smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877




The Greeks had a proverb which
ran thus: "To dispute on the shadow
of All ass" This took rise from an an
ecdote which Demosthenes is said to
have related to the Athenians to ex-
cite their attention during his defense
of criminal, which was being but
inattentively listened to.


"a traveler,"he said, "once went
from Athens to Megara on hired ass.
1t happened to be the time of the dog
days, and at noon. lie was much ex-
posed to the unmitigated heat of the
sun, and not finding so much as bush
under which to take shelter, he be-
thought himself to descend from the
ass and seat himself under its shadow.
The owner of the donkey, who &C
companied him, objected to this, de-
claring to him that when he let the an
lmal the use of its shadow was net in
cluded in the bargain. The dispute
at last grew so warm that it finally
came to blows and finally gave rise to
an action at law"


After having said so much, Demos
themes continued the defense of his
client, but the auditors, whose curios-
ity he had piqued, were extremely
anxious to know how the judges had
decided on SO singular case. Upon
this, the orator commented severely
on their childish injustice in devour-
ing with attention paltry story about
an ass's shadow, while they turned
deaf ear to cause in which the life of
a human being was involved.
Year: 1877

A MEDICAL journal tells of Michi-
gan doctor, who, called in to see an
ailing babe, declared shat the child's
brain was developing too rapidly ;that
the teeth was scattering all over the
system and that they (the teeth), were
liable to appear on any part of the
body. But he thought that, if he
could get his medicine to operate prop
erly, there was still chance to gather
the scattered substance and concen-
trate it somewhere in the region of
the Jaw
Year: 1877

tween this third division of the ediice and
the auditorium. With the audience passed
through the openings to the corridors and
stairways and the iron doors shut behind
them the time taken to reach the street would
be of no consequence. Some plan based on
the principles involved in this division of
the structure should be required by legisla-
ton in any theatre to be constructed here
after in any city in the State.


With all proper attention given to the
theatres to make them safe it is to be hoped
that the public authorities will not neglect
the churches, the public schools and other
places where many persons are commonly
gathered together. These are not, except
the schools, SO constantly occupied as the
theatres, nor stored in the same way with
infammable material; but rigid inspec-
ton made now would probably disclose un-
known dangers to the community.
Year: 1877

The Resistance TO Rapid Transit.


A city of the population, wealth and pecu-
liar topography of New York should be par
ticularly distinguished for its rapid transit
facilities. Its poverty in this respect would
seem incredible to q foreigner who should
first be made acquainted with the circum-
stances of its position, wealth. the vicissi-
tudes of it's climate, and the impetuous. pro-
gressive spirit of its people. 1t would be
difficult to explain to such an intelligent
visitor the reasons why this metropolis has
been 30 long under the control of a COM
bination of mercenary street car managers.
The present methods of city travel are with
the exception of the New York Elevated
Railroad, inadequate and barbarous. They
are slow. uncertain, and utterly uncom-
Portable Within six months the street
car nuisance might be partially super
seded The Gilbert Elevated Railroad
Company has so far completed its
preparations that the material for build
ing the roadway, the rolling stock and all
the paraphernalia can be made to take shape
like the fabrications of Aladdin the moment
longer the Sixth Avenue Company and its
allies may continue to obstruct the public
convenience we are unable to say, but it is
very evident that the hindrance cannot be
of any great duration Legal weapons are
as likely to find vulnerable points in their
armor as in that of the champions of the
rapid transit movement. The abolition of
the Sixth avenue line would be of little con-
sequence as compared with the establish
ment of such public improvement as the
Gilbert Elevated Road. The Mayor and
Board of Aldermen have some jurisdiction
in this matter. and we do not despair Of see
ing it used in case the foolish resistance is
maintained.
Year: 1877

At the time of the first introduction Of
annsthetics deaths such as that just reported
in Railway were not of infrequent occur
renee, but the requirement of q more ac-
curate knowledge Of the precise operation
of these agents and the perception of the
class of cases in which their use is improper
have almost removed these accidents from
the category of events. They seem to
occur now with dentists only, and probably
an examination Of the statistics would show
that n very large proportion of the deaths in
the whole history of anmsthetics have oc-
CURED in dental practice. This may be due
to the fact that in these cases the medicines
are used with less skill, or it may be due TO
the upright position of the body that is
maintained in the extraction of teeth,
while in surgical operations generally
the patient is PROSTATE. In the upright
position tho heart, operating feebly under
the medicine, does not supply to the brain
enough blood to enable it to continue its
function, and without this essential parts OF
the vital machinery are necessarily arrested.
In tho case at Railway this effect was per-
haps exaggerated because, as the patient
was only half anmsthetizcd. he was sufii-
GENTLY conscious to be sensitive of pain, and
in this state I'm enforced activity Of the brain
conceded with an enfecbled action OF tho
knort
Year: 1877

Another case Of dishonesty in trustee is
added to those recently brought to light
What was rumor few days ago is now a
certainty. member of the legal profess
sion, hitherto bearing good reputation, is
found to have yielded to the temptation Of
misappropriating trust funds coniided to his
hands to the amount, rs the rumor goes, OF
nearly half a million of dollars. There are
the usual expressions of astonishment on
the part Of his friends, the usual singular
protestatons of belief in his integrity and
the usual tributes to his exemplary conduct
in all his domestic relations In this in
stance there comes in addition a claim of
mild species Of insanity, and the offenders
associates in business declare that ''his
mind is unable to work beyond certain
point" What that point is does not appear.
1t may be the point when he commenced to
abuse the trust confided to him or the point
at which his rascality was discovered. But
he seems, at oil events, to have been sane
enough to conceal his crime until conceal
ment was no longer possible.


The pleas in extonuation put in by the





necessity of stringent legislation imposing
severe punishment for such offences OF
course men into whose hands are confided
the pecuniary interests of others to the ex-
tent of hundreds Of thousands OF dollars
are supposed to be honest and enjoy excel
lent regulations for morality and integrity
They would not otherwise be selected Tor
such important trusts. When they rob
those whom they are bound TO protect their
offence is the greater since hypocrisy and
cant have aided them in its consummaton.
Our laws here in relation to breaches of
trust are dangerously lax. MS also are the
provisions for security on the part of trus-
tees. In England the courts are exacting in
the matter of suretios, especially when
the interests of minors are concerned, and
dishonest trustees are severely and surely
punished. We need similar system here,
and the multiplication of such cases shows
that tho remedy cannot be too promptly or
too vigorously applied
Year: 1877

If the people of New York are to have
any relief this winter from the danger and
discomfort of cold. draughty street cars, it
must come through the prompt and de-
cisive action of the Board of Aldermen and
the Mayor The railroad companies,
through their responsible officers, have
treated the popular demand for warm cars
with indifference, and have announced that
whatever may hereafter be done it is not
their intention to try any experiments this
year. Indeed, SO independent of public
sentiment have these corporations grown
that they make it matter of special favor
to spread little straw in the bottom of
few of their night cars, and do not renew
this until it's wet, filthy condition renders
it worse than the bare flooring. The con-
ductors, emulating the example of their
employ ers, seldom take the trouble to avail
themselves Of the money trap in the doors,
but swing open the front door to collectfare
or chat with the driver, until the inside
passengers are thoroughly chilled. 1t is
useless to complain Of this to the COM
panies. They care nothing for the comfort
of the passengers. The people must ride,
they argue; so why bother about anything
but the collection Of the fares?


There are plenty Of simple methods by
which the street cars, if not thoroughly
heated, could be made much more comfort
able and less hazardous to health during the
winter months than they now are. No per-
son proposes the use of stoves, because the
crowded condition Of the cars on the long
lines, where the cold is most severely felt,
makes stoves unavailable. Water in chauf
fereites running the length of the cars would
be practicable. But even without any such
appliances the cars might be made endurable
by the use of weather strips on all the doors
and windows, by thorough stoppage of
cracks and holes in the sides and floors, and
by the liberal use of good, dry straw, to be
changed every round trip if necessary, or
oftener in very wet weather OF course this
would be attended with trifing expense,
to which the companies, although ready to
spend thousands to defeat rapid transit or
in lobby jobs, would object. But the power
given to the Common Council over the roads
and cars should be used in such manner
rs to extort ut least as much concession as
this from the favored corporations.
Year: 1877

Our London and Paris Gable Letters.


1t seems to be agreed by our London and
Paris correspondents that affairs in the East
are very critical, and that Ignatieff the
Russian, has hoodwinked Salisbury, the
Englishman. The reason given in our Paris
letter for the bold front of Turkey
is o suggestive one to those who
study the past Of Europe. When we
glance back at the feudal chieftains
drawing the teeth of rich Jews to draw their
money bags after them, and then turn to
the spectacle of the great Hebrew money
kings of to-day drawing the teeth of the
Christian Powers of Europe in solemn Con-
ference, the sight may well give us pause.
Happily, however great the pressure of the
Eastern question may be in the two capitals
Of Europe, there is enough interest left in
other matters to make a lively page.
Whether it be the Londoners trooping out
to look at little more mud and
water in the submerged suburbs than
they have nine months of the year
in Cheapside, or the Parisians try
ing to rival Old Probabilities by prog
nostcating from the overcoats in a pawn
shop, we see that the times find their
remedy in mems good humor. We would
suggest to the latter as an appropriate
motto for their sIndications' what Hamlet
said to the ghost, "Oh, my prophetic
soul, my unclev' From both cities
we have variety Of dramatic
and operatic announcements of interest.
Literary, social and artistic gossip will be
found in each letter. At every turn of the
kaleidoscope fresh subject glitters into
clear shape, but we must confess to
an inability to determine what garment our
Paris correspondent describes SO vaguely.
With our present light it would be foulardy
in the extreme to waste space guessing
Year: 1877

Ottoman obstinacy seems likely to carry
the day in the negotiations at Constanti-
nople, through default of the Power that has
been relied upon to apply the pressure of
an immediate war. When it was regarded
as certain that the failure Of the negotiations
would be followed by the movement Of tho
Russian army the points of reform that are
the basis Of the schedule made by the Con-
ference were discussed with respect and
consideration but the Sultans Min
istry have changed tone from day to
day in this respect in proportion
as the evidences have multiplied that Russia
was not prepared to carry out the declara-
tions made in the autumn. But if all the
endeavor of Europe to secure reform in
Turkey is now rejected because it is be-
lieved that Russia cannot occupy Bulgaria
and exact the measures demanded there
may be some astonished Turks before the
summer comes. There is no reason why
Russia should go to war Immediately,
though the negotiation end in rupture.
War between nations is not a necessary
consequence Of their failure to agree
on specific projects. Russia, therefore, may
continue herlpreparations quietly, unless
Turkey shall be tempted, which is very un-
likely, to precipitate events by some act of
war. BY March the armistice will expire
and the Moslems will then recommence their
operations in Servia. Russia cannot fail to
act then; but by that time it is very likely
she may be fully ready to act, and on both
the probable theatres Of war, in Bulgaria
and beyond the Caucasus.
Year: 1877

The funeral Of the great fnancier to-day
will be the occasion of good deal of talk
some Of it sensible, about the mistakes and
failures Of the deceased but great op-
portunity will be lost if talking and think
ing about Vanderbilt ends with this. The
career Of any man of great achievem ents
may in some way serve as warning, but it
cannot help having in it much that is val
liable by way of example. That which
man fails to do often depends upon circum-
stances and limitations over which he has
no control that which he does is generally
the result of his own effort. The life Of
man who, without single special advan-
tage of any kind, distanced. every one in
callings where the shrewdest of intellects
are engaged, deserves moro attention, in
public and in private, than feeble moral
izings and doleful retrospects ever amount
to. Energy, application, painstaking, pa
tience and persistence. made the dead Com
modore what he was, and they constitute
set of virtues of which the best man
alive might be proud. Their occa-
sonal misapplication by the deceased is
to be deplored, but their existence
and their results should never be forgotten.
The men who most severely criticise the
failings Of the old fnancier will leave the
greater part of their duty undone if they fail
to recognize, extol and emulate the leading
qualities of the dead mans character. Great
enterprises, benevolences and reforms Ian
guish everywhere to-day because there is


- Al
by which Cornelius Vanderbilt compelled
victory, and an appreciative study of this
quality is the best manner in which the best
men can consider the character of one who
in this respect surpassed them all.
Year: 1877

A COMEDY THEATRE NEEDED.-The stagna-
ton in theatrcals is to he regretted but there is
good cause for it. People see and hear too many
tragedies and dramas by daylight to search the
stage for artificial sorrows. We need somebody
to make us laugh and forget the world for an
evening, and company which could be relied
upon for this sort of diversion would seldom
play to any empty seats.
Year: 1877

If THE REAL ESTATE piracy case will warn
Sropcrty-holders against their usual carelessness
with their papers the sufferers will have at least
the consolation of being public bcnefactors.
Year: 1877

Washington, Oct. ct is again in
timated, and in more positive terms
than ever, that the President had sig
nified his disapproval of the meeting
called by the Union League for to-
morrow night to endorse his policy and
denounce Senator Conkling. Some of
the Presidents advisers say that he
does not intend to coRciliate the Wade
Hampton element and break with the
members of his own party who disagree
with him in regard to matters of public
policy.
Year: 1877

A letter from the Black Hills does
not give much encouragement to the
owners of the new-fangled mining
machinery, in which direction there is
no end of inventions. Nearly every
new invention of quartz crushing
machinery has undergone test there,
and still nothing has been able to super:
cede the old dead-weight drop stamp so
universally adhered to throughout the
Rocky mountains and the Pacific coast.
st. Louis and Chicago theorists have
labored incessantly but vainly against
the practical method long since adopt
ed as the best. and the promulgators Of
new-fangled ideas are the principal
losers.
Year: 1877

The People Who Know it All.


Boston, Oct. 9.-The triennial ses-
sion of the Evangelical knowledge
society began to-day. Two prominent
caucuses of comparative inactivity were
held to be the financial embarrassment
of the country and the unsettled policy
of society. Bishop Hall made an elab-
crate argument against the tendency
to error of the church ecclesiasticism.
1t was becoming hardly inferior to that
of the Church of Rome.
Year: 1877

THE Supreme Court of the United
States maintains in an elaborate opinion
that Congress has the right to prohibit
the sale of whisky to the Indians in
states bordering on reservations, as
well as on reservations.
Year: 1877

IT is well understood that the Presi-
dent has decided upon the appointment
to the vacant Supreme judgeship, but
the announcement will not be made
until after the organization of Con-
gress,
Year: 1877

a DYING MURDERER-HE DIES Ours
ING HIS VIcT1M.-The coroner of San
Francisco held an inquest Friday on
the body of Andrew J. Conro, the car
penter who was murdered by his fel-
low workman, Barber, on Wednesday
evening. Coroner Swan stated to the
jury that he saw the dead body in the
hallway of the clearinghouse on the
night of the murder. He continued:
81 had him removed to the City Pris-
on Hospital, and in the absence of the
regular physician was called upon
professionally to attend the case. /
found two pistol shot wounds on his
chest, one just above the other, below
the left nipple. The reaction had not
then set in, and he appeared rational.
He stated that he was an Odd Fellow
and also Past Chancellor in the
Knights of Pythias. He was very
profane, ard in alluding to Conro
said: "May the curse of Christ ever
lastingly rest upon him! He has
made me sweat blood. Let me die
He asked me about five times if Conro
was certainly dead, and if they were
not fooling him. Upon being told
that it was fact he said: Il am
thankful to God for it! That's busi-
nessp He then asked if he had made
sure work of himself, and when told
that he would die he said: That's
business! ] went there to doit. 1t
was no play. 1t was deliberate act
of mine. fl am hung | will not
squeal. | went there to do it, and by
Cd | did it. | called him out of bed
and shot him. | shot myself Will
you be kind enough to put the remain
ing ball into me and make sure work
of it? 1t is better that l should die
than go to the trouble of being hung"
The Coroner added that he had never
witnessed such a terrible scene before.
He lay there cursing the dead man
continually in a way that would make
PERSONS blood run cold He ilr-
formed the jury that Barber would
probably die. The jury returned a
verdict of murder against Barber
without leaving the room The un-
happy Barber tossed on his couch all
day Friday in continual pain, crying
like a child whenever any sudden
movement of his body increased his
pain. He maintained his moody spir-
| it, rejecting the proffered attentions of
the nurse with muttered curses.
McGann, the man who was shot in the
arm in an alteration with his wife,
sought to sooth his companion in mis-.
fortune, but his advances were not
kindly received. The wretched man
fingered in great agony until few
few moments before 6 o'clock Friday
evening, when he died. His body
was subsequently removed to the
morgue.
Year: 1877

There is possibility that you may not fullS
understand our principles and doctrines, and
10 take paper for year, which many could
aliOrd out Ol mere curiosity TO do, would be a
sure method of becoming fully informed con
ccrnlng our faith, our works and our hopes.
Year: 1877

The official investigation of the Security
Life Insurance Company has disclosed the
usual amount of fraud and perjury in the
official statements made to the department
at Albany. These exposures are now be-
coming so common that one scarcely pauses
to examine them. In this particular case
we find real estate worth little over one
hundred thousand dollars above encum-
brances sworn to as worth nearly half mill
ion the amount of stocks and bonds
owned by the company sworn to as
FIVE hundred and seventy-one thousand
dollars when it was under two hun
dred thousand cash on hand and in
bank sworn to as over two hundred thou
sand dollars when it was in reality not ten
thousand and so on to the end of the in
famous fraud. The questions that will sug-
gest themselves are how such an institution
con have escaped detection SO long? How
many other companies whose statements
are filed away in an incapable department
at Albany are in a similar condition.? What
steps will be taken to bring to justice the
utterers of these perjured statements
Finally, how long will the people allow
these savings bank and insurance swindlers
to 90 unpunished?
Year: 1877

There are not many ways in which the
munifcence OF wealthy citizens could make
itself more acceptably felt than by the gift
to the public, or to trustees for the public,
of fine gallery of pictures; and Mr.. Lenox
will be gratefully remembered by future
generations of New Workers as the first in
dividual to take great step in this direc-
ton. His present gift is to the art taste of
the metropolitan public as important as was
the gift of the Astor Library in its time to
literary taste and industry, with this differ
ence in favor of the gallery, that public pic
ture galleries are scarcer than public
libraries. AS the Astors must have
chronicled in their family history that they
gave the first free and excellent library, it
must equally stand to the honor of the name
of Lenox that it has the same association
with the first gift Of beautiful gallery OF
pictures. He has hard heart and no eyes
of any account who does not remember with
delight the hours or days spent in picture
galleries. whether in the times when the
mind was impressionable with the freshness
of youth, or in the ampler experiences of
travel, where public pictures are more plen-
tiful than with us but all others will assent
that galleries are educational agencies of
the finer and purer Sort and will hold, we
trust, that the giver of one is entitled to the
largest measure of public gratitude.