davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-07-29

A scene presented the other day at the
agency OF the Cheyennes and Arapahoes. in
Indian Territory, is noteworthy not only for
Its picturesquencss, but for its suggestions
in regard to Indian management.
Some months ago these combined tribes
leased portion Of their reservation for ten
years to embarrassing company mt some
thing over $4,000 n year. When, few days
ago, the time for the first scmi-annual pay
ment Of rent came around, the cash, about
$4,000, all in silver dollars, was brought
across the border In boxes and kegs guarded
by Indians. The distribution was Of prm-
tive but most satisfactory character. Each
man, woman, and child had been furnished
with numbered ticket, RS II DRAWN. ra-
tions, and the kegs having been opened and
the silver arranged in piles, each holder OF a
ticket came forward as his number was
called, and received five silver dollars in his
Outstretched blanket. This spectacle Of Il
great Indian community in tho attitude Of
real estate owners, receiving on rent day tho
money OF their tenants. and sharing it ON
the spot, was certainly memorable.
There have been other recent leases Of In
dian lands. The Cherokees have let out, for
ten years several million acres, the lessees
paying a rent OF 100000 Several other
tribes have also found tenants for their graz
Ing lands ut fair rates. The railroads have
In some cases bought rights of way across
reservations, but this introduces different
considerations.
1t will be gain In the direction of making
the Indians fit for full citizenship when their
reservations are everywhere looked upon AS
" hnir v,pic. lao
history OF tribe after tribe shows n success
sion OF enforced diminutions OF lands, and
often OF unwilling transfers OF themselves
from ono region to another, because white
men desired their homes for tilling. grazing,
or mining. The theory that the earth should
be made to yield up its mineral wealth,
wherever found. and that rich soils should
bear crops, is perfectly sound but the work
ing Of mines and the cultivation OF fertile
lands need not require chang" in their
owners ~. One OF the greatest sources OF
trouble III the Indian problem has been the
assumption that the red men would neither
turn their lands to good account nor permit
others to DO So Hence, Whenever the troops
misusing their right to enter Indian rcsrrva,
tions, have prowlel alesut LAT scnrrlr Of indi
cations OF the precious metals, or Of Unusual.
ly rich farming lands, their discoveries have
been followed by an instant cutlery FROM sur
rounding settlers and prospcctors that the
Indians must go. And invariably, by coax
ing or coercion, by being bought out OF
driven out, they have gone, and have left
white men to possess their treasures.
In these recent leases Of Indian Territory
lands the important feature is that Indians
them TO the best account have been perfectly
willing to lease them to those who can. Will,
still retaining their own title to them. Should
this practice become more general, less woult
be heard OF Indian complaints, and there
would probably be fewer Indian wars. Wha
u more. the Indians would gradually reoeiv,
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-07-29

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: Will you
please inform some amateur astronomers OF Brooklyn
to the whereabouts Of the planets Venus and Mars
and II they are visible at any time during the aght
also when viii Jupiter aud Saturn again be seem
BROOKLYN. July rs AhArkUR AsrRoNonERs.
Mars and Saturn are both In the constellation
Taurus and may be we'll seen about O'Clock
A. NJ. In the eastern sky. not far from the
group Of the Pleiades. Venus and Jupiter rise
q little before daybreak. and. together with
Mercury. may be- seen about 4 o'clock A. NJ.
the three making crooked line inclined at q
sharp angle to the horizon. The sight Of the
Ave principal planets all appearing - morn
ing stars II one worth getting Nd early to see,
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-07-29
Descended from a Salem Witch.

On the 18th OF this month remarkable
family gathering was held at Salem, in Mas
sachusetts.
Gcnculogy having n great fascination for
many people in this republic, the assembling
of the descendants of early settlers Of New
England especially is regular yearly occur
renee But the two hundred persons who
met at Salem on the 18th formed an excep-
tional family gathering. They came to-
gcther to celebrate their descent from one OF
the women who were put to death as witches
during the period Of hysterical religious de-
fusion which visited that town, and which
backened the records OF Puritanism.
On the 23d of March, 1892, Mrs. REBEKAH
NURSE was arrested at Salem as witch.
She was woman OF seventy years, the
mother OF eight children, and church men,
Der OF blamclcss character and Of devout
and Christian disposition At her examina-
ton, the next day, she solemnlY asserted her
innocence in language that bore no trace OF
the hysterical insanity which may have pos
sessed others Of the women who were
charged with witchcraft ut that dark and
| cruel time.
She was committed for trial, however, in
the Court OF Oyer and Terminor. At that
trial she was ut first acquitted, despite the
efforts for her conviction made by the Rev.
| SAMUEL PARIS, the witch hunter. But, the
jury having had their attention called by the
Judges to certain testimony. they retired
| again and brought in verdict OF guilty.
much to the satisfaction Of PARIS and the
afflicted" or those who pretended or imaG-
ined they had suffered from her diabolism.
1t was most outrageous proceeding
throughout. In the first place, such
charges as those brought against her
might easily be conceived by malice.
Even If they did not originate In that,
| they would be the fruit OF hysteria in the
accusers. The evidence OF the insane and the
dcluded, the malicious and the envious. was
accepted by the Salem court. And behind all
was the crazy and merciless Puritan parson,
the Rev. SAMUEL PARIS. There was moth
ing to indicate that Mrs NURSE was a
witch, even according to the decisions OF
those days in Salem.
The Governor reprieved Mrs. NURSE, but
strong influences were brought upon him by
the witch hunters, the reprieve was soon
withdrawn, and she died martyr on Gal
lows Hill on tho 10th OF July. 1892. In all the
annals of religious persecution. SO black and
SO terrible, there is no worse case than this
OF REBEKAH NURSE. No religious system
ever established offered better opportunities
for the satisfaction OF malice and OF delusion
than the theocracy OF New England.
But now two hundred OF tho descendants
of REBEKAH NURSE meet at Salem to cele-
brato her virtues and boast that her blood
runs in their veins The woman bounded to
death in 1862 as q witch, and buried in an UNI
marked grave, is venerated in 1888 as the
worthy mother OF distinguished family.
Her martyrdom has given her a fame that
will long outlast the Puritanism to whose ex-
cesses she fell victim, for. beyond ques-
ton, the religious faith which is now crum-
bling the fastest is the faith OF the Puritans.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-07-29

that practical education and those fruitful
suggestions that come from having pro-
ductive property, whether It be held by .
community or individuals. But hitherto the
Indian Bureau policy has rarely been that Of
jealousy keeping and renting Indian real e.
tate, as In ordinary life Just and wise guar
dian does for his ward. Its aim has almost
always been to persuade or force It's depen-
dents to part with tho fee simple Of their
lands to white men who might take fancy
to 1t. The hard work of treating Indian re-
serves rs trusts held for the red race, to be
investigated, managed. and improved. with
out parting with them, 30 that when the
owners should at last be educated and civil
lied they would have good heritage to en-
able them to hold their own In the race Of
life with the whitcs--such work has usually
been evaded, and the selling Of lands out.
right for few additional annulties has been
substituted
or course, the grabbing Of Indian lands by
railroad corporations, for q trifle; under
grants practically perpetual. through the
connivancc Of the Indian Bureau. Ii wholly
different from the short leases for grazing
purposes. It may be urged that under such
lease as the Cheyenne and Arapahoe, the
small distributed sums will quickly pass to
the pockets OF the traders who hover about
tho distribution table with their trinkets and
goods, and thus that the tribe will he no
better Off. But at least the land remains
Indian property, to be leased over again
and the day will probably come when, with
$780, 900 or 100000 accruing every six months,
there will be reflection on some wiser use to
make OF it, and the prudent public spirit
which forms and elevates communities will
be developed even in this improvident race
In the Cheyenne and Arapahoe lease, 1t is
stipulated that part payment each year may
be IN cattle; and the result will doubtless be
that this tribe will soon become graziers and
drovers, like its tenants. The practice OF
leasing surplus lands, well started In the
Indian Territory, should be extended, as far
as practicable and desirable, to reservations
In other parts OF the country, when white
men wish to hire and red owners to let them
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-07-29

annual report OF the Adjutant-eenera SHOWS
That curing the nscai year tnere mao peen
6,lSl discharges ana only l,4O reenhstments,
the dinerence pein9 mace up oy recru'es' IL
therefore appears that aioer one term Oh ser
vice IN the army many soldiers go pach inco
civil lie; ana accordineiy tney shouiu nave
been, as far as practicapie' imnued with the
desire lor mental Improvement ana heipeo
forward IN optainng H. ana 30 nave oeeh
better htted ior tneir duties as citizens.
with regard 70 the dimcuities nitnereo
encountered ID the post schooi system there
are varying opinions; out tnougnt!ui sum
mary OF the mattor IL presenteo ny oe"'
DRUM IN the following anguage'
II am sat'aed the present system needs revision 1t:
tendency no create bureau ., msry anu
isud.bls se.i in thi. work seriously doubt whether
their labor. can ever be Of the greatest good
Their sphere Is spiritual and while their RELIGIOUS and
secular nnow'ease ana nsn mora zone sre .esy .u
,h. A.. no.,.,.,ou Of tnov.dr. does not nsce.ssry
carry Gift of impsrtiug IT, Their denomna
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-07-29
Safe Rules for Public Men.

All public officers are trustees for the peo-
pie, and those who are conscientious, will ex-
ecute their trusts with faithful regard to
the interests Of the people.
No public officer who is governed by an
adequate sense Of his duty, will use the pub
lie property for his own pleasure or enter
tainment. 1t does not belong to him. 1t be-
longs to the people; and he has no more
right to appropriate it to his own purposes,
even for short time, than he has to put his
hand into tho Treasury and take out the pub
lie money. except in strict obedience to the
express provisions of the law.
During his term OF Office his whole time
and all his labor belong to the people. What
ever Is necessary for rest and health he has a
right to take for himself: but more than this
he has no right to take.
These principles will be observed by the
next Democratic President. The Republican
Presidents since LINCOLN have not observed
them. They have used the public time and
the public property just rs though they were
kings and not Presidents.
The Republican party must go!
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-07-29
A Case for a PrOhibitOry Tariff.

Would not prohibitory tariff on Egyptian
rags be q wise measure OF legislation for the
next Congress
All the usual arguments in favor Of protec-
ton may be invoked in behalf OF the Ameri-
can rag industry. The producers OF Amcri-
can rags might we'll claim to be relieved Of
Oriental competition. and declare for Ameri-
can paper made only from American rags
But In this case sanitary considerations
appeal nike oprotectionists and free traders
in support OF n prohibitory tariff. Egyptian
rags, teeming with the germs OF disease,
should be kept out OF the country at any cost.
No other barrier will exclude these messen-
gers OF pestlence so cffectually as heavy
import duty. The Custom House would
prove surer safeguard than any system OF
sanitary inspection.
1t seems to US that 1t would be well to
furnish incidental protection to American
rags and direct protection to American
health by establishing u tariff on foreign
rags high enough to prevent their shipment
from Oriental countries to the United States.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-07-29
A Wise Plan.

The striking telegraphers have determined
~ build new system OF lines for themselves,
and they have already commenced raising
the necessary capital
Various commercial bodies also propose to
have their own lines, and most probably they
will combine with tho tclegraphers. We
wish them all entire success In this whole
some undertaking.
For the healthy development Of the tele-
graph there should be several competing
companies. Then the public will be well
served, because each company will endeavor
to Guido its competitors in the accuracy
with which 1t transmits messages Us we'll
as in the reasonable rate OF its charges.
Judging by the present indications, the
strikers will not be able to bring the Western
Union or the Baltimore and Ohio to their
terms; but they may render great SER
vice to tho public by establishing their own
lines and conducting them on genuine co.
operative principles. Once more we wish
them entire success in this enterprise.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-07-29
Hostility to the Jury system.

Many people have been led thoughtlessly
to denounce the jury system on account OF
the unsatisfactory results Of the Star route
trial at Washington and the DUKES case In
Pennsylvania. The announcement that the
jury just drawn for the trial Of POLK, the dc.
faulting Treasurer of the State Of Tennessee,
Is one Of the poorest ever impanelled, causes
our esteemed contemporary, the Evening
Post, to declare that no institution can posi-
bly, long stand the strain which We are put
ting upon the jury.
From various causes" We are told, cit
has already 50 sunk not only In popular es.
tmation, but in that OF lawyers and Judges,
that the panegyrics Of 1t that were seriously
put forth hundred years ago now read like
u burlesque, aud as . rule no one, even IN
civil cases. resorts to 1t II he wishes per-
fectly fair judicial inquiry" We think this
statement Is q gross exaggeratlon. There
would be no difficulty in naming numerous
lawyers and Judges OF distinction VINO regard
the system OF trial by jury, when properly
administered, as the best practical plan ever
devised for tho determination of litigated
questions OF fact in free community.
Our evening contemporary seems to sup
pose that the rule which excludes from a
jury every one who has formed IN opinion
about the case To be tried Is necessary at
tribute of the jury system. Its attack Is
largely based Oh this assumption. and we
are told that any Tenncsseean who has not
formed an opinion about the facts in the
Polk case must be SO grossly ignorant as not
to be worth anything for jury duty. This
may be conceded. 1t does not follow,
however, that because the right OF trial by
jury Is preserved, citizen must be deemed
| disqualified for jury duty by reason Of hav-
ing formed or expressed an opinion. The
present law In Tennessee may require his
exclusion on that account. but the rule has
been changed In other States, and might
well be changed wherever it continues to
exist. 1t is by no means an essential Incl
dent Of the jury system.
Here in New York, ever since 1872. the law
on this subject has been substantially the
same as 1t is now set forth in section 376 OF the
Code OF Criminal Procedure, as follows:
But the previous expression formation Of opin
ion impression reference the guilt innocence
OF the defendant present opinion impression In
reference thereto 10 not sufficient ground OF chnl
lenge for actual bias to any person otherwise legally
qualified IL he declare oath that he believes that such
opinion impression will not influence his verdict ant
that he render impartial verdict according to thu
evidence and the Court IL satisfied that he does
entertain such present opinion impression would
| influence his verdict"
In the California Code we find the following
provision, which has been in force in that
State upward Of nine years:
But no person shall ns juror by reason
of having formed expressed opinion upon the mat
ter to he submitted to such jury founded upor
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-07-29

too many animals may become by their ex-
perience with rabbits. New South Wales has
recently gone 30 far In the war upon rabbits
a. to make the mere possession Of live rab-
bit an offence punishable by q fine Of $500. and
another Australian colony. into which very
few rabbits have yet made their way, pro-
poses to keep the creatures out by means OF
q netted wire fence along the colonial from
tier. This will hardly avail much against
animals that can dig.
We should like to see q bird or beast that
would devour the new hairy caterpillar; but
let us be careful not to introduce any null
sances into the country under the guise OF
henefactOra
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-07-29
Education in the Army.

The decrease OF late In the average amount
OF campaigning required by the army, and
the practice OF hiring Indian scouts to carry
on n great part OF frontier hostilities, have
caused much attention to be paid to garrison
life and to methods Of improving the condi-
ton of the enlisted men.
Acts Of Congress and army regulations
make provision for the establishment and
maintenance of schools at all garrisoned
posts, both for llitorate soldiers and for the
children OF officers and enlisted men. Last
year the returns showed that there were over
$50 post schools in existence; yet Gen. SHER-
MAN reported Of them that they cannot be
said to be successful" and, as a matter Of
fact, the average attendance OF enlisted men
was less than five per cent.
1t 10 greatly to be regretted that this sys-
tenn OF education is SO unfruitful. At some
stations the troops are kept SO constantly at
work in digging and various other non-mili.
tary occupations as to have no disposition to
cNpend their leisure in schools. But al other
stations there Is no such obstacle to educa-
ton. In some foreign armies much atten-
ton Is now paid to the general instruction OF
soldiers Ii Is true that this Is not always
done from DISTINGUISHED motives, and that IL
IL German soldier, for example, Is taught
French, 1t is because the Government is look
ing forward to the chance Of his using that
language in its service. Still. as modern
changes In warfare require more individual
intelligence and responsibility on the part Of
the soldier, the resulting necessity OF in
structing him accrueS to his personal
benefit rs well as to that OF tho Gov
eminent. In this country. where 30 much
stress is laid on the national advantages
OF widespread popular education, it must be
remembered that the regular soldier rarely
remains all his life In the army The last
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-07-29

The rights OF bicyclcrs to share OF the
streets having been recently vindicated by a
Washington Judge. their responsibilities are
now insisted upon by the same authority. A
wheelman who. while moving ut high speed In
that city Knocked down and injured veteran
standing in front OF his house has Just been
fined $50. and committed TO Jail because ne
could not pay this sum. In the case decided
three weeks ago the bicycle was held to be
vehicle; hence a malicious carter who over
turned one. with Its driver was punished.
Now, on the same ground rs TO its nature the
bicycle is held responsible. like any other car
rage for trenching on the rights OF pedestrians.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-07-29
A steamboat whose hull is built OF paper

steamboat whose hull is built OF paper
Is recent addition to the variety OF uses to
which this material Ia put. After all, since
racing shells have long been made OF II. the
present advance to steamboats, Is only a
matter OF degree. while the successful use OF
paper railroad car wheels has solved any
doubt OF durability. Who shall say that one
day We may not SEQ paper projectiles. carried
in paper ammunition chests. and discharged
In battle from paper artillery
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-07-29
Gentleman who Knows Something About
shnrks In New York Waters,

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sr: Although
not pretending to know about the personal habits of
sharks carry with Inc to-day mark Of their regard
for human flesh Having been terribly manned for ne.
by one Of these nnny nends feel In duty bound to
answsr Eqaiyoca's" letter was In bathing on Gov.
srhor isiaiu Twelve years not than thru
feet from shore and was about entering row boat VIII,
Iet sharp, quick pain, rs though . tuzz saw had
S S. %, ny oss n. big toe and carry
oes" had better swim this year IN fresh water
,,., GEORGE V. WuArsoS
n30RAsp srkrHr wILLIAnsguHGH July ~ "'
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-07-29
no D...- ', WHAfsON,

careless diet or change Of water often produces I'm
summer weather an obstinate diArrha or some ~ rom
S s~ nase@n which you would treat raionay
sdy Tor such stacks and equally enectuaI for crans
Ads. " 's'ss eo"PIsAnu.-
The Evening critic., 1883-01-16
SOUTH WASHINGTON.

captain Baldwin, OF the steamer Excelsior
which arrived Mt tho wharvos this morning,
reports that navigation even by steam Is
scarcely possible on the Potomac. The river
is frozen almost the ertire distance to tho
Chesapeake and q vessel Is forced to crush
through 1t with extra steam to reach the
washington wharves. All along the river
sailing vessels were detaiued at the landings,
unable to reach the bay without tho assist.
ance Of tugs. The Washington channel was
also solldly frozen over and many schooners
are detained at Rlley's and other wharves,
and II is reported that nine vessels bound for
this city with oysters are detained at Quan.
tico, Va.
The City OF Alexandria is the only ferry.
boat now running. The steamer Corcoran has
also stopped.
The four handsome residences being erected
on B street, opposite the new Museum, by A.
i. Parker, are nearly completed, and Will be
ready for occupancy in the spring
George the little son OF MIR. william jack.
son was badly cut across the face yesterday
afternoon. George, with several other boys,
was coaating on street when he came in coll
lision with horse sleigh, striking against IL
with great velocity.
The moulding. shop OF White Il Bros. ma
chine works have been closed for timo from
lack Of business.
The new shed and warehouse erected around
the old Armory Building is being painted by
the United States Fish Commission, which has
also had an tnclosure made.
Call on william II. Baum, corner OF Seventh
and B streets southwest, for fuel. He has
teams running TO all parts Of the city, and can
supply orders with the utmost promptness.
Drugs, medicines and perfumery Of all kinds
can be found at Prices drug store 426 Sew
this pharmacy of compromising physicians
prescriptions.