davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-24

An INFLUENCE THAT MUST BE BROhEN.
There is probably no public officer IN the
Nation who has the right to expend, with so
little restriction, such an enormous sum OF
money as is annually placed at the disposal OF
the Commissioner of Public Works of this city.
Outside of New-YOrk it is not likely that an
officer as faithless as Commissioner Thompson
has been shown to be could retain his control
over such fund for single week. But Ill TINS
city the influence of such an official Is far-reach
ing. 1t stretches into Grand jury rooms anu
into executive Offices and is not without repre-
sentatiOn on the bench and in legislative halls
The fear of reprisal from person welding
such great political power not only over
awes and influences the official activity OF the
city, but reaches to Albany.
If is certain, however, that such an influence,
no matter how exerted, cannot long stand up
against the power of right. The people OF this
CITY will not calmly submit to see their money
rccklcssly squandeIed by Commissioner
Thompson or anybody else. II is clear from the
revelations printed in THE TRIBUNE to-day
and in previous issues. that there Is scarcely
any end to the methods followed i'll the Public
Works Department of cVading the law ana
S0uandering the peoples money.
One of the first things the Legislature should
do i. to repeal the act which authorizes Com
missioner Thompson to eXpend Sl.OOO.OOO
annually without any restriction further than
that it shall ne expended to increase the water
supply. As is shown to-day, this fund is being
mismanaged and wasted in an extraordinary
manner. public work that was started under
it. and which Allan Campbell said would cost
the city little over $4,000, 900, is being made
BY Commissioner Thompson to cost over twice
that amount. Large sums are annually expended
for travelling expenses, professional services
and in other doubtful ways. But this is the same
story that has been told. from the Official
records in regard to other funds.
With the experience the city has had with
Tweed and Thompson it ought to be able to
secure legislation that will protect it from
further abuses of this kind. The same loose
laws that allowed Tweed to steal millions have
caused loss to the city of other millions under
his successors. 1t is time that such laws were
repealed. If this is done, the nutriment will be
taken from politicians of the Thompson school,
and their organizations will fall to pieces.
When that end is accomplished it will be pos
siblo for honest and deserving men to get into
Office without bowling the knee to political
boss. An economical and efficient city govern
ment will then be possible.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-24
Tweed's time, bit also magnificent opening
for n crushing vengeance upon the hated Saxon.
RUILD0ZIYG IN THE SENATE.


A strange report is current that the Southern
buldozer is about to make himself felt III the
limited States Senate. II is said that the nominal
tion of Mr.. Emory Speer to be United States At
to,ncy for the Northern District of u eorgla,
which is now before the Senate for conhrmatOn,ls
TO be DELAYED by Southern Senators, and, II pos
sible. defeated. Mr. Spcerhas committed various
crimes which have aroused the righteous indig-
notion of Southern Democrats. First, he broke
loose from Bourbonsm, and ran for Congress
os an Independent Democrat. To complete the
enormity of his offence, he was elected. Alter
his term was finished be accepted this APP
pointmcnt as District Attorney, which was
rendered to him because Republican talent in
that region was scarce, and he seemed to be the
kind of man who would prosecute election
cases. When Mr. Speer had taken tins place,
his last estate, in the eyes of the BOurbOns, was
worse than his first. But he went still further.
He Drosccutcd seven Georgia Democrats for
bulldozing, and had the eflrontery to convict
them. Worst of all, five out of the seven con-
fessed the crime which convinced the BOurbons
that Mr.. Speer was even more desperate
character than they had thought him. Finally,
he was assigned by the Government to aid in
the prosecution Vi Iuc oou'h NoiOin' 'i0O'i"i
cases. and his presumption was such that he
actually invaded that proud Commonwealth for
the purpose of arrai gning certain OF her citizens
at the bar of justice just like criminals,
although they had merely been committing
few genteel election frauds.
1t is said that tho people of South Carolina
were greatly incensed, and put upon Mr.. Speer
every slight which social intolerance could
devise. Also that the two South Carolina
Senators, Messrs. Hampton and Butler, propose
to delay his confirmation, and even prevent it,
if they can. We cannot believe that they will
be allowed even to postpone confirmation. Let
the majority take up Mr.. Spccr's name and pass
him. 1t will be a strange thing if the coniima-
ton of a Government officer can be made to wait
in the Senate because he has done his duty in
Furnishing election frauds.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-24
MP. n0RSHELMER,S PIN.

Congressman DOrshcimcr's plan for dealing
with the problem of preserving the Adirondack
forests seems likely to commend itself 10 the
good sense of the Legislature. Public scnti-
ment is now in fair way to be aroused to the
Importance of saving the woods, and the chief
question is as TO the wiScSt means 10 be chosen.
Mr.. Dorshcimcr, whose connection with the
Niagara Commission has led him to give special
attention to these subjects, proposes that the
Legislature shall appoint commission to select
such forest lands rs it is advisable for the State
TO buy, and tina: the question shall be- submitted
TO the people at the fall election whether they
will authorize a loan to pay for such lands as
the commission shall deem it wise to purchase.
This seems to be a iudiciJus measure The
appointment of the commission by the incoming
Legislature will insure n prompt inquiry. The
submission of the question of purchase to the
people will place the responsibility of the
whole matter upon them. If they vote against
purchase, that mandate is final. If they vote in
favor, Legislators would moi need to trouble them
selves with any questions of personal rcspon-
sibility for the plan. The only work of the
Legislature then would DO to scrutinizo care
fully the recommendations of the commission,
and so act as to carry out the instructions OF
the people without placing an unnecessary
burden upon the Treasury. The probability is
that the people would vote in favor of the
purchase The State is practically ont of debt.
The need is urgent. There seems to he no way
for the State to save the forests except by own
ing the lands, and system could be adopted OF
purchasing large and important tracts in turn,
which would make the increase in the debt
gradual. The operation of such n scheme would
need to be carefully watched for jobs, but with
proper supervision it ought to be possible to
administer it honestly.
There are great advantages in the idea of
submitting the proposition to the pcoplc-onc
of principle, others of policy. II is right thar n
question of such importance, involving con-
siderable expenditure of money, should be
submitted to a special vote of the people. If
they vote in favor Of the purchase the rest of
the work will be easy. A bare proposition TO
the Legislature to buy Adirondack lands, com
ing without any definite approval from the
people, will ill the souls of timid Legislators
with vague tcrrOrs. Many of them will fear the
charge of extravaganza from dcmagogucs, if
they vote for it, and will trcmblc for their re-
election. If it comes to them with vote of the
people in its favor they will be relieved of all
responsibility, and have only to consider the
ways and means
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-24
Netp9lprk DAILY Gribn1ra
FOUNDED By HORACE GREELEY
NETWORK, MONDAY, DEC. "a.
THE NEVS THIS MORNING.

FOREIGN-Fifteen students were burned TO death
in ConstantinOplo yesterday. - The Crown
Prince arrived in Berlin. == Moody and Sankey
closed their mission at Stepney. == The en-
ployes of the Limerick gas-wOrks have gone on
strike, - The Car is still suffering from the ac-
cident caused by being thrown from a sled. -=
An earthquake shock has been felt in Lisbon
DoMEsTIC-Severe cold weather prevailed in
New-England and New-York, yesterday, and snow
fell in Virginia North Carolina, and in many of the
Northern States 60 The building on the Yale
College grounds known as the cabinet" was
DESTROYED by fire, yesterday == Mrs. Jessie Me
Gee, age 1O1 years, died at Kappa, in Illinois, on
Saturday. - The British steamer Istrian, which
arrived in Boston yesterday, reports ercounterng
an abandoned bark at sea. "A boiler exploded
near Allentown, New-York, yesterday, and two
men were killed.
CITY AND SUBURBAN.-Further disclosures are
made concerning Mr.. Thompson's department, show
ing the outrageous extravaganza prevailing there
and the way in which he quarters his friends on the
city treasury. - Yesterday was the coolest day
of the winter. - Gerald Massey lectured in
Brooklyn. 80 The Rev. r. Heber Newton spoke
on the legend of Jacob. go Monsignor Capel con-
cluded his lectures in New-York. - There was
meeting at the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church to
advocate church extension. = Turkeys were
sent by a special train to the employees of the
Long Island Railroad. - Dr. DiO Lewis spoke
against Prohibition.
THE Manufacturers local observations in
dictate cloudy and warmer weather, with snow
possibly turning to rain, followed atnght by clear
ing weather. Temperature yesterday: Highest,
10e; lowest, 40; average, $50.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-24

1O,561, PIT acres. against 7.o73,18s the previous
year. and 1850 981 In the fiscal year 1881, whom
the total disposals were less than half as largo az
they were last year. Thus about three-quarters Of
the increase for two years, and moro than half Of
the total disposas for three years. appear to have
been in the regions directly affected by the opening
of the Northern Pacific. But 1t is proper to remem-
Der thatth great frauds under the homestead and
timber acts, which have recently been disclosed.
renderit probable that part Of the land taken in
the Northwest will not be immediately brought into
use by settlers.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-24
MONEY AND BUSINESS.

The holidays are at hand, and the stringcncy
which often preccdcs the close Of the year does
not appear. Money is abundant at low rates,
and the banks reported on Saturday an increase
of $2,43S,000 in reserves, and a surplas of
$G,S94,75 above legal requirements. The
surplus at this time last year was 81 600, 900
less and yet was thought extraordinarily large
and il was then falling and is now rising. The
superabundance of money in the banks is ex-
planned by the operations of the Treasury; the
balances December 1 and December 22, as re-
ported from Washington, were:
Decemberl l. December %. Difference
bullion s2l6, 72275I s2I7,l2l.3O7 Inc. sJ0s,Cl6
aud bullion. 122s07225 19345i,7ls Inc. l.O57.52s
t!r s. syt 5Soos75 5G2S55 b fSS 4 S
Total cash si28.OOG4O2 $l24O0i,o22 Inc sI,O87,62O
out. I'm, ~. s5o2o5l3O sCs,so5io Inc si1la.nO
out ,,"......'' ss,25slOl oi,27O.Ol Inc. C,Ol7olO
tidcatcs out. l4,9OoOOo n,25OOOO Dec. $1,000
otalcerrs slOl s2823l $I7L0755GI Inc $iOIl7, $50
While increasing its cash on hand only one
million, and that wholly in silver, the Treasury
has increased the volume of outstanding paper
notes by ten millions in three weeks four mill
ions in gold notes and six millions in silver notes
having been issued in excess of the amounts
paid into the Treasury. This initiation of the
paper circulation goes on while the power of
the Treasury to meet its obligations is not gain
ing at all. The increase in gold held by the
Treasury is more than covered by the decrease
in amount of United States notes held
the silver dollars and bullion and the fractional
sllverare entirely unavailablefo for the redemption
of Government obligations; and there are now
outstanding about $300,000,000 of United
States notes and $172, 100000 Of certificates,
to be redeemed by $217,000,00 gold. While
Congress has been waiting to get itself organ
lied, the paper currency has been inflated $1O,-
100000, and yet it is reported that Mr.. Carlisle
will entrust the craftsmanship of the Committee
on Coinage to Mr.. Bland, the author of the first
and worst silver bill.
Otherwise than in its dependence upon bad
legislation, the business OF the country is visby
improving. Secretary Swank, Of the Iron and
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-24
amussmenis Co. Might.

.,o,,,y OF DEsIGS-Art Loan Exhibition 49,,
Ao Apr 0pre, IIoIsE-S-"Orpheus and Eurydice'
SS.Swo-s-" The Beggar Student" $3.50,
DALE Dali npsea HoGsE-8-" Hazel Kirke."
24avyRIy's SAN FIR ,NcIsCo MISUNDERSTANDING"
MADISON SQUARE TnEATRE-s:3O-"R Nah.
wSypopoITTAN OPERA HOUSES" RlgOletto'
Wv P.RK TUEATRE--S-" PASSIONS slave.
S,r, o,s q IRDEN-S-" The Payements OF Paris.
sIaD THEATRE-S-"OthellO
TnaI "A TuEATRT-S-" IIass and Liebe." .
TuEATRR CoMIoUE-s-" COrdelia's Asplratlons
UNION SQUARE THEATRE-s-"Storm Beaten. ;,
W. ,cK's TuF ATRE-S-" An American WIFE,"
On syENrF THEATRES" Sam'l of POsen:"
6Tu AVENUE THElTRE-S-"The Glass OF fasnlon'
1ATH STREET THEATRE-S-" Pop"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-24

Judging from the number of persons VINO
visited the Bartholdi Statue Loan Exhibition
Yesterday at the National Academy of Design
there are certainly many people in New-l ork
who favor the opening of art galleries ana
museums on Sunday. The rooms were wen
filed all day but if the visitors were working
people in the accepted sense of the term, the
working people of New York dress much better
than is generally supposed and know much more
about art than they get credit for. Moreover.
they hardly seem to be in crying need OF
Sunday privileges of this kind. AS matter OF
fact we suspect that the visitors were people
who would not have been driven to liquor stores
for amusement yesterday even if the Academy
had been kept closed as usual. However tins
NAV be. it is to be regretted that what
is termed a liberal movement in behalf OF the
working classes in this city should be the cause
of unpleasant feeling between the Academiclans
and the managers of the Exhibition.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-24

has more sense than the press and the idiers Oh
Paris. If it has it will appreciate the dipio-
matte advantage which Admiral Courbets sue
cess gives it, and hasten to extricate the kepuD-
lie from the very unpleasant predicament lh'o
which this wild TonQuin expedition has led IT,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-24

The merchants aud insurance men who appeared
before the Sinking Fund Commissioners on Friday
In behalf Of the Ramapo Valley water scheme do
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-24

Evidently this Is not to be green Christmas
The weather is seasonablc; seasOnable for
enjoyment and health, and certainly cold
enough to make the occupants of warm and
happy homes think of the poor.
The miners in Westmoreland County, Penn,
have raised cry against the Hungarians who
have settled among them which sounds pain
fully like the anti-C Chinese cry of the Pacific
Slope. They have issued a proclamation to
whom 1t may concern, declaring that the Hun
garians must go because they work for little,
live on little, and yet save little. Such con-
duct the other miners consider immoral in the
last degree, and they do not intend to stand it
any longer. Hence the proclamation. The
principle laid down by the recent Labor Con-
gress in Paris, that well-to do wOrkmen must
never give their less fortunate fellows n chance
to better their condition, seems to be finding
favor and ready application in this country.
Another candidate for the Speakership Of
the Assembly has followed Mr.. Theodore
ROosevet's example, and declared himself in
favor of legislative investigation of the affairs
of this city. This is Mr.. Titus Sheard of
Herkimer county. He thinks searching inquiry
is especially called for by THE TRIBUNE's ex-
posures of corruption in the Department Of
Public Works. This is the kind of talk we like
to hear from candidates for the Speakership.
The man who gets that place will have it in his
power to appoint a committee that will make
honest and efficient inquiry into the grave
charges against Mr.. Thompson, or one which
will show the accused Commissioner undue
favor
The last report is that England has informed
the khedive that it will not attempt to recon-
quer the Soudan, nor allow Egypt to do so but
that there is no objection to any other Powers
assuming the task so long as Tewfik incurs no
expense. This seems to let Turkey in. That is
the only Power which has shown any desire to
undertake the job and pay the cost of it. And
even when the Porte says it will carry on the
war at its own expense it means that it will do
30 if England will make new Turkish loan.
Turkish bonds are not highly esteemed by the
English just now. Until the conditions of the
problem change, therefore, the Mahdi's chances
of holding the SOudan are fair.
The Parisians are wild and foolish with de-
light at the victory of their troops at SOntay.
They speak as if it were a great defeat for the
Chinese and as if it would certainly brighten the
Government at Pekin out of all idea of resisting
the demands of the Republic. The fact is, that
there were only Black Flags and Anamese
troops at Sontay, and as Tseng, the Chinese
Ambassador, points out, his Government has al
ways made a great distinction between an
attack on Sontay and Bac-Ninh. 1t is to be
hoped therefore that III. Ferry's Government
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-24
TRJBITNE TERMS TO MAIL SUBSCRIBERS.

TRIBUNE TERMS TO MAIL SUBSCRIBERS.
Postdqe free in the United States
Year 6Months Months
DAILY with Sunday IS % % 20
DAILY without Sunday. Z 90 "oo 10
SUNDAY TRIBUNE...... %
Remit by Postal Note Money order or Registered Letter
By Postal Note the remteI will please Wrile Oh 'he VVo
''for THE NEw-YoRK TRIBUNE"
BRANCH OFFICES OF THE TRIBUNE.
Advertisements publication THR TRIBUNE and orders
for regular delivery daily will be received inc
following branch Offices in Newly ork City
Main Uptown Of1ce, ,23S Broadway, a. M TO p. m
No 3CS West Twenty -thlrd-st., 10 a. IN TO = p m n
No 760 Thirlaye Forty sevenhst lOa M 10 D. IN
~ 00T Thrlaye near Sixtieth.st 10 q. m. to p IN
No 2DS East One. twentytfthst, 10 p m
Union square, 92 East FOurteenth-st ~ AN 10 III
IN OTHER CITIES
w.surxcroy-1 922 Est LONDoN-26 Bedfori-st Strand
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-24

Evidently this Is not to be a green Christmas
The weather is seasonablc; seasOnable for
enjoyment and health, and certainly cold
enough to make the occupants of warm and
nappy homes think of the poor.
Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1883-03-02
Proceedings OF Congress
FRIDAY.


In the Senate reports on the consular
and Indian appropriation bills were sub
mi'ted agreed To: the naval appropriation
bill was also passed. Utah bill was taken
up. vote on an amendment showed
there was not quorum present. and at
er fruitless efforts 10 secure a quorum the
Senate at o'clock adjourned
In committee OF the whole the House
concluded the sundry civil bill.
SATURDAY
In the Senate the legislative sppropria-
ton bill was amended and passed
In Tho House the sundry civil appropri-
aioa bill was passed.
MONDAY
In the Senate. House bill was passed to
prevent the importation Of sduterated
teas The tariff bill wa. recalled from the
House. certain clerical errors corrected.
and again returned 10 that body.
The House insisted on its amendment
to the postoiice appropriation bill strik
ing out the appropriation of $1S5,000 for
special mail facilities, and another CON
ference committee was ordered Mr.. Reed
called up the rue, allowing the House to
declare Disagreement but not an agree
ment. in regard to the Senate tariff bill. A
long struggle ensued. At 1890 p. ~ a
vote on the resolution resulted yeas 100
nays 20. when the Democrats raised the
point o' NJ quorum, and the House then
by vote of 81 to 90, adjourned, the
Damocra's voting in the affirmative
TUESDAY.
The Senate agreed tn conference on
the tariff bill. and Messrs Sherman. Nor
rill and Aldrich, republicans, and Messrs.
Beck and Bayard, Democrats, were named
as conferees.
In the House. the Republicans succeed
ed in passing the kasson rule, and then
passed resolution CONSTRUCTION by which
the conference committee on the tariff bill
will practically have the double duty of
first deciding whether it ia competent for
them to frame the bill, and the second to
frame one. The House conferees are Has
keli, Mckinley, and Kelley. Republicans.
and Randall and Carlisle. Democrats At
the evening session the House was engag-
ed on the river and harbor bill.
WEDNESDAY.
The Senate adopted resolution ins'ruc-
ting its conference committee on the tariff
70 withdraw in case the House confer.es
are limited by the instructions from the
House. The bill to give increased pen
siOns to disabled soldiers was then taken
up, debated at length and passed
In the House Messrs. Randall. Morrison
and Tucker successfully declined to serve
on the tariff conference. Mr.. Spesr, of
Georgia, was then appointed. The river
and harbor bIl WAS taken up, and Mr.
McLaue spoke strongly in support Of it.
The consideration of the bill was con
cluded in committee, when the House took
recess. At the evening session the
House considered the river and harbor
bill in committee of the whole, but made
but little progress. At 1915 the commit
tee adjourned for want OF quorum.
Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1883-03-02

The race between Allston and Selman
for Di.ty's pace is getting to he lively.
Mr.. Allston. who is qusrtsred at the Ma,
tional Hotel, Washing on. expressed the
utmos' confidence in his success. He
bases his confidence on the endo. semen,
of four Of the five counties in the district.
and says he only lacks Holtou's endorse
ment becaus. he failed To enter the tie d
until Hoton was pledged tn Sellman.
Another cause for Alls,on's confidence may
be discovered in the statement made hy
him that he expec' ed to DC introduced to
the President by Senator German
Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1883-03-02

A correspondent, on the firse page of this
issue gives some very learned investigation
in regard to the antiquity of wine. We
are not much up on the numerous au-
thorties he quotes, but we have no doubt
that the ancients, although they were not
particularly apt at invention, did not al
low so good thing as wine to remain
long undiscovered. All that we have
found time to learn in regard to the anti
guilty of this sparkling beverage, is that
old wine is better than new wine, and
that no wine at all is far better than too
much wine in which opinion our cores
pondent seems, also, to concur.
Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1883-03-02

Rerdell has given much damaging test
imony against the star-route conspirators
and the crass-examination by Mr.. Ingsr-
soil has done little 10 shake its force,
though it has shown that Rerdell is hard
" model for truth and morality. 1t is
said that Mr.. Ingersoll has been almost
inclined to believe that there must of ne
costly exist such place as hell to secure
justice to such men as Rerdel. 1t is said
that Rerdell's testimony will be fully cor
roborated by circumstances and by other
testimony