smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1874

fair dealing on their part as Of good juds-
ment. Had the railroads been disposed to
listen to the complaints OF the public, they
would have taken this action long since, and
have saved themselves much pickering. We
are inclined to think, however, that new
light has broken in upon the American rail-
way managers, who are beginning to under
stand that low rates attract business and in
crease the revenue. It is true Of all things
that people avGl themselves Of what they
desire in proportion to the cheapness with
which they can obtain it, The man
travels on business, or takes his family off for
pleasure, at reasonable rate of fare, who
would remain ut home under an excessive
tariff. It:was demonstrated by the Belgian
experiment that reduction Of passenger
rates on railroads to reasonable figure will
sufficiently increase travel to enable the rail
roads to make more money OF the lower rnte
than they were able to make at the higher
The American people are naturally travel
ing people, and the rule will apply in this
country even more emphatca1ly than in Eu-
rope. If the railroads will mako up their 10
cal passenger rates on basis of three cents
mile, and through rates lower in proportion,
and keep at q regular tariff, the public will be
satisfied
Year: 1874

Chicago, and Congress was induced to sane


ton the trado to promote SO laudable prof


ect If there had been the slightest doud


that the building would not be used for tht


purpose designed, it is quite certain that 1


stipulation would have been ma1e in the ac


Of Congress that it should be used for thu


Pubhc-Library Building, and in case of fail


ure that it should revert to the United States


AS the lot exchanged by the city belonged te


the School Fund, it was necessary that the


Post~Oficc building should be decided to the
Department. When the building came un.
der the control of the Board Of Education,
that body ignored the equities of the con.
sidcration which had led to the exchange, and
proposed to make the terms SO severe that
the Public-Library Board had to give it up
and find quarters elsewhere. Here was III
utter Ignoring Of the fact that the School
Fund and Public Library are the property of
the same people, supported by the Same ta1-
payers, and created for the benefit of the
same population. The Board Of Education
acted as though it wcro corporation of
another State or city, and represented an
entirely different interest from that of the
Falblic Library. Here was another blunder
that could only have occurred under the mis-
management of public affairs.


After this the old Post-O1ice building re-
maincd as useless rs it had been before, until
it was suddenly announced that it Ind been
rented to theatrical manager for sone un-
defined sort of ahow-house. The public were
informed that the building had been rented
for three years ut $1,000 q year, the lessee in
curing the expense Of improving tho build
ing for his own use. At the end OF three
years, or perhaps before that time (for Chi
cago has already US many theatres as she can
well support), the city will have an estab-
Ishment on its hands that can be used for no
purpose Of its own, nor rented for business
purposes. Had it been understood that the
building would be rented on reasonable
terms end for q series of years, we have no
doubt TINT it would have been taken md re-
modelled into storage or business house
that would have had general and lasting
value for the city. .As it is now, the Board
Of Education owns theatre building with q
Mansard roof which Is being covered with
infanlmable material in direct violation Of
Law, and which will be constant menace to
the best business portion of the city.


Here were three years of idleness and
wastefulnsss, including betrayal Of trust,
and, finally, reaching q misappropriation of
the building which will make it nearly as use
less rs the empty wells have been, and only
increasing our dangers from FIRE. Had the
property belonged to private individual or
corporation, it would have been earning
large amount OF money oil this while. It's
best purpose now is to serve as notice to
public ofhcials-National, State, and Munich
pal-to manage their public trusts more es
they would their own interests.
Year: 1874

The public may not be generally aware that
a military organization Of young men Of this
city has been effected, and is known US the


First Regiment of Illinois Militia. Six Of the
ten companies have already obtained their
complement of eighty-four men EACH The
personnel of the regiment is excellent. This
members are all young men from 90 to 80
years Of nge, Of respectable parentage, educa~


ton, and of personal good habits md char
acter. The War has educated large class Of
thoroughly experienced officers, and the regi.
ment has shown its good sense by electing its
officers in every case from these veterans. TO
organize q regiment Of soldiers is attended
with considerable expense, md more SO than
these young men can reasonably be expected
to bear.


This regiment is not, rs we understand it,
O mere organization for holiday purposes, to
attend picnics and junletings. The men
Who compose the regiment have no time for
such purpose. It is intended as m organiza-
ton for the training Of a. body of men as
citizen-soldiers, who, in case there should
ever be need Of force to suppress disorder
and enforce the laws, moy be relied upon rs
always subordinate to aud at the command
of the State. In case Of a riot in this city,
the Governor now would have to order to
Chicago to preserve the peace such odd
companies Of militia as he might be able to
pick up in Sangamon, McDonough, Kane,
Coles, or other counties in the State. It is
proposed to organize this regiment and main
tain it as q frst-class military organization,
always ready, always efficient, and always
worthy the respect of the public.


It costs, on an average, to uniform these
men, $50 each. The young men give their
time and services without pay, but the tax for
uniform is more than ell can stand. We
suggest, therefore, that those Of our citizens
who can afford to do SO contribute of their
means let each furnish the uniform for one,
two, three, or ten men, and thus get the si1
companies already organized into uniform.
There would be no lack Of men to fill oil the
ten companies-each 100 strong-werc it not
that the purchase of q uniform is beyond the
reach Of those who will join it. This is not
m appeal to public charity; it is an appeal to
the self-interest Of property-owners rs well as
to public spirit and pride. Instead, in case Of
q riot, Of appealing to the Governor for regi-
ment Of odds and ends from all parts of the
State to protect life and property here, the
City Of Chicago Gun at 1east afford to put uni
forms upon those of her own sons who hare
volunteered to serve in this regiment to en-
force the laws in emergencies. Can property
holders afford to refuse the necessary assist
ance and encouragement which this military
organization requires?
Year: 1874

We have in Chicago monumental pile
that could not better illustrate the vacillating
weakness and careless ~aatcfulness in the
general management Of public alfairs if it
had not been constructed for that purpose


We refer to what is known as the old
Office building, located on the corner
Of Dearborn and Monroe streets. It's history
since the fire of 1871 is series Of official
b1unders. It is typical Of the radical differ
euces between the management of private
affairs and the management Of public affairs.
Had the old Post Office building been private
property it would hare earned handsome
revenue for its owner during the three years
it has been idle. As public property it has
simply been bone Of contention, and a
prodtless eyesore, just as the fire left it.


After the great FIRE of 1871, the Post Office
was one of two buildings in the burnt-district
of the South Division whose walls remained
standing and sufficiently secure to be put
into shape for Immediate and permanent oc~
cupancy. 1t was the property Of the United
States. The Post Office was temporarily 10
Gated in Burlington Hall, and remnined there
until church Oh the corner Of Harrison
street and Wabash nvenuo could be adapted
to its use. A very few weeks longer would
have suficed to roof the old building and
arranged it to admito Of the return of the Post
Office to its old quarters, for which it would
have afforded ample accommodation. The
advantages Of such d course were obvious. It
would hive been much nearer the centre of pop
u1ation than at Harrison street. Itwould have
had an important influence in bringing general
business beck to its old location. Finally,
the building would have been rooted over and
rendered serviceable for. about the same
agreed to pay for one years rental of the
church. The latter was leased for term of
years at al annual rental, we believe, OF
$25, 600. And then an addition was built to
it which cost $4,000 more. The failure
on the part Of the United States Off
cials to utilize the old building was the
first blunder OF the series. How much the
various combinations for the location and
building Of new Custom-House and Post
Office had to do with this blunder, we will
not undertake to say. It may havo been
due simply to the lack of Judgment aud want
of economy characteristic Of most men who
give up their private affairs to manage public
affairs. It was serious and costly blunder
oil the same.


After the building had remained idle so
long, depreciating in value by reason Of its
uselessness, and similarly affecting ali ad-
joining property, plan was conceived for
tho purpose Of putting it to some good ser
vice. It was proposed to make an exchange
between the United States Government and
the city, the former ceding the old Post-Oaice
lot with the building in consideration Of o
vacant lot owned by the city on the South
Branch for which there was no present use
This exchange wns expressly eGec:a>! for the
purpose of turning over the build:.: 10 the
Public Library. The advantage to the city
was SO great that the proposition received the
universal approval Of the Common Council,
the Board OF Education, and the people o!
Year: 1874

The announcement that the railroads run
ming out OF Chicago to the Eastward have
determined to make up their local passenger
rates On the basis Of Aree cents to the mile is
an indication not go much OF disposition to
Year: 1874

s,overnor and could therefore tell them nothing
ahonI his probable decision. He did not stare
when ne expected TO hear from the Governor, but
Assumed an air OF cheerful indifference the sub
inaf
Year: 1874

The two New York ladies who went
abroad last summer with sixteen huge trunks
between them, and had to pay freight on the
steamer, and also on all Continental railways,
sail again in May. One will have handbag
and the other intends to carry her luggage in
her pocket. Their European experience has
proved wholesome lesson.
Year: 1874

The Centurion used to tell good story of
a man of man of rather dubious character,


who lived in -, Tiverton, perhaps. He
was taken suddenly and seriously ill, and
soon sent for his minister. The clergyman
was faithful as well as affectionate in dealing
with his parishioneI, who listened


to his spiritual adviser patiently, and at
length said: ''Well, Parson, I've made up my
mind, that if get well, shall in the fnture
live principally honest.-"New Bedford Mer-
Year: 1874

Facing dresses is always foolish economy.
If dress is worth making at all, it is worth
making decently. A dress looks very nicely
in balmy weather, but let the winds blow,
the overskirt fly up, and how does it look
when white black or brown paper muslin Is
exhibited.
Year: 1874

There are young men who cannot hold a
skein of yarn for their mothers, without winc-
ing, but will hold one hundred and twenty
five pounds of neighboring family for the
best part Of night, with patience and do
cility that are certainly phenomenal.
Year: 1874

The Russian Scandal and What fl
suggests.


1t is impossible not to feel something
like compassion for the Russian Grand
Duke, who, as the German newspapers
assure us, has just been arrested in st.
Petersburg for purloining his mother s
diamonds to give them to pretty French
actress. He is a youth of twenty-four,
the oldest son of the Grand Duke Con-
stantine, and, in the face of the story, in
all probability as much of a simpleton as
of scamp OF what particular use is
he likely hereafter to be, either to him
self, or to the Imperial family, or to Rus
sia2 If he had been the son of private
gentleman, the family linen which he
has so dismally smirched would proba-
bly, have been washed at home; and in
any event it would have been possible for
him to change his name, emigrate, and
take another start in life. But Russian
Grand Duke cannot disappear thus un-
tremendously from the public eye; and
the pretty French actress who was the
cause of his felonious folly will be won
derfully unlike her class in general if
she fails to keep alive the scandal sne





ments of their sex is made, like the fame
of the Sioux brave, by the scalps they
wear at their girdles To ruin the son
of French banker or disgrace a British
peer has suficed for the renown of many
a celebrity of the demi-monde, but what
are such achievements in comparison
with the public degradation of Prince
of the imperial house of ROmanotf2


Felonious princes are nothing new, it
is true, in the history OF the world, and
even of the comparatively modern
world. A prince OF the blood royal of
France, the Count of Charolais, in the
early part of the last century, after a
variety of outrages upon law and order,
was finally arrested for the wanton MUIR
der of poor tiler. His royal high
ness, who was very good shot, used to
amuse himself by sitting in the windows
of the Pslais Royal and taking pot
shots at casual persons on the house
tops within range He killed his man in
the case of the poor tiler aforesaid, was
arrested, tried and found guilty Of mur-
der. OF course it was impossible to put
prince OF blood to death for such an
ofense; but the King his cousin, handed
the Count his pardon duly made out,
signed and sealed, blandly adding that
be felt it bis duty to inform his royal
highness that the pardon Of the man
who should shoot him was also prepared
and would be signed on the first oppor-
tunity. Still nearer our own times was
the dark accusation brought against his
royal highness the Duke of Cumber-
land, in England, and never formally
dealt with, that he had murdered one Of
his servants in fit Of rage Another
British Prince, the Duke Of Gloucester,
figured less than hsndred years ago as
defendant in very notorious and scan
dalous case Of Grim, con. The Duke
Charles OF Brunswick, who died the
other day in Geneva, leaving his colossal
fortune to the virtuous people Of the city
Of Calvin, who now propose in acknowl-
Year: 1874

to sleep again. The situation was be-
coming unpleasant, when the minister,


looking prematurely solemn, pitched
the tune, and the congregation fell in
one by one. AS each one sang in the
time he deemed fttest, the clergyman
got through first, and finally the others,
one by one, finished, except a cracked
falsetto that had got lost, and was vainly
looking for good place to stop. Disre-
garding the latter as being beneath no.
tice, the minister pronounced the ben
ediction, and the congregation walked
out in silence. A meeting Of the trustees
has been called to decide whether
the organist shall be shot or burned
Year: 1874

A VALUABLE Lesson FOR ALL-Look most


to your spendings. No matter what comes in.


II more goes out you will always be poor The


little expenses, like nice in a barn, when there


are many, make great waste. Hair by hair


heads grow bald straw by straw the thatch
comes in the chamber. A barrel is soon emptv
if the tap leaks but drop a minute When
you mean to save, begin with your mouth:
many things pass down the red lane The ale
jug is great waste. In all other things keen
within compass. Never stretch your IeSs f1r.
ther than the blanket will stretch or YOU will
soon be cold. In clothes, choose suitable and
lasting stnff, and not tawdry fineries. To be
warm Is the main thing, never mind the looks.
a fool may max money, but it needs q wise
aian to spend it. Remember it is easier to
build two chmneys than to keep one going.
II you give all to back and board, there is
and md work hard while you are young, and Won
VIII have chance to rest when you are old.
Year: 1874

The TERRYvILLE cornet band favored the citizens of this city, in the vicinity of the depot, with some very fine music on Tuesday evening. The band were en route to Ansonia, where they were to es- escort the Catholic temperance society to New Haven on Wednesday, Loder.
Year: 1874

A match game of base ball was played here on Saturday last between the Har- winton club and the Nepaugs- It was won by the former by score of IA to 15. A return game is to be played on the Ne paug ground on Saturday next.
Year: 1874

The defeat of Judge Poland for Con- gress in Vermont is one of the most re- markable indications yet furnished of the rapid decline of party fealty. He was elected to the present Congress by ma- iority of two to one Last week he came fin second.
Year: 1874

Mir. Hyman, congressman elect from North Carolina, was a slave before the war and has been sold at auction seven times. May we hope that he is tired of the business and wont be bought and sold any more?
Year: 1874

The Springfield Republican reports that want of employment since the panic have brought more of the laboring population of Eastern Massachusetts to want than have been so unfortunate at any time since the war, Many of them are return ing to Europe and Canada. Savings Bank deposits are stationary, too, so that a re- vival of business is being longed for very ardently.
Year: 1874

EE An Ottumwa boy charged stump
with blasting powder, attached fuse to
blow it up, and got on the fence to see
the fun. He isn't collected enough yet
to tell how funny it was, although the
citizens are collecting him in different
parts Of the suburbs.
Year: 1874

From he HeV York TTi5ms, lsh Feb


The admirable little speech
OF Peter Cooper at the Area
dian reception the other night
was studded with terse EXPIRES
sions of the philosophy OF life
to which his noble experience
has led him. He was constrain
ed to say that one of the things
which now most surprised him
in his "reminiscences, was to OBJ
serve how much he had see n
come TO pass and how little he
had himself been able to do.
The recipe by which he had
preserved at the age of eight.
three his youthful cheerlulness
and buoyancy was this: always
10 give friendly welcome to
new ideas, never to feel too old
to learn, never to lose faith IN
human nature, believe in the
progress Of man to a hett er
social condition, and trust in
the ability of man to establish
and maintain self-govprnment.
He recognized that while the
object oil business is to make
money in an honorable manner,
the object of life is to do good.
To phrases like these we can
add in a Saturdays issue no
pleasanter conclusion to these
"reminiscences of The old phil
anthropist's latest appearance
(long may it be before we must
say his lastly than the words
with which he ended his mod.
est response to speech in hls
honor: Let me saw then, in con.
cluslon, that nv experience of
life has not dimmed my hopes
for humanity; that my sun is
not setting IN clonds and dark
ness, but is gong down cheer
fully IN a clear irmanNnt light.
ed up by the glory of God, who
should always be veneratpd
and loved as The infinite source
and fountain ofall light, power,
wisdom, and goodne 49,
Year: 1874

A DELEGATION of Marylanders
waited on Grant the other day to invite
him to attend their agricultural fair,
which comes of at Hagerstown inOc-
tober, and he promised to be on hand if
business would permit. The idea of
business interfering with his pleasures
is novel
Year: 1874

In a recent number we stated that
we understood that the editor of the
Woodbury. Press was disorganizer in
the last campaign. This the Press de-
MES, and states that it supported the
convention nominees, in good faith.
We are gratlfed to learn that such was
the fact.
Year: 1874

Some years since, party of survey
ors had just finished their days work
In the northwestern part of Illinois,
when a violent snow storm came on.
They started for their camp, which was
In forest of about eighty acres in q
large prairie. nearly twenty miles fIom
any other trees. The wind was blow.
ing very hard, and the snow drifting so
as to nearly blind them.


When they thought they had nearly
reached their camp, they all at once
came upon footsteps in the snow. These
they looked at with care, and found, to
their dismay, that they were their own
tracks. 1t was now plain that they
were lost on the g 'eat prairie, and il
they had to pa S the nigh, there, in the
cold aud snow, the chance was that no
one OF them would be alive in the morn.
ing. While they were shivering with
fear and cold, the chief man caught
sight Of one of their horses, gray pouy
known as Old Jack.


Then the chief said: ''If any one can
show us our way to camp, out of this
binding snow, Old Jack can do 1t. |
will take of his bride and let HIM loose,
and we eau follow him: l think he
will show us our way back to camp"


The horse, as soon as he found him
self free, threw his head and tail into
the air, as If proud of the trust that had
been put upon him Then he snuffed
the breeze, and gave loud snort,
which seemed to say. "Come on, boys
Follow me. I'll lead you out of this
scrape." He then turned into a new
direction, and trotted along. but not SC
fast that the men could not follow him.
They had not gone more than a mile
when they saw the cheerful blaze OF
their camp fires, and they gave a loud
huzza at the sight, and for Old Jack
Turf, Field and Farm.
Year: 1874

portion of the credit "-- attaches
to it. Applause.


1t is true, fellow-citizens, that my
relations, socially and politically,
with q portion, at least, of the dele
cation from Oregon had been of a
peculiar character. On my arrival
in Washington met Senator Mitch
ell. L thought that, in order to
properly represent the State of Ore
gon and to further her interest there
should be some kind af an UNDER
standing between us. He agreed
with in this and treaty was held.
This treaty provided that in all busi-
ness matters appertaining to this
State and people we should work
together in harmony. To that ex-
tent there were to be kindly relations
between us. So far as 1 know, Sena-
tor Mitchell has observed that treaty.
L know l have.


So the Portland, Dalles and Salt
Lake Railroad bill, as 1 have said,
was drawn up by Col. Chapman, in
troduced in the Senate by Mr.. Mitch
ell, in the House by myself. l would
| like to have you understand that this
House of Representatives consists Of
three hundred members, each hav-
ing a pet measure. 1t is vast mob,
ali the members of which are en-
deavoring to obtain the floor at the
same time. In such a body it is
almost impossible to obtain a hear
ing. A great part Of the House work
Is done in committee. / went before
the committee having this bill in
charge and did all 1 could to secure
a favorable report. 1 represented to
them the vastness Of the country
through which the road was to pass;
its remoteness; the necessity OF hav-
inc railroad communication with the
East. I showed to them that it pass
ed through a country SIX times as
large as New England; that the
building Of the road would settle the
vexed Indian question, and give US a
direct commercial route which would
bring your metropolis much nearer
to China than is San Francisco.
knowing the people, the climate and