smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

SECRETARY SHERMAN and Postmaster james
have called in District Attorney Woodford to
aid them in putting Commissioner Davenport
Put of his cosey quarters in the Post Office build
ing. The District Attorney ought to appeal to
General Hancock and the commandnnt Of tho
Navy Yard for n couple of regiments of soldiers
and four or five ships of war.
Year: 1878

A Compliment 10 Comptroller KAlly.


Yesterday was rather proud day for the
head of the Finance Department Of the city.
The mercantile community makes dis
tinction, of which the HERALD several
months ago set them the example, between
Mr.. Kelly the Tammany politician and Mr..
Kelly the finance officer. There is wide
difference of opinion among our citizens re-
specting his merits in the first named ca
pacity, and o majority of the eminent
bankers and merchants who signed the ad-
dress which was presented to him
yesterday probably repudiate in toto the
methods by which Mr.. Kelly controls the
politics Of the city. But in spite of their
dislike of the politician they are constrained
to indorse tho officer. No person who
knows the city we'll can go through the list
of signatures appended to the address with
ont recognizing the most intelligent, solid
and respectable business men in this COM
munity of all shades of politics. If we have
among us any competent judges of o sound
business administration they are 10 be
found in this list of signatures. Their ad-
dress to the Comptroller is not only de-
served compliment but considerate act of
expediency. 10 q right-minded officer
the highest and most valued reward
of useful service is the appreciation
of the best part of the community, and to
q man who has been accustomed to be
fouted and abused, but seldom praised,
such recognition must be peculiarly grnte-
ful. It is we'll that Mr.. Kelly should know
that he hos two sets of constituents of very
different orders, and when he finds that the
better order is disposed to do him Justice
he is more likely to court their appreciation
than that of the other sort. MIR. Kelly
having by his excellent conduct as On off,
Ger won the esteem of our principal men of
their continued appreciation. Let us hope
that his zeal as a partisan will be
somewhat tempered and abated by
a consciousness that he stands we'll
with that part of the community who are
the only competent judges of his adminis-
tration as an officer. But there is one evil
dence of success which oil alike can UNDER
stand-namely, steady annual reduction
in the rate of taxation. 1t is hoped by tho
signcrs Of the address that next year the
rate may be reduced TO two per cent on the
assessed valuation.


In this connection We call attention to the
Comptroller's detailed reply to the inquiries
of tho Legislature respecting the city
finances. This fresh document contains
much valuable information supported by
pertinent statistics.
Year: 1878

ATTORNEY GENERAL DEvENs, who was asked
somo time ago for legal opinion by the House,
politely replies that all his law is for the Presi-
dent and the heads of departments. His refer
ence to q long line of democratic authorities in
support of his position is a pretty good point.
Year: 1878

A COOP DEAL of interesting information is
given in the report of the State Prison Associa-
ton, elsewhere printed. Particular attention is
given to the condition of the insane, the accom-
Wodations for whom are very inadequate.
Year: 1878

Foreign Secretary publicly repudiatesf In
the first place he prefers Russia alone for an
enemy instead of Russia supported by tho
other European Powers that would be
represented in n congress. The other
Powers might so far support the pre-
tensions of Russia that England would find
herself in the position Of resisting their
joint action, and she wishes to escape that
great embarrassment by preventing n
congress, if possible, and by avoiding
ENHANCEMENT with it in any event.
She shuns the responsibility to the
general Judgment of Europe formally ex-
pressed in the decisions or declarations of q
congress. If she takes time by the forelock
and plunges into war with Russia now
she will escape the restraints that would be
imposed on her action by the moral weight
of the assembled Powers. She cannot
afford to fly in the face of the deliberate and
solemnly promulgated judgment of Europe.
and seeks to evade this difficulty by pre-
venting the assembling, or at least fore
stalling the action, of congress. She
thinks she may thus fight Russia without
incurring the reproach of disrespect to the
other Powers.


In the next place, Lord Beaconsfield
probably thinks that the argument founded
on his failure to support Turkey whom she
might havo been q valuable ally is over
strained. To be sure, Turkey is crushed
and helpless but, on the other hand, the
victories of Russia have been won at tre-
mendous cost. Aside from the fearful loss
of life the finances of Russia have fallen
into state of utter dilapidation. She is
in no condition to stand the strain Of
another great war. She needs at least ten
years of peace for recuperation, and Lord
Beaconsfeld probably thinks that if
she is vigorously assailed now in
her weakened condition by nation
whose resources are unimpaired she
cannot long maintain the struggle.
He prefers that England should fight
her now rather than at some future time
when she may have recovered from the ex-
haustion of war which has broken her
finances and destroyed her credit. If Rus
sia is now forced into another great war in
what money market can she negotiate loan
even for paltry million of roubles? But
for the purposes of such war the resources
of England are exhaustless, and Lord Bea-
consfeld's policy is probably Influenced by
this comparative view of the resources of
the two nations.
Year: 1878




The conscience keeper of the nations
financial faith is deposited at the mint,
Broad and Chestnut streets, in the form
of a troy pound weight, which is kept
under duplicate locks and seals. There
is 4 curious history connected with this
weight BY it is determined the standard
To which the accuracy Of the gold and
silver coins Of the United States must at
tain. The commission appointed by the
President to test the coins and make the
annual assay use this weight and on
these occasions it is taken from its care
fully guarded seclu sion, and 1t shows the
accuracy or inaccuracy of the productions
of the various mints in this country.
This little cylinder is copied from troy
pound weight preserved in the Tower of
London, and on this latter the coinage of
Great Britain rests for reliability. This
exact witness Of financial integrity is
carefully preserved, and guarded from
tampering hands. At the conclusion of
the assay commissioners labors the weight
is intrusted to the care Of Judge of the
United States district court, the collector
of the port and the director of the mint
locked up and solemnly sealed for another
year, only to appear twelve months after
and show which mint has been derelict
in its work.
Year: 1878

'Tis not the harp's wild string alone
Whose music charms the ravlshed breast
The thought of a remembered tone.
The singing OF bird that's flown.
Oft fill us with deep unrest
Which musie's most consummate art
Can never waken in the heart
Within the masters teeming brain
W hat chord has swelled, what anthem striyen
Struggled for utteTance in vain.
Cried out for life, but died again
Unknown but to its native heaven
And left the mourning sons of earth
To find above its perfect birth
Within each separate human soul
Live melodies that sweeter are
Than those which solemn organs roll
or silver -tOnged singers troll
Or morning star cries out to star
But chilled by the dark worlds eclipse
They die before they reach the lips.
sidney Dickinson
Year: 1878

Dancing, even of the simplest and
most decorous kind, is regarded as a
great immortality by the Presbyterians in
Atlanta, Ga. Only Sunday or two ago
a deacon was suspended by his pastor be-
cause he had permitted social dance at
his residence in honor Of visit from his
mother and his sister. The guests were
his familiar friends, and the dancing, al
though Of each kind, square and round,
was decorous. Four deacons voted in
favor of the suspension, and three in op-
position to it. The case is to be brought
before the presbytery, and, if the action
of the four deacons be sustained, an ap-
peal will be carried to the general as
sembly
Year: 1878

necessary to promote the circulation OF
moisture and air in the soil, as we'll as for
the destruction of weeds, unless it be decid-
ed that it is better economy to grow these
than it is to pay laborers to remove them,
which may be deemed scientific; but not
economic by farmers generally.


Drainage is often found to be essential to
thorough tillage. Soils that hold water
must be mechanically assisted to discharge
it before the best crops are grown. Thus is
removed, with the water discharged, the Or
ganic acid left by decaying vegetable sub
stances. Drained land is warmer than when
undrained. The Improvement of soil for
plant growth makes it more healthfll for
atflmal life, this being due largely to the
growth of sweeter ard more nutritious her.
bage. The thorough drainage of land not
only Increases the productiveness thereof,
but also diminishes the cost of tillage Drain
aye, thorough and deep, must go hand in
hand with thorough tillage.-Cor. su Rural
NeD Yorker.
Year: 1878

The agricultural writer of all ages has


cointel the farmer to the reckless waste oc-


csonea by allowing the implements to lie
ont and take the weather, yet, 60 where
YOU will, in what ever valley you may, you


will find large share Of the implements Of
busbandry exposed to the wrath of sun and
storm. as though the elements would add to
their perpetuity. Now it is unnecessary for
rs to urge the necessity of housing farm inn
pements. Every farmer understands this
well enough, and can only account for his
negligence by claiming rush Of work and
inability to get ''round 10 it," as they say.


Last week we urged the building of barns,
but if this is beyond the farmers means, let
him build tool house, and store his ma
ginery therein. as its work is done. In
Montana farm machinery costs very high,
and the weather wares it out faster than 2
per cent. per month, and such drain will
bankrupt most any business. Build good
houses and when an implement is to be laid
\ Inside for a weeks rest, put it in the house.
\ Our Territory is noted for its climate, soil
nutritious grasses and wonderful produc-
\ lions, let it also be noted for its good farm
prs
Year: 1878

Just at barley harvest the inquiry comes
to us about the difference between two and
six rowed barley, and which is the best for
cultivation. The six rowed barley is the
earliest, and if in equally good condition, it
is worth an average of ten cents per bushel
more than the two roweG, for the reason
that it is heavier and malts easier Brewers
whose regulations depend on the quality of
their beer, pay literally for best barley. and
it always pays to harvest with the greatest
care. Slovenly care makes it the poorest
crop q man can raise. For the last five years
barley has been an Improbable crop either
to sell or to feed, The two rowed barley is
a later quality, harder to germinate, but its
advantages arc stronger, and longer straw,
larger grains ana by feeders is said to be
more nutritious. The six rowed is the best
for brewers, but the two rowed best for
feeders. In the Middle States they usually
SOW two and one-half bushels per acre. In
the West it has not been the practice to- sow
quite so much. 1t should always be sown
early-as soon at the ground can be got
protitab!y sown as soon as the surface of the
ground is thaWed three or four inches. Fall
blowing is the best for it, but the tests be-
tween broadcast and drilling have not estab-
lisheu which is best. In all fall sowing of
grain, drilling is preferable, being able to
stand the winter better.-1oaoa State Regis
ter.
Year: 1878

To a spectator looking down from one of
the galleries of the Hall of Representa-
tives the lower house in session appears
like big disorder'y school. The members
are seated at desks which resemble the Or
dinary school-room furniture Of the coun-
try. Some are studying, some writing, some
reading newspapers and some chatting,
while the Speaker raps for order and an
eager orator appeals with hoarse,
cracked voice to the attention Of his asso-
ciates. A loud hum, made mp of many
discordant noises, fills the chamber, af-
fecting the hearing like the buzz of Broad
way at midday. OF late there has been
added to the elements of disorder within
the House of Representatives an influx of
strangers, who fill the space behind the
desks and hurry about the floor of the
House on various errands, intermingling
schemes of private advantage or pleasure
with the transaction of the public business,
and recently the Speaker was directed to
enforce the rule excluding ell such persons
from the floor and the passages about the
Representative chamber.
Year: 1878

An ImprOmptu Duel Between Prominent Divine


and q Politician, in Which the Latter was


Killed.


Charlotte, N. O., August 5.-Informatlon reach
es this city tonight of horrible tragedy which
occurred yesterday in Rutherford county in the
western part of North Carolina, in which Rev, DR..
Wade Hill shot and killed his son-in-law, Major
Andrew Scroggins 1t appears that SCroggins,
while in a passion about a week ago. stripped and
whipped DR.. Hills youngest daughter. scroggins'
wife was present and begged her husband not to
hurt her sister, but he paid no attention to her
fearful entreaties and inflicted painful chastise-
ment on the girl.


As soon as the father heard Of his sonin.
laws conduct he went to him and demanded
an explanation. scrogglns said he had acted on
the impulse of the moment, but Dr. Hill replied
that he had no right to lay his hand on the child
and the two gentlemen becoming involved in a
quarrel over the matter got to blows and had 1t
rough and tumble, the father-in'law coming out
best. This so enraged Major Scroggins that he
went home, and, after consulting friends, sent a
challenge to the reverend gentleman, which was
promptly declined by the said gentleman. The
Major then vowed to his friends that he would





throw poison in his coffee. He armed himself
with navy revolver and dirk, so as to be fully
prepared to lay his antagonist out on sight The
reverend doctor also armed himself to the teeth,
in case of emergency, and went about his spirit
ual work as usual.


Yesterday the two men Chanced to meet on
horseback in the road near the doctors house.
Major Scroggins exclaimed, with hellish sneer:
AHA I've got you now" The doctor replied.
Keep cool' The Major replied, Ten minutes
to say your prayers" By this time they were ten
PAGES apart and the impromptu duel was soon to
take place. DR.. Hill said, We'll, sir, Pm ready"
at the same time drawing derringer Major
scroggins said, " So am 1. May the Lord have
mercy on us both p, With that he fred twice in
rapid succession, neither shot taking effect The
doctor fred once, killing his antagonist instantly
He then rode back home and told the awful news
Friends carried the Majors remains off for burial
and the doctor gave himself up.


The greatest excitement prevails, though DR..
Hill was justified In the opinion Of the public.
the deceased was quite prominent farmer and
politician. DR.. Hill is Baptist minister of great
popularity and usefulness in this section Of the
State, and has written several orthodox works.
which have received the commendation Of his
brethren,
Year: 1878

it's an'old trick of John Sherman to manipu-


late financial policies so as to affect pending elec


tions and he is at 1t again this year. At the


meeting of the Ohio Democrats at Cincinnati on


Thursday, General Warner declared 1t had been


apparent for months Sherman would initiate


temporary resumption about the time of the Ohio
campaign, and then claim resumption had been
accomplished and appeal to the country to sus-
tam the Government in It's accomplished work.


His resumption for this electioneering purpose
will consist In taking in greenbaGks and paying
out coin at one window, and paying out the
greenbacks at another. To call this resumption
is delusion and trick The Washington Post
has this account Of shermans proposed financial
sham:


John Sherman has an idea that even temporary
resumption Will help the Republican party In the
canvass this year. and he is working with all his
might 10 bring about an apparent equality be-
tween gold and silver and greenbacks He wants
to have this equality established by the time Of
the election, and whether 1t is maintained after
that or not is not Of so much consequence to him.
One scheme he proposes to put In practice in or.
der to get gold into circulation and have il an.
pear that resumption is accomplished, is, to
change the denomination Of gold coins paid out
by the Treasury. The custom has been to pay
out eagles and halfeagles, but now sherman pro
poses 10 use quarter eagles and dollar pieces The
smaller coins, he thinks will be circulated more
freely and will, at least, bring out an appear
anOe OF resumption. His Idea is that there will
not be so much disposition to hoard the small
coins and they will go into circulation, and this
will bring out coins Of the same denominations
that have been locked up for years. Another
scheme is to pay ost silver for the ordinary ex-
penses of the Government, and in order to crowd
the Mexican dollars out Of the market he propO-
ses to issue circulars putting bullion price upon
them and offering to buy them at the Treasury
and sub.treasuries at the figures he names. This,
he suppOses, will have the effect Of depreciatng
the Mexican dollars-which circulate widely In
the sOuthwest-so that people win not take them.
10 needs no fnanCieT to demonstrate that resump-
tion accomplished by such schemes and tricks
can only be temporary.
Year: 1878

Atchison Kas., August 15.-0ne of the boldest


and most daring train robberles that ever occur
red in the West took place about half past nine
o'clock this morning, about one mile below Win
throp Junction, opposite this city. As train No.
on the Kansas City, st. 10. & Council Bluffs Rail
road, south bound, left Winthrop Junction Con-
ductor Brown noticed four men get on the plat
form between the baggage car and first coach.
Not thinking anything wrong, at the usual time
he left the baggage car and started to 60 through
the train. The first persons he met were the four
men standing on the platform. Aa he stepped on
the platform, the acting leader drew out two re.
volvers and holding them at him ordered him
back into the baggage car at the same time di.
rectinR him to hold I'D his hands As they en-.
they met was Griffith, the baggage man, and he
was ordered to hold up his hands while pistols
were held on him. A young fellow named Walk.
er, who was in the baggage carLwas then reached,
and the same order given. Frank Baxter eX.
press agent, was sitting in the light end Of the
car mis- bills In his lap and the express safe open
beside him, busy with his work He had not no
ticed the scene that was being enacted In the
car, and his first knowledge Of the danger was a
revolver thrust in his face, and he was ordered to
hold up his hands.


The leader OF the gang then stepped up 10 his
safe, and deliberately transferred the money,
about S. 100, to sack they had with them. Con-
ductor Brown was then asked If he had any
money, and he replied he had not. With their
pistols in his face he was then ordered to stop
the train, aud having no other alternative he
pulled the bell rope, and as the train slowed up
the four men backed out of the car still covering
the others with their pistols and disappearing in
the darkness. No swearing was indulged in and
the entire work was done In less than FIVE min
utes. The train was filed with passengers, but
none knew of the robbery until the robbers had
The thieves were cool and collected,
showing no signs Of tmidity and went at work
like old, experienced hands. None of them were
Year: 1878

She was very reserved. She was
so reserved that she didn't want to
come out of her cell to be tried. She
wanted the people of the great State
of Michigan to try her in cell four
feet by eight.


She was very solemn as she stood
before the desk, after biting Bijah's
thumb to the bone. She seemed to
have buried several husbands, and a
newsboy hitched around and got a
position from whence he could see if
her nose grew red as she wept. But
she didn't weep.


Madam began his Honor, "why
did you meet your dear husband at
the door last night and hit him on
the head with piece Of pine floor
ing Of The following dimensions, to.
wit, five feet long, six inches wide,
IN the clear, and one inch thick, and
known to the trade as G, L., or com.
mon lumber2 Was that a proper
way to welcome an honest sou of toll
who had been down to the Lodge TO
pay his dues and help put a candi.
date through the o. X. P. H., degree2"


"I'm sorry" she replied, in voice
so solemn that a yasser fm q Roch.
ester coffin factory at once opened
the street door and came In


"Aftgr greeting the innoceuL man
in that vigorous manner" continued
the Court-"after knocking him over
four flower vases and a bed f don't.
you.forgct.its' hoverodoyor him
aud scratched his face aud pulled his
hair, and put him in such q shape
Year: 1878

A prejudice has arisen among married
ladies against those jaunty little break
fast caps worn so much by foreignwom-
en-, because miiady here does not relish
being mistaken for her maid.
Year: 1878

VINO Wrote lit


The question is, who wrote "The Little
Belle Of Bloomingdale," the realistic story OF
New York Revolutionary life now running in
the CHRISTIAN UNION, Of New York: We are
told it is by one of the most eminent OF Amcri-
can writers, and that we have six months to
guess it in,
Year: 1878

1t was very long supposed that the
brackishness of Salt river, Arizona, was
caused Dy the stream running over a
bed of salt somewhere along its course.
Its waters are pure and fresh from
where it heads in the White Mountains
to within fifty miles of where it empties
into the Gila. Fifty miles from its
junction with the Gila there comes into
it "a stream of water that is intensely salt.
This stream pours out of the side of a
large mountain, and is from twenty to
thirty feet deep. 1t is very rapid and
pours iatO the Salt river great volume
of water. Here could be easily manu-
factured sufficient salt to supply the
world. All that would be necessary
would be to dig bitches and lead the
brine 70 basins in the nearest deserts.
The heat of the sun would make the
salt. Were there railroad near the
stream its waters would doubtless soon
be turned and led to immense evaporat.
ing ponds 1t is supposed that the inter.
ior Of the motntaif, out of which The
streams fsw is largely composed of fhcl
salt.
Year: 1878




CHICAGo, April 17.-Accounts are
published Of alleged improper conduct
of the Episcopal Bishop, Allan Nc
Coskrey, Of Michigan. The substance
of the story is that Tor a long time he
has cohabited with a young girl whom
he has educated and supported and
whom he recently married to a young
man of Detroit. named Bannister, who
discovered the guilt of McCoskrey,
and indirectly through him the matter
has reached the public. The proof of
the story lies in a number of amorons
and broadly suggestive letters written
by McCoskrey to the girl Fanny
Richards; iu his sudden resignation to
the committee Of the diocese; in the
confused denial which he made to the
committee in his acknowledgement Of
unusual intimacy with the girl; in his
Identification Of some of the letters;
and in his sudden departure for Eu-
rope. and In the reticence of the dig
nitaries of the Episcopal Church, who
although they do not affirm the story,
refuse to deny it. On the other hand,
the stories are so little authenticated
that they cannot be said to be more
than rumors at present. Bishop Ne
Coskrey denies the whole story, de-
clares be resigned on account of ILL
health and old age and points to life
of rectitude for "A years as his vindi-
cation. it is intmated, though not
urged, in explanation of the letters
that he was becoming deranged on
some points, and that be wrote them
while out of his head. The matte has
been kept profound secret and leaked
out casually.