smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

'How would you go to work to rearrange this
city and start It afresh IL that were the price OF
your rfease?'


/ should adopt the civil service policy said
Mr.. Tweed. There Is no earthly policy to
straighfen out the abu.es OF patronage but
strict civil service. Its defect. Of course. is TO
put q sort of afistocracy in the public Offices,
Year: 1877

| notice in your last issue Mr.. Editor a
letter from Isaac Hinckley ESQ, President
of the 7. W. d B. Railroad, making very
liberal offers of reduction Of freight with
the view of encouraging the erection OF a
factory or factories for the manufacture of
beet sugar. While this liberality on the
part of the railroad would in all probability
be followed by great pecuniary advantage
to it if the culture of the beet for sugar is
introduced and becomes a success, Mr..
lIinckley is entitled to and will receive the
thanks of Delaware farmers for the liberalitv
manifested by the offer. There are other
portions of the Presidents letter which
deserve passing notice from Delaware far
mers Mr.. llinckley says that peaches are
now carried to New York for about half the
price formerly charged, and has grave
doubts whether the farmers of the State
have not been injured by the reduction on
account OF the increase of the quantity
grown III consequence Of that reduction
The farmers think that the present rates of
charge FOR the transportation OF fruits Of all
kind are exorbitant and if reduced from so
10 10 per cent on the present rates there
would still be left to the road good profit
on their transportation. What they ask of
Mr.. Hinclley is to put down the rates of
freight as low as Is consistent with the real
costs of transportation ard leave them to
Judge as to the quantity that shall be
grown; from 10 to l. cents per basket is as
much as 1t ought to cost to carry peaches
from Delaware to New York, and when we
are charged double that amount it is but
adding insult to injury to turn upon us and
tell us that it is 81 done for our good. |
write i'll no spirit Of i'll will to the p. W. &
Z. Railroad or TO any other. Much as far
merS have been Overclarged the railroads
have done a great work in developing and
improving the lands of Delaware hut Della
ware farmers will never be satisfied rs long
as these excessive charges are continued.
They will be constantly looking to the
opening up of other means of transporta-
tion, and as they increase in wealth, in
intelligence, and III means of ready combi-
nation with each other, they will devise
means to throw OF the burdens imposed on
them, by these eXceSsiveratqs, and | suggest
to President Hinckley. and the managers
of connecting roads, that it will be wise
and in accordance with the best interest OF
the railroads gracefully to relinquish their
cXorbitant gains, while it may be voluntarily
done. c..


DOVER, Feb. lGth 1871.
Year: 1877

A great point with Mahomet was the


giving of aims, in which he included the


goods and money collected by himself


for the support of his numerous wives,


and the carrying on of his wars. He


required, of his followers, an average OF


about two-and-a-half per cent, of all
that they received in the way of increase
or income, whether cattle, grain, fruits,
or money. This is vital point in the
policy Of such men, for they know very
well that no institution among men can
have much power or efficiency unless
its votaries and servants can derive
their substance from il and thus de-
vote their whole time and strength to
its propagation. From whatever motive
these false prophets begin their career,
the controlling motive at last becomes of
necessity selfish. What they all finally
aim at is: To enjoy the cream of the
earth, the best of every thing, at the ex-
pense of the laborious multitude. Go
round the world to day with your eyes
open, and see if it is not so-from Salt
Lake to Mecca. But these men, in the
development of our kind,
often do more good than harm, and save
their followers from delusions still more
degrading than those which they ac-
eept. Mahomet seems to have left the
world better than he found it, but he
made it immensely difficult for his
followers to take another forward step
Year: 1877

OLD copper cents are being treated
in way calculated to arouse the in
dignation of those who venerate the
pennies of the papas. 1t is decided
that they have no rights as legal tender
that any postmaster or anybody else is
bound to respect. The remedy for
this irreverent condition of affairs is
obvious. The inhabitants of the Lake
Superior copper region should fall back
on their sovereign powers, frame a
constitution and State Government,
vest all their property in two copper
mine owners and elect them to the
Senate of the United States.
Year: 1877




Washington, Dec. 16.-D. o. Mills
called on the President and secretary
of State yesterday in regard to the Chi
nese problem in California. He claimed
that great deal of Misrepresentation
had been INDUCED in; that the many
reports of the bad conduct Of China
men were entirely unfounded; their
presence and labor are not injurious:
but on the contrary are great benefit
to the Pacific coast, ana that the United
States government is in duty bound to
see that they are protected in the en-
joyment of the rights guaranteed by
our treaty with China. Itappears that
he came here for the express purpose of
taking these argumentative representa-
tions. He left for New York in a few
hours afterwards.


Secretary Evarts. in view of the con-
fiicting statements made to him on
this subject, seemed inclined to send
for official information before recon-
mending any course of action for
adoption by the administration in re-
gard to any of the questions involved.
The matter is, however, very likely to
come up for further Cabinet discussion
sooner than Evarts contemplates.


The Attorney General will undOubt-
edly report that there is no precedent
for interference by the general govern
ment to suppress or prevent assaults
upon individual rights within State
limits unless such interposition and as
sistance be requested by the State au-
thorities. The question whether any
such action can be constitutionally
volunteered in order to enforce stipu-
lations has never before been directly
presented, but there seems to be no
doubt of decision in the negative, re-
gardless of the fact that the nation at
large would be morally liable for the
consequences which might ensue from
treaty infractions.
Year: 1877

Our Government After Confederate Money.


Washington, Dec. 17.-For several
years the Government has considered
the feasibility of obtaining the money
and other property in Europe belong
ing to the Southern Confederacy at the
time of its downfall. Several agents
were sent to Europe to investigate and
report as to the amount of such proper
ty still standing in the name of the
Confederacy, but nothing definite was
ever accomplished.


During the closing months of Grants
administration the question of obtain
ing this property was seriously dis
cussed in the Cabinet, and the matter
assumed definite form in report SUBJ
mitted to the Cabinet by the then Sec
retary of the Treasury. 1t was inti-
mated that the value Of this property
would reach from ten to fifteen million
dollars and it was believed the United
States government could recover the
same. On account Of the approaching
change of administration the matter
was allowed to remain in statu quo.


The present administration have con-
sidered what is best to be done, and it
is understood that contracts will be en-
tered into with certain lawyers to COL
lect the money in the banks. and prop
erty belonging to the Confederacy. 1t
is also understood that under the terms
of the proposed contracts the lawyers
will be allowed fifty per cent. of the
amount collected.
Year: 1877

A hellish attempt was made in Nash
vile, Sunday morning, to destroy a
block of buildings in Nashville. Flames
were discovered issuing from hard
ware store in season to extinguish them,
and an investigation of the premises
showed that packages of powder had
been distributed in such manner as
to cause destructive and fatal explo-
sion if the fire had not been checked.
Year: 1877

SOME of the Congressman think they
cannot afford to pay their postage out
of their annual pittance of $4,000 each,
and so are clamoring for the restora
ton of the franking privilege. The
cost of sending home their washing by
mail is evidently beginning to have its
natural effect upon them.
Year: 1877

1T IS stated that Senator Patterson
will go to South Carolina next month
to give bail for his appearance at the
February term of the court where the
proceedings against him are pending.
Year: 1877

ADvIcEs from San Domingo report
n distressing condition of affairs on the
island. The revolution is now spread
all over the country, and the city pris-
ons of San Domingo are crowded
Many prisoners have been executed in
the interior,
Year: 1877

paign Of Sheridan in the Valley of
the Shenandoah, and was raised to a
Brigadler on the field of battle. At
times during lull in active opera
tions, Mrs. Hayes visited her hus-
band in camp, and passed much Of
her time while there in comforting
and caring for the sick and wounded.
While in the field General Hayes
was elected to Congress and was re-
elected, and since has three times
been elected Governor. His career
has now been crowned by the Chief
Magistracy of the Republic. The
few months which have elapsed
since the introduction of President
Hayes into the high office he now
holds have served to show that his
official administration will be with
out extreme measures on either side,
and will be given to close applica-
ton to business.


Mrs. Hayes, upon assuming the
duties of hostess at the Executive
Mansion, gave two Saturday after
noon receptions, which were design
ed particularly to enable those who
desired to extend their congratula-
tions. The President also received
the highest officers of the govern
ment, the army and the navy. The
receptions given by Mrs. Hayes, and
the State dinner to the Russian
Dukes Alexis and Constantine were
entertainments worthy of the most
brilliant days of the Executive Man
sion. 1t may be anticipated without
extravaganza that under the admins
tration OF Mrs. Hayes, the social sur
roundings of the home of the Chief
Magistrate will meet with the ap-
plause of the whole land, and will
not only be an ornament to the civil
administration of her distinguished
husband, but will be an honor to the
dignity and refinement of republican
institution and the grandeur of an
elective Executive.
Year: 1877

A scientific lecturer on walking
says his experience show that one
side of the body always tends to
outwalk the other 1t is extremely
unfortunate for all of us that this
lecturer has called attention to this
singular propensity, because it wonld
have been uncommonly disagreeable
if, some day when we were walking
up the street, one side of us started
ahead and outwalked, the other, and
got dozen squares in advance of it!
No man likes to see half of himself
prancing along the sidewalk without
any reference to the other halt, and
the boys all following him, Studying
Year: 1877

Of manners came in and that was
one Of the points to be held, and
when the oppressed were driven to
this state of things their oppressors
were responsible for it. He was glad
to say, however, that in recent times
great efforts had been made to get
rid of that ferocity of character, aud
for two generations past great pains
had been taken by their sovereigns,
and, he believes, with great success,
to establish peace and order and
good government among them.
Though their history had drawn
very little attention, and though he
was very far from denying that it
had its dark spots, because the spirit
Of ferocity still prevailed to some
extent, still the heroism Of the peo.
pie, their sanctities, and their noble
constancy would, in his opinion


secure to them to latest ages a name
more enduring than that which
would be given to other nations


States and people who appeared
greater in the eyes Of the world.
Year: 1877

The findings of the court.mattial
in the case Of Major Reno, who was
tried for insulting the wife of Capt.
Bell, have been in possession Of the
Judge Advocate General Of the
army for several days. The SEN
tence is dismissal from the army,
but strong influences are at work
with the President to have him
modify it to suspension for one year
without pay.
Year: 1877

shall fortify them by some better proofs
than his own statement. If, as he says, he
has the written assignment in his possess
sion, and if when he produces it it proves to
be genuine, the wonder will be why Tweed
has so long concealed it. 1t was Obrien
who first divulged the secrets OF the Ring
by publishing surreptitious copies OF the
Comptroller's accounts, and as the swift
destruction brought upon Tweed and his
accomplces was started by the publication
of those fatal figures there is no man in
the world whom Tweed has so much reason
to hate as Mr.. O'Brien. This motive will
nullify his unsupported testimony unless
he can corroborate it by other and more
credible evidence.
Year: 1877

Tweed appeared again before the Alder
men yesterday, but he added very little to
the previous knowledge of the public be-
yond mere details and the introduction of
some new names 1t is the old beaten story
of bills raised by collusion and fraud and n
division of percentages among members of
the Ring. Tweed's first examination had
the interest of novelty by the fact Of his ap


pearance to testify against himself and the
cool assurance with which he recited trans
actions which depicted him as q scoundrel.


There was sort of dramatic interest
in seeing man make statements which
were in flat contradiction to what he testi-
fed under oath when he was on the witness
stand at the time of his own trial. But
when he once had broken the ice in this
kind Of nonchalant truth-telling it was MS
easy to 60 on as to hesitate, and his story
has no further interest except SO far rs he
may bring new facts to light There is
nothing very remarkable in his revelations
yesterday beyond his inculpation Of ex-
Sheriff 'Bren, whom he had accused in his
former examination of being member
of the Ring. He now states that
Sheriff Kelly and Sheriff Brennan never
paid any percentages to get their bills passed
by the Supervisors. but that Sheriff O'Brien
did. Tweed then goes further, and gives II
curious history Of O'Brien's final and yet
unsettled claim, for which suit is now
pending against the city. Tweed says that
he himself bought one-half of O'Brien's
claim for one hundred and fifty thousand
dollars, and that he has the assignment i'll
his possession, and will produce it at the
next examination. Notwithstanding this
alleged purchase of one-half the claim by
Tweed O'Brien transferred the whole claim
to Monheimer, who is maintaining suit
against the city for its recovery. These
charges against O'Brien are SO easily attrib-
utable to malice and revenge that the public
will hesitate to believe them unless Tweed
Year: 1877

BY the Russian bulletins from the head
quarters at Poredin it is made clear that the
war was carried on too fast by the CORE
spondents at Bucharest Although these
gentlemen have twice recorded the capture
of Plevna with great slaughter the place is
still in the hands of that obstinate
and perhaps malignant Turk, Osman
Pacha. Indeed, no sufficient reason
has yet been shown why he should
leave it. It is evident that the Russian
bombardment may be consistent with the
comparative safety of his army. Although
the comparison of the place to Sedan is
made, there is no real similarity in the cases
with regard to the artillery In the case of
Sedan large army was driven into corner,
in which it was exposed, with little or no
shelter, to the practice Of great many
batteries, from every one Of which the
lines OF infantry could be deliberately
sighted. The reports from Poredin are
somewhat particular in the statement of
the relation Of the forces, but they show
bombarded, but they may cover the men in
them, or they may have bombproofs, or the
men may be far to the rear. Doubtless the
heavy Russian fire may damage the Turkish
artillery and eventually render the redoubts
untenable and SO facilitate the capture of
the place by assault-an event that bids fair
to consume time. All the Russian prepura-
tions are taken to make the result thorough,
and Osman Pacha's army will be annihi-
lated or captured if before the crisis is
reached Mehemet Ali does not succeed in
forcing the passage Of the Jantra at Biela
and coming upon the rear of the Russian
lines at Pleyna
Year: 1877

There are sunsets so intense in light,
brilliant in color and fantastic in form that
the painter who should transfer them to
canvas would be accused Of exaggerating
nature. There are also lives so strange in
their contrasts that when written they seem
to be romances rather than reality. Yet of
all the imaginary heroines which poor Amy
Fawsitt represented ON the stage not one
had a death more tragic than her own. A few
years ago this gifted actress was the
favorite of the London public. A few
months ago she came to the United
States to win new laurels; but, suddenly
passing into obscurity, she died, without
friend near her, in New York tenement
house. This was dark ending to bright
career, but it is made terrible by the recent
revelations, which justify the suspicion, at
least, that Amy Fawsitt was murdered. The
testimony concerning the mystery and man.
ner of her death which we have given to
the public is too circumstantial and direct
to be dismissed as idle rumor. 1t is affirmed
by persons who lived in the same house with
Miss Fawsitt that few days before her
ueaLu Sic WAS Dcatcu duu klChcQ auN lIllOWu IL
down stairs by q man with whom
she was intimate, and was from
that time confined to her bed. The
accounts of the threats made by this man;
of her flight from him to the room of another
lodger; Of his breaking open the door and
dragging her ont into the hallway, and Of
the struggles and cries that were heard, are
positive. The attempt to treat the whole
story as an invention because some of the
statements seem inaccurate is illogical, for
many minor details might be proved untrue
without in any way affecting the main facts
There are reasons why it is the solemn and
imperative duty of the police authorities to
investigate thoroughly this mysterious case.
They have the clew in their hands, and the
witnesses and all who are in any way con-
nected with the death of Amy Fawsitt, from
the alleged murderer to the Coroner and the
doctors, are within their easy reach. Fail
ure to investigate would be disgrace to the
city, and We hope to hear at once that the
authorities have taken steps to prove or dis
prove this startling story.
Year: 1877

leaders grumbled and opposed. When he
began to reform the civil service by re-
ducing the public expenses, and investi-
eating abuses, the people were satisfied,
but the republican leaders broke out into
denunciations of the President and his
policy, and ever since they have been meet
ing in conventions only to prevent any
expression OF popular approval of these
salutary and needed reforms. And
next month they are going to Washington,
q noble army of 'soreheads, to plot against
reforms and try to smother the new ques-
tions on the proper treatment Of which the
revival of prosperity depends. They will
fail-and they ought to fail. A party
which had not brains enough to seize and
use snch an opportunity as the President
gave them is not fit to rule. A party which
is so hidebound that it cannot take up new
issues or frame new policies, which knows
not how to adapt itself to the altered
circumstances of the country, which opposes
reforms even when they are introduced by
its own administration, and clamors only
about dead and gone issues, or against the
possible decrease OF public plunder-such
party cannot expect to retain the favor
of the country.


As for the President, he has nothing to
fear if only he will march ahead without
paying attention to these clamorous place
hunters and old fogies. He is the Presi-
dent of the whole people, and not of q
political taction--let him remember that
1t is not his business or duty to keep the re-
publican party together; it is his duty to
recommend good measures to Congress;
to carry out faithfully the reforms he
has promised; to select fit men for
the subordinate Offices; to economize
the public expenditures and to give
his influence to every wise measure
calculated to restore the country to
prosperity and to maintain its peace. II
he does his duty fearlesly he will not lack
support he will not even lack republican
support he will find men enough in his
own party to defend him against annoyance
and attack from the Rip Van Wrinkles and
the demagogues.
Year: 1877

Collisions at sea are seldom more COM
plete in their results than the one reported
to-day as having occurred in the English
Channel, near Portland. Over hum
dred lives were lost and two ships
were sent to the bottom. An English
ship homeward bound cut down another
English ship loaded with emigrants for
New Zealand within seven miles of an
English port, and of the two ships COM
panies and all the emigrants only single
boat load reached the shore. Regulations
in regard to lights at night and the prin-
ciples upon which ships are to be steered
with regard to the lights are so explicit
and so familiar to all mariners that
an event of this nature is only to be ac-
counted for on the theory that the lights
were made invisible by the nature of the
weather, or that there was on one or the
other ship such want Of discipline that no
one was plainly responsible for the naviga-
ton of the vessel. Collisions at sea with
British ships are frequent causes of great
loss of life in which it sometimes happens
that the fault is on a ship Of some other
nationality, but in which the tragedy is
sometimes due to stolid and arrogant in
difference to the rights Of others and q
reliance on the stanchnoss of the British
ship. Nobody is ever punished for
though there is great parade Of
severity and a tremendous fuss about
Investigations by the Board of Trade, the
result, when the delinquents are found, is
a reprimand or farcical inhibition for one
or two voyages. The captain of the British
ship Bombay, who was able to boast that he
cut down the United States ship Oneida,
was suspended" for few months, while
his imprisonment for life would have been
an inadequate penalty for his crime, though
a good example in the service In col
lision in the Channel it is always possible
that the calamity is to be accounted for by
foggy weather, in which, of course, the
lights would not become visible until too
late to change the course of the ship.
Year: 1877

WALL STREET YEsrERDAY.-The stock market
was feverish and more active. There was,
however. general recovery, with the exccp
ton of the coal Stocks which continued their
decline. Gold opened and closed at 1888.
Government bonds were weak, stocks irregular
and railroads lower. Money on call was easy at
q a per cent.