smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1874

A new financial bill has passed the House, limiting the circulation of legal ten ders to $3s2, 1000, 900. No addition to Ma tional Bank circulation. Banks allowed to use twenty per cent of the present reserve, although no prudent bank officer would use up the margin heretofore required by law. Also banks in the states having more than their quota of bills are to give them up as they may be wanted at the West and South.

 It is difficult to say what effect this law will have upon the business of the country. The difficulty that now exists is not one of money, because money is oyer abundant; a portion only can be used, at low rates of interest. There is more of everything, in cluding money, than is wanted, or can be used, and it is this fact that causes the great stagLation in businessr What we want is to be let alone. We have too many laws, and it is this disposition to make laws to regulate everything that creates confu- sion. The people are afraid to do anything for fear that Congress may pass some law that will, in effect, destroy their business. We have too much law and too much poll tics-too great disposition to live out of the public instead of by our own industry and economy.

 The firm stand taken by the President in relation to the financial question had the effect to partially restore confidence in re- gard to the stability of the currency, and the people made up thelr minds to take the steps necessary to improve their financial ondition-economize, buy less, and pro duce more. This of course reduced the amount of business, and mechanics com plain of dull times. Under these circum- stances prices fall,

 The people believe in lower prices, and unless something is done to change that opinion the present amount of currency cannot be put to profitable use; and the in crease provided for in the present bill will not be taken up unless some plan can be adopted whereby the speculator can get the money without giving something of value to obtain it. During the past week there 

 has been decrease in loans in New York city of $2, 100000. This decrease has not arisen in consequence of any disposition on the part of, the banks to reduce loans, but of determination on the part of the bor- rowers to get out of debt. During this pc riod there has been reduction in specie of $1 ,9oO, 1000, and reduction in deposits of $5, 100000. At the same time, legal ten ders have increased $500, 900, the last item coming from country banks unable to use the money at home, sending it to New York to be loaned out at three per cent.

 The immediate effect of the passage of the financial bill was to put up stocks some three per cent. as soon as the Presidents signature was announced. We shall soon be able to form judgment of the effect of the bill upon the general business of the country. B. S. T.
Year: 1874

Collins Graves, who rode so fast down the Mill River valley to warn the people of approaching danger, is said to be the first milkman who ever ran away from water.

 Among the candidates for admission to West Point is one named Sauermilch, from Pennsylvania. Should he graduate he may do for frontier service, but he can never represent the cream of the army.
Year: 1874

Norfolk.

 It has occurred to me that with it's large circulation, THE NEWS must have many readers who have relatives in this place, or perhaps former residents who have friends inferred in our cemetery, who would be in terested in the controversy here over it. Ii you will lend your columns for their bene- fit will give brief summary of the mat ter. It has been too long apparent that our burying ground was becoming crowded and more space was required for inter- ments, and the yard-a sunny hillside gent ly sloping to the south and west-being considered pleasant one, the most natural thing seemed to be to enlarge it. Efforts were therefore made to purchase lot of a little more than two acres adjoining, but the owner, Dr. J. H. Stevens, refused to sell. After much talk and many delays, the town finally decided to appropriate it, and the subject was finally brought before commissioners year ago the present month June). A fair and lengthy hearing was had, ending in the towns receiving in con- sideration of nine hundred and fifty dollars to be paid to the Doctor, title to the land from the Superior Court. The price was a liberal one-probably three times its real value-but it was plainly stated before the commissioners that, inasmuch as the Dec tor was unwilling to part with the land, it. was the desire to pay well. This would seem to decide the matter, but on the mon ey being rendered to the Doctor he refused it, so it was placed in proper hands subject to his disposal. Now in those days there were Seventies as we'll as Townites, and in March last the adherents of the Doctor suc- ceeded in getting town meeting warned to reconsider the subject. It was thin meet ing and altogether peculiar gathering, be ing composed mainly of people from the extreme out parts of the town, having no friends buried in the yard, and in no way interested in it except as its price affected their taxes, with sprinkling of paupers whose interest in the matter was at least not visible. A lady taxpayer at my elbow asks here, sWhat would be the impropriety in woman's having vote on a question so near the heart, as to where their dead shall be lain?' Women are always asking unpleasant things; no end to a woman's tongue you know. Not long since, on gentleman telling lady that 'the man was the head of the woman,' (and you know that's in the Scriptures, MT. Editor,l she
Year: 1874

About week since a street COW in at

 tempting to scale the front fence Of Mir. Newton Bartram, got hung on the pickets, and in backing down took several of the plckets and bent the top railing from Its place. Nearly all the male residents of Sharon street have signed protest against cattle running at large on the highway, and have expressed their determination to abate this nuisance. The haywards are called up on to do their duty without fear or favor of any man, and hereafter all cattle found at large on the Sharon main street will be dealt with according to the provisions of the law. V
Year: 1874



 The masons commenced laying brick for the new block of stores on Bank street week before st.....South Main street has been graded at an expense of $20O, and it appears much improved. A concrete walk is soon to be laid on the east side of the street......The interest in the water ques- tion' seems to have revived with the warm weather. Water failed to come last year because of the difficulties which arose in trying to fix a price upon the stream from which it was thought best to obtain the needed supply. Another brook has now been found which promises more water, but the distance of bringing it is longer and consequently the expenses larger. $l6,- 900 have been subscribed or invested in water stock, and practical men who have carefully estimated the expense, report that $600O more are needed to do the work. The Fire Association will probably make up the required amount, as this seems the most feasible plan for giving the village protection from fire, and they are now get ting an amendment to their charter, grant ing them power to hold stock in the Water Co., for this purpose. Our sub-chorus which sang the Creation with MT. Buck ingham last winter, have been practising Elijah under the directions of Col. Blinn, to be ready for the concert to be given in Washington next fall. For driving the rats from the various houses at which they have practiced during the past two months, they have earned the thanks of many grateful hearts......The frequent rains have nicely started the grass on Main street. and all are learning to regard it with much pride.
Year: 1874

To The Editor Of The Commercial


Myself and many other Republicans were
pleased to see the timely criticism in the Conf
MERcIAL on the hasty premature calling of the
State Convention, and the chairman of the State
Central Committee will find we believe that it
meets the disapproval of nearly all the Repub-
lican voters in the State We cannot tell why
this decision has been arrived at, unless it is a
set determination of few politicians and wire
pullers to force certain nominees or nomina-
tons on the party whether it is the choice of the
voters or not. We do not wish to be partisan or
prejudiced in the matter, and had much
rather have it mutually decided by the
best and wisest men of the party,
but it is fact known to all thinking Republic
cans in the State, that this movement is not in
the interest of the party or people, but that it is
Ring movement in favor OF Ring candidates,
and the truthfulness Of it cannot be denied. We
are opposed, and we call on all Independent
Republicans TO sustain us us in this opposition
to Rings or Ring candidates Of any kind, and we
warn the leaders of this in time that if any NOM
inees are forced on the party, or free and un-
restrained discussion as to fitness or capa-
blities is not allowed, they will certainly be de-
fcated, and that by Republican voters. The
people are tired of the present rulers, and If ju-
dicious selections are made for our standard
bearers, there will be but little difficulty in elect
ing them. We want men for officials who do
their own thinking and who will do their whole
duty. $50


SMYRNA, Del, July 8.


DID THE COMMITTEE APPROVE THE CALL?


To the Editor ofdle Commercial.


If the call is the voice OF a ma
iority of the Committee, then of course it is in
accordance with party usage if it is not, then
the chairman has assumed improper authority.
l do not know that there has been meeting
of the Committee called or held, recently. l am
informed that three of the Committee, residing
in this county, have expressed themselves as OPP
posed to the Convention being called SO early.


GEORGETOWN, Sussex Co., July o.
Year: 1874

THAT MAD Doc AaAIN.-Yesterday morning
early, large dog, evidently mad, made an at
tack upon gentleman living in East Liberty st.
10Th Ward, who, to save himself from serious in
jury, turned very large bull dog upon the ami
NAL, and both dogs engaged in a fierce encoun-
ter, in which the large dog was victorious, but
wounded, and the owner very promptly killed the
bitten canine. The other animal made his way
rapidly towards Fifth street, and it is supposed
that he was the same dog that was killed by Off
Ger Bradford aterin the day, an account of which
Appeared in the CoMMERcIAL Of Yesterday.
Year: 1874

XII. Of the constitution of the National
Grange, shall not hesitate to suspend that
Grange, and ask the Worthy Master of the
National Grange to revoke its charter upon
proof OF guilt after hearing.


GEO. t. PARSONS.


But what will you do, Worthy Fos-
sill, with Grange whose members re-
fuse s'to take an active and prominent
part in moulding the institutions and
laws of our country p Hey, Brother
Parsons, will you excommunicatet them?
Speak up. "Sauce for the goose is
sauce for the gander,' you know; and
if one part Of Worthy Master Adams
letter is good why not the rest Of it !?


We would suggest to the Oranges of
the State to discuss these questions


l. Would it be right to vote for the
devil for office if he was regularly NOM
mated by either political party!


2. Would it be right to insist that
none bat Changers should be elected to
Congress, as suggested by Master Par
sons at Northfeld


3. IF the tax-gatherers took all a
farmer had, would it be right for him
to say anything about it in his Grange!
Then let Master Parsons suspend.
and we will try it and him both before
the National Grange.
Year: 1874

From the Constitution of the National


Grange


The ULTIMATE OBJECT OF THIS ORGASIzA-
TIoN IS FOR MUTUAL INSTRUCTION AND PRO-
lection


Human happiness is the acme of earthly
ambition. Individual happiness depends
upon GENERAL PROSPERITY.


From the address of the Master of the
National Grange, Master Adams of Iowa, de-
livered at the last National Grange meeting
at st. Louis, January, 1874:


"Article xii. also demands most serious
consideration to definitely decide what in
terpretation shall be put upon the word
political" | am gratiied that our members
are substantially unit in the opinion that
the Order should not in any sense become a
political party. But at the same time, there
are questions most fundamentally affecting
our material interests qchich can only be
reached through legislation.-It seems M
PERATIvE that such questions should BE dis
cussed in tie Grange Shall it be said that
such questions were political in the meaning
Of the Constitution? The questions of
TRANSPORTATION, TAXATION, FINANCE, COR
RUPTIoN IN PUBLIC PLACES, aUere such as come
home to the consciences and pockets of our
members, and they wish to know whether
they will be denied the privilege Of can
vassing them on the ground Of politics"


To this suggestion the National
Grange replied as follows in their
NATIONAL PLATFORM


''We emphatically and sincerely assert the
oft repeated truth taught in our organic law,
that the Grange, National, State or Subor-
dinate, is not political or party organiza-
ton. No Grange, is true to its obligations,
can discuss political or religious questions,
nor call political conventions, nor nominate
candidates, nor even discuss their merits in
its meetings.


! Yet the PRINCIPLES WE TEACH USDERLIE ALL
TRUE POLITICS, ALL True CRAFTSMANSHIP, and
| if properly carried out will tend to purify the
whole political atmosphere of our country.
For we seek the greatest good to the greatest
number


We must always bear in mind that no one,
by becoming Patron of Husbandry, gives
up that inalienable right and duty which be-
| longs to every American citizen, to take q
proper interest in the politics Of his country. .


''We propose meeting together, TALKING
TOGETHER, and generally ACTING TOGETH-
Err, for our mutual protection and advance
ment."


eve are opposed to any such spirit an6
management of any corporation or enter
prise as tend to oppress the people and roi
them of their just profits"


eve are opposed to excessive salaries ane
high rates of interest"
Year: 1874

like so many rats. Across one window
was iron bars securing the shutters.
Swiftly the water arose until it stood
five feet deep in the room with cur
rent like mill race settling through
the apartment. Mr.. and Mrs. B. in
stinctiyely seized each child and clung,
to this bar with grip Of despair.
While the cold, muddy torrent swept
over them for four hours, these two
hung to that providentially placed bar
and all were rescued.


McManus, who, with the remaining
child rushed to the street, by some
miracle was swept into an alley and
onto the roof Of shed where they
were saved.
Year: 1874

A man in his carriage was riding along,
His gaily- dressed wife by his side;
In satins and laces she looked like queen,
And he like king in his pride.
A wood-sawyer stood on the street as they


passed;
The carriage and couple he eyed,
And said, as he worked with his saw on log
II wish was rich and could ride"
The man in the carriage remarked to his wife
Zone thing would give if could
would give all my wealth for the strength


and the health
Of the man who is saving the wood"
Year: 1874

4 FARMER was walking with a friend 10
beautiful meadow, when he CHANGED to observe
thistle growing thrittiIy on the opposite side
of the fence Immediately he sprang over and
cut it off close to the ground. lis that your
feId7" asked the other 20 no, hut bad
weeds don't care much Tor feuces. Ii | should
leave this thistle to blossom 10 my neghbor's
field, should soon have plenty in my own.
His auswer may serve as hint to fathers and
mothers. 1t is Of importance to them how
their neig hbors children turn out. Heart
weeds care less than thiStles for boundary tenc-
eS. Boys and girls who go to the same school,
or who live in the same nelghborhood catch
many Il trait from each other. 1t is our duty
as we'll as our Interest TO do what we can Tor the
beucil Of our pcighbors' children.


Why NOT SUCCESSFUL young man
marrics and takes house, which he proceeds
to furnish twice as expensvely as he can afford
aud then his wife instead of striving to help
him earn livelyhood, or doing her own work,
must have hired servant to help her spend
his limited earnings. Ten years afterwards
You will fDd him struggling under double
load of debts and childlen, wondering why the
luck was always against him while his friends re-
gret his unhappy destitution of financial ability.
llad they from the first been frank aud honest,
he need not have been so unlucky. The world
Is full OF people who can't imagine why they
dout prosper like their neighbors, when the
real obstacle is not in backs or tariffs, 10 bad
public policy or hard times, but 10 their own
Extravaganza and needless ostentatlon.


The ADVANTAGES OF EACH PARTY.-'I had
more money than be had to carry on the suit.
SAID very mean individual who had just won
law suit over poor neighbor, and that
had much better counsel than he, and there |
mad the advantage of him. And his family
were sick while the suit was pending, so be.
couldn't attend to it, and there I had the ad-
vantage of him again. But then, Brown is 3
very deceut sort Of man after ALL "Yes, said
Ills Ills lsteuer, "and there's where be had the ad-
vantage Of you"
Year: 1874

is given freely and without condition.


l know that in this movement | have
many friends. Iknow, also, in this |


have many opponents I shall give


botn alike my active and cordial co-op-
Grafton in promoting the good Of the
State, without asking any questions.
1t seems to me my opponents are show
ing much more anxiety about my polit-
ical fortunes than I feel. If
they think a good thing like
the Peoples movement cannot ex-
list without beneftting me, l take that
as compliment, and thank them for
it; but if they think the service may
render this cause may afterwards be
used as claim for reward, I now and
here solemnly release and cancel the
mortgage.


My political course is before them.
My opinions Ishall express as fearlessly
now as have done heretofore. ] don't
want this movement to share my re-
sponsibility; neither do | want to
furnish them with any approval or sup
port, which on their own bottom they
would not have. Let them be judged
by themselves. l shall sail under my
own colors, and do not mean to thrive
on borrowed strength. The cause
stands on its own merits, and as to my
political course, / have to stand on
mine, and 1 am content to do so.
Year: 1874

The rapidty with which fortanes ara won
and lost in this country is just now brought
more strikingly than usual into prominence,
by the fact that two of the finest estates on the
continent are for sale to satisfy creditors. The
one is in New York State and was owned by a
broker turfman and millionaire. Few per
sons were better known year or two ago or
lavished money more freely. His country
place, now in the market cost over three mill
ion dollars and the grounds, conservatories,
stables and all other refinements of wealth
and luxury an expensive taste could indulge
are unsurpassed. The whole place IL is said


will be now fold for five hundred thousand
dollars. The other private residence is that
of Ogontz. near Philadelphia. belonging to Jay
Cooke. This cost one million Ave hundred
thousand dollars. II will be sold as its owner
left twith all its beautiful furniture its cost
| ly libraries, its picture gallery, its works Of
| art, its Conservatives. The house is palace,


riya.ing in Its bulk, at least many of these of
| England, andis probably the most pretentieus
private residence in America.
Year: 1874

SPRING CROP OUTLOoK.-A farmer, after
travelling over asternPennsylvania,re ,remarked
that the wheat and rye never looked better at
this season of the year, and that IL nothing of
damaging character occurs there will be an
abundant crop.


lie noticed during the whole of this winter,
that when the ground was not covered with
snow the grass looked green and had not that
lead brown color which indicated severe co ID
weather. 1t was so with the wheat and rye
also, and this is assuring that the crops will Be
abundant. OF fruit We cannot yet speak with
certainty. The apple and peach buds are
safe, but IL mild weather continue they may be


advanced far enough to be endanrered by
spring frosts.
Year: 1874

The ups and downs of life and of rep
utation have their finest illustrations in
the history of some of the world best
men who have been almost bounded to
death during t heir lifetime, but whose
memory is held ID grateful remembrance
by generations who subsequently arise
to do them tardy justice. John Bun
yanis monument has just been set up in
the place where the dreaming tinker
was the most greatly despiSed. Good
years rubber fabrics are worn by the
children of the men who denounced the
inventor as an impecunious crack brain !;
and chemists meet to celebrate the fact
that one hundred years ago Joseph
PriestIey discovered oxygen gas, and
made such other progress in chemical
investigation as branded him among
men for an enthusiast and man danger
Gus to society. In theology he was just
heterodoX enough 20 fall under the ban,
and to lose the promotion which his
talents would otherwise have secured
him in chemistry he was SO heterodoxi
cllly progressive that the scientific men
of the day howled at him for being an
iunovator, and the public sneered at
him for an enthusiast. Worse than
this, the public went so far as to mob
him and sack his house. Having as lit
lie taste for that sort of thing as Pro-
fessor Swing has for theological and
disciplinary controyersary, he retired
seeking quiet home; and if ever a
place was found where quiet and beauty
were combined, it was the spot at the
forks OF the SusQuehanna River in Pa.
where Joseph Priestley settled. There
he pursued his chemical insvestig gatiohs
and there he lived till 1904. The busy
town of Northumberland now occupie;
what was PIiestley's farm. The clattel
of nail. works and other indus,rie:
makes the place anything but quiet
The shrill whistle and the ponderoui
humping of the locomotive are hearC
right before the door of the house whicl
PrieStley built, and which still stands, {
little out of the style, but as solid a
ever. The retorts and other apparatu


which he used, are still shown; almos
as rough, compared with the apparatus
of to-day, as GalllleO's telescopes cow


pared with the mighty instruments a
the Washington Observatory. And IT,
memory of PrieStley will live, like tn


oxygen he discovered.