davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-04
lumber In 1870:

The increase in the number OF farms since
1870 has been entirely among those Of so
acres and over. OF smaller farms there were
more In the earlier year. There were, for
instance, In 1880 three times as many farms
Of from 100 to 500 acres rs there were in 1870,
and the increase in the number Of farms OF
still greater area was in o much higher pro-
portion. The State which has the largest
number Of farms Of 1000 acres and over is
Georgia, 902. Then follow in order Alabama,
csc; Virginia, GAL; South Carolina, 4s2; Mis-
sissippi, 4sl; Louisiana, 81; North Carolina,
81; California 262; Illinois, 1914 In New
York the number Of farms of so great ex-
tent is only 81.
The total land IN farms in the United
States was S6,Osl, 1856 acres in 1880, against
4O7. 735 O4l acres In 1870. OF this land 2s4 I'll,
042 acres were improved in 1880. and 1888 92l, 099
acres in 1870. The value OF the farms was
$40, 1877, O06776 in $780, against So 2G2 sO3 S6l in
1870. The value OF farming implements and
machinery was S4O6, $40, O55 in 1880, and $780,
S7S, 400 in 1870. In all comparisons Of values
between 1870 and 1880 it should be borne in
mind that In the former year gold was at an
average premium OF 25.3 per cent. The enor-
nous increase in the chief productions is
shown by the following comparative figures !:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-04
Methodist Editorial Morals.

The Christian Advocate, the official news
paper OF the Methodist Church. presents an
explanation of its course in putting that
great swindle the Methodist silver mine
which Is so disingenuous, and altogether SO
unsatisfactory as o defence that 1t is only
worth noticing as q specimen Of pious hum
bug.
Our Methodist contemporary tries to throw
the odium Of the swndle ON other peoples
shoulders. and to make out that Its own
editors were simply innocent dupes, who fell
into the trap solely because OF their zeal In
behalf OF Methodist education. Nothing Is
said, however. by the official paper about the
admission Of its editors to the ground floor
OF the bogus enterprise they pulled. They
tried to induce other people to buy shares
for twice the price they themselves got them
at in consideration Of their opportunities for
pushing the sale OF the stock.
OF course they abuse those who have ex-
posed the swindle. That Is tho common
trick, and its object Is obvious enough. Lack
Ing substantial defence. they hope to direct
sailing their accuscrs.
The Christian Advocate proceeds to attack
THE Sun for its account OF the swindling
transaction, though it does not deny the
truth'ulness of what we said, except In one
very unimportant particular. 1.-THE clerical
gentlemen generally ut the Methodist Book
Concern. sos Broadway, Clipped In likewise"
We remarked incidentally. According to the
Christian Advocate, only the editors Of that
paper, the Rev. C. II. FOWLER, d. d.. and
the Rev. WIN. II. De PUY, ID. d., were let In
on the ground floor OF the swindle. We
readily give them tho benefit OF tho correc-
Zion. II they regard 1t as Il benefit.
What did The Sun care as to the facts p
asks this Methodist organ. 1t cared moth
Ing for them. except as important matters Of
news which showed how men high In eccle-
siastical authority in the Methodist Church,
mi in places where they could most widely
influence the members OF the Church, used
their power and reputation to bolster and
pun up an enterprise out OF which they ex-
pccted to make large individual profits. We
gave those facts with almost unimpugned
accuracy, in order to expose peculiarly out.
rageous and shameful swindle.
And yet even now those clerical editors
either pretend that they SEQ nothing wrong
and immoral in their conduct In pulling the
swindle, and falling to warn people against |,
after thoy knew that the enterprise was rot
ten, or are too obtuse In their moral percep
tiops to feel their own culpability.-
That they resort to insinuation, assault
and casuistry to try to escape responsibility
il, however, too obvious to allow US to lei
them have even the benefit Of the excuse o
natural or acquired moral blindness. The!
try to weaken the evidence against then
after fashion which strongly suggests con
scous guilt.
"When such papers - TIE SUH." the
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-04

Mon who are employed in finding and
stopping up eaks in gas pipes have learned
from experience that there is nothing like
flame for dstecting the presence OF gas. Whom
they descend into n cellar or manhole which
smells of gas. they usually strike u match
Tho results of their Investigations appear in
tho printed news OF the day. The usual course
port Maine. the other dry. The leak in the
gas main was so apparent that 1t was not neces-
sary to strike match. but tho ground was
frozen and it was deemed best to build bon
fire on 1t and thaw it out. SO that the workmen
might delye with com Imperative ease. This they
did and went to their dinners. leaving the fire
to do its work. While they were away twenty
feet Of the street shot up into the air The
damage to property was considerable. but for
tunately nobody was seriously hurt.
1t will probably occur to tho men who have to
do with gas leaks in New York that there is u
fine field here for pursuing the Eastport
method. The spaces along the underground
steam pipes are favorable to the accumulation
OF escaped gas. The streets are frozen. There
Is no telling. without actual investigation. how
many reservoirs OF pent-up gas there are be-
meath tho feet of tho throngs on the down
town streets. Now and then one OF these rcscr-
vors is discovered by lighting match. Occa-
sionally one makes its presence known without
cause. apparently. rs at William and Pine
| streets two days ago. Boniires would bring
many more OF them to light
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-04
Bouquets for Congressmen.

Among the perquisites which members Of
Congress regularly vote themselves. are bou-
quets furnished from public gardens kept
up under fraudulent pretences.
There are four distinct appropriations for
this purpose First. the so-called Botanic Gar
den, which has already cost over half a million
OF dollars and which Ia kept up ut IN annual
expense OF about twenty-one thousand dol
lars or the interest ON q capital OF 100000 at
3per cent. Secondly. tho garden OF the Agri-
cultural Department., which Ia supported
from the general appropriation, and the
items OF which cannot be separated; but
the cost is abundantly large. Thirdly, the
garden under the officer In charge OF the
public grounds at Monument square. Con-
gress votes ten and fifteen thousand year
recklessly to improve tho grounds south
OF the Executive Mansion, and four or
five thousand annually for the so-called
nursery. from which flowers are supplied to
Congressman and to other public characters.
Fourthly. the extensive greenhouses ut the
Executive Mansion. which cost ten or fif-
teen thousand dollars year entirely for Or
namental flowers for the delectation OF the
President and his particular friends.
When the appropriation bills were consid-
cred In the House. two separate attempts
were made to consolidate these gardens, and
thus to save to the Treasury at least part
OF this selfish extravaganza. But the bouquet
members mustered In sufficient force to pre-
vent vote by yeas and nays.
BY parliamentary strategy the people are
kept In ignorance Of the conduct OF their rep
resentatives, who appropriate at least fifty
thousand dollars year for bouquets, which
Mr.. Cox OF North Carolina said probably dis.
turbed the peace Of many families This
squandering will go on until members eau
be forced upon tho record. and DO made re-
| sponsible before their constituencies for bare
faced stealing. Whenever the names are
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-04

Another House BILL No. 7,47O, is "for the
relief OF r. GRAHAM FROST and GUsTAvUs
SEssINGHAUS. 1t appropriatcs Sl0,SlG.15 for
Mr.. FROST, member from tho Third district
Of Missouri, and SlGGiO75 for Mr.. SEssING-
HAUs, who contested FRosT's seat. II FROST
and SESsINaHAUs get the money they ask
for, 1t will have cost the people $T,456.9O to
find out who was elected In the Third dis
trct OF Missouri
The other bill, which Jumps the expenses
OF n dozen or more cases, appropriates In all
about $65, 900. The Congressman who have
put in claims for alleged expenses are, with
one exception. from the South. Four are
from South Carolina, two from Alabama, two
from Florida, two from Louisiana. one from
Mississippi. one from Virginia one from
Missouri. Generally speaking. they are not
members who have lent much lustrc to the
Forty-sevcnth Congress. II the bill passes,
it will have cost the people $3.2l5 to demon
strate that in the Fifth district OF Louisiana
j. FLOYD KING was elected by his l5,3o5
votes aud not g. H. LANIER. who received
1913 votes. 1t will have cost the people
S5,4OG to ascertain that in the Third district
OF South Carolina d. WYATT AIKEN's 27,s63
votes elected him over CARLOS J. Stroll
BRAND, who had 9.75s votes. And 30 on
through the list.
There is a law OF the United States provid-
ing that /" no payment shall be made by the
House OF Representatives out OF Its contin-
gent fund or otherwise, to either party to q
contested election case for expenses incurred
in prosecuting or defending the same" This
ia explicit enough as far as it goes. But
there is no law prohibiting q member Of Con-
gress or All unsuccessful contestant from
getting at the Treasury II he can by means
OF private bill for his relief" Few peo-
Pile ever hear OF these bills. There Is no fuss
made over them, no opposition. no debate.
Measures affecting the pockets OF members
OF the House are apt tobe quietly and quickly
passed on principle--a principle not unlike
that which is known at the other end OF the
Capitol as the courtesy OF the Senate.
This theory, briefly stated. Is that a men,
Der OF Congress Is morally incapable OF
cheating, and that II he brings claim against
the Government every other member is
bound to help him through with 1t. 1t Is a
good working theory for members, and 1t Is
the people who have to pay.
As for the outsiders they simply ask the
Government to pay for their unsuccessful
attempts to establish their title to sit In Con.
gross and to draw q salary from the Ser.
geant-at-Arms. 1t looks as II contesting
come regular and profitable business for
politicians who stand no earthly chance OF
getting at the Treasury in any other way.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-04
1t is remarkable that the substitution Of

1t Is remarkable that the substitution Of
endless wire cables for horses in drawing the
street cars Of this city should not have been
proposed long ago Costing half as much and
greatly preferable. because neater. cleaner. and
less troublesome. 1t is u change that ought TO
have commended itself promptly to the consii-
GRAFTON Of the horse railroad companies. es-
pocially since Its practcabiity was demon
strated long ago in SIM Francisco
The fear seems to have heen entertained that
while these wire cables might answer in com
paratiyey equable climate like that OF San
Francisco. they would not do where the OK
tremes of temperature nre very great. tho the
DRY being that the expansion OF wire cable
several miles long by the heat OF summer and
Its contraction by the cold Of winter would
make such difference In its total length rs to
Interfere seriously with its working. This ap-
prehsnsion. however. has been proved ground
loss by the successful operation OF cable road
In Chicago.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-04

In 1880 the number OF manufacturing es-
Establishments in tho United States was 253. s52,
with capital OF 50, 100 272, 6G6. The value OF
the materials consumed was $3.50, 1923, $40,
and Of the manufactured products $780,
579,194. The average number OF hands en-
ployed was Males above l6 years, 2,O25, 1856;
females above 10 years, 53l, $50; children and
youths, 1871 ,92l. The total amount OF wages
paid during the year was S947 ,95S7 95.
There were 1,146 railway companies In the
United States, and the total number OF miles
Of track completed was 1891, besides 10,ol6
miles under construction; and 4l.02O miles
werc projected. The subjoined table gives
further statistics regarding our railroads:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-04

OF the companies reporting, 623 earned a
net income or profit on their stock. which
aggregated 30 per cent. Of the total capital
stock OF the United States, and the average
per cont. Of profit on such stock was 632 On
nearly 20 per cent. Of the capital stock
In the Union, or s5lO,53s.0ls, no profit was
made. and SAC. 9O3 was stock in COM
panies which made deficits, or whose income
was eaten up by expenses; and $6O, 632.ll5
was stock OF companies whose roads were
yet under construction.
Eurthnr rnilroal statisticS ara thesa.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-04

II they judge from tho noisy reception
they had down the hay yesterday. tho Mala-
Rasy ENJOYS will be likely TO look upon tine
Americans rs a very wnrlko people. When tho
steamship in which they wero passed through
the Narrows fifteen big guns were fred from
Fort Hamilton. and when they arrived near the
city there was more cannonadng from Gov
ernors Island. Gunpowder appears to be us
useful for paying compliments in time OF peace
as 1t Is for knocking cities to pieces In time
Of war
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-04

Mr.. Frederick Keppol IL about to publish a
nne line engraving " Longfellow by Mr. Charles Burt
who the chief Of portraits and ygnett.s for
the United States Treasury. We have seen the portrait
which s good piece Of technical work, and express
sve likeness. 1t has been taken from a photograph
which preferred by the family and friends of the
poet to all other pictures Of him Mr. Burt had also the
advantage OF seeing the poet occasionally while the work
Wa N hand q under consideration.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-04

It appears that the comet which was dis
covered about a week ago is moving away from
the sun and rapidly growing fainter. 1t entered
tho solar system. paid its respects to the sun.
and was far upon its return journey before
anybody caught sight Of 1t. The astronomical
watchmen who have recently been appointed
will have to keep a little sharper lookout. or
they will have another surprise like that OF last
September. when the big comet almost grazcd
the sun before they knew there was = stranger
in the sky.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-04

An interesting case is now on trial before
Mr.. Justice BRowN. In the Supreme Court. in
Brooklyn. A ferry master named MOORE is
sued for the alleged conversion OF moneys of
the New York and Brooklyn Ferry Company to
the amount OF thirty thousand dollars.
The argument OF tho plaintiffs appears from
tho report to be substantially this: At the rate
OF compensation he received. tho defendant. II
he saved every cent during the time he was
employed. would have had now only twelve
thousand dollars. He has. in fact. fifteen thou
sand dollars worth OF real estate and twenty
thousand dollars in cash. Where did he get it:
From their receipts, say the ferry company by
means of unlawful appropriations.
What an astounding state OF affairs would he
brought to light II this principle should be APP
piled to the Congressman who 90 to Washing
ton poor and come away rich.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-04
Sarah Bernhnrdt's Marriage Weld.
Fran m, IN ,I1IsInLI1 y.,xs

Sarah Bernhardt is about to give up her hus-
baud lie announces thar liza definitely leaves the stage
and is about 10 return to his old trade OF soldier
ing in the Foreign Legion for the present but meantime
appl, ing for his letter. Of naturalization frenchnan
TIL. zossps say that 1t is all between tho
that the marriage In England irregular in form and
il valid In France and that for that matter unless
Damas underatood the affair So he woald not try to
engage in the Foreign Legion in which only unmarried
men are ccrpted Nine. UsnaA now calls herself, Us
before, Sarah Bernhnrdt-simpy that aud nothing
M
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-04
The Free Canals.

This will be critical year for the canals
They are entering upon new career.
The Legislature ought not obe behindhand
with the measures which are necessary for
their effective and economical management
under tho novel circumstances where tho
constitutional amendment has placed them.
This important question should not be hud-
died into the closing hours Of the session.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-04
The People Pay.

Tho Boston Herald prints the items Of the
bill known as II. r. 7,47s. 1t provides for
tho relief" OF certain members Of Congress
whose seats were contested. and at the same
time for the relief Of certain unsuccessful
contestants. In this Congress there have
been twenty-five contested seats. House
Bill No. 7,47s covers the alleged expenses In
many OF the cases, but not In all. Here are
itS itprns.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-04
Thirteen Gentlemen Dine Togetker-Ons Of
Them Dies.

The wall-known superstition TINT where thir-
teen persons ST down at fable together OF The mum
her viii die WITHIN the wear has proved true with a
Bruoklyn gun club. The ciui composed Of New York
und Brooklyn business for the past eight or ten
wears has mne visits always on Tie Anniversary ~ The
birth q, Washington to IN" summit House Of this town
where they have pigeon shuot, aud after thar dinner
Last year only thirteen members NJ the club out
aud HAT number after dn sport SAT down 10 dinner
Since then time Inst summer or early autumn
Wu II. Cox Jr, one of Ia. thirteen. died
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-04

The value OF the live stock In 1880 was
81. 500, 4G4, Co., against $l,525,276,457 in 1870.
Here there is an apparent falling off, but the
premium on gold in 1870 must be remem-
bered. and, as will be seen from the following
table, there was great increase In the num-
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-04
rther railroad statistics are these:

The merchant steamers numbered $3.50;
sailing vessels, 1880; canal boats. s,77l;
barges, 5,O3S; flats. 2,7O2. The total tonnage
Of all classes was CAST So9G3, and their value
was SIS, 7s4, 100. The aggregate length OF the
canals OF the Union was 2,5l5.O4 miles.
The total length Of the telegraph lines was
1lO.726 1920 and the total miles Of wire were
2sl. 2l2 $40. Below We give further statistics
regarding the telegraph business:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-04
Lot the Baker. Have tho Pen., Code.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sr: Cannot
something he done for the j0urneymen bakers who are
compelled 10 dssecrate the sabbath and TO violate the
PcnN law of this State by the eNnrtug custom OF the
New YORK public. which comprls them TO commence
That ~" good law abiding citizens must have fresh
bread ai rn. early Monday morning for breakfast
Nk" YORK March l. Boss BAkkR.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-04
Interesting Census Statistics.

Very many important, curious. and inter-
estin9 statistics can be picked out from the
vast mass Of closely printed tables In the
Compendium OF the Census OF 1880.
The following table shows tho number OF
farms in the United States in 1880, and the
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-04

It will be seen that In oil except five OF the
nbove-named occupations both women and
men were employed.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-04

The hest thing to do with cold bad cough Ia to get
rid OF H. for which purpose ut DR. Jaynss Ex.
psetorant for nearly half century popular lung rem.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-04

II was an unusually bad week for default
err and embezzers. On single day the news
papers recorded tho detection Of ROBERT
Z. Cook. assistant cashier OF the Jersey City
Savings Bank: the shortcomings Of LOUIS p
CARMAN. Secretary OF the Manhattan Fire In
suranco Company: the disappearance Of Rob-
EXT r. NOAH. Assistant Corporation Attorney.
tho arrest and suicide Of JOHANNES GEIsEN-
VALID. Il fugitive from Germany and the arrest
OF PAEs LAEME. fugitive bank cashier from
Brazil. Last Sunday New Jersey clergyman
shed tears as he pronounced sentence OF ex-
communication upon members OF his congre-
cation who had long been his friends but were
then inmates Of feons' cells.
All Of these offenders we're men Of intelli-
gence and education. to whom the disgrace
that has beiallen them Is cause Of greater
pain than any penalty that the law can
devise. Not ono OF them intended. when
he started on tho road that led to his
downfall to become q defaultar. They
did not steal with the deliberate purpose
OF stealing AZ the sneak thief does. They took
that which did not belong to them. to use II
temporarily. either to speculate or to crafty
other desires: and they supposed that thcy
would be able to return what they had takon
before 1t would be called for or its absence no
ticed Had they foresecn what tho first wrong
stop would lead to- they would have shrunk
from it with horror.
Over and over again is II shown by such ex-
amples that the only safe and true rule Is to
hold trust funds sacred. and never to divert to
uses for which it was not intended, whether for
moment or for year. dollar that belongs &c
others
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-04

The Compendium gives facts regarding l4s
companies and private concerns. using
34,3O5 miles OF telephone wire and 54.3l9
receiving telephones, and employing 1888
persons. Tho statistics are manifestly in
complete, and tho explanation is that some
companies and private parties did not respond
to requests for information on tho subject.
The statistics Of the number Of persons In
certain selected OCCUPATIONS arc intCrest ting !:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-04
published authoritatively the abuse will
cease, even though backed by the Senate. a.
It doubtless will be all the time.

Both Houses OF Congress began the last
day Of the session with much important work
on hand One Of tho Senatcs first acts was to
choose Mr.. EDMuNDs rs its presiding officer in
place OF DAVID DAVIS. 1t killed the River nd
Harbor bill passed the Deficiency Approprn-
ton bill and the bill to refund to Georgia
money expended In common defence in 1777.
took a short recess. and in the evening plunged
into consideration OF the Deficiency bill.
The House found tho Tariff bill ready for con-
sideration. the Senate having passed 1t acre
ported from conference. Just aftcr midnight on
Saturday morning. by the close vote ofa32 to 81.
Not u Representative spoke in its favor. and
Mr.. KELLEY. who presented it. apolo2ized for
it Several Republican members condemned it,
but explained that since the people desired re-
duction Of taxation. they would vote for IT, i
was passed by the House. 152 tolls. The House
then resumed routine business.