davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31

Another attempt to assassinate Alfonso of
Spain by another callow cutthroat is re-
ported in the dispatches. The attempt was
characterized only by its want of intelligent
intention and resolute purpose, and failed
as to all particulars which should distin-
guish in dramatic and artistic sense
any real attempt to kill king. There
was the usual noise of two shots,
and one more would be-murderer was
suddenly in custody, and nobody was
hurt. This youth will be coddled as a
hero of the communists impulse for time,
and then be strangled at last but one of
these days the order will be given in the
escort of monarchs that such experimenters
shall be cut down on the spot by the
cavalry, and then these attempts will per-
haps become rarer
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31
New Year Etiquette.

So many questions have been addressed
to the editor of the HERALD upon the
rules governing the civilities peculiar
to New Years Day that two answers,
in addition to those already published,
may not be untimely. We would there
fore suggest--frst, that the customs of
good society forbid gentleman, calling
upon lady, to introduce several friends of
his whom the lady never before met.
Strange as it may appear to some members
of the ruder sex, women prefer to be con-
suited about persons who desire intro
duction, and the too common habit of
calling with crowd on New Years
Day results in numerous annoyances
to ladies and an equal number of subse-
quent snubs to men. To tho gentlor sex We
would say that at least half of the troubles
that result from Offering spirituous refresh-
ments to visitors would be avoided If
women did not urge such hospitality in o
manner that makes refusal almost impos-
sible. Men who really want to drink do
not need to be pressed the remainder, no
matter how numerous their virtuous resolu-
tions or written pledges, are powerless
when under the influence of ladys voice
and smile. Minor manners and morals are
to be left to the decision of the persons i'm
terestod, but the two rules upon which we
have touched are of prominent and general
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31

Our correspondent at Augusta denies, on
the authority of Governor Garcelon him
self, the report that that gentleman had
said he would not submit to adjudication
in the Supreme Court the points laid down
in Mr.. Morrilrs letter. It is to be re-
GREETED that the correspondents statement
by authority was limited to this mere mega
tive. Everybody will be glad to hear that
the Governor has not determined to take the
responsibility of deciding for himself q
point that he may have decided by high
judicial tribunal; but the country would be
even more pleased to hear that the Gov
ernor had determined to put the case before
the court. All that his denial amounts to,
therefore, in its present shape is that he has
"not yet" determined to reject the PROPOSE
ton of Mr.. Morrill,. We should like to
know that he had determined to ac-
cept it An important indication of
the direction of the drift in this
difficulty is given in the report of prep
arations for the use of force. The arms
and ammunition have been taken from the
arsenal at Bangor to Augusta, and it is said
that the State House is virtually in the pos
session of an armed force, gathered there by
the Governor to be beforehand with the
projects of some republican leaders to seize
that i'm portant strategic point. But it does
not follow that this force will be used.
The Governor may deem it q proper pre-
caution to have such force ready on in
formation given of the intentions Of GER
tain persons, which information might
prove to be without foundation. Indeed,
the central point in the whole story is the
Governors incapacity to get accurate in
formation on some points and his capacity
to get a superabundance of information on
others. Thus it appears that one certif-
cate of the election of certain persons was
thrown out because it was not sealed pub
licly in town meeting. Now, if the Gov
ernor could get such minute information
on points that did not appear on the re-
turns why could he not also take informa-
ton as to whether two or four candidates
were voted for in certain districts, and SO
prevent all the trouble? 1t is stated that
the Governor has intimated his intention OF
putting in force the law for the suppress
sion Of sedition and to make examples OF
such men as Boutelle and Senator Blaine,
but in that case he might have to include
also some of his friends who spoke for him
at Portland last night.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31

If the Ute Indians were actually in col
fusion with the people who desire their
ruin-or at least their exclusion from the
State of Colorado-they could scarcely labor
more effectively in the interest of those
persons than they are doing. Such
events as occurred at the White River
Agency cannot possibly remain un-
punished. If the American people
were satisfied that under our present
system of Indian relations such crimes
could be committed with impunity they
would assuredly compel a complete and
absolute change of such relations. 1t is
only because the country believes that sub
stantial justice can be done on both sides
more effectively as we are than otherwise
that it consents to q system in virtue
of which tho United States pays an
enormous annual tribute to several tribes
of lordly savages; for system that does not
subject them to our laws, but requires US
to feed them, makes US payers of tribute to
them, and if this system is complied with
only on one side the people will not endure
its continuance. This Ute case is likely to
be typical as test for all others. Murders
are committed-and even worse crimes
and we call upon the tribe to surrender
certain designated perpetrators of these
acts. If they are surrendered and pun
ished that is all that could be done if they
were our own citizens. But if not sur
rendered-if the tribe shields them-it
assumes the responsibility for the crimes
and war will assuredly follow. There seems
now no likelihood that such war can be
averted. 1t remains only to hope that it
may be thorough in its effects.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31
interest, and there is no possible excuse for
the transgression of either of them.
The Tay Bridge.

sNc 10y AsAsuSVs
In counting the resistance that would
have to be overcome before gale Of wind
could do harm the constructors OF the Tay
Bridge were, as the fact proves, fatally at
fault. But they were not merely astray in
arguing that that could not occur which
has now actually occurred. 1t is seen that
they reasoned on certain details from mis-
taken premises, and their fault is worth es-
pecial notice because it is probable that SINH
lar false reasoning may be depended upon as
proving safety in other somewhat similar
cases. For instance, the Scotch engineers
counted pier, span of the bridge and
the weight of train as the resistance to
which the pressure of the wind must be SUI
perior to endanger the lives of passengers,
and they counted the sum of this resistance
as an inert mass. They made the resistance
abont four times greater than the force
that could be applied. But the pier and
the span of the bridge should not have
been counted, as we now see. This alone
would reduce the resistance to a quarter of
what they made it. Moreover, the resisting
body, thus reduced, should not have been
counted rs an inert mass, and this would
even more materially change the problem.
1t appears never to have occurred to them
as possibility that the train might be
blown from the bridge. They reasoned
as if bridge and truss and train were all to
be blown over together. They seem,
further, never to have had fancy that the
problem to solve was not how much force
would overcome q certain inertia but how
force working in given direction would
vary the operation of another force working
in another direction. They did not con-
slider the peculiar effect of the curves
in the line on the resistance. AS
giant wrestler whom no antagonist
could bulge if placed solidly on his feet
may be brought down by stroke that q
child could give if caught at q critical mo-
ment in strained attitude on tiptoe, SO it
is with train which, sweeping around q
sharp curve, is practically on tiptoe and ct
the mercy of many chances. There was q
double curve on the Tay Bridge, and
the accident appears to have occurred
just as the train was sweeping from
the first into the second. At that
point the last car was like a whip snapper.
Imagine the train at that place with the
wind lifting and pushing at once and CO.
operating with the force which the weight
and momentum of the train supplied to
sweep the last car outward from the rails,
and what was, in fact, the real resistance to
be overcome? 1t was only equivalent to
the surface supplied by the bevelled fange
of the wheels on one side of one car. For
when one car left the rails at that point all
was over.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31

pend on the statute, and can be en-
joyed only on condition of the first per-
Torrance or first publication of the piece
somewhere within the United Kingdom.
Should the pirates of Penzance" be
brought out in this city before it is publicly
represented in Great Britain the authors
English rights of representation would
thereby be forfeited. The law ON this point
has been twice tested to his cost by Mr..
Boucicault. In 1868 he sued Delafeld for
representing the colleen Bawn" in Eng
land, and the Court held that he had lost
his English rights by first performing the
play in the United States The case OF the
''Shaughraun. tried three years ago,
was analogous. This piece was first
brought out at Wallack's. 1t proved an
immense success and the author took it to
London. There it was kept in manuscript
but Chatterton succeeded in bringing it out
at his theatre without license. A suit fol-
lowed, in which it was decided that Bouci-
cault had forfeited his rights by not giving
the British public the benefit of the first
performance. Hence Messrs. Gilbert and
Sullivan are wisely and economically profit
ing by Mr.. Boucicault's costly experience.
The new copyright bill which has been
reported by the government, and will doubt
less be taken up at the next session Of Par
lament, contains an important change in
the law on the point under consideration.
1t provides that the author of any dramatic
or musical composition which is first printed
or publicly performed in foreign country
may secure his English rights by publish
ing or representing the piece anywhere in
the British dominions within three years
after its first publication or representation
abroad. When this law goes into effect we
may look for decline-of the drama at the
Royal Bijou Theatre OF Paignton.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31

adopted with view to this consequence.
In one OF two democratic conventions
which were known in advance TO be prac-
tically unanimous the two-thirds rule
was introduced to give greater sclat to the
nomination. In 1874, when Mr.. Van Buren,
was again a candidate and was known to
have a majority of the delegates, those
precedents were successfully used to defeat
him. and the two-thirds rule has been the
common law of democratic national con-
ventions ever since. After having been in
force for more than forty years there is no
likelihood that it will be deviated from so
long as the general ticket system prevails in
the choice of Presidential electors.
1t is potent instrument for the defeat of
candidates whose nominationis not prac-
tically secured in advance ofthe meeting of
the Convention. The resolute opposition
of one-third of the delegates suffices to
defeat any candidate, however strong and
popular he may be with the mass of the
party. This power will enable the green
hackers to defeat any sound money candi-
date. ifthey can control one-third of the dele
gates. 1t will enable the South to defeat
the nomination of any democratic candidate
whom they may dislike. 1t will enable the
friends of any ''dark horse" to bring the
Convention to deadlock and hold it there
until they make lame dicks of I'LL the prom
inent candidates. Whatever democratic
candidate goes into the Convention with
less than two-thirds of the delegates
pledged to his support has an excellent
chance to be set aside. We therefore warn
aspirants for the democratic nomination to
put not their trust in ''booms"
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31
The Pirates OF Penzance" mt the
Paignton Royal Bijou.

Some persons doubtless are wondering
why Messrs. Gilbert and Sullivan, while
making every effort for ''grand first
representation" of the "Pirates of Penzance"
in this city on the last evening of the year,
selected the afternoon of the preceding
Monday as the time and the Bijou Theatre
of Paignton as the place of preliminary
s.first performance" But it will not sur
prise anybody who knows the peculiarities
of the English law governing the rights Of
dramatists. The authors would have lost
their exclusive right of representation in
Great Britain had they permitted the first
public performance of the piece to take
place out of that country. Choosing little
town on the South Devon coast may, per-
haps, as the London Ne,os remarks, be
s'classed among those satirical strokes by
which Mr.. Gilbert delights to reduce the
vexatious and unnecessary formalties of
the law to absurdity." But in giving q
single, hasty, nominal exhibition, for the
sole purpose of satisfying the requirements
of the law, there we're also obvious business
and professional reasons besides satire Tor
avoiding London.
While the "Pirates of Penzance" is
kept in manuscript the authors, though
foreigners, will retain all their exclusive
rights of representation in the United
States. These rights are not secured by
any statute, but by the common law. The
common law property in 'Pinafore" was
lost because the piece was published in
print, and no statutory rights were gained
because the authors were foreigners. But
Messrs. Gilbert and Sullivan aim to secure
both English and American rights in their
new production. While the latter are guar
anteed by the common law the former de-
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31
GOVERNOR VAN zANDT DECLINES.


PETERSBURG FOR ''uNeLE sAM"-HIs MAXIM,
~LEr WELL ENOUGH ALONE"
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.J
PROVIDENCE II. l.. Dec. 80. 1879
Everybody is surprised at the sudden change Of
base of His Excellency Governor Van zandt in do
clining the mission 10 Russia. He had fully made
up his mind to accept last night, and well known
newspaper editor reported that no a telegram
which the Governor was on tho point of sending to
Secretary Evarts accepting the offer. He. however,
has reconsidered his decision. To reporter who
called upon the Governor this evening TO ascertain
the truth of the report that he had declined. he
sad:--
Eyes. have and allow mo to add that think
'.were there any special reasons for your declin-
ingY' asked the reporter.
'Well. my friends have wished mo to accept for
for some time but after seriously consie ering the
matter have concluded not to accept believe in
tho old provcrb to Let well enough alone: told
a newspaper man yesterday that might accept
but informed him then that there might be
change"
.srhen the matter Is definitely settledY'
''Yes. there will he no more of it."
CANDID REASONS.
subsequently the Governor gave to HERALD cor.
respondent hts reasons for declining the mission.
These reasons werc-hrst. that the climate was too
rigorous for Mrs. Van zandts health; second, that
his business interests would suffer In he should
leave the country and third, that he would not 10
able with the salary of the olhce to maintain its
dignity in the manner In which his predecessors had
done. All thinas considered he deemed IL best to
main ut home. He accordingly notified Secretary
Evarts OF his declination by telegraph, and also
mailed to him this evening letter setting forth his
reasons more fully for declining the honor and ex-
pressing his thanks for the great compliment which
had been paid to Rhode Island through him.
Tho Governor has been in receipt OF humorous
letters and kilograms from applicants for position
ut the Legation. and while the HERALD correspond
ont was In the Governors room cabegram was ro
coived from London sent by aspirant for the po
sition OF Secretary.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31

ready begun to do. But the same process
would, as respects this country, in all prob
ability, insure an extensive diffusion OF
Gulf vapor in northerly direction, miti-
eating the rigors of winter in and east OF
the Mississippi Valley.
1t is earnestly hoped all seamen will aid
in the grand research seeking to connect
Atlantic meteorology with that of Europe
and America
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31

WALL STREET YEsTERDAY.-Stocks declined
about two points, the opening prices being the
highest and the closing ones the lowest OF the
day, Money was very active, per cent being
the lowest rate for call loans on stocks, and u
commission" Of ls per day being paid in a
great many instances. Bonds Of all classes
were fairly active and strong. Foreign ex-
change was weak and some of the rates were
lowered
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31
II Up d SH d d Z /.
@----------
NEW YORK. WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 81. 1879.

The probabilities are that The ,oeaiher in Neio
York and its ricinity to-day rriH be colder and
partly cloudy. I0-mO,roac it wM be cold and
partly cloudy in The morning, tollored by increas
ing temperature and possibly rains.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31
THE STATE CAPITAL.

ALBANY, Dec. 30, 1870.
Governor Cornell and family took possession Of
the Executive Mansion this afternoon.
Several Senators. Assemblymen and newly elected
state officers reached the city to-day. The former
have been interviewed to the organization of the
Legislature. but they appear to be entirely devoid
Of Information.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31

wALLACK'S-SHE SrooPs TO CONQUER
UNION SQUARE THEATRE-FRENcn FLATS.
DALy's NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. NIGHT Matinee.
GRAND OPERA HoUsE-srREErs OF NEw YORK Matinee
NEW YORK AQUARIUM-UNoLE TOMS CABIN. Matinee
BROADWAY OPERA HoUsE-srRArEGIsrs. Matinee.
ITALIA THEATRE-DKR vERKAUFTE ScHLAr
HAvERLY's THEATRE-THR GALLEY SLAVE Matinee
ABBEY'S PARK THEATRE-FAIRFAx.
NEW YORK CIRCUS-HUMPrY DUaPrY Matinee
ABERLE'S THEATRE-PooR OF NEw YORK
GERMANIA THEATRE-Dm NIcnrE MILLIoSAKRs-
NIBLO'S GARDEN-HEAgrs OF STEEL. Matinee.
STANDARD THEATRE-PRINcEss Toro.
FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE-PIRArEs PEszANcE
SAN FRANCISCO observation-disclosures STREET FLATS
COMIQUE-MULLIGAN GUARDS CHRIsTAAs Matinee.
ROSTER BALLS CONCERT HALL.
TONY PASTOR'S-MRs. DRIscoLL's PARTY
MADISON SQUARE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
JERSEY CITY ACADEMY-MAsroDoN MINsrRELs.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31

In SPITE of all that may be said to the con-
trary there are plenty of men in New York who
are about as desperate and helpless as the man
described under lizard Lines That branch
of charitable effort that is charged with getting
work for people who are unable to find it for
themselves is wretchedly inefficient.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31

THE GREAT WEST beats the world for bust
ness inspirations. The Denver plumbers have
just struck for an additional half dollar day,
having probably learned, by examination of
their employers bills, that no raise short of a
prncely salary could injure their employers.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31

THE HosrITM COLLECTIONS already aggre-
gate seven thousand dollars. The sum seems
large, but the total of great city's assist
ance to the most needy of unfortunates it is
disoracefully small
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31

HARMONY, to the extent of n working major
ity, is said to have been restored in the Board
of Aldermen by means that were not very ex-
pensive, such things 60 This afternoons
meeting will prove whether the story is true, in
case the Mayor sends in any nominations.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31

THE RECEPTION to Joe Coburn must be post
poned, the Governor declares there is no
foundation for the rumor about his pardon.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31

POLICE COMMISSIONER VooRHIs' RESOLUTION,
practically offering fire alarm box to every
school and factory, will probably lessen mate
rally the losses of life and property in the city.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31


The WEATHER.-The barometer is above the
mean in all the districts cast of the Mississippi
River, the disturbance that was over the ST.
Lawrence Valley having moved into the ocean
off the Nova Scotia coast. Two centres of dis
turbance are developing within the zone of low
pressure which extends from the Western Gulf
of Mexico to British Columbia, one over
Western Texas and the other over Idaho and
Montana. The first mentioned is likely to pass
northeastward through the central valleys,
where it may probably be oyertaken by
the one advancing iii the Northwest. Rain
and slcct fell in the central valleys and the
Middle Atlantic States, and snow in the New Eng
land States and the lake regions The weather
was cloudy throughout the country except in
the Northwest. The temperature fell decidedly
in the lake regions during the early portion of
the day and in the Middle Atlantic States tow
ard night. Elsewhere IL remained nearly
stationary. The winds have been brisk ON the
Middle Atlantic and New England coasts,
brisk to high in the Northwest and
fresh in the other districts The weather
over the British Islands continues very unset
tied. The weather in New York and its vicinity
to-day will be colder and partly cloudy. To-
morrow il will be cold and partly cloudy in
the morning, followed by increasing tempera-
ture and possibly rains.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31

MAYOR COOPER deserves the public gratitud
for vetoing the obnoxious Forty second stree
and general uptown railroad project.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31

AS lr APPEARS by the criminal records for
the year that about twenty-five hundred arrests
have been made of suspicious persons why
cannot the same designation be made to cover
the keepers of disreputable houses whose char
actcr ia well known
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31

The important action taken by the Post
master General in ordering the intercept
ton of the correspondence addressed to
certain firms OF so-called Wall street sharp
ers is open to no other objection than
that which is derived from the considera-
ton that the authorities may sometimes
make mistakes. Power is given by the
statute to prevent the use Of the mails
for nefarious purposes; and In the ex-
ercise of this power the Postmaster General
is responsible for the accuracy OF his infor-
nation as to whether any designated person
really makes unlawful use of the Post
Office. Doubtless these cases were thor
oughly examined before action was taken.
and we may, therefore, regard the war on
this particular class of brokers as q
proper protection Of the unwary public.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31

GOVERNOR VAN ZANDT, OF Rhode Island,
goes upon the very small list of prominent citi
zens who do not want to hold office; he declines
the Russian mission
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31

THOUSANDS of people are going to watch thu
old year out tonight; tomorrow night they viii
wish they had gone to bed early.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-31

CHAsTNE Cox's last hope now lies with the
Court of Appeals.