smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1879

may do, he at least stands firm. He will
not consent that the Government shall
have a single dollar for any purpose
until the President consents to the re-
peal of the election laws. He stands
with flaming sword at the Treasury doors.
Fernando Wood takes refuge in flight ana
Thurman in silence the voluntary videttes
stop seeking glory on the skirmish line ana
begin seeking refreshment at the sut-
lers and all the other impromptu and
ELUSIVE men who howled Never a'
the outset are singing, Well, hardly
"ever." in minor key. But there stands
Samuel Cox, determined not to let the Gov
ernment have cent till it comes TO his terms
if il takes all summer 1t is a thrilling spec
tacle. we see no reason why Congress
cannot now adjourn, leaving nm on
guard. As soon as the Administration
see that Samuel Cox means business they VIII
throw up the sponge. The situation was get
ting tame Samuel redeems it.
Year: 1879

Jury service especially III capital cases, has never
been considered a pleasing dnty by conscientious
and sef-respecing citizens, and the careless crit-
cisms which have been freely thrown out against
the verdict in the Smith murder case are
not calculated to render this service more
attractive In the future. Here are twelve
men whose intelligence and iaithfulness have
never been questioned. They are called upon
to say whether two accused persons are guilty of
most atrOcous murder. They listen patiently,
and under a full and oppressive sense
of their responsibility, to ali the evidence
adduced. They are moved to tears as
they agree upon what seems to them PLAIN and in
evitable conclusion. But they do their duty, trying
as it is. Forthwith they find themselves on trial
Newspapers pronounce the verdict based on /" JIM
presslons instead of evidence. People who have
only read snatches Of the testimony assume to say
that 10 guilt was proved, and that too, while as
sertiug their belief that the accused persons were
the guilty ones.


These criticisms are sometimes levelled in form
against the methods of tho prosecuting attorneys or
the charges and rulings of the Judge, but in any
case the jurors as final arbters. bear the burden of
the unkind attack The great body of these critics
fortify their open or nsidlGns attacks by quoting
what they pleased TO term public sentiment"
as if this was the only evidence in murder trials,
but II would be wei 10 remember tnat even pun
lie sentiment can be manufactured 10 order. Per-
haps it would be well to remember too, that other
people than jurors are subject to Impressions"
and that critics without responsibility are
quite as liable to be led astray by
them as arc twelve conscientious men
solemnly sworn to do their dnty. The fact is that
all this comment is cruelly unjust to the persons
Immediately concerned, and is altogether mis-
chiev0us in its general tendency. If the painful
duties of juryman to be made still more bur
densome by tho reflection that if he acts con-
scenuously, his integrity intelligence, or
both, will be publicly called in question,
it is easy to see what new impediments will be
thrown in the path Of exact justice. There is no
need of going into the merits of this special case. Ii
IL enough to know that Mrs. Smith and Bennett
had an impartial trial. and chat they were pro-
nounced guilty. The Court and the jury plainly
did their duty, and they deserve unqualified thanks
for it.
Year: 1879

The Rebel Democracy at Washington seem
to cherish special animOsity toward a
Union soldier in Office who has lost limb or
suffered otherwise in the war. Yesterday they
turned another one-armed man out of his
place. Having made away with one of his
members they didn't propose that the Gov
ernment should support the rest of his body.
Year: 1879

AS the scapegOat of every steamboat explo-
sion is usually the engineer, whether that Off
Ger is responsible for the patches on the boiler
or not, it is pleasant to notice the acquittal of
one of the fraternity upon very serious
charge. The engineer of the steamer Adelphi,
which exploded in South NOrwalk Harbor, was
indicted for manslaughter. but has now been
Year: 1879

Judge Dillon's resignation and its accept
ance are made known at the same time with
the fact that his place will be offered to Sec
retary McCrary. who will accept it.
This will make the first Cabinet vacancy
since President Hayes came into office.
There was time when in filling such a
place the President would not have had bis
whole party TO choose from now he has, and
can easily make an excellent appointment
Year: 1879

\ good story is told of Rev Had
ley Proctor, who once preached IN
Rutland. One bitter cold day, when
the church was but half warmed,
brother Proctor had for his text a
very warm verse, addressed to those
on The LETT hand, and like the rest of
us, seemed to feel Ithe antagonism be-
tween the weather and his subject.


just before the benediction he leaned
forward and said to one Of the dcacons
in front of the pulpit, in zones loud
enough to be heard by all, and in the
nasal twang that can only be apprecl'
ated by those who have listened to the
venerable Eli Jones, "Brother Griggs,
do see that this house is better warmed
this afternoon it's no kind of use for
me to warn sinners of the dangers OF
hell, when the very idea Of hell is a
comfort to them = Wa!erville Mail.
Year: 1879

One of the most completely dis
couraging and demoralizing things
that can happen to man just after he
has got himself settled down in q
railway car with a good book, and a
settled determination not to be dis
turbed, is to have plaid suit with a
a soft young man inside of it, come
up to him and evince its intention OF
opening a conversation,by saying
"Haw-aw--" three times in most
intelligent manner.-Hawkeye.
Year: 1879

A contemporary says that celored
woman who got excited in Talmage's
church, and shouted "Glory to God y
was sent to Jail for twenty nine days.
She evidently labored under the de-
lusion that she was in a religious meet
ing her exclamation would not have
been mere out of place at Black
Crook performance. e.-Nor. Herald
Year: 1879

The story is that Col. Ethan Allen
was greatly taken aback one day while
in a self-gratulatory mood he observed
that there were never seven other
such born of a woman as he and his
Fix brothers. "You are mistaken,
said a Scottish officer, who was stand
ing by, "Mary Magdelane was de-
livered of seven exactly like you
Year: 1879



 And again: What he said in his last an- nual message respecting our probate courts. csnnot express my own views on the subject in any better way than to summarize his words

 Our system ff probate courts is radically defective. Probate districts originally COCK tenslve with counties have been divided and subdivded, till now with 164 towns in our state we have 112 probate district. The result is that probate administration has fallen to a large extent. into the hands of judges, unedu- cated in the law and inexperienced i'll their duties :; the files and records are not only bad ly kept, bat kept shifting from house to house and from store to store with each election of judges; exposed to loss, mutilation and fire, and in the necessary absence of the judge at his daily business to fraudulent alteration.

 There should be but one probate court in a county. It should have power to finally de- termlne either with or without jury all ques- tlons of fact, but subject to the revisory juris- ulctlon of the supreme court on erIors of law.

 This would secure judges of known ability and eXperlence, expedite the settlement of es- tates and relieve the superior court of multi tude of probate apneals which now cucumber their dOckets. Those of you who have had experience with tne courts of probate, either as lawyers in practice before them, or as ad ministrators or other officers acIing under their appointment, know that all this and more is many times true. I recommend that the leg islature take this subject into early censidera- ton. and that the changes indicated be made. An act passed in 1878 requires judges of pro- bate to return to the comptroller an estimate of the total amount of the fees received by them for official services during the year pre- ceding the first day of January. These returns, it IS believed, will show that a consolidation of probate courts would vastly lessen the eX- penses of probate business in the state. And repeat, in substantially the language of that message that for myself regard this reform in onr judicial system as very needful and urgent. 1 know it will if carried out, greatly simplify expedite and cheapen the administration of justice and be productive of the very best re- sultS
Year: 1879



 The rules of each branch of the general as- sembly require that every bill for an act shall receive three readings before it is passed into law. If it does pass it then is expressed, and then the paper which was before the leg islature, which was read and upon which the votes were taken, is laid away as of little or no account. The engrossed copy, upon which neither house has ever acted, isregarded as the authentic statement of the legislative will. 1t IS the law instead of the paper which was the subject of the legislative action. This prac- tice has frequently occasiened serious embar- rassments and is liable to dangerous abuses

 The last legislature adopted certain amend the defect. These amendments provide tor the appointment of joint committee on en- groised bills, whose duty among other things, It shall be "before any bill or joint resolution be engrossed, to immediately examine the same with a view to avoid repetiti,.ns, and to secure clearness, c0nciseness and accuracy in the text, without changing the purport there off," and also provide for such changes in bills as thi committee may recommend, and for fur ther action by the houses on bills which have been before this committee. A faithful ad- herence to the requirements of these amend ments both by this committee and by the two houses will tend greatly to remove such dan gers as have heretofore existed in the methods by which laws are enacted. It is easy to be seen that the labors of this committee will be very arduous. The most learned, able and industrious men in the legislature ought to be placed upon it. It ought to be the most hon. orable committee, the highest in rank-if any committee can be said to out-rank another--in the general assembly.
Year: 1879

There are one or two things recommended by my predecessor to which wish to call your attention. And first, his special message to the last session of the assembly concerning joint stock laws and corporations. This will come to you among the unfinished business. It was received so late by the last assembly that they were not able to give it that attention which its importance requires. In that mes sage the strange uses to which our joint stock laws have been put--uses of which the legfsla- ture could never have dreamed, uses often fraudulent, and still more often deceptive and dangerous, and at all times of evil example are very strongly set forth.

 If necessary for a full correction think there should be an entire revision of these laws
Year: 1879

The last assembly, after having acted on all matters before it, had an adjournment of a week, and provided by joint vote that after such adjournment no business whatever be en- tertained, except the reconsideration of such bills as the governor might return without his approval, or such other matter as he might by special communication lay before them The advantages of such an adjournment are obvious That adjournment was had in pursuance of ad- vice think you should provide by statute, or by joint rule, that each session of the leg isature shall take similar provisional ad- journment.
Year: 1879

The Connecticut School for Imbeciles at Lakeville is continuing it's benefcent work under the care of Dr. Knight. The whole number of pupils during the past year was s5

 Of these 42 have been benefciaries of the state. The annual appropriation for this school is S7.OOO, from which the governor, who is the commissioner of the fund, may draw from time to time such sums as he may judge to be proper to aid the state pupils in the school. Whatever of annual appropria- tion is not thus expended is returned to the state treasury. From the appropriation of last year there will be returned about $1 800

 This school is under superior management, is
Year: 1879

The year upon which we are entering, mark ed as it is by events of no ordinary interest, must be an important epoch, both in our state and national history. Of the causes which will contribute to make it SO, regard as among the most prominent the resumption of specie payments. The welfare of every legitimate business and the successful development of every industry of whatever character, depend upon fixed and honorable, national. fnan- cial policy. And this of necessity involves a sound currency, convertible at will into that which the whole commercial world recogni- ses as money. It is, of course, vet too early to speak of the immediate and practical results Of the enforcement of the resumption act but in the present condition of the country it can have but one, and that beneficial influence on all our industries. Every step taken to- ward this end has been marked with increas- ed commercial confidence; the premium on gold. steadily reduced to a merely nominal figure which the accumulation of coin did not increase, has now, for the first time in sixteen years, disappeared, and there is every indca- tion, so far as they can be influenced by a sound financial system, af arevival of business and the return of prosperity. This state with it's large manufacturing and commercial in- terests, hae special cause for rejoicing in the prospects of ultimate relief from the financial embarrassment of the past.
Year: 1879

off without carrying his original inten-
ton into effect. The bank building was
thus saved. There was no attempt to
save any of the furniture or other things
in the public buildings burned. Mr..
Armstrong, who was Secretary of War,
had told every one week before the
British came exactly what they would
do. and no one was surprised; indeed,
they expected that they would burn
more than they did.


"Was any one shot by the British in
this city?"


"Yes, one man; and only one, if |
remember correctly, and he was crazy
man. He had gone insane in cOnse-
quence of fright at their coming, and on
the day they arrived he had rugged HIM
self out in a full suit of officers clothing,
Generals uniform, l believe, with all
the regalia, straps, epauletS and other
traps. He marched down to their camp
the nextmorning in full uniform, ,and, tax
inc a good position, he cursed them clear
out of sight, and oh! how he did swear
at them. They stood it some time, but,
the fellow getting worse and worse, some
of them shot him. Ross said he was
very sorry about it when he learned that
the man was insane. They should have
arrested, but certainly did not have any
RIGHT to shoot him. | saw his body as it
was being taken away with his spurs on.
No red-cOat ever went to Georgetown,
though they plundered Alexandria un-
mercifully after they sailed from this
city on their way to Baltimore, where
they were whipped at North Point on
September IA. They agreed they would
not fire on Alexandria if every thing
they asked fot was given them, and then
proceeded to steal'all the tobacco, whisky
and negroes they could carry in their
ships"
Year: 1879

Why is it that pretty women are
spoken of as if they, of all others, were
the elect? The term is merely conven-
tional, for she who is interesting from
whatever cause is generally called
"pretty" by her masculine friends,
though her feminine ones are not quite
50 ready to accord her the title. She
who has graceful manners, or style in
dress, or cordial, bright ways, is fire.
quently termed pretty, though both face
and figure may be very ordinary. A
really plain woman who has talent for
conversation, style in dress, tact, and
quick sympathies, will prove a very for
midable rival to woman who can
boast of only a beautiful complexion
and regular features. A woman must
possess something more than merely a
beautiful face in order to charm her ad-
mirers for any length of time. The
first favorable impression she makes
may be entirely spoiled by loud voice
or a coarse laugh, or manners which are
not agreeable.


1t is extremely difficult to say what is
the real criterion of beauty in women.
In the Sandwich Islands only very
fat woman is considered beautiful; the
Chinese admire deformed feet and black
teeth. A woman must wear ring in
her nose and be tattOed sky blue in or
der to win the admiration of South
Sea Islander; and African Princes insist
upon having the teeth of their brides
filed like those Of a saw. Thus it will
be seen that all men do not have the
same opinion as to what constitutes
beauty in women.


Most girls possess personal attractions
in sufficient degree to render them
agreeable to somebody. The same face
-e}t0eSs- not wear the sdTnU aspect TO every
beholder. The eye of love will discover
attractions which would surely escape
the eye of the casual and Indifferent OBJ
server. 1t is well it is so, or there would
be no matrimonial chances for the hope
lessly ugly girls. They depend upon
their powers Of being agreeable, and if
cultivated in the right way this power
will be of more use to them than any
other.


There is great partiality shown in
the cultivation of the head over the
heart. But the culture of the latter
Year: 1879

IT appears by the serial now running in
the Neac Era, that the new Washington, the
leader OF the patriots against the despot Grant
in 1880, has been picked out. He is q Maine
colonel with long gray board and a
Wellington nose." Who can it be? Any OF
the present STAFF: No one of that fine bod


fmpn answers the description. There is
time enough for beard to grow and whiten
yet, it is'true; but the Wellington nose must
be already grown. May be it is Colonel John
Smith whom Colonel King conquered In de-
bate the other day.
Year: 1879

The Gary Magnetic Motor Is the subject of
an illustrated article in the March number O.
Harper's Magazine. If the claims made for
the invention be well-founded, thu conclu-
sions Of science and the common-sense OF
mankind are set at naught; for not only
dynamic force, but we must admit that pet-
petual motion, scheme upon which perh ans
more ridicule has been expended than Upon
any other notion of man, is an accomplished
fact. Hereafter work may be done with no
expenditure OF force. The world can set the
magnetic MOTOR going and then fall to play-
ing, Tor there will be no labor left to do. The
motor will of itself accomplish all things,
from the navigation of the Atlantic to the
winding OF watch, and men may remain at
their ease. The first step, the one which
costs, the proverb tells US, has already been
taken, Mr.. Gary assures his readers, and the
others follow as matter of course. If this
be so, suspicion will arise that the Boston in
ventor has reated a monster more dangerous
than that one fashioned by Mrs. Shelley's i'm
ag:nation, and that when our holiday comes
we shall see that labor is blessing, and not
the cuI Ise we have been taught to think it.


The article is in text little more than
repetition of the descriptions of the motor
published by the newspapers; but the ac-
count is made Ineligible by the accompany ing
cuts. Mr.. Gary asserts that he has discovered
through long-continued experiments with
the horse shoe magnet, "the existence OF a
neutral line in the magnetic fi.ld"-that is.
he has inventedl contrivance which fur
nishes its own power, power safe and eco
nomcal, the cost ending with the construc.
tion of machine which once started by the
touch o. finger, will run until worn out and
meanwhile will develop enormous power.
HIS explanation is this: 81 have discovered
that straight piece of iron placed across
the poles OF magnet, and to their end,
changes its polarity while in the magnetic
field, aud before it comes in contract with
the magnet, the fact being, however, thai
actual contact is guarded against. The con-
dltons are that the thickness of the iron
must be proportioned to the power of the
magnet, and that the neutral line or line
of change in the polarity of the
iron, is nearer or more distant from the mag
net according to the power of the latter and
the thickness of the former. Ny whole dis
covery is based upon this change in the po-
larity in the iron, with or without battery"
This means that power can be increased to
any extent or diminished, by the addition or
withdrawal OF magnets; that an enormous
volume Gao be secured by the expenditure of
scarcely appreciable force; that electricity
can be generated at no expense beyond the
nrst and small cost of the machine.


Tie arguments adduced to support this au-
dacious assertion are ingenious aud plausible
but the world will be l'7cly to continue to
cherish profound disbelief IN islpetual mo-
ton until it is convinced by actdal demon
stration of its error. Seeing will be believing.
Year: 1879

IT is intimated that the object of the militia.
ry display in this city Wednesday, was to warn
the Republican conspirators at Washington
that the executive Of Maine Vil resist with
the power of the sword any attempt to seize
the House and throw lsading Democrats into
prison.
Year: 1879

Danbury News; A scientist claims that a
cat has no affection. We don't know about
that, slthough deeming it likely enough, hut
there are two men in Weston who are will
ing to make oath thasa a Cat has no principle,
IS one led the two chase of several miles
through the snow half way to their waists Civ
Jog them to understand all the time tha. i: was
q COON
Year: 1879

We do not read anonymous letters ana comm un,
stions. The name and address OF the writer re In
s Indispensable, not necessarily for publ atioD
out as guaranty OF gooo faith.


We cannot undertake to return or preserve COM
mpncati0ns that are not used
Year: 1879

Oil City Derrick: There is said to be a rage
IN Paris for old buttons. In this country We
are not so par ticular When the head of the
house goes to put on clean shirt Sunday
morning the rage s for any kind of buttons.
Year: 1879

Bnghampton Republican: The only way
to get even with trescherous mule-and who
ever saw any other-s to take his shoes off,
lead him on to the smooth ice and blackguard
him. BE dare not indulge his natural propen-
sity, and the vexation of spirit exhibited in his
intelligent countensncs is really interesting.
Year: 1879

The other day young swell fell asleep while
spending an evening with some ftierds, and
they. for joke, shaved off one side Of his
moustache. and laughed at him about it when
ne swoke. He has been in the most distressing
confederation ever sine, because be cannot
discover which side it was.
Year: 1879

Oil City Derrick: When we are young we
waste great deal of time in imagining what
We will do when we grow older, and when we
are old we waste great deal of time in lying
about what we did when we were youpg-in
telling about cold winters aud the trouble ex.
perienced in gaining our knowledge.
Year: 1879

Here is capital lesson that may
well be impressed upon the MEM
ory of both young and old: Mr..
Spurgeon, in walking little way
out of London to preach, chanced
to get his pantaloons quite muddy.
A good deacon met him at the door
and desired to get brush and take
off some of the mud. "Oh, no."
said Mr.. S., "don't you see it is
wet, and if you try to brush it now,
you will rub the stain into the cloth !
Let it dry, when it will come of
easy enough and leave no mark" ."
SO, when men speak evil of us
falsely-throw mud at us-don't
be in a hurry about brushing it
off. Too great eagerness to rub 1t
off, is apt to rub it in. Let it dry,
by and by, if need be, a little effort
will remove it. Don't foster scan
dal about yourself or others, OF
in a church, by haste to do some
thing. Let it alone; let it dry; il
will be more easily eradicated than
you can think in the first heat oI
excitement. Time has wonder
ful power in such matters. Very
many things in this world will be
easily got over by judiciously 'let-
ting them dry."-American Agri-
culturist.