals, leaving
the present membership 1920.
The following ars the names OF the officers elected
for the ensuing year :--Clerk-C. 4. christensen.
Assistants Clcrk-F. G.. Marvel. Treasurer--S. v.
White Auditors--Lorin Palmer, NJ. X. Moody.
Deacons--H. L. Pratt, r. w Ropes, M. X. Moody
George H. Day and Richard Hale. Deaconesses-
Mrs. g. W. Morrell and Mrs. Carrie =. Dorian. Mem
bers of the Examining Committee-Aaron Healey
and James A. Lane The meeting then adjourned
till next Friday evening.
The New York herald., 1879-12-13

the people by the communards in the Place
Vendome on March 22, 1871. AS the COM
mander OF those troops on that occasion
oanrobert has always been held responsible
Ior that butchery. His statement now made
Is TO the effect that he did not order the
troops to fire, but stopped their firing, and
that he believes the firing was the in
stinctive impulse of some raw soldiers
under the irritation of the insults received
from the crowd 1t is very likely that this
is the naked truth of the case, but this cor
rection can hardly overtake an error with
twenty-seven years start
The New York herald., 1879-12-13
FINE ARTS.

THE STATUE OF THE Defence OF PARIS.
The first prize Of 15.0O0f. in the competition
opened by the city Of Paris for the best design for
memorial of the defence of Paris, t6 be erected ut
the rond-po,m of Courbevoie. has been awarded to
NJ. Barrias whose bronze bust of Munkacsy is now
in the Lenox Library. He carried off the prize
from eighty-nine competitors. His design shows
an allegorical female figure representing the city
OF Paris. holding sword in her right hand
and protecting wounded sailor who crouches
at her feet. Among the principal competitors were
NM. Gustave Dore. Tauet Mathurin Moreau. Mail
let. Lequien, Allouard. Doublemard. Ohatrousse.
Chaplain, Falguiere. Bartholdi, Cugnot, Carrier
Beleuse Steiner, Dame. Davenet and Rodin. The
conditions limited the sculptors to two figures.
The projects have been on exhibition at the Ecole
des Beaux-Arts. in tho Sale Melpomene. The ac-
cepted work will be cast in bronze at the expense
Of the city of Paris.
The New York herald., 1879-12-13
OBITUARY.
PAUL DUPONT, FRENCH SENATOR.

PAUL DUPONT, FkENCH SENATOR
The death is announced by cable OF Paul Dupont.
Senator of France. who was born at Perigueux in
1796. of family Of printers. Having learned his
fathers profession he connected for years
with celebrated arm Of Didot Freres and founded
about 1926 an extensive typographical establish
ment and issued official publications in such
fine style to carry of premiums at
all national expositions since 1S49 He also became
proprietor Of the paterna typography at Perigueux.
was connected with the newspaper L'Echo de la
Dordoons, and founded in 1862 vast printing estab
lishment at Clichy, where he employed female COM
postors. in spite OF conflicts with the printers
unions at Paris and OF strikes among his male
employees. He of the originators
OF workingmen's mutual benefit societies. and
gave his workmen share in the profits of the
business. He was Deputy under the Orleans dy.
nasty and during the whole period OF tho Second
Empire, and was elected Senator for Dordogne
January 80. 1876. the Bonapartist platform. for
the term ending in 1885. He was an officer of the
Legion Of Honor and author of various
including History OF Printing two volumes.
1884, and "Dictlonary of Formulas, the Prac.
tical Art OF Mayoralty" (lS59).
The New York herald., 1879-12-13

The Dorsey Suit Against JeR Davis.
We print an abstract of bill in equity
which has been filed in the United States
Circuit Court in Louisiana by the heirs of
the late Mrs. Sarah A. Dorsey against Mr..
jefferson Davis to set aside Mrs. Dorsey's
will. The grounds on which relief is
sought are that the testatrix was of un-
sound mind and unduly influenced by Mr..
Davis, and the bill contains the usual
prayers for an account, an injunction and
such other orders as would naturally ensue
if the principal charge should be sustained.
The specifications of this charge will be
read with curious interest, not only on
account of the celebrity of the defendant,
but also of the character Of the mania under
which, it is alleged, that Mrs. Dorsey was
laboring and of the fascination Mr.. Davis is
alleged to have exercised over her mind.
The general outline of the case is too we'll
known to the public to need extensive rep
etition. Mrs. Dorsey. wealthy widow.
owning large tracts Of land in Louisiana
and Mississippi, invited Mr.. Davis to make
his home at plantation called Beauvoir.
where she lived, in the latter State, and
soon afterward executed a general power of
attorney to him, having previously made
will devising to him, as sex President of the
Confederate States" her whole estate. to the
exclusion of the plaintiffs in this suit She
died on the 4th of last July and the will was
admitted to probate, and Mr.. Davis has
since exercised full control of the property
A few months before her death she had
by deed. These plaintiffs contend that she
was crazy on the subject of his personal
virtues, intellectual powers and political
sufferings; that she insisted that
the Confederate States were still ex-
listing and would not recognize herself
as citizen of any other national
Jurisdiction; and that he artfully improved
his opportunities of association with
her to foment these delusions and turn
them to his pecuniary profit The bill al
leges that it was q mania of recent origin.
and that although she sympathized with
the South during the civil war she changed
her political opinions during residence
North in 1876 and did not revert to the
former sympathy till after Mr.. Davis began
to live at Beauvoir. In exhibition of her
peculiarities Of mind it alleges that besides
being successfully Roman Catholic, q
Presbyterian and a Protestant Episcopalian,
she embraced the faith OF some Hindoo
sect of pagans, but died Christian again.
Inasmuch as this bill of complaint of
course is q one-sided presentation of the
case we forbear from any discussion of its
merits.
The New York herald., 1879-12-13
The Coup d'Etat OF 1851.

In the French Senate yesterday Marshal
Canrobert made statement in reference to
the history Of the famous day Of December,
1861. which perhaps will scarcely change
the accepted view more or less made up on
manded the troops under arms that day at
the point where they fred upon the assem-
bled crowd of people on the Boulevards.
1t was q mere butchery, u cowardly and
&anton slaughter, as bad as the firing upon
The New York herald., 1879-12-13

An AFGHAN VICTORY is reported in our cable
dispatches. Generals Massey and Macpherson
joined forces in the Chardeh Valley, but m ct an
immense body of hillmen, who repulsed the
British attack and captured four guns, winch
We're, however, subsequently recovered. The
total absence of details of the battle. explaining
why the English lost their artillery, shows what
sort of news may be expected from military cor
respondents under existing regulations Indeed,
the official account gives the most information,
which, no doubt, is what the government in
tended when it fettered newspaper correspond
ents in the field. 1t needs MacGahan or n
Forbes to describe engagements as they really
The New York herald., 1879-12-13

LOVERS OF TRUE SPORT will regret to see the
Hanlan-C Courtney dispute break out again. We
had hoped that the public had heard the last of
these two professionals, but it appears we are
to have another deluge of challenges and tcle-
grams, interviews explanations and denials.
The referee would do well to wash his hands of
the whole matter, for there is not the slightest.
chance that Hanlan and Courtney will ever row
against each other. Even if Courtney con-
sented to row no one would believe it to be "a
fair contest, and Hanlan must change his own
tactics before the public will believe that even
he can row square, honest race. If profess
sional rowing is to be encouraged in this country
lerus have prizes offered open to all comcrs
the best man to take the money and be declared
champion. We have no champion oarsman now
rightfully holding the title.
The New York herald., 1879-12-13
ARCHBISHOP LYNCH.

Among the arrivals of the steamer Adriatc. of tho
White Star line yesterday. the Most Rev. Arch
bishop Lynch of Toronto. and his newly appointed
coadjutor. Bishop O'Mahony. who consecrated
Bishop of Armadale. Australia. five years ago. and
has been transferred to the of Toronto as
coadjutor with the right of succession. The Arch
bishop went to Europe during the summer and made
extended tour of the Continent Bishop o Aahony,
previous to his conservation. was located in Of
the parishes of the city OF Cork. his native place.
His translation had precedent in the case of the
present Archbishop Croke, OF Cashel. who was first
consecrated Bishop of Auckland, New Zealand.
The New York herald., 1879-12-13

| reserve for the commerce of the United
| Kingdom. Mr.. Sherman contemplates one
great coin reserve for the United States.
Under the English system the multitude OF
minor banks discharge their obligations by
payment of Bank of England notes, as Mr..
Sherman would have our numerous national
banks discharge their obligations by paying
United States notes. The English sys-
tenn assumes as its basis that GER
tain amount of notes will always
be in use in spite of fluctuations, and pro-
vides only for the prompt redemption of
the residue; and it is on similar assump-
tion that Mr. Sherman rests his retention
of specified amount of greenbacks. Sir
Robert Peel found in the statistics of a long
preceding period that the circulation of the
Bank of England never sank so low as six
teen million pounds sterling, and he ac-
cordingly allowed the issue of fourteen
million pounds sterling on securities
without any provision for their redemp-
ton in coin but above that limit he
amount of the notes. Mr.. Sherman
applies that principle in manner suited
to our circumstances. He would keep three
hundred million dollars of United States
notes in circulation as part of the currency
and make provision for the elasticity of the
large remainder by having it issued by the
national banks.
In all the assaults on Sir Robert Peel's
Bank act the assailants have never ques-
toned the expediency and reasoning of
that feature of it which establishes a
single great coin reserve for the whole
country. If it were distributed among
all the separate banks run on
few of the weakest of them might create
panic and force them all into suspension.
To borrow the simile of an eminent Eng
lish financial writer, "a fire originating in
pigsty may destroy palace" Mr.. Sher-
man seeks to avoid this danger by concen-
trating and fortifying the gold reserve of
the country. 1t is this consideration rather
than the saving to the government of
circulating its own notes that lies at the
foundation Of this part of his plan.
great central coin reserve, always accessible
and easy to be drawn upon, is not prac-
ticable under our system by any other
method. This part OF the plan and the
reasons for it are entitled to fair discussion
and consideration, since the most success
full Of commercial nations regards great
single reserve of coin as the corner stone
of its monetary system.
The New York herald., 1879-12-13

is better to limit our efforts to what is prac-
ticable. We deprecate penny wise pound
foolish projects on this great subject, and
still more overlooking the question with
demands which would sink every chance OF
reform in our navigation laws.
The New York herald., 1879-12-13

ALL SUBURBAN Towns should learn the lesson
taught by the fate that has Overtaken Red Rock
Pa. fire that might have been checked by
proper fire apparatus devastated the entire town
of eighty houses, causing loss of one hundred
and sixty thousand dollars and rendering the
whole population homeless Steam fire engines
are cheap investments in villages as well as in
large cities
The New York herald., 1879-12-13

WALL STREET YEsTERDAY.-Money on call
was easy until the closing hour at the Exchange,
when it was bid up to z per cent and an extra
commission" The stock market was firm un-
til the afternoon, when decline was recorded,
and the market closed weak. For bonds of all
classes there was fair demand, and prices
were steady. Foreign exchange was weak.
The New York herald., 1879-12-13

The NEAIIlER-The storm centre is now NOV
ing over the Atlantic north of latitude forty y-fve
degrees, attended by brisk to high winds, snow
and rain. The barometer rose throughout all the
territory east of the Rocky Mountains, except
in the extreme Northwest, where o slight fall
occurred toward evening, and on the South
Atlantic coast where the influence of a dis
turbance that is passing northcastward from
the West Indies is felt. Rain fell during the
early part of the morning in the Middle Atlantic
States, and snow was reported in New England
and the lower lake regions. The weather was
generally fair throughout all the districts except
on the South Atlantic coast, where cloudiness
prevailed. The temperature fell decidedly in
all sections of the country and is now consid-
erably below the mean in the Northwest and
over the upper lakes. The winds have been
from fresh to brisk on the New Eng
and and South Atlantic coasts and light
elsewhere. The weather over the British
islands, although fine at present, is likely
10 become unsettled during tho day, owing to
.le movement of depression toward the coasts
The weatherin New " ork and its vicinity to-day
will be cold and fair Tomorrow 1t will be
slightly warmer and clear
The New York herald., 1879-12-13
ADJUSTMENTS TO-DAY AND EVENING.

ACADEMY OF MUsIC-MIGSoS MATINEE.
wALLACK'S THEATRE-EsrELLR Matinee.
NIBLO'S NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Matinee
HAvERLY'S THEATRE-GALLEY SLAVE. Matinee.
GRAND OPERA-OuR AMKRrcAN COUSIN Matinee
STANDARD THEATRE-PRINcEss Toro Matinee.
DALY'S THEATRE-AN ARABIAN NIGHT. Matinee.
THALIA-DER MANN DER DEBurASrIN Matinee
BROADWAY OPERA HOUSE-SrRArEGIsTs Matinee.
FIFTH AVENUE-H. NJ. s. PISAFoRE Matinee.
BOOTHS THEATRE-MIGNoN. Matinee.
GERMANIA THEATRE-EIN wEIB Aus voLKE.
ABERLE'S THEATRE-THE Boy DETECTIVE Matinee.
PARK THEATRE-FRIrz IRELAND Matinee.
UNION SQUARE THEATRE FRENCH FLATS Matinee
SAN FRANCISCO MINSTRELs- Matinee.
TONY PASTORS THEATRE-vARIKrY.
ROSTER BIALs CONCERT HALL
NEW YORK AQUARIUM.
rOMIQUE-MULLIGAS GUARDS CHRISTMAS Matinee.
STETNWAY HALL-ARIoN SOCIETY CoScRRE
CIIICKERING HALL--HARp CoNcKRr-DIcKESs MArIxRE.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN-CArrLE SHOW.
AMERICAN INsTITUTE-DAIRY FAIR.
The New York herald., 1879-12-13
JANE, WHEELER, JR.

James Wheeler. Jr.. who died at Little Falls. this
State. Sunday last. was born in this city March
a. 1884. He graduated from West Point in the class
OF 1866 and served the frontiers and the Pacific
coast lieutenant In the First United States dra-
goons, afterwsrd First regiment cavalry. He
cashiered the Peninsula under General George u.
Mcclellan for some disregard of orders. Since that
time he has been instructor OF tactics IN various
military schools until few months ago. when his
illness (brights disease OF the kdneys) compelled
his retirement and finally his DEATH
The New York herald., 1879-12-13

Adrcrtisers are respectfully requested to hand
IN their advertisements prerious 10 eight o'clock
IN the erc'ain9 10 insure proper class sifcation.
The New York herald., 1879-12-13

The pr liabilities are that the ,redtter in Netc
York and lis ctc'aity o1iay ,cH be cold and }air.
Tomorrow ii tcW be slightly ,carmcr and clear
The New York herald., 1879-12-13

being comprised in the period of vacations and OF
the chase and there being no Parliamentary session.
is considered bad month in JOURNALISTIC business.
The New York herald., 1879-12-13
AMOS TUCK.

despatch from Exeter. N. H., announces the
death of Amos Tuck. who succumbed to attack of
apoplexy. after only two days illness. He born
at Parsonsneld. Me-. and graduated at Dartmouth
College in 1885, at which institution he also acted as
tutor. subsequently he took up his residence In
New Hampshire and represented his district In Con.
gress from 1S47 to 1883. In 1861 he became member
OF the Peace Convention. During the political
citement In New Hampshire in 1878 ho again took
an active part in politics. and on one occasion dur
ing the campaign. ut a meeting Of the republican
state Committed he denounced K. w. Chandler,
calling him "a political tramp. This remark SUBJ
sequently printed in nearly all the leading journals
Of the country. Mr.. Tuck was man of conserva-
tive tendencies and was greatly respected.
The New York herald., 1879-12-13
LIZZIE EDWARDS.

Mrs. Lizzie Edwards the actress. died at tho resi-
dcnce Of her husband, Welsh Edwards. No. 50 West
Fourth street. on Thursday. She made her last ap-
pearance on tho stage the Academy OF Music last
month the benefit of the Order of Eks, OF which
her husband is q mem ber Her line of business was
the assum ption OF Juvenile characters
The New York herald., 1879-12-13
JAMES NJ. MOTLEY.

James NJ. Motley died last evening at his residence
No. l16 East Eighteenth street. in the ffty-ninth
year of his age. after long service in mercantile
pursuits in this city. Mr.. Motley born in
Boston In ls20 and while still young man came to
New York. where he engaged IN business occupa-
tions. he soon became we'll known among promi-
nent merchants and the result was that he gained
permanent foothold. He was one of the founders of
the Grocers' Bank. and since its Establishment has
been President of the Manhattan Oil Company. He
was director Of the Butchers and Grocers' Bank
many years. He had also twice been q director Of
the Brooklyn bridge. vacancy in which Board oc.
ours by his death. Mr. Motley unostent ntatiously
identified with many Of the charitable institutions
of the city.
The New York herald., 1879-12-13

Mr.. TALMAGE stands on the defensive. BY
and by he proposes to give well as take
blows. It's very pretty fight already.
The New York herald., 1879-12-13

DURING THE Four MONTHS ending yesterday
the total amount of gold brought to this port
from Europe was $71 ,672, $50, or an average
of $513,s26 for every day of the one hundred
and twenty-one. These figures need no COM
The New York herald., 1879-12-13

WHO SHALL BE the new Railroad King is an
interesting question.
The New York herald., 1879-12-13

The WAYS OF EMIGRANT AGENTS are dark,
but some of them were explained in police
court yesterday
The New York herald., 1879-12-13

BALBo, the Italian wife murderer, wants a
fish diet while awaiting execution. Trihes in
dicate mans true character