smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1874

The charter provides that the provisional
estimates for the expenses of the several
departments in the city government shall be
made up by the Board of Apportionment by
November l. The first week in October has
now passed and no meeting of the Board to
consider the estimates has yet been held. No
more important subject can occupy the atten-
ton Of the city authorities, for upon the
expenditures of the departments depends the
amount of taxation levied upon the taxpayers
of the city Hitherto no sufficient time has
been allowed for the consideration and discus
sion of the estimates, and extravagant appro-
priations have been carried through on the
plea of the limitations of the law We call
upon the Mayor and the other members of the
Board of Apportionment to give their prompt
attention to this matter. We shall insist this
year upon material reduction in all the
departments, and it is essential that the
departmental estimates should be considered
by the Board at an early day if we are to have
a proper enforcement Of economy and to
protect the taxpayers from the extorton to
which they have heretofore been subjected by
reform" city government


LOUISIANA PoL1T1cs have taken new phase.
The pleas for peace which have SO long alter
mated with acts of violence are now made
more dubious by Mr.. Pinchback's address to
the people Of the State which is especially an
appeal to the black voters. He tells them
that they have never been properly rep
resented in the offices of the State
that those who have gained Office have
principally been mongrels or politicians,
and that there are intelligent and
wealthy colored men whom they should
support He blames Mr.. Kellogg for mis-
management Of the State affairs and for un-
just treatment Of the blacks, and accuses him
of regulating his government according to
ideas at Washington. Mr.. Pinchback has
great influence with his race, and this
appeal will have, undoubtedly, cor
responding effect upon the election. A
new issue is presented, and the result ought
to be favorable, indirectly, Mt least to the con-
servative party. The value Of the address is
that Mr.. Pinchback, SO far as we have quoted
him, utters nothing but incontestable truths.


HE episcopal BOARD OF MISSIONS held its
annual session yesterday and considered the
important duties of converting the Indians
and Chinese, more fully, we think, than the
duty OF converting our own heathen. 1t
would be well for the Church to look moro
carefully after this department Of its work,
for it is more essential to its prosperity and
power that it should convert one American
than hundred Hindoos. The Anglican
Bishop of Calcutta appeals for money and
aid. Let the Church tell him there are
thousands Of young paeans in New York
alone who are growing up without its helu.
Year: 1874




The New York Tribune attempts to criticise
the position taken by Speaker Blaine in his
letter and by the Portland PRESS in its accom-
paying editorial-that the question of the
Senatorship now pending in this state, should
be settled inside of the Republican party in "a
full, free, fair and open caucus


The caucus is simply a necessity, not only in
political organizations, but in all other assoca-
tions where division of sentiment arises and
where those thinking alike wish to consolidate
their strength and make it effective. Every
President of the United States, since General
Washington, has been put forward by caucus
nominat,ou-the caucus originally being com
posed of the members of CoDgress-but since
1924, for full half century, each successive
President has been nominated by National
Convention which is simply cancrs on large
scale Inde, o National Convention is a eau
Gus born of an indefinite series Of caucuses-
each delegate being chosen by the caucus of a
State ConventioD-the state Convention itself
being composed Of members chosen BY primary
caucuses Mr.. Greeley was the nominee of two
such National conventions, and was actually put
forward by the largest series of caucuses that
aided in presenting candidate to the Ameri-
can people, The Tribune never yet supporteda
Presidential candidate from Clay to Greeley, or
q aGubernati0nal nominee from Seward to Til
den that was not put forward by convention
that was the outgrowth of numberless eau
cuses. Nor, since the Tribune was in existence,
has any United States Senator been chosen in
New York without being first put forward by
the Legislative caucus of the dominant party.
If the Tribune ever protested against the prac-
tice it has escaped our observation.


The limitation of the caucus is where the end
is carried BY unfair aud corrupt means. or
where the nominee is corrupt and unfit man.
In such a case, if we correctly understand the
position of the PRESS and the Speaker alike.
they would justify botiag, as we assuredly
would, not only justify, but advise it. But
very happily in the case under consideration,
these circumstances do not enter even By hint
or suspicion. No Que asserts or even imagines
ture will do anything else than act from pure
motives and the whole list of gentlemen pre-
sented as candidates for the Senate does not
Year: 1874

From time to time rumors have
been set afloat that grasshoppers had
made their appearance in first one and
then another section of this valley,
and were doing considerable damage
to the corn and other vegetables. We
have made inquiries of farmers from
all parts of the valley, and the result
of our investigation is that these de-
structive pests have not made their
appearance in numbers to do damage
in any part of the valley. On some of
the hilly lands there are good many
grasshoppers, but these spots are not
cultivated, and they are doing no in
jury. They will soon deposit their
eggs in the same soil from which they
themselves were hatched, and then
they will die. In this connection we
may remark that the farmers of this
valley need be under no apprehension
that they will ever be troubled with
grasshoppers or any other insect that
deposits its eggs in the ground and de-
pends on the heat that is only found
in hard, dry soil for the Matching. The
surface of the valley proper is too
damp to hatch the larvae of grass
hoppers, and if it was not, the irriga-
ton constantly going on would des-
troy the egg. Instinctively the insect
seeks the high, dry ground to deposit
it's eggs, and there they hatch and
there the young grasshopper first
makes its appearance. So long as it
can find a meagre subsistence, it lives
out its little life in the immediate vi
cinity of its birthplace. If necessity
forces it into the valley it deposits its
eggs where they never hatch, then dies,
and the family of that grasshopper be-
comes extinct.
Year: 1874

Abroad, the newspaper is the true
index to the town in which it is pub
lished.' 1t is correct panorama of
it's business prosperity or its Sleepy
Hollow drowsiness. 1t gives the pho
tograph of the people it represents as
truthfully and accurately as the ma
chine which "could not lie." Its col
umns tell of business competition,
active trade, large stocks, handsome
stores and live men, or they tell of
small, dingy stores, filled with odds
and ends that nobody knows of and
nobody wants, of small trade and no
prosperity, of general stagnation and
universal dullness, of old, tumble
down buildings, of no enterprise, of a
trade without prosperity and COM
munity without vitality. One or the
other of these pictures is clearly limned
to the eye of the general reader on
glancing over the columns of news
paper, though he is a thousand miles
away from and never saw the town in
which it is published. The paper well
filed with live business advertise
ments is sure indication that it. rep
resents a thriving, prosperous town,
inhabited by active, energetic citizens
who invite competition and are not
ashamed of their town or their busi-
ness, or it tells of dull, uninviting
place, without trade or vitality, where
strangers seldom 60 and always leave
as soon as possible. The verdict rem
dered for or against town on the ap-
pearance of it's newspapers is more
general than people are apt to imagine,
and from this verdict it is as hard to
obtain an appeal as to eradicate first
impressions.
Year: 1874

1t was an oversight on the part of


those in power in this city that they


did not purchase sites for public school


houses at time when real estate


might be had for a great deal less


money than now. 1t is to be regret


ted that this most important matter


was not attended to some years ago,


but as real estate will never be lower
than at present, it should receive inn
mediate attention by the purchase Of
number Of lots in those portions of
the city where it is reasonable to sup
pose school houses will be needed in a
short time. To secure these localities
now will be saving to the taxpayers.
The Eighth-street school house stands
on private property. The Alameda
street school house stands also on pri-
vate property. Both these buildings
are poor structures and unfit for school
rooms. These two school buildings
and the San Pedro-street school house
are not inclosed. At the rate our city
is increasing in population we shall
want half-a-dozen new school houses
in short time, and we must have
land to build on. If lots were pur-
chased now they could be inclosed and
planted in trees which would be COM
ing forward, and when the school
houses were required, we should have
pleasant groves in which to build.
The city owns block of land in the
western suburbs which is unimproved
and from present appearances never
will be. A school house is needed out
there. Why not set off a portion of
this block for the purpose and improve
it at once?
Year: 1874

From an unofficial source we hear
that it is the purpose of tn G Southern
Pacific Railroad Company to COM
plete the road from Bakersfield to Te-
hatchepi Pass as soon as possible. If
this information is correct, it contra
diets that published few days ago, to
the effect that the company would
cease building the road for this year
with the completion of the section that
extended the track to Bakersfield. But
there is reason to believe that they in
tend to finish the road to the extreme
upper end of the valley. By SO doing
they expect TO cut off and secure the
bullion and other freight trade of Inyo
county, which now passes through
this city. 1t is claimed that if the
road is extended on the eastern end of
the Pass, which is in the neighbor-
hood of forty miles south of Bakers
field, the owners of mines in Inyo
county will find it cheaper to deliver
their bullion at the end of the track
than to haul it to the road at San Fer
nando. The actual transportation by
teams will be shorter if taken to the
railroad, but it is doubtful if the
freight charges from the mines to San
Francisco will be as low as by the
present route. 1t is not worth while,
however, to discuss this point now.
The railroad company have it in their
power to make the charges from the
end of the track to San Francisco very
light, and they will undoubtedly do
SO until they have succeeded in secur-
ing the trade. Our chief object in re-
verting to the matter is to call the at
tention of the people of this city and
valley to the fact that the Inyo county
freighting business is likely to slip
from their grasp, and to urge upon
them the importance of checkmating
this move on the part of the Central
Pacific Railroad Company by imme-
diate and decisive action on the prop
osition to build the Los Angeles and
Independence wooden railroad. With
that road we will secure all this trade
without the road we shall most cer-
tainly lose it.
Year: 1874




At least 600 passengers have passed
through here this week. A good many
of these are prospecting for homes.


We are able to record another week
of delightful weather, perhaps little
cooler than last week. The thermom-
eter has ranged from about 56 at
night to 76 at the warmest part of any
day. We have had no wind, save a
pleasant breeze which has been almost
constantly stirring.


We predicted last week that there
was patriotism enough in Wilmington
to induce the citizens to purchase a
handsome flag for the Fourth of July.
We now have the pleasure of record
ing the fact that large flag grace
fully floats from the top of a ninety
foot pole in front of the Exchange
Hotel. Long may she wave.


A number of lively parties of ladies
and gentlemen have been driving on
our beach during the past week. We
had q drive with Prof. James and
others, last Sunday at low tide. The
Professor has been an extensive trav-
eler, and among the many things he
related to us he said our climate is very
similar and equal to that of Italy. He
also said he had seen all the splendid
ocean drives, butburs excells them all.
Year: 1874

So far as we are able to learn from
our exchanges, the Fourth of July
will be generally observed throughout
the State this year. The residents of
Los Angeles are patriotic people,
and will honor the anniversary of the
day which gave us a national exist
ence with procession, grafton, read
Ing, etc. We are glad to see that the
memory of this great day is not grow
Ing dim in the minds of the American
people. OF all the holidays in our
calendar, the Fourth ofJuly should be
most vividly remembered. We are
becoming so absorbed in the business
of making money that we have not
time to observe our holidays, few as
they are. Washington's birthday is
almost forgotten so far as public ac-
knowledgement Of its arrival is con-
cerned. The memory of him who
was ''first in war, first in peace and
first in the hearts of his countrymen''
is deserving of more respect and consid-
Grafton from the people of the United
States than has been shown for some
years past. 1t is pleasant however, to
notice that the Fourth of July is still
remembered, and that our people are
resolved to manifest their patriotism
by demonstrations of an appropriate
character. Our freedom, our flag, and
our nation is dear to all. Let us re-
member them to preserve them.
Year: 1874

Last year certain heavy wheat deal
ers of San, Francisco attempted and
really succeeded in securing monop-
oily of the wheat ships in the port of
San Francisco, and those to arrive
within two months after the begin
ming of harvest. Tonnage to Liver
pool was held at e5 and upward but
the farmers beat the game by holding
back their wheat-thus monopolizing
the wheat market and leaving the
tonnage monopoly's ships floating
idly in the bay. The struggle went
on for some weeks and at last tonnage
began co drop few pence, then few
shllings and finally the rates reached
figure at which shipping could be
done without loss to those who paid a
fair price for their wheat. The tom
mage monopoly of last year was fairly
beaten, and beaten, too, by the sturdy
honest old farmers. The lesson was a
salutary one to the old dealers of San
Francisco. They acknowledge defeat
and do not care to make another trial of
strength. 1t is rumored that new
firm-MoRGAN & SoNs-have char
tered some seventy vessels with to-
tai carrying opacity of 100000 tons,
at rates varying from G4 to ga los.
This firm gives out the rumor that
that they are to be the shipping agents
for the wheat sold by the farmers here.
This is hardly true and has more the
appearance of ruse to enable them
to secure the unengaged tonnage that
may come into port during the freight
ing season. The farmers will look
after the schemes of all self-assumed
agents. They have had sufficient ex-
perience to detect the real from the
assumed friend. MORGAN & Sons
may be all right, but their figures are
high and they will bear watching.
Year: 1874

AT recent election held in Prussia.


it was discovered that many business
men and good citizens neither voted


nor attended the election. The num-
Der remaining away was so marked
that it attracted the attention of the
Government, and the result is the ap-
pointment of committee to inquire
into the expediency of compulsory
voting law. 1t is probable that in a
short time every man entitled to vote
in Prussia will be compelled to do SO
or pay fine. This is the kind of a
law we need in every State in the
Union. Until men are compelled to
vote, as they are compelled to pay poll
tax, large proportion of our best cit
izens will remain away from the polls.
Year: 1874

GoRHAM is coming. GEORGE has
announced his determination to
spend the interval between the ad-
journment and the convening of Con-
gress in California. This is a radical
change in our young friends pro-
gramme, and indicates a purpose
more tangible than mere caprice or
whim. GoRHAM is the ablest leader
of the Republican party in this State.
When he beat honest JOHN BIDwELL,
before the Republican State Conven-
ton, for Governor, he made fight
against odds over which no other man
in the State could have won the vic
tory. In the campaign that followed
he stemmeda a current that would have
swept any other man out of sight, and
on the day of election he polled more
votes than any other man could have
done under similar circumstances
No other man could have gone from
the field of defeat and been elected
Secretary of the Senate. He avowed
his Chinese equality sentiments at a
time when such an avowal would
have sent any other man to the shades
of private life, and since his defeat for
Governor, though remaining most of
the time in the East, he has welded
a powerful influence over his party in
this State. In the disposition of the
Federal patronage on this coast,
GEORGE has been felt by both his
friends and foes. Politically, he is
more honest than many who denounce
him, and socially he is one of the best
fellows in the world. His coming
here to live means something. A
presidential election is approaching.
Little moreithan year hence GRANTS
successor will be chosen, and at the
same time we shall choose Congress
men and full set of State officers.
The train layers and wine adjusters
are already at work, and GEORGE will
take part in the performance. He is
wary, tireless and energetic. He
works to win. He may reorganize the
Republican party, or he may fuse it
with the Independentparty. He may
turn Democratic, Granger, or Anti
Railroad, but he will never forget
GEORGE c. GoRHAM, and he will al
ways be backed either secretly or
openly by the Central Pacific Railroad
Year: 1874

IN one of the upper counties a lady
eloped with lover while her husband
was indulging in a bath. The hus-
band says he is confident she had been
waiting for just that opportunity for
months. A careful reading of the
statement inclines one to the opinion
that if the lady loved cleanliness she
was justifiable in leaving on the first
opportunity that presented itself dur
ing such long period.
Year: 1874

A man drew note promising TO pay
one hundred doilar.. lie used printed
form, aud did not close Up the blank dc.
voted to dolars, and after passing as he.
gotisble paper somebody inserted 'and
fly after the oao hundred, aud before
the printed dollDrs. The note TINS alter
ed got into tho handy Of IN innocent
party, who presented il TO tho drawer,
and the Supreme Court decided that the
maker OF the note was liable for iis face,
because, through negligence, he did not
draw line between the written word
hundred and the printed word dolnrs.-.
Any testimony that the drawer might OIL
fer to establish the fact that be gave a
note for ono hundred dollars must 20 for
nothing, as there was nothing on The
face Of tho note showing a had been al
tered. Evidence Of an alteration on tie
face Of the note would have changed the
case. Let this be lesson TO all drawers
of promissory notes. No one can be too
careful in such matters.
Year: 1874

opinion, and there are eminent physi-
clans in Cincinnati who will tell you that
there is not particle of dietetic or use
full aliment in any alcoholic stimulants.
Where man can and does get drunk on
beer, there is little to be argued about.
The common sense of mankind must
determine whether such evils should be
suppressed and how


The supporters of the drinking houses
are mistaken on another point. The
question of whether stimulants are not
beneficial in some cases is not raised.
Suppose they are; and suppose every in
dlvldual in the community has perfect
right to take stimulants when he pleases,
Is that anv reason why we should support
houses OF public resort, to retail stlm-
ulants, tempts to intoxication, and man
ufacture drunkenness2 I have taken
strychnine with benefit. Is that any
reason why should support house of
public resort to retail strychnine and
poison other people? Whisky, wine,
opium, hyosciamus, strychnine and beer
are all stimulants, and useful in some
chronic diseases. l have taken them all,
and l believe there are cases in which
they are useful; but much fewer than is
generally supposed. But is it necessary,
or is it desirable that we should take the
W oSOlllby, OlA dSCI oA4N
chronic disease, and apply them to nor
NAL and healthy life The temperance
leagues say mo" and the common sense
of mankind will say mo" For to give
alcoholic stimulants to a healthy body
can only make it unhealthy.


Mrs Schwill in his interview with the
Volks6lat, says that the woman's crusade
has produced very decided decline Cat
least, in the country in the sale of beer.
The alarm of those very religious people
who were afraid the women were step
ping out of their place and injuring the
cause of religion, may, therefore, cease.
Their generous hearts may be comforted
with the idea that if their conservatism
has done little good, it has not sensibly
impeded the progress of reformation.
The temperance conflict will go on, and
though it -hauo-Narious- -fernas= and
various fortunes, it will not be very IA,
vorable to the liquor traffic.


JUNE 3. E. D. NJ.
Year: 1874

Tom Hood wrote to his wife: 81 new
er was anything till knew you-and 1
have been better, happier, and more
prosperous man ever since. Lay that
truth by in lavender, and remind me of
it when l fail l am writing fondly and
warmly; but not without good cause.
First, your own affectionate letter, lately
received; next the resemblance Of. our
dear children, pledges of our old familiar
love then a delicious impulse to pour
out the overdowings of my heart into
yours; and last, not least, that your dear
eyes will read what my hands are
now writing. Perhaps there is an after
thought that, whatever may befall me,
the wife of my bosom will have this ac-
acknowledgement of her tenderness, worth
and excellence, of all that is wifely or
womanly, from my pen"
Year: 1874

John HENDERSON Tompkins had kept
this thing up for eight or nine years
when our story opens, and he was near
ing his end. Justice oycrtakes the
guilty sooner or later, and justice was
laying low for this bad boy. He had
the cheek to believe that he would live
to be 100 years oil, bu; he was to be-
taken down apeg or two, and his mother
left an orphan.