smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1879

IT Washington correspondents may be be-
leved (they are capable of enormous fables
in the dull time between the sessionsl the
contest for the speakership of the next
House is sharp one, and Mr.. RandalPs
chances anything but good. The great
amount of gossip over the affair seems to have
convinced the small group of Greenbackers,
composed in part of men not much versed in
affairs, that they hold the balance of power
and can dictate the choice of Speaker.
They are not acquainted with the Washing
ton correspondent, and their hopefulness is,
perhaps, not to be wondered at.


1t is probable that Mr.. Randall will be re-
elected. He is an able man, an expert par
liamentarian, and stout partisan. lie is
certainly better qualified for the position than
is Mr.. Blackburn whose only claim to the
honor is his service in the Confederate army,
and is quite as bitter and unscrup ulous
partisan. So far as Republicans are con-
cerned it matters little which is chosen.
Their only preference for Mr.. Randall would
be that he is man of more brains and ex-
perience in the ways of the House, and ex-
pert in the dispatch of its business.


From the Greenbacker group, despite its
numerical weakness, something is to be
feared. The man of the Greenbackers' choice
would be worse than either Randall or Black
burn elected by strict Democratic vote; and
if they have the power to choose between
these men, they have the strength to exact
pledges, the fulfillment of which will be dis
astrous to the country. The Democracy
have always been fertile in compromising
They have never hesitated to sacrifice prin-
ciple to expediency, to surrender any dec
trine, no matter how vital or long-chershed,
if thereby they could gain some temporary
advantage. The danger is that If they see
the Greenbackers hold the balance of power
they will pledge themselves to initiation legis-
lation in order to get the control of the
House. If either Mr.. Randall or Mr.. Black
burn can get possession of the gavel by prom
ising to effect the passage of any legislative
measure upon which the Greenbackers insist,
the promise will be made. 1t is not probable
that the Nationals can place either Judge
Kelley or General Ewing in the chair, but
there is danger that they can set their terms
and compel the adoption of them by one or
the other faction of the Democracy. 1t
seems now as though the choice of Speaker
would depend upon a trade, the terms of
which will not only be dlshonorabe to the
traders, but disastrous to the country. We
shall have to pay the cost of Democratic
Congress rather sooner than we expected. 1t
was hoped the evil would come in driblets.
1t promises to come in an avalanche.
Year: 1879

ONE of the Boston Sunday papers-it may
be darkly described as the only Boston paper
that reaches Portland on Sunday gives in
its latest issue some eminently readable Cos
sip about authors, dead and living. Falling
victim to the prevailing mania it also gives US
glimpses of the sisters and the cousins and the
aunts, and even the wives of the eminent
authors. An amusing story is told of the
way in which the wife of Mr.. Emerson shod
her hens so they should not scratch up the
seeds in her fower-garden, shoeing which
So tickled Mr.. Alcott, transcendentalist and
philosopher, that he withdrew TO the neigh
boring woods and laughed consumedly. 1t
is much to be feared that the teller of this
good story has had no experience in handling
flock of hens else he would have known
that the housewives of New England have long
been accustomed to put cloth bandages on
the feet of their feathered and predatory
bipeds in order to protect their garden s,
both flower and kitchen, from those who
scratch for living.
Year: 1879

THE cynical Boston Herald puts no faith
in the efficacy of Fast Day proclamatlons and
says: ''When the appointed day comes the
people will devote themselves to base ball,
walking matches, and rum drinking" That
may be; people will doubtless pass their lei
sure in the sports they like, or in the indul-
gence Of vices to which they are subject; but
all the same men in authority, presumed
leaders, should indicate the path the people
ought to follow. Let us at least make pre-
tense of observing Fast Day properly. We
may delude some one into behaving himself.
Year: 1879

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
but as guaranty of good faith.


We cannot undertake to return OF preserve com-
munications that are not used.
Year: 1879

thousand dollars from life annuities
which he had purchased from various
life insurance companies. As the Count
lived to be eighty-four years old this
speculation proved very successful, so
far as he was concerned. Though he
was on good terms with his only SOB,
Nicholas, he could not bear the idea of
having an heir, and desired much to
leave all his vast property in trust for
charitable purposes; but as the French
law would not allow him to do this, he
came short time ago to Geneva, with
the intention Of bequeathing his fortune
to the city, as the Duke of Brunswick
had done. He found, however, that the
Code Napoleon rules also in Geneva, and
there no more than in France can man
make his own will. Then he went to
England, got himself naturalized, and
made will, in which he cut off his son
with shilling, and left all else that he
had to be divided among number of
philanthropic institutions. But, as it
was evident that his end was approach
ing, his friends prevailed upon him to
alter his testamentary dispositions in
favor of his son, who had never given
him cause of offense. Count Nicholas,
therefore, inherits all his fathers
wealth-four hundred thousand dollars
year, besides personal property of al
most untold value. The late Count
Potocki was the husband of the beauti-
full countess of that name, once a
celebrity in the musical world, and
known as the friend and benefactor of
Chopin
Year: 1879

The Tyrolese observe singular Gus
tom in making proposals of marriage.
The first time young man pays visit
as an avowed lover, he brings with him
a bottle of wine, of which he pours out
a glass and presents it to the object of
his desires. If she accepts it, the whole
affair is settled: Very often the girl
has not yet made up her mind, and then
she will take refuge in excuses, SO as to
drink the wine, and yet not refuse
it point blank, for that is considered a
gross Insult, proving that she has been
merely trifing with the affections of
her lover. She will, for instance, main
tain that the wine looks souri," or that
wine disagrees with her, or that she is
afraid of getting tipsy, or that the
priest has forbidden her to take any.
In fact, she makes use of any subter-
fuge that presents itself at that mo
ment. The purport Of these excuses is
that she has not yet come to decision,
and that the wine offering is premature.
Shy lovers 6nd this custom singularly
happy institution.
Year: 1879

CoMPULsIvE military service is the
rule in Switzerland, but the Federal
Council has the power of raising or low
ering the standard of height. For 1879
the standard has been raised by five
centimeters-say two inches-a step
which helps the Treasury both ways,
since there will be smaller force to sup.
port during the period of drill, and
there will be an increased revenue from
the exemption tax, which those beneath
the standard height have to pay.
Year: 1879

times, sea in that neighborhuod, from
FIVE to six hundred leagues in circum-
ference. He also has been enabled to
disprove the idea that the formation OF
a new lake would do away with the
oases, for he has discovered that these
are all from fifteen to forty metres
above the level OF the sea, whereas the
desert itself is below that level. Traces
of Roman civilization have been found
in the desert, and among them the re.
mains of an amphitheater like that in
Rome aa.
Year: 1879

LORD BEACoNsFIELD's appearance in
Parliament, after the reception of the
news of Princess Alice's death, is some
what sarcastically described by Man
chester correspondent. He was per-
fectly made up in the deepest mourn
ing, which could not we'll have been
deeper had Princess Alice been his own
daughter instead of the Queens. He
had on, as far as one could Judge, new
black hat, with the deepest of cloth.
His scarf was black; his coat, vest and
trowsers were of the sablest hue; and al
together a more funereal figure could
hardly be imagined than he presented
as he walked to his seat, with bowed
head and soft tread, as if he were in the
chamber of death itself. This was very
much overacted, and so, for that matter,
was the speech in which he moved the
address. He overdid the emotion. He
presented, in voice and manner, the
picture of grief which, in the nature
of things, it was impossible to feel.
Year: 1879

JAPAN is pushing head quietly but
steadily with her industries, and much
faster than some people will like. The
large cotton mills and spinning-factory
erected at Sakai several years ago are in
successfuloperation. Avisitor to these es-
Establishments reports that the buildings
are very substantial, and that they are
provided with good machinery. In the


factory there were employed about one
hundred and fifty hands. In consider
ing the conditions Of successful foreign
trade, it will not do much longer for
Western nations to overlook what the
people of the East are doing for them
selves, not only in Japan, but in China
and India. -s -
Year: 1879

THE Supreme Judicial Court of Massa-
chusetts has sent down a decision of
more than ordinary interest to mill own
ers and their employees, in which it is
held that it is not the duty of mill pro-
prietors to their servants employed in a
building which is properly constructed
for ordinary business carried on within
it, to provide means of escape, or to in
sure the safety of the servant from the
consequences of fire not caused by his
negligence. The issue was raised in the
case of Ellen Jones against the Granite
Mills Company, of Falls River, in whose
mill confagration occurred Septem-
Der 10, 1874, with terrible loss of life.
Plaintiff was an employee of this cor
poration, and brought action of tort to
recover for injuries which she received
at the time of the fire through her ina
bility to escape from the sixth story of
the burning mill except from the gable
window,
Year: 1879

GEN JOHN B. HOOD, who died In New Or
leans Saturday morning OF yellew fever, as
stated In Saturdays STAR, was buried the same
afternoon. Only few friends OF the family and
delegation OF the Association of the Army OF
the Tennessee attended the funeral At the
cemetery, however, the cortege was received by
detachment OF the Continental Guards who
fired salute over the grave OF the dead soldier
AS matter of precaut1on none OF the military
organizations were invited to attend the
funeral. Lydia Hood, daughter Of Gen. Hood
died OF the fever saturday night and another
daughter Is very ILL.,
Year: 1879

THERE CAN BE But ONE ANSWER to the
question as to when District Attorney
Wells term OF Office expires, and that is
upon the expiration OF his commission OF Office.
This will be January 18th next. Nothing con-
corning whether he will succeed himself, or
some one else will succeed him has been de-
Hel0ped
Year: 1879

"Dr Standif0rd's scnemes for hold
ing the Southern trade are probably
the most comprehensive and far
sighted Of the time. His acquisition
of the Mobile and Montgomery Rails
road give him access alike to the gulf,
to all the southeast and to Florida !;
the building Of the Georgia Western
would let him into Atlanta, the key
Of the southeast, and the completion
of his Knoxville branch will give him
a short line to the Caroliuas via Ashe.
vile. What more could Louisville
want? She would then have roads
that would tap every part of the
South, except northern Texas and
Virginia.-AtidGltd Constitution.
Year: 1879

A WRITER in one of the Cincinnati
papers speaks of the good old days
when a ''lawyer studied law before
he began to practice bis profession"
on6 ;ntimates that it would be better
# the old style was returned to.
Year: 1879

1T is tradition among the oldest
inhabitants of New York that the
streets have not been cleaned for many
years, and it was only done then be-
cause of the funeral procession of one
of the Police Commissioners and head
of the Street Cleaning Bureau; at least
SO says the World.
Year: 1879

"W WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 1879.


any DEAR -: You want money
to be plenty, the rate of interest to be.
low; at the same time ycu want money
to be good. You can only have this
state of things when there is conf
deDce in The stability of the currency.
Capital will not go where it is uncer-
tain in what currency debts viii be
paid next month or next year. II
the legal tender for debts depends on
the uncertain action of Congress there
will be want of confidence. The
only constitutional legal tender is
gold and silver. Depart from that and
confidence is gone. All the world now
believes that investments in America
are likely to be profitable. A sound
financial policy will bring Us money
from all the commercial nations of the
earth. In good times prepare for hard
times; in good times pay debts. The
legal tender notes are debts. Let them
be paid by coin in the Treasury and
the coin that is coming in from abroad
and twill not contract the circulation.
Let our ship be headed in The right
direction. 1t is a sound policy which
has brought good times; the same pol
icy will continue good times.


sincerely, h. B. HAYES -
Year: 1879

ADIRONDACK MURRAY is not enamored of
the ministerial profession. In an open letter
to the people of Boston he forswears it for
ever. He says:


utterly decline to remain in a ser
Woe in which my noblest motives are ira
duced, my views grossly misinterpreted and my
best benevolence made the cause and ground of
slanderous attacks. A life in which I can have
no quiet, no peace, no friends. in which can
show no courtesies and do no charities unless at
the risk of being vilely lied about and SANDER
ed, is one refuse longer to live. Tue world, I
have no doubt, can get along we'll enough with
out me, and 1 am quite as certain that can get
along without the world.


As Murray's conduct has always been a
scandal to the cloth, We have no doubt that
his clerical brethren will be glad to be we'll
rid of him.
Year: 1879

The emperors of Russia and Germany
have met, and peace once more reigns at
Warsaw. 1t is said that the meeting was q
most cordial one, and that there is no longer
any doubt of the maintenance of friendly re-
lations between the two governments. Ex-
traordinary precautions were taken by the
police to prevent the assassination of either
of the imperial gentlemen-afa fact that seems
to indicate that the internal affairs of Russia
are sufficiently disturbed to cause alarm.
Year: 1879

The proposition of the board of directors
of the st. Paul Library association to donate
the books now owned by that organization to
any free public library association that NAV
be organized at St. Paul under the law of
last winter, is deserving of favorable atten-
tion. For several years past the st. Paul
Library association has had hard work to
make both ends meet. The membership has
not been as large as it ought to have been, and
consequently the dues collected have been
small. The lectures given under it's auspices
nave been 1or the most part unremunerative.
Dhe consequence is that the association finds
itself considerably embarrassed, and there
IS danger that the library may have to be
closed for want of funds with which to main
tain it.


In other cities, both East and West, the
free library system has proved a gratifying
success to the people. The results attend
ing the establishment of the public library
at Chicago are briefly outlined in the ex-
tracts given from the reports of the libra
rian of that institution by the committee on
library elsewhere. The books that formed
the nucleus of that enterprise were donated
to the city after the great fire of 1871, and
the only expense attending it's maintenance
since that time has been for the rent, fuel,
etc and for the purchase of new books az
they are issued from the press, besides the
salaries of the librarian and assistants. The
st. Paul library now contains eight thou
sand volumes, worth, at moderate estimate.
ten thousand dollars. These books wonld
form nucleus for great and constantly
growing library that would ultimately be of
incalculable benefit to the city, and
would be from its start benefcent spencv
for the education of our people.
The cost of maintaining it would be merely
nominal, amounting to but one-fifth of a
mill annually on the ia xabe property of the
city, and probably less, if space was re-
served for the rooms in the new market
house now in process of erection. We have
no doubt but the enterprise would meet
with the cordial approval of nine -tentbs of
our citizens, who are anxious to have some
sort OF library maintained. There ara
thousands of our people who can ill afford to
pay the moderate sum now required for ac
cess to the shelves of the library who would
avail themselves of the opportunities afford.
ed by free library and reading room to i'm
Year: 1879




The matter of expense is trivial. Nearly
all the publishers of the country give these
institutions very favorable terms, while the
leading newspapers and periodicals could be
obtained at nominal outlay if not wholly
free. A single librarian and assistant would
be all the employees required at present, while
the other expenses eau be ourtailed greatly.
The furniture now in use in the library would
be sufficient for present purposes. We are
inclined to look with favor upon the project.
A library is as great an educator as number
of schools, and would do much to repress
and prevent vice and crime of every descrip-
tion. The proposition of the board of direo-
tors is certainly deserving of consideration
from our citizens generally and the common
council in particular.
Year: 1879

ST.. PAUL is looming up. Within the past
year it has been the objective point of every
new railroad organized in the Northwest.
Capitalists are fully awake to the importance
of this city as distributing as we'll as q
terminal point, and will expend their money
freely in building new roads in the hope of
securing part of the enormous freight busi-
ness that centers here. We have room
enough for all. The metropolis of the
Northwest will turn no legitimate enterprise
from it's doors.
Year: 1879

THERE is another movement on foot in
Europe to establish rules of warfare by
means of international treaties. It is about
time that less attention was paid to war and
more to the arts of peace. AS long as war
is recognized as legitimate pursuit it will
continue TO devastate the world. Means for
the prosecution of wars ought to be omitted
from the consideration of all international
Year: 1879

OPPOSITION is developing in Spain to the
marriage of King Alfonso with the Arch
duchess Marie. of Austria. This is one of
the disadvantages of wearing a crown. A
man can't even use his own pleasure in the
select ion of his wife.
Year: 1879

proposal OF the Library Association to
Donate Their Books to Now Association
IT New Library 10 Established-Thes Sue
cess OF tho Chicago Institutional Com
mittee Appointed to Submit the Case to
3 the Common Council.
Year: 1879

The Church Directory for To-Day-Y. NJ


C. A. Services.
And let us not be- weary in well doing; for in due
season We shall reap If we faint not.
AS we have therefore .portunity, let us do good
unto all men, especially unto them who are Of the
household Of faith.
Year: 1879

house in order to shoot him. They
killed a negro man for reporting
them to the grand jury of Baldwin
county. They burned the tan
merry and barns of Lake Robinson,
and they whipped an old colored
woman and her daughter in Hans
cock county. The gang have taken
refuge in the swamps Of 0conee and
Oguchee. The grand jury Of
Hancock is now in session and have
investigated the outrages and are
determined to bring the perpetra-
tor justice. The people of Hancock
county are aroused and indignant
at the outrage and express de
termination not only to- protect
white and black from further out
RACES, but to !nfict summary JUS
toics on the perpetrators. Judge
Pottle is residing. The Judge will
yindicate the majisty of the law
throughout his circuit.
Year: 1879

IA large majority Of the Democratic
voters OF the StaJe have expressed
their convictions. W,l tue little hand
ful who vote with the State credit Re-
plblicaus demand that we yield to
them? Such seems TO be their desire.
but they will certainly not be quail
fed. The people have deter mi ed
irrevocsbly thst they will In w the
bottom facts; that the debt shall be
thoroughly sifted. aud that they will
pay the State de5t proper, but will not
pay the railroad debt, nor any part
of it.
Year: 1879

A baby was born into the family of
Victor Leblanc during my stay in Paris.
The newly-born was dressed in little
sacque, doubtless with a. flannel shirt
under it, without any petticoats or socks,
but with its body we'll wrapped in lit
tie blanket, which was then doubled up
behind to protect the feet, and pinned
up at the sides. A thick cap was put
upon its head. 1t is useless to say,
"We do not put on caps; we do not
confine our childrens feet" Is not
Paris the centre of the civilized world ?
But of one little fellow over year old
who did not walk, [ am told that he
he had not been allowed to use his legs
soon enough. / said to the mother that
we do not pin up babies feet. "Not in
the winter?' she asks.


The habit of putting on caps, which
has so long been discontinued with. us,
seems to be generally prevalent in
France, and often, doubtless, with disa-
greeable results.


But to return to the newly-bcrn girl
at our own apartment in Paris. France
is remarkable in registering babies, and
in the legal papers called acts of birth.
Nine. Leblanc could hardly compre-
bend our getting along without them.
On the birth of child, notice must be
given at the Mayors Office within three
days. France must know when it is 81.
and ready to serve in the army. An
old law required that the child be
brought to the Mayors office and its
sex examined; but the exposure was
thought injurious, and the law was mod
flied so as to allow person or persons
to visit it. While Victor was absent for
short time they came, but did not
come up, and requested that the child
should be taken to the Office. So on
Sunday morning Victor gets carriage,
and assist him by holding the baby,
and he keeps the carriage shut up
close, although it is the latter part of
May. The Mayor is not in the Office,
but his clerk is there; and there is
another party before us-a plain man,
and the nurse, and baby, and another
man as witness. This baby is day
old, and has been brought on foot
What is your name, and what is your
wife's? what are your ages? what Is
your profession? what is hers? These
are all the questions l remember No
whether the baby is to be put out to
nurse, is asked somewhere. Victor's is
not. He allows the clerk to make the
requisite examination, that France may
not be cheated out of young soldier.
and we are at liberty. The law does
not allow Victor to give family name.
Had the little one been boy, we could