smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

From this distance the action of the
French government in regard to the Munich
pal Council of Amiens has an extremely ar
bitrary and tyrannical appearance. No
doubt municipal councils are created for
other purposes than to further political
demonstrations; but it does not lie in the
mouth Of the administration to allege that
the council is dissolved for that cause, inas-
much as every intelligent person the world
around will recognize that the disso-
luton itself is political demonstra-
ton of the most extreme type 1t
would be pleasant to be able to believe that
politics in our sister Republic are placed in
the high stage of separating Office from
party, but we are compelled to recognize
that the alliance Of officials with party only
seems to the government a fragrant offence
when it is with the wrong party. Certainly
the patience OF the republicans is put to
severe tests, and we hope they may be able
to endure until the elections bring the
legitimate remedy; but We apprehend that
the delibernte intention is to put them in
the wrong before the country by driving
them into positions from which insurrec-
tion is the only issue.
Year: 1877

It remains to be seen, after all, whether this
planet will not go on revolving on its axis
once in twenty y-ionr hours-be the same more
or less--as has been hitherto its pleasing
custom, now that wilkins is out and Thomas
in the Baltimore Collectorship. Under the
previous administration it was the post
master who usually kicked up his heels;
lust now it is the collector. One Of the un-
finished fights which General Grant turned
over to his successor was this Baltimore
Collectorship; and about half of President
Hayes' time since the 4th of March, exclud-
ing the hours he gives to sleeping and
dining, has been taken up by Baltimore
delegations.


We do not profess to know or care any
thing about the merits of this disgusting
and vulgar squabble about petty office; but
we are willing to admit that wilkins is .
saint. In spite Of that the President has n
right to remove him and to appoint another
man. He is responsible to the country for
the collection of the customs, and he must
be allowed to select his subordinates. We
are glad he did not permit himself to be
bullied by parcel of politicians, who seem
Year: 1877

That eminent bird, the American eagle.
will spread his wings and scream all over
the country tomorrow. Like Mr.. Orator
Puff he will have several tones to his voice.
He will, by turns, abuse and praise the ad-
ministration. At Tammany Hall he will
pour contempt on the President 4; in New
Orleans and Charleston he will thank Mr..
Hayes for a great deliverance in many
places he will speak in dubious tones and
in others he will review the wrongs of de-
feated carpet-baggers.


Meantime the sensible American citizen
will remember with joy that since last
Fourth of July we have got new and
honest administration we have seen the
settlement of the Southern question have
President who fearlessly defes the Office
seekers and is reforming the civil SER
vice; are in fair way to have
honest management Of Indian affairs
have made some steps toward a re-
sumption of specie payments; are getting
out loan at four per cent, and have seen
the unhappy end of both political parties.
We have good deal to be thankful for and
proud Of, on the Fourth of July, 1877
those of us, at least. who are not seeking
office
Year: 1877

1t is proposed to allow the railroad COM
panies to run their freight to the water line
by steam between nine and four at night.
We see no objection to this as temporary
expedient. New York ought, as we have
often urged, to make better provision for
terminal facilities. We lose many millions
every year by our carelessness in this
respect


But. after all, steam in West street is only
temporary expedient. What is wanted is
an elevated steam freight railroad along the
whole water front of the city and connect
ing conveniently with all railroad .termini
and with every steamer dock. Such a road
could be worked during the whole twenty
four hours and would be a real convenience
and economy. Why will not the Mayor
think Of this, and advise with Mr..
Vanderbilt and others about it? We
believe the railroad companies would them
selves undertake to build such q roadway !;
and they would find their advantage in max
ing it double tracked, and running passen-
ger as we'll as freight cars over it. We sup
pose the horse railroad companies would
fight it, but they oppose everything which is
of interest to New York and we should like
to see Mr.. Vanderbilt and some Of the other
railroad men whose interests are not adverse
to the city enlisted on the city's side.
Year: 1877

Messrs. Vaux and Radford, the well known
Central Park architects, propose that the
city shall build metropolitan museum OF
scientific industry. and suggest that it be
erected on the ground now occupied by the
Forty-second street and Fifth avenue res
ervoir Any improvement to the city will be
always welcome, and the scheme OF great
museum. with buildings nearly four hum
dred feet in length, might, perhaps, be as
popular in New York as the Permanent Ex-
hibition building is in Philadelphia. But
the question arises whether this valu-
able property. cannot be put to bet
ter uses than those of museum,
10 matter how grand that institution might
be made. The site and the expense must
be considered, and, above all, the needs OF
the city. Now such a museum as these gen.
tlemen propose to establish can be located
on one of the many lots owned by the city,
where there Is plenty of room, and where 1t
would not decrease but add to the attrac-
tions Of the surrounding property. five
are to have museum of the kind it should
not be placed in the Central Park, which is
already too much given up to such build
ings. Neither should it be allowed to oc-
cupy the site of the Forty-second street res
eryoir, where it would destroy one OF the
few open places which exist in the built-up
parts Of the island. What the city needs
is more breathing places, and we cannot
afford to lose one Of the few that are left.


These are the reasons why the proposition
Of these gentlemen to the city should be
rejected site where there is no park
and where museum would be an ornament
while not being an obstruction could easily
be selected, while the expense OF putting
up the buildings would be no more. But II
the reservoir is to be used for museum
one Of the finest places in the city for park
will be forever destroyed. The reservoir is
in one of the most beautiful parts Of the
city, ard needs but slight alterations to
make it very charming park, as the present
reservoir building could be utilized for pur-
poses Of ornamentation. All of this could
be easily effected at little expense and in
any event the people will not consent to
have the lungs of the metropolis choked
up by buildings for which there is no
absolute need and for which there are other
more eligible sites.
Year: 1877

A1OsseCA 10y ASS INV >~o~s


Although yesterday was supposed to be
the first day for the practical enforcement
of the dog law the doomed animals secured
further respite through the fact that the
pound was not ready for their reception.
Three hundred and fifty of the unfortunates
who were found wandering about the streets
in state of apparent destitution, with
out owners and without the muni-
cipal badge worn by licensed hy-
drophobiaists. had been captured by
the twenty-five official dog catchers be-
tween twelve o'clock on Sunday night
and early daylight on Monday morning;
but when the capturers took their prizes to
the foot of Sixteenth street, on the East
River, they were met by the information
that the gentlemen of the pound were not
yet prepared to receive visitors. Nothing
was left for the dog catchers but to retire
with their four-footed prisoners, and it can
readily be imagined that they were at
some loss to decide what to do with them
until to-day, when it is promised that the
institution designed for their reception shall
be in proper working order. 1t cannot be
very pleasant to be compelled to entertain
from ten to one hundred and fifty strange
dogs for twenty -four hours. but the ''catch-
ers" were necessitated to submit to the in
convenience They retired with their yelp-
ing companions, who will, however, be re-
turned to-day to the pound preparatory to
meeting their death, as many excellent
people hope to obtain eternal life, by i'm
mersion.
Year: 1877

fit to them to slough of these deserted
States.


But seeing all this, an American Secre-
tary of State might also see that it would be
much better for us not to be encumbered
with those States that if they could by .
miracle suddenly fall into the possession Of
q strong ruler, who would maintain order,
give q chance for their settlement and for
the secure development of their resources,
and at the same time let us trade freely with
them, this would be infinitely better than if
we were possessed Of them. We could inn
agine such Secretary ofState ardently wish
ing that an energetic and determined man,
like General Butler for instance, would put
himself at the head Of these States, establish
a new republic, invite settlers and capital
by putting down outlaws and thus pre-
pare the way intelligently and effectively
for what would even in that case be in
evitable-the admission of such States, after
they were settled and orderly, to the Ameri-
can Union. We confess that if Secretary
Evarts thought thus we should heartily
agree with him. And yet we can see that
this is not good time for miracles.


But we have no idea that Secretary Evarts
is thinking Of war with Mexico, or that he
proposes to pay hundred millions for the
Northern States. Neither is necessary !;
those States must fall to ms in the course OF
events. Why should we shake the trees
When the pear is ripe it will fall; and it can
fall into nobodys lap but our own Mean
time Sefior Mata waits with message from
President Diaz.
Year: 1877

THE OvERcRowpiSG OF EXCURSION. STEAMERS
is matter that should be attended to at once.
A circular was recently issued by the Washing
ton authorities declaring it to be the duty Of the
United States Inspectors to regulate the number
Of passengers to be carried by each boat. The
whole business seems to be very loosely con-
Quoted. Some day we shall have horrible ca
tastrophe and, as a matter of course, the verdict
of nobody to blame.
Year: 1877

ALL THE Canadian fire insurance companies
doing business in this city will be able to weather
the storm of the ST. John fire except the Royal
Canadian, which will have to retire from the
field. Its losses are upward OF two hundred and
eeyenty-fiye thousand dollars.
Year: 1877




If the sufferers by the disastrous storms
that have swept over the country from the
Mississippi to the st. Lawrence Valley can
draw any consolation in their distress from
the fact that they were forewarned Of the
impending danger, they are indebted for
the 29th announced as follows:-''Present
indications point to the probability Of local
storms in Northern Kansas, Southern Wis
consin and Illinois, and also in the lower
lake region and the Ohio Valley in the Vi
cinity of Pittsburg? This announcement
was made thirty-six hours before the storms
began. giving ample time for the warning
to reach every point in the regions
threatened. We have repeatedly urged
the necessity Of establishing q system
Of storm wafHings for che Interior
of the country similar to those given for the
coasts. The interests Of commerce and ag-
riculture demand this imperatively, espec-
ially at season when both branches of in
dustry are most active. In making it fea-
ture of its weather service the HERALD gives
the meteorology Of the great West an equal
importance with that Of the Atlantic Ocean
and the coasts of the United States and
Europe. Our'success in each instance is
proved by the timeliness of the predictions
and the exactness Of their fulflment. We
again call attention to this subject in the
hope that the experiences Of the present
year will attract the notice of the Signal
Service to one of the chief objects for which
it has been organized.
Year: 1877

to forget all decency in their grab after
Office. OF course the friends of wilkins
threaten to ruin ''the party" But 1.-The
party" is dead anyhow, and the office grab
bers have done more to kill it than anybody
al
Year: 1877

THE CossAcK.-Friend Cossack is little
| chap, about five feet five, even on his high
heels, but at once sturdy and wiry. Hissweath-
beaten face is shrewd, knowing and merry.
His eyes are small, but keen; his mouth large,
and between it and his pug nose-rather redder
than the rest of his facets a tuft or wisp of
straw-colored mustache. His long, thick,
straight hair matches his mustache in color
and is cut sheer round by the nape of his neck
He wears round Oilskin peakless shake with
knowing cock to the right, to maintain which
angle there is strap round his chubby chin
Below the neck the Cossack is all boots and
great-coat exteriorly. The great-coat, which is
OF thick gray blanketing, comes down below his
knees; his boots come up to them. He is more
armed than any man of his inches in Europe
is our little Cossack friend, and could afford to
lose weapon or two and yet be an averagely
dangerous customer Weapon number one is
tho long black flagess lance, with its venomous
head that seems itching to make daylight
through somebody. He carries carbine, slung
ia an oil-clOth cover, on his back, the stock
downward. In his belt is long and WE'LL
made revolver in leather case, and from the


belt hangs curved sword with no guard over
his hilt. Through the chinks in his great-coat
are visible glimpses of sheepskin undercoat
with the hair worn inside (to-day at noon the
thermometer was over 20 in the sum- His
whip completes his personal appurtenances; he


wears no spurs, he rides cooked up on a high


saddle, with a leathern band strapped over it, a


wiry little rat of pony, with no middle-piece


to speak of, with an eve neck and gauut,


projecting head, with ragged fanks loose


hooks, limb fetlocks, shelly feet and general


aspect of knackerism-the sort of animal, in


fine, for which costermenger would think


twice before he offered three guid'' for it at


the northern TattersalPs ON the outskirts of the


metropolitan cattle market on Friday after


noon. But the screw is of indomitable game


ness and toughness-lives where most other


horses would starve-is fresh when most other


horses are knocked up-and is fit to carry its


rider across Europe, as Cossack ponies have


done before to-dsy.-London Ne,cs Letter.
Year: 1877

The new count in Louisiana will be made
on the "face Of the returns" The tracks
of the .frisky bulldozer will not be uncovered


The Rochester Express goes and says thai
Governor Robinson vetoed the school marm
bill because girl was always at the head o.
his class in school.


Senator Blaine tells a correspondent of The
Philadelphia Press that the best advice he
can give Republicans is to behave themselves
If that advice is obeyed the Democrat who
yearns to see split in the Republican party
is doomed to disappointment.


Col. Ingersoll says he has "no favors te
ask of the Administration, but believes thai
President Hayes, taking in view all the cir
cumstances of his election and the situation
as he found it, acted wisely, and as an Ameri
can citizen and well-wisher or his country
he for one is willing to give his policy fail
trial"


Mr.. Hendricks scenes to be unhappyin in his
mind. He says he is not candidate for the
United States Senate, and tells the newspap
ers outside of Indiana which have been say
ing he was that it is none of their business.
On the financial question his observations
as reported by a correspondent OF the Cincin,
natl Enquirer, reveal the old tendency t
straddle. He thought silver would be re-
monetized were it not for the opposition O
Republicans, and then in the next breath
expressed an opinion that paper and coli
would soon become equal in value.
Year: 1877

There is a general impression that we are
to thrive by the misfortunes OF the people
over the water; and the outbreak Of the war
between Russia and Turkey has been hailed
in American commercial circles with some
thing like enthusiasm. II is well to consider
before we dream too long over our basket of
eggs and fall to dancing with joy, just how
much those eggs are worth in the market.
1t is true that if the European war lasts long
the armies will have to be fed, clothed, armed
and equipped, and that the tremendous
waste will necessitate frequent renewals of
supplies. We shall be called upon to fur
nsh much to the combatants, and il the war
Europe. A great market will be opened for
our breadstuffs and manufactures, our fur-
mace fires will be relighted, our looms set in
motion, and our vessels will seize the carry
ing trade of the world. All kinds of business
will be stimulated to wonderful activity, pro-
fits will be large, and labor fully employed.


This condition of affairs will last as long as
the war lasts, and when the war ceases the
great trade will collapse. We shall have
made much money and have spent the most
of it. The conflict will have SO exhausted
the combatants, so impoverished them, that
they will be STEPPED to the lips in poverty for
at least a generation to come. Vast amounts
of property will have been destroyed, much
accumulated capital swept out of existence,
and all Europe will be compelled to practice
the closest economy for many years. Our
market there will be closed, for the people
cannot afford to buy of US. Our transient
prosperity will have quickened speculation
and inflated values here, much of the money
earned will have been sunk in unproductive
enterprises and squandered in extravagant
living. The cessation of production and
shrinkage of values which will follow the
closing of the markets we have supplied so
long will paralyze industry and derange bus-
ness, and throw men out of employment and
into poverty. We cannot look for q Europe
an demand for our goods, for Europe will
have no money to spend. Our state after the
war will be as bad as our state to day. In
deed the depressed condition of business all
over the world now is with much reason as
cribed to the great wars of the last twenty
years. The business of war is to destroy
property, not to increase it.


This bad state is predicted if the war lasts
long. Should the conflict be short, and so
comparatively little property be destroyed,
the result will be 10 give us a market for our
surplus goods, and the consequent depression
will not be so long or widespread as to seri-
ously impoverish the great mass of our GUS
toners.
Year: 1877

THE Secretary of the Treasury has ordered
the looking up of authority vested In Con-
gres to exercise exclusive control of the regu-
lation of coined metals. The opinion is held
in Washington that the states have no rights
whatever in the premises except in conform
ity with the national laws, and that any at.
tempt to force acceptance of subsidiary coin
as legal tender to an amount exceeding five
dollars, as authorized by act of Congress, will
result in a conflict between Federal and State
governments. In case the question is brought
to judicial decision the courts will, it is be-
lieved, sustain the Treasury Department in
the position it has taken.
Year: 1877

THE Indianapolis Journal thinks Secretary
Sherman has got The Presidential fever, and
finds in his steps towards resumption the
first symptoms cf tie disease. Indiana can
not be made to understand that there are
men who believe resumption to be good
thing in itself, and do not advocate it merely
to advance their personal success.
Year: 1877

IT is very evident that England and Aus
tria dread to become involved in the Eastern
war, and yet feel that the course of Russia
may compel them to resort to arms. This
terrible possibility will lend strength to their
efforts for peace. The prospect of a general
war is an appalling one, and there is not a
nation in Europe that does not shrink from
its consideration.
Year: 1877

The Prince of Wales had his fortune told
during his last visit to Pals The wise woman
informed him that he was born under lucky
star, but that he had not always been happy,
and was now contending with serious dticul'
ties. His warm heart had often led him to as
sist ungrateful people, who had i'll repaid his
goodness. If he persevered in the career he
had chosen, however, he would eventually sue
ceed, while he would soon inherit large for
tune which would enable him to marry his true
love-
Year: 1877

New York letter: A man applied to one who
mad been an old friend to endorse note which
ne offered with some trepidatioD, but which
bore every evidence of being genuine The
friend was glad to revive old associations, and
as the note was not for large amount willingly
put his name to it, The individual was profnse
IN his ACCOMPLISHMENTS, and incidentally men,
toned his wife's name. Your wife" repeated
the endorser, "why, l thought your wife's
name was. You know [ was acquainted
with her before you were." "Oh! YES" said
the other, with very red face, ''that was my
hrst wife; did you not know that she was dead,
and that had married again?" No, he did
not know it, aud was very sorry to hear of the
loss, for that first wife had been a very sweet
little giil, and an old schoolmate and flame of
his own. The note came to maturity, was re-
turned to him, aud he was obliged to nav it,
Being in the neighborhood of Harlem, where
the man whom he had known had formerly
lived and owned little house, he concluded to
call and see if he lived there still. He did call.
and to his astonshment the first wife, his
former sehoolmate, opened the door. He
almost tainted; he told the tale that had been
invented by her husband, and asked her what
it meant. Then she sadly told him an unhappy
story. How her husband had made the ac-
qualntance OF young girl; had continued it,
giving her the impression that he was an un-
married man; how he had promised to marry
her, and, being unable to do so, had been
threatened with the State Prison by her en-
ragged relatives; how, to save him from i'm
prlsonment and utter loss of character, she had
permitted him to obtain divorce, entering no
plea, suffering all that Misrepresentation and
slander could heap upon her, and finally
choosing to be dead to the world altogether in
her own proper name, and only live under
another name, and in order to support her
three childrens One thing her husband did-he
left her in possession of what had been their
little home, and for the rest she sews, she
writes, she teaches music, she keeps books for
woman who keeps ladies' furnishing store,
and thus supports herself and children, while
her husband is boarding in semi-fashionable
boarding house in town with his second wife,
who knew all the facts and still married him.
but he still remembers u.s. she said with q
smile and tear. He never fails to send a
box of presents to the children at Christmas,
and my birthday is never forgotten"


The old friend is widower without "encum.
brances, and possibly this may prove a modern
version of the Enoch Arden story.
Year: 1877

We do not read anonymous letters and communi-
cations. The name and address of the writer in
all cases Indispensable not necessarily for publication
but as guaranty Of good faith.


We cannot undertake to return or reserve commu-
nications that are not used.