smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

of these knockers, be they early OF late'
is sovereign, and owns part now
ever infntesimal, of the mansion. III ls
his house; the President is his President, and
made so by his vote; the town, county, pre-
cinct from which he comes is his own close
borough. voting as he commands or rs he per-
suades Under these circumstances he must
be let In, escorted through the hall and up the
staircase, and respectfully introduced 10 inc
very sanctum Of the Great Man himself
The Great Man cannot abscond' cannot
hide himself in a closet, cannot es-
cape the prcdestinate nfiction OF shaking
hands with the enterprising stranger. NO re-
source IS left him but steInly to refuse those
'few moments of personal conversation" whlch
most of the visitors will implore. The Chlei
Executive must be conveniently deaf, or dumb,
or blind. He must fence against that personal
conversation as if he were fighting for his
life. He must cultivate a hardness of heart
quite foreign to his nature. If absolutely
necessary, he must prove himself equal TO the
task of judicious snubbing.


The course pursued by Gen. Grant in refer
ring all applicants for place to the proper de-
partment, if resolutely persisted in, may save
n life which is extremely valuable to the ke-
public. Meanwhile, We entreat all sojouners
in Washington, whatever may be their busi-
ness there, to remember that Gen. Grant is a
mortal man, and like the meanest Of us, re-
quires rest, sleep, recreation, relaxation, retire
ment, and opportunities for reflection, friendly
converse, and domestic enjoyment. We know
that hundreds who maneuver to see him really
mean no harm, and have no axes OF their own
to be ground. If they will but keep in mind
that Gen. Grant is just now the busiest man
in the United States, without moment OF
time which he can afford to waste, they may
then comprehend that their love. respect, ana
admiration will he most eifectually shown by
a resolute surrender of the rapture OF private
interview If they cannot reason themselves
into an absolute renunciation of this delight,
let them await the season of official leisure
when they may approach the President with
out the suspicion of self-seeking.
Year: 1869

THE SIEGE or THE WHITE HOUSE.


Thus far Gen. Grant bears up brayely against
the button-holers, button hole they never so
assiduously. Perhaps it would be going little
too far to say that, prima Jacie, man who
seeks an Office is unfit for it; but 1t is an nm
deniable truth that the men who arc sought for
generally prove to be the best public servants


OF the place hunter by profession, with his face
Of bronze and his elastic back, with his petitions
in either hand, and his pocket stuffed full OF
certificates of character, with his impOrtunnto
tongue and his inexhaustible powers Of men
dicity, with his claims upon the party and his
more personal claims upon the President, with
his losses in the past, his hunger in the present


and his melancholy chances in the future-of
this unThcky, but by no means admirable per-
sonage, all we have TO say is that we are ex-
tremely sorry for him, and heartily hope that
he may, by the Divine blessing, be able
speedily to engage inlsome better business


Again and again we have exhortcd persuaded
and entrcated all those who feel an unnatural,
hunger for Office, by one manly effort to dissi


pate the delusions which carry them TO Wash


ingtOn and make them patient walters upon the
Presidents door-steps. Wo have demonstrated
that nine out of ten Of them must be disap-
pointed, and must return to their resi-
dences Gf they have any with broken
hearts and pockets hopelcssly empty.
TO say nothing OF self-respect and that
personal dignity which every gentleman should
strive to maintain, we have proved, though
proof was hardly needed that there are very
few Offices the emolumonts of which arc equal
to tho honest wages of honest daily work in
ordinary departments of human industry that
dependence upon the public patronage is al
most sure to DO fatal to a muscular self-reli-
ance; and that experimentation is almost sure
to find au office holder, who is usually hled by
his party numerically and by his friends
herocally, as needy in the end as he was In
the beginning. Alas the incontrovetible fact
that olice-sefking is just about the worst spec
ulation which q man can engage an, does not
seem to lessen in the least the horde OF otco-
seekers. Once in four years. the bubbles are
as beautiful as over, aud the fools IN pursuit
of them, with no notion Of the difference be-
tween shade and substance, awaken sometimes
our cOmmiseration and sometimes our contempt.


The new President, who In the old days
would have thought nothing of the perils of
battle and of siege, now finds himself in
sadly embarrassing position. He cannot sta
ton at the door of the White House two on
three stout porters, with positive orders to
knock down every applicant for admission un-
able 20 give n good account OF himself, and Of
his reasons for seeking entrance. Every ono
Year: 1869

The City and County Tax Leyies will soon
come before the Legislature, where we trust
they will get u thorough oyerhauing. Every
fraudulent or extravagant appropriation found
in these bills is certain to be laid at the doors
of the Republican Legislature which passes
them. The Legislature will have to share with
the City authorities the odium of every i'm
proper item TO which they give their sanction !;
and it is to the Legislature alone that the eti-
zens of Ncw-Yorl, can look for protection from
the cormorants of the City Hall. We can ap-
preciate the difficulty which honest legislators
experience in doing what their duty reqnmes
in this matter We know that any Senator,
for instance, who fights against the City Ring
must expect opposition aud embarrassment In
bills affecting the interests of his own
district. Nevertheless, his duty is plain. The
City and County Tax Leyies furnish tho
money with which Democratic maiOrltics are
swclled, election frauds paid for, and
courts corrupted. 1t is not only the taxpayers
of this island, but the whole State and the
whole country, that arc interested IN keeping
them down to their legitimate figures Last
year, when the County Tax Levy came before
the Senate with an appropriation OF SsOO,OOO
for that most stupend0us OF meiern swindles,
tho New Court-H House, Senator John O'DcnDell
moved to reduce tho sum TO SJOO,OoO, but he
got very little help from his Republican col
leagues, and. on tho final vote by which the
Levy was passed, he stood entirely alone. If
the other Republican Senators had sustained
him on that occasion the Democratic leaders
would have been deprived of their chief cor
ruption-fund, and the State of New-York
would have gone for Grant and COlfax.
Year: 1869

strut his appointed hour in borrowed piunies, to
the envy of his fellows, and Qet us trust) TO
his own inward satisfaction. These literary con-
tractors have such confidence in the integrity
of their patrons that they require no compen-
sation until their wares have been re-
ceived and examined 1t may seem rather ODD
that anybody should trust the integrity OF a
student who would swindle his friends and
classmates by such methods as the gentle
"men, of ability and culture propose; bnt any
young man who is weak enough to apply Tor
their assistance will find himself so completely
at their mercy that, rather than risk exposure, he
will be obliged to pay whatever they charge
and accept whatever they send.
Year: 1869

this Objectionable bill through the House. aa
soon as the Committee on Commerce is or.
gained, under the plea Of immediate neces
sty, the seal fishing season beginning in June.
This, like all the other arguments urged in
support Of the bill, is only protense, and the
whole scheme is intended solely for private
advantage, and is framed in opposition to the
interests of the people Of tile United States.
and especially OF the natives Of the
Islands. The firm of Hutchinson, Kohl g. Co.
is firm of which the journals on the Pacific
slope have said many hard things. But even
were they as fair as they are known to be en-
terprising, there is no reason why they shouId
have a monopoly in trade where other com.
panies are able and willing to compete. Their
record forbids belief in their inexorable fair
ness. Having done the Aleuts the injustice OF
depriving them of their schools, we must no.
do them the further wrong of placing them in
the power of an immense trading monopolv
which can rob them at pleasure.
Year: 1869

In the debate on the Tenure-of-Ciyil-O Offices
bill, yesterday, in the Senate, it was noticeable
that the attempt to construe the OppoSl-
ton to repeal into opposition to Grant
(Which might better have been left to
the Democratic inventors of the idea),
was promptly and handsomely met
1t is not reflection on Grant to suspend
the operation of tho bill, Senators lucidIy
argued; it is rather the highest of compliments
to him. The bill Is wise one for all
Administrations. But Gen. Grant comes
into Office peculiarly embarrassed by the num-
Der of bad men put into place by his predeces-
sor. So high is the confidence OF Con-
gress in him that they propose to
waive their rights in the premises, and
suspend the operations of this law temporarily
for his benefit, that every possible hinderance
or delay may be removed, and that he may bS
unimpeded in the speediest efforts to reform the
Civil Service.
Year: 1869

We have just seen a circular distributed very
freely, rs we understand, among the students
of our colleges, wherein il is set forth that cer


stain gentlemen of ability and culture have
held themselves Ia readiness for the past two
years to furnish upon short notice, and for a
reasonable compensation, any form or kind of
written production" ANY young gentleman
therefore who feels unequal to the task of u
commencement Grafton or prize essay, but is
emulous of honors, can have the loan OF this
company's brains. such as they may be, aud
Year: 1869

1t generally takes about half dozen resolu-
tions to adjourn, passing back and forth be-
tween the two Houses, to secure an adjourn
ment of Congress. 1t is not out of the regular
way for the House resolution for adjournment
on the 26th instant, to be now laid on the table
of the Senate, or for the next tendency to be
in favor of prOtracting the session some weeks
further
Year: 1869

The appointment of woman, and especially
of woman who has attained notice only for
her services in aid of the Union Army, to take
charge of the Richmond Post Office, is cold
comfort for tho Yirginians, but a cause of great
rejoicing to the WOman's Rights party.
Year: 1869

While the Georgia legislators are making up
their minds about the Constitutional Amend
ment, wouldn't it be well for them
TO give little attention to the condition of
the State7 The renewal of Ku-Klux out
RACES there seems to Indicate nearly as much
ignorance of the tendency at Washington as
does the timid wayering Of the Legislature
Somebody ought TO tell these Ku-Klux speedily
who is President now.
Year: 1869

Next the Georgia House has "flOpped7
ogain, on the Constitutional Amendment
concerning Suffrage. BY and by, with
or without advice from Washington, we
trust they may be enabled to find ont precisely
what they want to do. They seem to COM
prehend that their action is of far more con-
sequence to themselves than to anybody else
Year: 1869

We have abundance of rumors of appoint
ments, but very few actual nominations to the
Senate. There are stories to the effect that
this is likely TO last till some disposition is
made Of the Tenure-Of- Office question.
Year: 1869

lSsTAsrAsEoUs PHoTooRAPHr.---It is said that Fox Talbot placed hand bill on a heel revolving two hundred times second, before a camera. By tine light of single electric spark perfect and legible copy of the bill was made. Bromide of silver WAS used i'm this case instead of the iodide A marching regiment Of soldiers, or waterfall, may be taken by means of the same sgsnt.
Year: 1869

TEsT FOR WISE.-Aecording to German chemist, a very simple test tO determine whether wine has been colOred artificially or not, is furnished by adding powdered super oxide of manganese to the suspected liquor, shaking them together for quarter Of an hour and then tltering. If tbe liquid be then light eolored and transparent, the color Is natural; if darkened, the contrary is the case
Year: 1869

SOCIAL FEsTIvAL-The public will bear in
mind the Social Festival at the new First Bap-
tist Church, corner of Congress and Wilmot
streets, tonight, given by the ladies of the
parish. Refreshments and fancy articles tor
sale, the proceeds to be given to the Organ
Fund.
Year: 1869

In the Union Pacific Railway litigation be
fore the New York Supreme Court Tuesday.
Judge Barnard directed the Receiver to break
open the Company safe. This he attempted
to do assisted by some laborers and others, but
M MT Barlow member of the Company, warn
went " 80
Year: 1869

VELocIPEDE RAcE.-We learn that two of


our we'll known citizens are to have a veloci-
pede race on Commercial street to-day. start
ing from the head of Union wharf at II O. clock
thence to Portland pier and return. AS the


race is to decide between the merits of the ma


chimes made here and those made by Wood


Bros. in New York, much sport is anticipated.
Year: 1869

Acknowledging human dependence on AL
mighty favor, | do hereby with the advice OF
the Executive Council, appoint
Thursday, the 10Th Day of April next,
as day OF public humiliation, fasting and
prayer. Let us as people, on that day turn
aside from our common cares, and mediate
upon the Governments of our truer life, and
concious of our weakness and confessing our
sins, so humble ourselves before God, that he
may be pleased to accept our penitence and
bless our tolls and trials, to our present and
eternal good.


Given at the Council Chamber in Augusta,


this twenty seventh day OF March in the year


and sixty nine, and OF the Independence OF


third.


By the Governor,


Ir,.1uIrN nj DREW Sacretarv of State
Year: 1869

The Falmouth was a scene of beauty last
night One might have imagined himself
transferred as by the wand of an enchanter to
some fairy scene, so striking was the contrast
between the dark, rainy night without and the
brilliant scene within. The large corridors
and parlors were redolent of the odors of rare
flowers, rustic baskets filed with which were
suspended to the chandeliers, and large vases
loaded with the choicest productions of the
greenhouse, were placed In every available
situation about the rooms. The number of
guests present comfortably filled the immense
dining hall, which was brilliantly illuminated
by the eight large chandeliers and by side
brackets. We have attended many larger
balls, both at home and abroad, but never be-
fore have we witnessed one where the ladies'
were more elegantly dressed or in more per-
feet taste. As the grand procession filed into
the hall, prior to the dance, the grouping OF
colors was one that would have delighted the
eve of an artist. Most all of the ladies were
attired in long trailing skirts of white tarletan
with colored silk overdresses, the skirts, in
many cases, being elaborately trimmed.


at the head of the hall, facing Union street,
u y
from this elevated station did the Portland
Band, twenty in number, cover itself all over
with glory under the baton of Chandler. We
have heard those musicians play before when
we thought we did not care to hear any better
music, but last night they perfectly astonished
us. The gems of the best composers were rem
dered in manner that would have done credit
to the best band anywhere, we don't care
where, and in dance music at least no band
can, or will, be able to suit a Portland party as
we'll as Chandlers. 1t was food of melody.


The supper was worthy the rest of the en-
tertainment The gentlemen's parlor, and par
lor No. 2, were arranged with long tables run
ming lengthways of the apartments, and each
adorned with two immense antique vases filed
with rare flowers. All the delicacies of the
season were served up to the guests-suficient-
ly exhausted BY the inability to refrain from
dancing when such music was furnished to
put new life into their feet-who seated them
selves about the spacious rooms and took it
luxuriously.


After supper the dance went on with undi-
minished fervor till very early in the morn
ing, and as gray dawn was breaking the last of
the retired pleasure partakers left the house
with renewed affirmations that it had been the
most delightful affair of the season.
Year: 1869

We learn from the Bangor Whig that a
young man named Patterson broke jail at Bel
fast Monday morning and got away, but was
caught before night. He got out of the cell by
filing off the bars. He was imprisoned for
breaking into store in Belfast last summer.
He had broken jail once before and had been
found in Massachusetts, and brought back only
few weeks before.
Year: 1869

The Committee appointed by the Virginia
Legislature to visit Washington and urge
upon Congress the admission Of that State,
has had all interview with Gen. Butler,
Chairman of the Reconstruction Committee
which is said to have been satisfactory to
both parties. The Committee felt assured
that their mission will be successful, bu,
that pledge will be required that the State
Constitution will be carried out in good
faith.
Year: 1869

The Spanish Minister at Washington has
signed paper stating that the gunboats at
New York were not to be used in any way
against the Peruvian Government, and the
Peruvian Minister has expressed himself
satisfied with the statement. The result will
undoubtedly be the release of the gun boats
Year: 1869

Say, darling, did you never watch


The shadows that from the clouds do fall d?
And did you never try TO catch


These shadows on the wall?
As swiftly as such shadows fly,


Ny happy days have ever flown,
Fer since that day. when from on high


God spake your heart my own
A gentle stream, meath messy banks,


Has been Our life's sweet onward flow,
Begun with prayer and closed with thanks,
Our glad years come and go.
And when the hills of life shall cast
Long shadows in the vale below,
And that day of toll is past


Those lengthening shadows show
How blest were, if, hand to hand,


The solemn river just before,
We might together reach the strand


To cross our Jordan DER.
He lives not half a life whofiye
Himself his God and end in life.
lie lives threc-fold life who gives


Himself to God and life.
Year: 1869

MIRACULOUS ESCAPE FROM DROWNING
Two MEN WASHED OVER DAM IN JAMES
RIyER-THEY REMAIN ON AN ISLAND ALL
.NIeHT.-On Monday afternoon Mr.. Rey-
nolds, an employe at the Tredegar Iron
Works, was on 8 visit to some friends at
Belle Isle. He left at nightfall for Rich
mond, and his friends supposed him safe
until messenger was sent from the city to
the Isle to find out his whereabouts. His
friends fearing lest he should have been
drowned or washed down below the dam in
crossing the river, two Of them-Messrs.
Bolton and Tracey, employees at the nail
works,-embarked in small boat from the
upper end of the Isle to find out something
of his fate. AS they reached the middle Of
theriver they found themselves enveloped
in very dense fog, and entirely at a loss
as to what course they were steering.


They felt themselves being carried down
by an uncontrollably swift current, and the
roar of the dam in front warned them too
late of their impending danger. Despite
their desperate efforts they were washed
over the dam, and by some miraculous cir
cumstance Of fortune they found the boat
righted after they had gone over and them
selves saved from almost certain death.
After steering about blindly for some time
they found themselves landed suddenly on
a small island. Here they debarked and
endeavored to attract attention from the
shore. They were not heard, however,
and they had to remain all night on the
island. Early yesterday morning they
were rescued from their uncomfortable po-
sition by Messrs. Miller and Lyon, two of
their fellow-employes.


Mr.. Reynolds, We understand, reached
the city side safe and sound; 80 that the
solicitude which SO endangered the lives of
his friends was without substantial cause.
Year: 1869

Z SupPosEb ATTEMPT AT RoBBEHY.-Early
yesterday morning Detective Craddock and
officer Brimmer discovered several new
bedsteads and other articles hidden in the
rear yard Of Messrs. Habliston y Brother.
They examined the premises, and found no


trace OF forcible entry into the house.
The young man who sleeps in the store was
awakened, and the property WAS identified
as belonging to the concern.
Year: 1869

RoBBERY OF A CHURCH Yesterday
morning some sscrilegious thief entered
the basement of Glsy-street Methodist
church and carried off the two gas braok-
cts, with one burner each, on each side of
the pulpit, one very fine gas bracket, with
two burners, in the audience room, and
small amount of money out of the sunday
school bookcase-the whole amounting to
about twenty dollars. The thieves effected
an entrance by cutting a slat Of base
ment window-shutter IL the rear of the
pulpit and then raising the window.
Year: 1869

SEND IN YOUR ADVERTISEMENTS TODAY


fu consequence of the large edition ofthe WEEKLY
DISPATCH we find It necessary to putt to press
early Thursdsy morniug; we must therefore re-
quest our patrons to send In their advertisements
Year: 1869

In the injunction case, before Judge Col
lens, yesterday, Mr.. Delstsize was sentenced
to six hours imprisonment for contempt.
Mr.. Hunt, for the goveItaor, moved to dis
solve the injunction; but the result of the
argument was to place the papers and archives
of the Office in the charge tf representative
of the court, and Mr.. Emile Wilt was
selected to discharge this Huty. As a mere


fight between the two priptipals in this affair.
the public take about as mach interest as they
would take ina conflict between two Kilkenny
cats, and if the issue could, be similar to that
OF this famous feline controversy. they would
not mourn over the disappearance of the COM
batants. But what they do want is some off,
cial confirmation of the gepbral belief that the
financial affairs of the Stale have been made
an agency of the grossest vlnality and corrup-
tion. As Senator Lynch Is to testify in the
case, suppose that gentleman give us full
account of the famous leye1bond transaction.
Let us have light on all phases of the
question.
Year: 1869

The New York Times approved the action
of Congress in postponing the Mississippi
case until December. 1t declared the bill to
be device for putting the Offices of the
State, high and low, in the hands of adven-
turers and violent men, and yet the Times
approved the policy which was designed to
have this very effect, and which did have the
intended effect in the reconstructed Southern
States. Grant now asks Congress to take up
the Mississippi case and dispose of it at
once, and the Times, with its usual versa
tility, will probably second Grants motion.
Year: 1869

Ashley, the impeacher, is to be governor Of
Montana. This is the man who, when he
expected to be chairman of the committee on
territories, made bargain with friend
whose appointment to territorial position he
was to procure, for an interest in town lots
and land speculations. If Ashley doesn't get
preemption claim to all the town sites and
vacant lands in Montana, it won't be for lack
of will or effort.
Year: 1869

We have received from Philadelphia firm
circular offering to supply us with patent
water cooler cheap for oI1 fourth of the bill
in advertising and three-f{urths in cash. This
we take to be even cooler han the water to be
expected from the patent} refrigerator.