davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The examiner., 1886-02-27
THE "CR4NK g. IRE DOING

THE generally prevailing Idea of political economy as taught by the old school of thinkers Is, that the smaller the amout paid in wages, the more persons could be employed and the more business done. This would be so, providing that a dollar could settle only one dollars worth of debt, when the fact is that it may settle hundred times it's value of debt in single day. Besides, the amount of money in existence has never yet been used to its full capacity at any one time, and in this country at present there is such an abundance of it locked up, that its safe keeping is of considerable expense. The following extract is very significant at the present time :
 ssThe total number of failures in the United States reported to Brddstreets for the past week is 214, as against 227, in the previous week, and 254 in the like week in 1885. The total failures in the United States from Jan. to date is 2,O93 against s5sss esa Tn Ike p0f''0n 0r l''z' 0e'''ne 0' Why this change for the better, and especially in one of the naturally dull est periods of the year? All the reason we can assign is, the advance of wages taking place all over the country, assisted in a measure by the re duction of hours of labor which necessitates the employment of more people. Why this affects the result is plain. When the workingman's compen- sation is larger, he is larger consumer, and therefore better able to assist the market in keeping it free from "over- production" and consequent stagna- ton. More being employed through shorter hours, of course adds to the capabilities of consumption and lessens the supplies in the market, which in turn gives the wheels ot industry an opportunity. of being kept running, which in turn again saves the manu- facturer, and gives s'business" to the distributor.
 How strange then that both the manufacturer and distributor should sometimes clasp hands to crush the men who strive to make things better for all.
 But what is the active agency in this revival? Let us whisper it softly it is the Knights of Labor; but be- hind that and underneath all-it is the. ''cranks" the much derided cranks and "disturbers" in general who have kept the fires of thought unexting- uished, and have not allowed the slave to rot in his chains.
The examiner., 1886-02-27

AMID the confusion of political parties in England, in one instance at least the fright has come upper most" and Charles Bradlaugh has taken his seat in the house of Com mons to which he was elected five years ago, but was excluded because he admitted his ignorance regarding something of which his opponents were equally unenlightened-the ex- istence and nature of Deity. As often as MT. Bradlaugh was denied his seat Tn Parliament and went back to his constituents they would triumph anly re-elect him. His admission now, is victory over bigotry and in tolerence. A London journal says "Of all those who have taken part in the Bradlaugh Question, he, himself, is the only one whose record is per fectly clean"
The examiner., 1886-02-27
BLACK AND WHITE.

MR THOMAS FORTUNE is a colore d gentlemen who enjoys the misfortune of being an editor with an appa1 ently unresponsive constituency. Once in a while he is obliged to break out in tones of anguish and reproof, and tell his people some plain truths of themselves just as THE EXAMINER is occasionally obliged to tell to some of those for whom it. t.labors, although little taffy would be much better relished and less likely 70 provt ke ill-will in return.. -
 ''Think of the hundreds of thousands of dollars" he says, ''we squauder every year on balls, picnics. excursions, receptions, and gewgaws; and then think of the mi er- able pittance we contribute to the susten- tation of raco enterprise It is more than enough to make an honest man sick of the work that must be done. Let the race brace up."
 Yes, the race shuld brace up but the great troubleis in getting them within hearing distance of the reproof or advice. It is with them as with the down-troddeffl of all races-they are not cognizant of the fact that they are deprived of any rights, and so | believing, of course never look for their restoration. The more any class are in the need of the benefits which better conditions would bring, the less do that class realize the ne- cessity of working to secure these conditions. This is all on account of their social and political, ignorance. Not knowing, they do not feel, and not feeling they do not act. And the the greater the fool the more conceited IS he of his wisdom, therefore the more danger is there of mourning his wrath by reminding him of his folly.
 We sympathise with Editor Fortune, and hope that Encouragement will not always haunt his pathway. But he must strive and set a better exam pie in the future than 10 be found on any partisan platform, advocating the claims of any man or party determined on the perpetuation or even satisfied with present industrial conditions, as he was found during the last Presiden- tial squabble. He must come out from all parties imbedded in the fos- silism of the past, and join hanos with the men of every class and occupation who are striving to replace the old the new. The cause of the colored laborer is the cause of the white laborer, the condit- ions that enslave the one, will surely prevent the rising or emancipation of the other; and a more galiing slavery | L IL 1xy the one under the chattel system, if the present system of wages bondage is allowed much longer to continue.
The examiner., 1886-02-27
ZV INVERSE RATIO.

SOCIETY seems to be classified, not according to intelligence, or culture, or manners, or real worth, but chiefly by the occupation one pursues. This being the case the rational supposition would be that the one whose business was the most useful and necessary would have the highest rank. But inconsistent as it may be, the social scale is graduated chiefly upon the opposite principle. The woman who does no useful work, or if she does, conceals the fact and makes believe 1t is only for amusement, considers herself of much higher grade than a teacher, who may be her superior in learning and accomplishments. In turn, the teacher looks down upon the sewing glrl, who may be her equal in educatlon and ability, while the sewing girl holds herself aloof from the factory operative as being of an inferior order; and the operative would feel as if losing caste to associate with the kitchen girl.
 It is quite natural for us all to pre- fer the company of those who move on the same plane of thought with ourselves, but to feel that different kinds of industries pursued, if equally honest should establish system of caste Is more senseless and wrong than the caste system in Hindostan j; or that manual labor degrades either man or woman is the most false and
The examiner., 1886-02-27

THE New York journals, especially the World, are filled with articles re- lating to the scandalous fraud, pecu- lation, and bribery of aldermen and legislators in obtaining the franchise of street surface railroad through Broadway. It is shown that three millions of dollars have been used in suborning law makers, both State and municipal, and legal investigation has only just begun, and it is hinted that the names of several eminent business men will pass under cloud before it is finished. We shall see if the ill-gotten wealth of legislative thieves, will as usual, protect them from the penalty which their crimes deserve. Why IS it that fraud and theft of all kinds, notoriously in the management of public affairs, are so rife, among us. It is because honest labor is considered degrading and remains underpaid, while official positions are made prizes for the con- tention of sharpers; and riches, no matter. how obtained, are bowed down to, worshipped and honored by the minimizing multitude.
The examiner., 1886-02-27
DON'T BE AFRAID OF POLITICS.

Ask no man whether he is a Democrat or Republican, a Protestant or Catholic, but ask him does he accept the platform of the K. of L., and if he does not he is your political enemy.
 Knights of Labor, do not be afraid of politics. Stand shoulder to shoulder in support of the men that stand by your platform in Congress and in the legislature, no matter what their party, nationality or religion. This you must do or forever be the slaves you are. Knighthood means justice to every human soul; partisan pol itics means poverty and slavery to the masses who toll. R. F. Trevellick.
The examiner., 1886-02-27

PARsoN TALMADGE says he can tell you the tone of public morality or immortality in any age of the civilized world by learning what the dress of the women was; that when the decol- lete dress gets down to the very edge of indecency, as is now the style, when it seems that the drawing room is running a race with the opera bouffe in attaining the minimum of attire, he thinks it indicative of a low state of morality. By seeming law of nature history repeats itself, and by the same law, styles III dress always come round again; and Brother Talmadge should not be too severe on the ladies if they do allow their mode of dress to gravitate toward the Edenic costume once more. Besides, would not this be a change for the better, for the less dress the ladies have to think about, the more time will they have to de- vote to the development of other tastes and things, now looked upon as more important by the intellectual and philantropic world.
The examiner., 1886-02-27
THE CHURCHES AND THE LABOR
 MOVEMENT.

The awakening of the church and clergy to the moralties involved in the labor move ment is most cheering fact. Whatever anyone may believe about religion there can be no two opinions as to the power of the church as social influence in this country. It is adequate to remove any great evil upon which it is concentrated. It is not always the first discover a moral evil, but it is quite sure to come to the aid of moral reforms in the end. Despite the hollowness of profession, the dead ritua= lism, and phariseeism of the multitudes, there are in every church a little cluster of men and women who believe in Christ as example and are earnestly trying to initiate his self-denying life. They are the salt that preserves the church from decay, and they are sure in time to determine its po- sition. At last their vision is cleared. They see the wrongs of labor and are de- clarlng the truth with a power that will convert the church in due time.-OHr Country. .,
The examiner., 1886-02-27
MORE HOPE "A
 THE FUTURE.

REAL Socialism or Cooperative government seeks to establish a better order of society,-to evolve, not by force but by education out of the strife and hatred of competition, and away from it, a social order in which peace and harmony shall prevail, and the good of one become the good of all
 "But this is Utopian dream," says the pessimlstic sceptic, 'for while, human nature remains the same,-while selfshness, envy, jeal- ousy, hatred, dishonesty and greed, reign supreme in the working people, just as they do in other classes, they cannot be brought into harmonious relations one with the other." We do not expect this as the general order of society to be accomplished suddently, but like the evolution of everything in the natural world, pro- gresS will be natural, but it will end in perfection. We judge of the future by the past; and when we con sider the human nature of a few centuries ago, as exhibited in war, rapine, and murder, as the common condition of the race when the old, the infirm and unfortunate were left to die uncared for, and might made right, and contract it with the present state, wren benevolent institutions stud the land thickly as stars gem the sky, in which all kinds of the un- fortunate are protected, old age and helpless infancy, the sick, the poor, the deaf, the blind, the crippled, the idiotic, the insane, and even the dumb brutes are receiving share of this kindness that emenates from the divine principle of love. can we doubt that human nature itself is inn proving, though retarded in its growth by vicious sytems of government and of industry. What though we occa- sionally see instances of avatism, where the moral nature like the phys cal,sometimes go back toward our anil nal ancestry, and in some individuals we hear the serpent's hiss, or see the tigers claws developrd yet these are only exceptions to general law.
 We-see prophecies of the comming fraternity of all mankind in the nu- merous unions of men, banded to- gether for some common purpose or for mutual protection. The forces have long been gathering to bring about this great end, and we expect to see the world making more progress toward it in the space of few years than in centuries past.
The examiner., 1886-02-27

CONGRESSMAN BLAND, is after Sec retary Manning to extort from him an official acknowledgements of the devices practiced in his department to evade the law in the interest of the money manipulators. How strange it is that the American people can be- come so infatuated with partyism that tricksters may be foisted upon them year after year with no other concep- tion of official position than that of using it in furtherance of sinister schemes. Just think of Cabinet officer of such an enlightened nation vouchsafed the salary of $8,ooo a year in compensation for the work of perverting the functions of his office, and in direct violation of law; while an honest laborer on whose fruitful toll depends the existence of the na- ton itself, is considered unworthy of one-tenth that amount. But in view of the rapid strides of organization and accompanying intelligence now seen on every hand, we opine that these things will not always SO re- main. More, economic intelligence will not only stop the wrong and ras- cality, but it will reverse it. Then the words of St. Paul will have some actual significance in life's affairs 'He that will not work, neither shall he eat;" and which shall also be truly exemplifed the admonition-"The way of the transgressor is hard" At present it would seem as if the only important duty of our Government officials consisted in investigation of each others wickedness, and drawing their salaries therefor.
The examiner., 1886-02-27
THE DRlvEL OF CONGRESS.

Just think of ssnis driveHng Congress in Washington. Here they are, week in and out, grinding over the twenty-year old chaf about the martnet Fitz John Porter. Here they are twaddling their tongues over monument to Gen. Grant that will cost a million if it is ever begun. These are among the larger things taken up by the drivelers. A running debate under the exhausted receiver about the coin which Abraham bought grave for his wife Sarah, soon after Noah's flood, and a con- tinuation of the forty-year old tomfoolery about the tariff, will carry them through to the end of the session, which will cost us a wastage of oyer hundred million dollars. And this driveling goes on, and is kept up, while millions of our people are in the throes.-John Swinton's Paper.
The examiner., 1886-02-27

decision in the dispute, and calls upon all parties thereto to use every effort to establish once more, peace and good will. This official in letter to Swinton's paper of New York, also crilicises severely the asperslons of the Secretary of the Granite Cutters National Union of the motives of MT. Patterson in bis proposed plan. In one sentence he almost quotes the words used by us in our article. It is so fair and well tempered, that we hereby give its tenor :-
 ''I believe that in adopting this plan MT. Patterson has simply made up his mind 10 accept the inevitable. Has read the Handwriting on the wall a little sooner than number of others will be forced into doing from circumstances. Having done so, he has had the bFains and moral cour- age to comply with it's requirements; and no matter what he may have been in the past, I say in this instance, at least, he is entitled to credit. 1 hail with joy every concession which is made to labor, and more espe cially here in antiquated and moth-eaten Rhode Island, where some of our women are running four looms for as many dollars per week, where the working people are accused of being ignorant. and in the next breath told that shorter hours of labor is DO part of the solution of this question; and where $134 worth of sand furnishes the brains with which to exercise the right of a freeman. I view with sus- picion the man ormen who stand in the way when these efsastrous strikes in a fair way .of settlement in an honorable manner to all concerned.''
 This is the proper spirit in which to treat such difficulties, for we must consider that under present conditions the employer is hampered by the com petition of others, and must do about as they do or go to the wall. The workingman who thinks an employer can grant any wages he chooses, shows only his want of conception of the situation. And the workingman also who continually votes to uphold the wages system. should not be very much pitied when obliged to feel it's results. F., ...- ...,
The examiner., 1886-02-27

THE French Government, or rather the Chamber of Deputies have voted to sell the crown jewels and with the proceeds build homes for aged work ingmen This is as it should be. The workingmen earned the money paid for those jewels, as they earn everything that is produced. It is an indication too, that the people of France believe the Republic has now come to stay, and they will have no further use for crowns.
The examiner., 1886-02-27
A BILL for the restoration of the

A BILL for the restoration of the income tax law has been introduced into Congress. The basis is one per cent on $2,ooo income, up to 8 per cent on $2oo,ooo or more. The better plan would be to formulate and inaug- urate system whereby no $2oo,ooo year would be possible. If one has the right to make it, in logic he should have the right to keep it. But we presume that nothing more than tin kering the old kettle will be yet per mitted for years to come, although a new vessel is badly needed.
The examiner., 1886-02-27
PROGRESSION is the order of day in

PROGRESSION is the order of day in
 every department. The Massachu-
 cetts Senate has ordered the Weekly Payment bill to third reading, by a vote of 27 to which foreshadows its passage. In years past the advocates of this measure met with only ridicule and rebuf, within the state which boasts of the "cradle of liberty There must be some strange power in existence somewhere that has caused this wonderful transformation, and 20 suddently The workers should be of good cheer, and the work of organ izatlon go bravely on, for where so much is being accomplished though anticipation of it's power, what cannot be accomplished by the power itself.
The examiner., 1886-02-27

LEE CRANDALL of Washington is now getting struck" on the Rights of Labor. The Order must be assu- ming giant proportions at the seat of National government. The Wash ington Knights before taking MT. Crandall to their bosom, should re- member his booming of Ben. Butler for President, and then his coalition with the Democratic leaders vixen the old man refused to settle.
The examiner., 1886-02-27
coNNEc rIcuT BRAIN PRODUCTS.

Official list of patents issued from the United States Patent office to citizens of Connecticut on February 23, 1886 Re ported from the office of Patrick O'Farrell, Solicitor of Patents, Washing ton, D. 0 !, who will furnish information to our readers free:-
 Abe L. Adams, Bridgeport, exhibition drawer.
 George S. Collum, assignor by mesne as- signments, to $. A. Collum, Hartford, can dy manufacturing machine John S. Bray, Bridgeport, screw-driver s,IHorace Griffin, New Haven, 'pying- press.
 George B. Lamb, assignor to Farrel Foundry and Machine company, Wa.er- bury, hydl aulic valve. 2 Samuel NJ. Main, Danbury, one-half by assignment of S. A. Main, Brooklyn, N. Y., lubricator.
 Dexter W. Parker, assignor to C.. Parker Co.,, Meriden, extension lamp.
 Hawley Patrick, assignor of one-half to F. P. Clark, Danbury, surgical splint
 Edwin K. TomliLson, to Eaton, Cole & Burnham Co.,, Bridgeport, jet and spray nozzle.
 Justus A. Traut, New Britain, rlane.
 DESIGNS ..e Henry Berry, Huntington, pitcher, etc.
The examiner., 1886-02-27

THE social sentiment of to-day is corrupt, immoral, and injust. It IS derived from the robber ages of the
 world when feudal chieftains lived only by pillage and looked with scorn upon useful industry and those who pursued it. Society respects men for the possession of wealth, no matter how fraudulently acquired, senti- ment that uudermines and corrupts the whole moral strcuture of society
The examiner., 1886-02-27

THERE is scarcely a single trade or class of manufacturers that does not combine with all the others in the country producing the same kind of article to fix the price of their goods. Why then, should not the operatives combine to fix the price of the only article they have for sale-their labor But perhaps this argument is rather behind date, as the right to combine is noy generally conceded. The only question is the might to enforce the right.
The examiner., 1886-02-27
SOME few weeks ago we had some

SOME few weeks ago we had some thing to say about an individual boycott of THE EXAMINER by a granite cutter of Bridgeport, because we had intlmated in previous article that MT. James G. Patterson, president of the Rhode Island Granite
 Works of Westerly, was sagacious inevitable, as indicated by his pro- posed cooperative scheme with his employees as formulated at the time. Our boycotting friend will now have to place the District Master Workman of Rhode Island under fraternal ban also, for he is now out declaring "all hostilities, boycotts and unfriendiness of every description at and end be- tween all parties interested" pending a
The examiner., 1886-02-27

WE speak of the prayers of civiliza- tion and of the "good tune coming" " when righteousness and justice shall prevail, and ''man to man shall brothers be, as if that time was to come through some fixed law of Nature as the planets are propelled in their or bits. We believe that time is com ing, but it will only by means of hu- man effort just as all progress has been achieved. Some one has had and will still have to pioneer the way, and clear the path of brambles, and be torn by the thorns of that com pound of ignorance and intolerance -"Public opinion j" that hich vim dictively assails anyone and everyone who for the advancement of his race, is wiser than his time.
The examiner., 1886-02-27

IF half the, time, thought, labor and money now devoted to the present relief of want and poverty was only directed to the organizing and per fecting of more equitable economic and industrial system, poverty and want would be unknown. Society contents itself with clipping off the tops of the hedge-rows of evil,-it never thinks of uprooting it.
The examiner., 1886-02-27

THE Rev. Sam. Jones of Cincinnati noted for his unpublished but sharp sayings. remarked that he would rather be 800 old maids than the wife of one drunkard. It is great pity that
 more women do not concur with MT. Jones in that sentiment; and yet, it is a pity, anyway.
The examiner., 1886-02-27
Henry Berry, Huntington, pitcher, etc.

MUCH SENSE INALiTTLE NONSENSE If an and an and an and u, with an
 at the end spell stSu," And an and and au e spell ssi,' pray
 what is a speller to do? Then if also an and an and a and an
 he'd spell s'cide,'' There's nothing much left for a speller to do
 butto go and commit Siouxayesighed, -.. Chicago News.
The examiner., 1886-02-27

OUR country is governed by polite ians instead of state smen, misfor- tune that would have been avoided had the people themselves, been edu- cated in the principle of true sociol- OgV
The examiner., 1886-02-27

IN women's dress we'll developed hustle generally indicates an un- developed brain, the same as the deep collar of the dude indicates the shal- lowness of the cranium.
The examiner., 1886-02-27
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1886.
A STANDING OFFER!

A column a week of THE EXAMINER is hereby placed at the disposal of anyone desiring to elucidate the following: Wherein is there one fundamental point of issue between the Democratic and Republican parties of to daY2