smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

Itmust, we presume, be the general impress
sion of readers who have followed the story
of the Billings trial that the testimony Of
the different members of the Washburne
family secures the acquittal of the prisoner.
It is directly sworn that he was in that
house at twenty minutes of nine by persons
who looked at their timepieces within n
few minutes Of his entrance; and it is shown
indirectly that at nine o'clock he had been
in the house twenty minutes. This was tes-
tilted by Mrs. Washburne. How did she
know he was there twenty minutes? She
worked at her sewing while he waited !;
she rememba arcd exactly what she
had done while he was there, and
when subsequently it became a point
of peculiar interest to know precisely how
long he was in the house she went over
the same work anj found that it consumed
twenty minutes to do 1t. Here is a char
acteristic and natural bit of time measure
ment done by q shrewd woman that will
probably stand against all assaults. The
testimony of the time when the shot was
fired, as produced by the witnesses for the
defence, place it at about the moment Bill
lincs entered this house. AS all the people
in the neighborhood regulated their clocks
and watches by the same standard there is
apparently no room for any discrepancy in
this respect upon which the. prosecution
could proceed with advantage.
Year: 1878

The preliminary investigation into the
murder of the il-fated Mary Stannard.
which has occupied so much of our space
during the past week, resulted yesterday
in the discharge of the Rev. Mr.. Hayden,
who had been accused of the crime.
The principal testimony against him
was that given by the half-sister
Of the deceased girl, but this was ruled out
by the presiding justice, and having been
stricken from the record there was really
nothing tending to criminate MIR. Hayden
except the blood stains on his knife. les
timony was introduced to show that these
cAme from cut in boys finger. 1t will
be seen from our report of the case that the
action of the justice in ruling out the sis
ters evidence and in declining to grant
time for the presentation of fresh testimony
was so distasteful to the counsel for
the State that he withdrew from the
case and it is not improbable that
we have not heard the last of the affair so
far as Mr.. Hayden is concerned. Alto
gether the circumstances Of the death OF
the unhappy girl are exceedingly singular.
That she was murdered there can be no
doubt. But who committed the crime!
Was it the work OF q tramp, as has been
suggested, or was it planned and executed
by some one who had powerful interest in
putting the unfortunate woman out of the
world? These are questions which it
seems impossible to answer. Unless some
thing now unforeseen occurs the murder Of
Mary Stannard will add anotAer to the
many mysteries of the time.
Year: 1878

BY next spring, if the signs that now ap-
pear in tho East hold good. the British gov
ernment will be up to its ears in jaunty
little war with the Ameer of Cabul, and will
have its hands full of an Afghan war. II it
has now more Sepoys than it knows what to
do with in Asia it will not then, for there
will be occupation for them ALL and a labor
that all Of them may prove unequal to-
Suppose this little war had occurred Just
about the time of the signing Of the
Treaty OF San Stefano. In that case, at
least one element Of the bluster that was
then so plentiful of what England would do
with her enormous forces in India would
not have figured in the discussions Of her
military power. Austria's helplessness in
Bosnia and the readiness with which Eng
land may get her hands iull in India are
queer commentaries on what was said by
writer's in England Of the two main sources
from which the force to crush Rus
sia in the field was TO be drawn.
Afghanissan can keep one busy and
Bosnia the other Next year the
same relations will continue. They
count in India that they will be able to put
the Ameer in q tight corner before the bad
weather comes this season; but that is
counting without their Ameer. They will
not do it. Neither will Bosnia be pacifed
by next year, unless in the meantime the
Hungarans compel Austria to forego the
occupation. Both these will be on hand AZ
bits of leaven kept over to stir up peace
full world. 1t may then be worth Russia's
while to inquire how far she is bound by
the Treaty OF Berlin as to any point that is
disagrceablc to her. II seems to bind no
one that does not like it, and there are parts
OF it that she does not like. She may have
the argument all to herself, as she did when
she put "a pen through the Black Sea clauses
of the Paris Treaty.
Year: 1878

A correspondent who writes in o very
confident tone asserts that the alleged
large emigration from Canada through Port
Sarnia for the year ending June 30, 1878.
was no emigration at all. the people in
question not being bound for the United
States, but for the British Province of Mani
toba. This may be clever guess, but his
letter furnishes no proof that it is any
thing more than n guess. Instead of giving
his name he signs himself Duluth"
implying that he is resident of
that place How, then, can he
pronounce with SO much certainty
as to the destination of emigrants leaving
Port Sarnia? II he is correct the United
States Consul ut Port Sarnia Is a fool. The
Consul makes O detailed official report to
the Secretary OF State, at Washington, set
ting forth the statistics of Canadian emigra-
ton to the United States. If those people
were merely on their way from one province
in the Dominion to another province in the
Dominion the American Consul Is an in
sufferable blunderer, who ought to be dis
missed. IL was his business to ascertain
the destination OF the emigrants, and the fair
presumption is that he did SO until the con-
trary is proved. Duluth" offers no proofs,


but only an anonymous assertion. Which
is more likely to be correct-a responsible
public officer stationed at Port Sarnia, with
Year: 1878

Great doubts are almost as plentiful in
human history as great events. Who wrote
Homer's poems, and where was Homer at
the time? Who threw the last brick? Who
discovered Columbus? Who didn't dis
cover anmsthesia, and what was the color
of the rainbow when Noah got ashore? p
these are SO many topics as to which there
is such an abundance of evidence on all
sides that they are likely to remain
doubts forever There was at one
moment some reason to fear that the
number of the great mysteries would be
increased by the ever unanswered inquiry,
Who wrote the ''Open Verdict ?" There
was rational curiosity on this subject be-
cause as we know who are the authors of
nearly all the good plays, it would be aa
important addition to general knowledge to
know who was the author Of the worst play
ever presented to the public. So everybody
guessed in the liveliest way. There was o
general concurrence in some circles on the
name Of Richard Grant White because,
apparently. Of the mental shapelessness Of
the play and it's glib STYLE But
upon the consideration that the play
was construct by a person informed on
the topics it deals with, but inarticulate
with regard to them, that name was given
up. Gail Hamilton's name naturally oc-
Cured next. 1t was objected that she was
as little inarticulate on any conceivable sub
ject us even White himself, till some one
mentioned the Maine election, and conjec-
ture therefore rested there. Now the man
ager comes forward and gives us the solemn
assurance OF omebody else that it was not
written by Gail Hamilton. Must we then
believe that there is third writer in
America who could have done this thing
Alas we must, we must. But fortu-
nately literature is spared. It was
done by politician. This narrows
the circle in which we must guess.
Moreover by "a politician who is u gentle
man. See how the circle gets suddenly
smaller. But, it gets smaller STILL for he is


ga gentleman of this city," and is ''well
known" One or anoth er part of this de-
scription rules out thousands and tens of
thousands. Tammany does not come in.
Tammany men, besides, never have any
verdcts that are merely open. They are
Of the 'sdead open and shut" sort. Per-
haps -perhaps--and now that we remem-
ber that poem about crooked nose, another
about glass eye, one about false hair and
the fourth in regard to bad teeth-could it.
oh, could it have been the Mayor?
Year: 1878

1t is tie current understanding in
Canadian political circles that the Mac
kenzie Ministry is to resign within a
few days and leave clear field to Sir
John Macdonald and his victorious party.
1t is not unlikely that Mr.. Mackenzie will
yield to a strongly expressed public opinion
on this subject, and the general drift of
Canadian opinion seems to demand an
early resignation. But still it rests in the
discretion of the present Premier whether
he will resign before the meeting Of the
new Parliament. He can summon it
together as soon as the election returns
are all in if he should choose to do so, but
q special session for the mere purpose Of
laying down his power would be attended
with considerable expense without any cor
responding benefit. There is question
whether he will fill Offices with his party
friends previous to his resignation. He
strongly condemned Sir John Macdonald
for doing SO in 1874, and is therefore sup
posed to be precluded from following the
example. But politicians are seldom very
consistent in such matters, and Sir John
Macdonald could not complain with very
good grace if his own precedent were re-
torted upon him According to our corre-
spondent the understanding is that Mr..
Mackenzie will bestow the offices which he
has promised and leave the other places to
be filled by his successor.


Sir John Macdonald has q rather difficult
role to play when he meets the new Parlia-
ment after his accession to Office. His vic.
tory has been SO resplendent that he can
procure any legislation for which he asks,
bat he has taken such ultra ground on pro-
lection as a means of carrying the elections
that it may embarrass him to keep his elec-
tioneering promises. He is an able and
clear-headed man, and he should not be
ignorant that retaliatory tariff against the
United States may breed discomfort by en-
hancing the price Of the protected articles
to consumers. Several years must clapse
under high tariff before domestic compe-
tition can have any effect in cheapening
manufactured articles, and meanwhile there
may spring up reaction which will sweep
him out Of power and reverse his policy.
If he is shrewd he will merely play off pro-
lection as means of securing favorable
reciprocity treaty with the United States
Year: 1878

IT SEEMS that nobody is responsible for the
horrible condition of the ferry slip at the foot
Of West Twenty-third street. The chief en-
gineer of the Dock Department admits that the
nuisance ut that point is terrible one, and
says 'it is likely we shall dredge out the slip
very soon if upon investigation find that it
is required for the purpose of health :" but lit
is primarily something with which have
nothing to do" This is all the comfort or con-
ISOLATION the inhabitants of that section need
erupct
Year: 1878

The LETTER elsewhere PRINTED from our
correspondent accompanying the Amazon
vey expedition gives, in addition to the sum-
mary of the work accomplished up to the begin
ming of last month, interesting account of
the upper Madeira country which will repay
perusal. A navigable channel for vessels draw
ing sixteen feet of water exists from the mouth
Of the Madeira to San Antonio. The railroad
enterprise at the latter point is getting along
we'll could be expected under the exceedingly
difficult circumstances.
Year: 1878

No CHANGE FOR THE BETTER has yet taken
place i'll the condition of DIR. Lindley, the heroic
physician who voluntarily went to the quaran-
tine hospital soon he arrived here from
the South. The public will be glad to hear,
however, that he is in no immediate danger
Year: 1878

TIE HoBoKEN COMMON Council are epdeav-
orng to make it as comfortable and convc nient
as possible for the thieves and footpads of that
section. They have ordered the gas turned off
from large portion of the town.
Year: 1878

CREEDMooR.-No foreign team put in ap-
pearance yesterday in the contest for tho
Centennial trophy, and it is fortunate for it
that it did not. The shooting was superb.
The record of the first day last year, which up
to that time was the best over made. was
beaten, and it is more than probable that the
shooting to day will not show any falling oil
An idea of the strength of tho present team may
be formed from the fact that the highest indi-
vidual score ever made on any range was mado
yesterday by Mr.. Sumner, of Boston-namcly,
Two hundred and twenty-onc points out of o
possible two hundred and twenty-five.
Year: 1878

AN ADDITIONAL BATCH OF TESTIMONY tending
to establish an alibi was presented in the Bill
lings murder trial yesterday. The evidence is
now nearly all in, and the arguments of counsel
will be begun this week.
Year: 1878

In our history. Had these expec-
tions been realized, "What Will
We Do With It?n would have been
the next question. But as it is we
shall have barley enough and to
spare. We shall be able to fatten
innumerable hogs and cattle on
the surplus above our needs and
have a good deal for export. After
all the lamentations of injury to
the wheat, we shall nevertheless
have good deal of that staple
cereal and first-class steam mill
to grind it into flour. The corn
crop will be simply the largest ever
known in Los Angeles county, and
as we produce more corn than all
the rest OF California put together
this is very important item. AS
the demand for Los Angeles wines
and brandies is steadily increasing,
and As the prices are also advanc.
ing, all these facts, with our un-
surpassed orange and other fruit
prospects, and our flourishing
sheep and cattle interests, should
N AXE the outlook very encourag-
ing one to sensible men. To cap
all, we have two years feed in sight
on the plains in the shape of the
cured grasses and the nutricious
alfi.erillo seed.
Year: 1878

BY this time we ought to hay Q
got through all our grumbling.


What are the facts which face us
from an agricultural standpoint?
In the first place we shall have q
large barley crop. 1t Is true that
IT. is by no means as large as we
expected. If our harvest had
proved to be utterly without draw
backs we should have had yield
altogether beyond precedent-t"o


or three times as large as any c'op
Year: 1878

orOANGL vaREAS


ALL COMMUNICATION CUT OFF,


Fifteen men were in the lower and the same number
in the upper shaft. The explosion so violent
that the timbers underground were shattered,
piece of rock to fall and completely stop
ap the passageway in many places. To add to
the horror Of the affair it discovered that the
cages were. in consequence. fastened below and one
off all comm unication with the imprisoned men.
Ropes and pulieys were immediately put in
position and sent down to ascertain
the condition Of their fellow workmen below. The
mine is 240 feet deep. and it time before
help could reach them The gas was offensive
that the men could stay below only few minutes
One brave young miner. Joe Hsrdford. who had two
brothers below and who afterward found dead.
last amid shouts of the bystanders volunteered
80 below.


EXPLOSION OF FIRE DAMP AND GUEpowpER


The explosion was caused by the gas taking fire
from lamps. and there being eigh ten kegs of pow
der in the mine the explosion was terrific. Several
men were knocked down into pits of water and
drowned. The scene around the shaft
indescribable. Women and children there look
ing for husbands and fathers. Old men
looking for their sons Everything seemed in q de-
plorable condition. All that is possible has besn done
10 relieve the sufferers. Seventy-ave miners from
Sherburnc which is six miles away, boarded the first
train with ropes pulcys and baskets and rcndei all
the help they could.


CRYING FOR HELP.


Listening attentycly at the mouth of the shafs the
ptcous cries of the imprisoned men could be family
heard 24o feet below striking the auditor with dis.
may. The miners mostly Of the very poorest
class who subsist from hand to mouth and all have
the darkness below ascenied the assem-
bled women would fairly jump for
ward to il it from some
dear ono There were, of course, many dsappoint-
than described. One woman, who had young son
Of about twelve engaged below ben. over the shaft
and called pteously to all present to 60 10 his
calling with the feeling that only mother in such
brought up dead.


srx MES STILL IN PERIL


Six men still below at this hour, nearly mid.
night and some of them certainly alive.
occasional cry be heard. The gas is sickening,
and some of them must perish before they can be
brought to the surface though air is being forced be-
low TO drive on; the noxious gas.
Year: 1878

The following record will show the changes in the
temperature for the past twenty -four hours in
parson with the corresponding date If last year
indicated by the Thermometer ct Hudnuts pharmacy.
HERALD Building No. 2ls Broadway
Year: 1878

We devote large space to the annual re-
| port of the Secretary Of the Treasury, rs its
importance seems to justify our giving it to
nearly entire.


II is a very able and exhaustive prcsenta-
| tion of the financial affairs of the nation
elaborate in its statistics and candid and
iorcible in its discussion of the grave ques-
tions relating to the indebtedness of the
nation, its resources, and its policy ofinance.
More than usual importance is attached to
this report from the fact that il occurs upon
| the eve Of that period when the nation,
| after fifteen years of suspension, is TO enter
upon specie resumption, WHICH places all
the currency of the country substantially
upon basis at par with gold. 1t Is grati-
tying to be assured by the Secretary OF the
Treasury that he regards his arrangements
and provisions for resuming on the day
named in the law as perfect and complete,
so that failure is not possible.


The discussion OF the silver money qucs-
tion by the Secretary Is based upon his pc
culiar views, and while il in some degree
differs from those entertained by the more
ardent advocates of the silver dollar, we
have neither the time nor the disposition to
antagoniHc them, for the simple reason that
silver is now to n certain extent as much
the money Of the country as gold, aud we
propose to leave it to time 10 determine the
wisdom and justice OF the position assumed
on that question by the Chancellor of the
Exchequcr.


1t will be seen by reference to the report
that the Secretary Of the Treasury treats of
District Of Columbia matters at some length,
but what is said is more especially devoted
to the existing financial relations between
the Treasury Department and the Commits
sioners Of the District.


We regard the report as valuable State
paper, and shall take pleasure in discussing
it more at length hereafter
Year: 1878

TO-DAr's NATIONAL REPUBLICAN fur.
nishes to the average reader as well as the
technical or professional journalist abund-
ant proof Of the remarkable mechanical re.
sources Of this office. 1t comprises flfty.six
columns Of matter, of which nearly five
pages are devoted TO current news and cd
itorials, and include the full text of the
Presidents message, of the report of the Sec
retary Of the Treasury, and an abstract OF
the Attorney-Gencrals report, in addition
to our usual complement OF telegraphic dis
patches aud transcript Of local affairs We
think that, without any undue vanity, we
are entitled to boast of this typographical
achievement and at the same time to claim
an undoubted superiority over all OF ouI
local competitors when, as in this in.
stance, the emergencies of pure newspaper
enterprise require nm extraordinary excrtiou
to supply the public demand lor the new,
of the day.
Year: 1878

throughout. That portion Of the document
which relates to the late elections in several
of the Southern States Is Of more especial
interest to the general public than any
other, for II comprises and discusses the
vital principles of our existence as one Gov
eminent, one Constitution, and one people.
In referring to the late outrages upon the
rights of citizenship in the Southern States,
the tone of the message is dignified, states
mnnlike, and firm in its purpose TO defend
aud enforce the laws of the Government; 10
protect the rights of citizenship everywhere
with cven-handed justice, and TO punish
with conviction every infraction of the
laws wherever the Government has the
power; and it suggests that its full power
will be cxcrt,d in that direction. There Is
no shrinking from candid avowal of the
purpose of the Government to vindicatc
the laws and redress the wrongs of the
citizen in the South who has been despoiled
OF his rights under the reign of terror that
has hung over that section during the late
elections as pail, DISTINGUISHING large
class of citizens thereby and subvcrtng the
principles and laws of the Government.


The reference made in the message to
this subject is sufficiently plain and indica-
tive of the high purpose of the Government
to be admonitory to that section of our COM
mon country which has rendered itself OBJ
noNious to the charge Of wrong, that the
offenses committed will in no instance, when
brought TO notice and conviction be passed
by with impunity. The President seems to
be fully aware of the great outrages that
have been committed against the rights Of
citizenship, and is sternly determined to
vindicatc the right and punish the wrong at
all hazards, and he very properly presents
the matter to Congress and invokes its aid.


The general condition of the country is
presented with roseate tints, which it is to
be hoped will reveal to the near future o
bright era of prosperity and happiness.


We commend the message to the candid
and careful pcrusal Of all, that it may en-
JOY the full measure of favor that its merits
will justify. We shall take occasion in the
future to refer to that portion of the mes
sage which relates TO the interests and well
fare of the city of Washington and the Dis
trIct of Columbia.
Year: 1878

SOME of the Democratic newspapers, not.
ably the New York Express, are engaged in
ridiculing Secretary MCCRARY for his plain
and straightforward demand for more
money with which to keep up the War
Department. This is of piece with the
customary Democratic procedure in deal.
ing with Republican officials. As 10 argu-
ment can be produced TO Offset or answer
the Secretnry's very reasonable demand, il
Is met with ridiculc; but the people under
stand this transparent dodge, aud are not to
be Influenced thereby. As matters now
stand demand for more money and more
troops too, is apt to be very popular among
the loyal masses of the North.
Year: 1878

HUMAN DEGRADATION-In casting the vote
which defeated the whipping post bill in Ken
tucky, the lieutenant governor put his decision
on the broad ground that humanity is already
saving in criminal expenses would warrant
the state in promoting human degradation.
Year: 1878

THE NOMINATION OF JOHN w. EAsBY.-The
Senate committee on naval affairs yesterday
agreed to report adversely on the nomination
of John w. Easily to be chief of the bureau of
construction and repair. 1t was agreed by
the committee to allow the nomination to lay
over for week without reporting il to the
Senate, in order that the President might with
draw the nomination if he sees fit.
Year: 1878

She came full chiSel to his arms
II really made him stair
To have her make a bolt for him
Before he could prepare
He tried TO screw his courage up.
And did his level best
To nail the matter then and there.
While claSped unto her breast,
Says he: 1T augerS well for me.
All seems To hinge on this;
And what is mOrtiSe plane to see.
The porch childIwants kiss"
He kissed her lip, he kissed her cheek
And called her his adOOred-
He dOns his claw-hammeT next week
And she will share his board.


-TdHe0b SirHHss