davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-24

one, for which he may wish an official ana au-
thoritative statement Of this opinion. lie may
with entire propriety communicate IL W Con
gress, earnestly recommending suspension Oh Sill
yer coinage and of the issue Of silver certificates
before this session ends. The Secretary has
properly and wisely recommended such "c.ioh
in official reports, but these have been Ioreotten
in the pressure of business after a session mas
begun. His recommendations have been relter-
ated with earnestness by Mr.. Burchard, Director
of the Mint, whose zeal for RECOMMENDATION OF
silver was conspicuous when he was member
of Congress, and who now urges suspension OF
coinage, not as believer in a gold standard,
but because he sees that continued coinage OF
silver by the United States is the greatest OBJ
stacle to international efforts for the remonet-
cation of silver.
A bill for suspension of coinage Is now about
to be considered in Congress. 1t would be
most timely and appropriate IL the Secretary of
the Treasury should earnestly urge favorable
action thereon. In some special communication
to Congress, the Secretary could appropriately
set forth the opinion of the business men OF this
city, as officially expressed through the Clear
ing House. and the reasons given for appre-
hending great disaster if the Government
should ever he compelled to refuse payments in
gold. Unless members are altogether reckless,
they will not lightly incur the responsibility of
producing such a disaster.
The emergency though it might arrive this
very year, does not now seem at all near at
hand. The Treasury has in hand 1924, 172,OS6
in gold coin and bullion, against which there
are outstanding S1,5O9.450 in gold certif-
Gates, leaving over $142, 100000 in gold
available for other obligations of the Govern
ment. Though $4,000 900 should be taken
from the Treasury by some unforeseen foreign
demand-and circumstances do not now indi-
cate that any such demand is probabe-the
Government would still be able to meet all its
obligations in gold But it is not the less prop
er for the Secretary to urge immediate provis-
ion to avoid disaster which may come when
it is least expected, and which must come
sooner or later if the coinage of superfluous
silver continues.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-24
THE POTTER OF CHARACTER.

Last week the cable brought glowing pic
ture from the heart of Africa. One unarmed Eng
lshman, who had trayersed without guard
thousand miles of desert beset with foes, drew
near city where weak Egyptian garrison trem-
bled at vague rumors of the approach OF many
thousand savage warriors. "The natives went
tout by the thousands to meet him, and Kissed
"his feet, and hailed him Sultan of the Soudan.
And he answered, come without soldiers, Cod
"ading, to redress the evils in the SOudan. L
"wll not fight with any weapon but justice.
aThere shall be no moro BazOuks." "lhen
Gordon publicly burned at Khartoum the tax
"bOoks, the whips and the whipping posts"
At his word Central Africa is revolutionized.
Cairo telegraphs to London: The influence OF
Gordon with the Arabs rs so great that
sKhartoum is now safe without troops" The
rescue that all England could not have given In
time was brought by one man armed with
Justice only. Before him, Egyptian greed and
oppression, and Moslem fanaticism, alike
shrink back. "The Arabs say" dispatch
reads, that Gordon gives them more than FL
Mahdi could offer" These are savages. But
even with them, one man who speaks truth, and
docs Justice, and breaches Christianity In his
acts, proves more powerful than all armies.
This century has not presented grander
sight. The lofty courage of the man, and his
sublime reliance upon simple justice and his
own proved character to sway the acts OF
multitudcs-how they contrast with the bonn
bardment of Alexandria When has there been
q finer exhibition of moral pOwerP -Four years
had elapsed since he had been in Central Africa.
When he started, England trembled for his
life; "thc natives would probably have
forgotten him." No. Justice is so rare thing
that Africa does not forget it. This man had
once ruled in the Soudan with such wisdom and
such goodness that his word has power. There
shall be no more BazoukS." The day OF the
hreIings and plunderers, who rob once Tor the
Khedivo and twice for themselves, is over
Only one man had the power to make England
comprehend that this was the thing necessary
in the Soudan. Happily for her own honor
England had sent that man to make justice
supreme, and, though the right thing was
tardily done, it was done at last.
Had Gordon and Justice gone earlier to the
Nile, brave men need not have died. 1t must
remain a reproach to the British Government
that it did not take. months ago, the one step
that was necessary to restore peace III the
Soudan. Greed and cruelty, plumber and
crime, have been tolerated too long under the
shelter of the British flag. For it has been true
ever since Arab first revolted that England
has been responsible for what happened in
Egypt and in tho SOudan. The responsibility
is now acknowledged; and Christian nations
may well rejoice that England at last honors
the Christian faith by sending truth and justice
to the Moslem world.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-24
ILLITERACY AND EDUCATION.

REPRESENTATIVE Willis has prepared n table
showing the extent of illiteracy in the Union, as
an aid to his bill providing for Federal assist
ance to education. His table shows that in the
thirty. eight States there are 1,S71 PIT Hitter
ate voters. The proportion Of these u.s. of course,
largest in the South though many Northern
and Western States show iliteratc majOrities.
But while it may be desirable to extend and
fortify the existing system of public education,
it is not safe to trust too implicitly to the sur
face indications of such tabular exhibits. Too
much stress may easily be put upon the signfi
canoe of the division into literatc and illterate
classes. In the past we have been apt TO reason
as though reading and writing made all tho
difference between civilization and barbarism.
But experience teaches that ilitcracy may CO.
exist with strong intelligence, with sound pa
triotism, with thrift and temperance, with
enterprise and inventive genius in short, with
all the highest and most essential virtues of
citizenship. In the same way experience teaches
that litcracy may cO-eXist with weak intelli-
gepce, absence of patriotism, prOneness to law
lessness, social bgotry and prejudice and most
of the defects and vices which tend to check
progress.
Iliteracy in the South Is Of two kinds that
of the negroes and that of the "pOOr whitesn
and that of the "poor whites" is the worst, be-
cause it goes with a voluntary degradation. The
Southern negro, however. Is ambitious Give
him the opportunity and he will elevate him.
self. The subsistence question does not retard
this class. 1t needs mostly intellectual stimu-
lus The same may be said of the iliterate
class in the rural districts of the North and
West 1t Is not the struggle for existence that
holds them back, but probably Indifference due
to want of reflection. The most difficult prob
lem is that of the urban iDiterate, and this can
only be e1ectually solved by such measures as
recognize the necessity of putting tho body at
ease before ministering to the mind. To talk
of education to people who cannot with all their
efforts appease the pangs of hunger, must be
mockery. But if perception of the breadth of
this question leads to an admission that there
are things more dangerous than inability to
read and write, and things which much more
urgently demand reform, tho public discussion
of the subject will have produced some good re-
sults
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-24
PERSONAL.

Cambridge University Is about to erect roons.
ment TO the memory Of the poet Gray.
The Rev. Edward Selkirk has retired from the
rectorshp of Trinity p. Il. Churcb, Albany, after
holding it successfully for forty years. 1t was his
first last and only charge, and he will spend the re-
mainder of his life rector emeritus OF the parish
Mrs. John Jacob Aston passed comfortably night
and felt little improved yesterday, though she is
still in critical condition DR.. Barker or his as
sistant is in constant attendance. and DR.. Harkje
is called in daily for consultation.
Wlkie Collins recently strayed into London
theatre where 1.-THE New Msgdalen" was being
played, the ushers whispered the fact among the
audience and there was An unanimous call for
I" the author" which only ceased when the famous
novelist reluctantly appeared on the stage, blush.
and bowling.
The Nawsb Mir Laik Ali, eldest son of the lats
Sir Saar Jung, who has just been appointed by tho
Nizam to he his Dewan, Prime Minister Ia proba-
bly, the youngest occupant of such an office in the
world, being only twenty years Of age. He 10 q
youth Of gigantic physical frame pleasing manners
and high intellectual culture.
James A. Burden has been confined to his bed for
about ten days suffering from stroke Of spoplexy
which he received while at the Union Club. Part Of
the time he has been unconscious, though he has
rallied so as TO be able to give directions regarding
his business at Troy. Dr. MarkOe attends him. His
condition was unchanged yesterday.
There is an indication Of Sir Stafford Northcotes
decline and Lord Randolph Churchips rise as Con-
sentative leader in the British House Of Commons
in recent Punch cartoon entitled :" All In TO be-
gin" The central figures are Mr. Gladstone and
Lord Churchill engaged in personal contest and no.
where in the surrounding throng Is Sir Stafford TO
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-24

many men Of science, and with apparent reason.
It may be that we shall never attain such knowl-
edge concerning the formation OF whirlwlnds,
tornadoes and cyclones as will enable us to
avoid their destructive effects, but 1t is GER
tainly not unreasonable to expect that meteoro-
logical science may some day be able to give
such local warnings in these cases as VIII pre-
vent the sacrifice Of life which has hitherto been
their worst accompaniment 1t is also possible
that careful examination of the abnormal
weather of the present year over large areas may
afford data for new and more conclusive theo-
ries in regard TO the relations between sun
spots and tclluric phenomena.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-24
TALKS ABOUT TOM.
NEW WEEKLY WANTED.

A NEW WEEKLY WANTED.
Joseph ~ H0per, jr., publishcr-Tbe reading publis
absorbs its present supply OF periodicals and calls for
more. There Is at this moment demand for broad
gagged liberal and hig-toE.d organ Of opinion, NOT
erode partisan but above parties and concerning itself
with the science Of government and the economic future
Of the American people. Let IL correspond If please
with tho great English weeklie, or fortnghtlies that
have for their clientele thpse who make politics bust
That class IS increasing In this country. Its
representative rapidly obtaining recognition
abroad They bsing recruited from our young men.
students and professors in colleges and universities
splendid evidence Of progress When the youth o.
country begin tho serious study Of its politics It
reform wiser laws and home government. The editor OF
such an organ VIII not % denogcgue or the mouth
Piece Of clique section, but student Of history ard
ALTERS, keen, eclectic and catholic.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-24
TIE QUESTION ABOUT SILVER PAYMENTS

TIE QUESTION ABOUT SILVER PAYMENTS
1t may be presumed that Assistant Treasurer
Acton acted upon official instructions, when he
injured of Clearing House Manager Camp
in regard to the effect of silver payments
through the Clearing House. But the alarmiSts
who, for tho sake of influence OH the stock
market, or for other purposes, strive TO create
the impression that the inquiry is prelude to
settlements in silver by the Treasury, have en-
tirely misunderstood OF misIeprescntcd the
matter. 1t is safe to say that the inquiry has
very different meaning and points to a different
result.
Mr.. Acton is personally well acquainted with
the leading bankers in this city, meets them
in daily Intercourse, and has not the least Occa-
sion to go to the Clearing House for information
on the matter in question, unless that infOrma-
ton was desired for official use. The Secretary
of the Treasury, too, il he is conscious Of any
lack Of information on the subject, certainly
knows just when to get it, and has such personal
relations with prominent bankers and business
men of this city that he could obtain all desired
information without difficulty. But the opinion
of individuals, which Secretary Folger might
accept with entire confidence as an expression
of the judgment of the business community,
might not be SO accepted by others, If Secrc-
tary FOlger has caused inquiry to be made it is
therefore presumably becase he wishes IN official
and authoritative statement of the judgment of
the bankers Of New York, through their organi-
cation.
Mr.. Folger must know without asking what
that judgment is in regard to payments in
silver We assume that he is not ignorant; that
lie knows it to be the almost unanimous opinion
OF business men and bankers that commercial
disaster of the worst aud most extraordinary
kind would instantly aud inevitably follow
refusal OF the Government TO pay gold OH de-
mand. There Is one purpose. and we see only
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-24
rKE srEAKER ON 1EE ROOsEvELV BILL
BITS OF CRITICISM.

FANNY KEMBLE's VERsEs-AND SONE OTHER
MODERS PoETRY.-1ke volume Is Zee OF those manner
I Ea@s 1Rq 3 T e se ehd. but who do
for the healthy and HUI purpose evident IN s kon'
sers in yels. WHO :tn1d Ga ptoe their
thros TO slug OF poison ,ao esrns tue o 'S
tenon. Inspid may be the decen! dress snd calm
faces Of our s%s9 S nS1 %G 1 sscd a. Ps
by our dilettantis,-l Inc loudon spectator.
To TIE AUTHOR OF "THE MuLIosAIRG."-
The author we feel sire, might write good story no
wod keep TO far lower level We call % miei the "a
mr. snferimo The Upiyersity "Keer iuy lad" said
prudent Old friend, "to tb. family tailor" in IKE man
n-r let the author keep the people with Whom nc
writers like him pasA Their tine aat h's 10 nSe ~ ia
with Prime MlLisiers.and miulOnnaieSf Nhr .s
he come these famous solicitors or .o
thrift who owes two thou9and penn Is Io ad mise bis
Let him .e Of DIX Tom aud H5tty, a. wear "a
hero and heroine comioctaee On ers nrey st5r-Ths
Saturday Review.
Oe Cow1ry, AND OLA GREAT TRUIuIhe,
too was IN certain sense rear sna "a, rssda nin,
put lie 9au ns better verses boy than almost aly
other tnfsnt prodigy that over n1etc pS W. I,ns ~
cary nnsic: md In his maturity the philosophical
Sowsr OF his mind aud the insensi WIN Snet NC
pon Of MI his contemporaries who had any regard f0r
literature at all There IL no more remaIkabe l,shvo
~ i've must sbine not with the "dry light" OF the inte-
iect but the warm glow Of human eaouon'-lAhe Lou
don Times.
TIE ARTIST IN LIrERATURE.--lt may Do
said that the great mistake those who write oil 9tss
@ OF I'M ihe qualities or defects supposed 10
belong To them as class. aud the exclusion OF All tno
and habits which exist IN man anu AsAs
The common method is TO huddle together re" OF ZIG
noyelsts properties" bind Them round Win Set1Sia
tress OF speech and push the scareeIoN an3as
BIT and label il pauter" 80 long as there are PLENTY
OF pipes and pewters Incident and character viii
nfile Really II would a. II, 10 produce Al atiss
twaoI after all, is primarily man II were eS0Ssh -
follow some such recepe this 10 lazy atnIso "a
a fne old crused somtreroi lean The mixture Ap 10
posts" and sur up aspesoh when required. IN syery
years dummy Of this sort wac KEPT On s.ty sa;.
ned Why should the writing wd have esayea !" Wv
better 1.-THE Magazine OF Ar.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-24

the Philadelphia, tho Newark, the New-York,
the New York East and the New-England con-
ferences may change the present outlook some
what, or rather show more clearly who the third
and fourth men, il four should be elected, are
likely to be. The two men whose election
seems to be generally expected are DR.. John III.
Vincent, the Sunday School Secretary, and
President Ninde, Of the Northwestern Uniyer-
sity, at Evanston, Ill. DR.. Vincent is widely
known as having done more to perfect the pres
ent Sunday School system than any other man,
but he is more widely known as the originator
and manager of the Chautauqua Assembly, and
of tho manifold interests which centre in that
enterprise, lie has an unusual degree Of ex-
ecutiye ability; though Jealous Methodist he
delights in fraternizing with other denOmina-
tions, by whom he is held in high esteem; and
his success in the pulpit and on the platform is
such that he rarely breaches or lectures without
q large and interested audience. President
Ninde is chaste and pleasing speaker, man
of dignity of character and a successful educa-
tor. Both DR.. Ninde and DR.. Vincent are in the
prime of vigorous manhood
Among others who are mentioned are Presl-
dent Butte and Professor Upham, of Drew
Theological Seminary, DR.. j. NJ. Buckley of The
Christian AdrOoGte, DR.. A. s. Hunt, OF the
American Bible Society, and DR.. w. F. MALTA
lieu, of Boston. If DR.. Vincent is made bishop,
it is highly probable that DR.. j. l.. Hurlbut, of
Plainfeld n. j., will succeed him as secretary
of the Sunday School Union. The editors and
book agents and missionary secretaries will prob
ably be reelected.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-24
A COOL wiNrEe IN TIE SOUTHWEST.

GeHtFai LOnaOck,--IAe weather a. usually very mild
scG pleasant In lowcr California, Arizona and eIas.
which vs;oo dursg my recent trip But this has 5on
Az exceptionally cool winter down there We found ths
heavy clotailg which leaving New-YerA ioas
too i.1yy Ter their climate.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-24

Perhaps che sightssath century slummsrs" were
not prudent enough to conceal their wn prosperity,
Nowadays the ladies who visit tho slums vSaf
mackintosbss With hoods. TO cover their band,o.as
drosses and hide their diamonds
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-24

Manitoba is giving the Canadian Government
good deal of trouble. The demand of the
settlers for a separation from the Dominion
bas been a subject of discord for some time /;
and now the Indians have added to the troubles
Of the Government by Selling the stOrebouses.
The Irish agitators have been blamed for en-
couraging the settlers; but that will hardly
serve as an excuse for the difficulty with the
Indians. The fact Is that the Canadian Gov
eminent is trying to spread itself over too
much territory.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-24

The cable system of operating street railways
has proved highly beneficial in San Francisco.
and It ia to be hoped that it may be used advan-
tageonsy in this city. If all the routes laid out
by the Rapid Transit Commission are occupied
by cable roads, according to the plans adopted
yesterday, the city will have an opportunity to
test the system in the most thorough manner.
Numerous surface and elevated roads, to be-
operated on this cable traction plan, have been
decided upon. No one company ought TO be
permitted to occupy so many streets, and TO
have such All extensive control over the rapid
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-24

If Governor Cleveland has any information
to sustain his assertion that the Harbor Masters
have not been recently performing the duties
Of their Office. lie ought to produce Il, after the
testimony taken on that subject yesterday by a
Senate committee. The evidence goes to prove
that the HaTbor Masters have discharged the
duties Of their Office since Nay "a, 1888, the
ea,ne as before that date. The statement of the
Dock Commissioners that the men named by
them at $1,000 year each have been doing the
work is apparently without Foundation. twas
probably made to excuse the excessive salaries
paid to the whar6ngers.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-24
TFNEMENy.HoCsE REFORM.

Colonel EmmOns clark, secretary Board u Heath--
have lot seen Professor Adler about tenement
house reform But In the last three years the improve
r1en in tenement dwellings ha. been very great 1t has
owing 10 the passage Of law about three year. ago
which requires tbs submission to the Board Of Health Of
plan Of every proposed telemeEthouse OF course the
Board passes the matters Of air. yeitilaton eesi'
ness etc. leaving the Bureau Of Buildings ~ consider
ether questions, of strength safety, etc TIE Older ciac
ofteaonents are being gradually weeded ont new build
lngs taxing their places Tho old tenements were orig
lnAy residences and changed first into liars and
taen divided INTO tenemenh0uses of the most misersos
character. TeAemeEts have improved Immensely In
the last ten years. but the improvement has been csehy
IN the last three years, as have said do not think II
practicable to remove the tenementholse population
from Neayork. The tenants won't CO. They are COM
PEELED TO lie ner the places which they employed
They osuoot afford either the expense the time 20
into country The reform Is to improve their city
dwellings That improvement must be compulsory Lsnd-
lords will not d)it yOunGsrs The majority OF tenants
annot aud oms Will not insist any Improvement
You can take a. 10 The bathhouse, but you cannot
max. him wash himself There many vicious persons
In tenenenthouses who will not keep Clean and these
often put OF the o. Others In the sane quar-
ters to maintain cleanliness. The powers which will oSn
pei reform far 1t pOssibs 10 compel Is VIII be ;hs
Health Board and Bureau 0; Bldings-the looking
health and oer the SAFETY ottLe occupants
EXTENSION OF THE STEAM HEATING SYSTEM.
" u
Compony We now have steam laid through over hye
miles ostrees Weare Broad Wall and Broadway prn-
cipally. The system is gradually and surely extending
Eventually every 20 building in the city will be heated
On this Plan. II Is only question OF time when tho
Government will ind 1t economical TO heat their buildings
from system.
THE CAUSE OF TIE DECLINE ~ PETROLEUM.
Henry H. Truman, steck-Oroker.-Wbat Ia the cause OK
tss recen. decGs the price Of petroleum do you ask
am told on good authority that It is dus principally 70
the unprecedented yield Of oil wells IN krssa. Tho
81 oil which has osen thrown upon the uat-eta
Europe has effect OF pushing down tie market
here widearske capitalists Ia Russia have oe'n put
ting up renneries oil districts, and dom al IA
their power TO develop large Continental trade.
THE SPEAKER on Ire ROOSEVELT BILL.
Speaker Shcdrd-The only important news from Aisny
is the passage Of the New>York Dill iu the house me
adv!ces are that 1t will pass the Senate. What wiz the
vote be That say. Ihaye full faa that WI
have majority. 1t msy possibly bss largo oae, bat 10
viii certainly be enough 1t ought TO pass. shall q,
ali can TO secure its passage.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-24

If it should turn out to be true that the
Democratic National Committee has influenced
fits party in the House to postpone action on the
Morrison tariff bill, there will be 10 great sur
prise. Chairman Barnum is an accomplished
dodger; though on that question he is not In
advance of his party. If his committee has ad-
vised that the Morrison bill be defeated it
ought to have credit for good common sense at
least
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-24

1t is expected that the English Government
will assent in the Commons to the Duke of
Richmond's bull excluding foreign live stock.
The measure is practically one for protection,
and receives its strength from the demands of
agricultural classes. If the farmers are pro-
tected, other interests will have to BIO consid-
cred. This threatens danger to the Free Trade
cause,