smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

The GENERAL MANAGER of the Great West
ern Railway of Canada has set an example
to railroad officials which cannot be too gener-
ally followed. Some question has been raised
as to the safety of the railway suspension
bridge at Clifton. The engineers insist that
the bridge is perfectly sound and reliable,
but the Manager decides to stop the passage
OF trains over the bridge, diverting them by
way of the 'loop line" to Buffalo, until he
can make certain by a thorough examina-
ton and by scientific tests Of the entire
safety of the structure. This may prove
temporary inconvenience to travellers, but
it is preferable to the risk of sacrificing their
lives by another Ashtabula calamity The
General Manager of the Great Western Rail
way does not wait for q disaster, but takes
precautionary measures to prevent one.
The superstructure of the Clifton bridge has
already been inspected and found to be in a
satisfactory state of preservation; but travel
will not be resumed over it until the por-
tions of the cables imbedded in masonry as
we'll as the foundations have been subjected
to rigid scrutiny. People need not be afraid
to travel over q railroad that is under such
careful management.
Year: 1877

The falling of warehouse on Washington
street, and the sacrifice of life in the panic
at st. Francis Xaviers Church, have revived
public interest in the laws designed to pro-
vide against the danger of unsafe buildings
and in the action Of the Building Depart
ment. The existing laws are ample for the
public protection provided they are eff
ciently enforced. Their enforcement is the
immediate duty of the Building Depart
ment; but, for the security of property
holders, the power of the department is
limited and cannot be fully exercised with
out the cooperation of the courts. Re-
Gently the Superintendent of Buildings has
done some efficient work in securing the
improvement of the means of egress from
theatres and other places of public resort
But his duties cannot be said to have been
fully discharged until every church edifce,
theatre and hall in the city shall have been
put into such condition as to render q
fatal crush during sudden outflow Of the
congregation oraudience almost impossible,
nor until every unsafe building shall have
been pulled down or rendered entirely Sc
cure. 1t is idle to pretend that the owners
refuse to comply with the law, since there
are ample means to compel them to do SO.


But the Building Department must be
backed up by the courts if it's important
work is to be efficiently done. The officers
of the department have displayed COM
mendable activity of late, but the courts
have in some instances evinced disposition
to stay their hands. Experts know when
building is unsafe or when means of egress
are insufficient, and it should be very ex-
treme and fragrant case of misjudgment to
induce court to set aside their decision
and to interrupt the enforcement of the law.
The final steps to compel obedience to the
orders of the department, or to punish their
disregard, rest with the courts, and it is
only fair that the responsibility for the delay
in the enforcement of the official notices of
the department should be placed where it
rightfully belongs.
Year: 1877

An Extradition act has been introduced
into the Parliament of the Dominion that
is intended to be effective in pursuance of
extradition arrangements made with foreign
States and that is worthy the attention of
all persons interested in this subject. 1t
is printed elsewhere. This act provides ex-
tradition in regard to twenty-seven crimes,
and reaches those whose crimes were COM
mitted before its passage as well as others.
1t makes perjury or subornation of perjury
extraditable, as we'll as ''fraud by a bailee,
banker, agent, factor, trustee, or by di-
rector" of any joint stock company. This,
it will be seen, would be very effective
against criminals from our side the line, as
it would reach that large number of fugi-
tives from justice who are guilty of breaches
of trust either in public or private station,
and either defraud heirs or plunder treas
uries. This is an excellent law, and we
hope it will pass; and we trust that as be-
tween our own and Her Majesty's govern
ment On arrangement may be made on this
liberal basis,
Year: 1877

Russia at least sticks to her text. Quietly,
yet persistently, she urges the pursuit of the
measures initiated by the appointment of the
Conference which sat at Constantinople
Satisfied that the measures recommended by
that body are the only possible remedies OF
peaceful nature for the grievances of the
Christian subjects Of the Sultan she con-
tinues to advocate the constant presentation
of these measures to the Sultan as constitut-
ing programme of government that he must
adopt or forfeit friendly relations with all
the Powers. Russia would no doubt be
satisfied if she could engage the other Powers
in sort of diplomatic campaign, the OBJ
jective point of which would be to force upon
the government at Constantinople the adop-
ton of the measures rejected by Midhat Pacha.
And no doubt the chances Of success in such
an endeavor have been greatly modified by
the changes that have taken place at Con-
stantinople since the terms Of the Confer
ence were actually rejected. But Russia
does not leave herself without resources
and though she now urges actively the diplo-
matte part of her case she does not discon-
tinue those formidable preparations for war
which may presently become the more i'm
portant feature. She will secure peaceful
remedy if it is possible; but if the difficult
ties increase and good season for military
operations comes with the case unsettled
there will be war. But we do not believe in
the reports of any understanding between
Russia and Germany inimical to France.
All that is politics from the Bourse.
Year: 1877

1t is evident from the manner in which
the trial of Sergeant Thompson ended that
there are privileges for policemen which are
denied to ordinary citizens. The laws
delay first came to his assistance, and,
although he committed his assault upon
Cannon before Coburn attacked the police
men, the first case was tried last and Coburn
was railroaded to prison while the Sergeant
remained free. His offence should have been
punished promptly and an example made of
him for the good of the police, but he was
given ample time to make defence which
resulted in disagreement of the jury.
This was wrong, for the assault had
been clearly proved by witnesses, and the
sole defence the prisoner could make was
his previous good character. To prove that
host of witnesses appeared, principally in
spectors, captains and members of the
police who testified to his quiet and orderly
manners and intelligence. But this repu-
tation for good behavior, instead of being a
reason for his acquittal, really constituted
an argument for his conviction. The jury,
unduly influenced by this parade of virtues,
forgot that the assault had been only
made more fragrant by the sobriety
and intelligence of the Sergeant.
If these model policemen, who are
so mild and meek, can beat with impunity
helpless citizens in the manner Sergeant
Thompson beat Cannon, what are we to ex-
pect from the policemen who are ignorant,
brutal and reckless? All that has been said
of Thompson's good character only aggra-
Yates his offence. He is to have new trial,
we believe, and after that the Police Com
missioners may take the trouble to see If he
has been guilty of n breach of discipline.
In the meanwhile the example has had a
bad effect upon the police force, as is clearly
shown by the number of assaults which
have been recently made upon citizens who
were innocent of any offence.
Year: 1877

It is much better that Mr. Henry Bergh
should employ his time in celebrating prac-
tical plans for the relief of the poor animals
of which he is protector than in writing
foolish letters to the newspapers, and we
are therefore glad to notice that he has
come to the assistance of the Board of
Aldermen in their efforts to decide the dog
question. The taxation and licensing Of
dogs has profoundly occupied the attention
of that eminent body of late, and it's men,
bers have not been able to agree upon
any plan for the management of the
canine population of the city. Mr.. Bergh
personally appeared at the last meeting of
the Board and proposed that the city should
erect inexpensive buildings in the sub
urbs, where unclaimed or vagrant dogs
shall be taken and treated as they
NAV deserve. He advocated the system
of arresting these quadruped tramps by
SCOOP nets, and condemned the cruel
methods of the dog catchers last summer.
He proffered the services of the Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and
made strong and sensible argument In
this action Mr.. Bergh appears to the best
advantage. and we are glad to learn that at
the next meeting of the Board the ordinance
he intends to offer will be carefully con-
,;1arod
Year: 1877

body of white supporters in the South, and
as soon as the whites are separated into two
strong political parties. each bidding against
the other for the colored vote, the negroes
will enjoy more efficient protection than
they could ever receive from the federal
government. They will then be courted and
caressed by both parties as voters of foreign
birth are in the North. The most important
thing for all classes in the South is to get its
cuts across the color line at right angles,
each party consisting of whites and blacks
in about the same proportions This is
what we understand President Hayes
to be aiming at, and no policy could
be more sagacious or patriotic. new
election now would tend to deepen the
color line which he thinks it so needful
to obiiterate for. rs yet, the white voters
are nearly all on one side and the negro
voters nearly all on the other and it would
be impossible for the republicans to con-
duct canvass with any hope Of success
without playing upon the old antipathies.
This would be an unfortunate beginning for
such policy as the President is believed to
favor. Parties founded on color must give
place to parties founded on public questions.
and this can be accomplished only by loosen
ing the tie which binds the white popula-
tion together and leaving scope for the diff
ferences Of opinion which arise in oil intelli-
gent communities when not forced into
unity by an odious pressure from without
which insults their local pride and their
sense OF Independence. We are grati6ed to
learn that the President discountenances
new elections. We do not see how he could
do otherwise when it is so clear that elec-
tions now would be conducted on the color
line which it is the chief object of his policy
to abolish.
Year: 1877

Blunt, the man who dug the harbor of
New York and invented pilots in order that
he might be their commissioner. was alone
in his Office. He gave the waistband of his
trousers an extra hoist, tipped his tarpaulin
over his left eye shifted his quid to the
north four points west, executed two steps
of the sailors hornpipe and declared. with
emphatic profanity, that they might shiver
his tarry top lights if he didn't write letter
to somebody on some one subject or
another-he didn't care who or what.
Write he must or die, and he was not yet
inclined to die. So he produced a sheet OF
clean paper fitted new pen, filled up his
inkstand and squared away. But who
should he write to and what should he write
about? At that moment his eye fell upon
newspaper paragraph referring to the COM
ing of the Russian feet, and 10 the subject
and the object of his letter were found.
His dread missive was launched ut
Mr.. Bodisco, the amiable Russian Consul,
gentleman with whom Blunt had no ac-
quaintance, and suggested where the
Russian fleet should anchor, fact in which
Blunt could have only a philanthropic in
terest. But the Russians, uncertain whether
Blunt might not be the owner of Tammany
Hall, or keeper of an electoral commission,
or an aliunde man, or returning board, or
something of that sort, politely promised
compliance They soon learned, however,
from the Captain Of the Port that they might
anchor their ships where they pleased and
that Blunt was only sort Of nautical conf
dence man who had imposed upon their
good nature Naturally there was furious
Russian Consul, and Blunt, under the neces-
sity of explaining his good intention, has
writing on his hands that will occupy him
through the summer.
Year: 1877

gladly unite themselves with conservative
opposition based on the principles an
nounced by President Hayes namely, the
same political rights and the same political
freedom for Louisiana and New York. for
South Carolina and Massachusetts,. 1t is
this well settled fact which makes the treat
ment of the Southern question marked out
by President Hayes as politically shrewd as
it is essentially just.
Year: 1877

A SPECIAL and very interesting despatch gives
to-day the first Indian report of any value of
Clusters last battle. The enormous loss admitted
by the savagcs shows that Clusters fight was as
gallant as it was unsuccessful, while other por-
tions of the story prove that admirable general
ship was displayed and that the suspicion of
raslincss is not only unfounded, but that more
than once victory seemed certain for the troops.
Year: 1877

"OUR COMPLAINT Book" is n large to-
day, and the complaints made Oh all sorts of
interesting subjects. While are willing to
publish pertinent complaints matters of
public interest writer's of these letters should
remember to study brevity as much as possible,
30 that all may have an equal hearing
Year: 1877

RECEIVER PARKER is still looking for those as
sets of the New Jersey Mutual which President
Noycs was so willing to give UP a week or two
ago Il; but the great distance from New Jersey Of
Connecticut, where Noyes is at present soiourn-
ing, and the lack Of means of travel between the
two States, compes the Mutual's President to
still maintain his slcepless guard over that tin
hox full of securities.
Year: 1877

WALL STREET YEsTERDAY.-The market was
dull, the greater part of the business being
done in the coal and telegraph stocks. Gold
was strong Mt 1O45s. Investment securities
were little lower. Money ON call was easy at
2 n per cent, the former being the closing price.
Year: 1877

BRooKLYN's HEADLEss BODY hopes to find it's
crowning ornament to-day, but its vitality and
activity during the two months of its incomplete
condition is crushing blow to the theory that
heads and their contents are necessary to exist
Year: 1877

This familiar designation by which Col
onel Ingersoll is SO generally known and
the reputation he has acquired on the
stump would lead one to expect sort OF
scapegrace negligence in his personal ap-
pearance corresponding to his daredevil,
buffooning wit. If anybody who had not seen
him attended his lecture last evening with
this idea there must have been an agreeable
surprise He is large, -proportioned,
fne-looking, elderly gentleman, Of grave
aspect, with a well-formed head, slightly
bald on the top. His manner Of speaking
is deliberate and on the whole good, in
spite of some Western peculiarities of pro-
nunciation. The matter of his lecture
last evening was not equal to its man.
ner, consisting in the main of medley
of commonplace political ideas, without
much logic or connection. Such superb
ority as he has consists in his laughter
provoking hits, which are irresistibly comic,
and explain his popularity as an orator.
There is often dexterous felicity Of phrase
or striking figure of speech set off to ad-
vantage by his mode of delivery. There is
also occasionally droll turn given to o
quotation, as in the parody last night on
some lines Of Goldsmith applied to Gro
min -
Year: 1877

The PROCEEDINGS of the Methodist Tract
Society regarding the Dancer legacy shows that
however irregular the old gamblers business
habits may have been his money is soundly
orthodox.
Year: 1877

THE ERIE RAILWAYS DEFENCE yesterday of
the public interests on West street was cncr-
gctic that the people will be curious to know
what the Central proposes to do in the same
direction
Year: 1877

We cannot discover any reason why Presi-
dent Hayes should care whether Colonel
Ingersoll supports him or lampoons him ;
but this lecture was, on the whole, strong
Endorsement especially of the Presi-
dents magnanimous intentions re-
specting the South. The best part
of the lecture was warm eulogy of the
steady patriotism Of the Southern members
of Congress during the recent exciting
troubles. No recognition of valuable SER
vice was ever better deserved, and we hope
that the whole republican party will repeat
the liberal, unstinting praise of this popular
orator from the prairies
Year: 1877

C5Y- President Hayes, being waited up
on by delegation from Richmond, Va,
and urgently requested not to recommis-
sion Miss Van LEW as the Postmaster of
that city, inquired whether she had not
efficiently discharged the duties of the
office The delegation were compelled
to admit that such was the fact. The
President then asked why they insisted
upon her removal, and was informed that
she offended and insulted the people of
Richmond by the bold proclamation of
her political views. Though net a voter,
she happens to be Republican in her
sentiments, and does not hesitate to say
what she thinks. The President courte-
ously bowed the gentlemen out, after
giving them a significant hint that their
kind of civil-service reform is not the
kind referred to in his letter of accept
ance or which he meant in his inaugural
address. This case is only one of
thousand illustrating the ostracism and
social prescription practiced extensively
at the South against those who boldly
avow Republican principles. II is semi
barbarous, and, indeed, the milder form
of "bull dozing," and upon certain
classes quite as effective. The Southern
people will never be thoroughly recon-
structed or in harmony with the genius
of our institutions until they cease to be
intolerant and proscriptive toward those
who do not adopt their political opinions.
Free speech for Democrats, but not for
Republicans, will hardly do for this land
of liberty-N Y. Independent.
Year: 1877

take them to Fort Rupert for seven dol
lars each. The white men were with
out arms, and when night came and
all were asleep the Indians murdered
them and threw their bodies in the sea.
After stripping them of everything Of
value, the money in the box was divided
by the savages, who then came ON to
Victoria and spent the coin. An Indian
woman says she picked up the head of
white man on the beach at Cape Caution
few months after the wreck, and was
told to put it down again and say moth
ing about it. The officers found no
property belonging to the Wright except
portions of the wreck, which probably
drifted ashore.


With respect to the destruction Of the
village, Sergt. Bloomfield landed, and,
with three others from the Rocket, de.
manded the four men who are suspected
of completely in the murder The In
dians came out armed and refused to
give up the men. The party then secured
two of the suspected savages and made
for the boat. They were fired upon,
but got back to the ship safely. Capt.
Harris then gave the tribe six hours in
which to surrender the other two men.
After the lapse of six hours he extended
tire time three hours longer. He then
fired blank cartridges and the Indians
ran away. The village was then shelled
and afterward burned. The two men
were secured. No one was killed.
Year: 1877

EXECUTIVE MANSION,


WARRINGTON, April 3, 1877. (


SIR: Prior to my entering upon the duties
of the Presidency there had been stationed,
by order OF my predecessor, in the State
House at Columbia, s. c., a detachment of
United States infantry. Finding them in
that place, have thought proper TO delay a
decision of the question of their removal
until could consider and determine whether
the condition Of affairs in that State Is now
such as to either require or justify the CON
tlnued military occupation Of the State
House. In my opinion, there does not now
exist in that State such domestic violence as
Is contemplated by the Constitution as the
ground upon which the military power OF
the Government may be invoked for the de-
fense of the State There are, 1t is true,
grave and serious disputes as TO the rights Of
certain claimants TO the chief executive office
of that State, but these are TO he settled and
determined, not by the Executive OF the
United States, but by such orderly and
peaceable methods as may be provided by
the Constitution and laws of the State.


feel assured that no resort to violence Is
contemplated in any quarter, but that, on the
contrary, the disputes in question are to be
settled solely by such peaceful remedies as
the Constitution and the laws of the State
provide. Under these circumstances, and in
this confidence, now deem IL proper to take
action in accordance with the principles an.
nOunced when | entered upon the duties of
the Presidency. You are, therefore, directed
to see that the proper orders are issued for
the removal of said troops from the State.
House to their previous place Of encamp.
ment. r. b HAYES.


To Hon. GEO. W. McCRARY, Secretary of War
Year: 1877

There is no longer any doubt that those
of the passengers and crew of the steam
or George S, Wright, who were so mys-
teriously lost on the western coast of the
British Possessions some three years ago
were murdered by the Indians. Relative
to the recent search by the British gun
boat Rocket for the murderers dispatch
from Victoria says;


The story is TO purport that number
Of white men came ashore in a boat; that
they had with them many papers and a
large sum of money in gold and silver.
They bargained with party of Kinegut
Indians, who were bound to Victoria, TO
Year: 1877

The War Department, with the ap-
proval of the Secretary of War, has issued
a circular announcing, for the information
of all concerned, the following routes
connecting the Missouri River with the
Black Hills, in accordance with the late
treaty with the Sioux Indians:


Route No. /, beginning at Bismarck,
Dakota, the present western terminus of
the Northern Pacific Railroad. 1t will
cross the 103d meridian of longitude,
the western boundary of the Sioux
reservation, on the shortest and most
practicable route to Deadwood City.


Route No. 2, beginning at point on
the right bank of the Missouri River,
known as Pierre, or at some point not
over eighteen miles north of that place.
II will cross the 1O3d meridian on the
shortest and most practicable route to
Deadwood City.


Route No. 3, beginning at the Yank-
ton crossing of the Missouri River, and
thence up the south bank of the Niabrara
to its crossing opposite the mouth of the
Keyapaha River; thence up the latter
stream to or near the sources of Porcu-
pine Creek, whence it will cross the 1O3d
meridian on the shortest and most practi-
cable route to Custer City.


All people who establish themselves at
stations along these lines are notified
that such establishing will not carry with
it any proprietary right to the land,
which will be subject to the conditions
which may be imposed by the Secretary
of War.


The western boundary of the Sioux
reservation, as fixed by the recent treaty,
| is as follows: Commencing at the inter
section of the 103d meridian of longitude
with the northern boundary of Nebraska,
thence to its intersection with the south
fork of Cheyenne River, thence down
said stream TO its junction with the north
fork of Belle Fourche, thence up that
fork to the 103d meridian, and to the
south branch of Cannon Ball or Cedar
| Creek.


/ Z
Year: 1877

John Hoyt, while engaged with a
gang of men in driving logs out of
Cushion Greek, in Indiana County, Pa,
the other day, was instantly killed by
the falling of tree which stood upon
the bank of the stream and had become
undermined by the action of the water.
Year: 1877

THIs is for the girls; When you see
little girl getting out her handkerchief,
after wrestling half an hour with an
eight-column sum in addition, you may
be sure a cry sis is at handy r. Com
BlorctdE Advertiser.