davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun., 1884-02-17

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sr: Tho
question OF deprlving the Board OF Aldermen
OF the power OF confirmation should be consid-
ered in the light Of the following propositions:
1. The exigencies OF party politics In this
city require that there should be leaders 9TH
erwise Bosses.
2. The essential element OF strength to the
party leaders is that the Bosses should control
patronage.
mlssioners. whose appointment Is subject to
confirmation by the Board OF Aldermen. who
thus have tho power
4. The party leaders. therefore. follow the
suggestion OF a great philosopher. "Whenever
you want thing take it all you have else to do is
topay the price," They capture the Board OF
Aldermen and SO control the power.
5. Take away tho power from the Board OF
Aldermen and give 1t absolutely to tho Mayor
and the task OF gaining the power By the lead
ers Is simpliAed. There will be only one man
to elect and make bargains with instead OF a
dozen or more. and men who will be chosen to
the offlco of Mayor under such circumstances
will not be shining examples Of political virtue.
6. The difficulties in the way OF obtaining tho
control OF this power over patronage should be
increased. not diminished.
7. A just contempt for the Board Of Alder
men. which seems to be the stock argument in
favor OF the present bill. should not lead the
Legislature to inflict worse evil upon the city.
8. The proper remedy is not difficult to find.
The confirming power might be committed to
some other body elther now existing or to be
created; for instance. the Board OF Estimate
and Apportionment or the Mayors cabinet.
properly organized by law.
o. The principle OF divided responsibility Is
sound and we'll established In this country.
Autocratio power involves the danger Of Its
falling into tho hands of an honest incom-
petent. or a sly schemer. with no available
remedy until the expiration OF q two years
term OF Office M
The sun., 1884-02-17

That such is pretty sure to be the result we
know from experience in this country, es-
pecially when the competing lines are near
ly parallel, or seek business at the same GEN.
tres. They find 1t to be for their interest to
run In harmony. as II under one control. and
the public usually gain little in reduction OF
charges because OF the additional line.
Mr.. LANG accordingly dismisses compe-
tition as q remedy for the evils OF which
complaint Is made. The true remedy
he argues, can only be applied where sys-
TEN OF State control is established which
recognizes "the substantial Identity Of tho
interests, rightly understood, OF sharehold-
ers and the public" That remedy, in brief.
Is to protect existing railways from invasion,
but compel them to do their duty by the
public in the way OF fares and freights and
the provision OF ample accommodations
within tho districts allotted to them.
The great trouble now. as he says, Is that
the roads are annoyed and put to great ex-
pense by the necessity Of fighting specula-
two schemes. "I should prefer taking my
chance OF any harm properly constituted
public Board Is likely to do me-" says Mr..
LAINa, "if could feel tolerably secure that.
as long as did my duty fairly to the public
and gave ample accommodation to my dis
trict should not be perpetually harassedby
speculative competing lines" He would not
be afraid Of large powers Of control II they
were intrustcd to q proper tribunal, that Is,
one competent to deal with interests Of 30
great magnitude. The Board "should have
practical experience of the working Of rail-
ways and their relations to one another and to
the trading and travelling community" He
also thinks 1t essential that it should be
presided over and represented In the House
Of Commons by responsible Minister"
NJ B. SAMUELsoN. n member OF Parlia-
ment, writes to the Times that Mr.. LA1Na's
"bargain would be u good one II the
control be adequate and vigorously excr-
cised." But the railways, he says, must
undertake to afford all tho facilities, includ-
ing the construction of now works, which, in
the opinion of n public department, arc fairly
required by the public, at rates which under
existing circumstances trade will bear" At
present, according to MI. SAMUELsoN, the
lowest English freight charges on many ar
ticles Of prime necessity are nearly double
those charged on the Continent.
1t is manifest from the tone Of his lotter
however, that he does not believe that Mr.
LAINas proposed remedy would prove
satisfactory in practice.
The sun., 1884-02-17
A PAUSE IN POLITTCa

WASHINGTON Feb. 11.-Congress has been
In session more than two months OF what is
known as Presidential year, and both par
ties have confronted each other In silence.
without a positive movement having been made
on either side likely to affect the election next
November. 1t was Intended by one wing OF the
Democracy to make the tariff the most marked
line OF separation between the Democrats ana
tho Republicans; but both sides are moro or
less distracted by the economic theories that
are respectively urged by the advocates OF pro-
lection and Of tariff reform. and as no Dill on
this subject Is likely to pass at the present sos
sion, 1t may be dismissed for tho action or the
silence Of the two National Conventions.
Tho real and practical difference between the
two parties Is In the administration OF the Gov
crnmont. That difference has been broadly
defined since tho close OF the civil war. and has
led to repeated defeats OF tho Republicans. be-
ginning with the election OF Mr.. Tilden In 1876.
By their acts. and throughout their long pos
session OF power the Republicans have dis
tinctly declared in favor Of the largest public
expenditures. and for extravaganza In carry
Ing on the Government. This policy has led to
the continuation OF war taxes like tho Internal
revenue. and inevitably to corruption. jobbery.
and Generalization.
The Government has been run continuously
the tlme when the people rose up In their
anger. and put in Democratic House OF Rep
resentatives as check on the excesses.
No reform deserving tho name is possible un-
dor such system OF administration. The ex-
terlor formaities Of civil service act may be
observed temporarily. but they 90 not touch
the evil that is chronic. and which can only be
cured by an heroic remedy.
The Democrats are not only pledged to re-
trenchment Of this cancerous prodigality. but
to thorough reform of abuses. wherever they
may be found to exist. II this pledge was the
mere utterance OF a political platform 1t would
not deserve much attention. But six years ex-
psrlence OF a Democratic House. with good
| faith In redeeming every promise. and with
corresponding results entitle that party to con-
| fdence in this respect.
Putting aside all the common generalities ol
| partisan platforms. the true and the living Is.
| sue between the two parties is to-day what II
| was In 1875. retrenchment and reform. If the
| Democrats nominate candidate for President
| who honestly represents this policy. and will
| faithfully carry 1t out II chosen. he can be
elected. despite the blundcrs committed in the
last year. But no sham reposing upon cheap
professions for support can hops to succeed.
| Tho Republicans are as badly split into fac.
| tions as the Democrats are. and they do not see
| the way clear for any OF the present aspirants
to the Presidency. 1t is not probable that one
| OF this number will be nominated II the wisdom
| Of expediency shall prevail.
The sun., 1884-02-17
The State Control of Railroads.

The subject of Government control OF rail-
ways is now undergoing discussion in Eng
land, where there is the same popular outcry
against them as oppressive monopolies
which Is heard so frequently In this country.
The most important and interesting con-
tribution to the discussion Is made by Mr.. s.
LAINa, tho Chairman, or President as we
should call him, of the Brighton Railway, In
lcttcr published in recent number OF the
London Times His opinions are of special
value because he has had occasion to look at
tho question on its two sides, for, besides be-
Ing n railway Chairman, he Is tho only one
who has served In the Railway Department
4 the Board Of Trade.
Mr.. LANG thinks that, as q whole, tho
English railway companies, though practi-
cally monopolies, have been managed with
"great liberality and great advantage to the
public" He acknowledges, however, that
there have been exceptions, and that. there
FORE the public reasonably demand that the
evils shall be rcmedied. The only practical
| BILE alternative, in the view OF Mr.. LAING, Is
control or competition, and the first, he
| contends, would be more effective for tho
public good and better for the railways
In great majority OF cases no competition
Is possible. A new line could not be made to
pay, and, therefore, capital could not be
raised to build 1t, though 1t should be sane
toned by Parliament. But even II the capital
could be obtained for q given enterprise, cit
would only make matters worse" Mr.. LANG
argues. "by creating fresh monopoly with
double capital, and substituting two poor
companies for one prosperous one"
He says that the Brighton Railway, for In
stance, would have served the public far
worse than 1t has done II 1t had had TO contend
with a competing line. That railway had
first five bad years and then five years OF
moderate prosperity. During the first period
says Mr. LAING. 1--WE did literally nothing
for the public, for the simple reason that we
could not afford 1t, and could only raise cap
ital at q rulnous discount" During the five
good years. however. the company has spent
twelve and a half millions OF dollars In OK.
tending and improving It's line, and has SC
increased the number OF trains that twice the
former amount OF accommodation has been
afforded. III competing line had beer
sanctioned, We could have done none o
those things" he continues, "and bad as the
result would have been for tho shareholders
it would have been worse for the public"
Anew line. too, "must inevitably eooI
combine with the old line" says Mr.. LANG
"and thus establish fresh monopoly bur
! denea With 2 useless increase Of capital.'
The sun., 1884-02-17

A number Of letters have recently been sent
to The sun IN which the writer's inquire where they
have All opportunity to look at some Of the heavenly
bodies through good telescope. We obliged to
ply that do not know. Visitors occasionally ad.
mited to of the large observaores Of the country
but ordinarily the astronomers unwilling to inter.
rupt their work to accommodate sight In order
to obtain admission to private observatory acQuaint.
with. or proper introduction to. the owner IT, of
course necessary. Sometimes street exhibitors have
telescopes that very good for their size. but low pow
usually employed upon them. and the oircum.
stances OF their such to render II difficult 10
obtain satisfactory views.
In fact both the eye and the hand to be specially
educated In the of elescope the eyo in order to
detect faint objects and inconspcuous details aud the
hand that the observer may perform the delicate
ton or properly focusing the instrument two eyes
exactly alike In this respect and but the OBJ.
server himself can obtain . satisfactory focus Then
In order to give the best results telescope be
firmly mounted and accurately poised upon its bearings
and the observer must not be obliged to assume an un
comfortable position to see through the instrument
For these reasons 1t IL better for every person who
wishes to view the wonders Of the heavens for himself
to own his own telescope No one who Is fond music
willing to restrict himself to the occasional use Of
borrowed instrument; why then should one who de.
lights In studying the host Of worlds and suns that
spanglethe heavens not possess teescopef The cost
need not deter him. for telescopes very dear
nne one. large enough for all the purposes OF
teur may be purchased for $500 $500 larger
srunents are not very costly. person who possesses
mechanical skin may cut down the very materially
by purchasing the lenses and making the tube and
ings for himself Tho thing of prime Importance is q
good object glass and this should be subjected to
full tests before II IL accepted.
The man who owns q telescope may consider that he
has the advantage Of his neishbor who owns yacht
for the latter at most only sail around tho tn
while the with the telescope. when he desires to
got away from business his only put eye at
the ocular and preso he recreatinR the rings of
Saturn, or In the perpetual nOouuds blaze OF sun
cluster!
The sun., 1884-02-17
The Power of Legislative Investigating
Committees.

The action OF tho Senate Committee on
Cities yesterday In the case Of the witness
WILLIAM MCDONALD will probably result In
defining the scope of the investigation into
the management OF tho Department OF
Public Works more clearly than 1t has yet
been defined in the actual proceedings of the
committee.
Mr.. MCDONALD was under examination by
the counsel for the committee. He was
questioned in reference to his private busi-
ness, in reference to matters which, so far
as appears to the public have absolute
ly nothing whatever to do with the
subjects under investigation. Mr.. Ec-
cLEsINE, who was In attendance as
the legal adviser of Mr.. MCDONALD, objected
to these interrogatories as outside the scope
OF tho resolution under which the commit
toe was acting; and the witness thereupon
declined to answer the questions. Senator
LANSING then offered q resolution excluding
Mr.. EccLEsINE from appearing as counsel
for the witness any further" the resolution
was adopted, and the witness and his cOun-
sci withdrew from the room In spite OF some
very positive directions In behalf Of the
committee to Mr.. MCDONALD to sit down
and stay there or he would get into trouble
Senator LANSING proceeded on tho as
sumption. which is correct in ordinary cases.
that witness Is not entitled to counsel. It
seems, however, that MIR. EoCLEsINR had
been permitted to appear as counsel for Mr..
MCDONALD. the day before, although
"by courtesy and not by right"
as Senator GIBBS explained, but no.
body appears to have objected to his
presence until he endeavOred to protect his
client against questions apparently 30 irrel-
evant as to suggest that their object was to
impute some guilt to the witness himself.
AS soon as Mr.. EccLEsINE did this, thus prac-
tically availing himself OF the courtesy Of
the committee which Mr.. GIBBS talks about,
Senator LANSING at once had him ordered out.
Not without remonstrance, however. Sem
ator THATCHER distinguished between the
position OF Mr.. MCDONALD and that OF an
ordinary witness He declared that tho
| questions had been asked for the pur-
pose OF proving colluslon between the
witness and the Commissioner Of Public
| Works. and that the witness. being therefore
practically an accused person. was entitled
to have counsel present during his examina-
ton. And assuming the facts to be as stated
| by Mr.. THATCHER, he was clearly right In
principle.
| There must be some limit to tho power OF
legislative investigating committee. Its
members cannot sit as a court to try the
morals of everybody in the community
whom they may choose to summon
before them. The investigating COM
mittees Of the present Legislature have
roamed far a-feld. and furnished much In
teresting reading matter for the newspapers,
but we think they have set most perniclous
example in magnifying their own powers to
such an extraordinary extent as has lately
been witnessed in this city
The sun., 1884-02-17

laration. to crlticise by implication the Views
and acts OF foreign and friendly Govern
ment. We shall have no right to take Of
fence on our part, II the German empire Is
prompted by self-respect to repel with some
acerbity an intrusive, irritating. and asinlne
demonstration. There will be nothing i'm
pertinent in the cold return Of the unwel-
come resolutions OF the House Of Represen-
tatives, unless thore can be impertinence in
mans effort to ward of slap levelled at
his farp
The sun., 1884-02-17

In tho constant succession of disasters In
the Soudan tho English public seems to derive
daily consolation from absurd stories OF the
wonders that are going to be done. while Gen.
GoRDoNs telogrammatic brevilies. suoh as Be
not afraid. am coming" are quoted with in
tense admiration. The latest anecdote. that Of
the rejected portion of tho Black Watch regl-
ment weeping because they were not allowed to
60 to Suaklm and wipe out OsMAN DIdMA and
the MAHpI. makes one consider what Dragging
will be done If even small victory Is ever
gained over the rebels.
The sun., 1884-02-17

WASHINGTON. Feb. l6.-Many prominent rep-
resenayes OF the steel aud iron industries were before
the Committee of ways and Means to-day to rem
against the proposed changes in the tariff law They
protest against the OF the Morrison
iMin OIL ny llS iron men. representing Sl5OOOOOoO
me .gners declare that the iron and
invested the duties are reduced the selling priSa Of
eur our prodncts must be reduced to compete with the
Ioreisn iinportations To accomplish this the cost Of
p6Saueasen s nIs. 10 reduced and such reduction must
The sun., 1884-02-17

There is a chance for greatly extending
the circulation OF the Congressional Record. un-
der the ingenious scheme Of Mr.. W. b. DEcKERT
and twenty others OF Newton Red Post. In In
diana. who ask Congress to send 1t free to every
post OF the Grand Army Of the Republic
throughout the United States. But does 1t oc-
cur tQ Mr., pEGKERI and tUsaty olhegs tAat thsY
The sun., 1884-02-17

can buy the Congregational Record for q sum
which would amount to only small fraction OF
q dollar for each member Of their post. and
thereby avoid the imputatlon Of being impor-
tunate deadheads2
The sun., 1884-02-17
Guns for the CruIsers.

WASHINGTON. Feb 16.-The Navy Department
mas authorized the construction OF ak six inch and two
sishtinch steel raed cannon for the new cruisers by
the Boston Iron Works and the West Point Foundry
be made in tbs w ash ton Navy Yard '' W."
The sun., 1884-02-17

III the liquor dealers OF this city are aS pow
orful as the speakers at the Cooper Union rep
resented. 1t Is evident that the concentration
OF responsibility In tho Mayor will not solve
the problem Of getting good municipal gov
ernment Tho liquor dealers will elect the
Mayor. as they are said to elect the Aldermen.
The only remedy would seem to be to disfran-
chise liquor dealers and liquor drinkers. and to
mako them incapable OF holding municipal
ONCE. This would bo diffloult. but more dim-
Guilty ought not to frighten body OF respocta-
Bile gentlemen whose notion OF municipal re-
form consists In holding q public meeting and
appointing committee from time to time.
IT, however, a less drastic measure Of reform
will serve. 1t might be we'll to adopt the scheme
which was suggested. though not distinctly
formulated. by NOAH DAVIS. Let the charter
be so amended that the twenty-four Aldermen
shall each represent some trade. profession.
vocation. or avocation. In this way the Board
each year would consist OF enc lawyer. one rag
picker. one minister. one actor and 80 on to the
end OF the chapter. The liquor interest would
thus be restricted to one representative. and
NOAH DAVIS would be happy. Tho latter con-
sideration is OF course. sufficient to justify any
legislation that may be necessary.
That amiable traveller and unprejudiced
observer. Sir LEpEL GRIFFIN. has been 30 much
encouraged by the attention which his ingenu-
ous remarks about American society have at
tracted that he has kindly consented to con-
tinuo them In tho March number OF the Fort
nightly Rere,r His latest declaration Is said to
be very severe against American municipal in
stitutions.
Sir LEpEL's contemptuous opinion OF tho
government OF this city Is we'll known. and will.
no doubt be quoted by tho three eminent gen-
temen who were selected at tho meeting at the
Cooper Union tho other night. to go to Albany
and savo New York city from destruction.
Sir LEpEL and the equally distinguished citl-
zens and Speakers at that meeting agree SUBJ
stantially In their estimate of municipal gov
ernmont in the United States. But the gentle
English critic doesn't know the beneficial
changes that may be brought about by means
OF a committee OF our best citizens"
The placing of fifty-two Apache pupils
from San Carlos at Carlisle Barracks. last week
Tor their education and improvement. Is an
Apache policy that can command universal ap-
proval. Gen. Crook induced these children
to go to tho school. and their parents to part
| with them-three principal mon Of the tribe ac-
companying them.
This step should be contrasted with the pro-
posal to have q grand hanging. shooting. and
imprisoning Of the captured Apaches. To feed
clothe. and educate the children Of the Indians
| Is cheaper than fighting the tribes; and In ad-
| dition the children become the missionaries
and teachers OF civilization to their kin.
The sun., 1884-02-17

Any young under total obstainer from tobacco
ana alcohol having at least Is OOD In In IN An.
popular books for standing orders will please
-Aap. W. ~ ~" o'''ee'
The sun., 1884-02-17

Of sos cola ., Iy .s Ds
thr9Ai QE lRnx allfSsa.xA "'''T.T
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1884-09-25
Casualties of the Week.

Julius Msgmer, q baker from Bay View,
Wis, was thrown out Of his wagon yesterday
and mortally wounded
Sixteen frame buildings in the business part
Of Berlin. Wis, were burned Thursday night
Loss $4,000; insurance 1900
The steamer Dakotah was sunk in the Missis.
sippi river, near Providence, No, recently, on
her trip mp that stream. Thu freight was valued
at $4,000; insured for $4,000.
While a B~ellaire, Ohio, policeman was firing
wildly after a fleeing desperate, Willie Welsh,
aged seventeen, lodged out of an alley and IA
tally stopped one Of the bullets,
Michael Kennedy, section foreman for the
Oregon Railway and Navigation company, was
run over by an express train near Dalles, Or,
yesterday. His body was cut in twain. He
was an old railroad man, recently from the
East
The forest fires of Michigan which threat
oned TO do so much damage, have been checked
by D change in the wind and are no longer
feared. An East Tswas special says, however,
that the fires again started yesterday, with q
northwest gale blowing and increasing The
telegraph poles are burned between Standish
and An Ores.
David Cover, a prominent citizen of Still
water, was drowned last sunday afternoon by
Shipping between floating logs into the mill
pond. Cover was born in Adamsburg, West,
moreland county, Pa, May -, 1896 He set
tied in saltwater about twenty-One years ago,
and engaged in lumber business most Of the
time since, and acquired considerable prop,
erty. he was a prominent citizen, and vice
president of the Washington County Agricul
tural society. He leaves a wife and four chll
dTen. 81