smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

PLYMOUTH, Pa, Sept. 10, 1869.


The excitement of the past three days Is
gradually subsiding. The miners have not
vet returned to lwcrk, but 1t is thought that
Monday next will find the mines oil the Dela-
ware and Lackawanna Company occupied
and busy with the hum of labor as before.
Miners are a peculiar race OF men. Death in
its most horrible form and on the most ex-
tended SCALE as in the case OF the Ayondale
catastrophe, has no such terrors as to keen
them moment from running the same rist,
as did their unfortunate brethren who were
buried in Hyde Park Cemetery yesterday.
The very mine that has been the grave of so
many could find sufficient men willing TO go
down its shaft to-day and work in ITS fearful
chambers as it did on Monday last, when los
hurried to the summons of the bell and took
their last look of sun and sky forever.


There was a rule of the AVondale mine
that any man arriving at the mouth of the
shaft for the purpose of descending after the
bell tolled seven should not be allowed TO
work that day. Monday morning two men
came late, but only by few minutes. The
person in charge Of the cage refused to let
them go down, at which they grumbled and
swore, and threatened to be even one day
with the unaccomodating official. How al
tered their feelings of resentment must be can
only be imagined. Monday at ten oc.ock
Year: 1869

THE efforts of the New York Sun,
and they have been very laboriousz-
to connect the President with, and
hold him responsible for, the recent
speculation in gold. have not been
crowned with satisfactory success.
The industry of that paper in hunting
down the Presidents brother-in-laW
has been remarkable; but the proof of
completely fails precisely at the point
where the San would prefer to have
it strongest If the ingenious editor,
however, can demonstrate the Presi-
dents responsibility for Mr.. Corbin,
who has undoubtedly had a hand in
eornering gold, we shall have to ad-
init that His Excellency is subject to
condemnatiOn.-C Cincinnati COnlHseT1
cidl.


leuThe Saa makes no worse failure
than did its editor in his efforts to
connect himself with the fat Office Of
Surveyor of thePort of New York.
Had that connection been success
fully made, the other connection
would never have been thought of.
Year: 1869

THE New York EVeRing Post takes
strong ground against the acquisition
Of Cuba in any way. 1t maintains
that the true financial and political
reasons are opposed to it, and that on
both accounts we should be "lar bet
ter off without the annexation or con-
troll of the island. The Post thinks
that no one will deny that it is a dis
advantage to the country to have as
part Of its population so many igno-
rant citizens, unaceustomed to, aud
unacquainted with the forms of free
government, and to q great extent un-
aware of the importance of the vote
they are to cast.
Year: 1869

THE belief appears to be reason
able that sudden and forcible re-
turn to specie payment, without no.
tice, would not have produced a
greater eonvulsion than that Of last
week, and at present going on by the
gamblers. Once down to the specie
basis such commissions would be i'm
possible; and Il is pot surprising that
the minds Of men should be turned
to the subject as the quarter where
the only remedy is to be found. One
thing is certain, that the rest of the
country will demand protection from
the conspiracies Of Wall Street, and
CongressA will lose, no time In doing
all that is in its power to afford it,
Cincinnati ChrORicle.


A speedy return to specie payment
seems to be gaining friends among
the papers. 1t offers. apparently. the
only certain cure to the rascally spec
ulators of such financial gamblers as
now control the New York Gold
Room. @i
Year: 1869

THE editor of the Owensboro
Shield has been trying to improve
the manners of some of the citizens
Of the place, by editorials in his pa
per. The result is, one BEN SPIoER
thought the editorials aforesaid were
sufficiently spicy to indicate that he
was the particular Individual whose
ma9Eers needed improving. Accord
ingly, arming himself with revolver,
he pitched into the editor on sight.
Failing to use his pistol, he tore the
editors hair, and the editor tore his
shirt. This was about all that came
of the fight. SPICER's honor wa


Vindicated. 1.
Year: 1869

The Chicago Jomaal informs us
that the Board Of Trade of that city
has given up trying to prevent grain
gambling in that city. 1t found that
the Board Of Trade was too largely
composed of that class to tolerate its
persecution and punishment. Cor
ner" operations. therefore, are to be
the order Of the day henceforth. If
honest dealers prefer to ship their
grain to that market, where prices are
manipulated by sharpers, they cannot
complain if the cash returns therefor
do not equal their expectations.
Year: 1869

has greatly increased the work In the Secretary's
O1lCo proper.


since the abolition o. the o,oe Of Assistant Sec;
has much increased In importance. AS the direct
representative Of the Secretary IN charge OF all ma +
ters not professional In their nature, the Work OF
this Oif1cer is ono Of large responsibility ana very
great labor. The duties have been well and promptly
performed and the estimated increase In the salary
Is recommended. Under the present allowance Of
but three watchmen for the whole department the
men are OverwOrked and the building ana archives
are In constant danger OF nre.


CONCLUSION.


have Thought IL proper in the first report OF your
administration to explain fully the present condition
of the naval establishment and to point out with
some particularly the general principles which
think should be adopted for Its Improvement


tl0ns OF public policy winch have relation to the ned
OF naval service, and which must be considered in
Judging OF It's present ana determining on its iuture
fact that the present condition OF the country
demands the strictest economy IN every branch OF
the public service; and many Of the suggestions
derstO0d as p0lnIing to that for which we should
strive rather than that which we may at oace &C.
complsh. With the necessary information ana
proper suggestions before them Congress must be
the 1nal Judge OF what the situation demands and
the resources Of the country viii permit.


What the department mas done during its brief
period OF your administration u before you. squad
r0ns reOrganlzed, ships RENTED expenditures re-
duced, economy required and responsibility en-.
fOrced-thls Ia what II has Attempted. 1t must be
say II It has accomplished anything OF It's work.


Fer Whatever has been done simple justice
demands that I should express how much we
are indebted to the practical wisdom OF my tmmo-
dlate predecessor, TO the skill and exerti0ns OF the
chiefs and officers Of the several bureaus and to the
comprehension energy and ability OF the dl8-
tlngulshed ofcer detailed by you for my assistance,


The PRESIDENT. Secretary OF the Navy.
Year: 1869

New Years Day, 1S69-The New Age of


American Progress.


Yes. the old year is gone, and the new year,
with the ringing Of bells from hundred thou
sand turrets around the circuit of the earth. has
been or viii be this day ushered n Great and
weghty events have been added to the annals
OF mankind in the brief but crowded interval
from the last to the present New Year morn
Ing. Under the appointed laws of the universe
our glorious though somewhat shaky little
planet, with her attendant handmaiden. pur-
sues her steady course in swinging round her
circle;' but the world of the human family,
under the new propelling forces of steam and
lightning. moves onward under continually
increasing momentum.


just entering upon a new age of American
progress, we stand looking out upon the
boundless prospect before us, as stood the
Spanish discoverer, Balboa, in exulting
wonder, when first confronted by the vast
expanse Of the Pacific Ocean. What is our
manifest destiny? With General Grant
secured as our incoming President we all feel
assured Of better times. It must be so.
Southern reconstruction will be settled. and
negro suffrage and the national finances,
debt bonds, banks and taxes, and on good
foundation. We may say that we know this;
but we do not know what strange things may
turn up in the unearthing Of the whiskey
frauds and whiskey rings, or among the
wrangling factions In Congress, nor what
vii be the solution Of the Alabama
claims, the Chinese question, the Cuba
question, the Mexican question, Mormon
polygamy or women's rights. Nor do we
know when our new Court House viii
be finished, or when our new Post Office will
be commenced, nor what will be the dividends
Or distribution OF our Corporation rings and
jobs during the year before us. We know
enough, however, TO predict for this country
and this imperial city a future of progress,
prosperity and grandeur utterly cclipsing the
wildes, visions Of imperial Rome.


As the contcmporaneous index for the last
thirty odd years Of the growth and develop
ment Of this metropolis we turn to the NEW
lonK HERALD. Time was when it was q
great achievement to secure, few hours in
advance of our rivals, the latest news from
Europe via Boston by pony express, or fro m
Mexico by horse power. Time was when the
expenses Of our Abyssinian correspondence Of
last year would have absorbed our yearly In
come. About that time the expenditures Of
the national government were not much In ex-
cess Of the city expenses and wastagcs now
under the control OF Tammany Hall, and about
two-thirds less than the present annual steal
ings Of the whiskey rings. In General Jack
sons time the country was turned upside down
and inside out and involved In general bank
r,,picy from his financial pet bank policy oi
Imitation 90 . basis OF thirty millions Of specie
Year: 1869

The LAST DAY OF THE YEAR AND THE
WEATHER.-So much depends upon the weather
on New Years Day that yesterday the lowering
aspect Of the skies provoked considerable dis
cussion. 1t was feared that the prospect was
threateningly dubious, and housekeepers hardly
knew which most to dread, plentiful lack of
visitors or sad story of soiled carpets. I'm
certain, however, as the prospect was yester-
day evening, all awake this morning to bright
hope for better things, political, financial and
social. Rain or shine, snow or thaw, let us
join in the congratulations and the cheerful
anticipations Of the season. If the Old Year
went out gloomily let the New Year be heartily
welcomed. A happy New Year to us all
Year: 1869

THE EASTERN QUEsTIoN-THR CONFERENCE
PosTPoNED.-Cable dispatches which wa
print this morning show that the ef.1fmness Of
Turkey has been crrcwned with unexpected
success. Greece has been compelled to adopt
pacinc policy. The insurrectionary spirit
mas seen effectually put down in Crete The
Conference, which was to hold its first session
in Paris OH the I'd of January, has, in conse-
quence, been indefinitely postponed. The
pluck which Turkey has manifested at this
time cannot be too highly praised. A little
more encouragement to the forces of modern
civilization and hearty submission to the
new conditions which these forces generate,
and the so-called sick man has healthful and
promising career before him. Not the least
important of the various announcements is that
which informs us that to-day the Emperor
Napoleon, in his address to the foreign
ambassadors, will point to the negotiations on
the Eastern question as a fresh pledge of the
pacific policy now in general favor throughout
Europe
Year: 1869

New YEARS DAY CAILs.-This is set apart
for the blooded racers. Young men Of lash and
spirit are expected to make faster tine than
Dexter ever trotted. In fact, they should be
ubiquitous to meet half the demands made
upon them by this outrageous and barbarous
habit Of trying to see how many Of their friends
they can call upon 10 one day.
Year: 1869

people have now perfect right to reclaim 1t II
the public interest renders 1t desirable to do so.


Besides, it has made bad use Of its trust.


Instead Of being conducted in the interests Of
the people, 1t has been made to enrich rings
and combinations by watering the stock and
raising the capital to fictitious value. 1t is
true, as Professor Morse says, that the gov
ernment should pay the existing companies the
full value of their lines, and this is provided
for in the Washburne bill, which Is only the
pioneer of the great movement. Bids are to
be invited for the construction of new lines,
and then the old lines can be purchased by the
government at twenty-five per cent less than
the ascertained cost Of new lines. No fairer
proposition than this can be conceived. It is
just to the companies and to the country
while to take the old lines at their own inflated
and fictitious valuation would be a fraud upon
the people and would defeat the main object Of
the government telegraph. Cheapness Of
transmission can never be attained without
honesty and economy Of construction, and this
is just what Washburne's bill seeks to secure.
Year: 1869

Financial TwaddIers In and Ont Of Congress.


Senator Morton made an elaborote speech
on the national finances, and on resumption of
specie payments in particular; the editor of
the chief radical organ here seized the oppor-
tunity to ventilate his crude notions in pre-
tentious and long -winded article in reply; and
Mr. Morton was silly enough to suppose this
was worthy of an answer. 1t is all bandying
of words and mere twaddle. It is proverbial
that men often love to talk great deal about
that of which they know little; and that Is
precisely the case with our Senatorial and
editorial would-be philosophers. There is not
practical idea in their financial lucubrations
The radical editor, who has large stock of
vanity, must be delighted with the indirect
puff received from the Senator. This hobby of
resumption is ridden to death, but the country
is brought no nearer the object aimed at.
In fact forced resumption is impracticable,
whether immediate, as one of these theorists
proposes, or by slower process, as proposed
failed. The British government made several
efforts after the wars with the first Napoleon
were ended, and failed and it was only after
eight to ten years that resumption was
brought about by the natural laws of trade.
Then it came almost imperceptibly, as the dew
falls from heaven. II win come to us in the
same manner, but probably within shorter
period, for the increase Of wealth, trade and
population is much greater here. The amount
of currency in circulation this year will be
found to be insufficient a few years hence.
1t is waste of time, therefore, to discuss the
question of resumption. We shall grow up to
that naturally, and any attempt to force it can
only result in disaster.
Year: 1869

The New York Euening Post, the ablest
of the New York journals, is opposing the
acquisition of Cuba by the United States,
using the arguments which suggest them
selves to every man who is familiar with the
facts having relation to the case-namely
The prospective loss ofshe revenue on sugar,
and the introduction into our political sys'
tenn of million and a quarter Of animals
with which we want nothing to do. 1t is q
great pity, however. that it could not see the
force of the latter argument when the propo.
sition was made to incorporate into one pol
itical system and into the body of electors,
the hordes Of ignorant negroes in the
South.
Year: 1869

Gen. Butler was at the great Martha 8
Vineyard camp meeting, the other day. A
correspondent of the Boston Advertiser re,
lates that when sinners were invited to come
forward to be prayed for, a good sister sin
gled out Gen. Butler, and earnestly entreated
him to come up to the altar; Jealous
brother on his knees also entreated him to
60 forward, while the clergyman who had
charge of the meeting said if the General
would only come up to the altar, he would
keep the meeting open all night. But the
General was as immovsble as his celebrated
Dutch Gap. The good people of Marths'S
Vineyard have certainly forgotten that the
good book says some people sin away their
day of grace, and that for such all interces'
sion is forbidden as useless.
Year: 1869

Miss Carrie Ketchum, the heroine of a
true love story at New Orleans, who was
committed to prison for her refusal to testify
before the grand jury against her lover who
had stabbed her, has been released from her
imprisonment and discharged from further
attendance as q witness on the ground that
if compelled to testify she would probably
commit perjury to save her criminal lover.
On the same day on which she was dis
charged, she and her assailant we're married,
SO that there is now no possibility of com.
pellinr her to testify.
Year: 1869

The number of applicants for the Indiana
District Judgeshp is multiplying to fear
fol extent The President will probably b.
seriously embarrassed in making a selection
so much SO indeed that he may appoint a
brother.in.law as q compromise.
Year: 1869

A traveller lately returned from Europe
brought with him many relics, but lamented
that the price put upon the fiddle which the
Emperor Nero played during the conAagra'
ton of Rome obliged him to abandon all
thought of purchasing it.
Year: 1869

y BRUrUs IN HUMBLE LIFE-Ihe
Evening Post of Monday says: albert
q. Dreckcr the watchman of the Passaic
river drawbridge on the New York and
Newark railroad, whose business it is
10 see that the draw is closed up on the
approach OF the trains. On Friday at-
ternoon last, just before passenger
train was to pass the bridge, the draw
was open and Mr.. Drecker began to
close II. The train was not yet in sight.
but the watchman knew it was coming,
and no time should be lost in putting
the bridge IN lis proper position. While
engaged in closing the draw, little son
OF MIR. Drecker, ten years old, fell from
the bridge into the deep water below
To save the child's life would be an easy
matter, but Mr.. Drecker now saw the
train laundering along the track, and
knew that the rescue of his boy would
involve the destruction of the train
What was he to do.


We may as well suppose it was a mo
ment OF supreme agony. His child was
drowning before his eyes, and its life
could only be purchased at the loss of
many other lives that were in his hands.
God mercltully spare Us from the bitter
anguish OF such trial as was forced
upon Drecker, He stood by his duty,
the bridge was closed, and the train pas
sed safely over it-but the boy was
drowned. Little did any passenger in
that train dream at what fearful strug-
Gle between sense of duty and the nat
ural promptings of the human heart the
safe passage of the bridge had been Sc
cured.


Such is the story of Albert G.. Drecker
Historians and poets have told US


"How well Horatus kept the bridge


In the brave days of DID,


but the Jersey railroad servant "kept the
bridge at n costlier sacrifice than the
Roman Captain. And what remains
Drecker is a poor man; his position in
lie is an humble one, and, while his loss
is irreparable, his noble conduct may be
rewarded. The railway company owes
HIM heavy debt the passengers on
that Friday afternoon train should deem
it Il priv ilege to raise Il monument to the
child,to fifty commemorate the deed, and
the press throughout the land should let
his name be known everywhere.
Year: 1869

lowed the strangers was tired" Th,


boy did as he was hidden, but remarked


"twant ma use for it will gwine to rain,
and she Ohe sow would be right peart to
get in agin."


| charlie and L went to bed and the tieas
commenced operations. We rolled.
fought fieas and tried to sleep but it was
no use, hundred fresh and hungry ones
came to the funeral of every one killed :;
at last we were forced to get up and
strike a light, when we saw THAT our
skins were covered SO thick as to be ac-
tually black; we started for the stage,
taking our clothes with us. Inside the
stage, put my ordinary under and over
clothing upon the top of the coach, and
then wrapped up in my great coat in
L threw it out and put on my other
clothes. Texas hcas are good travellers,
and very few minutes was time enough
ior the last one OF them to find the way
from the inside of the great coat to the
inside of my shirt, then another change,
Charlie meanwhile fighting the other
wing and swearing. We were never al
lowed to close our eyes the whole night
must have changed our clothes thirty
times apiece.


We asked the Cufiee whether the fieas
were always Troublesome; he said, ''No,
they've most all gone now, but long back
there was a right smart of 'em here"


More goat meat and corn bread for
breakfast, at the very reasonable price of
two bits meal, and the river having
fallen during the night, we hitchcd up
cur mules and got
Year: 1869

A singular scene occurred in Buffalo
earl one morning not long ago. A
drove Of ninety Texan cattle, that had
just been landed from one of the ferry
boats, became inturiated, and ran in
every direction through the streets, goring
and trampling every thing that came in
their way. One man was tossed by a
mad bull into Niagara Street Park,
woman was fatally gored, and several
other persons injured. Some of the cat
tie swan across the Niagara river and
scattered on the Canada side. Had the
stampede occurred later in the day, when
the streets were crowded, the casualties
would have been fearful.
Year: 1869

Nevertheless the fact is palpable
one, says the Mobile Tribune, that we
are a disfranchiscd people, with no
part or parcel in the Washington gov
crnmont except to pay taxes for it's
support, and for that Of tho official
thioves who stand between it md US.


1t is true that our conqucrors pro-
fess to allow US the privilege of voting.
but the profession is hollow mock
cry; in as much us the result Of any
vote we may poll is ruthlessly cancel.
ed unless it is in conformity with tho
policy Of the centralized Aespotism;
or happens not to conflict with it.
Year: 1869

lCHiEF JUSTICE CHASE IN RALEIGH.
is Washington telegram says:


Information has been received here
of an unpleasant difficulty between
Chief Justice Chase and the bar Of
Raleigh, North Carolina. The Chief
Justice states that he was shown what
purported to be a protest drawn up,
and signed by many Of the leading
members of the bar. On the opening
of the court he addressed the mem-
bers of the bar present stating that
the court had seen the protest, and
considered it contempt, and that the
clerk would be ordered to serve upon
each member of tho bar who signed
it, and rule to show cause why they
should not be ailenccd until they
purged themselves of the contempt.
This caused much confusion among
the lawyers, and they left the court
to confer as to the course proper for
them. The calendar was then called,
and the lawyers whose names were in
the protest were not allowed to ap.
pear in their cases.
Year: 1869

A NOVEL BENEFIT SUCIETY,


orrather a novel feature in one, came to my
notice day or two since. In addition to the
ordinary features-such as the payment Of
burial expenses and of a certain amount to
any member when sick, it is proposed to hire
a physician for the whole society, who for a
small annual fee shall attend all its members
when sick. Next to the Chinese plan of pay
ing your doctor so long as you are well, and
cutting off his emoluments when he allows
you to become sick, this seems the most eco.
nomical way. 1t should be added that this
plan does not include the families of mem
bers, so that the physician has large open
ing for practice outside of the society.
Year: 1869

THE SISTERS OF MERcy.-There is no asso-
citation of religious character more worthy
of the gratitude of suffering humanity than
the Sisters of Mercy This devoted and saint
like sisterhood, in the discharge of their duty,
brave pestience in its most appalling forms.
If they are not living exemplars of true re-
ligion We may look in vain for such exemplars
on this earth. The following card which we
clip from the Examiner illustrates the truth
of our remarks: