smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1874

it without some valuable consideration


For the former there should be adequate


protection against the abuses Of monopoly.


It should be provided, for instance, that


every car shall have conductor for the pro-
lection Of the public, and that every


passenger shall be entitled to seat for his
fare. The owners Of the property should
likewise be relieved from the tax Of periodical
repaving. As the horse-railway would oc-
cupy the centre Of the street, it would throw
the other travel on either side, and the pave
ment on both sides the track would wear out
Just twice as soon as II there were no horse
railway there. It would be manifest in
justice to ask the property holders to repave
twice as often as they otherwise would for
the special benefit of corporation enjoying
SO valuable franchise. Il there is to be
horse railway, and without any reference to
the parties who secure the right-of-way, let
lis have these safeguards against abuse. And
whether there is to be horse-railway or not,
it is in the interest Of the property owners
on Wabash avenue, and OF the city generally,
that this handsome thoroughfnre shall be put
into decent condition at once between Con-
gress street and Twenty-ninth.
Year: 1874

THE CONDITION OF WABASH AVENUE,


The present condition of Wabash avenue il
disgrace to the city, in the first place in
the second, it is the cause of infinite annoy
ance and delay to the thousands of people
who are obliged to travel over it twice day.
It is now the main artery Of travel in the
South Division but it is SO frightfully torn
up that it is torture to man and beast, and m
enormous expense in the wear-and-tear on
wagons, carriages, and stages. Some
thing ought to be done about it.
There are two great drawbacks to
its immediate improvement. A large
amount Of the property fronting on the ave-
nue. has no present salable value. Much OF
1t remains unimproved since the fire the
buslness-houses which have been erected in
portions Of it aro untenanted; the residences
north OF Twenty-sscond street, occupied By
business within year or two after the fire of
1871, are now undesirable. As the expense
Of repaving the street would have to be borne
By the owners of the adjoining property,
they are naturally indisposed to incur this
outlay at time when their property is earning
little or no money. Another reason alleged for
enon-improvementis is the prospect of ahorss-
railway. Whoever obtains the r;sht-of-way
for horse -raiIroad on Wabash avenue. if it
is to be ceded, should be made to assume the
expenses Of keeping the entire street in per-
feet repair. This right-of-way is valuable


franchise, and neither the people at larRe
nor the owners OF the Wabash ave.
nue. property should be asked to oede
Year: 1874

The last place in the United States at which
we should have thought it possible for dam
to burst was the valley of Mill River. Inc
last men whom we should have suspected OF
putting up an insecure embankment against
water, were Hayden, Gere & Co. The awful
catastrophe of last May wrote its warning upon
all the Scared fields and devastated villages
of the unhappy valley in characters that will
not soon be efiaccd. The ruins still spoke
their terrible lesson. The fresh graves of the
slain still protested against ignorant tritling
with human life. The Haydcnvilc mill
owners were still surrounded with tho
wrecks Of huge factories, the shape
less heaps of debris under which were
buried 80 much of their money. The
whole neighborhOod busted itself day after
day with precautions against repetition of
the calamity. There were official inspections
of new works, investigations, and surveys.
And here, without warning, dam that has
just been built on the spot where the former
devastation was greatest, gives way under
what seems not to have been an extraordinary
pressure, and for moment the old horror
seems to be upon the valley once more. That
two or three score children were not drowned
when the frozen pond upon which they were
playing thus broke through its barrier was
marvellous kindness of Providence. 1t is
almost equally marvellous that destruction
was not hurled upon the habitations below.


We have no doubt, from the reports thus
far at hand, that tho proprietors of the dam
believed they were constructing it in the best
way. 1t was of granite blocks, cemented. and
bedded in the solid rock. And yet it is cer-
tain that somebody has blundercd. 1t Is a
comparatively simple matter for engineering
skill to build dam which will not break un-
der any force likely to be brought against it.
The pressure of ice and water, the resistance
of the builders materials, the proper shape
and position of the barrier-all these
conditions in the problem are mainly to be
ascertained by arthmetical calculation from
well known data and if the work gives way
except in the face Of some phenomenal exer
ton of the forces of nature against which no
precautions can avail-we may take it to be
morally certain that there has been gross pro-
fessiOnal ignorance in the design or swindling
i'm the materials, or some other criminal I'M
faithfulncss into which the local authorities
are bound to inquire vigorously.
Year: 1874

cial sentence which will render him for tho
present harmless as rival. He has shown
the Parliament that he is stronger than they
arc. He has met the complaints OF the depu-
ties from Alsace and Lorraine by telling them
in open debate that he is not governing them
for their pleasure but for tho benefit OF the
Empire and has thus forestalled any question
as to the Justice of the imperial rule IN those
Provinces. If ruler so arbitrary and 80 lucky
is to be put down, it will evidently require
cooler and stronger head than that OF Count
Harry Won Arnim to accomplish it.
Year: 1874

On our third page will be found some par
ticuars of the wonderful discoveries of silver
in the COmstock lode. Making all due allow
ance for the expanding hopes of the mine
owners, it yet appears certain that an I'M
parallelcd success is within easy reach, and
that they have ut last pierced the heart of
the SILVER mountain.
Year: 1874

Of the property no stole from them.
The new civil suit just begun against
him is mainly interesting as involving
Edward Marrenor. one of the alleged "Ring
contractors" with tho "Boss" as defendant
1t is also important to be noticed at this time
as one of the large number of civil quits to
be pressed next month against the members
of the Ring HAn article elsewhere published
gives an interesting account of the status of
these important cases.
Year: 1874

The news Of tho latest disaster at sea is
horrible. but not surprising. When steam
ship company is managed by STOCKHOLDERS
instead of sailors, and when even the stock
jobbing management is not continued long
enough in one set of hands to enable them to do
moro than upset tho work Of their predecessors
and intensity the Generalization of the service
nothing excepting escape from disaster could
surprise the public. We are as yet without
full particulars rs to the origin of the
disaster to the steamship Japan. But there
can DO no doubt about its primary
cause. The best managed steamship line in
the world must at some time or another expect
an accident, but that the succession of acci-
dents Detailing the Pacific Mail Steamship
Company can be the result of anything but
gross mismanagemont, lack of competent OIL
GERS, and lack of discipline in the force, is
impossible.
Year: 1874

1t is a great pity that Mr.. Irwin has made
up his mind to stop short in his revelations
concerning the expenditure of a million or
moro dollars by the Pacific Mail Steam
ship Company in debauching Congress. In
no way can Mr.. Irwin relieve himself
or atone for his share in this work, but by
exposing the corrupt Congressman to the pub
lie Judgment. 1t is whispered now that Con-
gress proposes to repeal the subsidy at
once, and there rest, hoping that the
demand for an investigation will soon
blow over. We beg Congressman to be-
lieve that it will not blow over. This is
the third year in which THE TRIBUNE has per-
sisted in its demand for it, and we mean to
persist until the investigation touches bottom.
When it does, the number of members of
that Congress who retain any hold upon
the public respect, or any power in the
Republican party will be largely dimin-
ished The repeal of the subsidy is well
enough. and is certain any way; but 1t
will not satisfy the public. The names
must come out. and the Committee
will make % great mistake if it does not sum-
mon other witnesses who are known to bo
able to give evidence on the points which
Irwin has yet neglected The people are
watching to see whether this Committee is
really Investigating te find out
Year: 1874

Bad as are some of the features of the
financial measures agreed upon by the Repub-
lican Senatorial Caucus, they do not over
shadow the great gain of resolution to
resume specie payments within four years.
This bill Is likely to have a large majority in
the Senate, but its fate in the House is doubt
full. The promptness with which harmony has
been secured among Republican Senators
occasions surprise, as it was feared that their
differences On this subject were irrcconcilablc
Year: 1874

SADLY IL NEED OF ATTENTIoN--Lower
Main street is in q terrible condition. A
high bank Of earth destroys rs highway
nearly one.fourth of the street, while the
paving-stopes which were taken up to es-
cavate for the sewer recently built fill up
about as much more. Then the track OF
the city railway nearly fills up the balance
Of it. With cars passing in either direction
every few minutes it may readily be seen
how difficult it is to pass over the street
with q vehicle. Besides this, there are nu-
merous holes left in the pavement where
connections nave been made with the sewer.
All this makes travelling difficult, if not
dangerous. Those who have charge of
this work should have the necessary repairs
made at once. Is there another city in the
country that would allow her main thorough
fare to remain in this condition.:


Cary street for a considerable distance
west from Twelfth street is almost impasSa-
BILE, and needs attention also.
Year: 1874

OUR builders have had a busy time
the past year as will be seen by a glance
at the building statistics. Blakelv & Chat.
fee seem to have been most lucky among
the mechanics, they having been employed
on thirty one different jobs.
Year: 1874

With the funded debt of the City growing
at the rate of ten million dollars year, and
the proportion paid by the City of the taxes
levied at Albany on the State at large rapidly
increasing, it is inevitable that the difficulties
of living on this island or following with profit
any trade or occupation thereon must every
wear grow more formidable. Sooner or later
the City will have the prudence to stop bor-
rowing or capitalists the sagacity to stop lend
ing, and whenever that time comes there must
necessarily be either a violent retrenchment of
ten millions a year in the expenditures or a
summary increase of an equal amount in the
taxes. Taking the most cheerful view of the
present condition Of all sorts of business car


ried on in New-York, we cannot shut our eyes
to the palpable fact that a black and angry
cloud hangs over. the horizon of the future.
The accumulation of debt is resource which
must of necessity be exhausted if constantly
drawn on, and the power to sustain taxa
ton without sinking under IT, II not deter-
Year: 1874

have bad chance TO bid him welcome. The two
years of bis absence have been crowded with vsiua
bic work. Of bis tour through Egypt, his remarka-
able journey TO Iceland, and some Of his studies in
Germany, the readers of THE TRIBUNE, in whose be-
half they were undertaken, are already we'll In
formed. He has also written tragedy which will
appear in few days from the press of J. K Os1ood
e. Co. The work however by which Mr.. Taylor
probably hopes to be longest remembered Is tho
biography of Goethe upon which he Is lavishing his
ripest culture and his most loving aud faithful toll


During bis stay in Gotha he has had every facility
for the prosecution of his researches, and his
studies have been cord ally aided both by the Grand
Duke of SAKE Wemar- -Eisenach and by German
men of letters while he has had the further adyan-
tage of long and interesting converse with Carlyle
upon some of the most important periods OF Goethes
career. Some years ago, before he applied himself
exclusively to purely literary pursuits, Mr. Taylor
was one of the most prominent aud popular Of
American lecturers. The public will be glad to
know that he will return TO the lyceum platform
this season. and with the rich additions he has made
to his experience we can have doubt that he will
be more in request than ever. We do not know to
what lecture agent he purposes committing bis
affairs; but any letters for him addressed to this
office will reach him promptly.
Year: 1874

Whatever the party in other States may
think, it is manifestly the belief of the Kansas
Republicans that the talk abOst third
Presidential term for Gen. Grant is not all
empty and meaningless. They considered
it of sufficient consequence to pass in their
State Convention the other day a resolution
having direct reference tot, and taking posi-
tive stand in opposition to it as violation of
the unwritten law enacted by the example
"of the Father of his Country" which they
say ais as controlling as though it was in
"corporated in the National Constitution"
The fact that the proposition for third term


is not only seriously considered but earnestly
advocated by intelligent newspapers at the
South, and that veto of the Civil Rights
bill, if it should pass, is suggested as the
consideration for which the Southern whites
would support Grant, and the further fact,
about which there is very little attempt at
conceslment, that o considerable number Of
Year: 1874

The Hon. A. II. Stephens has accepted the
nomination for Congress from the Conservatives OF the
With Georgia District because he could not refuse
nomination so rendered."


Senator Hamlin's friends in Maine are said
to be getting about his The prospects
packing the Legislature in his favor are very uucer
tain since this is bad year to keep within the
party lines. The Hamln leaders held a meeting for
consultation at Bangor recently, and after making q
careful Of the situation they could make out
only q majority of In the Senate In favor OF their
candidate; and to do this they Obliged 10 include
all the doubtful In the representye districts the
situation more promising as large nnmoer which
a few weeks ago were counted sure ior ha"'lh nave
since chosen anti Hamin delegates


Mr. Nehemiah Perry of Newark is another
man who has found out that this is a bad year to
make the people vote for man they don't want. Mr..
Perry was exceedingly anxious to be the Democratic
nominee for Governor Of New Jersey. He has Travelled
over the State very diligently lately trying TO impress
the public with the belief In his qualifications for tho
position On Tuesday evening the Democrats in his own
city met to choose delegates the Convention and they
decided by Of at least two to that they pre-
ferred Judge Bede to Mr. Perry Democratic candi-
date This settles Mr. Perry and also determines that
nsYi Tnesdsy win nominate Judge Bedle. They could
not do more sensible thing.


The manner in which the Massachusetts,
press Of parties speaks Of the ticket nominated by the
Democrats Of that State Wednesday is strong tes
mOnal TO lts nlgn Cuaracter. Single
a word iu disparagement OF the two men who lead the
ticket and nearly II not quite all OF them praise both
The Boston Advertiser fnd worse thing 20 OF
them than that they defeated last year. and there
is no why they should not be defeated again
II adds that 1t is undenabe that the Democracy has
hope of victory this year than before simply
because OF the expectation that portion OF the Re-
publican party, holding extreme opinions on subject
not properly party question Will succeed In substitute
ing that issue for the legitimate issues ana top the folly
by nominating for the acting Chief Magistrate,
who discovered In the hour Of responsibility that ho
could not abide by the pledges made by
the party to people in the platform upon which no
voluntarily became a candidate" The Boston Journal
says Mr. CASTOR 10 gentleman OF culture who
would with proper surroundings. make worthy Gov
ernor" and adds Democratic promises and Democratic
practices are well understood and the people OF Mas
will place little faith In the former and will
pre vent the by at least 10000 plurality Novem
Der next" The Boson GLOBE praises both the ticket and
the PLATFORM says the party has displayed high do
gree OF sagacy and tells the Republican party have


care its antagonist Is not 20 be played with
longer" The Boston Post is delighted with the result,
and says the "omens auspicous." The Springfield
vel satisasd vlth tbely sendqG
Year: 1874

There is an exceedingly gratifying prospect
of considerable improvement in our postal


system. An arran cement which is nearly COM
pleted has in view the carriage of the mails
between the large cities on rapid trains used
for no other purpose. to which the freight
and passenger traffic will alike give way. BY
this means it is expected that letters will be
carried between New-York and Chicago in
twenty-four hours, and similarly short time is
anticipated in communicating with Cleveland,
Cincinnati, and other cities. Such an i'm
movement would be of so manifest advantage
that it is certain to become permanent If once
adopted. The next step, and one of not less
Importance, is the organization of the system


so that mails reaching the great lines at rail-
road functions shall be at all times promptly
transferred; not, for instance, waiting over a
day if the time of their arrival at the juno
ton happens to fall within the twenty-four
hours that include Sunday. We hope to hear
of this also being accomplished, while the
Department is in the humor for improvement.
Year: 1874

With virtue that is remarkable and rare
enough among politicians to be noteworthy
Gov. Baxter of Arkansas positively declines
the unanimous nomination of the Arkansas
Democratic Convention. This act and the
reason which he gives-that he did not be-
Iieve it would be for the best interest of the
State for him to accept-would almost make
us doubt his hypothesis, if it were not for the
record of last year.
Year: 1874

We remarked at the time of the issue of a
circular from the Treasury Department re-
specting the yellow fever, upon the fact that
the number of cases at the different ports was
not stated. A dispatch to-day mentions that
in the list of ports referred to those were
included which were exposed to the disease,
as well as those where it has appeared. The
fever is represented as of a mild type and not
taking the form of an epidemic. 1t would
have been more satisfactory, of course, to
have the actual number of the cases stated
for each port, since another dispatch men
tions the total number at Pensacola as seven
teen, of which, however, only two have proved
fatal, and probably the whole history of the
season is included in the enumeration. From
the general tenor of the dispatches it is evil
dent that there is no reasonable cause for
alarm.
Year: 1874

The call for the Southern Republican Con-
vention is curious manifesto. 1t is especially
addressed to Republicans who "still earnestly
" seek to maintain the principles on
which the Union was defended
I" and who feel an interest in the
preservation Of law and the rights
" of citizenship" Why still ~ Do the
leaders doubt the patriotism Of the party 7
This Convention, we are informed, is to be
consultation" so that an authoritative
statement may be made" as to the facts
and the condition of the South and if
" there are those anywhere" who believe that
the expressions under which Southern Repub-
licans are laboring have have been magnifed,
they are asked to come and see and hear
" for themselves" 1t is not the sufferings of
the South that are in question only those of
" Southern Republicans"
Year: 1874

The German Government has resolved to
take no further steps against the Carlsts on
account of the recent attack on the Albatross
The determination is a wise one; for, though
Germany might easily inhict punishment on
the followers of Don Carlos, there would be
no sufficient advantage to compensate for the
trouble. 1t is very certain, too, that the
Serrano Government would gain no strength
among the Spanish people by being allied in
arms with foreign power for suppressing an
instruction at home.
Year: 1874

The idea of a demand for an indemnity
from the United States on account of the acts
of the Virginius is very popular in Cuba
There is no foundation whatever for such a
demand. Our Government, instead of enter
tanning it, would do well to follow the prece-
dent which has been established by the British
Government, and press our own claims against
Spain to a successful issue.
Year: 1874

Freezing salmon in Summer for Winter use,
and the artificial breeding of terrapin, de-
scribed at length in our columns, are among
the most recent of ingenious contrivances for
permanently supplying New Workers with deli
cacies hitherto only occasionally attainable
At first sight it may seem that such devices,
since their products are only < available
for those who are able to pay high
prices, simply administer to luxury. 5 But
this is to leave out of sight the many whose
labor will be employed in preparing this choice
food, and the general fact that the total wealth
of community is always augmented by an
increase of its food supply. The actual gain
of such inventions accrues to the race, and is
not like digging gold, for the most part a
means of transferring riches from one person
to another.
Year: 1874

There is something refreshing in the frank,
honest, and sensible declaration of the Mlchi-
gan Democrats for repeal of the Legal
Tender act and return to specie payments,
not at some indefinite and distant period, but
at a fixed date, no later than the 4th of July,
1874. of course a Convention which passed a
resolution like this was equally honest and
outspoken in its declaration about the pay
ment of the public debt OF course, too 1t
was sensible enough to accept the Retsrm
candidates for Governor, Secretary OF State,
and Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Year: 1874

The list of forged mortgages in what is
now known as the real estate conspiracy,
appears to be increasing. 1t seems incredible
that frauds of this character could long escape
exposure, but there seems to be evidence that
the men engaged in this nefarious business
have been carrying it on for years. There is
q certain Incidence about our citizens In cases
where they have knowledge of such rascalities
but escape individual pecuniary loss, that is
the chief agency in enabling this class of ad-
yenturers to keep outside of prison walls.
Year: 1874

are complaining bitterly of the parsimony of
the candidates. They try to appease the
pangs of hunger by the dissipation Of listening
to speeches. After Mr.. Chamberlain had ad-
dressed them yesterday on the great subject
of reform, they asked Gov. Moses if he would
be kind enough to make speech-perhaps on
the still greater subject of the price of votes
but the Governor was not prepared The
Tax Unions Convention is waiting at Columbia
in the forlorn hope that the Republicans may
make a respectable nomination.