smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875

Providsues as . Street Cleaner.


The citizens Of New York are, no doubt,
properly grateful. a. they ought to be, for the
many favors they receive at the hands OF
Providence. But especially should they be
thankful for the evidences of Divine care
manifested in the occasional cleansing Of our
filthy. fever-breeding streets by grace Of the
weather But for this benefcence business
would be wholly stopped during great por-
ton Of the year, and disease would carry of
large percentage of our idle population. A
portion of Broadway, and probably Fifth ave-
nue., might be rendered navigable aud hab-
table through the instrumentality Of what is
humorously called the Street Cleaning Bureau,
and, according to morning contemporary,
this much work would satisfy the taxpayers
that they are receiving the worth of their
money. But as to all other parts of the city, the
avenues and streets where the business of the
metropolis is done and where the great mass
Of the population lives. they are left wholly in
the hands of Providence, and the people should
be duly grateful that Providence sometimes
comes to the rescue and performs the duties
for neglecting which the Street Cleaning Bu-
reau demands eight hundred thousand dollars
year out of the city treasury.


Still, we would suggest to the heads Of that
bureau the propriety of extending little aid
or cooperation to Providence. They draw
an enormous amount of money out of the
pockets of the people-some million dollars
year-and they can keep it or pay it ont to
their army of invalids for all that Providence
cares. But they might at least set few men
to work on other streets than Broadway and
Fifth avenue. opening the cutters and culverts
SO as to allow the water and slush to run into
the sewers. after the snow has been melted
by the thaw and the rain. instead
Of leaving them to overflow the side
walks, food Easements and render tho
roads navigable streams. At present
the Street Cleaning Bureau not only
fails to clean the streets but obstructs the
beneAcent labors of Providence in that direc-
ton. Yesterday two or three hundred able
bodied men could have rendered the entire
lower part Of the city below the City Hall
navigable by clearing the cutters and opening
heavy loads was suspended, carriage driving
was almost impossible and the sufferings Of
foot passengers were deplorable. It is prob
able that o continuance of the present weather
may clean the streets without the aid of the
bureau. But we insist that the men who draw
million dollars year out of the public
treasury must do something more than cart
the slush from Broadway as far as Union
square" and stake Fifth avenue in hand"
before they can persuade the people that they
get the worth of their money aud that "a
new era has dawned upon the CITY,"
Year: 1875

The CENTENNIAL at Philadelphia promises
TO be something of colossal nature. dis
inguishing feature will be grand inter-
national regatta on the Schuylkill River, in
which the best oarsmen of England signify
their intention of becoming contestants with
our knights of the oar
Year: 1875

The Pennsylvania politicians never do
things by halves, and when one of them begins
to thunder it thunders all along the sky.
Mr.. j. D. Cameron, son of the Senator, be-
thought him OF giving little dinner to Sena-
tor Wsllace, who got the place in the Senate
that young ''Don" wanted. II was an occa-
sion for q feast if there ever was one, and
while the venerable statesman was speeding
his sons parting guests, another statesman,
not 50 venerable indeed. in the language of
the day, o statesman who was little ''fresh''-
got up very different kind Of entertainment
on his own account Almost while Wallace was
slipping republican champagne in the house
Of the young politician there was heard the
cry of Wolfe in the Capitol. Wallace sat
down to dinner in the republican fold, but
Wolfe refused to be seated at the request Of
the democratic shepherd, and seemed intent
on devouring the democratic lambs Nothing
like it was seen or heard since the days
of the Buckshot War, when Thaddeus Stevens
made his famous retreat through o win
dow of the Senate Chamber, and Governor
Ritner asked for United States troops to
suppress o legislature. These were days
of great partisan bitterness, days when no
democratic Senator would drink the wine of
his whig colleague, and we are inexpressibly
panied that the wolves should howl at the
very moment of the display of so much good
feeling in the Cameron mansion. The worst
of it is that nobody is satisfied with either en-
tertainment. The democrats think Wallace
should not have eaten ''Don" Cameron's din
ner, fearful that there is more in Sam Wards
philosophy than democratic Horatios ever
dreamed. Being disposed to be charitable,
we prefer to believe, however, that the dinner
will do the young Senator no injury, except
to his digestion If his stomach escapes his
honor may also 60 uncorrupted. But the
legislative entertainment is q more serious
matter, and we would be slow, indeed, to per-
ceive the fitness of things if we did not see
in it another opportunity for General
Grant. The situation at Harrisburg
was almost identical with that at New
Orleans month sgo While the democratic
Speaker was in the chair, it is said, riot took
place in the Assembly Chamber. Pistols were
drawn and authority was at an end. Above
the noise and excitement was heard q cry for
sheridan and another for "Grant and his
troops" Evidently there was anarchy here,
and we now await with anxiety the decision of
His Excellency. Will General Grant restore
order to Pennsylvania? Will he march SOL
diers to Harrisburg so that if Mr.. Cameron
or anybody else wants to give little dinner
upon the model Of these little affairs of Mr..
Wards there shall be no danger of disturb
ance from the 'bandtti'' of Capitol Hill?
The question is one of the utmost importance,
and it cannot be disregarded by the President
if he would deal in the same spirit with all
parts of the country.
Year: 1875

The CANADIAN RECIPROCITY TREATY was
the theme of an interesting speech by Mr..


Morrill,, of Vermont, in the Senate yesterday,
and we have news this morning that the ques-
ton was afterwards taken up in executive ses-
sion and the treaty rejected. From this we
infer that the public speech is to be taken as
the basis of the executive action. If this is
in fact the view of the majority We must
demur to it, as the propositions of the
Vermont Senator are entirely too narrow for
, rule of conduct between two great countries.
Year: 1875

The mystery In reference to that disttn
guished Christian statesman, Bill King, Coz
tinues without abstement. A our readers viii
perhaps remember, Bill King is the newly
elected member Of Congress from Minnesota
For many years he was Postmaster Of the
House of Representatives and q great sdmires
Of the Hon. Schuyler Colfax, who was hi
model Of political propriety and his example
in statesmanship. During his services in the
House he was brisk, busy. eager, sharp-wittsd
and exceeding thrifty man. In the course Of
q few years he saved enough out Of small
salary to become one Of the richest men in the
Northwest Unlike many Christian statesmen,
Bill earned his money before he went into
Congress, and during the last canvass hs
crowned his career by accepting from the
hands of grateful constituency the privilege
Of sitting with the Syphers. the whittemores,
the Roderick Buffers and their successors
who now rule this blessed land.


When Congress assembled Bill King was In
the active enjoyment Of health and prosperity,
having obtained several farms by prudence
and thrift Anxious, like President Grant, 10
improve his stock, he started for the Canada
frontier to buy ten thousand dollar bull
This bull was of remarkable breed Those
who know the delicate points of Bill Kings
character know that his object was to become
member of the Senate. He had become .
member of the House by his Christian charac-
ter, and be wished to become Senator by his
agricultural knowledge He reasoned that
the capture of ten thousand dollar bull, and
the taking of it back to Minnesota, would be
to establish such claim upon the gratitude
Of the pastoral people of that noble COM
munity as to insure his triumphant choice -
the successor of Senator Ramsay. As We have
said, Bill King was last heard from travelling to.
ward the Canada frontier, looking for his ton
thousand dollar bull. Since then no ono has
seen him. The Sergeant-at-Arms cannot And
him. The Committee of Ways and Means
cannot reach him. He Is insensible to letters,
to published cards and statements, to tho
gentle but peremptory influence Of
subpoena. The Legislature of Minnesota have
passed resolutions Of the most interesting and
suggestive character, but he makes no re-
of Tom Fields, Harry Genet or Dick Connolly,
or even poor little Charley Ross. The fao
that statesman Of so much eminence and
purity, SO many Christian virtues, such 70
fined, pastoral tastes, so widely known and 80
universally beloved-the fact that such man
should so suddenly disappear from the public
sight is disgrace to our civilization and Ia
the administration of justice. Is there no
way of finding Bill King? Even if we knew
that he were dead it would be sad consola-
ton. Our anxieties would come to an end
and the citizens of the District which now
mourns member could elect q successor.
Year: 1875

b high advantage. One Of the criticisms


upon republicanism in America is that It gen.


crates class of selfish, sordid. rich men.


without public spirit, who live only for vain


display, who yearn for the titles and COM


plaisances Of couItly life. We are told that


this possession of large wealth deadens public


spirit and patriotism. We do not believe


this. New York and other cities have too


many reasons to be proud OF their rich


men-of Girard and Peabody and Cornell,
Of Astor. Stewart, Cooper and Lick. and
others whose names have become identified
with acts Of munihcence and charity-not
to feel that this stigma Is unjust. Hero is
another opportunity to show how false it is.
When, therefore, we appeal to the rich men
OF New York 70 take command Of this glow
ing, burning, enthusiastic movement; to put
themselves at the head Of the people and give
M rapid transit We appeal to sentiment that
has never been invoked in vain. II is in their
power, by moderate, careful and judicious
measure; in tho power of the men We have
named and others like them, to give New York
an impetus and confer upon the people q
blessing that cannot be overestimated. There
fore, as . blessing to the city and an sdvan-
tage to the country, in public sense and in
. moral sense, as showing that great wealth
does not deaden patriotism, we are persuaded
that our rich men will not listen in vain to
The appeals now made to them by the general
voice of the people.
Year: 1875

BERaH AT ALBANY.-It is but natural that
the bill proposed at the State Capital in regard
to Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Children should be met with lively objections
Measures that give any right 10 public func-
tionaries to enter a domicile or to interfere
in family with what is regarded so COM
monty as the prerogative of paternal authority
are never looked upon with favor by people
jealous of the encroachment of authority In
this case the proposed law is in the name of a
good cause, and Justly has the sympathies of
many people; but this is no reason why its
terms should not be so guarded as to prevent
any great liability TO abuse. This is the more
necessary because of the association with the
measure of the name of Mr.. Bergh. Mr..
Bergh is a man of good intentions, and men
of good intentions have ruthlessly slaughtered
humanity for ages with the most philanthropic
purpose to make men virtuous. In the hands
of fanatic the best law becomes ready
means Of oppression, and our experience with
the law in regard to animals should inspire
caution in regard to any other laws that are
to be administered in any degree by the same
man.
Year: 1875

The Mississippt Rtver-Whst Shall BE


Done with Its


Elsewhere We give the report Of tho board
Of officers appointed under the act Of Con-
gress of June %, 1874. in reference to the inn
provement Of navigation at the mouth Of the
Mississippi River The persons appointed 10
this service were three officers Of the En-
Lieutenant Colonels Wright and Alexander
and Major Comstock; one officer Of the Coast
Survey. Professor Henry Mitchell; and three
engineers from civil life, Messrs. T. E.
Sickles, w. Minor Roberts and b. D. Whit
comb. This board visited in Europe and
Africa the various points at which engineer
ing science has triumphed over difficulties
similar to those found in the case before
them. They visited the mouths of the Rhone,
the vistula and the Danube, and examined
the works of the Suez Canal, and in the
light of the knowledge thus acquired made
the surveys in Louisiana. They have now
terminated their labors by the presentation of
q report of that admirable class which gives
all the necessary facts of great case in q few
pages, and bases apositive recommendation on
the facts shown to exis.


It is deemed feasible to accomplish in the
Mississippi all that is necessary in either one
of two ways-by cutting q canal from a
given point in the course of the river through
the land to deep water, or by such construc-
tions of jetties or long piers at the mouth Of
one Of the channels now open as will keep
the current Of the river sufficiently close to
dredge out the stream and prevent deposit, or
at all events deposit within depth where it
could do harm. OF the board Of seven per-
sons six favor the latter plan, ono only
Lieutenant Colonel Wright-being in favor Of
q canal In addition to the various reasons
given in full in the report why the committee
believe tho improvement Of the South Pass
far preferable to the construction of . canal,
the important element Of cost is also in its
favor. To construct and maintain the canal
would cost $11, ,514, 200, and the works at the
South Pass would cost for construction and
maintenance $7,942, ITO.
Year: 1875

The Crm. RIaHTs BuL-The time of the
House Of Representative was mostly taken up
yesterday with the discussion of the Civil
Rights bill The discussion has no interest
or importance, and the proceedings would
have been exceedingly dull but for an episode,
in which General Butler took leading part.
His language was insulting to the white people
of the South, butonly a sample of the partisan
epithets in which too many of our public
men indulge; and Mr.. Mclean, of
Texas, in reply, used words that were
even more offensive. Then there was scene
which was disgraceful to all concerned in it.
and not less to Mr.. Randall for his use Of
slang and Mr.. Cox for his dull witticisms, than
to the others. The only member who met
the matter with proper dignity and decorum
was Mr.. Lamar, of Mississippi, and he did
himself honor by making his point without
any bitter words of his own. 1t was one of
those scenes which relieve the dulness of de-
bate but injure all who take part in them. A
vote will probably be reached to-day, and
as the Senate bill, the substitute of Mr.. White
and the amendment Of Mr.. Kellogg striking
out everything relating to schools in the first
section are now all before the House, it is
probable the whole matter will soon be out of
the way for the present at least.
Year: 1875

war, when vast sums were poured into the
Golfers of the Sanitary Commission for the
benefit Of our soldiers, but an invest
ment. We do not see any reason
to doubt that o properly built steam
railway through the city Of New York
would be desirable investment an immedi-
ate income to its owners and from year to
year the source of larger and larger revenue.
So that the demand for rapid transit affords
these largely endowed gentlemen an unique
and attractive opportunity of making good
investment and gaining national renown.
To them would be given the honor that New
York now gives to the far-seeing statesman
who built the Erie Canal. The effect of that
measure was to open the resources of New
York and so develop them that this State be-
came the first in the Union and the city
among the first in the world. Fifty years
have passed since that blessing was obtained;


now comes another opportunity. In many


respects, to the city especially, rapid transit


is higher necessity than the Erie Canal.


We repeat, it is virtually the life or


death of New York. If we mean


to maintain our metropolitan supremacy


we must confirm it. The men to do il are


these highly favored fellow citizens who owe


their wealth largely to the business prosperity


of the metropolis in the past, and who, we
are confident, will only be too glad to have an
opportunity of contributing to the consolida.


ton and perpetuation Of the city's greatness
In another sense such . movement would
Year: 1875

"Cousin Aggie, you are a mystery to
me. How you ever manage to live, |
do not know, with so much sickness al
ways in your home. Your husband
was an invalid for years; poor Harry
must needs break a leg, to enjoy your
good nursing; little Carrie has had her
ups and downs pretty steadily all her
little life, and now your husbands
niece is with you, wasting with con-
sumption, and taking all your leisure,
just when it seemed as though you
might take little rest"


''Hush, Jenny dear, and don't COM
plain of poor Hattie. She is here by my
express Invitation. The poor childh no
other home, and what can she do with
out one? She is so comfortable and
happy here, it is reward enough for all
the care give her."


81 don't complain, Aggie; 1 only
wonder you cannot love sound sleep and
ease and comfort, as l do, for instance,
or you could not bear it,"


"Ah, Jenny dear, it is good thing to
bear the yoke in ones youth. l never
could have done half so well by my dear
ones, if had not served long appren-
ticeship in self-denial in my early days.
1t don't matter much how the expert
ence comes, so the lesson of self-denial
is learned. 1t was just as hard for me as
for any one, assure you. L rebelled
against it, and fretted under it for a
time, but at last it grew easy.


Taking up the same burdens daily,
they at last become so much habit,
that you feel lost without them. l can
net tell you how missed my brothers
little boy when they moved away to the
West. l had taken almost the sole care
of him for year, and no one thought /
could save his life. He was always so
wakeful and restless, had little sleep
with him, but it was Joy to see him
grow stronger and heartier all the time.
He has since become very robust boy,
they write me. After Allie went away
could hardly sleep for long time.
missed the care so much. He kept me
awake more when absent than when
with me. 1t was my lot, Jenny, tohave
much care and labor for others in my
childhood and girlhood, and it has beeu
my preparation for the life-wOrk God
had in store for me.


''Self-denial cannot come to US by
precept; we must have the sharp, hard
practice, or we shall not attain it. 1t is
a great blessing to have the lessons
taught early before the opposite habits
are fixed, for it is hard to take them on
in later life"
Year: 1875

There is many girl called beautiful
whose handsome face will not bear a
good look at it. The features may be
fine, and the complexion faultless, aud
to a careless observer she may be very
pretty; but watch her awhile, wait un-
til she is not talking, and until the
smile is faded and the light of laughter
gone from her sparkling eyes, then
you'll see her as she is.


A face in repose tells the true story.
1t tells of a daughter whose selfishness
is proverbial in the home circle; of cross
words flung at her father and mother,
of bitter taunts given to her brothers, of
unkind treatment to her sisters, and of
a jealous, captious, unhappy disposition,
irascible, overbearing, and self-import-
ant. That smooth pink and white face
will tell all this, if it is hidden there al
all.


When the features are in repose and
the mind in its usual state, not elated or
excited-if the girl is unlovable at home
and not of sunny disposition, the face
assumes its everyday, stOlid, sullen,
help but read it Alright.


That sweet mouth settles down into a
cold, dissatisfied expression, it droops at
the corners, the rosy cheeks hang sui
lenly, the eyes look as though there
were hidden, back of them, really vic
ious, hateful thoughts.


We see such faces every day, and
while we are sorry, we can't help feeling
glad that truth will out,n that it is i'm
possible for a handsome girl to hide an
ugly disposition. 1t is good enough for
'em, too.


Let mothers teach their little daugh-
ters that every snarl of ill-temper chis-
els itself into the features, defaces them,
leaves its mark to remain through all
time, not even to be removed from the
face by death.


often read one thing in pretty faces,
and the girls don't know that see it,
but it IS just as plain as this written
page before me. This is what read:


az think it shame that l, Flora Ara
belize, should have to work just like a
kitchen-girl !! l do hate to drudge at
milking and scrubbing and washing
dishes, and if there's one thing more
than another I despise, it is cooking,
bending over the hot stove and running
my complexion, and making my hands
red and wide; just complete drudge
for those big boys and father and the
young 'uns It's burning shame /
was born for something better. I feel
it; but how can 1 rise when L am fet-
tered thus Pr


Pooh nonsense /! I guess when the
world needs you you'll find your place.
There has never yet been a man or a
woman, filling high places, who did not
come up, step by step, from a lowly es-
tate
Year: 1875

PERILs OF THE ATLANTIC.-There is
no other great thoroughfare of Ofeommerce
or of human intercommunicatiOn on the
globe so beset with danger and difficult
ties as the voyage from New York to
Liverpool The Gulf stream brings a
current of water fifty miles wide and a
thousand feet deep-and flowing at the
ordinary current of river from the
tropical seas, and pours it out in vast
expanding mass over and beyond the
Bank of Newfoundland, where it turns
off to the eastward, and finally looses
itself in the Northern seas; while to the
westward of it, a counter current COM
ing down from Batfin's Bay-a current
of nearly equal magnitude and force
pours into it a stream of icebergs, ice
foes, and ice-cold water. The effects OF
this confluence are, beneath the water,
the accumulation of vast deposits of
sand and rocky debris, brought down by
the ice, and in the atmosphere above an
almost perpetual succession of fogs and
mists and driving rains, accompanied
by gales and squalls.
Year: 1875

Some months ago a sensible business
man, while travelling at the South, fell
in with an invalid gentleman. In the
course of the conversation, the latter re-
marked to the former, 'I suppose you
also must be something of an invalid,
as you are devOting so much time to
travelling"


mot at ALL" replied the business
man; 'I am in the best of health; but I
am travelling so that 1 may retain my
vigor."


'But your business, my friend-does
it not suffer during your absence ?n


"Better that my business should suf-
fer little than that by over-application
l should be totally incapacitated for at
| tending to it,n was the reply.
The exhausted invalid pondered a
while and then said, az wish I could
have reached that conclusion twenty
years ago.n


| Herein is a lesson. A summers va
cation does not always repair mind or
body weakened by excessive exertion;
rest itself is not always rest, and recrea-
| tiOn sometimes seems only weariness to
| the overtired mind. Thousands who
are simply slaves to business are ever
| looking forward to a time when they
shall relax the strain and rest. That
| time seldom comes until too late. They
subject themselves to pressure which
common sense should tell them is above
the limit of safety. Little sleep, hasty
meals, and constant business anxiet'es
wear out the life. Hard work is not
injurious in itself; but Americans seem
not to understand how they can work
hard, and yet obey the physiological
law for systematic relaxation. Long
Vacations are all very we'll whenever
they can be taken, but a short time
given to pleasant, wholesome rest and
recreation every day, free from thoughts
and business, will keep the powers of
| life fresher and brighter.