smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

HERE is an expression OF opinion from
that eminent philosopher and political econ
omist, John Stuart Mill, which may prove Of
interest to Greenbackers: "Although no
doctrine in political economy rests on more
obvious grounds than the mischief of a
paper currency not maintained at the same
value with metallic, by either converti-
bility or by some principle of limitation
equivalent to it; and although accordingly
this doctrine has-though not till after the
discoveries of many years-been tolerably
effectualy drummed into the public mind,
yet dissentients are still numerous and pro-
jectors every now and then start up with
plans for curing all the economical evils of
society by means Of an unlimited issue of
inconvertible paper. There is, in truth, a
great charm in the idea. To be able to pay
off the national debt, defray the expenses of
government without taxation, and, in fine,
to make the fortunes of the whole commune
ty, is brilliant prospect when once man is
capable of believing that printing few char
acters on bits of paper will do it. The phil
osopher's stone could not be expected to do
moreD
Year: 1878

What is ''do.lar?" A "dollar" is the
name of something. At present it is given
by law to coin Of gold weighing 25.s grains
and to coin of silver weighing 412a grains.
These coins by any other name would be
worth as much. Or the name might be given
to other things, and those things be worth
no more. The Government might say that
the chip that falls from the woodman's axe,
and the pebble we can pick up on the street
shall be called s'dollars." Would their in
trinsic value be any greater? No. Would
they receive added value by this order, this
''6at' of the Government? Yes, for time.
Should the legislative and executive branches
of the Government declare, and the judicial
branch sustain the declaration as lawful, that
pebbles and chips should be "dollars" and
legal tender for the payment of debts, peb-
bles and chips would for time, until debts
are paid, have value enormously dispro-
portionate to their real worth. People would
pick the streets and clean the lumber camps,
or 60 to chopping trees and tearing down
stone fences, and take the chips and pebbles
to their creditors and say, "Here is full
discharge from our debts. Relieve u.s." And
the creditor would be forced to do so. The
man who had sold bushel of corn on credit,
the farmer who had taken dozen of eggs or
few pounds of butter to the nearest store,
and not caring for immediate payment, let
these commodities stand to his credit on the
books; the carpenter or joiner who had
worked for many days on building, and had
not collected his pay every day at sundown;
the laborer who had worked eight or ten
hours-all these, if they contracted for their
pay in "dollars," would be forced to take in
discharge of their claims chips or pebbles.
OF what use would these be to them? If
they had debts to pay the chips would an
swer the purpose. But when it was once
understood that pebbles and chips were to be
reckoned as "dollars" no more contracts
would be made on that basis. The farmer
who had no debts would refuse to take
these useless things in exchange for his
corn and butter and eggs. If he was
in debt he would take them only until the
debt was paid, and would then refuse to sell
for "dollars." No order or "fat'' of the
Government could compel him to part with
the produce Of his farm. To all solicitations
for trade he would answer that he wasn't SELL
ing that day-for "dollars." He would only
exchange his eggs or corn for their worth
or equivalent. If he wanted barrel of flour
he would exchange for 1t a quantity of corn
or hay of equal worth. But he certainly
would not part with the hay or corn for peb-
bles or chips with which he could do nothing.
But he would gladly part with bushel of
corn for 25 grains of gold, for with that gold
he could buy anywhere in the world, clothing
or provisions, or furniture, or other articles
he wanted.


Now how is it with "absolute moneyW
"Absolute money" consists of oblong pieces
fpaper bearing the inscription "This is
dollar" But these pieces of paper are of li:-
tie if any more intrinsic value than the chips
and pebbles. If the Government calls them
Year: 1878

"dollars" they may do for the discharge Of
existing debts. But of what worth will they
be after those debts are discharged? Why
should any man take them in exchange for
the goods he has to dispose of more than he
would take chip bearing the same inscrip-
tion? Why should slip of paper, measuring
say twenty inches by three-the size of 500
dollar greenback-be taken for twenty BUSH
els Of corn any more readily than chip weigh
ing say an ounce? If the farmer exchanges
his corn for lumber he wants quantity of
lumber of equal exchanging power. He
wants something ofjust as much worth to
him as the corn. So il he exchanges corn
for paper he wants an equivalent. II corn is
worth eighty cents bushel, and paper ten
cents pound he wants eight pounds Of paper
in exchange for his bushel of corn. He
doesn't want piece Of paper weighing far
less than an ounce. If he be compelled to
take the chip he will think he is swindled.
Is he any the less swindled if he is compelled
to take the piece Of paper?


The piece of paper will pay debts, it is said.
So will the chip if the Government makes it
legal-tender. But the man who sells bushel
of corn on credit does not suppose he is going
to take chip for it when payday comes
round. He sells it for 'dollar" and takes
a piece Of paper for it now because that paper
bears upon its surface promise to pay
"dollar'-a dollar meaning 25 grains of gold
and he believes the promise will be kept.
There was time when there was some
doubt as to the fulfillment of the promise,
and men speculated on the doubt. The
promise, that is the greenback, auctu-
ated in value with the belief in the readiness
and ability of the Government to keep 1t.
At one time it was worth less than forty
cents. 1t is now worth nearly hundred
cents, because people believe that the Gov
ernment will give 25 grains of gold for it next
January. But take the promise of, as the
Greenbackers propose, and what will it be
worth? Or postpone the keeping OF
that promise, as the Democrats urge, and
what will it be worth? The value of the
promise is in its ful6llment. Let the Govern
ment announce that it will give to-day 25
grains of gold for every promise to pay a
"dollar" it has issued, and the greenback will
be worth hundred cents. This keeping of
promises ON the part of the Government is
all that resumption means.


Thus it seems that "absolute money" can
only be good for the discharge Of existing
debts. Its only use is as an instrument for
cheating. With it we can force men who
have been unwise enough to give us credit to
take something of far less value than the
commodities with which they parted. For
dishonest men, for men who desire to pro-
cure the discharge of debts by something less
than a full payment of debts, it will serve a
useful purpose. But honest men, that is the
great majority Of people in this country, will
have nothing to do with it when once they
discover its real nature.
Year: 1878

THE Boston Herald sensibly remarks:
"The people who make the most bitter COM
plants about the hardships involved in the
public debt contribute the least to it. Those
who clamor the loudest to have the Govern
ment bonds taxed pay the smallest taxes.
The ''workingmen" who make the most
noise about the privations of labor are those
who are trying to live without labor. The
spectators who demand more money are
those who were not smart enough to save
what they had when times were s'fush."
Year: 1878

We do not read anonymous letters and communi-
cations The name and address Of the writer are in
all cases indispensable, not necessarily for publication
out as guaranty Of good faith.


We cannot undertake to return or preserve COM
munications that are not used.
Year: 1878

Imported dresses show that basques
and waists of all kinds are still very
long.


Sleeves to new costumes are made
bias, the under part of the sleeve being
very small.


Paris ladies are wearing turbans
of silk for head-dresses. They are
worn by bridesmaids at morning we'd
dings.


Very fancifully made shoes are
shown to be worn with the short COS
TUNES, which will be shorter than ever
next winter.


Plaid silk handkerchiefs are to be
worn around the neck this winter.
Hem-stitched muslin neckties are among
the novelties.


An improved mode of fastening
gloves consists of three small buttons on
each side, around which is passed
small silk cord.


Smooth hair is Just now the dis
tinguishing feature of Partisan beauties.
Unless particularly young and pretty,
ladies do not adopt it.


Dark plaid circulars, now very
popular, have long pointed hoods with
either scarlet or garnet silk, and are
adorned with loops of ribbon to CORE
spond.


"A walking-dress designed for young
ladies is of Tartan plaid in subdued
colors, to be worn over a velvet petit
coat of one of the new blues called gen.
d'armes.
--Memphisto is the jauntiest and
handsomest hat for girls. 1t is of beau
tiful soft plush with inch wide curled
brim. The crown is cone shape, but
bent over so that the point falls about
half way on the side of the crown, and
ends with bright plush tassel of red,
blue, or green.


To wear with linen collars are fine
linen cravats edged with linen lace.
The linen is plated like fan partly
open, and the lace is new feathery pat
terms of torchon. New neck-ties are of
satin, with messy flowers raised from
the surface like the pile of velvet.


The English coat is the new fall
| Jacket that may be worn with any suit.
1t is made of gray English homespun
cloth like the chevoits worn by gentle
men, and is without trimming other
than the velvet collar, cuffs, pocket
maps, anu DutIOHS, us cuSSCo di . laCiOiJ
stitched by machine.


"A new caprice is that of having a
demi-long ostrich plume fastened by a
bow just inside the brim of the bonnet
trifle toward the left, and curling it
along the right side of the bonnet on the
edge of the brim as a face trimming.
Sometimes cord of gold or a golden
ribbon is used to hold the feather.


The Beef.eater is Il new English
round hat of great size, with the broad
brim rolled upward on the left side and
trimmed with several plumes, some OF
which are short and nodding over the
| front, while others sweep backward
around the crown. 1t is shown in black
) felt, with the brim ornamented with
, gold cord and with black ostrich
S plumes.
Year: 1878

The Rev. Robert Laird Collier part
ed rather unceremoniously with his
church, the Second Unitarian of Boston.
He went to England for a vacation, and
was to return about the list of this
month. The fact that he had sold his
house and furniture soon came TO the
knowledge of leading members, and il
was surmised that he did not intend to
come back. Then his resignation was
received by letter. 1t is said that he
has received an offer from church in
Leicester, England, and will marry and
settle there. There has been no trouble
between him and his Boston congrega-
ton.
Year: 1878

Some experiments have been made at
Brussels in breaking in horses by means of
an electric bride. The apparatus called
the Engstrom bride, after it's inventor,
consists simply in a couple of reins, along
which run electric wires. At the end of
the reins small electric battery is attach
ed, which is entirely in the power of the
experimenter. By pressing a little knob
the electric current acts on the corners of
the horses mouth, and after few consecu-
tive or intermittent shocks the animal be.
comes perfectly docile. A very intractable
mare was broken in after one experiment
with the bride. The inventor aseerts that
runaway horses can Immediately be
brought to standstill by this apparatus.
Year: 1878

A MscoNcEPTIoN.-A lsmentable mis-
conception prevails among many Catholics
in regard to the Sacrament of Extreme
Unction. They seem to think it ought to
be deferred till the sick are in their last
agony, or at least till there is no longer
any hope of recovery. TIE relatives OF
attendants of the sick sin grievously if
through their fault the last rites are not ad-
ministered in due time. The eloquent
Jesuit missioner, Father Mcguire, in a re-
cent sermon called attention to the fact
that physicians too commonly deceive
their patients, and act as if the services Of
q priest would disturb them. So far from
this fear being well founded, he pointed
out that Extreme Unction is for the benefit
of the body as well as the soul. and proved,
from statistics published in Europe, that
more than half the patients, after being
anointed, recovered.
Year: 1878

TIE UTMOST LIMIT OF IND1FFERENcE.-
Two men of this city were out the other
day soliciting money for charitable object
They came to the office of a certain rich
man, and hesitated about approaching
him. One of the pair finally concluded he
would try it. When he came out his part
ner asked him what luck. "Not a cent"
said the man who had "bearded the lion
In his den," "not cent. told him all
about the distress of the family, but it was
of no use. He was as Indifferent as the
rear guard of funeral procession."-V Vjr-
Siaia (Neu) Enterprise.
Year: 1878

A notice appeared jim the Herald Of
this morning, that the Weccacoe Engine
Company at a meeting on Friday even
ing had decided to support Samuel q.
Tazwell of the Water Witch Fire Com
pan for Chief Engineer of the depart
ment. The members of the company
state that the report is untrue.
Year: 1878

is an honorable man(?) He is buying gold
at II cent premium when it is only e.
But he is lawyer and an honorable
man. These lawyers of the Senate who
have been serving the brokers and bank
ers instead of tkeir country, and receiv-
ing heavy pay all the time are all honor
able men. Oh, yes, but the man who
stands up for the people and the peoples
interests, and against standing army,
and the Presidential fraud; why he is
only demagogue. Well, the time is
coming we hope when the dress of the
odious war will be passed, and the politi-
cal atmosphere in Washington will be
purer.
Year: 1878

THE PEOPLE of this State without re-
gard to party are opposed to keeping up a
large standing army. They feel the weight
of the taxes in every department of labor
and they know that an army above ten or
fifteen thousand mems useless, especially
at this time, when the country in all parts
is full of men well drilled and expert
enced as soldiers. They know that we
could well afford to do without an army
except to compel the Indian to desst from
their murderous incursions upon the set
tier. And this could be greatly assisted
if the settlers We're armed with the best
breech leaders, and the Indians, who are
the natural enemies of civilization, de
prived of such perfect weapons. We asl
our readers attention to an article in an
other column, on the army. We wisl
them to understand that they are taxed {,
keep up armies in various places merel
for show, and the amusement of tn
aristocratic circles and to'sustain the idl
and worthless officers, who will never q
into active service should their presenC
be needed. The laboring men that wer
in the army and discharged will be left t
do the fighting.
Year: 1878

Now when we have alarge wheat crop
the tariff laws cut us out of foreign
market, and the long looked for home
market serves only to deprcss the price.as
the manufactures have been run down
under the high protective shams until
their Operatives, who are to furnish the
great home market, are unable to buy
The farmers have to pay high prices fol
all they buy, and sell for low prices
While the rich run over to Europe as tc
a watering place and refurnish tbeirward-
rObe
Year: 1878

WE found it difficult on Saturday to
furnish enough GAzETTEs. Although
the edition was very large it run out be-
fore the demand was near supplied. We
hope we shall endeavor to meet the de-
mand by extra efforts and improved
machinery soon.
Year: 1878

The Inter Ocean estimates that the contri.
buttons of the northern people in aid OF the
yellow fever sufferers amount TO million
and half Of dollars, and says:


The million and a half of dollars so gener-
ously and willingly given by the people of the
North to the sufferers of the South shows a
bright side to human nature. II is not alone
the money of itself, valuable in adding 10 the
comfort or alleviating the suffering of the
afflicted. but the earnest expression OF SYM
pathy, which such gifts betokcn, and which
makes the on-rin, douDly valuable. IL las
shown that people antagonistic in politics,
differing widely In customs, and controlled
by many preJudices, can lay them all aside
and heartily unite in tangible expressions OF
fellowship and good will. AL the people
want to know is how they can do the most
Onn5
Year: 1878

Another issue is the proposed destruction
Of the national banks, and we presume that
at the beginning of the session bill VIII De
introduced to abolish them. On the question
of getting rid OF the banks We believe ttere
is not much difference OF opinion among par
ties in the west, the feeling being generally
against the banks. There are those IN both
parties who are in favor OF retaining them,
but they are generally those who have d.
rect interest in them. IL Is much easier,
however to express a size 10 get Iid OF
them than 10 accomplish that result IL
would be extrt mely hazardous II attempt a
movement which would deprive US OF nearly
one-half OF our paper currency Unless we
could see in advance how we could replace
II with better currency, and do this without
the confusion aud uncertainty which in cur
rency changes are SO fatal TO all business and
enterprise. What the business communities
of the country ne. d now more than increased
volume of money Is confidence and certainty
as TO the near fina cial future. To give This
is the duty of wise and Intelligent legislation.
ST. Louis Journal.


1t seems TO us that it does not require a
mental vision Of much more than ordinary
power to enable us to "see in advance how
We could sup ply the place of the national
bank circulation with currency not only
a. good but better The national treasury
note is the best paper money the people
of the United States ever had, and Is the
only paper money they want. Issue this
in lieu of the national bank paper, aud the
people will not only have-a currency tina
they like better, but they will BE- cna''i"d
to pay of the bonds now deposited TO So
cnre the national blnk circulation, and thus
save TO the treasury fifteen millions an
nualiy in interest 1t is not very cn;hi'!i-
Gated quesiic n 1t i not hard TO s''. e1-
csr, TO those who don't want t. see it.
Year: 1878




The important opinions rendered by
Judges Dillon and Treat in the Iron Noun
tain railroad case, published in another
part of this paper, will be read with inter
est by citizens generally and by all who
are concerned in Southern trade and the
general prosperity of cur city. Although
no formal decision was rendered in the
case, the position the road is put in by
these opinions is most favorable, and our
merchants and manufacturers may once
more be at ease regarding the management
of this great property, of such vital impor-
tance to our whole trade. The bill Of fore
closure il denied, and results in the check
ing of the agents Of Barring Bros, who have
for nearly two years past been attacking
the property through the courts to the seri-
GUS damage of all the parties interested.
Mr.. Allen has devoted many Of the best
years of his life TO the building up Of this
road, and the development Of the country
it traverses This most important line to
our commercial interests is now apparent
ly free from the danger of passing into for
eign hands, and should forever remain a
81. Louis institution. Our citizens must all
appreciate this substantial victory. Mr.. s
7. Glover made the principal argument in
the case on the side OF the railroad.
Year: 1878

The work on the Washington monument
will soon be actively resumed. The amount
appropriated by Congress for Strengthening
the foundation Of the structure was S36, 900
and before the season for labor closes it il
thought that this amount will be expended
and some headway made on the monument
At least, all will be ready for operation
early next spring the hoisting machine put
into position, etc. The first work really to
be done is to extend, BY concrete, the base
of the monument about twelve feet four
inches further downward, and on each side
about twenty-three feet outward. The mon
ument is now seven feet eight inches in the
ground. The base will not be dug COM
Pletely under-only about eighteen feet
under all four sides Of the bottom. Where
the old work and the new join stone,
mortar will be used to effect the junction.
The figure. given are eubject to change at
the option Of Colonel Casey, who is in
charge Of the work.
Year: 1878

Certain politicians of this city are max.
ing desperate efforts TO bulldoze the country
districts of the county into nominating
candidates for the legislature who will
pledge themselves to support George T. fol
Senator. A gentleman from Tonganoxie
who was in the city few diys ago, was
approached by one of the Governors
henchmen who inquired of him-"Who
are you going to nominate for the legisla-
ture in your district?' Upon being in.
formed that the nomination was still an
open question, he said-"Unless you nomi-
nate a man who is friendly to George T.
we'll bust him.? Another gentleman, who
Is known to be q candidate for the legisla-
ture, received q letter from Leaveuworth,
. day or two since telling him unless he
would give q rriaen pledge to suppor.
Geoage I, the Governors friends would &C
complish his defeat.


The friends of honesty and decency
SHOULD take notice of the way matters are
being worked BY these fellows, and see to
it thst their schemes are defeated. Leav-
enworth county should never permit a man
to represent her in the legislature who will
cast his vote for 4 man for the United
States Senate whose want of moral char
acter will be a perpetual disgrace to the
State. In this age of reform, when nine
tenth. OF our people are suffering from the
effects OF the ruinous financial policy of the
last ten years, and are struggling earnestly
to defeat the schemes Of the goldites, the
people Of Leavenworth would be guilty Of
Polical and financial suicide If they should
send men to the Legislature who would vote
for 4 man for Senator who is known to be
the most uncompromising hard money
man in the State. and Who is owned
body and soul, BY Wall street. The one
great question before the country at III Z
time-the one that over-shadows all others.
Is the currency question whether the finan-
oes OF this country shall be shaped in the
interests Of the capitalist; whether We shall
have q system that will revive the paralyed
industries Of the country, and enable every
man Who is willing to work to find renum.
erative employment or q system shaped ex-
elusively in the interest Of the cspitalit
snd the boedho'der, nakise Tie rich riehsz
Year: 1878




State Department speeches are seldom
eloquent, and what Evarts permitted the
President, according to custom, to say to
the Chinese Legation was merely . pleas
ant greeting, Of course. But the way has
been prepared for the performance Of the
important duties which brought the Lega-
ton to this country, and Chin Ian Pin has
been formally introduced to American so-
ciety As one decorated with the Peacock
feather, wearing the button of the second
rank, President of the Board Of Sacrifice" /"
while Yung Wing is announced as the bear
er Of the same button and of the title OF
"Intendant Of Circuit" And If any Wes-
tern barbarian is disposed to turn up his
nose at there official designations, let him
reflect that buttons and feathers count in
our politics, too.
Year: 1878

The executive committee of the convention
have petitioned the house for an amend
ment Of the rules 80 as to provide for
standing committee on the Mississippi river
and its navigable tributaries