smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

New YORK, Oct. 2.-~I'he mysterious disap-
pearance of u person In the employ of Harper
Brothers. with u large sum Of money in his
possession. Is puzzling the police and has
caused great uneasiness among a largo num-
Der of persons. On Saturday, September [,
about 10 80 a. m. Henry Murden, who has
been In the employ Of Harper Brothers for
some time and who had recently been pro-
NOTED to the position of assistant foreman in
tho stereotyping department, and whose bus
mess II was to pay the men in that branch Of
the establishment, went to the cashier Of the
firm and drew the requisite amount of money
for the week 3 pay roll, said to be about $500:
he then wont outside Of the building for the
purpose OF smoking cigar, and meeting q
friend, another emplove of the firm. asked
him to smoke, paying for two cigars out of
his money. at the same time returning his
friend small amount of borrowed money.


After little while his friend said that he
must return to business, and Murden said
that he would walk around the block and fin
ish Lis cigar, and then return and pay off his
men. He moved very slowly up Frankfort
street, and that was the last seen Of him. The
father OF the young man, Joseph Murden,
is an old and valued cmploye of the firm, and
when young Murdon's absence was noticed he
was Mt once informed, and Immediately noti-
fled the police, saying that he was sure his son
had been foully dealt with. The police have
been diligently at work for over month, and
have not obtained the slightest clue. The
friends of the young man are I'm deep distress


Young Murden resided with his parents ut
Newark, N. j.. and was remarkably steady
known to have any bad habits, and as n rule
spent his evenings at home On the morning
on which he disappeared he came to the city
with his father as usual. and nothing strange
was noticed about his behavior; he had not
changed his clothing, and there are no cir
cumstances which point to the belief that he
intended to abscond with the money. He had
often before had charge of much larger sums.
Year: 1877

In our pulpit topics to-day we are in
formed that the present is Gods time to
save men that there is power in the Gospel
to save men and law Of success in its pre-
sentation, and that the law is q schoolmas-
ter to bring us to Christ. We suppose that
is why the preachers use the schoolmaster
to fog the pupils as they do sometimes most
numerically But they probably intend
by this means to force religion into business
affairs and to show rs what it has done to
improve the race But in the worlds per-
plexity the great question is to be answered
to-day, What is it to believe in Christ,
and what is the cause of Israeps in
effcicncy?, Large and smal! hearted
Year: 1877

An expert witness, the last before the
Ashtabula jury, seems to be of opinion that
there was nothing of any special conse-
quence the matter with the fatal bridge
Some of the braces were not attached at the
best points, but this "did not materially in
lure the bridge" The displacement of
the main braces" was mot all right" but
yet, and yet and yet, he would not con-
slider that these defects would constitute a
fatal element of weakness in the bridge. "
If this bridge had not fallen the believers
in its instability would feel them
selves and their opinions annihilated
in the presence of such experts. Now there
is very practical point in that evidence for
this community. 1t comes very near home.
This particular expert testifes that he is "a
civil engineer employed by the New York
Central and Hudson River Railroad Com
pany." Does it come within the line of his
duties to inspect the condition of bridges
for that company? If it does we hope he is
less amiable in the discharge of his duty
than he was in the giving of his testimony
tor II he Is not -,
Year: 1877

The action of Congress yesterday on the
report of the republican majority of the
Electoral Commission in the Florida case
was, in one view of the matter, of some in
terest. After the two houses had separated,
to consider the objections made by Mr.. Field
to the report and the vote thereon had been
taken in the House, q motion was made for
recess until ten o'clock on Monday morning
The republican members opposed the mo-
ton. raising the point Of order that under
the Electoral bill the joint convention must
meet again immediately, and hence could
not take recess. The Speaker ruled
against tho point of order, and then the
House took recess as proposed. until ten
o'clock on Monday.


there appears to be some discrepancy be-
tween two Of its sections in regard to the
power of either house to take recess after
voting on an objection which the joint con-
vention has separated to consider. Section
/, in reference to separations to consider OBJ
jections to vote or votes from States from
which there shall be only one return, says:-
"When the two houses have voted they
shall Immediately again meet, and the
presiding officer shall then announce
the decision Of the question sub
mitted." But section 5 contains these
words: ''Such joint meeting shall not be
dissolved until the count of the cleo
tornl votes shall be completed and the result
declared. and no recess shall be taken un-
less question shall have arisen in regard
to the counting any such votes or otherwise
under this act, in which case it shall be
competent for either house acting sepa-
rately, in the manner hereinbefore provided,
to direct recess of such house not beyond
the next day, Sunday excepted, at the hour
of ten o'clock in the forenoon" &c. If the
majority Of the House chooses to exercise
this power to adjourn for the day after every
objection has been voted upon, it might
easily throw over the result until after the
4th of March by multiplying objections.
There are yet thirty-one States to count.
From and including Monday there are
eighteen working days before March 4. The
contested cases Of Louisiana and Oregon
are not likely to take less than four days
together. leaving fourteen days which might
be consumed in this manner, if the demo-
Gratis should be disposed to factiously OBJ
struct the completion of the count. This
would leave the President Of the Senate to
fill the duties of President Of the United
States for the year and necessitate new
election next autumn.
Year: 1877

Having already digested the heavy matter
of the Queen of England's speech
the American public can now enjoy
the sparkling description of the his
toric chamber of the Lords, at the
moment the Royal Message was read, which
comes to US by cable this morning
Linked with the occasion, which for the
English mind had perhaps it's greatest at
traction in the fact that Queen Victoria was
present in person, was no less an event than
the installation OF Benjamin Disraeli in
his earl's seat in the House of Lords.
This will doubtless attract wider
interest here than the presence of
the Queen. It is the elimination of life
of ambitious struggling. To be Premier
of England was surely more than
to be Earl Beaconsfeld; but it
was Disraelis long nursed fancy to be both.
It is as though this daring adventurer had
resolved that he would show posterity how
high he could 60 and how few the stations
were which his daring genius could
not invade. The picture of the House
Of Lords glowing with color, sparkling
with jewels and pulsating with all the
pride Of place, consciousness of power
and charm of beauty, will impress
itself on the imagination. 1t is the great
show which the monarchy offers to itself
and to the world. In the installation OF
Earl Beaconsield we see an old man grasp
ing honors which none in all that
proud assemblage, even the Queen, could
refuse him. There was pageant of blood
and triumph of brain in the glittering
spectacle our letter describes.
Year: 1877

people have attended Mr.. Bells ministry in
Brooklyn for q year past, and to-day they
will review their past career and take
soundings for the future. They must be
careful, however. of the delusive way, lest
their gain turn out real loss and an ac-
cusation be raised against them that they
shall not be able to overcome or outlive
The blessing of sonship to God is precious
boon that MIR. Kennard will make the most
Of to-day, while Dr. Armitage will make un-
seen realities visible. and the mountain
difficulties will be removed from the hearts
and paths of men by their admission of Him
that knocketh at the door. The divine wit
ness to Christ, the death of the sinner, the
resurrection of the spirit, the proper treat
ment OF an erring disciple and popular
scepticism will also be discussed in our city
pulpits to-day.
Year: 1877

Nobody doubts that the dining room is as
much in need of reform as is the disposition
of the Spitz dog or the finances of South
Carolina. The dyspeptic head OF the fam
lily, his languid wife, his bountifully fed yet
unsatisficd looking children, all show in
face and temper the need of a change. The
question has not been overlooked. Men
have tried to settle it by increasing the
amount of their bills with the butcher and
grocer and by calling in the wine merchant
to undo the blunders Of the cook but
both endeavors have failed. In din
ing room troubles it is always ne
cessary to go behind the returns, and
this operation takes the investigator at
once into the kitchen, where language
fails as utterly as if it were trying to de-
scribe the political iniquities of Florida or
Louisiana. To look to the cook for the
needed reform is useless; the Sins" of the
kitchen are as reluctant rs those Of govern
and the only hope must be rcposed in those
before whom the ''ins" do tremble. 1t is
only when the lady of the house realizes
that the head and heart are pitifully depen-
dent upon the stomach that Bridget and
Gretchen can be frightened into bring
ing forth fruits meet for repentance
During the past three years this idea
has dawned in the minds of about
one in every ten thousand of New York
housekeepers and these have taken lessons
at the cooking school with results surpris-
ing to their neighbors and discouraging to
their family physicians. Through this
means many stupid husbands have uncon-
sciously become as interesting as if they
were newly found lovers, and women in
search of hitherto unknown household COM
forts have stumbled upon roses for their own
cheeks. Their example should be initiated
everywhere. It will bring health to the
household, discouragement to the rum
seller, bankruptcy to the cofin maker and
prevent the commission of more sins than
charity ever covered.
Year: 1877

walls are condemned by the proper depart
obstructed and are are not cleaned: the street
cars are permitted to be disgrace to civili-
zation the docks are neglected the Board
of Health is a sleepy committee out Of
the Castle of Incidence. In short.
there is no vigor, spirit or move
ment in any part of our munich
pal administration where they should
exist. It seems TO us there is field here
for the Mayors efforts. He is the legitimate
authority to stir up sluggish or indifferent
officials, and certainly is responsible for the
performance of every executive duty that
does not fall distinctly within some depart
ment. He must assume all doubtful pow
ers. and if disputed make fight over
them. so that it shall be impressed upon
the public mind just where the duty lies.
He must not permit the heads of depart
ments to bull-doze him into any
condition of timid tranquility. He
was put where he is by the people IN
very great degree in defiance of party
machinery, and he must not forget it. He
has the people behind him and is the de-
fender of their interests in the city govern
ment, and is the only part of the govern
ment of which this is true. Some OF the
vim and resolution that made Fernando
Wood conspicuous in our government, and
made him an excellent Mayor. would not
injure Mayor Elys prospects for permanent
popularity.
Year: 1877

Paris up to its eyes in social
enjoyment passes the Oriental and
all other difficulties by with the
pretty airs of o woman. It will talk
scandal but it will not borrow
trouble, so it just now amuses itself
by making grimaces behind Gambetta's s
back because he was cold and
naughty and did not dance when
he went to q state ball. London is
SO much agog over it's Parliamentary
squabbles. present and prospective
that she scarcely thinks of any
thing else. Your Englishman is
mighty occupied person when he
has row in prospect. At present he would
eat Turk or Russian, according to which
side he takes in the Eastern question.
They are bringing out new tenors in
Paris, and one OF them is said to
be the greatest since Mario. We
like to see this announcement from
time to time 1t encourages music
lovers and does no harm, but, somehow,
the great tenor seems never to be Mario
or even Giuglini, not to talk of a
Rubini. The drama and fashion present
their novelties in the French capital, and both
are sure to be appreciated. From Berlin we
have some caustic after dinner chat
by Prince Bismarck, which is alto
gether in the vein of that sharp
tongued and heavy-handed statesman.
It is tolerab!y safe to say that whatever was
interesting in Europe yesterday and that
would keep its interest after journey Of
three thousand miles will be found in oul
cable letters.
Year: 1877

We protest against any more experimental
that do not provide for the placing Of
the entire control of that work in the hands
of responsible public officer. We have
already tried every system that could be ap-
piled by health boards, police departments
and bureaus through the agency Of special
contractors and corps of street sweepers and
cartmen directly employed by these author
tiles. Failure has followed all attempts
hitherto made to secure clean streets
because of the shortcomings Of officials
who were in no way responsible to the peo-
pie and who held their positions by virtue
of special legislation. A like failure will
undoubtedly attend all future efforts unless
they are directed and controlled by some
one in whom the public can place implicit
confidence as to his integrity and from whom
strict accountability can be exacted.
majority of the Assembly Committee on
Cities has reported favorably on measure
which purports to provide remedy for the
evils that threaten to brand New York as the
dirtiest city in Christendom. But, judging
from our past and present experiences, no
beneficial result can possibly follow the
enactment Of such law by the Legislature.
Our machinery Of government by COM
missions instead of being useful to public
interests has become powerful engine Of
political power that is constantly coming
into collision with public rights. Letting
the cleaning of the streets to contractors
under the old Health Board and the Street
Department failed utterly in its object be-
cause the officials never enforced the strict
letter of the contracts. The system of the
present Street Cleaning Bureau of the Po-
lice Department has proved to be as rotten
as it is inefficient because, with discredit-
able administration and the utter irrespon-
sibility of its officials the Bureau is practi-
cally independent of any control, and,
therefore, defies public opinion. II, with
large annual appropriations and unlimited
powers, the Bureau has hitherto failed to give
us clean streets, how is the mere subdivi-
sion of the city into districts and the clean
ing of the streets by contract under the
same authority going to effect any improve





plan would simply strengthen the political
engine which has kept the Police Depart
ment so long independent of all control or
interference. We are now beyond any ques-
ton fortunate in having an honest Mayor OF
New York. But we do not know whether he
will prove capable one or not, and the best
way to test his executive ability will be to
charge him with the duty and responsibility
OF giving us clean streets. Let Mayor Ely
be clothed with the fullest powers to organ
ize as he deems best an efficient system OF
street cleaning, but let him also be held
strictly responsible for its success. BY no
other means can we ever secure clean streets
in New York except by concentrating all
authority relating thereto in the person Of our
responsible Chief Magistrate.
Year: 1877

The BOARD OF EDUCATION is to prepare bill,
to be submitted to the Legislature, allowing the
transferring Of money from one account to an
other. If the bill passes it is to be hoped that q
ventilation" account will be opened ut once, and
that school children will be permitted to breathe
mir at least as good as that of the Tombs cells OF
apy ordinary livery stable.
Year: 1877

The EXCUSE OFFERED for the formation of a
new coal combination is that in no other way can
the decline in coal stocks he arrested and the re-
cent losses made good; but why consumers OF
coal should be made to supply the money for
these purposes is one of those things that no fel
low can find out.
Year: 1877

THE CITY is still in trouble by lack of gen.
eral dumping ground. Why not try Albany! If
the garbage and ashes were heaped about the
new State Capitol so as to hide it from view the
State would save millions.
Year: 1877

One of the main features OF the
performance was a brass bound box
that played very important part
in the play. This box | had in
structed the property man to Put
on a sideboard during the second
act. He evidently forgot, and the
result was the characters were talk
ing of and pointing at box that
wasn't there. DESTROYS of making
up for the omission, he put the box
on q table in the very centre OF the
stage during the third act, and the
audience found two of the charac-
ters seated at this table Offering
untold wealth for the recovery of the
box that lay between them. The
audience enjoyed this scene, which
/ meant to be very dramatic, huge
ly.


But this act was nothing to the
fourth act. Here the villain had
TO cast the box into the river that
ran before him, and then throw the
heroine of the play after it. Of
course the real heroine sank down
on floor, and the villain threw a
dummy into the boiling waters,
The property man tried to outdo
himself on this dummy. He had
evidently measured the material
right, but stuffed it so full that he
stretched it to perfect colossus
arms outstretched, even the fingers
being so stiff that nothing could
bring them down to o resemblance
4 to a human being. When the
scene with the dummy came it tow
cred some two feet above the head
of the murderous villain, but he
tackled it valiantly, and, after a
, deadly struggle, dashed 1t into the
raging waters,


But he threw IL too far, IL stuck
on a set piece and remained there


arms outstretched, and fingers rigiC
with stufiing, while the whole au
, dience burst into a roar Of Taught
er. When the villain obeyed hi


cue and spoke Of having "hid
} den her forever beneath the swif
. running river" the dummy still
r stuck In the same position ant
: another shout went mp from thu


audience.-Dramatic Weekly.
Year: 1877

The Franklin Patriots tooth
hurty gait to the dentists is not
much wickeder than this special
distortion of the GLASGOW Times
awe thought it bad enough in Ken
tucky to have tax to pay on a
fellows head, but we notice in the
Missouri papers great complaint
about back taxes"
Year: 1877

A sergeant in the Bararian army,
who was recently discharged on ac
count of lung disease, was in the
habit of drinking twenty quarts OF
beer a day. We don't wonder his
lungs were afflicted; he must have
spent about half his time holding
his Observation-Disclosures Hawkeye'
Year: 1877

Somebody has sent to this Office
n tract entitled: "What it is TO
be Damnedw Such things are
useless to newspaper men. All of
the profession who have been any
length of time engaged in it are
very well aware what it is.-Bos-
ton Transcript.
Year: 1877

"Will you please insert this
obituary noticeg' asked an old gen
tleman of a country editor. 81
make bold to ask it because | know
the deceased had a great many
friends about here who would be
clad TO hear of his death"
Year: 1877

An act in addition to an act concerning - ] taxation.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of

 Representatives in General Assembly convened; t

 That it shall be the duty of trustees holding taxable personal property, to re- turn to the assessors the tax lists provided for by the twenty fifth section of the. act concerning taxation; and on the failure of any trustee to do so, he shall forfeit to the treasurer of any town tihat would have been entitled to tax upon such property, two per cent. of the cash value of the property so taxable in such town.

 Approved February 21, 1877.
Year: 1877

The work has been begun after long and careful preliminary labor, and with the most ample for carrying it on to successful termination.

 None of the original stereotype plates have been used. but every page has been
Year: 1877

The Marionetts at the above place of
amusements drew quite crowded house
last night, and the applause Of those present
proves conclusive that all were well pleased
with tho performance. They will remain
for two nights longer and all who fail 10
Year: 1877

A most dangerous counterfeit silver half
dollar is now in circulation. This bogus
coin is composed of black tin and other in
gradients, has the ring of the genuine
metal, and is not affected by acids. Our
look out for them.
Year: 1877




change IN the time table Of the Long Branch
div sion OF the Contra Railroad OF New Jersey
made yesterday without The slightest notice to the
patrons OF the road. In consequence l and others
lett last night without tho OF reaching
places OF destination, and in my causing
pcnse and considerable annoyance. As there is way
OF reaching Loug Branch and vicinity after the last
the Central Railroad the OH ctas charge
should have seun the importance OF giving due pub
hcy to this most important change. II any reason
be- found lor treating It's passengers in this
other than stupidity or Indifference, should like 10
It, and the iuct of tckotg being sold last night
Long Branch hall hour after the last had eft
and the purchasers being permitted 70 cross the erry
shows there Is something wrong IN the management


COMNUTER.
Year: 1877

To EDITOR HERALD


Can any give the some Information concerning
the payment o any dividends from the assets of
the Market Savings Bank? We rhe depository have
received thirty eight per cent, and that Ia the last wc
havo heard OF the Of anything concerning
the affairs Of the deiunct institution. J. J.