davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Morning journal and courier., 1884-03-12
THE FREE SCHOOL BOOK SYSTEM

THE FREE SCHOOL BOOK SYSTEM. One of the questions now before the Mas saohusetts legislature and also prominent in other places is whether children in the public schools shall be provided with books paid New York, the free book system has been in operation for some time. There had been in Brooklyn, as there is in most cities half way sort of a free book system, whereby those parents who were willing to make ap- plication to the principals of the schools in writing, stating that they were too poor to pay for their childrens books, were furnished with them free. But this system was con- sidered unsatisfactory, inasmuch as it created class distinction in the schools, whereby those children whose parents were unable to buy their books were looked upon as paupers by those whose parents were more fortu- nately situated in that respect. Besides, 1t was found that in many cases the system worked 8 palpable injustice not only to poor peopls-that is, those who were actually too poor to buy books for their children without taking from them the money they needed to buy them bread to est end clothes to wear
 
 in many cases those of the really deserving poor, of the class mentioned, were too proud to proclaim themselves beggars, and thus subject themselves to contumely and their children to the scorn of their more wealthy schoolmates. They refrained, therefore, from applying for free books, and either kept their children from school, or distressed themselves and deprived their families of many of the neces- saries of life in order to put them on level with the children of their more fortunate neighbors, while many of those parents who were abundantly able to buy books for their children demanded them free, on the ground that they were taxpayers and were therefore entitled to them.
 These and other considerations led majority of the board of education to decide to try the free book system. Under this system all the books in all the schools of Brooklyn are stamped with the words Property of the Board of Education" and also bear label which saya that they are "loaned" to those who use them and that if careIessly injured or msliciously destroyed they will have to be paid for, and that when done using them the children to whom they are loaned must return them to the Board The books and supplies are apportioned pro rata among the schools, according to the number of scholars, and the principals draw against their several accounts as they require them. The books are charged to the princi- pals and they render their accounts at stated
Morning journal and courier., 1884-03-12

hand the next day, when 1t could be divided. All the boys were to poison their mothers in the evening" and morning was to find them far away. No doubt they would have carried ont their diabolical plot but for one small seven-year- old youngster who was afraid his mother would suffer too much. The cap- tain, to satisfy him, agreed to try the poison on the servant girl first, and, if she died easily, then the mother must follow. The servant girl happened to overhear the agree ment and informed the boys parents. who promptly spanked them until they saw the error of their ways.
Morning journal and courier., 1884-03-12

intervals. giving the details of what have been disposed of and what remain on hand.
 The friends of the free book system in Brooklyn declare that its value has been amply demonstrated. It has certainly made the school system more systematic. Mayor Low is reported as approving 1t.
Morning journal and courier., 1884-03-12
Captain Mary on Deck.


 Her Futile Attempts Master the Steam
 boat Method Of Gaining Respect.
 From the Chicago News.l
 Captain Mary Miller, the Mississippi river steamboat women, after several months' practice, is still hopelessly deficient in the att of managing river boat. It is said she can not get the knack of ripping out those beauti- full, flowing, polysy liable oaths that have so inspiriting an influence over deck hands and roustabouts; and as for knocking cook over board once or twice day, she says she fears she will never learn that essential stenmboat method of gaining respect. The other day she was trying to make the bend below the St. Francis fats and stood on the hurricane roof to give orders to the new pilot. Nov, sir," said she, twill you be so kind as to turn your wheel to the right hand very rapidIv?" The pilot stood with open mouth looking down the river "Mr. Pilot" she said, striving to draw his attention "Please, MT. Pilot, do you hear mel' ''Hey?" grunted the man at the wheel. "Will you do me the favor to turn your wheel over seven or eight times as fast as you can?" Over went the wheel. "Oh, no, sir, no, sir, not that way; the other way, if you please, sir; quick, my dear SIT, quick! Gracious myl We are with in twenty fingers of the bar. Just then the first mate came up through the forr'ud hatch tracted, said: "Oh, dear, MT. Mate, I'm feeling faint; think you'd better take com mand of the ship" Aye, aye, ole gal," and turning to the pilot, he sung out; 'Hey, there, you - sleepy-headed son of 8 gun, hard port there, r I'll knock hole in yer
 -carcass bigger'n 8 bale o'hay!" The boat slid out into deep water and Captain Mary Miller went down into her Texas state- | room, where nobody could hear her study hsr lesson in river conversations As the boat glided up to the New Orleans wharf she popped her head out of the state-room door and called out to 8 lineman on shore: ''Hi, l sir make fast the bow line and the one at the other end too By darn!" and dodged back to put her head under the pillow and cry.
 Thomas Brennan, of Ansonia. is very crit ically ill
 Captain Hussey, of Hartford, is very low with paralysis.
 A gentleman of this city who makes daily weather observations writes the past winter down as ''the gloomiest in half century" He affirms that ''the sun has not shone seven full days in the past three months. Nor wich Bulletin.
 Miss Mary Cushmen, who died at the resi- dence of MT E. F. St. John, in Simsbury, on Monday night, was 8 sister of Mrs. B. F. and Mrs Newell St. John. Her funeral was at tended on Thursday, the Rev. MT. Tongue, late rector of Trinity parish, Tariffville, of ficiating The burial was in the cemetery at Scotland.
 A lineman of the Rapid Telegraph compa- ney fell from 8 pole ct the East Great Plain, Norwich, Monday. As he struck the ground the spur on one ankle passed completely through the toe of the other foot pinning it to the ground. He received no other injury.
Morning journal and courier., 1884-03-12
Soarual sno Gourier.
SINGLE COPIES TWO GENTS.

DELIVERED BY CARRIERS IN THE C1rY, 12 CENTS WEEK, 42 CENTS MONTH, $500 A YEAR. THE SAME TERMS By MAIL
Morning journal and courier., 1884-03-12

s'Chinese'' Gordon's explanation of his attitude regarding slavery in the Soudan is in substance that he recognizes slavery which lawfully exists there, but not slave hunting. which he stopped when governor there some years ago, and hopes now to prevent by measures to be. taken hereafter. He says that England, with the full consent of the khedive has decided to separate Egypt from the Soudan, and the effect of the separation is to abrogate the treaties made at Cairo with foreign governments, by virtue of which slavery was to cease in the Soudan in 1889. In the circumstances existing, he thought it polite to tell the people what was true, and what they must have known without being told, that those treaties were in force no longer, and that he had no authority to inter- fere with slavery as it exists. So far his case is clear enough, but he adds: q have always considered the liberation of the slaves, with out compensation or without some gradual registration system, as robbery"
 The latest dime-novel outbreak is reported from Oil City, Pennsylvania, where 8 band of boys who do not average ten years of age held meetings, matured their plans and few days ago had everything in readiness for their departure for the wild West. Their captain, familiarly known as "Deadwood Jim" gave the final orders. In order to have no cause to return he said each member of the band must poison his mother. He prom ised to produce the poison and have 1t on
Morning journal and courier., 1884-03-12
Read the testimenyof one of the sufferers. David Little, Sum- ner, Benner Co.,, Iowa, writes:
UETUIFYNEIIKKTIETEIuTuTXFEJYTTKTTTD

 Tell the children to cut out and save the comic silhouette pictures as they appear from issue to issue They will be pleased with the collection.
Morning journal and courier., 1884-03-12

People frequently sign petitions very care lessly. At 8 meeting of the New England Club in Boston the other day Speaker Mar den told about petition for legislation in the interests of co1ored children, which was passed around and signed by governors, mayors, clergymen, lawyers and about every white person in Massachusetts, and read in this way: ''We. the undersigned, parents of colored children.'
Morning journal and courier., 1884-03-12
EDITORIAL ROI'ES.

Emory A. Storrs thinks he has discovered strong feeling in New York in favor of Edmunds. Independents and stslwarts both favor him. Mir. Storrs' opinion about the matter is worth something.
Morning journal and courier., 1884-03-12

The Derby railroad petition was with drawn yesterday. It ought never to have been presented Corporation Counsel Dris- coll is entitled to the thanks of the people of New Haven for his vigorous and effective opposition to it.
Morning journal and courier., 1884-03-12

Orders and titles are manufactured and sold to foreigners in Italy to such an extent that the Official Gazette of Rome has con- sidered it necessary to announce that the purchase of the estate of noble does not include the transfer of the title from the old possessor to the new one, as agents often falsely state. and that the crown alone has the right of investing with titles and orders. In Asia Minor there is Aourishing factory for the production of Persian orders and medals of merit in art and science
Morning journal and courier., 1884-03-12

The Philadelphia Times remarks: It is only just to the colored reporters employed on the Times, if there are any, to say that neither of them wrote. aided or in any way abetted the novel entitled Bread Winners,'' The dispute as .o the authorship of that story was extended to about everybody else, and we desire to shield the colored reporters of this journal from the imputation in ad- vance.
Morning journal and courier., 1884-03-12

This space is owned by BLACKWELL'S BULL.
The Portland daily press., 1884-12-31
THE OLD WORLD.
News by Gable from Different
Countries.
Record of Mortality from the Recent
Eartbouake

Record of Mortality from the Recent
Earthquake
MADRID, Dec. S0.-At Granada today the
lie Deum was sung and prayers offered for the
cessation of earthquakes. At Priego, in the
province of Cordova, the shocks came while
the theatre was crowded with people. A terri
bic panic followed. Many persons jumped
from the galleries and from the windows upon
the crowd below. Two were killed outright
and forty were more or less injured.
Albania and Santa Cruz were completely
destroyed. Soldiers are at work clearing up
the ruins in search of bodies, which are found
in large numbers, many being horribly disfig-
ured. The number of persons killed is still
unknown. No doubt, however, the report
which fixed the number at 900 is an exaggera-
tion. There is much distress among the sur
vivors, and the people are asking relief At
Albunuelas 200 persons received injuries more
or less serious. From ruined houses 100 bodies
have SO far been recovered At Zaffaraya a
town not far from Lola, so persons perished.
MADRID, Dec. 30.--Ssveral houses In Oanil-
las were destroyed and many persons killed.
Five persons were killed and several others
at Motifs. Sixteen honses were destroyed at
LapJaron, and numerous houses were de-
molished and lives lost in other villages. Fifty
corpses have been found at Vientas de Tain
Arranza.
Terrible Explosion of Powder.
VIENNA, Dec. 30.-An ex plosion of gun
powder occurred today in guDsmith's shop at
Kralup, in Bohemia, destroying three honses,
killing three persons and iDjuring many more.
Collapse of a Theatre.
LONDON, Dec. 30.-A portion of the roof CT
theatre at Chalettown, in France, collapsed
during the performance last night. There
were about 1000 persons in the audience. The
lights were extinguished and screams and
groans filled the air. About $50 persons we're
wounded, some of them it is feared fatally.
The theatre was temporary structure which
had been strained by recent storm.
Rnmors of Renewed Fighting in Chinese
PARIS, Dec. 30.-An official despatch from
Admiral Courbet, received here this afternoon
states that French men-of-war have for the
past several days been fighting the Chinese pi-
rates in Hong Hal bay, aud that 300 OF the
latter we're killed. Nothing official has yet
been received of the reported sinking of
French transport by Chinese cruisers, while
she was conveying reinforcements between
Singapore and Saigon.
Gable Notes.
Twenty-six persons were injured in a railway
collision near Wigan, Eng, yesterday.
Henry George, who has been lecturing in
the Island OF Skye, will sail for America in
the steamer Alaska, Jan. oath.
Four citizens of Hamburg have offered.
Prince Bismarck $4,000 toward sthe creation
of an assistant chancellorship.
The Portland daily press., 1884-12-31


The officers and members of Kennebeck
Lodge, K. OF P, No. 40, of Richmond, cele-
brsted their first anniversary ia their Castle
Hall on Monday evening, the Goth inst. The
hall was filed to repletion with brother
knights and invited guests, in fact meny of
the best citizens of the town graced the coca.
sion with their presence. The exercises were
opened by Chancetlor Commander j. E. Cor
nish in few wellchosen remarks, in which
he outlined the success Of the lodge during the
year, congratulated the members aud well
coined the visitors P. G. j. L. Browne fol-
lowed in happy manner. Some Of his re-
marks produced no little merriment The
prelate, as lodge. historian, was success The
points made were duly appreciated, the black
bean ballot in particular. Next, P. @. Thomas
G. Loring Of Longfellow Lodge, Portland,
delivered an address on the subject OF "The
Order of Knights of PSthias." He gave
history of the order from its infancy to the
present time and forcibly portrayed the bene-
fits which the order confers upon its members
and earnestly urged upon the citizsns that 1t
was duty to encourage the growth and pros-
perity of this lodge in their midst.
A quartette composed OF Miss Gussie DON
nell, Mrs. M. II. Hinkley, Mr.. Frank Given,
Mr.. Lowell Blanchard, and W. w. Brown as
organist, discussed most excellent music dur.
ing the evening. At the close of the exercises
banquet was served. Thus closed this, the
first anniversary of Kennebeck Lodge, II was
indeed grand success.
The Portland daily press., 1884-12-31
ALLEGED SWINDLING.
infatuated Spectators who Ex-
pected a Fortune in Blind Pools.
THE EVEN BROS. wANTED.HN NEW
YORK

New York, Dec. 40 1t is said that the
Even Brothers, cotton brokers, who were ex-
PEELED from the exchange few days since for
alleged fraudulent transactions, have fled to
Canada.
The New York Morning Journal says this
morning that the general opinion is
that the Ewens have decamped because they
feared to face criminal proceedings which
John K. Dospassos has or intends to institute
against them. II is stated that Mr.. Dospassos
represents claims against Even Brothers for
$4,000 which had been deposited by infatu-
sted speculstors who thought to make q for
tune out of the now Sfamous liquidated blind
pools to which the Ewe1s we're SO partial.
1t is said that prominent attorney who
acted for several ladies before the cotton ex-
change, said yesterday that all told there were
Row 30 cases, 10 of them for ladies against the
trm, charging them with swiudling trsusac-
tions. The total amount of claims of the at
torneys clients as $685. 600. He further said
that two brothers in Pittsfeld bad been taken
in for 100000 and were now penniless.
1t was learned yesterday at the cotton ex-
change that an old gentleman had called to
make enquiries regarding Even Brothers. He
waotsd to know where they could be found
and stated he had little matter of $50, 600
which he woaid like TO have them settle. He
was informed that the EweDs could not be
found and that it was reported that they had
been compelled to borrow sufficient fnnds to
leav5 town.
The Portland daily press., 1884-12-31
FLOUR AND GRAIN.
Review of the Trade.

BosToN, Dec. 3O.-In its yearly review of the
-four aud grain trade, the Advertiser will to-
morrow publish the following as connected
with the recent sharp advance ia -four;
"The prices of wheat have advanced about eight
cents per bushel on account of bad weather within
the past few weeks, while the lack of water at Min
neapos has caused the output of -four at this great
milling point be greatly reduced. Millers finding
that they had the vantage their hands at
once stopped their ruinous competition and allied
by an export demand they have advanced the price
of -four fully 70 to 30 cents, the present quotations
being 1928 to $5.4O, while some tavorite brands
could not be bought in round lots at less than
4b.6U. Jobbers awakening 10 the fact that
prices going higher and that the hand to mouth
policy ;. bich they have mostly pursued during the
year is being discarded aud they are now in the
market free buyers. The rapid advance of the
past few days checks the demand to some extent
but buyers not entirely confident it viii be
maintained. The strong tone and rapid advance in
spring wheats has also carried winter wheats along
but the advance is not so market. Lower grades
of flour also starting up but in more quiet
The Portland daily press., 1884-12-31
WASHINGTON.
Christmas Climb ninner

WASHINGTON, Dec. 80 The Christmas Club.
benevolent and charitable association of this
city, of which Miss Nellie Arthur is president,
gave Christmas dinner to 600 poor children
OF the second district, today, in the National
Rifles Hall. Miss Arthur was assisted by
Miss Waite. daughter of the Chief Justice and
large number of other members of the club
and ladies we'll known in Washington social
circles. The hall and tables were decorated
with evergrsens and plauts sent by President
Arthur from the executive mansion. After
dinner the children were entertained In the
upper hall, where a handsomely decorated
Christmas tree had been placed, and many
presents were distributed. President Arthur,
and w. w. Concoran we're among the guests.
Society of NaturaIfsts.
The Society of Naturalists held its final ses-
eioa at the National Museum today and ad-
lourned TO meet in Boston, Dec. 90, 1885
These officers were elected: President, G. X.
Gilbert, of the United States Geological Sur
veg; Vice Presidents, PROT H. N. Martin, OF
Baltimore; Prof. E. ID. Cole and Prof Harri-
son Allen of Philadelphia; Secretary, @. s.
Minot of Boston; Treasurer, Charles A. Ash
burner of Philadelphia.
The Cotton Crop.
The December report of the Department of
Agriculture Indicates smaller yield OF cotton
than the returns OF it's condition in October.
The October average was "a agaiDst 68 in 1888,
So in the great harvest of 1882. and &c In the
disastrous season of 1881. The comparison
with last year indicates a product of 1896, 900
bales in North Carolina, $4,000 in South Caro-
lima, 100000 in Georgia. 60 600 ia Florida, 66l-
900 in Alabama, 847, 900 in Mississippi, 48O, 600
in Louisiana, 995 600 in Texas, 513,O in Ar
kansas and 81, 600 in Tennessee. The remaln-
ing territory will probably give about $4,000
Dales. Ihis makes an aggregate of $3.50, 900
bales. These figures are provisional and may
be slightly modified by future returns. 1t is
possible that general DISAPPOINTMENT at the
outcome of the middle and top crop have made
the December returns unusually conservative,
but it is certain that the rate of Weld will be
much below the average.
The Portland daily press., 1884-12-31

average catch of the shore feet has been 1870
barrels, and that of the bay feet 231 barrels to
each vessel. The expense of the outfit, sup
plies, ETC., is $127 SIT, and adding the wages of
men at the rate they would be paid as sail.
ors-$S0, ,552-snd we find S208 1859 ia
spent to secure $86S59 worth of mackerel
in the Gulf of ST. Lawrence, and only
$18, 100 iD the limits OF that fishery for out
side, $14, 800 900 unclaimed and $5 100000 paid
In addition to this the United States RENTS in
duties, 1924, 900 each year to Canada, making
during the twelve years of the treaty total
of 81 ,4SS, 600, which with the $500 COO,
equals total of $12 988 600, or nearly the
amount first claimed, $14,500 600. This is for
the privilege of taking few mackerel. From
the month of July, 1873, to the present time,
during the total fishing seasons through
out the treaty our vessels took from St.
Lawrence Gulf, 286 435 barrels of
mackerel, and of these 95 1856 barrels
were caught inside of the three-mile limit, the
total value of which was 50 100 S02 The vslue
of the inside catch was $100,320; 1160 vessels
at cost on the average of $2801, ,122
were employed, and 190,955 bar
rels we're caught outside of the three
mile limit estimated to be worth 81 14O0-
472, making difference in amount of expense
against the whole product of the Gulf of st.
Lawrence mackerel fishing of $500, 900, against
the inshcre fishery of $2000000 additional.
The actual earnings of the fishermen on the
average does not exceed $500 per day.
The Portland daily press., 1884-12-31
ON THE ROLLLEBs.
BIJoUs VS.. W. H. IT'S TONIGHT.

BIJOUs VS.. W. II. I. IS TONIGHT.
Tonight, providing the question Of referee can
be settled satisfactorily to both clubs tho Bilious
will play the W. H. T.'s league game at the Biou.
Mr. Thomas objects to Mr.. Barnes as referee. for
what reason nobody knows This comes In bad
grace from him, as he is the only rink manager in
the league who has refereed the games in the homs
rink. one thing is certain-the decisions of Mr..
Barnes fan have been as much against az 10 favor
OF the home Club and his method Of queliDg rough
play is the best yet advanced. There will be game
played anyway, and Mr. Thomas will probably see
wtoolish he is acting and let his club play.
EXHIBITION AT PORTLAND RINK ro-NIoHr.
Tonight at Portland rink there will be double
exhibition of fancy and burlesque skating Prof.
o. G. Fuller of Providence, formerly Of this city.
will give exhibition of fancy skating, and Prof.
Burhham will give the burlesque Prof Fuller's
FANCY movements are said to be very fine espeei .ly
the toe movements, and the exhibition bv Prof
Burnham will be something different from those he
has lately given. In addition to skating on the
large skates, he will skate on pair with only two
large wheels each. 1t will be worth seeing. There
was ladies' party at the riuk last night.
BIDDEFoRDs. 3; GRANITE cIrYs, 2.
Last night the Biddefords went to Augusta and
played the Granite Citys. The game occupied forty
minutes and won by the former club. thev
securing three goals to their opponents two. II
was good game.
NOTES.
The league game in Lewiston Thursday pivht hs
tween the W. H. Il .'s and Granite Cityx win ~
played in the new rink there, Mr. Thomas takino
the management of that rink on the lst day of
January in place OF Manager Hadley.,
me Ney and Creary combination Of gymnasts,
acrooats, contortionsts and club swngers will an.
pear at the BijOu New Years afternoon and eyen
ing. The members are nearly all home talent
IN tne Androscosg,n and Kennebec polo league
tournament, at the City rnk in Lew ston last nieht
the Lew1stons defeated the Far6eds 3 to o. Time
OF game, 26 minutes; playing time, 1S minutes.