smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875

Dabbling with the schools.


We notice by our published report this
morning that they had up the chronic
text book question At the meeting OF the
State Educational Association at Point
Pleasant last week, We are glad how
ever to see that the committee appointed
to investigate the subject reported against
any changes. All movements looking to
:, changes In the text books used in the
public schools should receive the least
possible encouragement from the AssOCi-
alton. Not that that body has any power
to change tho books now in Use, for hap
ply the law protects the people in that
respect, but because all recommendations
in favor Of changes are calculated to do
harm to the best interests OF the school
system. The public mind OF West Vir-
ginia is sensitive on the subject Of sChOol
expenses, Since the inauguration of the
free school system in this State, dating back
over ten years, the tax payers have paid
mint OF money for the erection OF school
houses and the support Of instruction.
There are scores Of citizens in this COM
munity, and in many other communities
throughout the State, who have paid in the
aggregate thousands Of dollars in the shape
Of school taxes since the system was
adopted. There are thousands who have
paid hundreds OF dollars, and still other
thousands who have paid smaller amounts.
The tax has been very heavy on all
grades OF taxpayers, 80 much so that the
friends Of the system have not been with.
out their fears and anxieties at times that
u reaction against the very existence Of
the schools might set in,


On the part Of great many teachers
and county superintendents there has
been m evident lack Of appreciation Of
this state Of feeling among tax payers,
They have sought to fasten upon the sYs-
TEN Acknowledgements experiments, all
tending to magnify the Office Of the evan
escenI instructor or superintendent al the
expense not only Of the tax payer but,
worse still, Of the school system. We
depreCate all such empiriclsm. Every
true friend Of the public schools should
discontinue ii. The object Of every such
friend should be to pOpulari1e the sys.
tenn by doing all in his power to make
the expenses light instead Of too grievOns
to he borne The free schools have
we'll defined scope, They are not
academies but common schools. Their
proper object il and should be to furnish
instruction in the elementary branches
Of English education. Everything else is
illegitimate, and in the nature Of awrOng
to tax payers. Hence we are opposed to
that constant tendency to dabblc with the
curriculum Of the schools manifested by
40 many teachers. The law does well to
restrain them as far as possible. Better
too much restraint than too little. The
tendency Of educators, themselves In
too mony instances but partially edu.
Gated, Is to discard or emasculute ap-
proved and accepted methods, and substi-
tute experiments Of their own. In this
way they keep the public mind constantly
unsettled the effect Of which is IN under.
tone Of discomfort among tax payers.
Year: 1875

AN INNOCENT MANS IMPRISONMENT "A man
was pardoned from the Charestown State prison
Friday, after serving almost eight years on lite
sentence Tor u crime which he never committed
This was Moses b. Wheeler, convicted OF arson
Id February, 1866, on the testimony of his sister
and her husUand, who said they saw him fire a
house in Brighton occupied by widow, and
against his own oath and the testimony of the
widow herself, who declared that Wheeler saved
her house from burning, the actual damage the
bGlding sustained being $50.


Two sears after Wheeler's entrance upon his
lie imprison@ent, the sister who had condemn
ed him 10 1t dleo Of small pox, On the day be-
lore her death she confessed to another sister, in
an agony OF remorse, that she had perjured her
sell al that trial at the bidding Of others, and for
the purpose OF getting his brother out of the way
Before legal deposition could be obtained. the
woman was toe far gone 10 give il.


The motive Tor this unnatural conduct was 81,
the outset explained by Wheeler to be tn at be
was charged by brother who died in battle by
his side that their mother had his property,
which, when be returned home be found claim.
ed by his sister the strength of forged letter
purportng TO be from the dead brother Be the
motive what it may, she and her husband had
| actually put him out of the way by perjury -
| Wheeler has made incessant efforts since 10 have
his sentence revoked, and at last succeeds. 1t is
Ia consideration that might well give pause to the
Jealous advocates OF capital punishment thai
this discovery Of innocence is liable to be paral-
| leled after man is hanged
Year: 1875

ETEING ING RS 4 or me Id lis
fatal to good economy. The housekeeper has
always to pay dearer when she does not pay cash


The tradesman must have interest for his money,
for nIan will never, in a business community,
be willing, and is seldom able if he were willing,
to forego it. To the ordinary cash prices of the
articles he therefore adds the interest that may
accrne during the time that credit is allowed. -
This, however, is not all. There must be pre-
MUM exacted By the dealer for the risk he runs
in trusting his goods to that class Of more or less
dangerous customers who never pay ready money.


Even the most honestly disposed of these men
are often unsafe debtors, for they are generally
such as are imprudent enough to anticipate their
incomes, and to overrun them in expenditures.
The credit system, moreover is temptation to
unnecessary purchases. There is sert of check
in the sight and touch of the hard won money to
the disposition to dispose of it lightly. On the
other hand, there is something in the facility of
credit removing as it does the disagreeable neces-
sity of payment to a vague future, very ssduc-
tive to the buyer, who can crafty his love of
possession with a momentary sense at any rate


that its qualification cssts him nothing. There
is no such cheap and cautious purchaser as cash
Year: 1875

Gss> The school teachers of Baltimore city


are entitled to the homer of having been in
strumental in the erection of monument to


the memory of the late Edgar A. Pee, Balti


more's distinguished poet and literary genius


For moro than twenty five years he lay in the
grave yard of the Wesiminster PRESBYTERIAN
Church on West Fayette street, with the spot
OF his burial unmarked by any token of his
memory. Numerous notices have been made
OF the fact and more than one fruit less effort
made to procure the erection of an appropriate
monument to his memory in the mean
time. A beautiful monument has been erect
cd to mark the spot of his interment, and it
was unveiled last week with becoming cere
mony. Letters were read from Longfelow,
Whittier, Emerson, Bryant and other literary
characters who admired the the genius of Bal
timore's dead poet. Orations, biographical
notices and other fitting tributes to his mem
Ory were given by distinguished gentlemen.
Year: 1875

There are about six weeks remaining between
new and the assembling of the Legislature


During this time every Refermer in the coun-


ty who has any original ideas concerning what
changes should be made in legislation to effect
Baltimore c0unty's interest should embody
them IN letter or series of letters to some
one OF the members of the Legislature Weare
all aware that there are some radical changes
needed in the county. The main features of
some OF those changes are generally agreed up-
on by common consent. But the arrangement
of the details by which they are to be made
practical is matter attended with some diff
Guilty. These cannot be settled satisfactorily
without general understanding and full ex-
preston of sentiment on the part of the repre-
sentative men of the different sections of the
county. The gentlemen who have been select


ed to represent us in the Legislature have the
respect and confidence of the people. They
are gentlemen whose intelligence and integri-
ty are creditable to their constituents. But it
is impossible for them to do full Justice to the
county and the situation without the assistance.
advice and cooperation of the best men in the
county who are earnestly in favor of Reform.
They have their business affairs to arrange for
two or three months absence from home. This
will naturally occupy much of their time and
attention between now and their going to An
aponlis. They should be posted generally up
on the measures that they will be expected to
urge in the halls of Legislation before that
times arrives. After the session begins their
time will be too much occupied in the routine
OF the proceedings to take in and digest new
subjects and measures suited to their advance
ment. The time for this is before that body |
meets. And the people to assist in the matter
are all those who desire the promotion of Re- |
form in the county. If they will communicate
their ideas to the gentlemen whom we have |
elected to represent us, they can digest and |
mature them and arrange them in the shape |
OF bills before the session begins. They will |
have these things all in rediness to set in mo-
tIor when the session opens and they can be
pushed along with facility and ease as they are
daily engaged in the routine Of the general
business of the session. If this course is not
adopted, our people will find that much that


wan "o "'ei-iooAeo, Ut neglected, or
lost in consequence of the fact that it was COM
menced too late. Much legislation is lost in
the hustle of the last days of the session be-
cause every man is looking after things that
specially interest him and then, too, those men
who are the NEST alert in obtaining the floor
are the most successful with their bills. These
thing should be attended to at once and every
body who feels any interest in the cause should
-ender assistance. If this is not done the coun-
y must be the loser by it.
Year: 1875

BATTLE OF TIE FlsH.-The Lewes Light reports
another fish war at the Capes, similar to the
great struggle of last season. On the 29th ult.,
the blue fish were again chasing and deveuriug
the manhaden shad, 'moss bunkers," as they
are sometimes called. and thousands in their ef-
forts to escape the ravages of the blue fish ran
high and dry on the beach. Near the little light.
house on the cape where the high tides overflow
into the valley, several thousand bushels sought
refuge in there, but were even followed over the
flats by their formidable enemies, and many OF
the latter were caught on the fat-sands. where
the water was but few inches deep After the
tide fell off, these fish were left there to die and
many OF them were hauled off into the country
by the farmers who use them az fertilizer on
their lands. II is somewhat singular why :hese
fish should make their appearance here in the
manner statsd ahove--just at this season of the
year, this wear and last-whie nothing like it
was ever seen or heard OF before. at least along
the coast
Year: 1875

rs Hon. S. Teackle Wallis has communi.
Gated to his Excellency, Governor Grocme, his
Intention of contestng the election of his op-
ponent, Mr.. Gwinn, asking him to fix the time
and the manner Of conducting the contest
The Constitution provides that the contest oi
election of the Attorney General of the State
shall be made before the Governor of the State
whose "duty it shall be to decide on the cleo
tion and qualification Of the person returned" !"
This makes the Governor the legal tribunal for
this purpose, but it prescribes no mode of pro
cedure. Governor Groome notified Mr.. Wallis
that on Wednesday morning of this week he
would receive oral or written argument at the
Executive Chamber upon the proper mode to
be pursued in hearing the contest. 1t is pre-
sumed that the testimony on the question could
be taken in this case as in the case of contest
ed elections before the Legislature. This is
done by either summoning witnesses before
the committee on elections in the Legislature
or by authorizing and appointing commits
sion to take the testimony in writing and for
ward it to the proper parties for their conside-
ration. The Governor will find himself in a
very unpleasant situation. If he is obliged to
render his decision before the Legislature pass
es upon the same facts in the contest for the
Governor, he may find himself standing in
conflict with that tribunal.
Year: 1875

Keep the Confidence of the People.
Our interest in the cause of reform prompts US
to leave nothing unsaid that may exert any in
huence in promoting that idea and aid in the


good work that the people expect from their new
ly elected representatives. The vote shows that


there were great many people at the polls On


the I'd of November in this county who have not


been in the habit of voting They went because
they knew reform was needed They had conf
dence in the agents the Reform party selected to
inaugurate the movement They aided in the
election of those agents. They expect those
agents to carry into practical working a great


many ideas that are essential to reform. This


places upon them weighty responsibility. The
people who used their exertons in behalf of the


movement desire that certain principles shall be


kept in view in order that no detriment be done


to the cause. They will expect the selection for


positions only those who enjoy the confidence oi
the Reformers and command the respect of the


community, irrespective of party predictions.
If the confidence of the people in the movement
is once destroyed their support will be withdrawn
from those who have been chosen to represent


them. Care must be taken that those who gave
the cause and the ticket wet blanket when they
eipoW themselves TO the frUut mIscuer 10


the cause that they would be powerless to do other


wise. The chief danger tv the cause of reform
comes now from this source. And it is the duty
of every good Reformer to keep the chosen rep
raeen vaq oT tha Raforn rnayepant onr.n,oIl ~
posted concerning the character and movements
Of this class Of people. Fellows whose vote none
could tell but themselves and which they did not
venture to tell until after the result was decided
and which would have been on the other side if
the resalt had gone that way, are busy in max
ing out their claims to positions Of profit and in
fuence. This is the most dangerous class Of peo-
pie to the movement. 1t is this class in whom
the people have no confidence. And the eleva-
ten of this class Of anxious gentlemen to posi-
tions will give the enterprise the most ssvere
shock that can be given it.


There are in the Reform party ample talent,
character and integrity to fill the positions with
credit to the appointed and appointing power,
and the selections can be made to meet with gen.
eral approval. But one or two obnoxious selec-
tions will do the movement more injury than can
De repaired by score of frst-csss selectious.-
Let US see then that there is no mistake made by
injudicious selections of obnoxious fellows whose
chief virtue is their impudence in pushing them
selves upon the party for their own selfish pur-
poses.
Year: 1875




prestly interference in politics, on the following
grounds, which it may be useful to puto record :
"Can Catholic, we repeat, refuse to the Church
the right tc defend herself or rather the right to
defend the spiritual interests Of the souls confided
to her? But the Church speaks, acts, and con,-
bats by her clergy, and to deny these rights to
the clergy is to deny them TO- the Church. The
priest and the bishop may, then, in all justice,
and should in conscience, raise their voice. point
out the danger, and authortaiiyey declare that
the vots on such side is a sin, that to dc such
an act makes them liable to the censurss Of the
Church. They may and should speak not only
to the electors and candidates, but even to the
constituted authorities for the duty Of every man
who wishes to save his soul is marked out 6y the
divine law. Tho Church, like good mother,
owes to her children Of every rank love. and con-
sequently spiritual vigilance. Therefore to en-
Tighten the conscience of the faithful on all these
questions which concern their salvation is not
converting the pulpit OF truth into political
tribune. Doubtless such questions do not arise
every day; but that this right exists no one can
deny. The nature OF the question makes it evil
dent that to the Church alone it belongs to deter
mine under what circumstances she should raise
her voice in favor OF Christian faith aud morals"
This statement repeats the old claims that the
Church alone is the competent Judge of human
affairs
Year: 1875

as1- On Saturday afternoon of last week SEN
ator Orris S. Ferry, of Connecticut, departed
this life at his home in Eorwalk His disease
was softening of the spinal marrow, a malady
from which he has been severe sufferer for
several years. About this time last year his
complaint assumed an alarming condition, but
he did not relax his labors in attending to his
duties in the Senate chamber. He was a ma
tive of Connecticut born in 1923, graduated at
Yale College and entered political life in 1856,
by an election to the State Senate In 1859 he
was sent to Congress. He entered the army at
the beginning of the war and came out as q
Brigadier General. He was elected to the
United States Senate in 1865, and was re elect
ed in 1873, by a coalition of the Democrats
with the boiling Republicans. His devoted
integrity to the patriotic impulses of his heart,
his readiness in debate, his fluent, cogent STYLE
of argument made him one of the most infiu-
entail members upon the floor of the Senate.
Year: 1875

&S> The people want to know if Bannon is
to be the "Boss" this winter in Annapolis as
he was two years ago. We have no doubt
the charitable institutions that expect assist
ance are desirous of knowing. They must cut
their demands for aid accordingly.
Year: 1875

The chief thing that will agitate the political |
chaldron next year in the Presidential fght will
be the currency question as we see it now. The
question will be whether we shall contract or ex-
pand the volume of the currency that is now the
medium through which the business OF the coun-
try is transacted. The Democratic party this
year has in majority Of the States declared in
their platforms Of principles for an increase Of
currency, and in most Of the other States it has
been non-committal 1t has lodged the question
and attempted to delude the people by evasve
enunciations.


The Republicans have planted themselves
squarely upon platform Of contraction OF the
currency and speedy return to specie basis
consistent with the business interests OF the coun-
try. This has been the attitude assumed in most
of the States. 1t is true that in some few States
the resolutions have net been as emphatic and
outspoken as we would wish, but the result OF


the elections show that the confidence Of the peo-
pie in the honesty and integrity of the Repuoli-
can party is still unshaken. States that went


against us by large majority last year gave us


good maiorities this year, and the majority against


us in other States has been largely reduced on


even an increased vote. The vote this year Is


clear indication that that Of last year was no svi
dence that the votes who made temporary


change in the political complexion of the country
intended that change 10 be permanent.


The question involves the best principle Of oul


nature. 1t involves an appeal to our honesty


1t touches those principles of integrity that lie


the foundation of the existence Of civil commanl
ties. We know that there are some folks VIII
would consider themselves insulted if it were in
: timated to them that they were dishonest becaus
they should advocate an increase of the currency
on US partial or complete reputation of the ma
tional debt they would be forced to acknowledg
that the nation would be dishonest to its cred
tors And il the nation takes a dishonest STEP
every man in the land who by his voice aids o


sanctions it shoulders part of the responsibility
and becomes tainted with dishonesty to that ez


tent. Expansion will jeopardize the redemptio
of the United States bonds. The bonds repre-
sent an honest debt The nations wealth
pledged to their payment. Nothing but tn


grossest dishonesty can secure the refusal of hei
payment to the uttermost farthing. Repudiat
and thousands of widows and orphans through
out the land will be penniless. 1t would be a
everlasting disgrace to the American name. Tn
Democracy is committed to imitation and the Re
pubicans to contraction. We have an abidR
confidence in the integrity of the American pee
pie and we believe the American people have il
: the Republican party.
Year: 1875

continues dull, and there Is now no prospect Of
revival till after the holidays The city is dis
couraged, particularly when the reports of boom
ing business comes TO US from all other parts
No one can tell why it is SO, but it is. And no
one can prophesy when change will come


PIETRo
Year: 1875

TRY TIE ENAMELLED PIPE, IT WILL NOT
] Rust or crack and COSTS only trife more than
common iron pipe Is positively THE BEST thing
for water service pipe. have the exclusive agency
for ROCK Island. FRED HASS.


Store in Star Block
Year: 1875

He is man in whose integrity the best
men in both parties in the State have un-
bounded confidence, and he will make a
worthy successor to Senator Ramsey,
whose; long and honorable career in the
Senate has been SO creditable to himself
and useful to Minnesota: -


There is no doubt that the election OF
Judge Mcmillan will have a tendency to
unite the factions in the party and pre-.
vent turmoil and bitterness among Re-
publicans in this State during the coming
year.