davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wilmingtonian., 1885-11-14
Gratifying Signs.


When anything practical turns up in the
educational line it always bears full frution
and is thoroughly appreciated.
Nothing could be more gratifying than
the exhibit by the students of the mechan-
ical drawing classes at the new school OPEN
ed in the Institute Building.
At the opening Of the classes on Monday
night 102 young men appeared for admission.
Let the Board of Education take a hint
from this fact. Education of to-day must
be practical. High School education though
highly commendable in the idea of addition
al culture is not practical in the sense that
this mechanical drawing class is.
This school of 1o2 young men, gathering
practical knowledge applicable to the in
dustral needs of the community is of more
value as an educational motor than an i'm
mense expensive new High School-that one,
for instance that exists in perspective ON
Eighth Street hill The building and its
purpose of educating our youth is a right
and proper one, but the phase of education
afforded is not of the practical kind needed
to-day.
What we do need to-day is that our young
people are educated in mechanical designing
not differential calculus; in carpentry, not
metaphysics: in chemistry, not of astronomy:
in mechanics not bookkeeping: in the
trades, not in preparation for the profession
The tendency of High School education is
not practical and that is the great citation
against it as an institution. 1t is a misap-
preparation of the school tax money.
The large sums necessarily required
for the maintainence of the new High
Shool will take a large share of the
annual school appropriation. Some good
of course, is evolved from this expendi-
ture, but the point we look at is a relative
one. How much better. how much more
practical, and to what an immensely great
er result would this expenditure accrue to
the advantage Of society, to the state of
Delaware, were this new High School and
its large appropriations applied to the pur-
poses of trades school. This would be
true education.
Almost every other state in the Union is
establishing schools of technology. What
they recognize is the present necessity for
education of that nature as oontrastsd with
one of purely scholastic kind,
We are glad to see that our young people
have demonstrated, on their part, the prin-
ciple We would wish to see recognized,
The Wilmingtonian., 1885-11-14
What Canad.is Doing.

Most of us have little knowledge of what
our neighbors the Canadians have been ac-
complishing recently, Few of us realize
what triumph the Canadian Pacific Rail-
way is. The total length of that line of steam
road is 1896 miles Just imagine 5000, 900
of Canadians accomplishing such task.
Only few years ago al time VIII en- our
population was 80, 900, 900 we conceived we
were accomplishing something gigantic in
completing our great trans-continental sys-
tenn Of roads. The Canadians however
have done as much mileage in one single
stretch-with much more difficult country
to overcome, with less monetary credit and
climatic difficulties sufficient to discourage
the most sanguine.
The Canadian Pacific stretches through a
thousand miles of forest from the upper
Ottawa to the Red RiveEof the North then
thousand miles Of alluyial and then five
or six hundred miles of mountains. For a
long time both American and English engi-
neers condemned the proposed road as abso-
lutely impossible of construction. The in
terminable stretch of impenetrable forest,
stupendous mountain chains, which the
Indians assured the engineers was without
even mountain trail to cross them, and
almost endless succession of lake and marsh
lands. 1t was said that the first section of
the Canadian Pacific pierces wilderness
that wise men said would not furnish busi-
ness to pay for greasing the wheels but it
gets freight enough in the way of lumber
alone to pay for the wheels as well as the
grease. 1t is revolutioniziDg the mode of
lumber transportation on the upper Ottawa
and to the West The lumber kings find
that time is money. 1t is more profitable
now to send on logs to the market by rail
than by slow process of rafting. The i'm
penetrable rocky districts met with in the
regions north of Lake Superior are found to
be as rich in mineral resources as those on
the southern shores of Lake Superior. The
fertile plains of the Northwest are certain
to yield harvests that viii tax to the utmost
the carrying capacity OF branch as we'll as
trunk lines. For eight hundred miles west
of Winnipeg there stretches fertile belt,
the richest in the world These plains it is esti.
mated will support SO, ,Oao, 600 people and will
produce grain sufficiert to feed the world
One great drawback at present at least
on the western end of the great
Canadian line II the Chinese
trouble, This frugal a "a economic race has
The Wilmingtonian., 1885-11-14
Those Sand Lots.

The question Of the Sand Lots is ia thing
of beauty and joy forever" 1t is a per-
ennial fount from which Council committees
evolve not alone sand, (comminuted silica,
or whatever the municipal savants call it)
but that other kind of ''sand, " mlntod and
coined into half dollars for each Council
committee meeting.
'Er nitilo nihit it," was proverb which
we, in our younger days, were taught to con-
slider an infallble axiom. But the rough
shod practical teachings of this last quarter
of the nineteenth century play havoc with
the truths of olden time.
Here are our City Fathers junketing
around the city limits upon voyages of dis
covery, blinking and winkng at sandholes
where there is no sand. However, this is
fine holiday weather for expeditions of this
nature. Sand has to be got whether silic-
GUS or argentiferous! And Council committees
may as well pursue this attractive, scientific,
and lucrative diversion before the cold
weather sets in. snake hay while the SUI
shines" is good motto, and, one thorouh-
ly well and practically appreciated by our
easy going City Fathers. We wish them
every enjoyment and pleasure in their inno-
cent diversion, also all the success possible
in their alchemy of transmitting intangible
silex into honest half dollars.
They are greater sages and more success
full than the long, gray-bearded wizards of
the dark ages who spent days and nights in
attempting to discover the method of trans
muting the baser metals into gold. Here in
Wilmington, at the present day, we know
better. Our Council committees coin half
dollars from imaginary sand banks. Let the
''merry war" go on, the whole city will soon
be sunk in sand bank. We are entitled to
remark also as to why our City Fathers
should be seen lodging around the hidden
hooks of Wilmington under the guise of
peripatetic sand merchants. Have our mu-
| nicipal representatives been elected to Coun-
Gil to engage in that or any other business?
Why do they not advertise their needs in
usual course and let those of our citizens
interested in sand, and other building mate
rial, for we have plenty of such business
men here, bid for the work. What pro-
priety either is there in the idea of Council
committees ordering the Building Inspector
to run around hunting for sand lots. He
has been elected by the geople to be Inspec-
tor Of buildings, noithe'that astigate sand
holes nor a'a 81 .ssny0ne y ;r cayp aostruae
The Wilmingtonian., 1885-11-14
Lecture by the Rev. G. w. Miller

Lecture by the Rev. g. w. Miller.
The lecture in the Opera House for the
benefit of Industry Lodge, No. 2, a. o.
U. W., by the Rev. G. W. Miller upon the
subject of "Pluck" was one that well deserv-
ed the attention of the youth of this city.
The speaker stated that it was an element
difficult to define, but readily recognized.
Its nearest congener is perseverance. 1t has
no relation with crude physical courage, it
is neither egotism, ,impudence irreverence nor
''cheek"!
''But," said the speaker, sit has place in
common affairs of life, because it is at the top
of the factors of success" The most care
full analysis, however, will not tell how to
lay hands on 1t, for nothing can give pluck
to man who has it not himself. 1t is nee
essary to discern pluck from egotism, for
the world is full of egotists. Men are con
stantly saying. These are the best times;
shis is the best place, and am the best man.
iSg ASSdAt bhblloIlNSo 10 lllb llBll VI Jlt
world, when they are but penny dips;
they think the sun rises every day to look at
them. Pluck is not cheek, the supreme
aim of which is to seem. It is cheek that
causes men with few general ideas and
prejudiced thoughtto aspire to be prime
ministers in monarchies and presidents in
republics. Pluck is never irreverent or new
er impudent. 1t is part of men who occu-
py the front rank in all business. The is
torical setting and heroic figure of pluck
is seen everywhere and admired.
The lecturer made diffuse reference to
various historical characters illustrating his
ideal of what 'pluck" is The main idea
drawn from Mr.. Millers treatment of the
subject was that dogged persistence in a
well chosen course is the exemplar of the
essence of this moral attribute.
The Wilmingtonian., 1885-11-14
Electric Lighting.

To gain better street illumination with
no increasing public expenditure on that
account IS a most praiseworthey movement
on the part of the Council Committee whose
duties embrace the charge of lighting our
streets.
"Let there be light" and let it cost no
more, at any rate, than it costs just now.
The lamp committee of City Council ad-
vertise for proposals for lighting the streets
of Wilmington for three years from the list
day of January 1886. In addition to the
bidding for gas and gasoline lamps, propos-
ais are invited for lighting the streets by
electricity.
No doubt all citizens of Wilmington who
have the true interests of our city at heart
will be glad to see this onward step towards
civilization. Well lit streets form one of the
essentials to that condition. Dinginess,
gloom and darkness belong TO state of bar
barlsm. The sooner the metropolis of Del
aware emerges from that rut the better.
In parenthesis, we remark, we have no.
ticed that poles for hanging electric lamps
have been erected along our streets some
weeks already. Had the individuals or COM
pany that erected these poles, the omnicience
to foresee the intention of the lamp commit
tee SO far ahead of the lamps first public
advertisement for such work, or did they
act upon their own reoogizancesP
The Wilmingtonian., 1885-11-14
~ and Msl!

in the end, tits cefts cefts;TS Z tuSSS just at present
he is considerable force in politics. He
demonstrated that he possesses remarkable
powers as an organizer, and that he knows
precisely how to harmonic conflicting party
interests. lie is essentially practical man.
He waited not moment to announce theo-
ries, but took hold of his campaign and
managed it himself-managed it with an
ability that has made its elf felt from the
start. The Republican organs have been
engaged in an attempt to belittle Governor
Hills abilities, but the successful manage
ment of hotly contested campaign in
State as important as New York is the next
thing to craftsmanship.
1t is to be borne in mind, too, that Cover
nor Hill won his campaign in the face of the
fact that large majority'of the most i'm.
portant Federal offices in New York are
filled by Republican office-holders and their
heelers, and these instrumentilities were
solid for Davenport. Moreover Governor
Hill had not the slightest assistance from
the Democratic Administration, such assist
ance as Democrat laboring in behalf of
the success Of Democratic principles had a
right to expect. They were not on the line
of sham civil service reform, for their plat
form denounced this, and Governor Hill has
already taken occasion TO announce that his
administration will not be non-partisau. On
the contrary, he will endeavor to carry out
and confirm Democratic principles by giving
the people honest Democratic government.
The Democratic victory shows that New
York is Democratic when the Democrats
are united, and that Hill can unite them.
The portents of the time, SO to speak, point
to Hendricks and Hill as the men for 1888.
The Wilmingtonian., 1885-11-14
The Return of the Native.

Our distinguished citizen and perennial
Jail flower ''Big Frank" has taken up his
temporary abode again among us, for the
winter season. This is through the kindly
attention and courtesies of Sheriff Ford.
But we perceive that the sheriff has done
this only through the constraint of official
demands. He has done his duty in placing
our light-hearted and light fingered fellow
citizen back again in duranee vile. But it
it question whether it was worth while to
bring the man here from New York. It
may be suggested that it was an ipjudicious
move. Neither Delaware's nor Big Franks
interests were properly considered in the act.
The notorious outlaw was safe in New York
and our commui.y's safety was better con-
sidered in his expatriation to that distant
state. New York is better and wider
field for man Of his peculiar genius. His
temperament would find free scope in tho
Bowery, and along Fifth Avenue; as he
"walked abroad" his comprehensive mind
would gloat in blest anticipation of unlimi-
ted prospective plunderl Sheriff Ford may
be gently child for clouding, even for mo-
ment such brilliant prospects, and, as re-
CARDS his own county of New Castle, it may
be said that ne has lacked in showing prop
er solicitude for the people of this locality.
Even in New Castle jailwe know that orr
lpe0ple arc not free 4lls N.e-aots that tho
s!JEDAy TRAINS. eAA--.s.si- q, 4.
The Wilmingtonian., 1885-11-14
1855

The New York election has placed Presi-
dent Cleveland and Secretary Bayard be-
yond tho range of presidential possibilities
for 1888, and 1T at the same time demon
strated that David B. Hill, Of Albany, can
carry the Empire State independent of the
mugwumpian contingency.
The Constitution says: The result in New
York gives prominence to Governor David
B. Hill that neither, the party.nor the politi-
clans can afford to ignore. Already some of
the newspapers are saying CON- CONT : -
The Wilmingtonian., 1885-11-14
The English Election.

The time is rapidly drawing near in En-
gland for a general election of members to
new parliament.
Different important questions are disturb
ing the people. Strange to say, the Irish
questions, which hitherto occupied the at
tention of everybody even to the exclusion
of the Balkan troubles, the soudan campaign
etc., and other prominent issues has given
place quite suddenly to the question of the
disestablisment of the church of England.
Gladstone is afraid to make decided state
ment. The party in favor of abolishing the
State Church is the Liberal party Mr..
Gladstone is its chief. But personally he is
against the measure as too extreme a one.
Some of his weightiest friends in that
party are overtly opposed to the disestab-
lishment movement The question will be
made the issue of the campaign. The Tories
have forced it upon the Liberals and it will
be wedge of tremendous division among
them. Mr.. Gladstone will lose all his sup
port among the landed proprietors and no.
bility should he concede the measure a.
large share of the middle class represent
alton will follow in their wake. The Church
party itself is one of immense weight in the
country. Though not to the extent of for
mer years, many of the nominees and incum-
bents of the higher church benefces and
numerous holders of 'Givings'' are directly
indebted to noble patrons for the positions
they hold. These country rectors and Wears
are of great social weight. They are the
autocrats in their little surrounding. All
their influence will be arrayed against the
Liberals and on the side of the Lories, or
as the latter are more usually called in En-
gland, Conservatives. A very odd phase of
of the present political campaign in England
is the picture of the State Church finding
one of It's strongest supporters in the Roman
Catholic hierarchy of England. Cardinal
Manning has dived ''head ever ears" into
the campaign. The Archbishop of Canter-
bury, (the primate of all England) and the
chief Catholic representative are locked
hand-r-hand both in friendly opposition to
tha discstablishment of the Church of En-
gland. It isa strange sight to see the Church of
Rome standing overtly as champion i'll
England for the Church of England. But
this is what Cardinal Manning and the En-
glish Catholics are doing at the present
moment. On the other hand, Mr.. Gladstone
is most consistent member Of the Church
s,T s ni,,ls, tss ii rs far as the practices Of his
- r.
The Wilmingtonian., 1885-11-14
RugglaFy d a disease wltal him.


It is grand motive Of his life. lie is bound
to succeed in that line.
The guilelessness Of Wilmington lambs is
continual aggravation to the genius Of
Big Franks successful powers.
distance lends enchantment to the view.p
II would have been more judicious, and un.
doubtedly more safe for Delaware had this
'favorite SOM been allowed a continuance
of Punishment in distant New York.
The great thlef's towering genius has the
supremenest contempt for Delaware's lock
and key. Hewll abide with US for awhile.
We await with a resignation, born of a GER
tain experience, the sure and sudden an
nouncement of his departure from the county
seat upon some predatory excursion.
Meanwhile his present quarters make
famous winter residence in which to plan
the Spring and Summer campaign.
The Wilmingtonian., 1885-11-14
v III tno ,1--Ze church 3 -

at Hawarden. His eldest son is the rector
Of the church. People are curious to hear
what the ex-premier will say on the question
but at the same time find it difficult to be-
lieve that he will actually give in his adhe-
sion to the rampant demands of the extre-
msts of his party in saying that the State
Church must be abolished.
The Wilmingtonian., 1885-11-14
.2X67F1!zl..llI Il NJ

will be discussed everywhere without bigo-
try toward the Roman Catholic religion,
and in no spirit of intolerance toward Ro-
man Catholics. 1t is purely in its civil as
poets that it is important and interesting to
non Catholic Americans.
The Wilmingtonian., 1885-11-14

offered that commodity to councill If Coun-
Gil wishes to discriminate in sand, the Build
ing Inspector, when the samples are placed
before him, could readily advise, at glance,
whether the article were of the proper kind.
But this arrangement would obviate the ne
cessity of the juDketings aud the occult pro-
cess of transmutation Of sand into half
The Wilmingtonian., 1885-11-14

1t is said, that if the stem of a freshIy-cut
tube-rose or other white flower be placed
in diluted red ink the leaves will in short
time become prettily\ \colored.
The Wilmingtonian., 1885-11-14

Spiritualist religious services will be held
every Sunday at 1o3O a. M, in the McClary
Building, third floor. Services will be con-
Quoted by Mrs F. W. Sanborn an inspira-
tiopal speaker. Subject taken from the
audience. Seats free,
The Wilmingtonian., 1885-11-14
YfSfRTx67x3N.. /.

Whlte men are losing ground. They Gam
not compete with the cdlestials. The reason
is, as usual, they do work cheaper. The
whites charge $50 for the use of wagon
for few hours. Other charges are made
accordingly. An inevitable consequence is
that the Chinese have appeared, and the
problem of exorbitant charges have been
solved instanter
The Wilmingtonian., 1885-11-14

mire benevolent spirit-whould be strong
with those who have the gift to appreciate a
noble and exalted manhood,
Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-02-08
An Artillery Interlude.
ICor, PHILADELPHIA Times I


While there witnessed a scene which d
indelibly impressed upon my memory. Many
We were standing at the side of the road
watching one of the enemy's guns which wa,
firing from ridge overlooking the ground
occupied by our army. We could see ths
puff Of smoke, hear the report and the pro-
jectile would go screeching over our head.
or go crashing into something near by. OuI
artillery would then reply, and we would
watch for the effect Of the shot We were
finally rewarded by seeing the caisson be-
longing to the Confederate gun go I'D in a
cloud Of white smoke Then our men sent
up a great shout Of triumph,
While this was going on and heads were
being ducked in obeisance to the screechine
shells, a couple Of our msn came stroIlinS ur
the road arm in arm from the direction of
the Chancellorsville house. One was decked
out in a lady's bonnet and carried a fan.
which he was languidly flirting back and
forth, while the other played the gallant ana
sheltered his companion from the ener.
waiting rays OF the sun with light blue par.
asol They acted well their parts as lovers,
looking tenderly into each others eyes
while apparently exchanging compliments
In an undertone. They seemed to be Der.
fectly oblivious of the fact that they were
within range Of the enemy's guns, and that
shot and shell were being hurled about in a
close proximity to them Neither did they
notice the laughter and explanations which
greeted them at every step, but seemed tc
be living in a little world of their own,
where all was peace and love. did not
know them, but have often wondered what
was their fate in the conflict which followed.
Did they escape unhurt, or did l perchance
see their bones bleaching in the woods a
year later when our army, then about to be,
gin the fearful campaign under Grant, biv.
ouacked for the night on this same battle
vround}
Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-02-08

from abeve and inciuosd . pit ox I,s M.
gallery Tor USES y, S.Ee..- ~ ~ r,-.s.-:-.
was strewn with rushes Musicians were
placed In the gallery outside the curtain
One sound Of the trumpet called the public
In, and they stood on the rough stones in the
yard-the original "pit'-unless they en-
gagged rooms that opened on the surrounding
gallery, in which they might enjoy them
selves, and from which they could look out
on the actors. These rooms were the first
private boxes, and when buildings were
erected for the acting Of plays, their private
boxes We're first called 'rooms" The inn
gallery has been developed into the @dress
circles of modern times
The second flourish of trumpets invited all
spectators to settle themselves in their
places. After the third sound of the trumpet
the curtain was drawn, and the actors began
TO represent in action the story made for
them into play. There was no scenery.
The bit Of inn-gallery included between the
curtains might be a balcony for a Juliet,
town wall or tower to be defended,
palaCe-roof, or any raised place that was re-
quired by the action. The writer and the
actors of the play were the whole play They
alone must present everything by their
power to the imaginations of those upon
whom they exercised their art
AT court, for the queens pleasure, there
was still only the scaffold on which to pre-
sent the story, and, beyond the dressing of
the actors, only the most indispensable bits
OF stage appointment; as seat, if the story
required that one should sit, or a table il
necessary. But if the poet wanted scene
painting he must paint his own scene in his
verse