davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun., 1891-09-03
The Legality Of Poker Playing.

Did the District Attorney play poker?
This interesting question is just now per-
turbing the public mind in the good city OF
Watertown, where Mr.. FRANK II. PECK, the
District Attorney OF jefferson county, stands
charged with various sorts OF official mis-
conduct, for which the Governor has been
asked to remove him from office. AS Is the
custom In cases OF this character, a Com
missioner has been appointed to take the
testimony offered in support OF the charges
and in behalf Of the accused officer This
testimony Is reported to the Governor, and
forms the basis Of his decision.
We have not seen any copy OF the charges
and specifications against Mr. PECK. but tho
published accounts OF the hearing before the
Commissioner at Watertown indicate that
one OF the principal accusations relates to
poker playing. Thus proof was offered on
Tuesday that the District Attorney OF JEFF
ferson county played poker ut Gananoque
in Canada. with Judge. n member OF Par
lament. and Sheriff, and number OF wit
nesses testified that they had seen him play
the same game at Watertown Itself and in
other parts Of Jefferson county.
Now it can hardly be possible that seri-
Gus attempt would be made to oust Dis
trict Attorney from office simply because he
had sometimes played poker. The playing
OF that game in private house with ones
friends Is not condemned. we believe, by
the criminal laws Of New York. 1t may
we'll be said that public prosecutor could
occupy himself more usefuly, and even take
his recreation in some more praiseworthy
manner; but mere indulgence in private
game OF poker with a few gentlemen could
hardly constitute a legal reason for remov-
ing District Attorney from Office.
The gravamen Of the charge in the Jeffer-
son county case is doubtless the allegation
that the accused officer has participated in
games Of chance in public places where they
are forbidden by law. Thus the Revised
Statutes forbid any playing with cards or
dice or any kind Of gaming by lot or chance
within any house kept as public inn or
tavern or in any grocery or other place
where spirituous liquors shall be licensed to
be sold. The law also prohibits any playing
with cards or dice for gain or money or any
kind OF gaming by lot or chance on board
any vessel used for the transportation Of
passengers. Apublic prosecutor who should
play poker in disregard OF these prohibi-
tions would BIO justly censurable, although
we hardly suppose that any proceedings to
remove him for SO doing would be instituted
before the Governor unless his violation Of
the statute hac been repeated and persistent
There are sixty District Attorneys in this
State, not counting assistants; and very
large proportion Of them will watch with
much interest the course and result Of tho
prosecution now pending against the Dis
trict Attorney of Jefferson county. If private
poker playing is to be construed by tho
Governor US an act Of official misconduct, it
Is doubtless very material to many OF these
gentlemen to know 1t, that they may govern
themselves accordingly.
The sun., 1891-09-03
Soldier Tickets.

In the Western States much of the inspira.
tion which stimulates and sustains the pop
ular support OF Republican candidates for
important offices is duo to the fact that in
most cases the candidates are intimately
connected with the war period of Repulj-
lican supremacy. either by active service in
the field or by participation in the affairs OF
the Grand Army OF the Republic.
A majority OF the candidates on tho pres
ent Republican State ticket in Ohio. headed
by MCKINLEY. nro veterans OF the war.
The same state OF things is very generally
found to prevail in Indiana. Illinois, Iowa,
Michigan. and Nebraska. States In which n
strong military feeling survives the close OF
the war and the abatement Of the many oc-
casions OF bitterness to which hostilitics
gave rise. In these States the Grand Army
OF the Republic has its most humorous fol-
lowing, and from them its Commander
in-Chief has usually been chosen. In
Pennsylvania and New England the same
state OF things prevails. though in a
less pronounced degree. There too. q de-
cided preference IL shown by Republican
party conventions for nominating war vet
erans. especially In Connecticut. Now Hamp-
shire, Maine and Vermont.
Entirely apart from the popular attraction
which always attaches to military person.
ages and which is TO be found everywhere,
the Republican party appeals with tho great
est conidenceto its followers by invoking
remembrances Of its past achievements con-
nected with the war period. Thus, since the
days OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN, every Republi-
can nominee for tho Office OF President had
some record as soldier, the only exception
having been Mr.. BLAINE In 1884. and In his
case tho need OF war candidate was recog-
nized by the nomination for Vice-P President OF
Gen. LOGAN. The list Of Republican Cover
nors is now short one. but most OF them
have a war record. particularly FIFER Of
Illinois. HovEY Of Indiana, who was bril-
gade commander at Shiloh. Corinth. Vicks-
burg and Resaca, and the two ex-Governors.
BEAVER OF Pennsylvania and FORAKER OF
Ohio, oil veterans OF active service.
The one conspicuous exception among the
States Of the North, either East or West. To
the rule general among Republicans in their
nominating conventions is New York.
Here nearly all the prominent staff officers
Of the war are Democrats. and the list is a
long one. The Republican ranks are. 80 faE
The sun., 1891-09-03

naval powers OF the first rank. In combina-
tion with France she might reasonably aim
at a preponderance In tho Levant which
would threaten England's occupation OF
Egypt and control OF the Suez route to IN
dia. Such is the serious danger which has
all at oncc been unmasked, Just after the
visit OF tho French fleet to Portsmouth
seemed TO provo that British interests had
nothing to fear from France.
As we pointed out Mt the time whom the
French fleets visit was projected, France
and Russia had between them the power to
put the screws to England by jointly apply
ing pressure to the Sultan. The Porte knows
that, at day perhaps not distant, 1t must lose
Constnntinople. but that it might hold Cairo,
could 1t once recover 1t. for an indefinite
period. As 1t is possible though scarcely
probable. that tho English would fight for
Egypt, the Sultan is naturally tempted to
take a stop which would render practicable
the cooperation OF the Russian Black Sea
fleet with French ironclads In the eastern
Mediterranean. No one disputes that ADD
UL-HAMIp is technically justified in demand
ing that Egypt shall be replaced under the
direct authority OF his vassal, tho Khedive,
for whom. by the way, he may at any timo
substitute a more compliant agent. II the
demand wero backed by powerful naval
force 1t would scarcely be resisted. Tho
English people are perfectly aware that
they have no legal right to administer the
Egyptian revenues; even the Tory Govern
mcnt has protested that the occupation OF
the Nile land was but temporary; and Mr.
GLADSTONE has repeatedly declared that
the British soldiers ought to be withdrawn.
The loss OF Egypt however, would be
grave blow to- England. II 1t occurred simul-
taneousy with the opening OF the Darda-
nelles to Russian war ships. With his cruis-
crs threading the Bosporus and anchored at
Alexandria, ,the-Czar would soon be as intluen-
tial at Cairo rs. ut Constantlnople, aad Eng
land would have to keep large number OF
ironclads atCyprus in order to avert inter-
ference with the Suez Canal. In tho event
OF war with Russia-and one may ut any
time break out on tho Afghan boundary
question-she would have to fight at least
one great naval battle in the Levant. in order
to assure tho speedy conveyance OF reen-
forcements to India.
The sun., 1891-09-03
1t is not easv to suppose that the British

1t Is not easv to suppose that the British
Government will be so imprudent as to give
offence to the United States 10y seizinp the
Hawaiian Islands or establishing IL protec-
torate over thom. That Government cannot
afford ut this time 10 incroaso the number Of
Its foreign complications or the numb OF its
adversaries, or t. add to its possessions that
must bo defended in tho event OF war. Yet
British agents have been unusually active In
Honolulu this year. and thoy have resorted to
various intrigues TO bring about state OF
things in which British authority could be sat
up thero There Is British party In tho
islands. and there Is reason to believe that tho
now Queen. LTIIUoKALAHI. Is desrous Of re-
ceiving British protection against her may
enemies.
A British protectorats over Hawaii cannot
be set up without civil war. or with the ap-
proval OF tho United States. There are in tho
islands foreign elements that an.aGoni2e each
other. and there Is q strong party that favor :
the establishment OF a republic. while u largo
proportion OF tho natives desire tho main
tenance Of an independent government.
1t was but recently that the Navy Depart
ment at Washington gave orders to the COM
mandsr OF tho steamship Pen n-acola 10 set out
for Honolulu.
The sun., 1891-09-03

not betray any confidence reposed In them.
that at last he got the woodcock--or what
he said were woodcock. That was not
protty performance.
The Police Commissioners on Tuesday,
nfter considering the remonstrance OF the
New York Citizens Alliance to which we
have referred passed resolution declaring
that the Board "disapproves In general OF
any action on tho part OF the force partak-
ing OF tho character OF sneaks or spies. or
OF acting in a surreptitious manner In the
discharge OF its duty"
This is all we'll enough, but the resolution
goes on at the. end to express the Boards
dsapproval "ot tho force soliciting or re-
ceiving brlbes OF any kind or character for
any purpose whatever" We do not UNDER
stand what connection there Is between this
condemnation OF bribe taking on the part OF
policemen and the condemnation OF their
action In tempting saloon keepers to
offend against the Excise law. No doubt
many officers have supposed that they
werc only doing their duty when they
try to buy liquor at times when
its sale is prohibited, II they do this
simply for tho purpose OF establishing the
guilt OF n man whom they suspect OF other
like offences 1t was therefore proper that
the Board o.. Police should make known Its
disapproval OF this practice
No police officer, however, could for one
moment have imagined that 1t was proper
under any circumstances for him to take
bribe, and tho proclamation OF the Police
Commissioners to the effect that they dis
approve OF bribo taking in general Is good
deal like stating that they disapprove OF
dishonesty. What was the occasion for the
utterance OF such moral trusm?
The sun., 1891-09-03

The political contests In the Indian tribes
are very lively In these times. When there
WAS An election OF PRINCIPAL Chof OF the
Cherokee Nation last month. the rival canti-
dates and their adherenis DISPLAYED an exces-
sive amount Of enorgy in tho campaign. AMI
the roo eng OF the successful party was KEEP,
up ior days and weeks after its victory. Again
on Tuesday last, when there was an election
OF Principal Chief OF tho Creek Nation. the
spirit Of the tribe was aroused and the en-
thusiastis braves were ct the ballot boxes tn
The sun., 1891-09-03

If"W fN1 NINIEnTr all'TIcIM.
Nrw Y"rH Aug n -IyiIcnce OF tho changing sent.
ment in te South toward Mr. Cleveland ana his Prss.
deutal claims continues TO appear in the talks with
,u,irg southern Democrats who visit Now YORK Mr.
l. T. Gerard, eH.Spcaker OF the Georgia Legislstnrs
ana one OF the we'ithirst and most prominent Demo
Gratis Ia the state said today II do not think Geo
rla will DO for cx Presi lent Cleveland in ISo2 for
one have never believed In his tariG message 10 Con
grssA As read It said ho would be defeated
II he Fan again, think Mr. Cleveland must be very
vain man. lie 10 always takin; whsu there 10 no rsa
son for IL think M Cevs and 10 trying to set the
Democratic party On too many imaginary foes"
The sun., 1891-09-03
THE TEARS NAVAL PROGRESS.
Contents OF Volume 10 OF the Navy ID,
partnents Publication.

partnent's Publication.
WASHINGTON. Sept 2.-The Navy Depart
ment has just issued volume Y. OF that valua-
Bile publication entitled Tho Years Naval
Progress" comprising information from
abroad on naval topics collated by the l}u-
reau Of Naval Intelligence under the dirsc-
tion OF Capt. Davis. or tho numerous subjects
treated in the work the larger space is devoted
to description OF the exhaustive tests of the
relative merits OF compound steel and nickel
steel nrmor male by the Navy Department
last year, resulting in the victory Of the nickel
atee! and the abandon mont Of The established
ideas OF armor defence. Tho article is we'll
Illustrated. and includes a synopsis Of reent
European trials OF armor plate.
An article entitled Notes on Ships" em-
bodies succinct descriptions Of the recent al.
dltions to the navies OF Eurore. tho United
states, and tn, world at large. particular a,ten-
ton being devoted to novel features OF con-
struction. Notes on Machinery" contains q
letai'ed count Of the comparative tests OF
tulml"us and SC" ional boilers. which res ilted
the steam power for tho coast defence vessel
Monterey, There is also an account OF expert:
men,s made anr9Hd touching tie elect OF cold
the common teliet that many EXPLOSIONS are
caused cu hy turning cold waterr into not boilers;
induced dranght. which promises TO replace
the y esent obIecti nable and destructive sys-
TEN OF forced Iraught IN Use on fnst cruisers.
The chapter devoted to ordnance has for
midable list Of casualties ard uccidents result
Ing from explosions OF English hreech -lond ng
r!led guns. AMI the tendency to RESTRAIN tho
movement toward large calibre l. very marked.
small caihre., smnkeess powder magazine
man ruvres of 1890. conducted by European
naval rowers. are described at length, and
many. deductions are drawn hat may be
useful In our own practice o. ther articles
treat Of the toruedo tott development. tho
coast defence systems Of Europe. promotions
in European naves. and the all.imDortant
subject OF service high explosives.
The sun., 1891-09-03

full force. As there had been four rival candi-
dates for office In the Cherokee election. 50
there were four in tho Creek election. and 1t is
Griovous to say that there have been charges
OF unfair dealings in both elections. The
prob ability is, however. tho IsPoRcHEcHEE
will DO his own seccessor In the Office OF
Principal Chief OF the Greeks
The sun., 1891-09-03
EhInk of .AIhanN's Mntcr

To THE EnToH or Tur sus-Sr' What puzzles mo
10 this The most OF tho sewage OF Troy smped into
the Hudson, few miles above this city. All Of the
water supp'y OF Albany 10 taken from this sewage
polluted stream at point few niles b,'ow Troy and
al OF ITS sewage also empis I'M tie Hudson for thu
bsnsrt OF its neiyhhCrs IN the south
what the d 10 the use OF asking the State Board
O. Hsa In vacation time u ffs is brains about tie
fwIa"tor'ss ana other husances the watershed Of
the Croton supply when its bera are all gTowins
ht'n the banks OF The great sewer that furnshes
whAisver water they drink'
ALBANY, Aug. -
The sun., 1891-09-03

as political activity is concerned. virtually
denuded OF candidates with u war record.
Tho prosecution OF the State campaign
with civilian candidate has always
been source OF serious weakness to the
Republicans; so 1t is to-day, and there would
appear to be no help for it. But this Is not
the least OF the embarrassmcnts which will
attend the choice OF Republican nominee
for Governor next week in Rochester.
The sun., 1891-09-03
Incidents All Right.

fu'lisher-WhAt is This you haye' - wcstern Ro
name" Tue market is overlooked with this sort of
stun. iiavo you worked ia any new and striking in
cidenbf
Author-Weli. rather ] bury the heroine In . state
OF coma and whom she comes to life have her disin
tsrrsd BY cyclone that kills the villain Aad makes
thipys end happily,
The sun., 1891-09-03

II Mayor wAsHBuRNE OF Chicago were
wise In his generation. he would give up smok
ing cigarettes during his term Of office. and
then our esteemed contemporary, the Chicago
Herald. might give up gliding him and calling
him HEM" Chicago is too big village to
have It's ruler described with such unlattering
brsvity. Mr. WAsHBuRSE might learn the pipe
habit. and recommend himself to the Socialist
The sun., 1891-09-03

The Hon. j. SLoAT FAssETr Is clever
man in many ways. but he has done nothing
neater than to Impress upon the somewhat
loosely constructed mind Of the Hon. RUSSELL
BESJAMINovITcH HARRIsoN the fact that the
United States do not belong In fee simple TO
tho uncle OF Baby MCKEE.
The sun., 1891-09-03

At Tuesdays session OF the American
Social Science Association In Saratoga. Dr.
WALTER CLAIMING Of massachusetts delivered
discourse upon Physical Education" in tho
course OF which lie said that an Increasing
amount OF physical deterioration is manifest
In tho community OF to-day" This statement
OF DR.. CLAIMING is not In accord with the
judgment Of those men who have taken pains
to observe the influence upon the muscular
system OF the many kinds OF athletic exercise
and field and water sports that are now in
vogue. and In some OF which both mon aud
women participate. 1t Is not in the nature of
things that these exercises should result in
the physical deterioration OF tho community
and We have not observed any such deteriora-
tion IN the athletic community OF Now York.
The sun., 1891-09-03

Onc nigh'. Tor kEs"s, with mad
Al draw with throhping hear | played;
won, and straightway from her lips
Eecsivsd full value for my chips,
But from that moment won no more
AysyA nuSh her face spread e'sE
The sun., 1891-09-03

When wo SEQ by the crop reports that a
region In which there were but two or threo
thousand white se.tlors twenty years ago. and
which has been known for u short time as
the State OF North Dakota. las Just harvested
q wheat crop OF over j0.OOO.0O) bushels. wo
need 70 further evidence In support OF the
oft-repeated statement that this is q growing
country.
The sun., 1891-09-03
No Use In That,

"rd like to 20 away for the rest Of the week. air.
| said the tir cd b0okkeeper.
There Is no need for You to do that" replied tho
employer Stay here aud tho rest OF tho week will
q
The sun., 1891-09-03

AS we pass by with joy we see that in the
Temporary absence OF that distinguished
spelling reformer the Hon. ELLIS II. RoBERrs
from Utica. our esteemed contemporary the
ttcd Herald. has an overcoat editor whose
ideas are at once energetic and chaste.
The cut OF the winter ove-coa'." says he
will be easy without being fulsome." This
Is as 1t should le. For our part. we
could never abide a fulsome overcoat. Make
your winter oyercoats as thick rs you Ike. but
avoid fulsomeness Some great mon have
erred in this respect. Beau NASH donned full
some tozs at times. So did Beau BEuMMEII
So did the gentle DORsAY. In Utica bettcr
taste prevails.
The sun., 1891-09-03

II ANDREW y. WHITE cannot deny some OF
the things attributed 10 hm-and Il lie cannot explain
away of the things that hs cannot denv-then he
might as vol let somebody eso run for Governor ON
the Rep biican ticket -!0s: ErpIess.
Deal gently with Mr.. WHITE. He is a worry
Interesting variety OF candidate now within
the consideration Of Republican influences:
and. II they nominate him. the canvass will
include a large amount OF regularly fresh aud
wholesome interest, tho grsa. majority Of
which will bo on the other side. Our Demo
cratic contemporary should not try to bead or
Mr.. WHITE.
The sun., 1891-09-03

The provisions OF our immigration laws
must bs applied fairly and impsrtially to the
people Of all the races Of Europe who como
to this country. These laws were made to bs
enforced.
The sun., 1891-09-03
An ACCOMPLISHED Pianist.
a Hlnninc Flush.

lie Mis- Ia Capo play. w.tE 50 mach lee,ing
shs-ios, for The noes
The sun., 1891-09-03

At the inquest on the victims OF the Park
pace accident tho evidence OF the witne sos
examined Yesterday intimnted rretty clearly
that there was no explosion. but that tho
building fell from the weight and from :he
perpetual shaking OF tho presses ln the upper
stories.
There was no ovidence given OF the presence
IN the Easements OF sufficient material for an
explosion. On tho contrary an inspector tcs-
tilted that there was no record OF boiler in
the building. Tue druggist TRIrpE had Il worry
small quantity OF chemicals on hand. In
RosENrELD's basement there was some oil and
also somo rarnsh but no lights were ever
used there. Moreover. the bodies found in
that basement were not ured as II by an ex-
plosion 1t is true that some benzine was
used by the girls In cleaning. but all had quit
work half a hour before the accident
On the other hand. /: appeared that there
was constant vibration OF the chandeliers in
TRIPLES store. that in 1879 or 1880 the whole
ceiling OF the store at GS fell n. and that to-
bacconist had then moved out from the upper
floors because he felt the build ing was unsafe
Employees OF RossNFELD testified to the con-
tinuous shaking from the machinery.
Finally. DoTY. rubber manufacturer who
had been tenant OF Gs Park plac' for two
years up to May last. declared that his rate OF
insurance was pa per cent. and that the in
surance men called it q very hazardous risk
on account Of the printers and lithoGraphers'
establishment UP stairs.
Against this weight OF testimony 1t is OF lit
tie moment that an employee OF one OF the
lithogra: hing firms denied that there was
any shaking. and that the Witnesses
We're divided as to whether the noise
at the moment OF the accident was like an ex-
ploson or rather like ripping and tearing At
such moment the senses are not apt to be
trustworthy. So the question rests at present
on the second day OF the hearing. and many
may we'll think that 1t is no longer question.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-25
TO PROTECT SETTLERS.
The Government Has Marked Out
New Line of Policy.

- R. l.. Hartman, Chief Auditor of the Int
rior Department. arrived here yesterday from
Arizona, and is registered at the Lick House.
From. here he goes to Washington to inves-
tigate certain matters of Importance, and
will 60 from there to Las Cruces, y. Mex,
to attend case in court
My errand in Arizona was more than
successful" he said, ''and resulted in great
Victory for the department. You see the
Government sued the bondsmen of F. ".
Smith, former Receiver of the Land Office,
for the recovery of $4,000 which he en-
beZZ!ed while in Office. During his incum-
bency his peculations amounted to over
100000, of which all but the amount sued
for was returned. He is now in Canada,
fugitive from justice.
This amount, You understand, was not
taken from the Government but from peo-
pie taking up public land. There are two
grades of this land-one called minimum
and valued at 81 % an acre, and the other
double minimum and held at 50 80 an acre
Smith made practice of selling the former
TO settlers and charging double minim um
price, but reporting TO the department the
minimum amount. In this way he had EN-
bezzed the amount in question.
NOW, until President Harrison assumed
control OF affairs the settlers were compelled
to suffer in all such cases, the Government
seItlnS up lndt tne natl0nal treasury could
not he held responsible, as it was personal
matter between the receivers and the entry
men. AT my suggestion General Noble took
contrary stand and held that the bonds
men Of a defaulting receiver should be held
instead. of throwing the lesson the settlers.
Suit was accordingly brought against the
sureies OF Mr.. Smith and judgment rem
.dered against them. 1t is the first case on
record, and as such will form d Valuibl pre-
eedent for the future.
Settlers viii thus be protected against
loss'by dishonest agents aud will be assured
OF being permitted TO hold rand once paid for
Instead OF being elected as formerly