smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

The Government having substantially finished
presenting its evidence in the first whisky case
we have been able to get to trial for some
time, we take leave to say that it seems about
as compact and close an array as we have
often printed We trust the defense may have
every reasonable opportunity to rebut it; but
the public will not fail to note that exceedingly
strong testimony from parties above suspicion
will be needed to do it. Meanwhile, we trust
attention may be early directed to another
subject of judicial inquiry: BY what practices
were the revenue officers of that district
blinded to these scandalous frauds 7
Year: 1869

Even though Mr.. Jenckess Civil Service
bill should fail Gas we hope it may not) to be-
come law we will trust that the great prin
ciDle it embodics will henceforth be regarded
among us as it has not been these forty
weary years. That principle is the SuJOrdind-
foR of partisan Serrice to personal fitness IN
the choice of public servants. We all know that
Washington selected ambassadors and other
functionaries with primary regard to their
ability and worth, and that such has not been
the general rule since 1929. If we pit the
thirty years that preceded Gen. Jackson's
Inauguration as President against the forty
that have succeeded, we think it will be
generally admitted that the standard whereby
candidates for important public trusts were
Judged was generally higher in the earlier
than in the later period Men now aspire to
posts. and bore and buttonhole their betters
into indo rsing them, who would not have
presumed to seek such Responsibilities at the
hands of George Washington.


We believe in Progress even when it leads
us in the opposite direction to that we have
recently contemplated. Let us return to the
good old ways, when they have been abandoned
for worse.


Cassius NJ. Clay is now Minister at st. Peters





burg We are not aware that any objection
can be urged to his retention there that was
not equally valid six months or twelve months
ago. 1t may be that President Grant will see
fit to supersede him; but we insist that there
is no plausible excuse for interpoating a new
Minister to limit the exercise of his discretion.
Nay: it were wrong to send out new Min
ister now, and thus compel Gen. Grant either TO
retain or to supersede him when he will have
barely made his obeisance to the Russian
AutOcrat No retiring British Minister would
dream of thus embarrassing his successor. 1t
would not be decent.


Mr. Henry A. Smythe has been merchant in
our City; then banker; he is now Collector
of the Port. We leave his politics entirely out
of the account, and simply say-what every one
who knows him must admit-that he is not
such man as Gen. Washington would ever have
dreamed of selecting for PlenipOtentiary to n
frst-class European Power. Whatever may be
his merits as a merchant or banker, he has
never evinced any fitness for the important
post to which the partiality of Mr. Andrew
johnson would now exalt him.


We beg the Senate to consider well this case,
and consider it strictly on its intrinsic merits If
il be right to send out anew Minister to Russia in
advance of Cen Grants Inauguration, and if
Mr.. Smythc be the right man for the place,
then confirm his nomination But if that NOM
inatiOn be the fruit of political intrigue, and
misguided, prcposterous personal aspiration,
then promptly and sduarey say so.
Year: 1869

Mr.. Howard yesterday came forward with a
Pacific Railroad bill, to stop consideration OF
Mr.. Edmunds's resolution, declaring the invi-
olabilty of the public faith and the unaltered
intention to pay our bonds in the money of
the world Mr.. Howard may think Pacific
Railroads more important, but the country Will
not agree with him. When he goes out of his
way to pronounce movement to preserve the
public credit "an abstraction" he should take
care lest the National honor also come to be
considered equally unimportant.
Year: 1869

The Georgia Legislature would like to in
dorse Grant, but fears that he might presently
pronounce it an illegal body. The dispatches
Indicate that therefore the President-elect must
wait awhile for the valuable encouragement of
the Georgia Legislators, who cannot take the
test oath but can turn out legally elected mem
hnr-
Year: 1869

He then proceeded to show that the profits
of the Companies building a single line 400
miles long would amount to am aggregate OF
S23.S4G 0O0l Without saying now one word for
or against these enterprises, their unquestioned
value and National Importance we simply ask,
can our Treasury at present bear any extension
of such n system9
Year: 1869

The Brazilian papers just received in London
know nothing at all about the magnificent
victory which a Cable dispatch reported the
Allies to have won at Vileta. This would
seem to indicate that the whole report of q
Paraguayan victory is q hoax.
Year: 1869

If the bill introduced yesterday at Albany,
requiring every newspaper to print in every
issue the exact figures of the circulation of its
last one, should become law, what rush Of
rats from sinking RATS there will be among
our braggart neighbors! We fancy the genius
who aired his Arithmetic last Fall on the
Maine elections trying to convince advertisers,
as well as the Democratic voters of this
city, that two and two are always five,
except when, in cases Of great emergency,
they are to be counted as six. AS for smaller
craft, the number which that law would scuttle
and send to the bottom is simply piteous For
ourselves, we court such publicity Great as
is the pressure upon our columns now, it will
be trebled when all advertisers learn from the
Year: 1869

Action Of tho knights Of St. Patrick-A


National Convention Proposed.


special meeting Of the Knights Of st. Patrick
was held In St. Louis last Friday evening. The
President read circular issued from Chicago in
closing the resolutions Of the Central Committee Of
the various Irish societies Of that city, to which was
entrusted the consideration OF the proposed National
the diversity OF opinion In reference to the selec
ton OF Chicago as the place for holding the conven.
ton for the promotion OF Irish emlgrant
societies, and a. all should have the success
OF this important movement at heart the
Chicago Central Committee resolve that each
State and Territory be requested to select two per.
soas as members OF central committee, who shall
meet In Cincinnati at the Burnett House, at twelve
NJ, on the second day OF June, for the purpose of
appointing the time and place for holding the said
convention apportion the representation and ar
range the preliminaries Of the same. Having given
the contents Of the circular the president stated
that the subject was open for discussion and the
election OF delegates to Cincinnati.


After considerable discussion the following resolu-
ton was adopted


That committee OF three, Of whom the president shall be
chairman, shall be appointed with power
gates represent the Knights OF St. Patrick Cincinnati
at the preliminary meeting which 10 up plan for
national convention to consider the question Of Irsh
Year: 1869

NEW YoRK Nav - -
TO TUE EDrToa oe rHB IiRRlfD:@


The American brig Morancy sailed from New York
on the 80 Of April bound for the ports Of Laguayra
AID Porto Cabelo She arrived at the latter port at
sundown on the I'd Of May. On entering the mouth
Of the harbor the sails nearly oil taken In and
we wefe preparing to anchor, when shot was fired
The rst shot did touch u.s. but the second passed
through the bulwarks OF the vessel and within few
feet Of where was standing. Upon going ashore
aud inquiring the reason why my vessel was fired
into received no satisfaction, and upon represent
ing the particulars to the American Consul no In
formed me they ought to be inquired into and wished
me to represent the case to our government upon
my arrival here, as he could obtain satisfaction
or redress from the Venezuelan government.


THOMAS b. HILL Master OF brig Nerancy
Year: 1869

Sabbath In January be set aside as day OF prayer
for the conversion OF the world.


On motion OF DIR. ADAMS the Presbytery OF south
Carolina was attached TO the Synod OF New YORK
and New Jersey.


Rev. DR.. HUMPHRY read resolution rendering the
thanks OF the Assembly to the people OF New YORK
for their hospitality; also 10 the conductors OF tne
daily press for their faithful records OF the proceed
ings, &c. Carried.


The mover OF the resolution then went on to pass
o farewell eulogy on the greatness OF New York.


Rev. DR.. PRRNTIsS then made a few remarks, COM
mencng by saying he was happy to feel that the
Assembly :. was going away rom New new
York with the idea In their minds
that they had been blessed instead OF
"blasted.n (alluding to the blasting OF rocks IN
the vicinity during the session of the Assembly, In
behalf OF the churches and his brethren OF New York
he thanked the Assembly for their presence.


The nnal roll call was then read and after appro-
pirate prayers the Assembly adjourned sine dte.
Year: 1869

NApRow EscArB OF AN ACTREss.-siIss Carrm
Tvlcr. VINO was performing part In q new play at
Indianapolis, on Wednesday night, and had dressed
herself Tor bridal scene, was standing before tho
mirror In the dressing room, when ner heavy bridal
veil came In contact with one of the gas lets on each
side OF the mirror, and almost In q moment her
OF name, She shrieked and ran out on the stage,
but fortunately the property boy was standing 01
enough presence Of mind 10 throw them oyer Ier
head and smother the names. Her wounds were noe
serious though painful. -CJnctsdaN Commercial
Year: 1869

Execution Of q Negro at Appomnttox Court


House, va.


A negro named Adam Franklin was executed at
Appomsttox Court House. va on the 2sth OF May
last, for the murder Of another negro named Haxal
Johnson II appears that the felon and wife OF the
deceased mad agreed upon getting him out OF tho
way 80 that they could live together, The victim
was wayiaid and most brutaily murdered, and soon
afterward Franklin was arrested and made con-
fesaIon Of his crime. He met death with fortitude
admitting the Justice OF his punishment and express.
ing hope for forgiveness from the Saviour. Quite
large crowd OF persons attended the execution.


HUSBAND KILLING IN fLLISoIs.--A most startling
tragedy occurred at Rockford on Wednesday. A
woman named Dixon shot and killed her husband
under the following crcumstanccs:-Dixon and his
wife had lived unhappIly together for some time,
when nnally she left him. going to her fAthers house
In the country She returned o short time since,
stopping at the house OF friend, and was confined
with child. Her husband made various attempts
TO sec her after this event. for the purpose In sup
posed Of gaining possession OF the child It was
finally arranged that he should visit her on certain
day. While In the chamber with her, standing By
her bedside, with the baby In his and his back
towards the bed, his wife, who had appeared
perfectly calm. without emotion or excitement, sud
IDENTIFY rose, and drawing forth q concealed revolver
fired two shots, ono OF which pnssed through him
near the region OF the heart, causing his death In
about half On hour.-Sptn1aed ful Journal, MY
90
Year: 1869

cause of her delay. She complained of not
feeling WELL With his characteristic kind
ness of heart, he told her to lie down awhile
and he would see that her work was attend
ed to- He thought he would do 1t himself.
1t was something he had never done be-
fore, and on this occasion only to relieve
his indisposed servant. He had gone as far
as the top of the area steps. He was in
side of his courtyard, and not upon the
sidewalk. His attention was first attract
ed by hearing some remark in which the
words 'old man were used. The remark
was not addressed to him. He looked up,
as one naturally would engaged in sweep.
ing, and saw two men walking slowly. One
was taking off his overcoat, which he have
to the other, who ran across the street with
it. This movement, however singular, did
not create any suspicion in the mind of Mr..
Rogers. He heard the one on the opposite
side say, Don't jim; you had better not
All this occupied but moment or two.
The other Immediately made dash at him
with a knife, coming through the gate and
in the yard. 1t would seem from this that
murder as we'll as robbery was intended
from the beginning.


This attack was made at his head, and
the hat of the unfortunate man was cut in
several places. Mr.. Rogers naturally threw
up his hands to ward off the blows. His
assailant then quickly grappled him, aud
in the struggle that en5ued succeeded IN OBJ
tanning the possession of his pocket-book,
which he thurst in the breast pocket of his
flannel sack. Mr.. Rogers became exhaust
ed in the struggle, and for moment ceased
his resistance. 1t was then that the assas-
sin cut his watchguard and thurst the watch
into the same breast pocket.


In the account which you copy from the
New York Times it is stated that the mas
sive chain attracted the eye Of the assail-
ant Mr. Rogers wore no massive chain.
He had worn for years, and did on this oc-
casion, a very plain hair chain, with small
gold slide. 1t was by no means conspicu-
Gus. A massive gold chain would not have
been easily cut. The act seemed to fire
Mr.. Rogers anew, and he again seized hold
of his assailant, hoping to detain him untl
assistance came, crying with what little
strength he had left, g Murder p and
"Watch n' 1t was then that the fatal
wound was given.


The coat was torn from the murderer in
his struggle to escape after the stabbing
took place. Mr.. Rogers kept the piece of
garment in his hand until he reached his
parlor, and told those who gathered about
him they would find his pocket-book and
watch in it. He had secured his property,
but lost his life. The time of the occur
renee was little before seven o'clock.


These are the facts as they were stated
to me by my unfortunate friend a few
hours before he died. They were given in
answer to inquiries which were made with
a view oflearning from his own lips all the
circumstances as near as lie could remem-
Der them.


No word was addressed to Mr.. Rogers by
his assailant. There was therefore no
quarrel previous to the assault. The at
tack was made in his courtyard and with
out any provocation,
Year: 1869

The GLOBE A VAST GAsoMETER. Iu
Erie Pa, there is large mandatory OF
workers in brass, where the machinery Is
driven and the buildings lighted by the gas
from an unproductive oil we'll. For more
than two years the proprietors have brought
the gas by means of three-inch iron pipe
from an unsuccessful oil we'll 1900 feet
distant from the mandatory, and used it
as fuel for their boilers and as lights for
their works. The flow, it is stated, has
never stopped, never changed in amount OF
pressure the gas is of good lighting prop
critics, and when at night or Oh Sunday the
works are stopped the gas is still supplied,
and at night is lighted at the mouth OF a
pipe of two or two and a half inches dame
ter, situated near the top of the main build
ing. This light is sufficient to illuminate


several streets and squares in every direc-
ton, and the escaping gas makes noise as
of escaping steam, that may be heard at a
long distance, while the gas flame is not less
than four or five feet high. These facts
have been cited as strong proofs of the the
ory that the interior of the earth is filled
with condensed gas, under heavy press
ure. The solid crust Of the earth, it is
estimated, is thirty miles thick, or one two
hundred and sixtieth part of the diameter.


AS the average rate of increased tempera-
ture is one degree Fahrenheit for every
foot Of descent beneath the surface of the
earth, point would soon be reached where
the most refractory metals can only exist
in the form of vapor. Hence, the globe
may be considered as vast gas-holder.
Year: 1869

A maiden lady while in company the 9TH
er evening, alluded to her infant smartness
stating that she went alone when six
months old. A malicious wag present re-
marked; Yes, and you have been going
ever since,
Year: 1869

LIQUID GLUE. Three parts of glue, broken
into small pieces, should be covered with
eight parts of water, and left to stand for
several hours; one half pint of chlorhydric
acid and three fourths part of sulphide of zinc
must then be added, and the whole exposed to
a temperature OF us to POO degrees during ten
or twelve hours. Let it settle, and it will be
found to retain its fluid form, and be most
useful agent for joining purposes. Austrian
Paper.
Year: 1869

His next thought was of his gun. When
it was found that he did not return, his
neighbors would certainly search for him,
and by firing the gun he could attract their
attention. Vain hope! Search as he would,
he could find nothing of it. Even if he had
discovered it, it would have been useless,
for his powder-horn was gone as well.
Over and over he turned the showdown
deep he dug into it until his hands burned
like fire, and great drops of perspiration
rolled from his forehead-until his arms
grew stiff and sore, and he was forced to
give up the useless labor from sheer ex-
haustion. With his back against the frozen
Year: 1869




With dire starvation staring him in the
face, he bowed his head and wept like
child. Starvation-that is dreadful, even
10 thought Starvation-that has in it
more of horror than thousand other
deaths He could almost see it silently
approaching, and for time despair alone
had possession of him. Then his trust in
the Supreme Being returned, and he com
mitted himself, unto His holy keeping.
" Heavenly Father!" he murmured from
between his parched and blackened lips !:
" 1t is thy hand that hast sustained me so
far-hast saved me from all danger. Thou
givest food to the young ravens, and mark
est even the fall of the tiny sparrow. None
but thou canst hear or help me. Hear my
prayer Save me. 0 God! Save me !"


Something of sweet consolation came
with the utterance of the words, and he
laid down to sleep more TRANQUILITY than he
had done for many previous nights. Yet,
it was only to be awakened by new
fear. 1t needed no seer to tell him that
the fohn, or hot wind, was sweeping over
the glaciers and snow fields of the high
Alps and that the rain was falling in tor
rents and the enormous blocks of ice melt
ing, as by the touch Of fire. The cavern
he had dug by infinite labor, was almost
breast-deepiwith water, and it was rushing
in with all the swiftness of mountain tor
Year: 1869

A lad, narrating a street fight in which he
had been engaged, said:


"I1l tell you how it was. You see, Bill and
me went down to the wharf to fish; and l felt
in my pocket and found my knife, and it was
gone; and I said, "Bill, you stole my knife;
and he said was another; and 1 said 60 there
yourself; and he said it was no such thing; and
] said he was liar, and could whip him if
was bigger'n him; and he said he'd rock me to
sleep, mother; and said he was a bigger
one; and he said l never had the
measles: and I said for him to fork
over that knife, or I'd fix him for tomb
stone at Laurel Hill; and he said my
grandmother was no gentleman; and said he
dersen't take it up; but he did, you bet; you
never-well, you never did; then got up
again, and said he was too much afraid to do
it again; and he tried to, but he didn't; and l
grabbed him and throwed him down on the top
of me like several bricks; and tell you it beat
all-and SO did he; and my little dog got be-
hind Bill and bit him; and Bill kicked at the
dog, and the dog ran, and I ran after the dog
to fetch him back, and didn't catch him till
got clear home: and I'll whip him more yet.
Is my eye very black?
Year: 1869

The New City Government was formally
inaugurated this morning and Mayor Putnam
delivered his inaugural address as follows:
Gentlemen of the City Council: tH


Without preliminary remarks, desire to
explain to you what probably is first in the
minds of all of us-the pecuniary condition
of the city.


Although the expenditures of last year
have been large, and our debt is not small,
yet our predecessors have quite thoroughly
cleaned up the work they had TO do, and left
unusually little beyond the ordinary neces-
sites OF future current expenditures to en-
barass us. They leave no large contracts to
be completed. They leave adjusted and paid,
or provided for the bulk of the damages aris-
ing from changes in streets after the fire, and
they throw over upon us to be assessed by
US this year aside from that portion of the
funded debt coming due, only $4,000 of tenn
porary loans.


We start then with clean chance. We
have claimed that our principles were those
OF economy; and the public will hold us to
our promises. With the burdens thrown upon
oar taxpayers, first by the war, then by the
fire, prudence in all financial measures is not
matter of choice, but of necessity.


The following table shows the condition of


~ IN@ IL
Year: 1869

The DIsEsTABLIsHMENF OF THE IRISH
CHURcH.-In the House of Commons yestsr.
day the Liberals, under the lead of Mr.. Glad
stone, the Premier. passed the act disestablish-
ing the Irish Church by a majority of 11S. 1t
will now 60 to the House of Lords, which be-
ing nen-elective body, owing its existence to
"divine right and being additionally conser-
vative, will perhaps resist its passage till the
popular tumult outside its doors endangers its
own existence as branch of the national leg
islature. That is an argument that is listened
to by the noble peers when all others are ex-
hausted. When the bill is finally passed, as it
is sure to be and that quite speedily, one of the
greatest changes that ever took place in the
British Constitution will have been accom-
plished. Destroying the character of the
Episcopal church in Ireland as government
institution is sure to be followed at NO very
distant day by the complete separation of
church and state in England itself. Then
Heaven grant the next cry may be 'Down
with the House of Lords" John Bright,
though member of the Cabinet is in fact get
ting ready for that or any other democratic
movement, and already he has spoken his
mind quite freely concerning the iniquity of
the immense landed estates Of the peers. Sue
cess to him.
Year: 1869

NYE's RESPONSE TO SPRAaUE.-The witty
Senator Nye of Nevada made some sharp
points on Mr.. Sprague in his reply to that gen.
tleman's rambling attack on things in general
the other day. He said:


Sir, let it never enter the Senator mind
that the danger to a Republic lies in the di-
rection of knowing too much. Danger lies in
the direction of not knowing enough.


In reply to Sprague's assault upon the law
yers, he said


hope the honorable Senator's forebodings
will cease. The lawyers will not hurt him. If
he does not want to use them they will not
charge any fees, and if he does they viii not
hope he will let the lawyers alone. They are
toiling class. They toll early and late, and
read musty books and fresh ones, and they do
it to learn how to act understandingly, how to
understand the Constitution, how to uphold
it, and how to defend themselves and the
rights of their fellow-citizsns.
Year: 1869

FALL OF CHIMNEY. Recently, one of
the chimnsys on Brooks iron store, corner of
Commercial street and Central wharf, fell ov-
er on the roof of the building, breaking off q
little above where it passes through the roof.
Luckily there was an iron brace which sup
ported the chimney and which now holds it
securely in its present position, while it also
rests against the unbroken part. As Lao inju-
~ mas been done to the roof it is supposed the
brace let the chimney down easily, although
the roise made in falling was distinctly heard
IN the counting room. 1t was very fortunate
it did not fall the other way for it would have
crushed any one who might have happened to
be passing.