smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1879




They are telling a story here that is
about the richest we have had on the Hill
this winter, 1t Is TO this effect A Ger
tain IN, mber whose voice is always raj ed
for honesty and reform, prated loudly that
he had no price-that he could not be
purchased. Last week one of the Phila-
delphia members wrote letter to the re-
former to The effect that his services and
vote might be needed during the session
on uncertain mea ures, and would he be
kind enough to accept the enclosed check
for $500 for such services. Ifhe accepted
the bribe he was to present the check at
a certain Harrisburg bank, draw the mo-
ney and say nothing; II he refused he
was to send the check and letter back TO
The writer. Appended to the letter was
the signature of a high State official, forg-
ed of course. Did the distinguished re-
former Indignantly scorn the proffered
money? Not bit oft. He hied him to
the bank on the day appointed, presented
the check, and was told that 1t was for
.ery. Turning from the bank counter he
was confronted by several of his fellow
members who told him plainly that they
know the object OF his visit ,and knew just
what he was worth. The curtain falls
here. No names are given, but nay in
formant, reliable In the fullest sense o
the word vouches for the truth of the
story, and refuses to tell who the reform
er in.
Year: 1879

The collegiate car eer Of A. J. Wright.a
young student at Middletown, Conneoti-
cut, was cut short the other day by the
discovery of his clandestine marriage a
few weeks since to Miss Gertrude Bent,
Of the town named. After the wedding
he resumed bis studies, but his parents
concluded to send him abroad to complete
his studies and on that fact becoming
known to him, he told them Of the mar
rlage and they came to Middletown and
saw the Bent family and everything is
now pleasantly arranged. Mr.. Wright
has left college and with his wife has gone
to his home at Buffalo.
Year: 1879

cast his vote as he may see ht, without
hazard of being arrested on summary pro-
cess, or no process at all. It will paralyze'
the Republican party because that party de-
pends upon the coercion of voters rather
than upon their free will.


After careful consideration of the facts
in the case we are inclined to the belief that
. "monstrous paralysis suoh as Mr- Garfield
refers to would be eminently bene-
fetal. 1t would give every
man an opportunity to record
his vote on whatever question might arise in
an emphatic manner, without fear that by
doing SO he might inour the displeasure Of
some satrap who was doing the bidding Of
his master. It would be benefit to the
cause of republioanism if such paralysis
should overtake the country, and continue
until real republicanism was established per-
manently throughout the length and breadth
of the country.


We sincerely trust that the "monstroua
paralysis that Mr.. Garfield fears may come
about 1t will do the country good.
Year: 1879

Mr.. Garfield, in the debate in Congress
on the 18th, referred to the "monstrous
paralysis that would be visited upon the ex-
ecutive department. if there should be days
on which laws could not be enforced. MIR.
Garfield was particularly felicitous in allud-
ing to tue aforesaid paralysis" that would
attack the Republican party in case it was
debarred from the use of the army at the
polls. We have no doubt whatever but q
paralysis that would affect every fibre of the
party would be manifest in it's conduct if
such calamity should overtake it.


The truth is that the Republican party de-
pends for its success upon the fact that the
executive of that party is able to ward off
the "paralysis' that threatens. He has on
. two occasions interposed his veto against the
repeal of laws that of themselves would
have removed all danger of the interference
of the military with the civil power in the
matter of elections. If such acts had re-
ceived executive sanction the "paralysis''
would have taken place without any unneces-
sary delay. As it was, the crisis has been
u0AoyOu W AuUIo COuV0lllouG H6HSO0s


No person of sense will deride the mill
tary arm of the government or attribute un-
worthy motives to any person who happens
to be attached to it. They act under orders
from their superior officers, and are not
responsible for the mischief they do.
Nevertheless it is fact that they are cana
BILE of doing infinite mischief-of completely
overturning the will of the people at the
polls. A few bayonets at the polls will pre-
vent the registration of several scores of
votes, even though the persons who hold
the bayonets in their hands may be quiesoent
and avoid, as far as possible, any obtrusive-
ness. The fact that they are present, exer-
cising powers unknown to the constitution
is sufficient to intimidate those voters who
are not absolutely assured of their right to
exercise the elective franchise. The rasp,t
invariably is that the party that controls tha
troops gains voters, while the party in the
minority loses.


The "monstrous paralysis that will at
tack the Republican party when the troops
are removed from the polls is simplya lepiti-
mate result, flowing from legitimate causes.
1t will paralyze the Republican party because
it will remove from it the main stay upon
which it depends for existence in many dis.
trElcts It will give to the citizen the right to
~
Year: 1879

The Democrats in Congress have shown
one thing, at least, that ought to be scored
up to their credit. No matter how violent
the opposition to them has been, they have
always been courteous, gentlemanly and
considerate. Even in tle heat of debate no
insult has been uttered towards an oppo-
nent, and no apology for words spoken in
debate has been required of any of them.
No matter how great the provocation, the
Democratic Senators and Representatives
have restrained their passions, and stand
before the country to-day as gentlemen in
debate as we'll as in private life.
Year: 1879

this winter our ice cream dealers say, and
say thoughtfully has nothing to do with the
cream market. The cream comes from the
COW and not the mill pond; and, suppose
next summer should be SO dry that the
COWS should not give more than enough
cream to go in the coffee, what advantage
would the ice be? Well that is u cOnum
drum.-The seed man and half dozen
boxes at each store was an experience OF
last week. The seed man is about as good
an indicator of spring as the grounding.
The most disagrecable sound that has
been heard for the past ten years is the
Glow price Of corn" And, the worst Of it
is, that it still continues. 1t is getting
monotonous even to the "corn crackers"
The first Of March approaeheth. Lease,
release, or be released.-If the Legisla-
ture had as little call for special legislation
from other parts of the State as from this,
the Legislature might adjourn next week.
This has been q severe winter on the
wheat fields. The little blades that had at.
tanned but tiny growth, look crisp and
parched from their exposure to the rude
! blast.-The farmer from near Parsons
Hill, who has shown these many years his
appreciation by scarcely ever missing q
literary or musical entertainment, was not





needed no explanation that the falling
snow was too much for him and his steed
Walking matches amount almost to
mania in our large cities and it has 60
down now to the point that tho chief con
Ttestants are women. A little of the spiri
infused in our country towns would doubt
less be a benefit, for two squares is con
sidered by the most of our ladies to be
wonderful distance. The mems walkin,
club have been endeavoring to set gool
example in this regard, and are anxiousl,
awaiting the advent of spring.
beautiful contrast to the piercing wind
and bleak and frozen fields, is the magnif
cent lemon tree at Belmont that fills tn
room with the fragrance of its scores G
rich blossoms.-In quiet way the Ladie
Benevolent Society is doing much good T.
seeing after and relieving the suiferings {
the poor, and thus it goes one class i
: society points them down the road tha
leads to rags and deformity, and anothc
follows and clothes and heals by administr;
tions from the gentle hands of good wi
and affection. How your cold? Everl
, body seems to be affected with either col
, in the head, sore throat, cough, hoarsenes
or pain in the breast, and not few hav
their eyes swollen and inAamed -
! "heaven lies about us i'll our infancy" OF
neighbors lie about us when we are fu
: grown.-Venus is the evening star w
, always liked Venus. Let her twinkle.
Year: 1879

VIII the Legislature grant our petition
for Local Option? is the query often suggest
ed to our minds. What are the Represen-
tatives sent to the Legislature for, but to
enact laws for the good OF the community
they represent? Is not this Democratic
State? And have we not the right TO ask
them to let us vote whether we will have
liquor sold in Smyrna or not? Certainly
we who know the erI of the rum traffic are
entitled to have hearing on the subject,
and the privilege of voting whether we will
submit to the nefarious business. How
many grievances are entailed upon US by
these houses where liquor is sold, Does
not the law we have forbid the sale of
ardent spirits to habtual inebriates, and is
that law respected by the 'venders Of the
poison? | trow not DO we not see men
unsteady in their gait, 90 in such places
and come out with increased disability to
walk home, and sometimes asking for help
to guide them to their families who are SUI.
terlng from these violaters OF the lew? Let
us have the power to say this great cuH shall
be removed from among as, and our children
as well as husbands and fathers shall no
longer be led into temptation and all the
| concomitant vices which are found in a
| liquor saloon.
Year: 1879

On Saturday night about twenty ties
were found piled upon the track of the
Long Island railroad, near Columbusville.
They were removed in time to save the
midnight train to Garden City and Hemp.
stead from being wrecked.
Year: 1879

choose their own chairmen, and thus the
convention is organized responsive to the
will of the majority Of the delegates regard
less of the individual designs or desires of
the National committeeman. Subsequently,
when the convention has completed its duty
and the ticket has been placed in the field,
the chairman of the National Committee
becomes the vicarious embodiment of the
Executive authority of the party.
Year: 1879

THE Louisville Courior.JOHrRd remarks
of the recent appointment of Governor RAM
sEY to be Secretary Of War that "it is the
"best selection yet made by HAYES in the
makeup of his ministry Evidently the
GRANT reception mt Louisville served TO
open the eyes of Editor WATrERsoN to the
fact that it is possible and proper once in a
while for Bourbon Democrat even to speak
or write respectfully of a leading Republi-
can
Year: 1879

THE proceedings of the Republican Ma
tional Committee yesterday verified our
prediction that the interests of harmony
and desire to secure conquest in the cam
paign next year would rise superior to
every other consideration in debating its
policy. In short, the Committee has done
its work promptly and satisfactorily.
Year: 1879

TIE agreeably domineering manner with
which Chicago, the most vigorous, enter
prisng aud hospitable of all the great cities
of the West has been pushing things here
in Washington during the past three or
four days deserved success. Besides this,
it was at Chicago that the first Republican
National ticket was put in nomination in
1860, and that General GRANT was nomi-
mated for his first term in 1868. These are
encouraging auguries.
Year: 1879

THE chairman of the Republican National
Committee is naturally and necessarily a
man of great influence in the party ooun-
cils but he does not WELD the absolute
power in the control Of the National con-


vention of the party that some people seem


to imagine is vested in him. In fact, his
duty at the organization of that body is
simply to call il to order and name for its
temporary president the person who may
have previously been selected for that posi-
tion by the National Committee. He has
nothing whatever to do in a direct or OFF,
eial way with the selection Of members OF
the committees Of the convention, includ-
ing those on credentials and resolutions,
for they are selected by their respective
State delegations and their names sent to the
president pro tempOre, who announces them
Ms soon RS the temporary organization Is eff
fected. These convention committees, 1t
should be also understood, including the
committee on permanent organization.
Year: 1879

GoRDoN's Golden Silence is the new
name bestowed upon the cowardly do-noth-
ing and say-nothing policy adopted by the
Bourbon majority in Congress. This is the
very ecstasy of political euphemy. A
better and more apt characterization of this
cringing reimbursement and selfdistrust OF
so-called statesmen would be to charge
them with wearing muzzles like ours in
dog days for fear the rabies may break
ont among them at any moment to their
own destruction as well as that of their
betters.
Year: 1879

SENAToR-ELEcr MALONE, Of Virginia, is
in danger of being torn in twain, rs it were.
The Democrats claim him as their own,
while the Republicans are pulling him
into their camp by the logic of his pledges
TO them pending his election. Meanwhile
oil the straight-out Bourbon journals in
that State denOunce him as Il traitor and Il
deserter, and a dcsecrotor Of the altars and
firesdes of the Old Dominion, and all that
sort of thing. If he can forgive these fran
tic sham Conservatives for the insults and
ISLANDERS they have heaped upon him, per-
haps he may wander back into their ranks.
Bnt it strikes US it will not be to their in
terest to permit him to do so, He has too
many grudges to pay off among them, and
his presence in their counsels would enable
him to settle those accounts more effect
lively than he could if he were to be kept
under the ban Of their atTrighted dis
pleasure.
Year: 1879

t'as is essentially a mixture Of compounds
Of carbon and hydrogen, and b. itself can
not explode. But If IL hc mixed with from
fiv, 10 ten or twelve times its volume Of
air VIC then have easeous gUnpowder, in
which the gas represents the carbon and
sulphur and the air rcprcsCnis the nltrc. IL
a light he introduced into the mixture the
oxygen OF the air combines with The carbon
and hydrogen Of the CIs, causing very
sudden evolution of heat, a consequent sud.
den Increase Of volume and al. explosion.
When a leak Ocrurs in gas pipes in house
tue escaping gas rises % the ceiling ut the
room. on its way thitbcr mixing to certain
extent with air This mixing process Is
continued after il reaches the ceiling, but
the continual supply Of gas protects that
which has first escaped. ~ ilat the state ol
affairs after good deal Of gas has escaped
will be about rs fOllOws:-At the ceiling OF
the room there Will hc a layer of nearly
pure gas, lower down more and moro air
is mixed with il, until near the floor pure
air is found. II any one finds himself in Il
room. therefore. in which their is a strong
smell of gls, ne may count upon there
being in some part of the room an explosive
mixture and should on no account admit
any light, not even pipe or cigar, mucn
less a candle or match. The gas should be
shut of from the house az The meter, where
there is a cock for the purpose. The win
dows of the room should bc thrown down
at the top and the door opened, provided
the draught is from the door to the win
dows. otherwise the door had better he left
closed The cocks on the gas fixtures
should he examined to scr if any Of them
are turned on If no such obvious source
Of leakage can be found, a gasfitter should
be sent for and informed tia. if he cannot
find the leak without lighted candle or
match his services will not be made use of.
The locality Of leak can he found by the
odor Of the gas when It is turned on at the
meter again. Sometimes gas will lcaS
around the hasc of the fixtures where they
are screwed on the house pipes. in any
such case, where ii is necessary 10 stop Il
leak on short notice, little common soap,
not too dry, may be plastcrcd over the
aperture. In many cases piece Of news
paper. several folds in thickness, and wet
50 as to form a soft wad may be put over
the leak and tied ON 50 as TO temporarily
stop ii. These are only cxpcdients for use
IN an emergency. No one should tolerate
a leak, as il may prove very expensive
affair
Year: 1879

The popular opinion is that the elephant
can use its trunk for any purpose, from
picking up needle to dragging cannon
from bog. According TO Mr. SanderSon,
who has charge Of one of the government
catching establishments in India, this opin
ion is founded entirely on Imagination.
AN elephant, he says, might manage the
former feat though doubt it; the latter he
would not attempt The chief use of the
trunk, delicate and sensitive organ, is to
procure food and water for the animal,
and to convey them to its mouth. Il also
warns them of danger by the senses of
smell and touch. The elephant never
uses his trunk for rough work. and rarely
for striking a man or other elephants.
When the elephant is engaged in such
work rs dragging timber, it takes the three
feet rope attached to the log between its
teeth. Then raising one end clear Of the
ground, II half dragS and half-CarrIes the
log away. y light log is held in the
mouth, as a dog does stick, and the
trusk is used to help to balance it. Male
elephants carry the log on their tUslss if it
is not too heavy. II heavy piece of work
is 10 bc done, the elephant does it by push
ing with his head or feet or by drawing
in harness. To start heavy load, the
elephant throws himself into the harness
cola. far beyond his centre Of gravity. If
that does not start it, he knCels and bends
/ forward until he almost rests ON his fore
head. In drinking, the elephant fills
about fifteen inches Of his trunk with wa
ter. Then curling it backward he blows
! the water into his mouth. If an accident
should injure the trunk 50 as TO prevent it
conveying water, the elephant drinks by
wading into the wafer and immersing the
mouth.
Year: 1879

Fcrreis are Of two cO!Ors white and brin-
die. The white ONES have pink eyes look
ing much like the glass beads seen in the
heads of artificial mice. The brindle ones
have black eyes Here IS another point on
which the neutral character of the ferret


man is apparent. Nobody can get him to
saw which color is best. lie will say they


are both as good as they can I've, and that
one is no better than the other. If pressed
hard. he may, after long perseverance and
the expenditure of great amount of pa
tience, be brought TO admit that ''thc bTin-
dies are probably more 'arty animal than
the whites, but the whites arc ckaliy rs
ramey as the brindlcs." This lucid eX-
planation is supposed TO satisfy the most
captious mind. The glory of the ferret
mans eXistance however, is not any more
wrapped up in his ferrets than his Scotch
terriers. The two work hand in hand. y
wise ferret man will train them together
from infancy, that they may get used TO
each other and thus insure safety to the
ferret on the occasion of rat killings, which
il does not always have where they arc
not so trained. This is one OF the draw
backs in a ferrets life. Often, when work
ing with dogs not used to them, the latter
mistake them for rats and put an end tc
their existance with vim that would be
commendable were it employed on tho
I. legitimate prey. There are other little in


conviences in the life and business OF


ferret which show that it has clouds as vel


as sunshine. Sometimes they get into


sewers, where the slippy surface Afford


them no foOthold, and the result Is thel


never get out again. As for the scratche
! and bites they get in their encounters Wal!
Year: 1879




4 book agent stuck his head through the
gentleman delivery at the pOst-olfice, Bos-
ton and began firing at random among the
clerks busy at work inside. He was just
describing the unequaled elegance of the
the building when he had to pull his head
out to permit Il man to inquire if there was
letter there from his motheT-in-law. The
clerk said no when the man went smilingly
away, and the book-agent placed his check
to the hole again and went on 10 mention
that the opportunity now offered would
probably soon slip away forever, as men,
bers of Congress and judges all over the
country were flooding him with orders for
the work at his own price. Here he vacat-
ell the window for moment to allow a
young lady to inquire what time the 10
o'clock mail went. and with renewed
strength and confidence filled it again as
soon as she had gone to ask the same ques-
ton at the next widow, in order to see if
the first clerk had lied to her. This time
he eloquently described how King William
and Queen Victoria had lain awake night
after night so anxious for the arrival of the
book that they couldn't sleep, and was just
picturing the annoyance of Dom Pedro be-
cause the financial condition of his kingdom
would permit him to buy but a thousand
copies, when two tranIps dropped in and
begged the use of the window long enough
to ask if there was a remittance there for
them. This gave him breath enough to
describe how the late war between Russia
and Turkey was caused by their Jealousy
for fear the Gar would get the book before
| the Sultan, and he then demonstrated con
clusively that the presnt failure of the crops
IN England was the direct result OF the
farmers negligence in not providing them
selves with a supply of the books, and was
reaching around to get a fresh hold of Gen.
Grants return to this country, when he
was carefully and neatly killed by the jan
itor, and laid away under pile of undeliv-
cred circulars.
Year: 1879

Entering little square shut in by higl
houses, and, like most Venetian squares,
dominated by the unfinished facade of i
time-stained church, | noticed a singular
activity among the people. They were
scurrying in from every alley, and hasten
ing from every house door, with odd-shaped
copper buckets on hoOked-ended wooden
bows, and with little coils of rope. Old
men and women, boys and girls, all gathered
closely about covered well curb in the
middle of the square: and still they hur-
ried on, until they stood a dozen deep
around il. Presently the church tower
slowly struck eIght, and little old man
forced his way through the crowd, passed
his ponderous iron key through the lid, and
unlocked the well. The kettles went
jangling into it, and came stopping out at
an amazing rate, and the people trudged
off home. each with pair of them swung
from the shoulder. Tho wells are deep
ciSterns, which are filed during the night,
and it is out Of amiablc consideration for
those who love their morning nap that they
are given as good chance as their neigh
bors of getting an unsoilcd supply. 1t is
the first instance that has come To my no
tice of commendable municipal restraint
upon the reprehensible practice of early
rising. Few. very few, OF those who came
for water had had time for their toilets.
Their day evidently begins with this ex-
cursion to the public reservoir. Later in
my walk / saw cistern being rcplenished.
A barge filed with fresh water lay in a
canal near by, and steam pump forced
the supply through hose TO the square,
where a gutter carried it to the well. The
water is of excellent quality. 1t is brought
through conduts from the Euganean Hills,
near Padua, but its distribution through
the city is carried on in the original manner
indicated For city where the salt sea is
the scavenger. where ablutions are not de
rigUcltI., and where water is not bever-
age, the cost of laying distributing mains
has wisely been spared.