smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

Take heavy coffee cup inverted owe
reed, c~o edge of the cup resting
within the eighth of an inch of the end
which is closed by the joint, the other
end being filled with suitable attractive
bait (boiled beef or crumbs of bread)
packed in close, the reed to be of suffi-
eient length to come entirely inside Of
the cup when it falls over the closed or
iointed end by the agitation and nib
bling Cf .he unsuspecting mischieyoua
animal.


The largest rats may be caught in
similar manner with stouter reed II
the same kind under pan or heavy
bowl with weight on top.


+. B. NJ.
Year: 1877

Trirf the SKINS well, cutting off legs
and III useless parts; wash them thor
oughly clean; nail them to the barn
floor Tor any suitable aoor) with the
wool side down, stretching them well;
wash each one in one half cupful of
salt dissolved in hot water, about five
minutes each day for four or five days;
then take one half cupful of pulverized
alum, dissolve in one quart of wstet
and wash each skin with this cnce u
day for four days; then wheT CRY, take
up the skin and rub with sandstone
to remove all flesh.
Year: 1877




One hundred years ago not a pound
Of coal OF cubic foot Of Illuminating gas
had been burned in the country. No
iron stoves were used, and no contrlvan-
ces for eccnomizinss heat were employ
ed until DR.. Franklin invented the iron
framed fireplace which still bears his
name. All tbe cooking and warming
in town and country were done by the
aid of fire kindlod upon the brick
HEARTH OF the brick oven. Pine knots
or tallow candles furnished the light for
the long winter nights, ard sanded floors
supplied the place Of rugs and carpets.
Tho water used for household purposes
was drawn from deep wells by the
creaking "sweep.


No form of ebmp was used IN this
country, SO far as We can learn, until
after the commencement of the present
century. There were no friction matches
in those early days, by aid Of which a
FIRE could be speedily kindled; and if
the fre event OUT upon the hearth
over night, and the timber was damp
so that the spark would not catch, the
alternative remained of wading through
the snow mile or SO, to borrow
brand of neighbor.


Only one room in any home was
wafln unless some OF the family was Ill
in all the rest the temperature was al
zero during many nights IN the winter
The men and wonner of hundred
years ago undres5ea and went to then
beds in temperature colder than tha
of our modern barns and wood-sheds. .ant
they never complained.-Home Jour
Enal;
Year: 1877

Remember that it is an invariable
rule to discontinue sending the ANTI
Aloxupous1 at the end otthe period paid
for. We have no right to pres umo that
a subscriber desires his paper continued
i ho does not renew and remit; and we
are not willing TO force it on him.
Year: 1877

ETrERs ASKING If THE CIVIL SERVICE ORDER


APPLIES TO CERTAIN CAsEs-A CABINET OFF,


CER's EXPLANATION.


IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l


WASHINGTON, Oct. 2G-Frequent letters nave
been received at the White House from Office
holders in different parts of the country, since the
President issued his Civil Service order requesting
an Interpretation of it, either in whole in part,
and asking for a decision as to its application to
certain given cases. Replies have been sent to
most of these letters. in which attention has
been called 10 the fact that the order is not
intended and in fact, does not interfere with, the
free political action Of any Federal ofIice-holder
It's object it has been explained is simply to prevent
a monopoly of tie management Of party machinery
by those who hold the Federal offices, and who are
therefore tempted TO use that machinery oftener
for their own personal advantage than for that of
the party itself 1t has been repeatedly de-
cided that the order does not forbid any
ofIice-holder TO express his opinions on any
political question either orally or III writing nor
does it prevent him from doing anything to promote
the interests and secure the Of the political
organization with which he is identified The dis
tinction between legitimate political activity and
that exclusive management of machinery in which
many Federal ofice-holders have been engaged, is
believed at the White House to be so obvious,
that any misunderstanding on the subject is wholly



unnecessary


member of the Cabinet received from Federal
ofiice-holder in Massachusetts,, recently, letter
from which it appears that some of the ofce-hoders
in Boston and vicinity not only manifest no interest
in the present political canvass there. but have ex-
pressed determination not 10 vote at the coming
election In reply to this, letter has been written
TO which reference was made in dispatch to The
TRIBUNE yesterday. 1t gives the same interpreta-
ton TO the Presidents Civil Service order that has
been made in former communications from the White
House. and calls attention to the fact that neither
In its spirit nor it's letter does it interfere with the
free political action Of all United States officers 1t
expresses the hope that if any Federal officers IN
Massachusetts, decline vote, at the election next
MONTH they will not justice TO the President, as
sgn as for their neglect, the order IN ques-
tlon The recipient of this letter will be at liberty
PRINT 1t If he thinks proper. and II expected that
Year: 1877




InY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TGIBUNh.J


WASHINGTON, Oct. 2G.-SOme prominent Demo-
Gratis express the belief to-day that Congress may
complete the business for which it called eX
ira session. and adjourn by next Friday or Saturday
Several very influential representatives. of the party
have called upon the President within the last day
or two and have disclosed to him their plan for
bringing about so carly an adjournment 1t is to
have the session Of Monday next close Immediately
after the announcement of the committees, and
20 cause the army and deficiency bills to
le reported Tuesday morning, and passed that
day under the operation of the previous
question and without debate. Then IT is proposed
to send those bills TO the Senate with a resolution
for final adjournment before the end of the week.
This scheme seems hardly practicable but if both
Houses of Congress are really anxious to carry 1t
into effect they can easily do Many Of the
Eastern Democrats, especially those from New-IOrk
and Pennsylvania. are afraid that if Congress re-
mains in session. and the doors are thrown open for
general business financial bills and resolutions will
be introduced and voted upon, and the majority in
he House will make such records Will tend to in
lac their party IN the several State elections
Year: 1877

ANOTHER BUREAU FOR WHICH SPECIAL BUILDING


SHOULD BE PUT UP-A SAVING OF EXPENSE


SUFFICIENT TO PAY FOR 1T.


IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRBUSEl


WASHINGTON, Oct. 2G.-lhe Special Commission
on fire-proOf buildings, in their recent report. say
that the presence of the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing in the Department Building, is to greater
OF less extent hazardous 10 that structure. This is
undoubtedly true though the hazard is not great
it might be, account of the precautions which
are taken to guard against fire, and to extingush
one should il be started. TIE commission also
recommend that the Printing and Engraving
Bureau be removed to tire-prO0f building,
TO be erected for that purpose. Ibis sug-
gestion is entirely in harmony with the desires of
the Secretary of the Treasury and Of Mr. Mcpherson.
The latter in an official report to Secretary Sherman,
submitted recently, called his attention 10 the fact
that during the first three months of the present
fiscal year, there had been saved out of the appro-
priations for the Bureau $l5OO and that the ag
gregae saving for the current fiscal year would not
be less than SG00000, fully two-thirds of tine
whole appropriation. In addition to this the work
to be done by the Bareau of Engraving and
Printing upon Internal Revenue Bureau stamps and
for the Controller of the Currency, viii cost about
Y12O 900 less than paid for the same work last
year. In view Of these facts Chief Mcpherson thinks
that the Secretary of the Treasury viii he fully JUS
tilted in aslil Congress TO make an appropriation
OF ~ 80 600 S2OO.O0O Tor the erection OF SUIT
able nre-prOOf building, to which the Bureau OF En-
CRAVING and Printing NAV hc removed lhls sum
might be taken from the apprOp lItlOnS Tor the
present year. and there would stll be left OnC-nalf
of those appropriations To be covered INTO the treas
ury the lst of July next. No similar instance of
equal economy III The management OF any GOVerh-
ment business Is beheyed TO nave occurred III many
Year: 1877

In consequence Of the success
we have had the past month in
our Silk Department, we have
felt encouraged to consummate
perhaps the largest purchase Of
Silk Goods made in this couu-
try in many years, and now
offer the following
Year: 1877

From the perusal of the report of the
committee appointed to investigate the
State prisons the average reader will prob
ably derive the impression that if the prison
officials generally and the convicts were to
change plhces no great injustice would be
done to anybody, while there would prob
ably be an immediate improvement in the
efficiency of prison administration. Cor
ruption, it was anticipated, would be found
in every department of our State prisons,
and innumerable abuses of every description,
but no one imagined that the chronicle
would make record SO absolutely disgrace
full to the State as it does. That there was
little or no discipline. that there were oc-
casional cruel punishments applied in
revengcful spirit, and that all the money
transactions were as loose as possible, was
what every one was prepared to expect; but
to find the deficiencies such that the prisons
are no prisons at oil for favored number
and are veritable Spanish inquisitions
for all the rest is painful dis
the mere reflection on the prison and in
wolves the impeachment Of the whole po-
litical system, which is so thoroughly based
upon partisanship that honest administra-
tion anywhere becomes impossible. There
is but one reassuring thought in this con-
nection, which is that the system of the
administration by elected inspectors is
doomed, and is replaced under the amended
constitution by superintendent of prisons,
who will be appointed as soon as the Leg
islature has acted on the constitutional pro-
vision. This change, it is to be hoped. will
be eminently beneficial.
Year: 1877

vile instrument. In Europe they call it


'the American devil" but We are sure
the name does injustice to any devil
we ever had in this country. All
who love the gentle indulgence OF "a
little more folding of the hands to sleep"
anywhere between drowsy five and lazy
eight on frosty morning. will rejoice over
the decision of Judge Sanford, reported to-
day, which puts legal stopper in at least
one whistle. Suit was brought tor damages
by the proprietor of a dwelling house whose
tenants were annoyed by q marble yard,
and the damages are refused on the simple
ground that il. people put house next to
factory that is only constructively nuis-
ance they must take the consequence; but
the human sympathy of the Judge shone
resplendently in his opinion that the steam
whistle must be suppressed.
Year: 1877

ducing Judge or judges is to prevent a tie,
and the Chief Justice would as effectuahy


prevent tie as larger number. The re-
ported plan assumes that the judges would
not be unanimous by requiring one to be
Withdrawn by lot on the idea that six might
divide by party line. 1t would be public
scandal to thus exhibit the Supreme Court
judges as partisans. dissenting from one
another on political question. There may be
nothing very solid in the objection to drop
ping one of the judges by lot. but we cannot
safely ignore its effect on tho public mind.
Nothing is more certain than that it would
make the whole scheme butt of derision to
heated partisans and cause its utter defeat.
It would bo national calamity if the plan
of the joint committee should miscarry, and
they ought not to expose it to defeat by in
sisting on point so extrnneous to its real
merits and SO fitted to prejudice the public
mind. All the substantial advantages of
this proposition can be saved if they do not
expose it to the certain clamor and odium
which will be excited by introducing the
lottery element into question which ought
to be decided by justice and not committed
to chance.
Year: 1877

Another stage has been reached in the
dramatic evolution of Mexican President.
Iglesias only the other day had an army and
noble ambition. Now he has no army.
seems to be inspired with peaceful fancies
and wants to ''retire to private life" 1t is
to be apprchended the privacy may
prove deeper than he desires. One Of
the generals who supported Lerdo, and
who held out on point of honor to redeem
his promise, surrendered finally, started for
home, but was stopped on the way and shot.
1t is we'll to regard your honor, but not in
Mexico, or ut least not when it is incon-
venient to man who is dominant by the
simple law of force. With the failure of the
bubble inflated by Iglesias there is no
pretender who has even the shadow
of legal claim to the Executive
Office in the Mexican Republic; and thus
Diaz is the supreme man, the dictator,
Caesar, tyrant or society saver, MS any one
may choose to call the men who fill, in the
history Of dilapidated republics, the part
that has now fallen to him. He is evidently
the man to make vigorous ruler, if not
wise one; and vigor in the ruler is what that
country needs. He may make life safe ex-
cept from his own vengeances, and guarantee
property, except against seizure by his own
agents, and this will be great improve
ment. If Diaz is not assassinated too soon
he will perhaps organize government that
will keep the extravagant elements of Mex
ican society in tolerable order-as good q
government, may be, as would have been
organized by poor Carlotta's husband; but
the fatal bullet or dagger will probably an
ticipate his efforts.
Year: 1877

The principal result of the suggestions
made on Monday to the Aldermanic Com
mittee on Railroads is q settled conviction
that the members of the existing Board of
Health should be ousted at once and their
places be filled by officials of the street rail-
road companies. The astute railroad presi-
dent who discovered that the proposition to
heat the cars was the result of a conspiracy
among physicians to kill off Now Workers
should be elevated, by the unanimous vote
of grateful people, to the presidency
of the new Board. Even this would
not be sufficient reward the additional
Office of treasurer should be conferred
ON the same gentleman for finding out, all
by himself, that clean straw possesses suf-
ficiency of heating properties. The director
who advanced the original theory that foul
air would be generated by slight modifica-
ton of the hyperborean atmosphere of the
average street car should be made chairman
of the Committee on Warming and Ventila-
ton in the new Board. All the sanitary in
formation ever promulgated by the present
Board of Health is mere textbook clippings
compared with the startling assertion that
warm air in street car will produce pneu-
monin and contagious diseases. Even this
revelation is as nothing when compared
with that conveyed by the statement that
every one who wants to avoid freezing in n
car is an imbecile for, rs fully half million
people are possessed of the idea referred to,
the man who reveals this unexpected
and dreadful prevalence of lunacy is
q public benefactor Of unheard Of degree,
sand justifes the placing of all the mad
houses of tho country under tho care of the
proposed new Board and its wonderful
president. Let it not be said Of New York
as it was of Genoa, Florence and Nazareth,
that great man is without honor in his
own country. Our citizens should arise in
their might, depose our present Board of
Health, construct new one exclusively Of
railroad officials, and then checrfully freeze
to death in filthy, breezy cars from motives
of local patriotism, consoled by the proud
consciousness OF having appropriately recog-
nized and rewarded the sanitary sages whose
existence in our midst has been heretofore
unsupported.
Year: 1877

Two peculiar cases reported at length in
our columns to-day show i'll nm amusing man.
ner how the law occasionally fails to do all


that in equity it should. One is the case of
Hon. j. Milton Turner, a wise and estimable
gentleman and lawyer besides, whose
popularity of complexion is one which is
the foundation of the Civil Rights bill. Mr..


Turner was refused entertainment at the
Astor House on the ground, as he avers that
he was of African descent, and bevy Of
legal wiseacres consumed the wee sma' hours
Of Monday night and Tuesday morning only
to demonstrate to Mr.. Turner that he had
no case, for the reason that the Astor House
contained no empty beds on the night on
which the alleged wrong was committed


The other case will delight people who have
grudges against lawyers, but it nevertheless
iaiIs to show why there should be no legal
redress for the counsellor who is being tor
mented in this particular instance. II
seems that lady, considering herself ag-
grieved by the counsel who opposed her in
tercsts in libel suit, is avcnging herself
by sending an immense quantity of epistles
to the wretched lawyer, and adding discom-
fort to injury by pcrfuming her missivcs
with musk. There is n grain of comfort in
the lawyers agony, for the letter writer,
like true lady, encloses stamps for replies


besides, the letters can be sold by the pound
for u consoling sum, even If no shrewd
person pays an extra price for them
that he may place them near his
door to nppall tramps and beggars
by the odor of the musk which fingers
about them. Fortunately for tho afflicted
mortal, his prosecutor has just brought suit
against him for five thousand dollars dam
ages, and it is but reasonable to suppose
that when in the. hands Of her own counsel
Year: 1877

If there is any one fact in our city life MS
to which the voice of the sluggard might be
raised in Legitimate complaint it is the ter
rible steam whistle Of the early factory in
the noighborhood. Sleepy mortality--an
large part Of city mortality is sleepy at six
A. Mas deep and abiding horror Of this
Year: 1877

way or ships.


ment at time when regular observa-
tions are impossible is one of the most
difficult but important duties of the navi-
gator. Long experience may give captain
very fair knowledge of the forces of
oceanic currents, but usually it is
mere matter of good luck if his vessel es-
capes disaster from these causes. This
danger arises more frequently during fogs
and at night than during clear weather
and daylight, because in either of these
latter cases the land becomes visible soon
enough to admit of correction of the ships
course. DR.. Schallern, of this city, has in
vented on apparatus which he claims will
measure with accuracy the progressive mo-
tion of ship and the lateral motion tech
nically known as 'leeway."


DR.. Schallern's invention consists in the
application OF tube fitted to the keel of the
ship and open at the bow end. The tube is led
into the body of the vessel, where it is attached
to nm elastic cylinder fitted with nova
BILE top. formed by brass plate. The press
ure Of the water in the tube when the ship
is in progressive motion raises this brass
plate and with it brass rod to which it is
attached. The rod passes into the captains
cabin, where it operates an instrument that
indicates the water pressure in the
pipe, and, consequently, the velocity
Of the ships direct motion. Another
instrument, similarly operated by the
water pressure in tubes attached to
the vessels sides, registers her lateral motion
or leeway. In order to protect the open
ends of the tubes from being closed by any
matter suspended in the water the oriices
are covered by q wire meshing, which acts
MS strainer on the water. 1t is here thst
we perceive grave defect in the apparatus.
There is nothing to prevent the meshes
from being covered with barnacles
or sea grass growing on the ships
sides and keel. Even if the tube ends
project some distance from the vessel
this difficulty would not be obviated.
Again, if the meshes are not sufficiently
open to admit moderately free Gow of the
water as the ship rises and falls in q heavy
sea, the indications of pressure must be ex-
tremely inaccurate. If any minute marine
animals, inftsoria or particles of sand enter
the tube they will in time reduce its diame-
ter, choke it altogether ut the bends, or
considerably increase the friction of the
water on the inner surface of the tube.
Another objection must be the impossibility
of reaching the tube to clean it..
The variations of temperature of the water
may create inaccuracies in the records OF
pressure, but the chief difficulties are those
that would be caused by the fouling of the
tube from various causes. Any apparatus
for determining the direct motion and lee
way of a ship must be movable and capable
of being easily and quickly applied. That
invented by DR.. Schallern does not strike us
as being applicable for Its purpose, although
the leading idea in the general conception
is sound one.
Year: 1877

CHIEF JUSTICE DAILY, President of the Geo
graphical Society paid his respects to the jealous
Captain Mares yesterday in tho course of his
rtsmme of the geographical progress of the year.
The address will richly repay pcrusal.
Year: 1877

THE NOTORIOUS PAT SMITH has reached his
home at Sing Sing again, and is ready to say
worse things about policemen and detectives
than any other critic of our police force would
dare to utter.
Year: 1877

erable Importance as to what can be done to
obstruct the obstructionists in the future.
It is to the credit Of the British Parliament
that, during its long career, the privileges OF
membership have never before been 50 out
rageously abused. But the precedent having
been set, the necessity for guarding. against
the recurrence is apparent Here Parlia~
ment is confronted with the danger Of max
ing any rule which may impera the indi7ld-
uni right Of unrestricted debate and the
questioning Of the Ministry. The privileges
of the minority have always been regarded
as sacred. One suggestion is, that the House
shall confer upon the Speaker the privilege
of turning over any filibustering member to
the Sergeant-at-Arms, whenever his judgment
warrants tho arrest; this means fine
of about S1,500, if sustained by the
House. But this would be. an arbitrary
and dangerous generalization. Another Is,
that no member shall have the privilege Of
calling for more than one division OF the
House during the consideration of any given
measure; but this would fail as a protection
if there be twenty obstructionists instead Of
five. The difficulty has assumed such plo-
portions that the Cabinet will not attempt to
propose remedy at the present session, but
will give the subject long and careful con-
sideration during the vacation, and propose
new rules at the next session. It would not
be surprising if the old British Parliament
should be forced to initiate young Amer1ca
with the ssPreyious- Question" rule after all
its experience.
Year: 1877

4 still more formidable organization than
that now manufacturing trouble in Baltimore
and West Vlrginia is to be formed. AnrHur.
Chief OF the Locomotive Brotherhood, is
busyirg himself with the establishment Of
Rn order to comprehend all train-men and
every railroad for the purpose Of making
strikes general aud controlling such wages
rs may be deemed proper by the employees.
THIS eau only be met by combination on
the part Of the roads and steady refusal to
employ Union men, which viii do more than
bullets to break up such organization and
the essential outcome thereof.