davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun., 1897-12-29
Encouragement for Wife Beating.

The sentence yesterday of the actor, RAT
CLIFFE, to six months imprisonment will
meet with general public appreciation. If
his punishment had been severer it would
have been nearer his deserts, but the ver-
dict of the jury did not admit of his getting
his full due.
1t is useless to moraliZe on the folly of
the young woman who married RATCLIFFE
clandestinely under the delusion that actu-
ally he was the romantic hero he imperson-
ated in the play. From time immemorial
girls have preferred the direction of their
impulses to the wisdom and prudence of
their parents in the selection of men to
marry, and, in rejecting her fathers admo-
nitions, this young woman pursued path
already hard beaten by the footsteps of
maidensfl ying from parental solicitude anx-
ious to save them from inevitable sorrow.
The superiority of the tumultuous youth
full passion Of the daughters to the calm
and mature judgment of the parents is the
stock theme of the stock novel. 1t is fact,
however, that the only love which ap-
proaches unselflshness is the parental love.
The desire of man who wants possession
of the object of his affection is purely selfish
and predatory by the side of it.
The penalty Miss De LACY had to pay
for marrying scoundrel, however, was
peculiar. The great majority of divorces
| obtained in this country are granted to
wives, for the most part because of neglect
or abandonment, but instances like that OF
this fellow RATcLIFFE are rare. Smash
ing in the face" wife is practically un
known in America outside of the ranks o
the lowest and vilest. Wife beating is ar
imported novelty, and as 1t is requisite thai
the importation should be discouraged, thu
prosecution, conviction, and sentence o.
RATcLIFFE have served valuable end
For six months. at least, he will have nj
chance to knock down a woman and kicl
her in the face. AS Judge NEwBURGEI
remarked in sentencing him, "wife beating
is not popular with Americans, though |
may be in some other countries"
The sun., 1897-12-29
Libraries by Robbery.

A bill has been introduced in Congress ut
the instance Of certain thrifty Californians,
to require that copy of every book copy
riehted in the United States shall be de-
posted in certain specified public libraries
in San Francisco, New Orleans, Denver,
and Chicago.
At present the law requires that two
copies of every such book shall be de-
posted with the Librarian of Congress.
These are recorded and kept on file for
reference in case of any dispute which
may arise concerning their copyright.
Incidentally, Of course, these books, or so
many of them as may have real value,
become worthy additions to the great ma
tional institution which Is still somewhat
inaptly known as the Library Of Congress.
The purpose Of the thrifty association of
Californians aforesaid is to compel the
poor.devil authors to give books also to
the public libraries of San Francisco, New
Orleans, Denver, and Chicago. the first
named of these four cities being willing to
divide with the other three, in order that
there shall be no trouble over the exclusive
acquisitions of any one Of them.
But why stop at these four cities Why
not include Boston, Oshkosh, Philadelphia,
Palatka, St. Louis. Seattle, and other
equally deserving cities2 We admit that
it would be inconvenient for the citizen of
San Francisco. for example, to journey all
the way to the national capital to inspect
the treasures of American fiction and
philosophy stored on the shelves of the
Library Of Congress. He might as we'll buy
the books for himself as pay the expenses
of such a trip, and 1t would be great saw
ing of his time and shoe leather to send the
books to San Francisco for the delectation
and mental improvement of the aspiring
minds of that breezy metropolis. But, as
we have already intimated, once begin this
| distribution and there will be no such
thing as stopping it. As with the ''pork'
annually packed into the barrel of the
River and Harbor Appropriation bill, every
city and township in the United States
would have its share in the general raid.
The framer of this bill, which has already
been introduced by Senator PERKINS Of
| California, has assumed that the author
who seeks the protection of the United
States Government for his wares, is com
| PEELED to add his book to the national col
lection purely for library purposes. Thi.
| is not the case. AS has already been said
he deposits a copy of his book in order t.
show what he has copyrighted, just as ar
inventor deposits in the Patent Office a
Washington a copy of the plans and speci
fications Of his invention.
There is no reason under the milky wa.
why an author should be compelled to he'll
build libraries in San Francisco and othe
cities at his own costs and charges.
The sun., 1897-12-29

On account of a report that the Hon.
POTATO PINGREE of Michigan "has made a prac-
tce of strengthening his political machine by
assessing all appointees ten per cent. OF thoir
salaries" there is much struggling of shoul-
ders and uplifting of indignant eyebrows
among those evil-natured folks who de-
light to throw brickbats at greatness
Whether certain officeholders have or
have not paid their tithe to PINGREE
and virtue. the fact remains that they
ought to be willing to pay all their salaries for
the benefit OF those noble causes. Probably
they want to do so. but the thoughtful Gov
ernor will not permit 1t. How can any good
Michigander hesitate when he has an opportu-
nifty to put his mite into the Pingrcean contribu.
tion box : Every penny that rnttles into that
capacious urn makes corporations shudder and
clothes combinations In goose flesh.
The sun., 1897-12-29

effect upon her buoyancy. II It had. there
would be some reason for supposing that the
Lanthony Abbey would rido the seas rather
less lightly than tho Thistledown, for instance,
or the Summer Cloud. The Tower OF London Is
doubtless q stanch ship, right, tight, and high
riding; but ono hearing only her name feels
that she ought not 10 venture away from port.
We do not know that thero is any ship named
the Bunker Hill Monument or the Madison
Square Garden. Tho British do not look abroad
for that part OF their marine nomenclature
which celebrates famous and massive pieces OF
land architecture. II there is ut present afoat
any British ship called tho Pig Iron. or any
called the Coal Mine, the fact is not within our
knowledge. II thcrc are ships rejoicing in those
names, We hope they are afoat.
The sun., 1897-12-29
THE BATTLE OF MALVERN HILL.
Con. Fitz John Porter tho Conduct OF the
COnfedeFates.
From the Richmond Times.

From the Richmond Times.
Capt. John Lamb. the vigilant and worthy
representative of the Third Congressional dis.
trict in Congress, sent Gen. Porter recently a
copy of the address he delivered before Lee
Camp upon the battle of Malvern Hill, in which
Gen. Porter played a most distinguished part,
and he received from him the following letter.
which he kindly permits US to present to our
readers:
MoRRIsrowY. N. J.. Dec. "a. 1897.
MY DEAR SIR: received In due time your address
on malvern Hin and road 1t with pleasure and in:
terest and cordially thank you for It. At the time of
the battle knew little or your plans OF preceding
operations or of anything but what came under my
sight-and so many years have passed since those
events that much OF them have disappeare dmin.
ished in my memory. STILL the memory of Malvern
Hill very strong and the bravery gallantry, per-
severance OF your men were astonishing ana unex-
celled-espr cially as we supposed your commanding
officers must have seen. and felt, that your
struggle In vain.
Sides and equaed probably, only by that Of Ganess
MIL. But SO good our position and preparations
that felt that II persisted In, the attacking forces
would be annihilated. The condition OF matters to
nothing of except to call FOR and get assistance.
The fact was developed. and subsequently main.
tained in many battles. and Is felt. that in any
war with foreign country we will have superior
to overcome. and can safely rely upon citizens,
whether in the regular army or militis trained.
made will prevent any disturbance for many years,
and. with good government. will give peace and
prosperity all over our country.
Again thanking you. and with best wishes for O
merry Christmas and many happy returns. am,
yours truly. FTTZ JOHN PORTER.
Hon. JOHN LAMB.
The sun., 1897-12-29
The Be.t Pre.ent-a Copy or The sun.

From the Jersey City Herald
We have been asked by one of our readers to name
the suitable periodical to present to his for
the year sos. His is years OF age. without
any hesitancy advise him to present his boy with
a paid.up subscription for THE NEW YoRK Sun for
the coming year, the sunday edition included.
No publication. either daily. weekly, monthly. Is
printed in the United States that compare with
THE SUM- Carefully read each day by the young man.
he will receive Of lectures both In learning
and language that no institution of education could
give him Besides this. he will learn love coun
try and to be patriot instead of a ademagogue; he
will be taught how to use the right OF suffrage intel
lgeny and for the best interests OF his country: he
will learn to detect and despise tho hypocrite the
traitor. the dissembler. and to uphold honor and
truth at whatever cost. Any parent who wishes his
boy to become more manly. more intelligent, and
true American. cannot do better than to advise him
to read THE SUM-
The sun., 1897-12-29
THE "JOHNNY Law"
The Tennessee Law TO Prevent Flirting with
schoolgirls

From the Times. Democrat.
There is queerer legislative vagary the statute
books OF any OF the States than what Is known
Johnny law" passed by the last Tennessee Assem-.
bly, and now being enforced in that State. The law
passed, are sorry to have to say. for the
straint and humiliation OF juvenile lovers. us II
"sparking the girls" had not been recognized and
altogether legitimate pastime with the youthful sec.
ton OF the male population from the days OF Father
Adam until now. Here is the " Jonny law" of Ten.
ness.e:
An act for tho protection OF boarding schools and
colleges for females, and the principals and inmates
thereof.
SECTION /. Re 1t enacted by the General Assembly
OF the state OF Tennessee, That hereafter II shall be
unlawful for any person or persons ~ wlfuily and
unnecessarily interfere with. disturb. IN any way
dsQuet the pupils OF any school or college Tor fe.
maies In this State. or the principals teachers in
charge OF them. while any public road street.
promises; nor shall any communication be had
such purpose with such pupils any Of
them; either orally or ,, IL writing or by signs rms
any person to enter upon any such school college
premises except on business withou first having OBJ
tained permission from the principal In charge Of
fences shall be deemed guilty OF a misdemeanor. and
ON conviction thereof. shall pay nne OF not less
conviction; and upon second and each subsequent
conviction OF like offence shall pay of not less
the discretion OF the court I'm the county jail. not
less than ten nor more than thirty days.
SEC. ?. Be It further enacted. That It shall be
stand sit upon the public roads. streets aileys
walks or other p q ,es TO frequently and un.
necessar ly pass along the same in such manner and
with intent 10 annoy, disturb the owners or
lpants OF premises used for school college pur
poses for education OF females Any person vIolat.
ing the second section shall be deemed guilty and
shall he fined and punished in the first section.
Passed on March IL 1897.
The sun., 1897-12-29

]. MoLEAvY Brown, Chief Adviser to
the Corean Customs whose dismissal has been
demanded by Russia, was the English Socre-
tary to tho famous Burlingame Embassy that
visited this country in 1868. After the death Of
Mr.. BURLINGAME Mr. BROWN returned to the
Chinese customs service, from which he had
originally boon appointed, and when the King
Of Corea sent to China for an expert to organize
his customs system. about q year ago, Mr..
BROWN was selected for that duty by Sir ROB.
ERT HART, the British Agent in China. To all
intents Mr.. BROWN has latterly been the
Corcsn Premier. The whirligig OF time may
now serve him precisely as the British whirligig
has served every other foreigner employed In
Chinese and Corean governmental duty.
The sun., 1897-12-29

alleged deafness and impairment Of vision,
and hernia. In other words he shows that
the malingerer who was busy in 1858 or
1854 deceiving the army surgeons in order
to escape the hardships Of duty or to avoid
the dangers Of battle, has his counterpart in
the malingerer of 1897 who feigns or exag.
gerates trifling bodily ailments in order to
get pension.
The general conclusions Of this conscien-
tious physician and fearless veteran are so
important that we print them in full in an.
other place. His recommendations are
specific; and he believes that without in.
justice to any worthy pensioner the present
annual expenditure can be cut down one
half, saving $70O0o,0O0 annually to the
people OF the United States.
The sun., 1897-12-29

To THE EDITOR or THE suS-Sir; Your correspond
has chroncled two phases OF what Ia proving to
be a genuine movement" Prof. John Biske fore
this with prophets vision and gave voice II In
his monograph on 1.-THE Destiny OF Man" when he
speaks of the period in the process of evolution
when "mens development ceases TO be physical and
becomes psyGhicAl." The organization OF Society
for Psychica Research marked the first recognition
OF this from the sci ntinc standp point The
"mentculture clubs" and don't worry circles" arc
simply the Jpular side OF the same phase OF human
development An " Emerson Club" In this city has
chrstened itself Don't Worry Circle No g." giving
us reason for doing so that don't worry Is tran.
scendentalism reduce to practice"
would like TO modify your reporters account in
particular. because there Is an important prin-
ciple involved. There cannot be such a feeling OF
Jealousy between the different forms OF menticul.
ture as he describes feeling Of Jealousy or antag-
onSm which is form OF worry. would show that
those who are influenced by 1t have sacrificed the
fundamental principle OF the cult. The original
chronological meaning OF the word "worry" Is IA
she wolf" To organize an anti'worry club and begin
by inviting the VOL to brcOme a memrer would he
an xampIe OF Inconsistency that would scarcely be
countenAnced even by Emerson himself, who de-
clared that inconsistency Is the hobsoblin OF feeble
minds" THEODORE Y. SEWARD.
s2b wEsT TwEnHTs srRkES.
The sun., 1897-12-29
From the Chicago Inter Ocean

Senator Deboe of Kentucky has O constituent
who wants a copy OF every public document 10.
sued by the Government.
The Government Printing Office has been in
existence for fifty years. and at present keeps
busy about 5000 employees The labor of these
employees for half a century has been mainly in
printing Government documents. Before the
day of the Government Printing Office great
quantities of these documents were printed by
contract. There is no means at hand of know
ing just how many public documents the Gov
ernment has ever issued. and complete cata-
logue of them would BIO impossible at this late
day.
But II the obliging Republican Senator from
Kentucky were to furnish his inquiring con-
stituent with copy OF all the recent Govern
ment publications he would have to charter Q
freight train for their transportation.
The sun., 1897-12-29
Questions for Mr.. EckeIs TO Answer.

n The Chestnut Street National Bank Of
Philadelphia closed its doors last Thursday,
owing it's depositors more than $2,O0O,-
coo. An investigation of Its affairs shows
that It is unable to pay Its depositors any.
thing at present, and their only hope OF
getting even partly paid hereafter depends
ON financial arrangements yet to be made.
Yesterday morning 1t was announced
that the amount owing to the insolvent
bank by its President, Col. WILLIAM M.
SrNeERLY, is $64s,O0O. The capital Of the
bank was 100000, and It's surplus fund
and undivided profits $175, 900 more, 80
that the President had borrowed from 1t
within $27, 900 Of all the money that it
possessed of its own.
Section $500 Of the National Bank act
distinctly forbids any bank incorporated
under 1t to allow any person, company,
corporation or firm, to become indebted
to 1t for money borrowed, to an amount
exceeding one.tenth Of the amount of
It's capital stock actually paid in. Sec
tion $3.50 makes 1t the duty of the Comp
troller Of the Currency, upon discovering
that this or any other provision of the act
has been knowingly violated by the direc-
tors Of bank to bring suit against the
bank to forfeit its charter, and to recover
damages from the guilty directors. The
present Comptroller of the Currency is Mr..
JAMES H. ECKELs.
According to all the newspaper accounts
Mr.. EcKELs has been aware of the condi-
tion of the Chestnut street bank for several
months. 1t is therefore proper for him to
answer these questions:
When did Col. SINGERLY first become in
debted to this bank for more than one-tenth
the amount of its capital stock actually
paid ina
How long have you known of such excess
Of his indebtedness beyond the limit al.
lowed by laws
Why did you not on first learning of this
violation of the National Bank act, proceed
against the bank and its directors as the
ect requiresa
The answers to these questions are the
more important because Mr.. ECKELs has
repeatedly advocated the retirement of the
Government notes used as currency, and
the substitution for them of national bank
notes. If. under his administration, a
national bank can, unchecked, allow its
. President to absorb nearly it's entire work
ing capital and then fail SO badly that II
cannot pay its depositors, his opinion Of
bank responsibility is not worth much.
The sun., 1897-12-29

Melville II. Stone as They Know Him nj Home.
From the Inter Ocean, Leading Member Of the Asso.
cfdted Press
Stone has told many persons in the last week that
the bogus Associated Press dispatches which have
exposed were sent out. not under his adninistra
ton, but under that OF william Henry Smith. He
lies. Moreover. he lies to sander the dead
The Associated Press. as managed by william
Henry Smith. respectable and respected insti-
tuition. and such 1t remained until Lawson and Stone
prostituted Its great power TO their ends Since
then has been made agency OF humbug, trckery.
aud fraud. To-day, with all its power and all Its
world wide facilities OF gathering, stands de-
based In every respect in which Lawson and Stone
have found 1t convenient to debase IT, The fact that
they have not debased the whole of Its service shows
merely how much time Is required to ruin such o
splendid property. With year two more. they
undoubtedly will be able TO rob It completely OF Its
past reputation.
We not 10 be put on nor is the public to he put
on with stones efforts to clear himself by slander.
ing the late William Henry smith-a man who stood
mountain high above any one OF the present gang
composing the news trust
We desire here to notify Stone. however. that. II
we again OF his denying In any way the truth
our charges against him. shall expose in detail
the manner In which he has had dispatches stuffed.
distorted, and Fabricated at the ooe OF the Associ
ated Press In New York city We shall give dates.
subjects. and specimens OF the fraudulent work done
there under his auspices Then his dupes throughout
the country will have only to turn to the lies they
have printed TO understand the extent to which they
have been deceived.
The sun., 1897-12-29
The New rammauy Of the West.


From the Chicago Tummdnp Mdga rfne. No. l, Vol /.
Democracy is the voice OF the people.
No principle OF politics can live without men to Inn
part heart and soul to It, No rlnciple OF politics
deserves to survive that cannot command always and
ever tho respect. confidence and undivided support
or patriotic citizens This the essence this is the
Foundation stone Of true Democracy.
This wa= the platform CT that matchless man. that
patriotic statesman. that true. tried citizen. that
aivertongued orator, that embodiment OF all that
high noble progressive. useful inspiring. brave and
honcst-William Jennings Bryant
The doctrines enunciated in the National Demo.
cratic Convention OF 1890 stand unchallenged In
their essential trurn ana eternal right befote tho
world.
The one redeem ming number the Administration
programme. doubIy refreshing because of Its broad
Amerlcanism, IL the Hawaiian policy.
The sun., 1897-12-29
Mr.. Croker as a Political Light.

Mr. RICHARD CRoKER'S rebuke to the
Manhattan Club for being refuge for the
unfaithful constitutes very able and time"
ly sermon. The propriety of Mr.. CRoKER's
being the medium of its delivery is not
worth consideration in comparison with
the actual value OF its instruction.
1t may be felt that Mr.. CROKER
reaps where he did not SOW when he takes
control of the New York city organization
that declared for BRYAN a year ago. and
that his part in the Bryan campaign does
not give him the right now to lecture
Democrats who revolted at the fraud and
anarchy of the free-silver platform, and
who have not yet been reconciled. Be
that as it may, Mr.. CROKER from his chair
in Tammany Hall rightfully condemns
as aliens Democrats who hesitate in their
allegiance now as they hesitated year
ago when thinking themselves to be in Mr.
CRoKER's company.
There can be no question of the justice of
Mr.. CRoKER's coldness to the Manhattan
Club as home of Democrats unwilling to
abide by the Organization of the Democ-
racy or by any fate which a National
Democratic Convention may decree for the
party. He is too clear in his under
standing and too practical in his habits
to waste time or thought on cuckoo
essays on true Democracy" or on idle pro-
tests that the Democracy of BRYAN and
Chicago is not the real thing. Democracy
is what the Democratic party declares it to
| be, and a national Democratic platform
| closes debate.
1t is time for all former Democrats to de-
| eide whether their famous revolt against
Organism a year ago is to pass as mere
spasm of rebellion, entered upon because Of
| no substantial convictions, and held to be-
cause sustained by the countenance of suf.
ficient sympathizers, or whether it was
founded on genuine and lasting devotion to
the national credit and order.
In other words, the wavering members
of the Manhattan Club must be Demo-
Gratis or Republicans. They must support
the party at present centred around WILL
LIAM MCKINLEY, or submit and reattach
themselves to the organization in which
for the present the Chicago platform
is the only authoritative source of in
spiration, and for which that docu-
ment shows the future to hold no re-
straining principle whatever. Their effort
to remain in the state of Mugwumpery,
which circumstances have subjected to the
denunciation of Mr.. CROKER. who refuses
so to remain, is utter vanity.
Our advice to them is to resign outright
from the Manhattan Club and to acknowl.
edge openly the principles at the head
of the Republican platform. We cannot
advise them to join the Union League Club
however, for apparently that organization
is pestilently beset with the spirit of Mug
wumpery, and as aimless in it's disloyalty
to the authority and interests of its party
as was any dissenting member of the Man
haitian Club who now recants and signifies
his readiness to swallow all coming fruits
of Chicago.
The sun., 1897-12-29

From the Atlanta constftutfon

BAXLEY. Ga Dec. 24.-Twenty years ago the
Hon. j. j. Robinson, now a prominent Populist
was elected to- the Legislature from Appline
county. Then It was not necessary to advertise
the caption of local bills. He introduced and
had passed law making the license I r selling
liquor here 81 900. No ono would pay 1t and
until Yesterday none has been sold since.
chased an immense supply of good. bad and In
different liquor and sold 1t In large and small
quantities. Not leRs than ono hundred people
were drunk here on vest sterday-everybo body
seemed to he full. and John Ellis. Jr who was
defeated for Sheriff. and. as was supposer was
appointed by Ordinary Tippins to hand out the
night. ~