smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1879

THE Work OF THE LEGIsLATURE.-
Never before in the history of our Gov
eminent has single State been so thor
cughiy dazed by vexatous problems as
California at this time. The report of the
engineers on the subject of drainage make
known the fact that the lands west of the
Sacramento cannot be drained, and that
the islands at the mouth of the Sacrament
10 river cannot be relieved by any meth
o1s heretofore proposed Nevertheless,
should we have wet Winter, the parties
interested will continue 10 present their
case with undated vigor. A wet season,
considerable rain, will also inspire the
farmers afflicted by mining debris with
an unquenchable desire to obtain legisla,
tive protection. Another class Of men
will clamor for specific action looking to-
wards absolute control Of the railroad
companies, and if we are TO Judge this
class through past observation, we may
expect the usual display of fanatical ex-
'citement. The money lenders will rot
res. ior a moment until they have secured
legislation that will prevent double taxa"
tion. Corporations will make vigorous
effort TO obtain legislation that will ease
up some of the restrictions Of the new
Constitution. a large number OF persons
interested in the public schools have inti-
-nafad infanti.an 10 aesy R,r a rnx ieat ~
the State School system. And the peo-
pie have announced their determination
20 put a practical limit upon land and
water monopoly. In addition 10 these
great fsrreaching problems, there are
others relating to the machinery Of the
different departments Of Government


Every man Of sober judgment must see
that the coming Legis !a:ure will be liter
ally overwhelmed with perpleYity, unless
the good sense ofthe people comes TO their
relief and commands many of these IN
terests TO stand back and wait for more
convenient season. There are some ques,
tions which cannot be delayed notably
tina. OF land monopoly and that which so
deeply affects the farmers and M iners, but
would it not be well if we could refer the
school question to some learned commit
tee or commission that would inform the
Legislature "whether education educates
or not ?" We do not conceal from our
selves the plain fact that some kind of re.
vision is needed in our school system, but
we clearly see that one Legislature, sitting
for short time, cannot consider and act
upon SO grave subject with safety
Governmental machinery and water
rights mast be attended to. These four
points ought, then, to claim much of the
attention Of the Legislature. And the
time has now arrived when the people
should instruct their representative to this
effect. Without some such admonition
Legislatures may fail in everything by
attempting everything. Sac. Bee.
Year: 1879

ABOUT one-half of our exchanges of
last week came to Us with that fresh re-
mark about ye editor being ''too tpll for
utterance." Doubtless many Of them are
in the same condition at other seasons OF
the year, but they only make public an
nouncement OF the fact in the issue i'm
mediately following Thanksgiving. Why
don't you don the blue ribbon, and give
us il rest I
Year: 1879

AN exchange declares that the man
who sat down in tie middle OF the past
ure, expecting that cow would come to
hun to be MIXED, is not more foolish than
the man who stocks store and expects
the people to hunt him out and buy his
goods without advertising.
Year: 1879

THE tenor of N Y. Herd'd editorial
is to the effect that Grants acceptance of
the Pres idency of the projected inter
oceanic canal company is equivalent to
the success of that much talked OF enter
nrise.
Year: 1879

At the Brooklyn Tabernacle last evening Mt
Tamage referred briefly to the recent action of the
trustees "The chief event of the week, of course,
TO me and to this congregation he said
"was the letter of the trustees Of this
church recommending withdrawal from
the Preslytery. This was made necessary by
the persistent and lOngcontinued outrages against
tho peace OF this church by certain neighborin,
churches and clergyucn. | desire little longer
time for consideration before making answer. and
shall take occasion to reply to the letter and say
some things that need to be SAID on next -unday
morning from the pulpit.


"Thc time will come when all the ships in the
Christian squadron will help each other. and none
try t. scuttle the craft in the same feet. No man
or church can be but up by trying 10 pull others
Christ. Let them commune as they will. preach as
they will. each in its own way. We must have
churches enough TO take all the people TO Heaven
Nav thcy come INTO the harbor with their flags hy-
ing and amid The cannonadiDg of heavenly wei
Gomez
Year: 1879

When Secretary EyARTs consented to act as 4
pall-bearer ut the funeral OF Gen. Dick TAYLOR
lie could hardly have read that part Of the Gen
erals book "Destruction and Reconstruction"
in which he speaks OF President HAYES both as
man and as public officer. Holding such
opinions OF the President and his title, Gen.
TAYLOR could hardly have been awarm adrlrer
Of Secretary EvAKTs; and probably he would
have been much surprised, II be cohll have
known it, at Cabinet officer Of the. Fraudu-
lent President condescending to perform SO
friendly an Office for him. Secretary EvAR1s,
it is true. might retort that there is no enemy
Of the Administration he would not cheerfully
carry to the grave; but, after all is said and
done, there was curious inconsistency in the
Year: 1879

The time of the House yesterday was
largely occupied in listening to the some
what notorious MIR. B1AcKBuEs, Of Ken
tucky, who attempted to explain recent
speech of his, in which he made the threat
that the Democratic party would eventually
succeed in wiping out all the war legislation
that had taken place during the reign Of
the Republican party. Mr. BLACKBURN made
several extremely nice distinctions, the thin
ness of which was shown by Republican
members During. the discussion. the inter
esting and significant fact was developed
that in the speech referred to by BLACKBURN
as it appeared in the Congressional Record
and g pamphlet copy Of the same document
prepared for distribution in the South, there
was marked and striking difference.
Year: 1879

Every speech made in Congress costs the
country about $4,000 cash, not to mention
the annoyance Of reading it. At that
price, and with prohibitorv tariff excluding
the foreign article, speech-maEing might be-
come, in the course Of time, one Of our
most Improbable industries. Our gift Of
CAB is fast developing into national infrm-
ity, for which n remedy ought to be found
and applied before it becomes epidemic.
Year: 1879

The anxiety that has been manifested in
Republican circles at Washington about the
Presidents backbone is said to have entirely
Disappeared; but the Democrats are now
intensely interested in the same question.
They expect to find the spinal column OF
aIr. HAYES quite stiff enough for all practical
purposes as soon as any of their vicious
legislation reaches him II the President
nets with the Republicans in Congress, as he
undoubtedly will, the study Of backbones
will ongross the Democratic side until the
close Of the present session.
Year: 1879

The Russian Government, notwithstanding
its internal difficulties, finds time to push its
schemes Of Asiatic progress. It will send
this summer IN expedition into Central
ASIA to explore the route from the Ural to
the Caspian Sea, for the purpose of collecting
information us to the resources available for
the construction of railway, and to canvass
the possibilities Of turning the waters of the
Anu back into their old bed, tho Caspian
Sea, their mouth now being at the Aral Sea-
Year: 1879

Drows anl JOKES minister to it, Under the
apprehension tint they arc really objects Of
interest. From the moment they ara Gu
gagged to the moment they are married,
Bnows and JONES fancy they are living in
another world. Their new relation casts
sort Of glamour about them, IN which
they are superior to such accidents
of life as lhe tailor, butcher, aud grocer
throw in our way, and they foat lightly
above ali the cares, duties, aud responsibilities
OF our ordinary vulgar and humdrum exist
ence. It appears 10 them that they are the
first pair that ever encountered this tremen-
dously simple and unimpo1tant problem OF
marriage, and that they may be the last pair;
consequently it appears to be colossal thing
to them. Philosophers would look .at 1t
through the large end Of +he glass, which
would reduce it to the proper dimensions:
Tho real estimate Of its Importance can only
be fixed by comparison before and utter.
Both Brown and JONES were obscure be-
fore marriage; they are equally obscure alter
marriage. Their names are never again con-
spicuous except in connection with those
painfully suggestive reminders which huck-
stcrs are iu the habit Of sending to them on
the first Of the month. Why such gor-
oeously. iridescent bubble should be blown
in tho midst Of their unimportant lives, and
why the world should stop for even mo-
ment to admire its sheen, when 1t is known
it will end in suds, is one Of those mysteries
that defy philosophical inquisition. The
why Of it may be found perhaps in the fact
that we are so made.
Year: 1879

bonds, payable in fifty years from the aato
Of issue, and drawing no interest fer tho
first five years of their life. Tint this would
he GOOD scheme for those to whom the


money was given nobody. doubts; but TINT
It will receive serious consideration at the
hands of Congress there is little cnuse for
Year: 1879

Old WALT WHITMAN as a public lecturer
ought to be in demand. Though some OF his
poetry is none Of the purest, it has ali been
admired by tile best judges in England; and
his prose is even more vigorous and picturesque
than his poetry, Indeed, while some Of the
"Leaves of. Grass,'' for instance, seem to tbs
casual observer much like prose, parts Of hia
lecture are truly poetical in sentiment and
oxnrpssfon
Year: 1879

TIE STEVENS case, which threatens to be-
come celebrated in the annals of criminal
history, is still dragging its weary length in
tho Criminal Court, the taking OF evidence
being still uncompleted. Yesterdays session
was devoted largely to an effort on the part
Of the prosecution to show that the de-
fendant was not the sympathetic and
loving husband he has been represented to
be. and that the connubinl bliss Of his dead
wife WIS interrupted at various times BY acts
Of positive cruelty. The moro this tragedy
is overhauled the more 1epulsive it becomes,
and everybody except the morbid crowd OF
curiosity hunters who frequent the court
room will be glad when it is ended.
Year: 1879

THE SHIPMENTS of American wheat


and farm produce to England are con-
stantly increasing, and it is evident that
the people of Great Britain will in fu-
ture look to this country for their sup


plies. The English merchants are be-
coming more and more deeply interested
in the trade, and this friendly intercourse
should be cultivated in our own coun-
try. Late dispatches state that with the
addition of SOC, 900 quarters of American


red wheat during the last three months,
there has been for this season so far
total increase of the wheat shipments of
100000 quarters over the same period of
last year. These figures speak for them
selves. And to the American farmer
are eloquent and musical. The price is
not so great just at this time. But his
good sense teaches him that it is very
comforting in such season of plenty to
be able to dispose of his wheat at these
prices and put the money in his pocket.
Those Of the growers in the West who
have experienced such seasons of plenty
when wheat was allowed to rot in the
sbesf and corn was used for fuel will
experience no doubt comforting assur-
ance that their labors have not been in
vain. One of our Democratic neigh
bors who has been opposed to the coin
ago of the silver dollar now exults at
Year: 1879

THE best and purest men are always
found united with political parties. The
most corrupt and scandalous peculations
and acts of extravaganza have emanated
from combinations formed under the de-
lusive cry of non-partizanism. An hon
est party always submits when it is
beaten. It is only the dishonest that
seek to get into power through the cry of
non-party action. The Democrats of
this city should scorn such attacks upon
their party. They only arise from de-
signing, disappointed Republicans who
desire Office or the fruits of Office for
themselves. Honest Republican politi-
clans accept the situation as one of the
results certain to follow in our free in
stitutions, are ready to bide their time,
and as soon as the Democrats fail 10 at
tend to the peoples interest they will
hope to come into power again through
the honest votes of honest citizens. And
the inducement for the Democrats Il
continue to do right never was stronge
Council at the September election W.


have no doubt. They have only t


nominate good men to guarantee a vic


tory then.
Year: 1879

IT Is ABOUT TINE Sitting Bull was
made an example of. If he had been
white man his skin would have been
riddled long ago. The people are tired
of hearing of the audacity of this savage,
and begin to look upon him as a petted
mortal for the value his mischief brings
to the army and Indian agency mills.
In colonial times when a price was given
for wolves scalps an agent once asked
of an Indian how it was that there were
no old she wolf scalps, and received for
an answer, ''if they were shot me get no
more pay for scalps." Now we do not
suppose General Miles would allow Sit
ting Bull to get out Of the range of his
guns if he gets within reach of him
But there are men engaged in the Indiar
Agency business whose interest in Sit.
ting Bull is just such as the Indal
had in the wolves.


We are now told that Sitting Bull ha
marched north with his whole camp c
from 5000 to 5000 Indians, and ha
squatted on the shores of Swan Lake
some eighty miles beyond the borde
There Sitting Bull proposes "to remain
but just how long Mr.. Long Dog, WI
tells all this to General Miles, does 1t
pretend to know or say. 1t is hope
that Gen. Miles will make short wol


with the old murderer of white men al


women If he gets sight of him.
Year: 1879

SOME ATTORNEYS sacrifice property
in selling it without advertising it freely
No man these times is going to pay much
for farm without having time to look
over 1t and consider the matter, and 1t Is
. scandalous shame to thus sacrifice one
without advertising it fully. This is
done from personal prejudice on the part
Of attorneys to newspapers; and some
times on the pretense of economy, with
out rejecting that they charge for their
services four times what it cost to adver-
tise, knowing too that their services add
nothing to the price Of the property. In
fact people had better be without the
services of such attorneys as make a
habit of practlcing this political and
personal spite. They can sell theii
property just as well through the ser
vices of an auctioneer, and any rea
estate agent or newspaper publisher cal
write the advertisement for them just a
we'll.
Year: 1879

Over her shoulders hung loose her disor-
dored locks-she wept for her own green isle. ]"


When night had folded his sable
wing upon the shores of Antrim, and
the vast pillars of black marble,
whose shadows, projecting far oyer
the foaming waters, were Illuminated
by the rays of the silvery moon, tones
of lamentation and sighs Of woe often
times broke upon the stiffness of the
scene


Was it the plaintive voice of some
stranger bird who, having wandered
afar, bemoaned the rich foliage and
the nutritious grain of his native
land? Was it celestial harmony that
blended with, or was borne trembling
upon the fresh breozes of evening :?
Was it the voice Of spirit, or the
breath Of the wind as it sighed at in
teryals over the swelling billows?


All no it was the voice Of child
of Erin, the hallowed voice of poetry
which thus moaned in the silence of
night Like the ancient bard who
sat upon the rock covered with the
foam of ocean, pressing to his desc
late bosom the harp that had so often
echoed the praises of his own beloved
country then wildly swelling over
the waste Of waters, the lonely bard
would sing lament for the oppres-
sion, the cruel wrongs that Albion
heaped upon his people


Alas the misery that rends thy
teeming bosom, thou noble mother Of
brave men Alas for thy chains
beautiful isle of the sea Whose
noble brow arose amid the nations
encircled with glory, the sign Of re.
demption on thy forehead, radiant
with the laurels of hundred vic
tories.


AS the Son of Man was betrayed by
the faithless Apostle, so vast thou all
tender and true sold by him in whom
thou didst conGde. And now thou
dearest the cross through the world,
jest TO the ribald throng of soldiory,
exposed to the jeors Of the populace,
drinking the chalice of bitterness.
But look up TO heaven for hope and
strength. This cross shall be thy
crown, for thou art chosen as a second
offering Of expiation.


As Ireland fell like the lofty cedar
beneath the ruthless axe, she raised
aloft her mutiated arms in maledic-
tion on the Norman hordes whose
eoursers neighed through her tremb-
ling valleys, as they onward sped to
plant their hated banners upon her
towering hills!


Ye tyrauts, We proud intruders,
the sin be thine, that brothers cry
Year: 1879

THE Appeal says that the funding
act and the validity of the State debt
have beenapprOved by the Democratic
party in three separate State conven-
tions. We distinctly remember that
the language Of every platform of that
party has been that it favors the pay
ment of the lust debt of the State
and all the acts of the legislature have
confined themselves to legally issued
bonds. The time has never been when
a resolution could have carried in a
Democratic convention, declaring the
entire debt legal and binding. We
may be mistaken; but we cannot recall
any convention that has said the en-
tire debt Of the State is sacred and
legal. We ask for light from our
morning contemporary.
Year: 1879

The number of lady gamblers in Ion
don is increasing steadily.oHA cores
pondent OF the Standard states that
there is more gambling among ,wo-
men at the present time than has been
The case since public gaming tables
were put down by act OF Parliament
The harmless bet OF q few pair OF
gloves at race meetings is now consid
cred far beneath tho notice Of dash
ing matron or fast maiden. There
are not a few female plungers on turf
who put the pot on, as the idiotic jar
gon of the race course has it, with as
much eagerness as the most dissipated
subaltern at the Raleigh, who stands
to win q heap Of money at Ascot or al
Goodwood, with the alternative oi
running his old father or the country
rector II he loses, and allowing his
sisters portions to be swallowed up
in paying his debt Of honor" II the
female plnnger be unmarried she has
recourse probably to some accommo-
dating dressmaker, or worse lI,she
accepts pecuniary help from some
male friends and perhaps puts her.
self for life In the power of man
who will one day make her pay dear
Iy for her indlscretioi.
Year: 1879

II


A small coal cutting machine de-
signed by German inventor, has been
in use for some time with very salts
factory results in mines in Germany,
Austria, and Hungary. The machine
is of such construction that two men
can transport and crectit any place in
the mine, even in very narrow and low
headings. In consequence Of this, the
apparatus is considered peculiarly
adapted for those working in which
the small space available increases
the difficulty of hand labor. 1t il
claimed that the great simplicity o
this machine is SO decided as to hay,
also led to its ready adoption by thos'
interested 4lI
Year: 1879

When water becomes scarce In those
thirsty plains, the whole Of the wild
animals that inhabit them congregate
around any pool that may be left, for
with very few exceptions all have to
drink once in twenty -four hours. The
lion which follow the game, thus are
led to these drinking places not only
to assuage their thirst, but to satisfy
their hunger. To watch one OF these
pools at night, as I did in the northern
Mascara country, is a grand sight and
one never to be forgotten. The natur-
alist and ths sportsman can here see
sights that will astonish them and
cause them to wonder at the wonderful
instinct possessed by the animal king,
dom. That the Creator has ordered
all things we'll We know, but the min
ute details to which they have been
reduced is seldom noted, except by
those who live not the life OF the busy
trading world, such as wander into
those portions Of the earth undisturbed
by the presence Of man.


At such watering places the small an
telopes invariably drink first, the larger
later on, and with the zebras and but
faloes. After these come the giraffes,
closely followed by the rhinoceros, and
next the elephant, who never attempts
to hide his approach-conscious OF his
strength--but trumpets forth warn
ing to all whom it may concern that ne
is about to satisfy his thirst. The only
animal that does not give place to the
elephant Is the rhinoceros obstinate,
headstropg, and piglike, he may not
court danger, but assuredly he does
not avoid it. The elephant may drink
by his side, but must not interfere with
MIN, for he Is quick to resent an insult,
and | am assured that when one OF
these battles takes place the rhinoceros
is invariably the victor. The elephant
is large, or gigantic power, but the
other is far more active, while the for
midable horn that terminates his nose,
is a dreadful weapon when used with


the force that he has the power to apply
to it.


t have been told on trustworthy all.


thority that rhinoceros in one Of those


blind fits of fsry to which they are sc


subject, attacked large wagon, in


serted his horn between the spokes o.


the wheel, and instantly overturned it,


scattering the contents far and wide


and afterward injuring the vehicle tt
such an extent as to render it useless
The lion is not tied to time in drinking


After it feeds it comes to water, but il


would never dare to interfere with the


rhinoceros or the elephant. Where the


buffalo exists in numbers it is the prin


cipal prey of the lion in other local.
ties chiefly antelope and the zebra arr
its food.
!. A strange circumstance connected
with the lion is, that it is almost I'M
possible to tell where he is when yor
hear his voice. When roaring loudly
he places his head to the ground, grad
ually raising it as he diminishes thu
power of his voice. Although | canno
t say that recognize anything terrible


in the lon's voice, many other people
do, and have been in the company
f of persons who became completely de
moraliz4d while it lasted. That this
animals voice makes the earth vibrat
is a fact.-"Ihe Great Thirst Land,
by Parker Gilmore.
Year: 1879

G. w. Powell will have on his stall
in the Third street market, a fine lot
of shad as well as other fish, this after
noon and to morrow, which he is sell.
ing at reasonable prices. Give him a
call. He is expert with the knife and
will clean them in jiily.
Year: 1879

The boy who doesn't leap over
seven hitching posts, kick dog,
snatch handful of navy beans in
front Of every grocery store, knock
over a box or two and work the
handle of every pump on the side
walk on his way from school, is
either lazy or doesn't feel WE'LL
Keokuk Gate City.
Year: 1879

Although we have heard nothing
i'll of him, yet we cannot help
thinking the gymnast who performs
dangerous feats in the car of an
ascending balloon, is a dangerous
car actor. Statesman.
Year: 1879

Advice to the bachelors.-Never
marry a woman unless she is so
rich that you would marry her If
she we're ugly, and so handsome
that you would marry her if she
were poor.-Free Press.
Year: 1879

During school inspection at a
town in Staffordshire where some
Mormons had been lecturing, the
inspector asked the boys why q
man should only have one wife.
because no man can serve two
masters" was the prompt reply.