smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

"Here's the sort Of game to make you
laugh seven years arter yer dead, and turn
every air on your cad gray with delight"
So said the little man with the three
thimbles and pea at Greenwich fair; and
so may conceivably say the ingenious per-
sons referred to in our Mexican corre-
spondence the other day, who have estab-
lished connection with the Mexican treas
ury on the ground of the presumed ser-
vices they are to render in the columns Of
American newspapers. These columns are
extremely numerous. There are over three
hundred thousand of them, if we count the
newspapers of the countr; as averaging
twenty-tour columns each, and there is con-
sequently no limit to tho service that
may be DONE There should be as
little limit to the money due when pay
day comes. 1t may be remembered that
the name Of the principal agent to enlighten
the press was Prltchard. By singular
coincidence the name Of the Mexican Con-
sui at San Francisco is also Pritchard, and
by another coincidence that is almost start
ling the readers Of the HERALD will find
to-day that this last Mr.. Pritchard is in m
agony Of apprehension lest the United
States should violate it's international
duties toward Mexico on the Rio Grande,
and is determined at least that it shall not
do so through ignorance if he can throw
any light on the subject. We give the in
terview with him just as it comes from the
Pacific coast, because it may be useful to
know what Diaz has to say by the mouths
Of agents who are, perhaps. more in his
confidence than his diplomatic representa-
fivaS.
Year: 1878

the walls of the harbor were as much above
the river level as the bottom of the harbor
is now below soundings, and the grain
could have been dumped off into the ships.
But the land went down and the water
didn't, and consequently we are where
we are. All the land in common, it seems,
with nearly the whole eastern edge Of the
continent went down slowly, slowly, and
the worst of it is it is still going down at
about the same rate-an inch or two in GEN.
tury. In couple of thousand years. there
fore, we shall all have to move, unless some
Tammany engineer can get big appropria-
ton through the Legislature to have this
thing stopped.
Year: 1878

The letter from Paris on another page
presents an interesting photograph Of the
life of the gay, glittering capital of France,
which is to Europe what our own city is to
this Western continent. All the world is
in Paris just now. It's boulevards are the
promenade of the nations-of the Russian
and the Greek, of the Pole and the Peru
Wan, the Egyptian and the Canadian, the
japanese and the Englishman. One week
alone brought eighteen thousand from
every land to which civilization is
known more than one thousand from
our own shores, giving US the fifth rank in
point Of attendance at the Exposition and
at, perhaps, other points of attraction upon
which our correspondent is discreetly
silent. The suggestion tlat this American
invasion is composed mainly Of the gentle
men who have paid their debts by act Of
Congress is grimly humorous and is pos
sibly true. If so they are careful not to
register at the HERALD Bureau and so avoid
the weekly setting OF their names in the
type of our cable Personal Intelligence.
Perhaps their modesty is purely owing
to their consideration for their cred
itors. That the bankrupts are not,
however, our only American pilgrims
is shown by the long list of
we'll known citizens, from General Grant
down, who 60 to make up the American
colony It will be seen that there are
enough of our statesmen there to form an
entire administration, but we are SO rich in
that article that we could well afford to send
over several hundred more without very
great detriment to the country. Paris in
these October days is supremely happy and
proud. After all her sorrow and suffering
she is still the queen OF the European
capitals.
Year: 1878

The intimate personal relations that exist
between ex-President Grant and ex-Gov-
ernor Shepherd, of Washington, give the
views of the latter on the question of
General Grants possible candidacy for
the next Presidency, which are elsewhere
printed, something more than a mere pass
ing interest. During his second admins
tration there were few politicians in the
republican party who possessed more of
the confidence of General Grant than M.
Shepherd. He was sort of Cabinet
officer without portfolio, and it was be-
lieved, with good reason at the time,
that his counsel was oftener sought
and more frequently followed than that of
any one of the Presidents constitutional
advisers. We infer from the interview in
question that these relations still exist in a
greater or less degree. At all events, Mr.
Shepherd says that his ''advices" from the
ex-President are to the effect that he does
not wish his name to be used as a possible
candidate; is not seeking and does not de-
sire nomination. Mr.. Shepherd, how
ever, is Of the opinion that if the republi-
can party were to Enthusiastically signify its
desire that he should become candidate
General Grant would again consent to lead
it's squadrons in the great quadrennial con-
test. Coming from SO intimate friend,
from one who is evidently in orrespcnd-
ence with the General, this may be
regarded as sort of scmi-author-
lied statement that General Grant is
willing il the party is anxious. The remain
ing portions of the interview are valuable
only MS containing the opinions of one who
has the reputation of being shrewd poll
tician and keen observer of the political
drifts and currents. 1he information Mr..
Shepherd gives, that the feeling in favor of
General Grants nomination is far stronger
in the West than in the East, will be agree
able news to the friends of the illustrious
soldier in this section and q surprise to
those who suppose that the interest in his
future is confined almost entirely to his
personal friends on the Atlantic seaboard.
The West, Mr.. Shepherd declares, has given
birth TO the present Grant movement, and
the people, not the politicians, are tho
motive power.
Year: 1878

Bismarck also threatens to resign unless
he can have his own way. In European
politics generally very great use is made
of the threat to resign. 1t was the most
used weapon in Ihicrs' armory, and it has
been lately put on duty by MacMahon him.
self, who has threatened to resign unless
the obstinate Senatorial electors make faces
ut the Republic. Gambetta hints, with pun,
that this is running things into the ground,
and rather more than intimates that if
France could only be sure that MacAIahon
would stand by his promise it would assume
at any moment any given attitude which he
would be kind enough to declare would
force his resignation. It will be remem-
bered that the opponents Of Theirs used
against him his habit of threatening to re-
sign. He made this threat repeatedly on
great occasions, and the Assembly as often
gave way before it, because they could
easier abandon any given point in politics
than face the chaos that seemed imminent
at any conception of his withdrawal. But
he threatened too often, and n trap was
made for him by the enemy, who, taking
him ut his word, forced him from the Presi-
dency Bismarck has proceeded always
in different spirit, and has been chary
Of attempts to influence legislation by hold.
ing up the spectre Of the chaos that might
come if he we're to give way. He has, how
ever. made this appeal. and no doubt very
sincerely just now. In fact, the imperial
politics are at point where he would prob
ably be satisfied to be absolved of response
bility unless he can act without restraint
lie had made his bargain with the papal
power, and would have got on without the
national liberals; but the Crown Prince, in
actual authority, refused to ratify that bar
gain. Bismarck was thus forced to bar
gain with the others or to certain defeat.
They will not trade on his terms, and defeat
is imminent, from which he endeavors to
save himself by the assurance to those
anxious to force IL that If they make the
law to suit themselves entirely no will not
| stay to enforce it.
Year: 1878

With the most solicitous regard for Dean
Stanley's health, which was to have limited
his pulpit efforts in America to two, we are
nevertheless glad that New York was one OF
the points to be benefited by his yio-
lation of his physicians orders. His sermon
i'll Calvary Episcopal Church yesterday was
upon that portion Of the story of Job in
which the pure understanding Of the young
Elihu overbore the traditional wisdom OF
the patriarch's three counselling friends,
and the application was that while
truth never changes it's aspects do,
and that these are to be regarded
with the candor, earnestness and ODE.
dience which are demanded by the prin-
ciples Of which they are the expression.
Personally, this application is not limited
to religious topics; the scientist and the
statesman will find in it the only prin-
ciple by which their own callings can be
pursued with honor to themselves and good
to humanity.
Year: 1878

Indiana on the greenback question !?
Even Mr.. Thurman and Mr. Hen
bricks, who are more moderate than
their democratic associates in their re-
spective States, have gone far enough to
deserve the confidence Of the greenback
devotees. The republican party in those
two States, having declared for resumption
and hard money, will necessarily lose its
greenback element which will go over to
the nationals; but the dem ocratic party in
those States being as deeply dipped in infia-
tion as the nationals themselves, would seem
to have a better chance of holding its own
members. But it is idle to speculate on
what will SO soon be decided. Two days
hence the election figures will furnish au-
thentic information on this point. The chief
value of the elections which are to be held
tomorrow will consist in the light
they may throw on the strength of
the greenback party in the West,
and the degree Of it's weakening effect on
the two old parties respectively. The dem
ocratic party in Ohio and Indiana has bid so
high for the greenback vote that the country
will be curious to learn whether the bid has
been successful. The chief interest Of to-
morrows elections lies in the decision of
this point
Year: 1878

An ancient colored professor Of the culi-
OH the subject Of her age, distinctly remem-
bered, as an important fact in the cnse, that
she .'cooked for the hands that dug the
Chattahoochie River" That fact undoubt-
edly establishes good record for age, but
then the whole South is sort of new coun-
try, and the wide bitches called rivers in
the Gulf States were none of them, per-
haps, formed more than two or three thou
sand years since. But writer in the cur
rent number OF the Popular Science Monthly
tells in very entertaining way what he
knows about the digging Of New York Har-
bor an event of paratively great an
tiquity. since it happened, rs nearly as he
can count or remember, some millions of
years before Havemeyer was Mayor. Few
stories in the literature of science arc
more fascinating than the fine yarns the
gcologists spin from the evidences Of the
rocks and rivers, the mud and the noun
tains and the fossils but when these yarns
are made local tho charm is certainly far
greater. Thus there is certain interest in
the pterodactyl, wherever placed. 1t is
vague and general, however But place
him at the corner of Broadway and Four
tecnth street, and the fancy Immediately
seizes upon him as denizen If not q ma
tive, and longs to build him into the narra-
tive of municipal history. 1t appears from
this record that the Police Commissioners


in their attempts to fill up the harbor, only
continued labor that has been in progress


for many ages, and that consequently tho
real bottom of the harbor is now from
one hundred to two hundred feet below the
present soundings. That bottom is of
rock. and was made at time when the
water that now goes to the sea by the st.


Lawrence River, as well as that by the
Housatonic and the Connecticut, all came
down and went out by way of the Battery.
We had more terminal facilities then, but
not so much use for them. Grain elevators
would have been Of no account, because all
Year: 1878

Again the nation is threatened with an
Indian war--a war which, if suspicious and
reports be true, will be more serious than
any which has occurred within the past
few years. Instead OF fighting merely for
their wretched homes, which has been the
habit of some Indians during the past de-
cade, the Cheyernes are raiding the Kansas
border. stealing and numbering as they CO.


and now it is feared that the long peaceful
Red Cloud will take the warpath with the
hundreds of Sioux to whom his word is law


and that Spotted Tail also will fight. Had
Red Cloud been white leader he would
long ago have Joined any one who was
fighting against the government, for
he and his band have been shamefully
abused during the years in which they have
behaved SO admirably. Their latest change
of reservation seemed one Of the most re-
markable of peaceful triumphs over the
Indians and a notable proof of the self
restraint Of wild race, supposed to be as
lawless as it was brave, but it seems now
that the manifest blundering of the
government has been too much for
Sioux forbearance. OF course, the blunder-
ers are not to suffer; the residents of the
border, the soldiers of our gallant little army
and, apparently, the miners Of the Black
Hills are to be punished for the faults of
those who should have known better than to
have abused the confidence and patience of
so able a warrior and statesman as Red Cloud.
Rumors from Omaha trace the trouble far
closer to the government than thievish In
dian agents have ever been, and the public
should insist upon knowing just how
much truth there is in these reports and
whether bribery and trickery have really
been attempted by persons high in authority.
Year: 1878

Certain remarkable statements which ap-
peared in the money articles of the London
Times on the 10th, 11th and 18th of last
month show condition of grave apprehen-
sion in England rs regards the future fnan-
cial prospects of that country and the
enormous changes which have been
brought about mainly by the rapid growth
and immense resources Of our own. They
deplore the fact that the decrease in the
exports Of Great Britain is, like the in
crease in the value Of her imports, continu-
GUS, and admit that for the first eight
months of the current year the nominal ad-
verse balance of their foreign trade account
is about four hundred and fifty millions of
dollars. The steady export to this country
of United States securities in payment for
goods is also source Of alarm, for it is ad-
mitted that that means OF liquidation is
almost at an end, which indicates the early
flow of bullion to this country, while the
loss Of the interest on the bonds thus re-
turned ssis in particular a direct and per-
manent impoverishment Of very serious
kind"





London reflects the condition of affairs
thus shadowed forth, and it is impossible
not to take that condition into considera-
tion without grave fears for the future.
Whero or how the storm which is preparing
may break none can prophesy, but it is
evident that the impoverishment Of a coun-
try which has mainly depended on foreign
production for it's supply of breadstuffs,
while the lands, which are suitable tor the
production Of grain are held in COM
paratively few hands and chiefly used for
the preservation of game and the sports Of
privileged class, must lead to the home
production Of what is needed for home con-
sumption, and the consequent breaking
down of aristocratic accumulation of orna-
mental or sporting domains. AS we before
our war were the best customers of Eng
land SO now England in her turn has be-
come ours, and in national finance as in
private mercantile enterprise no trader
has ever been benefited by the loss of means
by his customers. the present condition of
England should, therefore, be a source of
anxiety to ourselves as we'll as to her.
Year: 1878

Our correspondent at Utica reports con-
versation with Ex-Governor Seymour which
exhibits the anxiety of that statesman for q
restoration Of harmony and good feeling in
the democratic party Of this State. The
Democratic State Committee is to meet
and organize in this city tomorrow,
and the sentiments of Mr.. Seymour
deserve their thoughtful consideration.
There can be no reasonable doubt OF the
correctness Of the point on which he chiefly
insists-namely, that a State committee ex-
ceeds its legitimate authority when it as
sumes to control the action of State con-
vention. The committee is chosen one
year and the convention meets the next
year. Consisting OF delegates freshly
chosen by the people the convention
should be left entirely free to give effect to
their wishes untrammelled by a committee
appointed year before and representing the
past rather than the present sentiments of
the party. Governor Seymour holds-very
Justly as it seems to us-that the province Of
a State committee in relation to State con-
vention should be limited to the merely
formal duty Of initiating the proceed
ings without any attempt to control
results The fact that Governor Sey-
mour has spoken on this subject is note
worthy. 1t relieves his attitude from the
misconceptions which naturally arose out of
the action of his brother, John +. Seymour,
in the Syracuse Convention. That action
seemed hostile to the Tilden wing Of the
party, and many people inferred that it was
inspired by Governor Seymour, or at least
reflected his sentiments. The interview
which we publish tends to remove that inn
preston and to show that John +. Sey-
mours conduct at Syracuse was without
the sanction or completely OF his distin-
gu ished brother.
Year: 1878

An epidemic so extensive as that which
has ravaged the Lower Mississippi Valley
this summer-so deadly and SO little con-
trolled by treatment : naturally excites the
imagination OF all men whose thoughts have
been given to the treatment OF disease, and
has particularly emphasized the opinion that


he present state OF knowledge Of this class
of diseases is o reproach to medical science.
Ii is natural that this impression should
have extended to France and it will not
surprise any one that an ingenious chemist
OF FGcamp, in that country, has sent,
through the United States Consul at Havre,
for use in New Orleans in the treatment of
the fever, a substance the basis of which is
chlorine. As all the theories OF the prop
agation of this disease attribute it to q
microscopic parasite of uncertain origin,
and as chlorine is an agent of known en-
ergy in the destruction OF such sources Of
disease, the proposed remedy has in its
favor the fact that it seems to be nationally
in accordance with what is known of the
Year: 1878

MIR. EDISON will have to look to his laurels
Away out in Indiana rustic genius has in
vented new instrument something on the plan
Of the telephone which ne calls the agaphone
or sound gatherer The object of the two in
struments is the same-to enable persons at long
distances apart to converse.
Year: 1878

An ADVERTISEMENT in the HERALD yesterday
gives the first information TO the public of another
addition to the long list of women who have dis
appeared, no one knows where. The young
woman i'll question left her home last June to
visit some friends III Jersey. Her fate is a mys-
terry the police unable to fathom.
Year: 1878

A LETTER from Alaska this morning gives an
interesting account Of the seal fisheries and Of
Russian colony which remained to continue at
their old industry after the cession. The late
Mr.. Stewards humming birds have not yet
turned up in our Northwestern paradise.
Year: 1878

EUROPE is the favorite hunting ground of the
American adventures, and her exploits have
often made the of her countrymen tingle
The one whose career is elsewhere described is
perhaps one Of the very worst of these social
Year: 1878

Just after sunset yesterday bright
faced little girl, attended by Il playful
black and-tan pup. was at the pump ut
Seventh and Walnut streets. Near by.
on the curbStonc. were two sparrows
chirping cheerily. The pup made a
dash at them. and much TO his delight
one OF the them was unablcto fly. IL was
Il Young one, and the other was the
mother Seeing the danger OF her
Young the old bird resorted to the usual
devices to attract the enemy tu pursue
her, throwing herself upon the ground
in front OF him, tluttering almost in his
face and crying in distress. Thoroughly
excited and somewhat confused the
black -and-tan dashed first at one and
then at the other. The little girls heart
was touched tor the birds, and calling
at the pup she started in pursuit of him.
Dog, birds and girl. for awhile all great
ly excited, were flying here and there
about the gutter. now on the pavement
and again on the street. Finally. Just
as the pup pounccd upon the young
bird. his little mistress seized him and
drew him into her arms. For an in
stant it seemed the young bird was
saved, Dut tne poor lnll'S was HiSnten-
ed nearly to death, and espying the
sewer-opening in the curbing it flew in,
and nothing could save 1t. The little
girls eyes streamed with tears; she
scolded and gave the pup an affection


ate sort of beating. and, pulling his


head near to the opening, said in a most
distressing tone: See what you have
done. you wicked, wicked little dog !;
YOU have drowned the poor little bird,
YOU have drowned the poor little bird, -
and when the mother bird tiuttered
around, looking and crying tor her
young. she burst into fresh tears and
cried as if her heart would break A


number of people witnessed the incl


dent and there were no dry eyes on the


scene except those of the little pup.
Year: 1878

The jefferson City Tribune publishes
the following letter, which it asserts
was written by one OF the ableSt lawyers
in the state:


In several counties OF this state per-
sons have announced themselves candi-
dates for the office OF county collector in
about these words:


II hereby declare myself a candidate
for the office of county collector. and, il
elected. bnd and obligatc myself 10 pay
into the county treasury for the benefit
of the county school fund all fees and
commissions over fifteen hundred dol
lars, which | may receive us such col
lcctor."


This is decidedly new departure in
the art of office seeking, which demands
a careful consideration in all OF its as
poets. before it is passed upon by the
people at the ensuing election.
What is the prominent idea in the an
nouncemcnt of this class OF candidates
for public office? Upon what distinctive
principle do they ask popular suffrage !?
Do they claim the support of the people
on account of their superior qualitica-
tions tor the discharge OF the duties of
the office they seek? Certainly not.
A candidate for collector of this class
| engages to give each voter 4 gift or re-
ward for his vote, provided such candi-
date is elected.


The gilt or reward, it is true, is in
direct. 1t is to furnish part of the
money with which to educate the voters
children. 1t is practically and actually
paying tor the voter money which be
would otherwise have to pay himself.


1t is substantial pecuniary benefit
conferred by the candidate on the voter
1t is a money consideration, indirectly
passing from the candidate to the voter
| for has cOfe.


The inducement which the candidate
holds to the voter is pecunia,y in it!
character, without such inducement the
voter would probably withhold his vote
from such candidate, and cast the same
for some other candidate.


The plain English of the candidate
engagement and undertaking is. that
the voters will vote for and elect him