davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1896-01-14

recty or indirectly chosen by ourselves. whom We
Know and who know needs and are in touch
with them?
! am arguing the doubts and risks Of cOnsolida-
non simply so far 10 show in a general way that
me matter is serious enough to require its submis
sion 10 the people
Have you considered. fellow-citizens the
magnitude OF this project in the form in which alone
II has been and is being treated In the Legislature,
II the consolidation of Brooklyn and New-York
which Is the scheme always held before your eyes
when the advantages of consolidation are urged
upon you is In itself full of doubts and fears. how
very much more doubt and fear is involved in the
more expensive project of uniting even more munich
palities?
But finally. let the people he the jury IN this
most serious issue. and let us then have confidence
tat under proper instruction, their verdict will be
right; for consolidation, or against consolidation
as the public good demands
THE LEGAL SIDE OF THE CASE.
Jesse Johnson. one Of Brooklyn's most promi
nent lawyers, was introduced by DR.. Storrs, and
said:
have been constrained to the part shall take in
this meeting. will not say by the probability. but
by the possibility OF great wrong great disaster
to Brooklyn. In 1880 there was appointed Com
New-York tribune., 1896-01-14

or property without having his day in c2nr'mthat
S. Without hc..ng IA person If py Gyonsno,1nres ms
well defined. Brooklyn as attestei by ms gain
erinr demands her dHy IN coHr crc ,p s enlsrge
her borders TO make sure OF always bc'hs tn'
rr tnat turbujrnf and sometimes il-odored munich
Dalit% Long Island city. for which any change
Consider what a city such Brooklyn IS 20 her
own people and to our Whole country. Tle la"yers,
would tell vs. It was a municipal corporation ana ana
that there was nothing in the Constitution to pre-
vent the Legislature merging one municipal cor
p2raa2nb g ar bones ,s that Isl Looking back through his
tory have considered cities TO be more ,h ,,1i
1ic: II bless God for cities. They have been as
am9s OF tg o 39"6 thd me setnSe has gwen birth
her nobIest dccovcrcs Behind their walls free,
etnnd on the Surface of the earth ike great break
waters rolling back or turning ASIDE the sweii,hg h
cradles OF human liberty. They have been the
active centres OF almost all church ana o'h'e r''o'
nation.
INDIVIDUALITY OF a CITY.
Mcpherson says: THE city has always been the
decisive battle-ground OF civilization and reiig-
ion Ancient civilizations rose and fell with
the leading cities" Consider rather the growth ana
traditions of city, from its beginning how II
came TO be II city. how 1t grew, how It's nome
laws its charter came into being and developed;
Tho character Of It's people, It's domestic political
and social life. why you selected IL as resiuehVc
and The reasons of its existence and OF your exist
encc in II Then consider whether IL is a good thnS
thot n should be swallowed up as now proposed
az" Si,ics have their individuality much as human
beings do Recall the great cities or the country
Each has It's character defined ana known. rev"
York least of ALL perhaps. When Philadelphia or
Boston is mentioned at once think OF its charac-
!,,aa :" nrnnkIvn has Individuality Now you
know how the Individual shrinks from merging or
losing his personality. Could he be called TO me
choice of being some one else perhaps moLe , son
and fortunate In appearance, how he wouid STOP
and rather bear the Ills he has than ny to others
he knows Of We know our Ills rs ana we n KNOW wv
the remedy. We don't know the Ills that may DE
involved In annexation , +.
What "a II cllow-citizen that you and have In
mind as the controlling consideration In ths
matter? II is not political advantage; that can DE
cft 10 those whose activities are exercised IN such
affairs II is not n reputation OF large city We
know that there are conditions better than mere
largeness.
GOOD GOVERNMENT AIMED AT.
is II not rather good local government well ad-
minlstercd under u proper charter by officials d.
New-York tribune., 1896-01-14
THE TRIBUNE CHEEREp.

10 chang" its mind every year.
THE TRIBUNE CHEERED
The Tribune said on last Saturday: That no one
who has stuilca Brooklyn affairs IN recent years
can doubt the second city of this State has made
, marvellous progress within remarkably short
time. Great changes have already been made IN our
sister community. and stil greater c-anges appear
TO be impening The people ~ that city show that
they intend T. use - ta" best advantage tho OPP
pOrtunities nov before them. and 10 convince the
world that they are fully abreast of the march of
improvement" =" Great APPLAUSE
Tho Brook 4 1876 Is very dineycnt from the
w-lorky year aso ihe people Their made up
their minds thar they WOulI - - The polls AMI
record themselves a.. IN ia'or ~ good eoyernmnnt
That spasm u virtue. FOR 10 ,hc last certon
lind Tamnany uuu'rm So once more. The qu's-
tion .s whether Brooklyn ~ to-day 90 have yo."
ou is oWn 4estnt. N ~ are io Doe Joined 20 Ntw-
York wc want o. know what our cLartcf ls o. Doe
Ike. II the bride "a % Doe given away she has n
right the aute-nuptal contract before the
ceremony
NoT 4 PARTY QUESTION.
This IS not a party question IN any broad sense.
yet there are factions IN both parties hat le-re TO
bring this union about purely f'i partisan motives
Lexow has sad that consolidation was decreei
and must be brought about regardless ~ what we
care abou, 4 say ina; h, IS nn,Nwef''," , - 49,
must b. a monarchy want ihe m,n"rch go i'si"
= don.t care 10 submit 20 the lawyer from Nyack
or 10 tho president - express company residing
AT Tloga /: Is our duty - make inc.e m,n under
stand that such means viii rrsolVe o. The Infinite
d,sadvantagc u all men who engage IN them.
LET THE PEOPLE BE THE JURY.
Albert g. Mcdonald. ex-Mayor .SchIeren's Cor
poration Counsel was the next speaker IL
spoke in substance as follows.
Thi. assembly. fellow-cii!zens. stands tor the
Brooklyn i1oa touching CONSULTATION. AZ IN" r."t
OF an system Of common law. as you KNOW Hes
the principle that no one can bee deprived Of hbeiV
New-York tribune., 1896-01-14
APPLAUSE FOR THE TRIBUNE.

The first speaker Of the evening ex-Judge
George q. Reynolds. was then introduced. and
said:
come here To enter a plea In favor Of the exist
ence or the city itself not here To- discuss the
question OF the propricty or advantage or disadvan
ttge OF anneNaiion Ii would be an outrage to
annex brooklyn 10 New-YOrk without allow.n, her
10 decide IN favor OF the union 1t would be- utterly
unf"nslhe 10 bring about the union unless both
cities favor il. Il needs words OF mine to show
the scheme expressly said that even If every vote
New-York tribune., 1896-01-14

IN and out OF office These are universal experiences
no one disputes them our forms OF government do
not end themselves TO the administration OF city
o. such SIZE under charter. only three states
j.. lAe II mon besides our own have population
oIcater man the united city would contain No
wonder that the ablest consodatonists. when asked
10 Outline form Of government take fright and
cNaue me issue and say: CONSOLIDATION first; con-
slleratl afterward"
These grave issues. worthy Of such meeting
as thls put their discussion waits the settlement OF
q question which tranScends them all. First and
idSs we are here to demand brthright as cit
iHeis or tnlS city which has more than once led the
Hdhsuarq or municipal progress and as citizens OF
me Empire state. We ask the privilege OF freemen
- express at the baOt-box opinions on the
fundamental issue OF municipal life or death.
justice OF REsUBMISSION.
We are told that this question has been already
voted on. May We not reply that the of 1894
was inconcusive, and the vote OF 1895 was clear? +?
For the question OF consolidation was a direct issue
IN the nomination and election OF members OF the
present Legislature and no microscope can detect
Il friend or force bill among the twenty-e ght
members from Brooklyn.
Farm inded cOnsOdationIsts do not wish conso
dation. unless majority OF Brooklyites desire IT,
FHr-innded opponents OF consolidation will grace
iuIly relnqulsh their opposition IL a majority OF
brooklyn voters Will But all fair-m minded men
must agree tnat now. when the issue has been dis
cussel ana Is somewhat understood, and whether
the voice OF the Legislature is for against
SoHdation, the final verdict of the people Of Brook
yn should be taken so that. whatever the outcome
none can hereafter question that the government to
result shall be "broad-bas upon the people 8
vii"
The evening times., 1896-02-22
Great Bell of China

For the last 400 years Chiua's great bell
Of liberty, the largest and most beautiful
in the world, has been ringing in Pekin.
There are two other bells of liberty, one
In Mandclay and the other in Moscow. They
are both unhung and the latter Is cracked
and defective.
China's bell Is in many respects the finest
work of art in the country and could not
be duplicated by any western foundries of
Civilization. II weighs 1eo, coo pounds, is
Ii feet high, has a circumference OF "a
feet, and 10 nearly foot thick. 1t has not
a flaw or defect and is completely covered
In relief, both inside and out, with myriads
OF Chinese characters, each an inch in size.
They form prayefs from Buddha.
It Is one Of the ideas OF Buddhisfs thnt
the prayers Of the faithful may be infinitely
and acccpeably repeated by mechanical
helps, such, for iastance, as the revolving
The evening times., 1896-02-22

As there is a constitutional inhibition
that prevents Congress from cpacting 4
general divorce law for the Cnited States
1t should at least apply itself to frame as
perfect one as its concentrated wisdom
can evolve for the government of the Dis
trict of Columbia and Territories under
its control. In some of the Territories di-
yorces are ground out like sausages,
any and every ground. from incompati-
biity of temper up TO the generally rccog-
niZcd statutory offense being sufficient.
There are States where the process OF
getting unmarried is made easy enough.
but the expense attached is not incons,der-
able. The few Territories yet on the list
have cut prices in the divorce trade, so as
to attract custom, and thus il happens that
n decree there is within reach of almost the
poorest.
This is notably the case in Oklahoma,
which has taken the shine, so TO speak. out
of New Mexico and Arizona as n divorce
mill. Here the expense has been reduced
to the lowest notch, and almost anything
will do for n ground for a divorce suit.
Residence in the Territory previous 10 ap-
plying for divorce is u matter OF only
The evening times., 1896-02-22
CHARMING GRANDMAS.
When They Are Youthful They OBJ
ject to the Title.
Chicago Inter-Ocenn.

Chicago Inter-Ocean.
1t Is with rather a comical feeling OF
mixed pleasure and dismay that an up-to-
date woman of the period finds herself q
grandmother ard it is safe to say that
in most instances the dismay rather pre-
poDderates, as the tiny scrap OF humanity
placed in her arms causes her to realize
that she is entitled to that venerable title
which she has always associated with o.d
age and more or less decepitude. As many
Of the grandmot hers of our day are CHARM
ing women. still in the zenith OF their good
looks and power of attraction. ii is hardly
to be wondered at that they should dis
like n name that is not even pretty or
loving and that they should teach theli
ehiklren's children TO call them by some
more attractive title, so that nowadays the
name .sgrandmamina'' is seldom heard.
.'Bonncmamma'' isthe pretty French adap'
tstion which Is often used. and granny"
is also in vogue. 90 mutterchen' is the
caressiag diminutive used by little girl
who has German nurse and the most
beautiful and devoted OF grandmothers
s.Madre mia" is another pretty title. taken
from the Italian. which serves in another
instance to distinguish still youthful
crandparent from the parent. "Gan" Is
the tiny name which one little maid be-
slowed upon her charming grandmamma.
The evening times., 1896-02-22

| Ger OF Michigan, once said, forcibly and wit
| tily, that what we need in a water supply
| is Innocence, not repentance and a better
standard and motto could not be claimed
for city's drinking water. But where a
| supply has irrevocably lost its Innocence,
| surely its repentance and reforma ton is
| not to be despised, Hand in hand with this
publication should go the prevention, as
far as possible, OF the original pollution,
that the filters be not overtaxed. 1t is not
wise and prudent TO sin freely in polluting
a stream that the grace of purificat ton may
the more abound.
Perhaps some are thinking, You kaye
said nothing about the seli-purification OF
streams which is supposed 10 be potent
factor i'll purifying and rendering innocuous
organic pollution in water.
This convenient theory is now an aban-
doned relic OF the past. IL Is true, streams
do sometimes become purcr in their onwa rd
flow by sedimentation and by diuiion. But
the old notion of the potency of oxida ton
of organic matter has no significance today,
since we now know that ii is not the
organic matter which is the real danger,
but the living germs, and these laugh at
the idea that they are to be- destroyed by
aeratIng the water. 1t is simply n gues-
ton. therefore. OF the term OF life OF these
germs or OF their spores. and we really
know so little abou; this life tenure under
different conditions that we cannot set
any time limit TO their activity.
A COMPARISON WITH EUROPE.
I'VE are often disposed to smile patron
iziGgiy at the European cities which use
only 40 to so gallons daily to the inhabitant,
and point with PRIDE TO our lavish and
luxurious use of 200 gallons and more. 1t
is lavish, but it is not luxurious. for the
greater part is waste. Are our cities
cleaner than those of European cities? DO
We have as many public fountains? Com
pared, class with class, are We so much
cleaner than they
ION the other hand, European cities say
to us, 1t is true We do not waste as much
water as you Americans, but our water is
cleaner and purcr. and we think your prac-
tees of drinking the water of rivers, which
other cities and towns above You use as
their sewer is filthy and disgusting and
unworthy of a civilized aud educated
people. Is there any reply to be made TO
that I know of none"
The lecture was concluded with the ex-
bibit;on OF several lantern slides illustrat-
ing the pollution OF streams and the purifi-
cation effected by filtration.
The evening times., 1896-02-22
An Official Spree.

The depletion OF the contingent fund OF the
House OF Representatives to the tune of
$500 is a small matter, OF course, as things
go, and, therefore, the three days junket
of the Committee on Immigration would
not cut much Of figure, If looked at merely
from an economical point OF view. What
makes the thing Objectionable is the prin-
ciple, or rather the lack OF principle, In
yolvcd. 1t is the unbusincss-like manner
of transacting the peoples business with
which fault is to bc found.
No business man in his sane senses would
think OF taking a whole excursion party to
inspectanear-lying part OF hisesta blishnient
in order to learn what ought to be done 10
keep IL in proper running order He would
either go in person or send some cmploye
In whose Judgment he had confidence.
The errand on which the House Committee
on Immigration Is gone Is not OF such i'm
portance' as 10 require the Joint labors OF
its whole complement of members. The
object is nothing more than the annual OF
sem-annual inspection" Of Ellis Island.
the Immigrant station In New York harbor.
The evening times., 1896-02-22
Q ENAToRPERKINs orcaIiforniama

q ENATORPERKINso sofCalifornia many
~ years agoniadc dcccrtainrash promises
that are now causing him lots of trou-
BILE, according to the story told by his
friends. Fifteen or sixteen years ago he
was elected governor OF California, and 4
remarkably popular sort of governor he
proved to be: so popular, in fact, that
bouncing haby boys were called by his
name III every county.
Governor Perkins heard of each OF these
incidents. TIE fond fathers aud mothers
imagined the rich young governor was
generally giving up hundreds of collars
in recognition of all these compliments.
But, instead OF settling on the spot, Mr..
Perkins wrote letters to every pair of
proud parents, in which he said all manner
of nice things and ended with the promise
that when the boy was grown he would send
him to college.
He never imagined that he wa going to be
a Senator from California, with ambitions
for reelection, fifteen or sixteen years
later. But he is, and those letters are con-
ing home to roost. Already four of his ma me-
sakes have put In their claims for a college
education at the expense Of the former gov
ernor.
Il expect there are twenty or thirty more
OF them" says the Senator, land I'll have
to honor their drafts, even if 1t bankrupts S
me-"
The evening times., 1896-02-22
"Hittlng the Pipe"

I The eyil of opium smoking is much more
prevalent in Washington than Is generally
believed, and IL our detective force has any
spare time 1t could devote itself very ap-
propriately and rrofitably to an attempt 10
check IL not suppress 1t. Not even habit
ual drum kenness is more deinora LIKING.
The victim of the pipe loses all self-con-
troll, all sense OF responsibility. morality
or decency; nc surrenders himself more re-
sistlessly to its dominion than does the
topper to his dram, and its terrible grasp
upon him is rarely loosened save by death.
Promising lives have been ruined, and the
happiness of homes wrecked by the opium
pipe.
1t is believed that a number of opium
joints are In operation in Washington.
There have been, from time to time, raids
The evening times., 1896-02-22

ee19 lCYcLE riding may make person
- pigeontoed, as claimed by your
medical friend" said au enthusi-
astic cycler last night, but the cxhilarat-
Ing effect of a rapid spin more than atoDes
for such a result.
The effects of excess in cycling are very
much the same as excess in drink. Cycling
/ suppose, because it acts rs such a powerful
stimulaDt to the heart, produces. in the
first instance, feeling of cxhilaration.
which is in itself pleasure. especially to
the owner of u tagged brain or jaded
nerves. Anything that produces this eff.
feet is naturally 'crayed' after when once
tasted. This effect. too. overcomcs the
consciousness of fatigue, and consequently
prevents the cyclist from Judging accu-
rately when he or she has had enough
another dangerous point of resemblance
to alcohol"
The evening times., 1896-02-22

II lis puzzling to any understauding-save. OF
course, the CongressioDal-to comprehend
why this place should have To be inspected
so often, and, If 1t be absolutely necessary,
why such inspection could not be made
by the regular officers Of the Treasury
Department employed for such purposes.
II, however, 1t is essential that the Con-
grcssional intellect and penetrating judg
ment be brought to bear upon Ellis Island
and the immigrants, there would seem to
be no necessity for more than one mem
ber of that committee to go to the island
aud in one day and at the expense of
twenty-five doliars-liberal allowance
gather all the Information required for
the guidance OF the committee in shaping
legislation bearing upon the reception
and disposal of immigrants arriving at
New York. But a junket of ten men-the
clerk of the committee being one of the
party-who will remain in New York three
days and each spend fifty-five dollars.
looks as IL they were determined upon
nothing so much as having good time
at Uncle Sans expense.
The evening times., 1896-02-22

upon Chinese laundries aud other spots
where the Mongolians are wont to congre-
gate. butthe warupon these places has never
been prosecuted with anything like sys-
tematic and persistent energy. There are
not, of course, as many of them as in cities
where there is large Asiatic population.
but yet enough to serve as training schools
for those who finally become helpless VIC
Tins of the opium habit. It. here that the
first step is taken, the first pipe smoked,
and then the practice is transferred to pri-
vate apartments, whence comes now and
then such startling Intelligence as the sud-
den death of the man Mcmillan.
There can be no question that this Is
subject which merits the attention OF the
police, who may make some startling dis
coveries if they turn on their Roentgeu rays.
The evening times., 1896-02-22
Singing Mountains.

Darwin was one of the first to call attcn
tion to the mountain El Bramador, in Chile
which eniits peculiar sound at times; and
in the midst OF Pyramid Lake, Nevada
there is another which Utters a musical
note, which. in certain states of the wind,
begins Ike the Jingllng of countless silver
bells, and ends with Il loud strain. reseni.
bling the low notes of a pedal organ. These
sounds are attributed to the friction of
the wind and the movements of sands. as
in the case of the singing sands of Lob
nor, in China, the Island of Egg, in Scot
land, and eiscwhere.-Cassen's Family Mag
Qzine.
The evening times., 1896-02-22

THE great popularity attained by
number OF comic songs and the
handsome remuneration received
by their writer's. reminds me of one of the
most popular songs ever written and for
which the author received but S15," re-
marked weil-knOwnr music dealer last
night.
The song was composed by Mr.. Hubbard
T. Smith, who, at that time, was living in
this city, and its name is none other than
that OF Listen To Ny Tale of Woe When
the song first appeared it created a perfect
Juror and for a long time was Il II the rage.
Before ii IeacEed its popularity, however,
Huh sold his copy right to a New York
publisher for the paltry sum / have just
mentioned Shortly aftcrward he wrote
Swinging in a Grape Vine Swing He
profited by his former experience and re-
ceiycd a handsome sum for it,
The evening times., 1896-02-22
Mills That Grind Fast and Coarse.

few days. and the Territorial courts do the
business with ueatness and dispatch.
The House Committee on Territories has
taken cognizancc OF this state Of affairs
and undertaken TO remedy il. 1t intends
to report a bill making at lea st n years resi-
dence precedent condition TO the grant
ing OF divorce. This, of course. Is some
thing. but very little. While the commit
tee is about it, the remedial legislation might
as well be made as far-reaching as possible.
II should restrict the ground upon which a
divorce can he obtained. II is clearly in
the interest OF morality that there should be
less latitude in this respect. Unfaithful-
ness. systematic cruelty. non-support, and
desertion are about all the ca uses for which
"A divorce should be granted, and even
OF these the proof should leave no room for
doubt.
Men and women marry "for better or
for worse and no disappointment as TO
each others character or the discovery
of intellectual peculiarities ought TO be
regarded as sufficient reason To sunder the
ties that should bind them together for
life.
The evening times., 1896-02-22

or wheels. So when this wonderful bell
rings 1t brcathes forth the aspirations OF
the faithful.
Old chronicles state that 1T was n time
of suspense throughout Pck!n when the
molten metal was about TO be poured into
the lettcred matrix. The artists who SO
successfully accomplished the casting Of
this great bell were not only congratu-
lated by their priests and followers, but
they were cunobied by the emperor. while
thcir-work itself Is as much OF n credit to
them today MS 1t was then.-Auantn Con.
stituttoa.