smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1874

There can be nothing more pathetic than
the strike of the 1ongshOremen which has
been in progress for the last few days. just
at the opening of Winter, when the first frosts
are warning the laboring population that the
time for the strctest frugality and industry
has come, without which they and their fami-
lies will be the prey of hunger and cold, q
large body of workmen have chosen to follow
bad advice and to throw up the work upon
Which their daily bread depends. In spite of
tho lessons Of the past year, which have
shown that no strikes in such times can sue
ceed, they have deliberately stopped working
for such wages as they can get, and have
gone to loafng about the places where they
were employed, with no defined purpose ex-
cent to intimidate other bungrier men from
taking their places. At this time work is too
precious to throw away. The appeal of the
managers of St. Johns Guild, which wo pub
lished the other day, states that there are
10000 unemployed people in New-York at this
hour While this is probably an exaggerated
estimate, there is evidently enough truth in it
to serve as notice to all laboring men, that
if they do not like the wages offered them.
there are thousands who would rather take
them than 60 hungry and cold.


There is no need to enter very Geeply into
the question at issue between .ae longshore-
men, the stevedores and tie steamship com.
panies. 1t is known tG every one that no
branch of industry or commerce is fourishing
at this moment. 1t is impossible, therefore,
for employers to hire as many men US for
mery Or to give them as high wages as hith-
;crtO. The poor cannot hope to be exempt
from the iiiisfortunes which have so damaged
and embarrassed the rich. They must bear
their part of the common burden. They can
not expect that their incomes should remain
the same as in prosperous times, while those
of their employers are perhaps reduced one
half or, as in many cases, to nothing at all
above expenses Some of these 'lOngshOre-
men who struck because their wages were re-
duced to 80 cents an hour were probably
making more money than the ship-owners
whose tyranny and greed they are denouncing.
But this is consideration which appeals
merely to their views of justice aud right.
The other comes directly home to their COM
mon sense, and ought to have been more
powerful than any harangues of Union dema-
eogues or any despotism of associations.
There is not enough work to 60 around.
This is the first thing which any labOring
man ought to think of when he is approached
with proposition for a strike. He is asked
to stop working, to stop the supply OF food
and fuel for his wife and children, as means
of bringing his employers to reason. In times
of great activity and prosperity, when there
is more work to do than there are men to do
it, the striking policy may sometimes succeed,
though it is always hazardous. But it is pure
insanity in dull times, and though it may
occasionally harm the employer, it invariably
harms the laborer. In case like the present
there 10 olly Que. possible result. Nature
Year: 1874

Mr. Frank Leslie commentaries the thousandth
number of his Illustrated Newspaper with gift to
his subscribers of presentation plate, and supple
ment illustrating the progress of his journal during
the twenty years in which. as he claims. it
has been the pioneer of the illustrated press
of America. Within the last year or two
his paper has shown marked improvements, both on
its editorial page and in the general skill displayed
in the preparation of its reading matter, and
throughout its entire makeup. Mr. Leslie is the
editor of his own paper but it is bare justice to say
that he has been most admirably and intelligently
seconded in the improvements he has made by his
very competent Lieutenant Mr.. j. c. Goldsmith.
Year: 1874

Arkansas troubles will probably find a rapid
solution If the Administration sticks to the
sensible line of conduct announced as the
decision in Cabinet, and declines to interfere.
The cOlOrs in which Smiths adherents are
painting outrages and civil war are very VIVID,
but the consistency is much too thin.
Year: 1874

The Mayor is nothing if not jocose and Just
little vindictive. In spite of its legal YER
biage his answer to John Kelly is character
istic and therefore readable. But there is
nothing new in it,
Year: 1874

The horse and msle market of this
city is and has for several months past
been very quiet, and the dealers do not
now anticipate any change until after
the holidays. The stock of horses on
hand at the present time is not only
large, but the animals are of better
grade than usual for this season of the
year. The arrivals are few, consisting main
ly Of small lots from Pennsylvania and
West Virginia. The stables where auctions
are held are filed with large stock of
poor horses, and but very few good
animals are offered for sale. There is
but little or no demand for carriage or
buggy horses at this season of the year,
and consequently there are but few Of
fered for sale. Horses of this class bring
from 5000 to $500 each, according TO style,
age and soundness. The driving season
being over for this year there are but few
prices can be given for such animals, ss
their value is thing to be determined
between the buyer and seller First class
horses for general purposes bring from
5000 to $500 per head, and common
work horses are valued at whatever they
will bring at public auction; the prices
vary greatly and can be given when the
points of the animal in question are
known. There are no heavy draft horses
for sale. The mule market is even duller
than the horse market but for good ami
mails higher prices are found. Mules Of
medium size and sound bring from $3.50
to $500 per span. For very large mules
$3.50 to $500 per span can easily be OBJ
tained.-Baltinaore american.
Year: 1874

CHESTER COUNTY YBRIDoEs-Thursday the
Commissioners OF Chester County, paid visits
Ford bridges and found them In need Of re-
pairs. The first one named will be re-roofed
at an early day and the latter two have be-
come somewhat damage by the how OF waters
over their floors owing to the railroad along
side being higher, thus turning the current of
storm streams into the bridges. The earth
viii be immediately dug away to avert further
damage.
Year: 1874

A MAN FOLLOWED FROM NEW"fOik AND KILLED


WITH A sLUNGsHoT on THE ROAD NEAR PLI.As-


KILL.


A resident of the village of Peekskill, while
passing through street the depot of the Hudson
River Railroad, early Wednesday morning. stumbled
over man who lying in the roadway AS the pros
trate sald nothing upon receiving the biow1rom
the pedestrians foot the latter somewhat surprised by
the silence OF what he deemed drunken man, stopped
and examined the formers features. To his intense
horror he saw the face covered with blood Of man
who evidently had been murdered The man had appar
emily attacked with sungsho by his assaant, had
been beaten head with the weapon had struggled
desperately and had al last been feed 10 the
ground by some deadly blow The murderer had then
struck the dying repeatedly with the slung-shOt,
and had even perhaps inflicted blows after death left
the body. The constable of the village Mr. Singleton
upon making inquiries regarding the deceased learned
that the had arrived at the depot by train from
the South between and a. II was subsequently
discovered from the brakemen Of the train that the
deceaseds william Parker; that he
was laborer, and that he was going
10 Peeksbill to get work. The brakemen
also said that Parker accompanied
by a man Damed Theodore White, and also by a man
whose name they did not ascertain In the course Of
conversation with these two men, Parker said that he
had worked for several past in Connecticut Upon
reaching Peekskil, Parker left the depot with his
supposed friends aud not again alive II Is
believed that the murderers did not secure much plum
der inasmuch from papers found in Parker's coat
pocket the fact learned that he only had s5o The
railroad employees at the depot stated that White re-
turned after two hours absence bought ticket for
Eew-York. and departed for this city by the
6.25 o. 10. train. He doubtless came TO this
city. and may be In hiding here. Constable
Singleton. upon learning the facts above narrated
determined to follow the suspected criminal He
resched this city yesterday morning and at going
60 the Police Headquarters there informed superin
ine legraphsd order to the police through
our the city commanding Ibeln TO arrest Whte. Capt
Irving OF the Detective Squad was then ORDERED 10 give
all the assistance his power TO Cohstaoe o'ogelon
fp be latters effort arrest the murderer. capt
Year: 1874




From Concord Monitor tAdm. Rep)


1t is said that President Grant desires third
term We have to be convinced to that effect On
the contrary we such desire and that
he, will at the proper time, state iu unmistakable
terms But however the President may stand affected
and any event, bearing in mind all possible contin
eencies, we unequivocay opposed to third term
Presidents and believe such to be the sentiment OF
900 out OF every 1000 Republicans IN wHampshire
We are the emphatic in this assertion because OF
the this third term idea dilated upon by the
opposition press and fostered In some degree by few
Republican politicians and office holders, is working in
iury to our party. The recent elections prove it,
1t is handicap placed on our party In
the Empire state IL will become every
where uuess it is exploded. BY word the President
can do this but should he remain silent in pursuance
of his general policy in obedience to unwse counsel
ors then his duty 1t is within the province of
the Republican press OF the country to accomplish the
same object. We cannot, and we must not. occupy
doubtful attitude this question. The people will
never consent to third term, and they ought not to-
1t is load the Republican party cannot afford TO assume


The indications point 10 the early death OF
this third idea, but should 1t be pushed 10 the
front as vaguely hinted IN some quarters and remain
debatabe question, when State Convention meets
we have no doubt the Republican party OF NewHamp-
shire will be found in solid array against 1t nor have
we doubt but that it will receive fitting rebuke Ia
Ian guage not to be misunderstood The sentiment in
the Re publican party of New-Engand Is Overwbelm-
iDgly opposed to a third term.
Year: 1874

So-called accomplishments are a sort of
mansard roof clapped on the sounder
structure of the average English education.
Why they are thus denominated, when in
the possession of them so little is really
accomplished, it is difficult to determine.
Their material is generally as unsubstan-
tial as that of the thing to which they have
been compared, and, subjected to the fiery
most as readily destroyed. The acquire
ment of little knowledge of music, cer-
tain rules of drawing, the process of mix
ing colors, and few foreign phrases, are
oftenest the result of much misapplied in
dnstry. If music, drawing, and painting
were studied and cultivated as arts, with
the intent of becoming thoroughly prof.
cient in them. that they might stand, if
need be, in good, practical stead, then
the time devoted to them would not be
wasted. Instead of being mental folfols
in which to deck their ill-clothed minds in
public. these attainments would be of deep
and lasting satisfaction to their possessors,
even though not put to any severer trial.


Few girls care enough for music and
drawing to pursue them after being freed
! from the restraint of masters, and many
would never begin such study were it not
for the ambition of parents, guided by a
society that demands all girls to be nodded
after one model. This idea is so obvious
ly impossible as to be absurd. Countless
good gardeners, milliners, dressmakers,
housekeepers, have been spoiled in poor
piano.players, simply because knowledge
of the piano was considered an elegant
acquisition while an understanding of the
other things was regarded as something
that only necessity should require. The
hours of strumming on unresponsive in
struments, (unresponsive because touched
by no sympathetic fingers,) which, other
wise employed, might have made capital
cooks, are incalculable.


The original design was good-to ena-
BILE women to impart pleasure and i'm
provement to themselves and others; but
but it signally fails. Seldom are girls
willing to play, or exhibit the work of
their pencil to critical ears and eyes; and
when good nature impels them to. what
have they to offer? Ordinarily the mcrest
smattering-more repellant to ripe judg-
ment than total ignorance would be.


1t is evident that an acquaintance with
the alphabet of many branches is not so
great an aid to intellectual Improvement,
as being thoroughly versed in one. In
this short life, it is much to know even
one thing well. If thoroughly understood
everything from stake-broiling to oratorio-
composing, should be considered an ac-
complishment Pupils apt at figures
should be taught bookkeeping in place of
minms and semi-breves; and natural
nurses given an insight into bottles and
bandages, in lieu of curved lines and neu-
trail tint Thus the training of the mind in
a direction at once natural and useful con.
tributes to its healthiness and growth, and
rebounds to individual advancement and
general advantage.
Year: 1874

The Crown Prince of Prussia has recently
acquired considerable seiat by an unstudied,
yet effective, assumption Of the role of Sir Wal
ter Raleigh in the famous cloak scene with
Queen Elizabeth. It seems that he and his
little wife, the English Princess, were unduly
late in their arrival at the gala dinner given to
the King and Queen of Saxony during their re-
cent visit to the Prussian Court, and, through
some misunderstanding, the carpet leading
from the car[iageway to the castle door had
been removed by the servants. It was q wet,
disagreeable day, the pavement was sloppy,
and the little Princess was in full dress, with
voluminous train, and feet shod in slippers
With en- impulse of chivalry worthy of the six
teenth century, the Prince threw of his wrap,
and spread 1t on the walk for the Queen-no,
the Princess-to tread upon.


She, poor little practical body, spoiled the
poetry of the incident by q base-born instinct
Of economy, and entreated the Prince not to
profane his garment by contact with the mire
and conversion into carpet. But the brave
Prince was true to the demands ofthe situation,
and gallantly conducted his wife in safety over
the bridge he had improvised. 1t is pretty
little incident, and great improvement upon
the original. Tho affair of Sir Walter has been
cited the most exquisite example of chiyalry
IN all history. But the shrewd courticr laid
down his cloak at the feet of an imperious
Queen, who taught ler attendants that
fattery and seryile attentions were the price of
her gracious smiles. The Crown Prince spread
his wrap before his wife from q genuine motive
of respect and affection. How much more
proud she had right to be, in walking over ii,
than Elizabeth bad, who trod the same sort of
tapestry three centuries ago.
Year: 1874

THE WAYS and Means Committe, of the
House is still engaged in so-called ''collat
eral investigations of the Slnborn bust
ness. Originally invested with authority
only to take cognizance of matters pertain
ing to the Sanborn contracts, the committee
has gone out of its way, and beyond the
scope of that authority, to examine into
much that is clearly irrelevant. Yesterday
the scope included an investigation into. the
personal affairs of witness, and matters
which happened years before the law under
which the contracts were made was enacted.
In the opinion of many of the best lawyers
Of the country this proceeding is not only
a usurpation Of authority. but an outrage
upon the rights of private citizen.
Year: 1874

The telegraph reports that Governor
Moses, of South Carolina, has been indicted
by the grand jury of one of the counties in
in the chief judicial circuit of the State for
fraudulent collusion with one of his subor-
dinate officers, man who holds his posi-
ton by virtue of appointment by the Gov
ernor himself the county treasurer of
Orangeburg county. We hesitate to in
dorsc this initiatory step toward needed
reform for fear that it may not be carried
out; for fear that, with his accustomed luck,
the Governor may escape deserved punish
ment and that the movement may fail. We
believe that Judge Graham, before whose
court the case will be tried if it is tried at ALL
will not hesitate to do his full duty in the
premises; but when his satanic majesty
chooses to exert an influence, as he always
does, in behalf ofslippcry South Carolina Re-
publicans, the truth ofthe old adage about the
cup and the lip becomes apparent, and we
fear that the matter may be disposed of be-
fore ii is formally placed in the hands of
the court. Nevertheless, we hope for the
best


1t is step in the right direction; blow
at the very root of the great evils which
exist in South Carolina, and which serves
to blacken the name of Republicanism as it
finds exponents in the party leaders of that
State 1t is intended to expose the corrupt
practices by which Moses and men of his ilk
have heretofore maintained themselves in
luxurious rioting. The fact that the ap-
pointment of county treasurers is vested in
the hands of the Governor explains the
whole matter. An honest man might WELD
this patronage with advantage to the Com
monwealth and the party; but it is not to be
presumed for an instant that Moses would
do it. All of the county tressurers of the
State have no doubt been assessed by him in
different ways for the purpose of paying
his private debts, and he must have known
that in many instances they have
been unable to meet the assessments with
out using the public funds entrusted to their
care. But this knowledge has not pre-
vented him from pursuing a career of pub
lie plunder, which only finds parallel in
the record of his issue of untold thousands
of ''pay certificates" during the time he
occupied the position of speaker of the
lower house of the Legislature. OF all the
men who have misled the party In the State
he is the most vulnerable, has been the
most persistent in a career of wickedness,
and is, consequently, the most conspicuous.
1t is, therefore, eminently proper that he
should be chosen as the first to fall before
the shafts of just Veng ;ance and to become
the victim of the honest demands of the
party for reform.


But the movement must not stop here.
It must go on until the reform is so COM
plete that the laws under which such un-
limited, arbitrary patronage is exercised are
repealed or so guarded as TO render it i'm
possible that weak subordinate may be
victimized by designing superior. The
persons and officials who have this matter
in charge must remember that their action
will be noted not only by their immediate
friends and constituents, but that every
honest Republican in the country is watch
ing then with prayerful hope of their sue
cess.
Year: 1874

MIR. BECK made most unchivslric and
unkind, ifnotunparliamentary, attack upon
Senator Cqnkling in his speech yesterday
upon the bin for the repeal of moieties. True,
heen deavored to sustain his attack by quot
ing from the testimony of Mr.. Dodge, but
even that would not bear the construction
placed upon it. If it had, the evidence of a
man who had plead guilty to fraud to the
extent of compOunding it by the payment Of
S271. 900, is not exactly the kind of testimony
upon which Mr.. Beck would himself desire
to be convicted. His attack upon General
Butler, who was absent at the time, was
quite as indefensible.
Year: 1874

THE House yesterday passed the bill
repeating all moieties. This is just what
the dishonest merchants want. They can
afford to pay the Government officer or de-
tectiVe twice the amount of the moderate
rewards provided in this bill for silence and
go on with their frauds undetected. 1t
seems to US that the policy of this bill is q
mistaken one. Honest merchants need
have no fear of suffering from oppression
under the moiety system. Dishonest ones
should be compelled to desist from frauds
or leave the business. We shall refer to
this subject more at length at some future
tima
Year: 1874

The Hon. ]. Amber Smith has introduced
bill to prevent and punish political and
family nepotism. Perhaps there is no one
more competent than he is. from short,
but very wide experience. to speak of the
evils flowing from this source. The only
matter for surprise is that Mr.. Smith does
not go further and pruhibit. in terms, the
appointment to the civil service of any rel
ative, either by blood or marriage, Of any
Senator or Representative in Congress, as
it is obviously improper that they should
be in positions from which they would be
tempted to influence class legislation by
means of relationship. Still another sec
ton should prohibit ex-members of Con-
gress from joining the lobby and ia king
fees for going upon the floor and utton-
holing the members, and entreating their
votes in favor Of certain measures just to
oblige them.


As the Constitution vests the appointing
power with the Executive, unless the Con-
gress shall see fit to lodge the selection of
the incumbents of minor offices with the
heads of departments or courts of law, would
1t not be well for members Of Congress to
abstain from the endeavor to enforce the
appointment of their relatives and favorites
upon the Executive3 If the. effects of nepo-
tism and of department experience are so
deleterious to the "public policy" as is al
legged in the bill proposed by Mr.. Smith, is
not the official interference of members of
Congress in the ministerial affairs of the
executive departments, and in the making
of appointments equally so? 1t is difficult,
indeed, for the ordinary mind 10 conceive
wherein the influence in the one case is
more detrimental than the other


Mr.. Smith would have Us to believe that
the information and experience gained by
the Department officers during years of
hard labor upon meagre salary works
great injury to the Government, if utilized
in the collection of claims as an attorney,
after he has retired from the public service.
But he has no word of condemnation for
the legislator who exerts his official influ-
ence to obtain appointments and contracts
for his family and friends, or to building up
Of law, real estate or other business for
himself in anticipation of retiring from
public life. Mr.. Smith is still young and
ambitious of achieving reputation as a re-
former. These hints regarding the legiti-
mate duties of legislators, and the distinc-
ton between them and those gratuitous
Offices of personal nature, may not have
occurred to him. He will pardon us,
therefore, for drawing his attention to them
thus carly, in order that he may avail him
self of them in perfecting his bill so as to
cover the whole ground which he seems
quite anxious to cultivate. Let him so en-
large his bill as to embrace the legislative
branch as well as the executive, and he
will find in US an active and energetic ally
in the work of reform
Year: 1874

On Friday next, weather permitting, the
yacht race between the Americus and Sea Gull
will start from Seventh street wharf at 9
o'clock. Yesterday tho Americus was hauled
up at one Of the ship yards at Alexandria,
where she will have her bottom scraped and be
otherwise improved for the contest. As yet
there is but little betting on this race, but the
hackers OF the Sea Gull are sanguine of success
and are Offering odds. The probabilities are
that the race will be a good one, and those
who wish 10 witness the sport and have ine
sail on the Potomac should be at the wharf at
Q o'clock and take passage on the steamer
chartered for tho occasion.