davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1879-02-14

President Hayes to Collector Merritt.
1t is an unusual and, so far as We are
aware, an unexampled thing for the Presi-
dent of the United States to address letter
Of congratulation to one of his appointees
on his confirmation by the Senate. The
circumstances of General .Merritt's case
perhaps justify SO singular proceeding ;
but if President were to write letters of
congratulation to all his appointees on their
confirmation he would be burdened with o
needless amount of correspondence. The
simple fact that the President makes ON ap-
pointment is sufficient proof of his con-
fidence and good will. This exceptional
letter was evidently written with view to
publication, and is o convenient vehicle for
removing, or attempting to remove, the i'm
preston made by certain letters written to
Collector Arthur, which were read by Sena-
tor Conkling in the executive session when
the confirmation of Mr.. Merritt was under
consideration. Those letters have not been
published, but according to the reported
summary of the contents they consisted of
requests to appoint personal friends of the
President and of the Secretary of the Treas
ury to offices in the Custom House. The
note to General Merritt seems to have
been :, written to efface the impression
made on, the public mind by those letters.
The President says to the new Collector
s.Neither my accommodation nor that of
Secretary Sherman, nor of any member of
of Congress or other influential person must
be specially regarded" But would it not
be better for President Hayes and Secretary
Sherman to refrain from recommending
their friends at all? A Collector who feels
so deep sense OF obligation to them as Mr..
Merritt must naturally feel ought not to be
embarrassed and made uncomfortable by
rejecting the applications of these high
functionaries to whom he owes so
much and !, who are his official supe-
riors .p to u whom he is accountable.
The principles stated in this letter are ex-
cellant, like all the general declarations Of
President Hayes. But if heNsks the Col
lector to give places to his personal friends,
Mr.. Merritt will be tempted to discover
qualifications which do not really exist by
q natural reluctance to thwart the wishes of
the President. We wish that instead of
telling Collector Merritt to pay no special
regard to his own recommendations the
President had assured the Collector that he
would relieve him from all embarrassment
on that head by abstaining from making any
requests Of the kind.
The New York herald., 1879-02-14
MIR. Aivord's Sense of Responsibility.

Mr.. Alvord's Sense Of Responsibility.
The HEnAI.p's prediction that the fluent
talk about economy which marked the COM
mencement of the present Legislative ses-
sion would not bo followed by practical
reduction of the customary prodigal expen-
ditures has been already verified. Yester-
day two reports we're before the Assembly
from the Committee on Expenditures Of tho
House. The one favors the continued waste
idle and vicious hangers-on ut the state
Capitol, declaring it inexpedient to inter-
fere with the numerous appointments
already made by the Speaker. and provides
for On increase of the abuse by authorizing
the appointment Of two additional sine
ing the mail matter and the wrapping de-
partment. The other report recommends the
prohibition Of any additional or extra help
besides that already provided by tho
Speakers appointments. OF course the
first report was adopted despite the efforts
of the corporal's guard of economists to
prevent such O result.
In the course of the debate, in replying
to some just criticisms Of Mr.. Erastus
Brooks on the responsibility of the Speaker,
Mr.. Alvord took the singular position that
he is compelled to mako oil the appoint
ments which the law regulating and limit
ing Legislative expenditures says the Speaker
''may" make, and he is reported to have
argued that the word ''may" in law is
mandatory and has been declared by the
courts to mean ''must and shall" We can
The New York herald., 1879-02-14


How m my of our readers during the past
twelvemonth have paid any heed to the
cons family repeated telegraphic announce
ments of pestilence and fam inc in Ceara
Not many, wo suspect, could readily find
Ceari on the map of South America, and OF
the few who know that it is coast province
OF Northern Brazil there is, perhaps, not one
who can at the first blush realize the possi-
bility of the amazing catastrophe SO graph
ically portrayed in our columns this morn
ing 1t is tale calculated to stir the blood
of the most apathetic and to excite in the
breasts Of the compassionate such pity as
rarely in lifetime can be felt for suffer-
ings not present to the bodily eye. The
world heard much OF Bulgarian atrocities
during the past year and but little OF
drought in Brazil. It will doubtless be
reluctant to believe that the whole mortality
from the Russo Turkish war falls far short
of that resulting from the drought in the
two Brazilian provinces Of Ceari and
Piauhy, but such is the appalling fact us
presented by trustworthy witnesses. The
letter of our correspondent presents pic
ture of voc such as can scarcely be paral-
lelcd in history except by the siege of Jeru-
salem and the black death which desolated
Europe in the fourteenth century. Com
pared with the tragic tale of Ceari the cpl
demic which has lately visited our South
orn cities seems nlerciful visitation.
The New York herald., 1879-02-14
Another Change In vcnexuela.

A special cable despatch to the HERALD
from st. Thomas, West Indies, announces
the defeat of the Venezuelan insurgents by
the government troops, and the triumphal
entry of the latter into Caracas, the capital.
This news will surprise many observers of
South American affairs who have imagined
that the name of ex-President Guzman
Blanco, in whose favor the in
surgcnts pronounced" would prove
password to successful revolution. Blanco
himself has left Paris, whittier he went rs
Minister Of his country. but had not, nt
last advices. reached his adherents in Vene-
xucln. Whether the occupation of Caracas
was complete success will remain in
doubt until the result is learned of the
naval expedition which left Maracaibo O
fortnight earlier to lombard Laguayra, the
port of tho capital. The very slight arma-
ment of the feet, however, would seem to
indicate that the Lnguayrans have little to
fear, particularly as they have the govern
ment forces within call.
The New York herald., 1879-02-14

scarcely believe that Mr.. Alvord took any
such ridiculous position; but if he did he
must have laughed in his sleeve at the shall
lowness Of his excuse for an unjustiiable
prodigality with the peoples money. The
law Of 1876 fixing the number of employees
that ''may" be appointed in the Assembly
clerks of committees, ''not more than" six
general messengers, ''not more than" seven
teen messengers to committees, mot moro
than" twenty pages DC. AS one-half the
number could have dono all the necessary
work of the session it is difficult to see how
the appointment of the maximum force can
be justified on any such nonsensical plea as
that advanced by Speaker Alvord.
The New York herald., 1879-02-14
THE BLAIR COURT MARTIAL

The Blair court martial at Governors Island a.
scmbled yesterday morning. at eleven O'Clock.
question came up 10 tho manner in which the
certified copy Of the scotch marriage 10 bc rc-
ccvcd. It decided to place it on the record "a In
evidence. of the court then had till ono
O'clock as the Judge Advocate. Major Swain. hourly
expected tho arrival Of documentary evidence from
Washington. At one o'clock tho papers had nos
reached him. and IL was resolved " adjourn the
court till to-day, at eleven o'clock. Before adjourn
inent General NJ. L. Mcmahon and Mr.. Elliott y.
Shepard, counsel for the defence. applied W the
have the prisoner released from close con-
nnemcnt and allowed the liberty of the island ON his
word. II decided that the prisoner would hav0
to apply to his commanding officer for the chAngo
Of treatment desired.
The New York herald., 1879-02-14
PERSONAL INTELLIGENCE.
This administration is sugar coated.

This administration is sugar coated.
In New Jersey II costs moro TO hang man than
you could buy fifty voters for.
What is the need OF being told to rise with the
larkg Tho lark rises about three hundred feet.
Associate Justice John N. Harlan. of the United
States Supreme Court Is at the Fifth Avenue Hotel.
1t Is said to DO the ambition of the wife Senator
elect 'tCerro Gordo Williams. Of kentucky to seat
him in the White House.
The duty and the practice of an English funny
journal to make its readers believe that the Eng
lish rooster il cock of the walk.
\. u. Chattcrton lessee OF tho Drury Lano Theatre
London, has filed petition In bankruptcy. His
liabilities arc GAO 900 tslo3. .Goo).
Keokuk C0nstitaioa-"Docs the New YORK HERALD
call 1t tho r. l. column because It in personally
pointed sometimes as IL set out of the pi boxy'
Tho small lobbyist from the country who in
Washington claims 10 control the vote Of his Con-
gresham s called By Sam Ward 'ccnturian."
Penzancc. Cornwall. tho birthplace of Sir Hum
phrcy Davy. yesterday celebrated his centenary by
exhibition of scientific apparatus and the electric
light.
Mr.. W. II. Smith. tho head of the British Adm,.
ralty. says that he has the greatest confidence in
Lord Chelmsford. and 30 havo his sisters. and his
unclcs and his sunts.
Mr. Joseph Arch. tho English labor agtator. IA dis
gustcd with the corruption which prevails among
the officers of the Agricultural Laborcrs Union IIe
says that IL costs $4,000 to collect sso.ooo
At tho London Geological Gardens tho big sorpents
sleep away the winter days on nice woollcn blankets
waking occasionally to dine dainty on boiled eggs.
minced apples. fresh grapes and preserved ta,ns-
rinds
Two pretty girls were going along Broadway. ncar
Barclay street. yesterday when the extra blonde ono
said iaughngly to the other. 'Oh. didn't think
much OF him he was little too sissy. and he parted
his hair sissy.'
In ITO and l771 there o great plague I'm Mos
COW. which is brought to mind by the plague which
ia now devastating part of Russia II was put down
by strict quarantine. Previously. however. there
were popular riots.
The New York herald., 1879-02-14
JAMES A. HENDERSON.

Mr.. James A. Henderson. we'll known citizen Of
Baltimore Nd. died yesterday morning at his resi-
dence in that city, No. 33l East Baltimore street. Of
paralysis. in the seventy-hfth year Of his age He
was attacked at noon Wednesday and never rallied.
Mr.. Henderson was for many years in the
shoe business. and retired from business
about twouty-fve years ago. having secured
competency He was twice o director on
tho part Of the city in the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road. and was also member OF tho School Board
several years ago. He Of the trustees Of the
SAINT in the State Constitutional Convention in 1867.
With Mr.. John T. Ford and others he assiduous
bringing to their present state Of perfection the
Baltimore poor excursions, of which he also ono
of the projectors. He naves wife aud several
grown children. s
The New York herald., 1879-02-14
AMERICAN INSTITUTE.

At the annual election Of officers and managers oe
the American Institute. hold at Cooper Union Build
ing yesterday. the following named gentlemen were
President. Nathan c. Ely; trustees. Charles
II. Clayton. James Dclsmater. Edward Schcll and
William Schermerhorn; managers. Charles r. Allen
George Whitehcld. Alexander NJ. EAglcson. Walter
Shriver, John j. Tucker John Jardine. William II.
Godney. Albro Howell. Appleton Sturges. Aug.
wctmorc. Jr.. J. Trumbull Smith. Edwin IL. Mccarty.
Birdssll Cornell aud John w. Rich; auditor for term
Of three years. william A. Camp inspectors Ut elec-
ton. Benton II. Martin. Joseph K Dunham and
Thomas d. Briggs.
The New York herald., 1879-02-14
ALFRED KAYNE

Mr.. Alfred Kaync, dry goods merchant of this
city. died yesterday at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. He
was born in Charleston. 8. c.. and forty-seven
years Of age at the time Of his DEATH He COM
menced his mercantile in Cincinnati Ohio as
clerk in dry goods store. He afterw became
business manager for the firm of H. B. Chittonden 4
Co.. and remained such until 1868, whom the firm
dissolved He then paid extended visit 10 Europe,
and on his return. In 1872, no became one of the
founders OF the Arm of Kayne Spring 4 Dale. dry
goods merchants at No. 326 Broadway. His death
very sudden. having boon caused by pneumonia,
and loaves ono son.
The New York herald., 1879-02-14
OBITUARY.
LIEUTENANT GENERAL JONATHAN PEEL, D. c. L..


p G.
cable despatch from London last evening
the death in that city yesterday of Lieuten-
ant General Jonathan Peel. He o younger son Of
Sir Robert Peel. tho first Baronet and brother Of
the celebrated statesman Of that name. He born
October t. $780, educated at Rugby School. entered
tho army and rapidly advanced in rank. sat
in Parliament in. the conservative interest
for Norwich 1s2s-SO. and for Huntington
for nearly forty years in succession 1881 l-6s);
was Surveyor General of the Ordnance
uIdor his brothers administration from September.
1S4l till July, 1896 Secretary Of State for War in
Earl Derby's second Cabinet, 1859. and again in
that noblenan's third Ministry, beginning in July,
1866; but he retired from Office account Of differ
ence OF opinion on the Reform bill in March. 1867.
He reached the rank of Lieutenant General in 1859,
and was married to daughter Of the first Marques
Of Ailsa. He formerly took active part in psrlis
mentary discussions on all matters affecting tho
army. He . well known patron Of the turf and
won tho Derby In 1874 with Orlando.
The New York herald., 1879-02-14
EDWARD EMERSON.

Tho flags on the Produce Exchange were st half
mast yesterday. on account Of the death Of Edward
Emerson. provision dealer, ut No. 81 Water street.
The deceased was born in Boston in 1902 and began
his business in his about fifty years
ago. In 1s4s he came TO New York and had been
provision dealer here since. Mr.. Emerson had
been complaining for along time but was on Change
on Tuesday last. He died suddenly, on Wednesday.
OF heart disease ut his residence No. Is Second place.
Brooklyn. He a widower and leaves two sous
in the provision business His funeral will take
place to-day and his remains will be inferred in
Mount Auburn Cemetery.
The New York herald., 1879-02-14

TIE AMEER, according to our special despatch
from Tashkcnd this morning; has resolved to
invoke the protection of the Czar, the embassy
which will arrive at Samarcand in few days
having full power to treat. No negotiations
will be entered upon and no terms made with
the British. Shere Ali appears to be entirely
oblivious of the fire in his rear by his model
son, Yakoob Khan.
The New York herald., 1879-02-14
REV. SAMUEL pAYLrss.

Rev. Samuel Baylss. Superintendent Of the Society
for Improving the Condition of the Poor in Brook
lyn. died Wednesday evening last At his residence,
No. 81 st. Marks place. in that city. The deceased
sixty years Of age and formerly an active
pastor. At the timo OF his death he o member
OF the Clerical Union Of Brooklyn Tho funeral
vices will be held at tho Memorial Prcsby byterian
nues Brooklyn. ut half past one p NJ. to-day.
The New York herald., 1879-02-14

II TIE BILL introduced in the Legislature yes
terday providing for the consolidation of tho
small towns around Brooklyn and their govern
ment by commission becomes law it may be
the means of effccting some needed reforms. At
all events it would be difficult to conceive of
worse condition OF affairs among them than
exists at present
The New York herald., 1879-02-14

TIE TESTIMONY in the Smith murder trial
yesterday was curious tumble of comedy and
tragedy. Mrs.. Smith, it seems, stage
struck. One Of the witnesses testified that he
had heard her recite Shakespeare-at least it
sounded like Shakespeare to him, because sit
had something in it like, Begone, villainr"
The New York herald., 1879-02-14

Ir OWEN MURPHY were around he would
quickly settle the quarrel between the old and
the new Excise Commissioners as to whom the
license money belongs.
The New York herald., 1879-02-14

YOUNG HOPE who is accused OF completely in
the robbery of the Manhattan Bank may be in
nocent, but unless several witnesses are very
much mistaken he was in and around the build
Ing the morning of the burglary. His examina-
ton has not yet been finished.
The New York herald., 1879-02-14
THE VANDERBILT ART RECEPTION.

Mr.. William H. Vanderbilt gave art reception at
his residence yesterday afternoon. to which he in
vited number Of friends and acquaintances for the
purpose of viewing his valuable collection Of pic
lures number of the recent additions to which are
of great Importance and Value His aQuisition Of
abroad. has already been noted in these columns.
The New York herald., 1879-02-14

WALL STREET YEsTERDAY.-The stock mar
ket was fairly active and prices were irregular
Government bonds were weak, States steady
and railroads strong. Money ON call was easy
at Z 2 per cent, advanced to per cent and
closed Mt 21o 3 per cent.
The New York herald., 1879-02-14

THE STORY of the two survivors of the
schooner Estella, which was capsized in mid
ocean last month, forms sad chapter of human
suffering. For fifteen days they were at the
mercy of the waves water-logged craft
their only food being few apples and some
salted fish.
The New York herald., 1879-02-14
THE UNITED STATES COINAGE.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HEnALp.l

PHrrApELpHrA Feb. Is. 1879.
The Board of Assay Commissioners for Weighing
and testing the coinage Of the United states mints
during the past year concluded their labors this
afternoon The deviation In weight and hneness OF
the pieces from the various mints was found to be
very small although the coinage for last year was
heavier than ever before. because Of the issuing Of
tho new silver dollars.
The New York herald., 1879-02-14

al hour is said to have been made by one OF ths
Ice yachts on the Upper Hudson yesterday.
The New York herald., 1879-02-14
TRIPLE SH e e II
NEW YORK. FRIDAY. FEBRUARY II, 1873.

The probabilities are that the reather ia Nesc
York and lis rieiniy to-day ciH be cool and
partly cloudy or fair, perhaps Nth light aas'7'ies
of Sho,c. Tomorrow il ,ciU be cold aud fair.
The New York herald., 1879-02-14

SOCIETY IN SAMOA has . choice bit Of scandal
in the elopement of the Princess Toe with the
Prince MaletOa.
The New York herald., 1879-02-14

MAYOR COOPER is evidently determined t.
keep Commissioner Erhardt's nose Mt the grind
stone. His last letter looks something like bust
ness.
The New York herald., 1879-02-14

The CAuCUsING of both parties in Congress
on the wind up of the session makes rather
gloomy outlook for the lobby and the Office
seekers.
The New York herald., 1879-02-14

journals, like the HERALD, will always give
correct accounts both of the merits and
shortcomings of city admins! ration,
and the public judgment will be formed
on the impartial information furnished by
the independent press. A man of Mr..
Kelly's ssgacity should know that all the
nero personal or party organs which he
may start and strive TO support by ingen-
ious appeals will not enable him to hide
from the public in general, nor even from
the bulk of his own party, the truth that
the public is not well served, and that hum
bug. lucre and personal aggrandizement,
not the public good, are the impelling
motives of our city politics. Many efforts
have been made to establish party organs
here and elsewhere. but they have failed.
as much by their constant suppression
of damaging truth as by the absurd ex-
peotation that the public would accept
party zeal as substitution enterprise and
expense in supplying their readers with in
teresting news Everybody gets tired of
the everlasting thrashing over Of the old
political straw aftor the little grain it held
has been extracted. The hold Of journal
on public attention depends upon ever
fresh supplies Of important news given so
early as to preserve the full gloss of novelty
and with such answering fidelity to truth
rs to satisfy readers that they are honestly
dealt with. Party organs are always des-
tined to failure because the principle on
which they are conducted violates the fun
damental condition Of true journalism.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1879-01-01

A MAIL CARRIER's Peril. on THE
CoIoRApo DEsERT.-The San Bernar.
dino Times relates the experience of a
nail rider on the Colorado Desert be-
tween San Diego and Volcano station,
by which the rider nearly persisted
from thirst. He was prospecting fol
new route by which 10 carry the
mails, when his mLle escaped from
him, carrying his canteen OF water
After many hours search he finally
captured him, much exhausted, and
went in to camp. In the morning he
went over the desert in the direction
of the railroad, but had not gone far
when the mule gave out, as also did
his water. AS the mule would not stir
he was compelled to hobble it and
leave it where it was, with some
barley for it to eat. After many
hours walking the rider came to some
low muddy grouLd, in trying to cross
which he mired. This fatigued him so
badly that when be did get across it he
could barely crawl along the ground,
and at last, after nearly giving up, he
reached Volcano station last Sunday
on all fours, unable to speak. Restor'
atives were administered, and by the
following morning he had recovered
considerably. The same day search
was made for the mule, but it could
not be found, having probably wand
cred off and perished on the burning
sands.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1879-01-01

that even q life long devotion could not
express his gratitude to tho man who
had so nobly riskcd his life to save his
boy,
Kato wandered about the house like
q lost spirit, and her mother was puz-
zlcd at her beng $50 nervous over an
accident TO comparative stranger
But when Stephens recovery became
certain the young lady happened to
overcome her nervousness very rap
idly,
New Year morning dawned, Ste
pben was able to make his appearance
in the parlors for the first time, and
Dixie came over in all tho glory ofa
bran new suit, full Of pockets, which
the new year had brought. Ills onl,
shadow of sorrow now was that he
6idn't have q hand for each cute little
pocket, lie had spent two hours, and
hs only "two bits" in a toy store
getting present for his dcliverer.
Kate said it was perfect beauty,
and the hard old case declared that a
toy barking sheep, with bead eyes,
was just exactly what he wanted /!
Then some mytcrious.looking pack
ages were given 10 Dixie, and he went
home with as much true happiness
slowed under his tiny gray jacket as a
little prince ever felt.
Then Stephen Somervillc summond
up his courage to tell Kate the '''three
little words" he had so long wanted
to say. don't know what reply she
made but for some reason she didn't
seem to be the least annoyed at what
he said.