smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1879

tenement houses deepen into gloom
the sombre tints of municipal inca
pacity. The biennial holocaust Of thou
sands of bills unacted upon by an expiring
Congress and the shameless jobbery of
those enacted en- masse at the latest moment
urgently demand heroic remedy.


1t is certain that the twentieth century
will not celebrate with rapture the Fourth
of July or the 22d of February. 1t will
not regard Washington as the greatest of
all soldiers and patriots, Franklin as the
greatest philosopher, Jefferson as the great
est statesman or Hamilton as the greatest
economist 1t will not enthuse over lib
erty, equality or fraternity: over free
schools, free trade, free soil or freedom Of
any kind. The past triumphs of inven-
tion-the railway, the steamer, the tele-
graph, the telephone the photograph and
the electric light-will inspire but u feeble
thrill; whilethe jury system, female suffrage,
the law of gravitation, the nebular and
Darwinian hypothesis, and the correlation
of forces, will not even excite the pulse.


What shall we conclude from this general
decay in the faiths and enthusiasms of our
fathers? Will the twentieth century be
quite destitute Of generous ideals? BY no
means. Enthusiasm is vital quality OF
every prosperous people, and there is no
reason to believe that our children will be
at all deficient either in prosperity or in
high ideals. The present moment Is one OF
transition, when ''the old has passed away
and the new has not yet come ) but even
now the men and women who read the signs
Of the times find abundant cause for hope
and Joy. The new ideals will be
grander, nobler than the old. The
fact that such lavish admiration has
heretofore been wasted upon ideals now
shattered in the dust only proves the pos
sbility of higher enthusiasm for higher
aims. The destruction of the false is but n
necessary step to the substitution Of the
true goals of humanity. What the new
ideals will be it is of course impossible
now to predict in detail, but the broad lines
are already visible. The foundations OF
all human institutions have been rudely
shaken; they must therefore be fully tested
and not left insecure. The new enthusiasm
will be largely in the direction of science,
and especially of that great social science
which will absorb within itself both poll
tics and political economy. The struggle
between individualism and Communism
will find its solution in that generous altru-
istic impulse which will consecrate the
highest efforts OF individual genius and
talent, and find its supreme reward in the
highest welfare of society.
Year: 1879

There are various religious methods of
observing Lent and each Church and indi-


vidual worshippcr claims to know which is


best and to be able to demonstrate by argu-


ment the accuracy of their views. But tho
world does not take to claims and argu-
ments as kindly as once it did it has a
brutal habit of demanding proof, and the
more important the subject the moro per-
feet the proof is expected to be. Sinners
outside of the churches have sometimes
read of the origin of the Lenten fast, mar
yelled at the mystery of Deity incarnated
and undergoing privation of the flesh out
OF love for humanity, and have then looked
to the churches to see what is the result
Year: 1879

Our telegram from Turkestan, published
yesterday, and which an announced the arrival
at Samarcand of news of the death Of the
Ameer of Cabul, is confirmed from another
source. Yakoob Khan reports the death Of
his father in despatch to the Viceroy of
India, who he presumes may take some in
terest in the fact, rs his father "was on old
friend Of the British government. This
may seem a quaint form in which to an
nounce the demise of prince whom Eng
land had driven from his throne, and whose
friendship found no other recognition than
an invasion against which he sought the
assistance of a Power that he supposed to
be England's enemy; but the son and heir
may have thought the moment not
inopprotune to recall to English
recollection the happier days of his
fathers reign. BY this news the death is
said to have occurred February 21. Our
dispatches from Tashkend, published on the
23d and oath ult., gave the first account of
the Ameers illness, with all the particulars
of his condition as then reported by the
Russian surgeon whose advice had been
called for. An elaborate statement Of the
case, written on the 18th ult., or eight
days before the death, was sent by the
Russian doctor, with the judgment that re-
covery was impossible. Upon the state
ment of the Afghan ambassadors that they
had received later and more hopeful news
all the Russian surgeons at Tashkend held
o conference over their colleagues re-
port, and agreed with his judgment
on the hopelessness of the case, which
judgment is now sustained by tho fatal
fact he had predicted rs inevitable. BY
this death Yakoob Khan acquires legiti-
mate claim to succeed his father, though
there are several claimants who will doubt
less be heard from. But Yakoob's claim is
a clear one, and he is in possession. 1t is
probable that he. warned by the fruitless-
ness of his fathers appeal to Russia, and
hopeless of his capacity to resist the Eng
lish unaided, will make such terms with
them as will leave him in possession of the
throne with British Resident ut his elbow,
while the ambassadors at Tashkend will
find their occupation gone, and may turn
their faces homeward.
Year: 1879

Bassett, the associate of Mrs. Alexander
in the murder Of the straggler known as
"Stuttering jack" was yesterday found
guilty Of murder in the second degree and
sentenced to imprisonment for life. 1t will
be remembered that the woman has already
received a similar sentence. II these per-
sons were guilty of any crime whatever it
was one for which they should have been
hanged. They assailed a victim whom they
intended to kill, as they could not have
sold his body otherwise than dead, and
this intentional murder was planned
beforehand and the victim enticcd
TO the place where he was killed.
If that is not murder in the first degree
it would be difficult to find one. But
Connecticut juries are apparently squcam-
ish about the use of the rope, and if thcy
want 10 indulge themselves in the luxury
of great consideration for human life they
must not wonder if life becomes less safe
in their State. Every miscarriage Of justice
like this is an encouragement to the mur-
dering classes. Mrs. Alcxander's statement
to tho public gives n fine account of the
mental distress Of that person over the i'll
words spoken Of her and Of 'lhe good sho
has done for suffering humanity; more"
she says, than any woman of her age in
the State of Connecticut" which is hard
on tho other women.
Year: 1879

The committee appointed by Mayor
Cooper, in accordance with the resolution
adopted at the Cooper Union meeting, to
devise measures TO carry tenement house
reform into effect, is composed of gentle
men who are in every respect qualified to
perform the work assigned to them. They
have character and position to give force to
their recommendations. intelligence and
business capacity to guide them in their
task and largo enough stake in the
welfare and progress Of the city to insure an
earnest effort TO remove an evil that is
calculated to retard its growth and to
add TO its poverty and crime. II
they decide after proper deliberation
that the remedy must be sought through
legislation their influence will be sufi-
cienty powerful to insure the considera-
tion at Albany OF such provisions Of law as
they may suggest. If they see that in or
der to get rid Of the present abominable
system it is necessary to invest money in
building better residences for the poorer
classes in the upper parts of the city they
will certainly be able to enlist capital in
the enterprise.


Mr.. Choate in his speech at the meeting
on Friday evening made practical hit
when he said that there Is only one way
by which the present wretched tenement
houses can be improved and better
Year: 1879

of the human copy of the divine vigil
Do the season and its ceremonies
increase love toward God and man?
OF the aspirations of the love-spirit
heavenward no man is competent to judge
any one but himself; but Of love to man,
out of which sprang Christianity and the
earthly manifestation of it's Founder, the
evidences are visible wherever they exist
ut all. There never was time or day in
which their manifestation in New York, in
and through the churches was more
needed Poverty has for several years been
working unusual havoc among the humber
classes, and disease and the rigors of winter
have lately intensified the Affections of the
poor to frightiul degree. Public and pri-
vate charities have been utterly inadequate
to the requirements of the helpless and
suffering. and the cry of woe has been heard
so often that it has seemed to dull the ears
OF those who should have regarded it. Is
there any other season Of the year better in
which to change all this? Would not an
immediate, earnest, individual movement
for the amelioration Of the condition of the
wretched, of whose whereabouts no ono
need remain for half an hour ignorant, be
the most genuine evidence which any ono
could give of the intelligence and sincerity
with which he commentaries the great
fast Of humanitys truest and most practi-
col friend?
Year: 1879

By the veto Of the Chinese bill President
Hayes has, we believe, acted in sympathy
with intelligent opinion in every part Of
the ercountry! with perhaps the exception of
California; and probably the project to
suppress Chinese immigration is not with
out its opponents even there; but those
opponents are not of the classes that
make most noise in popular agitations. Pc
rusal Of the veto will put the reader in pos
session of the reasons which have led the
President to regard this sort Of legislation
as Objectionable, for the message goes into
the history of our treaty relations with the
Chinese Empire and Of the immigration of
Chinese subjects, and is, in fact, discursive
and narrative in its character. 1t deals
very plainly with the method by which the
bill proceeds as false pretence, points out
that rs the limitation Of numbers Of immi-
grants to be brought has no relation
to the size of ships, and is not
otherwise provision for the safety
of passengers, it is q subterfuge the pur-
pose of which is to suppress right guaran-
teed by the treaty. 1t then touches the
provision for the abrogation Of two articles
of the Burlingame Treaty, and points out
that these articles, if we are to keep the
treaty, are the very ones that would give
us the right to demand of the Chi
nese themselves the correction of
abuses in emigration. It is the theory
of the message, apparently, that all
our treaty provisions with China must
stand or fall together that the Burlingame
Treaty and the treaty of 1858 are. in fact,
one treaty, amplifed by additional clauses,
Chinese Empire stand upon that treaty and
should not be imperilled in order to rem
edy evils that can be as efficiently rene
died in another way. In fact, we believe
that to be very near to the general opinion
of the country. There are people who
believe all the allegations made about the
bad character Of the Chinese immigrants,
and others who believe that those stories
are mere chimerical tales invented in the
interest of the agitators but even those
who give full faith to all that is said do not
want to get rid OF the evil except in an
honorable way. People do not want to dis
credit the nation in order TO keep out of
San Francisco an element Of population
which may be disorderly, but for the dis
orders. Of which the. government of that
city is as much responsible as the immi-
grants themselves. The bill was taken up
in the House yesterday evening but failed
of the requisite two-thirds majority, and
consequently the veto kills it.
Year: 1879

From report of the Street Cleaning
Bureau we get some inkling of reason
why our streets are not cleaned more fire.
qucntly and effectively, for the cost of re-
moving dirt, &C., is set down at fraction
over sixty cents per load. At this rate IL
is, Of course, impossible that The streets
should be kept clean, SO long as the yearly
appropriation remains at its present figures;
but no one outside the bureau, and prob
ably no one within it, is disposed to believe
that the cost Of removing the dirt need be
anywhere near so great as is stated. 1t
should be remembered that what is called
load is really very small amount of mate
rial when reckoned by weight or cubic
measure, and that the longest distances
between streets from which the dirt is
taken and the rivers at which it is dumped
are too short to allow OF any Of the cost to
be explained away on the plea that great
deal of time is consumed in going to and


from the dumping places. No private con-
tractor would think Of paying any such


price for SO littlo work, and the Commits
Year: 1879

The letter published in the HERALD few
days since on the subject of ticket specu-
lating at the theatres has called forth a large
number of communications, for which we
cannot find space. The fact that they are
all emphatic in denuneiation of the system
and in condemnation of the managers for
permitting its existence proves that it is re-
garded as an abuse and that the response
bility is placed by the public at the doors
of the theatres themselves. One corre-
spondent sends us the draft of bill which
it is proposed to introduce at Albany, with
the object of putting stop to the business
of the spectators by requiring them to
procure licenses and prohibiting the sale
of tickets within three hundred yards of
theatre We publish the text of the bill
for the purpose of eliciting an examination
and discussion of its merits At the same
time we believe that the Aldermen have the
power of regulation and license with
out such law, the charter authoriz-
ing them ''to regulate traffic and
sales in the streets, highways, roads
and public places" and to provide for the
licensing Of pedlers, under which category
these ticket spectators certainly come.
Besides, after all, the real remedy lies with
the managers and with the public. It is
absurd to pretend that the managers Of our
theatres cannot prevent the ticket specula-
tors from gobbling up all the good seats in
the house day after day if they have any
honest desire to do SO. If the people who
90 to theatres would refuse to buy Of the
speculators and leave the houses empty
rather than submit to the extortion OF an
additional fee on the top of war prices Of
admission the Objectionable business
would soon be discontinued. Of courss il
is unpleasant for a gentleman to turn back
when he is escorting ladies to place of
amusement; but few such annoyances
might we'll be endured in preference to
submission to vexatious imposition. The
manager who first stamps out the ticket
speculating business at his theatre viii
gain popularity that will be far more
profitable to him than any percentage he
may receive OF the spectators gains.
Year: 1879




The discussion commenced in the HERALD
two weeks ago on the subject of the dis
turbed condition Of the Christian churches
has caused lively excitement in the relig-
ious world. We are in receipt of large
number of communications, following up
or criticising the positions taken by our
former correspondents, evidently written
by men Of intelligence and sincerity, and
the tone of the religious press shows that
the questions involved are not such as it
can afford to ignore. We have space for
only few of the letters we have received,
but these will serve as an indica-
ton of the bent of the public mind.
dices Of sects are allowed to overshadow
the real and vital issues involved in the
discussion. The apparent falling off from
Christianity ; the disposition to give up re-
ligious duties for worldly vanities the dis
content among congregations the quarrels
and scandals in the churches; the search
ing after false gods ;" these are the evils
that have awakened feeling of alarm
among truly religious men. and the object
of the present discussion is to discover the
causes and apply the remedy. In such q
work calmness, impartial justice, fearless
ness and sincerity are essential. II the
fault lies with the churches themselves,
then it is proper that the truth should be
known and the publication of the
Temple commenced without delay. But
the wornout controversies between
Catholicism and Professionalism, or be-
tween any one sect and any other sect.
have no bearing on the subject. One writer
thinks that Christianity cannot triumph
until there is but one Church known among
men, and that, of course, the Church Of
which he is follower. Another repeats
the stale charge Of idolatry against those
who assign to the Mother Of God position
which others give only to God the Father,
God the Son and God the Holy Ghost. But
from neither OF these are we likely to learn
the true source Of the prevailing troubles
in the religious world or the means by
which they may be allayed.


One Of our correspondents separates
Christ from creeds and goodness from mere
ceremonials, and maintains that Christ and
goodness cannot fail, for they are eternal.
Another believes that the remedy for exist
ing evils is to cast off mere doctrines and
to take Christ as life and the end of life
all in all. Among our religious contempo-
raries we find expressions of opinion that
the churches are too much given to luxu-
ries and show; that protesting Christians
are too often slaves to worldly pleasures,
unjust in their dealings with their fellow
men, avaricious and censorious; that the
remedy sought for is to be found in more
devotion, piety and activity and less intel.
lectuality than are now to be met with in
the pulpits. 1t is evident that many minds
are turned in the right direction, and that
there is IN earnest desire to see reaction
inside the Church which cannot fail to have
its due effect on all the followers Of the
Church. Let us hope that the discussion
thus evoked may result in good.
Year: 1879

GOVERNOR MCCLELLAN and the New Jersey
authorities are preparing TO deal with the dis
eascd cattle question in the same energetic
style as Governor Robinson and the BROOKLYN
Health Board at Blissville. Tho Legislature of
that State will, it is to be hoped, speedily enact
the legislation necessary to secure so desirable
a rcform
Year: 1879

WALL STREET YEsTERDAY.-The stock mar
kct was active and very weak, particularly for
the granger and coal stocks. Government
bonds firm, States lower and railroads
generally weak Money on call lent at 3 a 4
per cent and closed at 3 per cent
Year: 1879

The DIFFERENT ATTEMPTS made to reach the
Pole were summarized in lecture in Washing
ton last evening by Mr.. Bryan, of the Hall
expedition. lie traced the history of Polar ex.
ploraton back as far as the thirteenth century.
Year: 1879

The ABsURD CHARGES against Speaker Ran
dali have been completely dsproved, and a
unanimous report to that effect will be made by
the committee. 1t was hardly worth while to
dignity them by an investigation.
Year: 1879

The RErUBLIcANs who have seen the major
ity report of the Potter Committee are, it
seems, chagrincd ut its extremely partisan
character. 1t is no: improbable that the demo
Gratis will be equally dissatisfied with the report
OF the minority.
Year: 1879

of holes in few months, as is now the case.
It would be cheaper for the city to present
the owner Of every wagon in the city set
of br6ad-tire wheels than to repair the
damages done By the narrow ones in single
year. The wonder is that the properly
owners tolerate this wicked destruction. Of
their improved streets. They hava Influence
enough with the Council to secure the i'm
position Of such license tax as would cure
the evil. The truckmen gain nothing by
using narrow tires. Their vehicles pull
harder than if the tires were double the
width, as they would not then cut SO deeply
into the mud, or create holes and ruts as they
now do. Marrow tires on heayily-laden
vehicles is the stupidest kind OF policy on
the part Of owners, as they are harder on
the horses rs well as worse on the roads.
Year: 1879

THE CONGRESSIONAL LABOR COMMITTEE


IN CHICAGO.


The presence in this city Of the Congress
sional Committee charged with inquiry into
the causes Of business and labor depression
would have been more important to the pub
Lie six months or d year ago. This Commit
tee WIS orignclly organized by the preceding
Congress, which made Mr.. HEWITT, Of New
York, Chairman. At Hhat time there was
apparent reason for such IN investigation as
was proposed Tae prolongation Of the life
OF the Committee under the direction Of Mr.
HEspR1oK B. WR1GEr, of Pennsylvania, the
presen. Chairman, was of very doubtful
necessity. In any event, the Committee has
come into section Of the country where it
will be puzzled to find at this time the de-
preston of industry and labor which it was
appointed to investigate: There has been
marvellous change for The better in the
condition Of trade aud industry since
the Committee WIS originally organized.
The sound OF the hammer, the clink
of the trowel, the din Of the foundry,
the smoke from the factory -chimneys,
the roar Of the furnaces, the swarm of work
men at the depots and about the harbors, the
unceasing rumble Of the railroad-tr trains across
the Continent,-al these signs of renewed
activity are to-day more striking than any en-
dences Of idleness or suffering that can be
raked together after tie most vigorous
search. The great mass Of the unemployed
have been provided with labor at wages which
represent larger purchasing power than
those which we're paid previous to the War,
or in the very hight Of infaticn. Confidence
has been very generally re-established; capi-
talists are seeking profitable employment for
their means; money can be procured readily
at the lowest rates ever known in this coun-
try; and the signs Of prosperity are more nu-
merous and palpable than the rumors Of de-
preston. We are, inclined. to think that
practically, at least 60 far as this section Of
the country is concerned, the Committee's
occupation is gone.


It is too much to expect, however, that a
Congressional Committee, with an ample
allowance for travelling expenses out of the
Public Treasury, should voluntarily
abandon any line of inquiry which it has
undertaken. Mr. WEIGHTS Committee, con-
sequently, will proceed with the invegtiga-
ton in hand just as if the conditions were
the same as those which called it into e1-
istence. It is to be hoped, nevertheless,
that the time and the facilities Of the inquiry
may be improved to ascertain the actual
state Of trade, industry, and labor, rather
than to assume depressed condition for the