smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

Severa, journals in the Eastern States
have from time to time assumed that the
debtor class desire to pay their debts IN
cheap money. The kind of cheap money
by means of which this is to be effected Is
the "dollar of our fathers" which was
good money when the Oldest Of the pres
ent generation were borne, and continued
to be good money until 1879, when It's
coinage was by law discontinued The
debtor class are represented as proposing
to cheat the creditor class by reviving
this silver dollar and paying their debts
with ii. 1t is true that, with silver at Its
present price, the silver dollar OF 4l2t
grains is worth a, bullion few cents less
than the standard gold dollar 1t is also
true that the silver dollar has recovered
more than fifty per cent of the value
which it lost soon after the demonetlza-
ton of silver Silver receded in London
from Coz pence per ounce to AZ pence,
and now stands at about 90 pence. The
variation being 14i pence, the mean be-
tween the two would be pence from
each extreme, or 53t pence per ounce.
Silver, therefore, at 90 pence, has recoy-
cred more than half of what it lost


1t is admitted by all the commissioners
which have given this subject their especi-
al study, that the depreciation of silver
Was caused by the legislation of Germany,
the United States, and the Scandinavian
States, coming at time when exaggerated
reports in regard to the production of the
Nevadasilyer mines encouraged the appre-
hension that silver, through its abundance,
would descend to the character of base
metal 1t IS admitted now that there is
no foundation for such an apprehension.
The production Of silver has resumed
about its former proportions to that of
gold. OF the three nations which demOne-
tized silver, one-the United States-pro-
pose to restore it. Under these circum-
stances silver, as we have shown, recover
ed more than one-half of the value it lost
as measured by gold.


1t is not unreasonable to assume. there
fore, that when its reconciliation by TIE
United States becomes fixed fact, it Will
appreciate very nearly or quite to its
former relation TO gold 1t should not be
lOf55DltcH eilNeT tilit Win SILVER at UU5
pence per ounce, the silver dollar of 4124s
grains was worth l03 cents. Its value at
that time on a gold basis was the reason
! why SO little was coined. No one wanted
to pay debts in dollars that would bring
103 cents in legal tender coin SO they
paid debts in the cheaper money, which
was gold, or paper based on gold. The
cheaper of the two legal tender coins nee
essariiy forms the basis of paper issue,
as paper can be redeemed in either. The
idea OF the silver advocate, is to make the
gold dollar and the silver dollar as nearly
equal in value as possible, and interchans-
able. The remonetization of silver will
/ cheaper gold. as it viii deprive that met
al of the fictitious value 1t gained when
there was prospect that it would be
made the sole standard Of vaiue-a meas
ure which would have reduced the world 8
supply of coin by one half, and as q con-
sequence enhanced the value of the re-
manning One-half f-Enchange
Year: 1877

Ode for the New Year.
I,y 10 The New Year health to the New Year
May it be better than years that are gone:
Visions Of gIadness, and triumph, and sadness,
Float in dim shadows its surface upon.


Ring the merry peals


Till the tall steeple reels,


Whilst on his chariot wheels


Time passes
And health the New ear, and joy to the New Year
May it be better than years that are gone.
See how Times finger, constraining to Inger,
Points to the signs Of the year that is past,
See how it beckons backward, and reckons
Every dark blot on its history cast


Yet not in scoring


Receive the warning


Nor hopeessly mourning


Past fraiIties upon.
p, av for the New Year aud hope for the New Year.
That it may be better than years that are gone
What though denial, and s5rrow, and trial.
Mix in the distance as night does with day.
Through the glad tissue Of morning shall issue
Hopes glorious promise to brighten our way


Gods mercy DER u.s.


And Chrst's blood shed for US,
And Heavens joys before US,


Still urging on.
Then may the New Year and shall not 'ne Ne" i''
BE better far better than those that are gonef
Year: 1877

The Newton Headlight reports the
following in reference to patent
right swindler:


Patent right men still occasionally
take in a 'grceny' and clean him out
of his pocket change, or gobblc all OF
his earthly possessions A short time
since, Mr.. Arthur Eastman, of Lynn
Grove township, by the slick tongue
Of one Of these sharpers, in highly
colored representation of the thou
sands 10 be made out Of it, gave away
q $1,000 farm for the right to sell and
manufacture a patent right in nine.
teen counties in Michigan. On visit.
ing the field of his expected fortune,
Eastman found how badly he had
been sold that his farm, his home
his expenses, time &c, were all gone
and he had nothing to show for it
lie has taken legal steps to recover
his property, but with doubtful
case. Who will be the next sucker.
Year: 1877

Every man likes to ride on new
moving machine. A good way te
have one next year is to leave the old
one out in the hay field all winter
The winds will rack it I: the sun crack
It, and the rain swell it, and mex,
june you will have to get new one
and perhaps give your note for it.
Ii not convenient to leave it in the
field, bring 1t home and put it in the
yard where the cattle and colts can
run against the sickle and get pricked
by the guards. 1t will teach them to
let the machine alone and next year
perhaps yOu can have some new
horses too. If you find time to put
the machine under cover, don't paint
the woodwork or oil the metallic parts
for If you do, the wood will not dc.
cay near so fast, and you will be de-
priyed of the pleasure of riding on a
new mower for sevcra years.
Year: 1877

could just as well spend another fort
night in Philadelphia, and do be-
lieve l could have that lovely pink
coral set I wanted so badly.


l don't understand politics, but l
am so glad live under republican
form of government, and I do feel
sure, if any one makes good resolu-
tions, and tries to be q good wife and
daughter, way will open out of diff
ficulties.
Year: 1877

The Dubuque Times reports the
following which is pointed and just
treatment of an irresponsible class OF
male bipeds who disgrace tho name
of gentleman, specimens of which
are to be found in every community
A Chicago drummer going west, tried
to make acquaintance with q young
lady on the cars yesterday, saying he
was "traveling alone, was lonesome, =
etc. She simply said, II should adj
wise You to speak to the conductor. II
10 his business to take charge oil
FOOLS" And he departed for the
smoking car.
Year: 1877

Owing to the drought which pre-.
vailed for SO long in the fall, prevent
ing the fattening of cattle and the
growth of grass, and reducing their
power of bearing the inclemency ol
the weather, many thousand cattle
are dying daily of starvation and 9th.
er causes. The loss to the country
and to the owners Of stock will bt
very great.
Year: 1877

Mr.. Garfield continued arguing that
the bill would reverse tho intention
OF our forefathers in the Constitution
in regard to counting the vote. He
opposed It on grounds, many of
which had already been laid down in
the Senate debate. The commission
might not attain any result whatever.
II one party became dissatisfied with
the result of the decision, it would.
perhaps resort to debate, to separa-
ton OF the two houses, until the time
passed when the vote should be
counted. the President of the Sem
ate refused to do his duty, he could
be removed within an hour, but if
the legislative body refused there
was no recourse. In conclusion, he
advised that men of the present day
should not try to "shoot Niagara and
leave the whirlpool to their children.
[ lApplause.l


AT eleven o'clock the House ad.
journed until tomorrow.
Year: 1877

l have come this far into this country. These are
time.


This country Is ours. We did not give 1t to you.
You stole it away from US. You have come here TO
our country ten us nes ana I 'uonr propose TO
talk much, and that is all have to say. want
you to take it easy going back home. Don't
so in a rush."


A YASKroN's TEDIOUS SPEECH.


Nine Yankton Indian, who joined the
Santee band that left Minnesota some years
ago, during the massacre, after shaking hands
all round, said:-"I have shaken nands with
everybody in the house. | don't wear the same
clothes that these people do You come over here to
lies on another. Iwant TO tell you lew, but
you have got more lies than can say. Slxty-four
years ago you promised TO take good care OF us.
You ran IRON one place 10 another, killing us and
fighting us. | was born ana raised with these
people over here. ! have come here to see the
council and to shake hands with you all. wanted
to tell you what think OF this. There seventy
different tribes OF rs. They live all over the
country. You kept part OF us over there and part
OF us you Kept on this side. You did not
treat us right over there and We came
you promised to take good care OF them when
you had them there but you did not fulll your
promises. They have come over to this side again,
aud here we all together | come in TO these
hara ~ IN
with the traders. That is tile way make my liv-
ing. Everything get buy from the traders |
don't steal anything. For fourteen years have
not fought with your people and that is what |
over here to these people. and these
people, II they have piece OF tobacco,
they give me bali, and that is why i've over
here. | have little powder in my powder horn,
have been this country" Shaking hands
all around, he contlnucd:--.'Wc came over to
this country, and am going to live with these peo-
pie here. This country over here is mine The
bullets have over intend TO Xii something to eat
with, not 10 Kill anybody with them That il what
these people told mc-to xiii nothing but what
wanted with the ammunition they gave me. viii
do so.''


sQGAw'S ADVICE.


Al the conclusion Of this q squaw, an anomalous
orator among the Indians, stepped boldly forward
Sitting Bul and his companions demanded that the
tables winch intcrycned between them ana the
commission should be moved, aud the commission
politely assented The squaw that was 10 speak
was the wifc-ol The Man that Bear
She was considered by some who were present 10
be an embodied insult to The commission, mas.
much as tie onlce OF squaw in an Indian tribe Is so
degrading as seldom TO admit he. to any sort OF
equality with her chel.


sac said:-"I was over to your country. wanted
to raise my children over there, bul you did NOT
give any rime come over to ;his country to raise
my children ana have ntt.c pcace-(shakiug
TO say TO YOU | want you to go back where You
came from. These are the people | am gong to
stay wlln ana raise my children.n


FLYING RIRDs ISsoLEScg.


The Flying Bird, chief Of the Mlnneconjous, next
arose. lie was the most picturesque and at the
same time the most absurd indian OF the lot-a
cross between medicine mani and warrior.
Year: 1877

from Fort Benton. The camp of Sitting
Bull is several days journey further to the


east, in the Wood Hills. The line Of bis re-
treat across the frontier and the general sur
roundings of tie locality, together with
Year: 1877

The commission on starting out on its long march
TO Helena across the Plains, which recently seemed
inrerminable. is best by Sitting Bulbs assurance
10 me, which he omitted to give TO the commits
sion. that he will not encourage his young brayes
10 seek our scalps ON the route below. He and his
companion chiefs and the one squaw who was elo-


ANOTHER WAR POSSIBLE


The pronounced friendly relations or Sitting
Bull and his tribe TO the Dominion officials, as ex.
pressed At the conference with the United States
Commission, renders it unlikely they will soon en-.
croacn upon our border. but there are so many
restless braves IN the camp that spnng will prob
ably witness the advance OF war parties into Nom
tana.


"GoopBY.r


The last vision OF the expedition after Sitting
Bull IS that or MAJOR Walsh mounted on his horse
Barney, himself attircd in boots corduroys, a
slouched hat aud bucksKn hunting shirt, saying
farewell" and gallopng away across the prairie.
all the dogs OF the two camps following at his heels
The Sitting Bull Commission says 'iarewe" to-
night, and 1t Will make its first camp on It's return
homeward. II is as yet undecided whether TO risk
a voyage down the Missouri which is likely TO be
frozen over, or by the stage and railroad ronte vita
The latter route is most likely to be chosen.
Year: 1877

avoid it, While the inaugural address being daily
cred from this place, devoted altogether to saving the
Union without war; insurgent agents in the city
seeking to destroy it without war; seeking to dissolve tho
Union, and divide the effects by negotiation


Both parties deprecated war but of them would
make rather than let the nation survive and the
other would accept war rather than let perish and the



Oneeghth of the whole population were coored slaves
not distributed generally the Union, but located In
the southern part of it, These slaves constituted pecu
liar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest
somehow the cause of the To strengthen pes
petuate and extend this interest the object for which
the insurgents would rend the Union by war; while Gov
enment claimed right to do than to restrict the
territorial enlargement of it, Neither party expected the
magnitude the duration which it has already attained
Neither anticipated that the of the conflict might
before the conflict itself should Each
looked for easier triumph, and result less funda-
mental and astounding. Both read the Bible, and
pray the God, and each nvokes his aid against
the other. 1t may seem strange that any man should
dare to ask just Gods assistance in wringng his bread
from the sweat of other mems faces.


But let us judge not, that we be not judged. The
prayer of both should not be answered That of neither
has been answered fully. The Almighty has His
purposes Woe unto the world because of ofenses for
it needs be that ofenses come; but unto that
man by whom the ofense cometh.'


If shall suppose that American slavery of these
ofenses which, in the providence of God must needs
come but which, having continued through his appointed
time he wills to remove and that he gives to both
North and South this terrible the due to those
by soo the ofense came shall we discern therein any
departure from those divine attributes which the believers
in living God always ascrbe to him?


Fondy do hope, fervently do we pray, that this
mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away Yet
God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by
the bondmans two hundred and fifty years of unrequed
toll shall be sunk and until every drop of blood
by the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the
sword, said three thousand years ago. still it
be said that the judgments of the Lord true and
righteous altogether.


With malice towards none, with charity for ALL with
frmness ia the right God gives to the right let
strive on to finish the work in, to bind up the
nation wound for him who shall have borne the
battle and for his widow and his orphans to do all which
may achieve and cherish just and lasting peace among
ourselves and with all nations.


ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Year: 1877

We have no new steps to chronicle In this
issue in relation to this just and proper law In
both the. Senate and the House it was long since
referred to appropriate committees, but as yet
no action has been taken. With bill that has
been SO thoroughly discussed by the press and
in Congress, which has been approved by COM
mittee after committee in both houses, it would
seem that there should not be ground for any
delay, but that it should be reported back and
passed at once. Both parties have fully indorsed
the principle in their national conventions, and
instructions are on file from the legislatures of
most of the States demanding its passage. 1t
is about time that the Committee on Military
Affairs both of the House and Senate should
report favorably, and give the members chance
for a square vote.


Let US see early as we can who ventures
to vote against this measure of justice SO long
and SO unreasonaby delayed


Pay up the debt due to the soldiers, gentle
men of the House and Senate, before paying off
any other.


Let claims and questions of currency ard all
others Of that sort stand out of the way awhile
and do what you have repeatedly promised and
have as repeatedly failed to perform.
Year: 1877

We use the word Reforms advisedly, we do
not mean economize-we do not mean reduc-
ton OF salaries, we mean such judicious increase
of pay and positions as shall secure more accu-
racy, more educated talent, more efficient work
by the officers in Washington and their local
employees.


We mean that the Commissioner shall be
placed en- an equality with the Commissioner of
Patents, that the Medical Referee shall have the
full pay and emoluments of full Army
Surgeon of ten years standing. That the grade
OF examiners and assistant examiners be created
and maintained in the Pension Office as in the
Patent Office, with equal pay; that the examin-
ing Surgeons be paid three dollars for each
examination and foe dollars in obscure and diff
cult cases. That the board to be ordered by the
Commissioner shall receive each the same paw:
in short the time, labor, and responsibility, act
ually given to the service of the Government be
remunerated in fair proportion.


We propose to demand and require, good, eff
cient, scientific work. and to pay for it what It is
worth-and we commend these views to the
Committee on Pensions in the two Houses. as
the decent and proper solution of the embarrass-
ments, which are now alleged to involve the
administration of the Pension Office.
Year: 1877

81 600. We do not know DIR. Clarke, nor his
competency as a surgeon, the thoroughness or
character of his Investigations, nor of course
the credit Justly due him. But it is safe to say
that of the 1878 examining surgeons it is not
likely that Dr. Clarke, appointed in the same
mode as all the rest, occupied, either profession
ally or otherwise, any position commandingly
superior to the general average


Nay, more We feel sure that DR.. Clarke's
record as an examining surgeon is in nowise
better than that of many others; and it strikes
us as unfair to hardworking and meritorious
class of men to select cut one single man for
praise, while as to all the others the report is
silent, or, what is worse, condemns by contrast.


DR.. Clarke, of course understood the object of
his mission; he knew the theory that was to be
maintained. 1t is possible visions of larger and
more permanent jurisdiction and better salary
under the new plan dazzled his mental eyes,
and his diagnosis was more severe, his rulings
more strict, than they would else have been.


1t is very likely that many other men SO sit
uated might have done the same. Notwith-
standing, we prefer to believe, until some better
proof comes, that the mass of the examining
surgeons do their duty both by the Government
and the pensioner.


We of the NATIONAL TRIBUNE stand as sem
tinels to give the alarm when what we consider
injudicious or pernicious action is contemplated,
but we can do no more unless the body of men
thus attacked rally for themselves and their
own protection.


This they should do at once, for the recon-
mendation of the Commissioner justly has much
weight with the committees and with Congress


They must strengthen our hands by prompt
aid, by instant and large additions to the sub
scription-lists of our paper, by prompt and
ready support, pecuniary and otherwise, by cor
respondence with us on the subjects of interest
to both, SO that we can come to the attack again
with an assurance of hearty sympathy from a
large and influential body of men.


The NATIONAL TRIBUNE has done and will do
its duty by them and all others; let them do
their duty by the NATIONAL TRIBUNE
Year: 1877

1t my duty to call attention to the fact that the Ell
cheney of the pension division of this office has been se
ousy impaired by the reduction of clerical force made n
July, 1874, and October, 1876 The number of clerks
and stewards employed i'll the division during the fiscal
year ending June 80 1874, ga. They searched and
replies in 49, 535 cases. leaving only 975 nd
unanswered at the close of the fiscal year. In other
words the division then only about three weeks be-
hind its work, which satisfactorily discharged with
out unnecessary delay. The reduction of force which
took effect July 1874 diminished the number of clerks
to &c and as the number of demands for information
did not diminish, the work began to fall steadily behind
hand. July 1876, the number of remaining
answered 1919 nevertheless, October 10, 1876,
another reduction of clerical force went into effect st
further diminishing the number Of clerks to 49, The
inevitable result, in spite of the most strenuous efforts
has been the very large number of reported
awaiting action.


Congress its last session authorized the Secretary of
Office This act went into effect July 1877. The assist
thus afforded will certainly be very considerable,
will undoubtedly appear in the report for the next fiscal
year; but my duty to point ont that this additional
force not sufficient to meet the exgences of the
All that be hoped is that if the number of demands
ON the Office continues about the the average
number received annually for the last years. the
number of replies will approximate the number of de-
mands made that the division will not fall much fur
ther behindhand in its work But it cannot the
lest ground with the clerical force allowed and every
consideration of justice and economy makes it sodesra
bic that it should do So that earnestly recommend the
employment of fifty additional clerks of Glass for
long time may be necessary enable the division to
dispose promptly of the work now in arrears
Year: 1877

FELLOW couNTRYMEK: At this second appearing to
take the oath Of the presidential Office there less
sion for extended address than there the first
Then, statement, somewhat in detail of to be
pursued seemed very fitting and proper Now, at the
expiration of four years during which public declarations
have constantly been called forth every point and
phase of the great contest which still absorbs the


on and engrosses the energies of the naon little that
is could be presented.


The progress Of our arms upon which all else chiefly
depends, is well known TO the public TO myself and
is, trust reasonably satisfactory and encouraging
ALL With high hope for the future, prediction in re-
gard ventured On the occasion corresponding to
this four years ago all thoughts anousy directed
to ap impending cyi AL dreaded it, all sought to