davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-02-05

Mr.. Justice Field then, amid much APP
plauso, arose and in his usual eloquent man
oer responded for tue court He said that
In every age and with every people there
have been celebrations of trumphs in war
and OF triumphs IN peace, but mover has
there been in any country a celebration like
this-to commemorate tho establishment of
n judicial tribunal as coordinate aud per-
manent part of its government. This cele-
bration had it's inspiration In the conviction
that this tribunal has materially contributed
to the just appreciation of and ready obe-
dience 10 the constitution of the United
States This constitution, which has been
productive of such vast results, was the out
growth Of institutions and doctrines inner
tied from our ancestors and applied under
the now conditions of our country.
Never Thought of Secession.
The possibility of n dissolution OF the
Union of states was never considered by its
trainers, and in all Its provisions, as Justice
Chase aptly remarked, IL ''looks to an indie
ktructible union composed of indestructible
states Even the late civil war could not
shake its stability. In some cases. the jus
tice said, the court may have made mistakes.
The judges would be more than human II
this were not SO. But they have striven to
the utmost Of their abilities TO be right and
perform their functions to tho advancement
Of justice and the good Of the country
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-05
HARMONIOUS ACTION.
The New York Presbytery Adopts the Report
of the Revision Committee.

The New York Presbytery Adopts the Report
of the Revision Committee.
NEW YORK, February 4.-The New York
Presbytery met this afternoon, and after brief
discussion adopted, without change, the rec
concentrations contained in the report of the
Committee on Revision, and which followed
chapters and 10 of the Confession of Faith
adopted on Monday. That portion of the report
adopted to-day concluded the report. 1t was
as follows:
Furthermore, as germane to the objects
which the Assembly has in mind, in referring
these questions to the Presbyteries, your com
mittee recommends that the Presbytery of
New York respectfully oVertures the General
Assembly to invite the cooperation of the Pres
byterian and Reformed Churches of America
and of Great Britain and Ireland to formulate
in scripture language, and containing all the
essential and necessary articles of the West
minister Confession, which creed shall be sub
mitted for approval and adoption as the COM
mon creed of the Presbyterian and the Re-
formed Churches. We believe that there is a
demand for such a creed-not as a substi-
tute for our confession, but only to summarize
and supplement it for the work of the Church.
We would and we must retain our standard,
which we have as our family inheritance and as
the safeguard of our ministry and our institu-
once interpreting and representing those stand
ards, would be welcomed by our churches as
most helpful and beneficial for the exposition
of what we have meant through all these years
by the system of doctrine taught in the holy
scriptures"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-05
THE RECORDS OF DESTRUCTION.

The story told by the succession of pages
in the Orphans Court books of Cambria
county devoted to the settlement of the es-
tates of persons who died "about 4:30 P. NJ.
May 81, 1885," is a solemn and enduring
record of the destruction of the great food.
Not all the deaths which that awful event
caused are recorded there; but the sudden
blow, the complete destruction and the wip-
ing out of whole families appear in the
features of that dread record.
The investigation by special correspond
ent into the relations of families wiped out
which those impassive documents disclose
and into the legal complications arising out
OF the mystery as to whether husband or
wife, children or parents, were first de-
stroyed, is given elsewhere. As to the dis
putes over the property arising out of
the desire of the living for the possessions
of the dead, the presumption of the common
law would seem to settle such issues. But
the multiplicity of such cases and the utter
absence of actual evidence as to the exact
time of death of the different members Of
the families swept away in that awful tor
rent furnish an impressive remembrance Of
the great calamity.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-05
GOOD FOR QUEBEC PAPAs.

The Legislature of the Province of
Quebec has just passed law giving a hum
dred acres of the public lands to the father
OF twelve living legitimate children. The
act which makes this remarkable provision
says no more of the principle presumably
underlying it than that the gift is intended
as mark of consideration tor truitfuIness
in the sacred and civil bonds of matri-
mony." Fathers of large families were
similarly rewarded in Canada, when it was
a French dependency in the time of Louis
XIV. In almost all countries, at some time
in their history, productiveness has been
made profitable to the parents by the State.
The Roman Republic offered solid induce
ments to its citizens to increase the popula-
ton; the Greek Republics also thought such
measures good policy. In England pre-
MUM was put upon large families under
the reign of the earlier kings, but all legis-
lation Of the kind has long since been re-
pealed except the royal gift of three guineas
which still rewards the happy mother of
triplets.
There may be goOd reasons known to the
Quebec Legislature for the new law; a de-
sire to bolster their Province against the
more rapidly increasing population of other
parts of the Dominion, or with a view to
encouraging the settlement and cultivation
of the northern part of the Province of
Quebec, which is still virgin forest for the
most part. Whether the United States has
any need to follow the example of its
northern neighbor in the matter is ques-
ton which cannot be answered without
grave and lengthy consideration. The tre-
mendOus tide of immigration to these shores
has made the occupation of all the available
public lands no longer matter of anxiety,
except in so far as there do not appear
enough public lands to go around. The in
crease of the population in the natural way
seems to be satisfactory also, though large
families are less often found to-day than
they were twenty years ago. CuriousIy
enough the only parents that seem to need
encouragement in the raising of families are
the rich. But gifts of land or money would
be no object to them.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-05
TWO KINDS OF PAPERS.

One of the most interesting contributions
to the thoughtful side of the recent Press
Club banquet in this city was Mr.. George
William Curtis letter of declinstion. A
paragraph in that letter ran thus:
Whatever may be truly said of individual
offenses, 1 am very sure that the American
press is the most truly popular conservative
force in the country and that it has fully justi-
fed Its right to the freedom which it won in
this city in the name of John Peter Zenger, one
hundred and fifty years ago.
b The truth so happily conveyed by Mr..
Curtis is attracting more attention than it
might have otherwise, because not very long
ago Mr.. Curtis wrote in another place:
A great newspaper is now a great advocate.
From its own convictions or interests it has
taken a retainer to defend or main
tain view or side. 1t treats
the news that is, facts, as the advo-
cate treats testimony. 1t exaggerates and per-
verts, it ignores or it contemns and ridicules
the facts, as seems best to suit its purposes
The New York Sun declares that these
delIverances on cotemporary journalism are
inconsistent The inconsistency is rather
apparent than real, as we understand the
purport of Mr.. Curtis remarks. We have
no authority beyond our knowledge of the
facts and of Mr.. Curtis views to say so, but
we believe his intention to have been in the
second instance above quoted to refer to the
great partisan newspaper of the day, the
party or personal organ. Nobody will deny
that party organs are more concerned to
maintain a certain view or side, and to
manipulate the news in the interest of the
party whose voice it aims to be,
than to give all the news obtainable
without fear or favor, and to comment
on it from the standpoint of Justice and
truth. There are such organs, and some of
them are considered, rightly or wrongly,
great newspapers. But there are also many
great papers and plenty of little ones which
occupy an independent position, and which
Mr.. Curtis rightly regards as the most truly
popular conservative force in the country.
And many and satisfactory proofs are before
us of the popularity and influence of the
paper which takes its stand above partisan
prejudice, is the organ of no party or indi-
vidual, which prints all the news and ad-
heres to the standards of truth and justice
to all in its editorial utterances.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-05
A vIGILANTE vEBMEGERICHT.

The "reminiscences OF the early history of
Montana which have been produced by the
election of Sanders to the United States
Senate by the Republican branch of the
Legislature of that State have produced a
picture ofthe rule of the vigilantes of whom
Sanders, aided by John Y. Beidler, was the
active chief 1t is related how the middle
initial of the latter's name in connection
with the mysterious numbers 3-7-77, posted
on a card in front of a cabin or tent meant a
warning to the inmate to "leave within
twenty-four hours or swing on the second
night" 1t is told that the recipients of
such warnings might appeal to Sanders or
Beidler and lay the case before them, speak
ing as neighbor to neighbor. In such case
the life or liberty Of the accused was decided
by the following:
If the plea of the accused seemed good, it
was kindly heard and passed along to the mid
night tribunal to be investigated further. Per-
haps the sentence was reversed and the accused
notified informally to that effect. Perhaps it
was reafirmed by second placard. Then there
was no appeal.
1t needs no analysis for any one who has
the slightest appreciation of government by
law to perceive that this subjected the
rights and liberties of the citizens to a
tyranny which was all the more unjustifable
because it was secret and irresponsible. A
man could be accused by an unknown &C.
cuser, judged by an unknown tribunal with
out opportunity to defend himself, ordered to
abandon his property by an anonymous
warning, or put to death by a midnight as
sassination. Such secret and midnight
methods were more destructive of individ-
ual rights than the open rule of desperadoes
and thieves could be.
1t is said in defense of such methods that
the laws we're weak, and that the ex-
treme measures were enforced only
against robbers and outlaws. To the
first plea it is q sufficient answer that
the men who were able to set up mid
night tribunals, to pass secret sentences of
expulsion and enforce midnight executions
could have secured the enforcement OF open
and legal justice. When they chose the
secret method and dealt out sentences Of
the Vehmegerieht class, the burden
of proof that no innocent man was mur-
dered, or no inconvenient person forced to
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-05
THE TOPICAL TALKER.

Driving a Hearse Units Jehu for Shop.
ping Tours - The Undertaken Meant
WeII-AcOustics Play Tricks-A Word to
MIR. Wilt.
THE wife of Pittsburger who resides some
little distance out of town had occasion to
hire carriage the other DAY from livery stable
to take her upon shopping tour. The driver
of the carriage was civil spoken, obllging sort
of man. but the lady observed before she had
been downtown very long that he knew very
little indeed about the location Of stores. She
had to furnish him with most precise and full
directions in order to reach stores whose names
| are locally famous. The driver seemed a little
hurt to be forced to inquire where this and that
store were situated.
At the conclusion of the days shopping, as
the lady alighted at her own door the Jehu
stopped her with this apology: "You must
please excuse me, ma'am, for not KNOWN
them stores; you see, me and this team usually
hauls the hearse."
Shopping was new undertaking for him.
ITNDERTAKERs are not always solemn beings,
knew one years ago who was clipper,
CHEEKY individual. He was not in the under
taking business when first knew him. Soon
after he set up as funeral conductor he met
me-he had habit of washing his hands con-
tinually with invisible soap and water-he said:
81 hope some day soon may do something for
YOU" He imagined he was indebted to me, and
took this gruesome way OF expressing his
gratitude.
So
IT is noticeable often on a first night at the
Grand Opera House that some of the actors
strain their voices apparently because they
think q great vocal effort is needed to NIL SO
large theater. Miss Pauline Hall, If am
NOT mistaken on Monday night was victim of
this delusion.
The fact is that the acoustics Of the Opera
House are so nicely adjusted that it requires
no effort on the part of singer or speaker to
make the voice carry to the most distant parts
of the house. II the actor or singer in igno-
rance of this quality Of the auditorium make
prodiglous vocal effort it is contrary to that de-
sired. The sound explodes against the walls
and nobody in the audience catches the words.
This has been proven over and over again.
NEEssRs. ARoNsoN and Wilt are said to be
contemplating the substitution Of "Er-
mimic" for 1.-THE Drum Major" at both per.
formances on Saturday. Such change would
be most unwise. The fact that the seats on
Thursday and Friday night, when 1.-The Drum
Major" is to be played, have been gobbled up
already, shows the eagerness of the public to
see Offenbach's opera, which is practically new
to Pittsburg. Many who could get seats for
Thursday and Friday will go on Saturday, if
THE Drum Major" is given. know of many
who have SO arranged.
1t was well enough to substitute "Erminie"
for "Nadjy" for the Wednesday performances,
but THE Drum Major" has many more attrac-
tions for the public than "Erminie" or
"Nadjy." Messrs. Aronson, Weed and Wilt
may be assured Of this.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-05
A PARTY PROGRAMME.

An election in two counties of Ohio yes
terday was expected to settle the political
complexion of Ohio and make a possible
change of Is votes in the national House of
Representatives. This will eventuate from
the fact that if the Democrats get control of
the Ohio Senate they will correct the Re
publican gerrymander of that State by a
Democratic gerrymander equally outrageous,
will grab everything their opponents have
grabbed, and if any partisan advantage is
to be gained by it, will show themselves
more unscrupulous and regardless of the
principles of honest Democracy than the
opposition. Such partisanship as this gives
the vote of two obscure Ohio counties more
power in national affairs than half OF a
great State, and is rumored to have concen-
trated there the pecuniary political agencies
of Senator Brice. The most deadly enemy
of the Republican institutions of this coun-
try Is the disposition to place party sdvant-
age above the public interest.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-05
THE CONCLUSION OF THE MATTER,

The forcible declaration is made by the
New York Sun that Thomas C. Platt's in
lection of politics into the New York
Worlds Fair project may "blow up the
Worlds Fair" but is likely to send the
Republican politicians " sky high with il. !"
The fact is that Mr.. Platt's course has al
ready slaughtered the New York project,
and the peculiar condition of the Republi-
can party in that State, which made it ready
to obey Mr.. Platt's order, against the warn
ing of such Republican as Depew, marks
it as just about worthy of the defeat which
this course will earn for it.
But this slaughter, both Of project and
party, having been completed and fore-or-
dained, Congress might as well act promptly
and locate the fair in Washington, where it
can be conducted on a broad, national and
non-partisan basis.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-05
THE REGULAR PRACTICE.

The day after the national House of Rep
resentatives completes its fight by seating
a contestant by party predictions, the
West Virginia Legislature follows suit by
deciding the GOvernorship of that State
with a similar vote. The West Virginia
people showed little more respect tor the
principles of popular government than the
House did, by taking good deal more time
to investigate the case; but the settlement of
the question by strict party vote shows the
case to have been decided upon the same
principle. Whenever a contest is settled
by party vote it shows that the decision is
ruled not by the evidence but by the per-
niciOus principle Of placing party advan-
tage over honest elections. As both parties
are doing this it shows that both parties are
becoming so partisan as to be unrepublican.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-05
Social Chatter.

A DANCING reception at Cyclorama Hall,
February Is, will be one of the most enjoyable Of
the season. Guenther's Orchestra will furnish
the music and the gentlemen who have the
management of the affair are T. Harry DoIan.
Thomas A. Dunn, J. Phil Mahan, G. Edgar
Gilmore, w. c. Gray and Walter g. Herr.
AT the German Masonic Hail. Allegheny,
next Friday evening, concert and dramatic
recitations will be in order. A chorus of $50
voices, under the management of Prof. W. A.
Lafferty assisted by Mr.. Edward Fabean, an
elocutionist from New ork, will constitute the
talent of the evening.
Mr.. G. BLAIR PAINTER will do the honors
at delightful luncheon to-day in the new
restaurant of the Duquesne Club House. Eight
ladies and gentlemen will be seated in the
manner most conducive to social chit-chat and
the enjoyment OF the good things set before
them.
THE twenty-fourth anniversary of st, Vim
cents Literary Association was celebrated last
evening in Birmingham Turner Hall. The pro-
gramme, which was unusually tine, was con-
cluded with drama in two acts, entitled THE
Minerali.'
A BOX party enjoyed the hospitality of Miss
Caldwell at the Opera House, last evening.
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank P. Sproull were the guests
of honor.
A HOST of friends danced the evening away
last night, at the residence of Mrs. Collins, of
Dallas.
MRS. ]. E. ASH, of Lake street, East End,
had q very enjoyable euchre party last even
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-05
DEATHS OF A DAY.
Mrs. Margaret Heron.

On Sunday last there died in Allegheny Mrs
Margaret Heron, lady, who, from her great age
and numerous offspring, might have lived in pa
triarchal times. Mrs. Heron had almost COM
pleted her hundredth year, when she expired at 43
Anderson street, the residence Of her sOn-in-law,
Mr.. Hugh Roney. Mrs. Heron was born in Fer
moy, County Cork, Ireland, in l799 the year after
the great rebellion. She witnessed the last strUg-
giles of Fenianism against penal oppression, and
when she welded her choice was John Heron. of
Fermoy, a stanch and sturdy patriot. After
her husbands death Mrs. Heron came to Pitts
burg, in 1856 thereabOuts; and In Pittsburg she
has remained ever since. She leaves one son and
two daughters, besides 30 grandchildren. IS great
grandchildren, and Is great-Rreat-grand dchildren.
Her descendants are scattered far and wide over
the Eastern and Western States. Her son and
daughters all live in Pittsburg. They are MIR.
Daniel Heron, of Mercer street; Mrs Hugh HOr-
kins, of East Liberty, and Mrs. Hugh Roney, of
Anderson street, Allegheny. The dead lady looked
very calm and beautiful with the venerable beauty
of her years when DISPATCH reporter was yes
terday permitted to see her. She lay amid wreaths
of memorial flowers, and seemed merely sleeping
for a little while, to awaken refreshed and vfgor-
GUS. in good time to face her hundredth summer.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-05
FLEMING Is GOYERNOR.ELEcr.
The Closing Scene of the Famous Contest
In West YfrRiuia,


ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE pIsPArcz.Y
CHARLESTON, W. VA, February 4-Judge
Fleming has been declared Governor of West
Virginia by the joint assembly of the TWO
Houses. The end of the long agony came at
u:30 this morning. and the Democrats won by
a majority of three votes, President Carr of
the Senate. voting for Fleming as had been
expected, with Delegates Ford and Merrell vot-
ing with their Democratic colleagues, which
was unexpected. The joint assembly met at 10
o'clock the jam Of people at the State House
being something terrific. Immediately after
the organization of the joint assembly the re-
port the bribery investigation committee was
presented. 1t was double barreled arrange
ment-the three Democratic members urging
one branch of it. and the two Republicans the
other. The main body Of the report said:
THE evidence produced before the commit
tee in support of the charges, while it was sufi-
cient to create IN our minds grave suspicion
that improper proposals were made by r.
Strollings to influence the vote of Delegate
Harr, still it was of such a contradictory char
acter that we do not feel justified in saying the
charges were sustained. or that the evidence
justifeS any further action being taken in
reference to the matter. We were not at
all satisfied with the explanation given by Mr.
Strollings, but at the same time as the gist Of
the charges rested in his testimony on the one
side and Harris on the other, we are compelled
to say they are not sustained"
The Republican members supplemented this
by paper, in which they said they dissented
from so much of the majority report included
in the words while the evidence in our
opinion was sufficient to create a suspicion in
our minds that improper means were used, "
and went on to say that the charges made by
Mr.. Harr had not been in any way substan.
tiated. Immediately after the reading Of the
reports and while buzz of excitement ran
around the hall, Mr.. Moore took the floor and
SAID he desired to say in the presence Of the
Joint assembly and the great audience before
him. that not one word Of evidence had been
adduced before the committee rejecting upon
the character Of General Con or Judge
Fleming.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-05
PITTsBURG. WEDNESDAY. FEB. o, 1890
RECEPTION VS. DELEGATES.

The irrepressible Chal Dick, who was
striking figure in the days of relief work at
Johnstown, declares that the delegates OF
Cambria county were bagged for Delamater
through the general impression that no one
would oppose Hastings. That being the
case, it appears that General Hastings
friends in that county can chiefly blame
themselves for failing to look after the in
terest of their candidate.
The popularity of the Adjutant General
in the wrecked city is to be testified to BY
the reception announced in our Johnstown
special. On that occasion it is expected
that The people of Johnstown will show be-
yOnd all dispute their appreciation and
gratitude for the services of General Has
tings at the time that their city was a ruin.
This will undoubtedly be gratifying to
the gallant General; Mr.. Delamater may
also find qualification in rejecting that he
cares not who gets the receptions at Johns
town, so long as he gets the delegates.