smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

WASHINGTON, June ia Special
agent of the Postofice Department., re-
Gently appointed from southern state
by Postmaster General Key, havingibeen
assigned to duty which he finds quite ar
duous and sometimes disagreeable, has
written letter to the departments, in
which he complains of the work TO which
he has been assigned, and saws that when
appointed he supposed his dutieswould be
limited to his own state, where he could
"be most useful to the administration and
aid his party friends IN building up an
adm nlstration party" He also, in let
ter to the chief special agent, expressed
his earnest desire that the matter should
De brought to the personal attention of
the Postmaster General, believing that
he would sustain this view of this case.
Judge Key replied in the following let,
ter, which was mailed to the special
agent yesterday:


Posto6ice Department, Washington D. c.,
June is, 1877. Mr.. --A-E, Special
Agent-Dear Sir: Mr.. Parker, chief of
the special agents of this departing nj, has
handed me a letter of yours written to
him dated 10th inst. You certainly la
Dor under a serious misapprehension in
the belief that it was my understanding
that you were TO serve in your state only. .
should not deserve the position / hold
were l to make that or similar under
standing. The special agents of the dep
relation branch of the service are chara-
ed with the important duty of detecting
thieves and raScals. A stranger is more
likely to succeed in this duty than one
who is well known; hence our agents
must often be sent where they are un-
known, must go, and be ready to go any
where, as the exigencieS of the service
may demand. They must ofte leave the
highways of travel and go into mount
aims and territories, and along horse back
and stage lines, travelling night and day
in RAIN, sunshine and storm to detect and
arrest offenders. Not infrequently do
our agents sleep one hour in twenty four.
You are alike mistake in another mat
ter. You were not appointed to organize
and build up an administration party in
your state or elsewhere. You were ap-
pointed to do the work of the Postoffice
Department. You serve your party best
by doing that work, and l shall take
great pleasure in remoy ing an .entss and
reducing force when ] discover that he
has time to attend to party organization
and party discipline We must have no
greater force than is necessary to do the
postothce work. cannot, L dare not, 1
will not give special privileges to any
agent Ii give you specific territory /
must do SO for every other agent I
might as well disband the force as 10 do
this. Every agent must be a worker.
He must not only be ready but willing to
anywhere in all sorts of weather on horse
back or on foot if need be, to do what
ever work is needed. Like a soldier. he
must abey orders without complaint or
objection or criticism. Truly,


D.M KEY.


Postmaster General
Year: 1877

A meat shower fell at Franklin, Ten
nessee, on Thursday night last, A sci
entific man says: have placed the sub
stance under fair microscope and find
it an organism, a loricated infusoria. The
enclosing jelly is perfectly transparent,
except little coal dust and paint from
the tin roof. Each animalcule is enclos-
ed in case or shell of silica, and all are
alike, of the same family. One drop con-
tains about fifty or sixty, and they have
plenty of room to float around, They
are about one four-hundredth of an inch
long. Where they came from l cannot
say; possibly from the decaying heaps of
kelp in the Gulf of Mexico, or, as the
winds have been from the north for some
time, they may have come from the lakes
Year: 1877

MAUCH CHUNK, Pa, June 1S.-There
is feeling of satisfaction and relief in
this community over the action of the
Board of Pardons Also feeling of ex-
element as the day for the execution
approaches, and some fears are entertain
ed that an attempt will be made to rescue
the prisoners, or failing in that, commit
some violence on persons or property. A
double guard has been placed at the Jail
and about the town. The prisoners re-
ceived the news from Harrisburg stole
ally.
Year: 1877

To TEST GOLD OR SILvER.-Metals
purporting to be gold or silver may be
easily tested by moistening the metal and
rubbing lunar caustic on the wet part.
If the metal is pure the mark will be
faint. but If it is not pure the mark will
be darker in proportion as the alloy is
greater, until, as in the case of counter
felt or base metals, the mark will be
quite black. a~.1s .A-rts f.,.an
Year: 1877

THE EDITOR OF THE s'NRw ERA" STILL


HAS AN OPINION OF THE


YOUNG MEN.


From the Lancaster New Era of yesterday.


The result of this cowardly assault is
significant. All doubt of the essential
truth OF our comments on the scandal
have been removed from the minds of
this community by the conduct of the
principal actors. 1t was throughout the
conduct OF men conscious of guilt. When
Messrs. Haldeman, Yonge and Hender-
son called on us last Monday, demanding
& retraction, we told them if they believ-
ed there was no truth in the story their
proper course was to seek redress at the
law. This is what any honorable man,
conscious of his innocence. would have
done but they we'll knew that such a
course would develop facts of the most
damaging character to themselves and
their associates, and strip forever from
social wolves the lambskins of respecta-
bility. Since the events of last evening
the lips of several witnesses, hitherto
sealed under process of social bull
doing, have been opened, and corrobo-
rative facts placed in our possession will

more than justify The Ne,c Era in the
position it took in rebuking what had be-
come foul ulcer in fashionable society.
There are scores of the most respectable
families, whose sons and daughters asso-
ciated with these roues who will be
shocked to learn that it has been the
practice next day for these "respectable"
young men Of the baser sort to boast OF
the liberties they had taken with respect
able girls the night before at social gath
erings, under cover OF an imperfectly
lighted platform or the darkness of the
woods. These utterances may have been
ISLANDERS upon the ladies-we prefer this
canclusion-but, true or false, they equal.
ly illustrate the dangerous character Of
this element in society, and point out the
duty of all lovers of the sanctity of the
home to sternly set their faces against the
possibility of its occurrences.
Year: 1877

Congressman Knott, of Kentucky, has
been interviewed on the Speakership.-
The delegates from his State will 20 for
Blackburn if that gentleman is a candi-
date. After that Mr.. Knott SAYS he had
no idea. He thought very highly of Ran
dali, and did not think any the less OF
him because of his course during the
continuance of tie electoral count. He
believed that Randall acted then copsci-
entiously upon course he thought to be
right. Certainly Randall desired to see
TIlden succeed as much as any man,
and for him to act in the face of his own
convictions and against his popularity
merely proved to him that Randall truly
believed that he was in the right. This
belief had raised him above party. A
vote taken at the close of filibusterinp
times would have shown considerable op.
position to Randall that did not exist
now.
Year: 1877

Inc statement is made from Washing
Ton that the Republicans Of Virginia will
not take part, as an organization. in The
coming political campaign in that state
thereby initiating the Republicans of
Mississippi.
Year: 1877

TRY THE ENAMELLED PIPE, IT WILL Non
| Rust or crack and costs only tribe more than
common iron pipe Is positively THE BEST thing
for water service pipe. have the exclusive agency
gor Rock Island FRED HASS.


Store in SfAr BLOCK
Year: 1877

Concluded from second page.


measures of state policy. and as soon as
this point is reached political opinions will
crvstalize into political organizations gov
erned by more wholesome questions of
controversy. 1t would be impossible, he
said, for but one party to exist, which
would result in division somewhere, and
he thought that would be in contest OF
the party leaders fer power and the control
of patronage. The spectacle would then
be exhibited of both these political confess
tants exerting their best efforts to secure
the negro vote, the same as the Democrats
of the north cajole the Irish and the Re
pubicans cultivate the Germans aud
Scandinavians. He then spoke specifcal-
ly of the early political future of several
of the southern states. He said that
Florida, with northern capital, and rail-
roads bringing it within three days of
northern markets, with its fruits and early
vegetables and its salubrious winter CHI
| mate, could now be said to possess almost
all the characteristics of northern state;
and that the people. instead of being sec
tional. would have their sentiments on ma
tional or state issues the same as the
northern states, He also said that North
Carolina might also be mentioned as hav-
ing political future similar to that OF
| Florida, and for the same reasons. ln
speaking of West Virginia, he also spoke
of northern capital having been largely
invested in valuable grazing, mining, aud
forest lands all of which bring in Lew
population governed by more enlarged
views and liberal sentiments, the effect OF
which would be apparent in the political
future of the state. He said that when


the present political controversy shall


have been settled, whether Republican OF


Democratic, these southern states, if not


others, will show the beginning Of this era
in the history of the political parties in the


south. and their action will no longer be


sectional, but national
Year: 1877

For Book BINDING or Ruling, go to
THE ARGUS Bindery No better work
can be done in this vicinity. Prices reason
able. Work done quick, Leave orders at
THE ARGUS Counting Room, opposite the
the Post Office
Year: 1877

The following is the way writer in
the Willamette Farmer advises potato
growers to manage their potato crops


Now, for the growing of potatoes'
my plan is this: Plow the ground in
early Spring as soon as the ground can
be worked, then LET it be until about the
middle OF the month of May, then plow
it again deep and cultivate it thor
oughly, n dry weather ifpossible
then mark out the ground and plant
the potatoes. Now let it be until the
potatoes s-e most ready to come up,
then rrow the ground thoroughly in
dry, hot weather, if you can get it;
then, as soon as the potato tops are
large enough to be worked, begin with
a one-horse plow, plowing shallow and
throwing the dirt away from the row, so
as not to cover up the potato tops, and
by the time they need wo king again
you can plow deep with shovel pIow,
aud plow often during the dry season,
and you will have pototoes of the largest
size if your land is rich and the season
is tair. A potato crop is one of the
easiest grown and the best for summer
fAllow.
Year: 1877

1. Any person who takes a paper regularly
from the post-oflice, whether directed in his
name or another's, or whether he has sub
scribed or not-s responsible for payment.


q If person orders his paper discontinued,
he must pay all arrears, or the publisher may
continue to send it until payment is made, and
then collect the whole amount, whether the
paper is taken from the Office or not.


g. The courts have decided that refusing to
take newspapers and periodicals from the post
Office or removing aud leaving them uncalled
for. is prima facia evidence of intentional
fraud.
Year: 1877

SMUT IN WHEAT..-Smutis is fun
gus of the genus Uredo, and that infes-
ting wheat is the Uredo carries. The
germs are present in the seeds when
sown. growing as the plant natures,
rendering the flour made from it offen-
sive and unfit for use. All wheat for
sowing suspected of being at all smutty,
should be soaked in a pickle made by
dissolving peck of coarse salt in
twenty gallons of water, adding there
to one pound of blue vitrol. The seeds
which float should be destroyed. The
smut-germs are thus destroyed while
the vitality Of the fruitful germ is not
at all impaired by the pickle.--Farmer.
Year: 1877

We do not read anonymous letters and communi-
cations. The and address of the writer are In
all cases Indispensable necessarilytor publication
but as guaranty Of good faith.


We cannot undertake to return or reserve eommu-
nications that are not used.
Year: 1877

The result of the discussion of the Florida
case before the Electoral Commission has
been to very clearly define the position of the
two political parties in regard to the power of
Congress over the electoral vote of state
The Republicans, in the presentation of their
case, have clearly recognized the federal
nature of our political system and the time
consecrated division of powers between the
States and the General Government. Fol-
lowing the generally received Interpretation
of The constitution and the custom of eighty
years they hold that the whole matter of the
appointment of Presidential electors rests
with the States. Each State appoints its
electors as it chooses, and determines the
method of ascertaining what men are law
fully chosen to the position. The electors are
State officers deriving their title from the
same source as all other State officers. They
meet ard make their choice, and commune
cate it to Congress, and Congress has only to


recognize it as the completed action of the


State. If there be dispute, if there be two
rival bodies claiming to be electors, the simple
question for Congress-, and for the Com
mission as its representative an is


what was so concsely and accurately defined


by Judge Matthew'S: "which set by the
actual declaration of the final authority of the
State charged with that duty has become
entitled to and clothed by the forms of law
with actual incumbency and possession of
the Office" In other words, taking the case
of Florida, which set were duly declared
elected by the canvassng board es tab
lished by the State laws for that purpose?
When that question is answered the whole
case is decided.


To this course there are no exceptions


when the State is in regular standing in the
Union. OF course in case of open war or of
pronounced domestic vi clence. when the
functions of the State are exercised outside of
Union or are suspended by disorder Congress
may reject an electoral vote, as it has in past
years, because it does not recognize the
State authority which gives the title. But
where the State authority is undisputed Con-
gress has no right to review its action. Such
is the Republican position.


The Democrats, on the other hand, for
saking all the traditions of their party, disre-
garding that dogma of State rights which
they formerly carried to so disastrous an ex-
treme, ignoring their reiterated expressions
OF fear at encroaching "centralization," bold
ly assert that Congress has the right to 90
behind certificates and returns, to ignore
State decision as to the choice of State Off
GERS, and to examine the record of every pol
ling-place in the State. This theory is not
only plainly unconstitutional but is not even
entitled to the respectful consideration which
should be extended to every theory, right or
wrong, honestly held by great bodies OF men.
The Democrats are not honest in their ex-
pressed opinion. They profess this theory
for the occasion only, as possible means to
attain power. But their whole record and all
their convictions are opposed to it.
Year: 1877

EVERY regular attache of the PRESS is furnished
with a Card certificate countersigned by Stanley L
Pullen, Editor. All railway, steamboat and hotel
managers will confer favor upon US by demanding
credentials of every person claiming to represent our
jourDal
Year: 1877

"ARCHEoLoGY-its Methods and Results
formed the burden of lecture recently de-
livered by Joseph Anderson, Curator of the
Museum of Antiquities at the Edinburgh
Literary Institute. Referring to the vast and
complicated nature of the problems remain
ing to be worked out, he declared that
archaeology had revealed nothing of primeval
man which had not been true of some kind
of man in every age; but if it had, the legit-
mate Inference would be that it had failed in
rightly interpreting the phenomena which
it had undertaken to investigate. 1t was con-
trary to all recorded experience that man
kind should ever have exhibited phase OF
existence in which there was no condition,
culture or capacity anywhere higher than
the veay lowest of which we have now any
knowledge. He would not say that deduc.
tion contrary to experience could not be es-
tablshed, but it required more cogent evi-
dence, and not less, than deduction which
harmonized with universal experience.
Year: 1877

MOST persons who have any acquaintance
with the literature of chess have heard of the
games said to have been played in the middle
ages with living chessmen. According to
letter in London paper Lord Lyt-
ton has recently revived this amuse-
nent in India. During his visit to
Mooltan last month, his lordship after re-
ceiving and replying to an address from the
municipality of the city, engaged, we are told,
sin novel game of chess with Colonel Mil
lett. The chess board, if such term may be
allowed to carpet of red and white calico
with checkers a yard square, having been
spread in front of the hall, chessmen, men
and boys, dressed in opposing red and white
uniforms appropriate to the various pieces,
were marched in and took their places. Then
by word of command each piece moved to the
square indicated, and very lively game en-.
sued, ending in an easy victory for the vice
roy" An emperor of Morocco who once
INDUCED in similar amusement is said to
have added terrible realism to the game by
causing all the pieces taken during its prog
ress to be beheaded.
Year: 1877

Now, over one hundred trains day pass over that road, and no conscientious man, however skillful, would take his engine over it at night unless he were thor oughly acquainted with every foot of the track"

 THE IDIosYNCRAcY OF A LOCOMOTIVE.

 |" Is not travelling at night alway more dangerous than by daylight? 2"

 Mot always. Under some circum- stances suppose it might be. But I would rather take my engine over the road at night. l have run night ex- press for years, prefer it to anything else. An engine always works better at night. for some reason. They say it is so with all machinery. know it is al. ways so with locomotive. An engineer who is familiar with his road knows just as we'll where he is at night as when he can see. l can tell by the sound of the wheels on the track about where l am on the road. l can see a danger signal further off at night than in daylight. I tell you. sir, there is always danger Tn our business, and there ought to be law forbidding the companies employing any man to run an engine who has not passed an examination and received a license. The newspapers can make lem, and they ought to do it.-N. r. Herald
Year: 1877

Spiders have been noted so long as spinners of the finest of silk, that it strikes one little oddly to think of one as paper maker. But hear this true story that has just been told to me:

 In the heart of the African continent, where no other paper is manufactured, the spider paper-maker does her quiet work. Back and forth, over fiat sur face about an inch and half square, on the inside wall of hut, the square is covered with a pure white paper. Un- der this she places from forty to fifty eggs; and then, to fasten the square of paper more securely to the wall, she makes a strip of paper about a quarter of an inch sluare, and with this glues the square carefully around the edges.

 When all is done, the spider-which is quite large one-places herself on the center of the outside of the little flat bag so carefully made, and begins a watch, which is to last for three weeks without intermission. Apparently the young spiders would have many dangers to fear, did not their anxious mamma wage free war upon the cockroaches and other insects that come near. Alter three weeks of unremitting watchful- ness, the mother-spider leaves her nest ] in the day-times to hunt food, but she I always returns at night, until her young are strong enough to take care of them selves.-" Jock-m the-Puipit," S. Nicko ] Jas.
Year: 1877

On the 22nd ult, horrible crime was committed in Capun by clergyman. This man heretofore of good repute and the head of boys school, had a canary bird Of which he was very fond, whose cage hung in one of the rooms where the pupils usually assemble. One day when in tho absence of the clergy man the boys were tumbling about in the room, one of them happened to knock the cage over, when the little door being opened by the fall the bird escaped and flew away. The clergyman returning, as usual looked around for his yellow singer, and when he observed that it had flown the criminal was pointed out to him in the person of twelve year old son of butcher. Perfectly composed to all appearance he made the boy kneel down, when he told him that he could not go to dinner. Well, the rest of them went home as usual, while the butchers son was detained with the clergyman. Passing his home, some of the scholars told the parents of the delinquent that the latter would not come to dinner, but had to stay at school for punishment An hour having elapsed, the butcher and his wife thought they would go and see the clergyman, ask his pardon in the boys behalf, and get him to dismiss him. We'll, they go to the sohool-house, knock at the door for admittance, but no an swer, and when, upon louder knocking, no sign of life is heard, the butcher, a stalwart, broad -shouldered man finally bursts the door in, afraid that something might have happened. Filled with anx- iety they enter the house, when a shock ing sight is presented to the eyes of the afirightened parents. They found their beloved child lying on table, with out stretched arms, the hands nailed down on the table, and the feet, longer than the table leaf, chopped of short. lm- agine the grief of the poor parents. The father, having somewhat recovered from the fearful shock, his first thought, Of course, was to find the executioner of his unfortunate child, aud take bloody ven- geancc en him. He called aloud, look ing everywhere, when finally, he discov- cred him, hidden in small aperture not necessary to be named, when, without heeitating, he plunged his knife into the breast of the wretch.
Year: 1877

A poRTLY Teuton in Wilkesbarre fills the twofold position of saloon, keeper on week days and organist ot a church on Sundays. A short time ago he had been ing on customers, and next day, while presiding at the organ, found It dlmcuit to keep his eyes open The preacher proceeded with his sermon to the end, and at it's conclusion the organist was fast asleep and snoring loudly. The choir being in readiness to commence singing, some one shook the sleeping musician from his slumbers to play the accompaniment. He awoke with start, and electrified the congregation by shouting at the top of his voice, "Rosey, fife gloss pier. -Pottscite Po) Aineo' Journal.
Year: 1877

= And now, why does II. b. and Com
impose upon its readers the idea that the
N Y. Telegram is any part Of the NJ Y
Herald. They are in no particular alike
and the Telegram is so mean papel
that no one would believe it was pyo
duct ofthe Herald office. Really it look
as if it was intended only as q contrast
In publishing an evening edition of the
Herald it failed, and the Telegram is I
mere bobtail, not worth as much as the
Neao York Republic, good penny after
noon paper. sl-LI-.- -
Year: 1877

THE PRESIDENTS PoLICY.-It is well
said by the Southbridge, Mass, Journal,
in regard to the Presidents Southern
policy and the Ohio election result:


ga defeat caused by adhering to the
right is more honorable and more to be
preferred than victory won by aban-
doning it. If the Presidents policy is
right the loss to the Republicans of every
State in the Union would be no argu-
ment against it, and no reason why he
should change"
Year: 1877

In the Episcopal General Convention
yesterday report was made adverse to
any alteration in the prayer for the
President of the United States. A reso-
luton in favor of a cautious revision OF
the dictionary was adopled. The COM
mlttee to whom was referred the subject
Of the proposed change of name of the
Church reported that no change be made
Various reports were submitted and
gplaced on the calendar.