davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-14

of the actual value of lost vessel shall be re-
coverable by insurance That there is need for
legislation on this head has recently been shown
bv the publication of the statistics of wrecks,
which prove that numbers of these disasters
have occurred within the past year, III which
neglect or fraud, encouraged by over-insurance,
was clearly traceable. All experience in fact,
demonstrates that so long as men can over
insure their ships many will be unprincipled
enough to send unseaw0rthy vessels to sea,
while not q few will sail as close to the penal
law as they dare, in deliberately preparing the
destruction of their vessels after over-lnsuring
them. The temptation presented by insurance
facilities often proves too great for landsmen,
and knowing the magnitude of tho risk OF de-
lection they still resort to arson. But how
much greater must the temptation be in the
case of the ship-owncr, whose property can be
cast away far beyond the pryinG inquisition OF
the marine adiustcr, and who, if he uses Ordi-
nary care, need encounter no risks whatever.
With an old and lCaky ship. indeed, nothing
more is needed than to send her to sea, and then
the chances Of the weather may generally be re-
lied on TO dispose of her.
II is to prevent this kind Of fraud that the
Shipping bill was drawn, and it is difficult to
understand the grounds upon which the British
ship-owners as a body oppose so salutary and
much-needcd a measure. Their position, in
deed, is open TO sharp suspicion. for il renders
them liable to the charge of desiring to main
tain conditions favorable to the VIGOROUSLY
mischievous system of overinsurance. The
situation is the graver inasmuch as this practice
often includes what can only be termed con-
stIrlctive murder For the ship-Owner who
knowingly puts crew aboard an unSeaworthy
vessel and sends her to sea hoping she may
founder, and fully prepared for her laundering,
must be held at least morally responsible for
the deaths Of his employees in the event OF dis
aStcT.
1t is this consideration which insllres the adj
hesiOn of the British public to Mr.. Chamberlain
in his controversy with the ship-Owners. The
latter arc regarded as selfish and greedy
traders, who refuse 10 rclnquish an immoral
and dishonest practice because ii is profitable,
and who are so utterly regardless of the lives OF
scamen that they resent measure one object
of which is the protection of that gallant but
HELPLESS class There can be no doubt that Mr..
Chamberlain has the best of the situation, ana
when the bill is voted upon there can be hardly
any question as to ITS triumphant passage.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-14
grievance. 1t lags supcrauous. 1t is smoking
FENCING IN NEBRASKA.

Several months ago THE TRIBUNE called at
tention to the Irregularities which were being
practsed in Nebraska in relation to the unlaw-
full holding of public lands. Secretary Teller
has now sent to the House special report upon
this question, and the United States surveyor
who makes it represents the case rs being
very aggravated one He says that the whole
of Northwestern Nebraska is occupied by cat
tie men, who have inclosed hundreds OF miles
of the best land with wire fences, including
water-courses and that they deliberately pre-
vent settlement not only by threats, but by
systematic "freezing out" plan applied to all
Door settlers. No poor man can i'll fact hOld
any land in that region, and If such one at
tennis to start in the cattle business for himself
in a small way. he will speedily be crushed.
The surveyor says further that there has been
and is wholesale destruction of valuable timber
on the Government land of this whole region
and that apparently no interference with the
timber thieves has been attempted.
The truth is that number of wealthy cattle
rasers are running" Northwestern Nebraska,
and keeping everybody else out of the country.
Most of them have in their employ score or
two of dare devil cowboys, who will carry out
any high-handed act they are set 70 perform.
If it is necessary TO freeze out small cattle
raiser, they will employ force, or they will fence
in all the neighbOring water-cOurses, so that he
cannot water his stock. Or they will cOOlly build
fence right round him and his stock, and
keep them there until he submits. Then they
| usually take his cattle at valuation, ana ne
leaves the country. The so-caled "big" cattle
men are also organized, and support one
! another and make common cause against out
siders. They view with unconceaed dislike
all Government or local officers having TO 90
with surgical inspection of the stock, and some
times make things very unpleasant for such
persons. They have no mercy upon intending
settlers. and lose no time in shOudering them
out Their money gives them great deal OF
influence, and they appear to be growing bolder
all the time.
Asa matter of fact, the public lands in this
region are no longer open to homestead and
presumption entry. Poor men are not allowed
TO make homes for themselves there. Enor-
nous areas are seized, fenced, and held by
force. without any legal claim, or else bogus
claims are established, often by making the
cowboys file claims in their own names, the
land being of course possessed and used by
their employers. 1t is not that the land laws
have proved ineflicaci0us, but that the remote
ness and sparse population of the region have
enabled a few INSCRIPTIONS men to defy the
laws. But if this part of Nebraska is ever to be
settled. and if all the timber Is not to be de
stroyed, it is evident that Congress must take
some action to vndicate the laws and to pre-
vent the cattle men and their cowboys from
maintaninea wilderness where there ought to
be tlourishng settlements.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-14

year ago. Nevertheless the spectators went
at the market as if it were the easiest thing In
the world to cause a larger consumption OF
cotton by charging more for it, and the price adj
vanced nearly half a cent during the week.
After its drop to about 80 cents, crude oil again
advanced last week, and in this market, as in so
many Others, there was no change of events to
cause the change in pricej it closed at 95i2
cents
The stock market did not keep pace with
these speculations in products. 1he delay in
settling trunk-ln controversies, the reaction in
grain before low prices had time to induce
larger exports, and the rapid OutgO OF gold
without prospect of any wise action by Congress,
all have tended to check investments. Besides,
nearly all active securities have been bonn
barded with unfavOrable reports The current
report that Mr.. Vanderbilt approves and insists
upon the adoption of what is called the Pennsyl-
vania plan of adjustment does not seem TO rem
der its acceptance by other managers more easy
The plan is a bold one it has been called a
virtual consolidation of railroads into one COM
pany and under one management as respects
their competitive traffic. But somebody has
TO manage. and ii is an open question whether
the controlling influence OF one or two OF the
stronger companies will not be so distrusted
by other roads as to prevent agreement on that
basis. But on some basis the roads must agree,
or their securities will seek in the lowest
DEPTHS deeper still
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-14
NETWORK. MONDAY. APRIL IA.
THE NEWS THIS MORNING.

FoRrIGN.-A dispatch from Sontay states that the
Frencl. will enter Hong-Hoa tomorrow GO
proposal for general strike of French miners was
rejected at a meeting i'll Paris yesterday. == Com
lnuuication with Berber has been cut off, - The
death of Henry James Byron. the dramatist is an
nounced. =- Callender's Minstrels were well re-
celved at the HobOrn Theatre i'll London on Satur-
day night.
DoMEs1IC.-DemOcratic leaders in Congress ere
in state Of perplexity respecting profitable
policy; the friends of appropriations for public
buildings are stubborn and the Morrison bill is a
source of much uneasiness. - The Wing Repub-
,icans of Georgia 10 send contcsting deega-
ton to the Republican National Convention. ==
The prospects are good for Blame delegation from
MARYLAND -= At the Lancaster County, Penn
sylvania, Republican primary election. Major
HIestand was nominated for Congress over A. Herr
smith &C. Albert Weed, business man of Bal
tnore has fled to escape arrest on the charge OF
bieamy. -- The bill repeating the local option
feature of the Ohio Scott law has become
law - Fall Rlvor spinners will maintain
their strike. - new airline railroad
from Atlanta to Baltimore, and new road from
Shelby. n. c., to Spartanburg 5. C., are pro-
iected. = The Rev. DR.. Lyman Abbott de-
hyered the opening sermon of the spring term at
Cornell University yesterday. - Leaders of
the workingmen at Pittsburg say that they do not
wish 4 reduction in the tariff = In fight be-
tween citizens and escaped prisoners in Arkansas
one of the latter was killed and several were
wounded
CITY AND SUBURBAN.-Large congregations filled
the churches at the Easter celebrations yesterday.
49, Mabee and English began a series of meet
ings in Plymouth Church. Brooklyn. 60 c. +.
Haller, of Providence jumped from the Nara
gansett and was drowned - Felix Adler
discussed the homes of the well-to-do class. -
Over thirty ball-pIayers were arrested IN Jersey
City
The WEAIHER-TRIBUNE local observations in
dictate clear or fair and warmer weather, followed
by increasing cloudneSs aud chances of rain. Tem-
perature Yesterday; Highest. So; lowest A.;
average $685..
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-14

the British Agricultural Commission some years
ago concluded the actual cost Of raising wheat was
about 80 cents busbe The railroads can better
afford to transport it from these distant farms to
the sea coast at % cents bushel than hot to
transport Ii at ALL and IL will be time before
actual inability TO grow wheat for 81 per bushel at
the coast will cause any decline In production.
THE CoKE CONFERENCE.-The first advance IN
rates by tho ring was followed by stoppsgc OF 10
per cent of the ovens until further orders, and all
the ovens were also shut down one day The CAM
bra Iron Company, not liking to be dependent
upon this ring, has been carefully examining
mine property with view to purchase.
PASSENGER TRAVEL HERE AND IN PRUssIA.-Tbs
report of the Prussan railways for the year ending
with April, 1885, comes pretty late-just as our
own railway reports wOuld if we relied upon the
General Government to make them. The Prussian
system 5000 miles, aud The Railroad Gazette
in an interesting article compares its passenger
traffic with that of thirteen of the Oldest aud most
prosperous roads in this country. which operate
$40 miles, most of them being in NewEngland.
OF trunk lines TO the West. The Prussian system
carried 2197 million passengers one mile; the So
lected American roads 2, sol million passengers ono
mile The average on the Prussian system was
33412 passengers each way daily for the whole sys
tenn; the average the American lines was 3s6
each way daily. II is hardly necessary 10 add that
these roads far exceed the average for all roads in
this country which, according 10 the census, was
only 9S passengers each way daily But the Prussisn
roads, traversing an old and thickly populated
country, can be properly compared only with the
few most favored roads in the older States OF the
Union. The rates on the Prussan roads averaged
a shade less for second class (2.21 cts. per mile)
than the average for all passenger traffic in this
country l2.33 cts per mile But only One-fifth OF
the entire passenger traffic in Prussia was first
or second class; over two-ffths was third-class.
and twO-ffths more made up Of fourth-ciass
passengers and soldiers. Considering the accommo-
dations afforded passengers it cannot be said that
the Prussan rates are relatively the lower.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-14
Nmusemenis Co. Niqbt.

1CHpTMY OF MusIc-s-"Iinda al Chsmouni'
BIyou OPERA HoUsE-S-"L La Nie."
CAsINO-S-" Ealka-"
CHIcHFRING HALL-6-Concert.
DAYS THEATRES" Red Letter Nights .
GnASpOrrR. HoUsR-s-" The Silver King"
MInisoS S,uARE GARDEN-2 and S-Barnum's Circus
MADISON sOCARE THgATRE-S:3O-"May BLOSSOM
NIpI o's G kRDrN-s--" Lady Clare
NFw PARK TVFATKE-S-" Stolen Money"
SrFINwAY HAIL-S-CoDcert.
STap THr ATpF-s--" Much Ado About Nothing"
Tur ATRF CoNoUF--S--" Dams TribulatiOns"
'ru,ITI Tar ATRf-S--" Eine 1eicnte Person"
roNY PAsToRs THEATRE-S-" A Rag Baby"
an AVENUE THRATRF-S-"Orpheus and Eurldyce."
UNION SQUARE THFATRE-s-r"T The Fatal Letter"
vAIIACKs THEATRE--S-" Betsy" ..,
SIN AVENUE THEATRE-S--" skipped by the Light OF the
MOOR"
14TH STREET THF.TRE--S-"1he Pavements OF PBr1s'
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-14
A sFRGFANTs REPORT.

Captain A. s. wHiams 7tccnty-ntnm P'ecinet-I haves
sergeant who good and quick eyesas any man on
the ferce sent him with detail OF TO report TO tho
proprieor Of the Eden Musee Twsntythrdst on tho
OF the opening Of the waIwork exhibition there. He
saw the gentleman sitting on platform pointing to
part Of room and supposng be directing some Of
his worken In disposition OF part Of the satuary.
the sergeant waited before interrptng the old
gentleman. Then he grew impatient and said to him.
.whero do you want these men statonedr' The man
was so preoccupod that did tbs sergeant
who then repeated his question s getting reply he
took hold OF the outsrsched before him and said,
whats the matter with youi" Then the grinaces OF
his squad OF the worknsn In the building told him
that he WAS reporting to figure The joke was too
coed to keep and the sergeant reported HE bandsr
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-14
NOTES ABOUT IYDCSTR Y And TRADE.

WEST VIRGINIA Coke AND COAL.-StagnatiOn in
the iron business during the past year has had only
this effect, apparently, upon the New-Riyer coke
producing region, that further development was for
a time arrested. But about 500 coke ovens are in
blast, including the eighty ovens at Hawks
nest, which were stopped by an accident about
year ago. but have recently been providing coke for
the great Victoria furnace at Goshen. Now, with
prospect of reduced production and larger cost IN
the Conceivable region, new developments are IN
nrogress again OH the New River. At Beury, Coo
per X Co.'S mine men are laying sixty beehveovens;
the output of coal is 1000 tons month, and the
miners receive 45 cents ton. At some other mines
IN the region so cents is paid. At the Gauley Noun
tains also, different coal seam has been opened,
o feet thick, where 100 now employed.
improvements are in progress at NuttalPs mine, No.
l, where ffty-three coke ovens are at work. The
Low Moor Iron Works supplied from the New
River mines and the Longdale furnaces have their
own ovens while furnaces at Ironto wn, Ohio still
use fuel from this region. and the of it at var-
GUS manufacturing points at the West Is steadily
increasing.
ANTHRACITE FRRIGHTs.-The Erie Railway has
cut coal rates from 81 80 TO 81, while the Buffalo
New-York and Philadelphia refuses 10 go below
81 10 The Delaware and Hudson Canal is open
and the rates are 20 cents, the same as last year.
but the boatmen say they cannot possibly get de-
cent living at that rate. The company controls oyer
500 boats, and has only 10000 tons on docks at
Honesdae The Pennsylvania Canal from Nanti-
coke southwark is Open and the Susquehanna Coal
Company made a heavy shipment last week to
Havre de Grace.
ONE DOLLAR RAuROADs-Thero seems to DO An
idea In some minds that the leading railroads OF the
country have been capitalized upon the basis OF $l
per buslel for wheat, that they are going to be
ruined il the farmers find themselves unable to sell
their wheat for 81 per bushel This is renewal OF
the old but never particularly successful attempt TO
make public prosperity seem reason for consider
ing securities worthless. The fact that thecountry
persists in growing with wonderful rapidity Is an
uncomfortable one for those who make living out of
public misfortunes and the effort to flank that fact
In some way has been often made. not often with
brilliant results II the country sees the average
price of wheat fall below 81 ID will necessarily be
because vast quantity of wheat is produced But
vast quantity OF wheat will not be produced unless
there Is market for il and ut prices remunerative
to producers. II the wheat is produced and mar
keted vt all the railroads will have to transport
a large part of it, aud il the conditions change 90
that tho farmers cannot sell q large quantity OF
wheat at tho current price, they viii inevitably
raise less until the price rises. But II would be as
well not TO forget that the main increase In wheat
| growing has been In the far-westcrn REGIONS when
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-14

had to neglect his fires and that thls Is 'he
case in most large apartment houses IN new
York. No evidence in support OF these s'a'e-
ments was given but if what these men say Is
true here il a serious matter. In "hre-prool
flats" which are not freprOof 1t is OF especlal
importance that the engine fires in the basement
shall have somebody's undivided attention.
The market for rents is not in condition 10
give unalloycd qualification to all landlords.
First-class Offices and business places COM
mand their prices; but anything less than first
class is not so easily rented at high figures
Expensive houses and apartments are not III
eager demand, while there there is constant
inquiry for medium and low-priced dwellings
and flats. Ofthese the supply seems large and
increasing This feature of the market Is a
cause for satisfaction. 1t is a good thing Tor
any city to be able to furnish people OF mod
crate means with comfortable homes. Inc
larger this class is in any community the better
the municipal government is apt to be, for the
citizens who compose it generally show more
active interest in public affairs than the very
rich or the very poor.
Unless Mr. Morrison has changed his mind
since Saturday he will call up the Tariff bill IN
the House tomorrow; but the probabilities are
that the measure will not be considered long.
Mr. Randall will oppose it, and he has fifty
Democrats who will help him. 1t is to be
hoped he will succeed and that the matter VIII
be disposed of then and there. If he needs any
help outside his own party the Republicans
ought to give it promptly. family quar-
rel among the Democrats over the bill
would be amusing perhaps; but the business
interests of the country would be further dis
turbed by even a short debate on the tariff, and
the responsibility for this is something the Re-
publican party does not want to bear. The Re-
publican Representatives, therefore, should 0p-
pose the Morrison bill at every step.
The Democrats will hardly be able to make
their cry of Economy and Reform partc-
ularly elective in the approaching National
canvass. Mr.. Randall tried to add to its force
by cutting down the appropriations for the pos
tai service and he may do more in this line in
some of his other appropriation bills but at
present it looks as if his efforts would be
wasted. The Committee on Public Buildings
and Grounds now has grip on the House.
which its members evidently do not mean to
loosen until their fifty favorite measures,
appropriating about eight millions for public
buildings in various parts of the Union, have
been considered. Moreover, the pension bills
already passed, and the River and llarbor jobs
vet to be brought forward, do not SAVIOR much
of economy. The pension bills if they should
finally become laws would take from eighty to
one hundred millions from the Treasury, and the
rcpairs and improvements on creeks and small
rivers, il is said will call for twelve millions
more. 1t is not likely that the Senate will APP
prove all this proposed expenditure; but the
Democrats will certainly get the discrcdit they
deserve for having proposed it,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-14
MR. cBAMBERLAIPS SHIPPING BILL.

1t appears that the British ship-owners refuse
to accept any compromise, but insist on the
withdrawal Of Mr.. Chamberlain's Shipping bill.
This he will not consent TO- and if the bill is not
crowded out its passage is probable. The OPP
position of the ship-owners to this measure Is
not altogether creditable to them. The purpose
of the bill is to diminish the number of prevent
able wrecks bY providing that no sum i'll excess
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-14
WORK AMONG THE FREEDMEN.

The Rey. O. D. Pike, secretary Of The Home Missionary
Assoea ionoss OF the facts that presses ITSELF most
perssently upon our attention In the work among tho
freedmen OF tho South the rapid increase OF the colored
population. There IL increase OF 500 day
In the United States noary 100000 year. ofeourss
our sorts chiefly educational Tho most urgent need
these upettsred coored people in the old slave states
intelligent young preachers to take the place Of the DO
yout but ignorant aud supcrsous old eoored
Of tho past, mos, Of whom cannes reAa A"ora OF 'hs
Bible and who preach the most extraordinary dscourses
ana doctrines nom sti extraordinary texta Tho
mass Of the ooored people want the younger educated
ministers II they can get them and can get rid Of
ones. recently asked deacon 0f church h Alabama
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-14
ON ALTERING STANDARD PLAYS.

With references to Mr.. Bancroft's revival Of
Sheridans comedy of 1.-The Rivals" at the London
Haymarket Theatre, much solcitude has been ex-
pressed, by various newspaper writers IN that
capital lest there should be any tamporng with
the text of that sacred production. Mr. Bancroft
soothes this anxiety by stating that no word OF the
text will be changed and that he has only yenured
to make few transp0stiOns, in order to Obvlate
the necessity for dozen changes Of scene. when
Mr.. Jefferson adapted this comedy, few seasons
since and brought it forward here for a long and
successful run "A similar apprehension, not to say
holy horror. was expressed as to the liberties he
had taken with the sacred text of Sheridan Mt.
Jefergon's version however, was found to he free
from several tedious elements of the original
falkland and JuEa for example, who are ." sticks"
unless PLAYED by first-class actors. MIR. Bancroft,
we OF. serve, plays Falkland; but, on the American
stage il would be very difficult to find an actor OF
Mr. Bancroft's ability and rank who would be
willing to act this part.
Those parts of plays which are not absolutely
essential may well be spared, unless they can be
done perfectly well. The last of the four great
solioqmes of Hamlet is invariably omitted; and
no one of Shakespeares plays is ever acted,
or ever ought to be acted, exactly,
as it stdnds-because there are lines that cannot be
spoken and because the necessity of certain other
lines is obvated by the resources of modern stage
scenery Az to THE Rivals the author himself
would probably, have been the first to approve OF
any changes that might improve its effect. Sherl-
dan, as we know on the authority OF his friend
Lady Cork (qnOtcd by MoOro), ALWAYS said that
The Rivals was one of the worst plays In the
language, and he would give anything If ne had
not written il
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-14
uONFY AND BESINESS.

The egregious blunder made in the bank
statement of the 9Th instant when disclosed
on Saturday, put a new face on the statements
for the past two weeks. 1t appears that the
Park Bank put in its specie as legal tender, and
its legal tender az specie and the Clearing
House people in some incOnceivable way never
noticed Il discrepancy so remarkable, though
that return and those preceding contrastcd