smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1874

With the close of navigation on the
lakes, we have the usual list OF the dis
asters of the season, and it is not cred
liable to the narigators that during the
year there were $50 collisions and 245
vessels ran ashore. 1t it true that only
a small portion of these casualties were
serious, as total loss occurred in only
seventy-fve cases. But, in addition to
these, there were nine explosions, and
twenty.one vessels were destroyed or
injured by fire. The loss of life from
all causes was 227, being an increase OF
seventeen over that OF the previous
wear, but in this respect the season can
not be considered very exceptional. 1t
is evident from these statistics that
there is room for improvement in the
management of vessels on the lakes.
The large number Of collisions and yes.
selsrun ashore must be taken as PROOF
of carelessness or ignorance. Ihe
most gratifying fact to be found IN the
statistics of the season is the large
increase in the number of vessels en-
gagged in the lake trade. During the
year ' fifty steamers and 152 sailing craft
have been added, making an increase
in tonnage of 57,054. In the previous
year there were only 127 vessels OF all
kinds added. The rapid increase in
this branch of our commerce is further
shown by the fact that the new crafts
of this year are of better class than
any heretofore placed upon the lakes.
Year: 1874

Life in a monitor is not the most
delightful, and all officers dread to be
ordered to one. Nevertheless, our
monitors have generally made all trips
safely upon which they ventured, and
have stood the shook of battle, as well
as that of storm, very we'll. Officers
who have served and sailed on them
say that they are very comfortable, but
this statement is taken with many
grains of salt by others, who suspect
that those who thus report are some
thing in the situation of the fox who
lost his tail. The general impression is
land any one who examines them will
see enough to justify the opinion) that
on monitor there is not room enough
to swing q cat that they are very
damp; when not flooded they are i'll
ventilated when at SEQ; that there is no
light except artificial, and that there
are other discomforts. I am told that
when any one has made voyage on
monitor (Which is generally under water
when moving, except in the smoothest
sea), he comes up with a complexion
of the most ghastly pallor, which he
does not easily get rid of. All concur,
however, that a monitor is less dis
turbed by the motion of the sea than
any other vessel, as the waves which
strikes against the sides of an ordinary
ship passes completely over her. AL
though the dread of service ina monitor
is so strong and widespread throughout
the navy, yet it is held point of honor
as we'll as of duty to accept the situation
when ordered to it. Still, 1 hear
designations on account of orders to
serve On monitors-an engineer ordered
to the Manhattan (among others re-
signing at the frantic entreaties OF his
wife. The captains cabin on the Man
haitian is very small and irregularly
shaped cuddy, with the scantiest accom-
modations OF every kind. The other
officers are even less well accommodated,
and the crew, when there is any, stow
themselves away in all sorts of odd
hooks of the most contracted character.
There is no crew at present on the
Manhattan, as none is yet needed.
Year: 1874

The Louisville Courier Journal says
that young lady in that city "con-
sumes q bottle OF morphene every two
days. A night or two ago she rushed
into a certain drug store and threw a
dollar bill on the counter. The clerk,
knowing what she came for, instantly
handed her bottle of the deadly mar
cotic. She instantly ierked the cork
from the bottle, and, exhibiting symp-
toms of excitement, poured out the
contents until the palm of her hand was
fairly covered I; then, with the greedi-
ness of a child eating sugar, licked the
powder from her hand and swallowed
It. Then she drank little water and
walked from the store with the utmost
composure.
Year: 1874

AS the congregation was leaving n
church in Walcott, Ind, on Sunday
evening, a coal-oil lamp exploded, set
ting fire to the clothing of a girl thirteen
years of age. A stampede took place,
in which windows were broken out and
the doors blocked. While everybody
was trying to save himself, the poor girl
was fatally burned.
Year: 1874

The death yesterday of young man named
Powers, from drinking some poisonous stuff
sold under the guise of liquor, shows the
necessity that exists for some law to prevent
the sdulteration of liquors practised by low
rumseners in this city. In France the police
protect the public from the fraudulent prao-
tices Of traders, and there is no reason
why something should not be done in this
city to check this evil. Tho poor are tho
chief sufferers, and it is only when some
startling incident Like the case of Powers 90
ours that public attention is drawn to tho
dangerous practices of INSCRIPTIONS men,
who do not hesitate to destroy even life for
sake of slight additional profit. 1t is to be
regretted that good deal of obscurity hangs
round the present case. There is a much
uncertainty as to where Powers and his
sister, who also suffers from the effect Of tho
poisonous stuff, were given the drink which
destroyed one life and endangers q second;
but if our police we're worthy Of the name
there could be no difficulty in procuring am
pie evidence against the guilty parties. It il
a pity that the philanthropists who waste their
energies in endeavoring to save worthless cus
from the executioner do not turn their atten-
ton to the protection of human beings, and
endeavor to suppress the system Of adultera-
ton which robs the poor Of their means and
their health
Year: 1874

Judge Cadwalader has awarded salvage to
Captain Brady for having taken charge of the
steamship Pennsylvania after the first and
second officers had been lost. The Judge de-
cided that the service rendered was clearly sal
wage service, and entitled the Captain to re-
ward. He, however, blamed Captain
Brady's subsequent conduct in retain
ing command of the ship at the
request of the passengers, who, the
Judge says, had no rights in the matter.
This may be excellent law, but if so it is an in
stance where law and sense come into col
lision. In q trying moment the surviving
officers of the Pennsylvania showed want of
nerve and presence of mind. Had it not
been for the prompt action of Captain Brady
in taking command when the decks were left
without an officer and the ship abandoned to
the fury of the storm, it is probable both
ship and passengers might have gone to the
bottom. When the danger was passed the
third officer wished to resume command, but
the passengers requested Captain Brady to
bring the ship into port, as they had no con-
fidence in the ships officer Their lives were
at stake, which they naturally supposed gave
them some interest and right in the selection
of a captain. Judge Cadwalader, however, de-
cides against this theory The law says the
lives of people who go to sea in ships are of
no consequence. Shipowners must be pro-
tected from salvage claims at whatever risk to
the lives of mere passengers
Year: 1874

The Financial Condition OF the City.


Comptroller Green asserts that it is ''gross
and deliberate misrepresentation to put down
the amount of the city and county debt on
January of the present year at $l3l. 900, 900,
and declares that the yearly increase of the
debt, under his management has been only
four millions Of dollars. The subject of our
increasing debt and taxation is of so much
importance that we can no longer suffer the
Comptrollers false figures to pass unexposed
We repeat the statement OF our financial con-
dition from 1868 up to the present time, be-
cause it cannot be too frequently placed be-
fore the eyes of our citizens. The annual
haya bean as follows:
Year: 1874

The beauty OF our reconstruction policy
in the Southern States is shown in its
true light in the request Of the Acting
Governor Of Mississippi to President Grant,


asking for United States troops to be
sent to vicksburg to guard the polls at
the election which will take place there in o
fortnight hence. He says that owing to tho
present unorganized condition of the militia
in his State, he is unable to preserve the peace
in case Of On outbreak or riot, and therefore
prays the President for protection. This GUS
tom of calling upon the United States govern
msns a. aI.s--1ce a. "a ouraiv 0tata affairs ia
Year: 1874

The government at Washington seems al
last to have awakened to the necessity Of
using the army for something besides garrison
ing old forts and protecting dishonest traders.
General Sheridan's demand to be allowed 10
act extensively having met with o favorable
response, that active soldier will now be at
liberty to punish any tribe guilty of making
raids on the settlements or Of disturbing tho
peace of the frontier. We have every c0h-
fdeDce that General Sheridan will use wisely
and with discretion this extraordinary power.
The knowledge that they have to deal with q
man who will stand no nonsense must have q
deterrent effect on the unruly tribes and il
any exceedingly bloodthirsty brave should
undertake to break tho peace General Sheridan
will know how to administer such punish
ment as will cure bad Indians of any desire
to repeat the offence for some time
at least. This is the only reasonable
mode of dealing with savages who only no
spect force. It should, however, be accom-
panied and tempered by fair and just treat
woke by acts of injustice the passions of rude,
untutored tribes because we feel that we have
the material power to crush any attempt they
may make to avenge their wrongs. The whole
system of dealing with the Indian tribes il
radically wrong and exists only for the benefit
of a corrupt and infamous ring. 1t is difa-
cult to say whether the nation or tho Indians
suffer most from the present system. But it is
evident that SO long as we shall continue to
maintain large bodies of men in idleness for
portion of the year and supply them with
arms and ammunition to enable them to plum
der when the insufficient supplies furnished
them by dishonest officials are exhausted, W
cannot hope for peace or security on our az
posed frontiers.
Year: 1874




One by one the traces of our civil strife are
happily disappearing. The issues between
North and South, settled by the war, left a
legacy of division which affected even the
religious associations of our people. An
effort is about to be made by the Methodists
to reunite the sections of their Church which
broke asunder on the question of slavery To
this end an invitation has been given to the
bishops and ministers of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, South, to participate in
the opening services at the Sea Cliff Taber-
nacle In order to mark the more strongly
the desire of the Northern section Of the
Church for reunion grand reception will be
offered to such Southern bishops and minis
ters as may attend This conduct does honor
to the Northern Methodists and shows that
the true spirit Of Christianity has not deserted
the modern Church. As the social and
political issues which divided our people
are now irrevocably settled, good sense as
well as Christian feeling should induce the
Southern Methodis.s to accept the kindly in
vitation of their Northern brothers. and show
an example of Christian forgiveness by aiding
the healing up of the hesrtburnings and
hatreds of the civil war We sincerely hope
that the camp at Sea Cliff will be attended by
large numbers of Southerners, and THAI peace
and concord in the Church organizations may
be the forerunners of perfect reconciliation
between the peonls of the South and North
Year: 1874

1t Is really amusing to meet in real life with


veritable descendant OF Don Quixote. Don
Carlos, the Spanish pretender, must certainly


belong to the family of the renowned Knight
of La Mancha. He has all the pompous
grandeur of that enthusiast and not @ few
of his other distinguishing qualities In a
manifesto addressed to the Spanish people
this leader of band of fanatics informs the


''rebels' that unless they lay down their arms
and allow the puissant and divinely appointed
King Carlos TO walk over their bowed necks
to the Escurial he will reduce them to obe-
dience by the virtue that lies in artillery All
this is very pompous and very ridiculous when
it is considered that this person who threatens
SO nightly has been for some years skulking
in the mountains of Biscay and Navarro,
never daring to meet the republican troops in
anything like fair fight, unless when
he had overwhelming odds in his favor. With
that treachery and ngratitude which have
ever been distinguishing traits in the stock
from which be claims descent he now de-
clares that if the republicans will give him
the crown he will allow the Church property


10 remain in the hands of the present DOS
SCISSORS and will accept representative govern
ment-for the sake OF a crown This selling
out OF his party and principle shows the
would-be King to be unworthy OF sympathy.
He is simply selfish adventurer, working on
the fanaticism of the inhabitants of the
Northern provinces Of Spain for his own ad-
vantage, without any real attachment 10 the
principles he processes. As the champion
and profegf OF the Church he ought not to
consent to the confscation of ecclesiastical
property IL he be king by divine right he
ought to accept no compromise with suoh
sbom'nst'ons US representative assemblies.
Year: 1874




In addition to the debt of 1874 as above
stated, there is a floating debt hanging over
the city the amount OF which the Comp
troller refuses to disclose. The Commissioners
of Accounts are understood to have made q
report of this floating debt so far as they
could wiring information from the Comprol-
ler's Office, but the report has been sup
pressed. The amount is supposed to
be about $40, 100000. As the funded and
bonded debt had increased to $136, 900, 900
on March 81 last the total debt
was then about s156,OOO,OOO These are facts
that no ingenious sophistry can explain away.
The taxpayers of New York possess intelli-
gence, and can easily verify the figures for
themselves. It is of little advantage now to
waste time in inquiring for exactly how much of
this increase the old ring was responsible and
what precise proportion is due to the opera
tons of the new ring 1t is very certain that
our finances are now miserably managed or
we should not go on recklessly bridging over
and rolling up debt while our annual ex-
penses are also largely increasing. The peo-
pie are more interested in inquiring how we
can safely reduce our expenses without detri-
ment to the city's growth and prosperity, and
how we can tighten the heavy burden of debt
on which we are paying the extreme rate of in
terest, than in ascertaining the average rate of
salary paid in the different city departments,
or in poring over intricate calculations de-
signed to prove that the difference between
cog OOn OOO q ,d al o1 O0O OO0 :, o,l, a. nOn nOO
There is no question that with capable
financial management in place of financial
quackery our condition could be speedily and
greatly improved. We have no right to pay
seven per cent interest on city securities when
any responsible business man can borrow
money at five per cent. The amount of our
present debt should be positively ascertained
and an attempt should be made to fund it at
o lower rate of interest. Then the reckless
and ruinous policy adopted by Mr.. Green of
bridging over from year to year should be
abandoned, our expenses should be reduced
and we should endeavor in future to 'pay as
we Co." and to provide for the gradual re-
demption Of the debt. We cannot hope tor
any such wise and prudent policy while the
genius Of the Finance Department expends it.
self on deceptive statements, petty intrigues
and the qualification of personal spite and
malignity. New York is rich and flourish
ing city, and we need only good business
sense and honesty of purpose in our public
officers to enable us to move onward rapidly
in q career which has only been temporarily
checked by stupidity, obstinacy and prejudice.
These faults would block the prosperity of
any private enterprise, and it is not surprising
that they operate injuriously on the city's
interests. 1t is fortunate that change in the
municipal government must soon take place.
If the reform should be fastened by the ac-
ton of the Governor the people will be CRATE
full for the relief
Year: 1874

becoming dangerously frequent in tho souah,
and shows q tendency toward csntralination "
power not in accordance with tho true spirit
of republican institutions It is tho natural
result Of the criminal and bungling systan
pursued by the Washington authorities To-
ward tho South since the war. and serves to
destroy every vestige of legislative freedom in
that portion of the great Republic When
the Governor of . State is obliged to call upoa
federal troops to guard against an anticipated
riot IN moro local election the corruption or
weakness Of tho State government must b
dsplorable. Louisiana, Arkansas and Missis-
sippi are brilliant examples of the reconstruo-
ton policy Of the present administration. NOT
to speak Of South Carolina and its reputable
Moses
Year: 1874

The LATEST News FROM FRANCE indicates
that the Assembly is going TO cling to exist
ence in the future with all the tenacity ex-
hibited in the past Instead Of being pro-
rogued till November that body ought to be
dissolved. Every day that the Assembly
keeps together only adds to the dangers of the
Republic
Year: 1874

But his manifesto shows that he is willing to
sacrifice friends and principles to his own
aggrandizement, and exposes the hollowness
and worthlessness of this bombastic descend
ant of Quixote
Year: 1874

The ST. Louis Democrat nominates- Chief
Justice Waite for the Presidency. This is
grave error. The Supreme Bench should be
above the atmosphere of politics. The NOM
ination of Chief Justice for the Presidency
would be worse than the nomination of Grant
Tor third term.
Year: 1874

| The unfortunate youth who as


pires to the important position
of Superintendent OF Public Iustruc-


ton in North Carolina. has come to
grief again Nor does the future, any


more than the present or the past,


hold out a bright promise for his
peace and happiness. Truly was it
said ''man is born unto trouble as
the sparks fly upward"


The Winston Sentinel says it is IN
derstood in that section of the country
that Tommy was Ku Klux, and as
serts, in fact, that there are persons in
the town of Winston ''wlo say that they
were present and assisted in initiating
him. Mr.. Pool asked him the ques-
ton if he was a member of the order
and Mr.. Purnell did not u7astccJ' it.
When it is remembered that Tommy
lived in this section Of the State his
imagined.


Now the mere fact that Mr.. Furneli
belonged to the ku Klux would not
necessarily be anything to his discredit,
but the trouble is, what will Governor
Caldwell do about it ? If Governor
Caldwell could not reconcile it to his
views of propriety te be an honorary
member of Literary Society, with
that very estimable gentleman, Captain
Shotwell, because he was said TO be a
Ku Klux man. what will he do about
Tommy VIII he cut him off forever
in the bloom of his youth and the pride
of his intellect from the effulgent light
Of his gracious countenance


If Ku Klux Shotwen is an Improper
parsonage for tie Radical Governor of
North Carolina to associate with, what
about Ku Klux Purnell ? Or does our
Radica! Governor make q distinction
between Democratic Ku klux and Rad
ical I\u Klux ?


Poor Tommy. That was sad day
when YOU allowed yourself to be made
a candidate. And just TO think of it,
the Radical candidate for Snperinten
dent Of Public instruction in North
Carolina is charged with being one of
of those terrible naughty Ku klux and
he does not deny it Oh, Tommy,
Tommy How could you be SO
naughty What ,oiN the Governor
do Poor Tommy Poor Tod ,
Year: 1874

rency or is it capital the South and


West lacks? What is capital? Do fer


tile lands, with stock and farming
tools Id provisions, ready for cultiva-
ton, healthful and pleasant climate,
water power sufficient to turn the mills
of the world, the most valuable nit
erals and metals, known 10 biologists
and mineralogists; the greatest varie-
the soil, the greatest number of the
most valuable woods OF the forest, do
these things ready at hand for the la
bor skilled and unskilled, of over
million of inhabitants to operate up
on, constitute capital? If 50 North
Carolina IS far richer in capital than
she IS III currency, and it is currency
and not capital that we lack


But suppose man has real estate
in the city Of Wilmington, the value of
which is unquestionably at least $780,
900 and wishes to borrow So, 900 to put
upa building upon it, what will he have
to pay for the money? At least fif-
teen per cent. per annum Why is
this Is it because the security is
doubtful? Not at all, for the lender
of the currency himself will admit that
the zeal estate is worth at least twice
ten times as much as the money loan
ed; in other words we have capital but
not currency.


When the City of Wilmington has IS
much currency as the City of Norwich,
our citizens will pr1bably be able to
borrow money at as low rate Of in
terest and not until then.
Year: 1874

No matter what name. no matter
what section furnishes leaders in the
march. All we ask is let them send
forth the true ring of a Democrat when
sounded; let them prove their ability
as commanders in the contest, and we
safely assert that old Hupiin will ever
be found in the front, following any
where SO the way leads to victory, and
undannted by all arrows Of SARCASM or
seorn thrown at her.


And that is the true doctrine. The
Nonitar has hit the nail on the head.
When our leaders have been chosen
and the ring of the trHe Democratic
metal has been heard we fall IN there
just as naturally as soldiers do at the
word of command. We ask not what
section our candidates may come from
but only is he the nominee of the
party, is hehonest, is he faithful, is he
capable? When we hear that he is all
of these, we hear the ring of the true
Democratic metal and we will say too,
the ring of the true Duplin metal and
straightway fall into ranks.
Year: 1874

Whatever doubt there may have
been as to the purpose of the negroes
in North Caroli.la to enjoy all their
civil rights, that of holding Office in
cluded, has been removed by the NOM
nation of John A. E[yman, a colored
man, as the candidate of the Radical
party for Congress in the Second
District.


Hyman owes his nomination to moth
ing save the fact that he is negro.
The issue has been squarely made.
How will the white men of the Radical
party in that District meet it =? How
will the white men of that party in this
District meet j ? T. cannot 10 shIrked.
Year: 1874

1t was with very great pleasure that
we made the announcement on yester-
day of the domination of Mr.. Fuller as
the candidate of the Democratic Con-
servative party for Judge in the Fifth
Judicial District.


Our acquaintance with Mr.. Fuller
began twenty fonr years ago, and as it
has always been a pleasant one, it is
but natural that We should feel a spe-
cial qualification at his nomination for
the high and honorable position of
Judge.


OF pure personal character of nat
ural abilities Of high order, Cf I'M
doubted legal attachments, and in the
full vigor OF matured manhood, no
man in his district, we presume will
question his fitness for the bench.
Our party is indeed truly fortunate in
its candidates for judicial honors.
With MCkoY on the bench in this Dis
trict, and FULLER on the bench in the
District above US, a better era will
indeed have dawne2 upon rs.
Year: 1874

The Committee upon the Expendi-
tures of the Department of Justice is
about completing its examination of
the affairs OF the Western Judicial Dis
trict of Arkansas The existence of
large and widespread corruption there
is so clearly established by the proof.
that the Committee will doubtlessly
report bill to abolish this Western
Judicial District, thus consolidating
the State into one Judicial District.
In this way Judge Story will be got
rid of without the trouble and delay of
an impeachment trial, and also the
Marshal and United States District
Attorney. The clerk of the court will
be retained, as there is no complaint
against him.