smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875

Hoop SKIRTS AND THE TELEGRAPH. -
Lately, while the operators in the Western
Union Telegraph Office, at the Central wharf
in Buffalo, were busily engaged transmitting
gold and stock quotations from the Office to
the different banks 10 that city, the instru.
ments suddenly, and without warning or ap-
parent cause, refused to work. CONSERVATION
seized all the operators, and they simultane-
ousy gave up the explanation of this break of
the lightning The Office was searched; no
breaks or crossing of the wires could be found
The entire force there were noDplussed, dis
mayed and at q loss to understand the where
fore. The gold and stock quotations had to
be carried around to the banks, for the instru-
ment sternly refused to utter a single click
The wires were followed all along the route
through the city by the disheartened and now
frantic teegraphers. On top Of tall house 10
the lower part Of the city, across which two of
the wires ran, was discovered hoop skirt sus-
pended from both Of them. A remark tinged
with more force than elegance was heard, and
the obnoxious article of feminine apparel
which had restored the equilibrium between
the positive and the negative wire, was
dragged down and thrown over into the street
Gold aud stock quotations were again trans.
mitted as formerly We have heard it said
that there is always piece of crinoline at the
bottom of every trouble into which man gets.
So it seems.
Year: 1875

He REFUSED TO MARRY THEM. : On Thurs
day afternoon We'll dressed colored man and
ayoune white women visited the city hall, 10
New York, and made known their desire to be
married by Mayor Wickham, but the latter re-
piled firmly. mo, sir it can't be DONE While
lam Mayor of this city shall never marry q
black man to white woman, nor black wo-
man to white man" To bystander who
suggested that perhaps be had not read the
18th amendment to the civil rights bill, the
mayor replied, Il know all about those laws
out you can rest assured that Notwithstanding
them no marriages between whites and blacks
can take place in this hall while am the may
or OF the city The colored man looked sur
pr 5Ps5ised, and the girls eyes filled with tears.
tRoey afterwards made application to Justice
Mloreth to perform the ceremony but the jus
lice said be was too busy
Year: 1875

We have heard not word vet concerning our election for town officers for the. ensuing year. Un- der the new corporation law pas sed by the last general assembly, the election takes place each year on the first Tuesday in April which will be, this year, the 9th day; only ten days distant. Do the voters of Russellviile want an election? or, do they want the old officers to hold over? Why the Mayor has not issued his procla- nation, notifying the voters of the election, We cannot say; the elec- tion, however, if the people wish to hold one, will be just as valid without the proclamation, as with it. A neglect of duty on the part of the Mayor to issue the procla- nation, can in no manner deprive the voters of the town of their rights under the law to elect a new set of town officers. The off cers to be elected are Mayor, Re corder and five aldermen to hold their offices for one year; and un- der existing ordinances providing for the filling of other subordinate offices, a marshal, treasurer and street commissioner may also be elected. Any person who, at the time of the election, is a qualified voter under the laws of the state, and who has resided in the corpo- ration six months next preceding the election is legal voter at this election. Ifthere are any officers in our incorporation, whom the peo- pie wish to get rid of, this is the opportunity; and they should embrace it or hold their peace. We advise the voters of Russell vile, If they want an election, to hold a convention and put out good men, and also to decide upon responsible parties to act as judges and clerks of election, and to request them to be on hand promptly at the proper time, so the electors when assembled can have no difficulty in securing per sons to act in these capacities. The Mayor, however, may yet is- sue his proclamation, but if he don't the voters may still have the election if they desire.
Year: 1875

issippi, Florida, Louisiana and Arkansas have an undoubted re. publican majorities.' Then fur ther along in the same article fl says "I'he rebel element in Ar kansas have just adopted new constitution" 1t might have add ed, by an overwhelming majority of all the votes in the state; and then it would be in order to ask that profound journal how this could happen where there is "an undoubted republican maj jorityY' But what cares that fanatical con cern for consistency, decency or truth.

 Just such political moutebanks as penned that article are the bane of society. They have al ready killed the republican party and if they had it ill their power would murder virtue, liberty and reason, and would rule the land in excess and with a rod of iron.
Year: 1875

We understand that under an act of the last general assembly, the proposition of funding the County indebtedness, will Tn all probability be submitted to the voters of Pope county, some time this summer. We have not yet been able to get draft of the act, and are not posted on its provis- ions, but it strikes us that this is a matter of material importance, and much of our prosperity de bends upon some better financial policy. As it is our scrip is worth only about 35 cents, and none is sued since the adoption of the new constitution can draw any interest. We think with proper manage ment and different manner of meeting the current expenses of our county, that our scrip might easily be made worth something like par. The voters and tax payers of Pope county would do well to post themselves on this matter, so that when the matter is submitted they can act intelligent ly in the premises. In the mean time we will endeavor to give the text of the act providing for the funding.
Year: 1875

Which would you rather do for a steady business, go to Wheeling Virginia, or go to Corning lowa?- Exchange.

 We'll, we don't care to Berne Switzerland at present, and so, for a steady business, will be con tented with Reading Massachu- setts over Andover.-Boston Ad- yertiser.

 As we don't care to engage in gathering moss" we will take a Little Rock and stay in Arkan- sas.--L. R. Republican.

 If you are undecided where to go, like the ancient wise men of the east, fix your eyes upon the "Star," and let it lead you to all the felicities of Hope.-Star of Hope.

 If you care to doa thriving bus mess in beautiful country come and let us Loan oak to you.- Lonoke Democrat.

 We are Protestant as to doing business on borrowed capital in any country-but our Catholic tendencies prompt us to remain in tho Pope's domain and invite all to come and share it's blessings with us-even though they may have no more than a singletree to offer in exchange.
Year: 1875

We observe some of our ex- changes are calculating the chances of the new party move ment, in Arkansas. The idea of new political party in Arkansas at this time is perfectly ridiculous, and if this is the only chance for "the sore heads" we conceive they are ''gone fawn skins" The idea of new party now, when the peo- pie of the state are just settling down into ease and quiet! Alb surd. We would like to see all the men in Arkansas who are silly enough to have any new party procliyities, assembled together in some old barren muster field We imagine we would see Q little squad--a wee motley mob,-of tine seediest, most insignificant jacka- napes, who ever provoked the de rision and contempt of decent people. If we wanted to commit political suicide-to kill ourselves politically, so dead that we could never hope for . resurrection, we would know of no better plan to pursue than to espouse this new party move. Speaking of this matter the Fayetteville Democrat says:

 Some of our state papers are discussing the probability of 8 "new party" in Arkansas If these ''smart Alecks" would devote less of their valuable space to pol itics and parties, and mole to the discussion of Arkansas-her rich lands, fine timber, great mineral resources, and to the encourage ment of immigration-the country would be more greatly benefited. Too much politics is whats the matter" with our state. The peo- pie want rest. There is ample time before the next election in this state, to bring up party dis cussions. The state is now io the hands of the people, gliding smoothly along. Let the people rest from political settlements, and all go to work with renewed energy, in building up Arkansas.

 That is precisely onr opinion, and any rundown political hack ster who will now try to agitate our people and foment excitement about a new party, ought to be drummed out of respectable SO ciety. The people want rest; they want to be let alone; they want a chance to work their farms and make their bread and meat in peace. The people demand this, and they will quickly consign to obscurity, obloquy and shame the man or men who will again at tempt to draw them into the tur- bulent vortex of new political combinations and mechanations.
Year: 1875

To give our readers an idea of the way their money is used after it gets into the vaults of the pub- lie treasury, and to let them know what the luxury ef great presi- dent costs them, we produce the following from the New York Sun:

 Although the late Congress did not scruple to impose thirty-tive or forty millions of additional taxes in the last hours of it's existence, not single earnest effort was made to reduce the most notorious extravaganza, or to diminish the prodigal expenditures which are so glaring. On the contrary, the system of loose, reckless, and cor rupt appropriation of the public money to unworthy objects and for personal uses was pursued as viciously as in the days of an over flowing Treasury and an apparent general prosperity.

 The amount of money voted to the President and for the White House exceeds the grants of for mer years, and covers the scanda- lous frauds which have heretofore attracted so much harsh comment. Compared with all preceding Presidents, the allowances made to Grant far more than double those of any predecessor, and quite treble the appropriations for Mr. Lincoln during the rebellion, when the exigencies of the public service were ten times greater than they now are.

 The Legislative, Judicial, and Executive Appropriation bill, and that for sundry civil expenses at the late session, contain the the following noteworthy items:
Year: 1875

T There is q paragraph floating
around to the effect that Troy goats
have taken to eating newspapers of
from the front steps. But it is mis-
take. No goat in America could swal-
low the statements made by the Troy
papers.
Year: 1875

HABITS OF THE OsrRIcH.-The falla-
cy that ostriches do not sit on their
eggs, but leave them to be hatched out
by the heat of the sun, is upset by the
report of captain of an Algerian regi-
ment, in the Bulletin" Of the Paris
Acclimatisation Society. According to
the same authority, the numberof eggs
laid by one female averages about eigh.
teen, but the whole Of these are hardly
ever sat upon. In many cases they are
left entirely alone, without being once
covered, and of course they are not
Matched. In those cases where the
birds brood over the eggs, three or four
are always elected from the nest. This
apparent wantonness on the part Of the
parent bird has its object; and the OBJ
ject is, that the eggs shall serve as food
for the chicks till they are big enough
to accompany their parents to the breed
ing grounds. An ostrich's nest is Of
ten built IN the midst Of desert, mant
miles away from a blade Of grass; and.
if some provision was not made for tho
young bird, it would he born only to
die. This fact has been proved BY plA-
cling some food cut fine near the newly
hatched ostriches, but they refused it,
and, the mother having broken tho
shells of several of the rejected eggs.
they greedily ate the contents, swallow
ing quantity Of sand with the yolk Of
the egg.
Year: 1875

Curious TREEs.-Just beyond the
Darboune Of Caleasieu River, in the
parish Of Caleasieu, is white oak tree
about two and half feet in diameter.
There are no branches for twenty-five
or thirty feet up. About twelve or If
teen feet up pine limb, or part of .
pine tree, six or eight inches in dianse-
ter, and twelve or fifteen feet long, runs
at right angles through the centre Of
the tree, sticking out about the same
distance on either side. 1t tapers .
little to one end, where are two or three
knots, giving it the appearance of q tree
top. The oak, where it passes through.
is grown closely around it. The pine
is rich in turpentine, and will not de-
cay. There is no fork or hollow in the
oak; but it has the appearance as If .
hole had been made and the pine stuck
through, after which the oak closed on
it by growth. The question is, how
did the pine get through the oak or
the oak round the pine? In Mallet
woods there is another white oak, OF
considerable size that divides into two
prongs about one and half feet from
the ground, which, after running up
like pair of bow legs about fifteen
feet, unite in one round, compact stem.
The prougs are about one and half
feet in diameter, and where they unite
about the tree is larger than either of
them, but smaller than both together.


Aman can walk between the two oprongs.
and the tree stands on q land boundary
line. Forked trees are very common.
hut the question here 10. how did the
two prongs unite SO perfectly into ono
stem above.
Year: 1875

THE RAILloAD CAsH.-The Supreme
Court Of the United States has decided
ths case Of the State of MARYLAND 70.
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. This
case involved the constitutionaiity of
the capitation tax Of one-fifth reserved
BY the State on the passenger travel
over the Washington Branch Of the
road. The decision Of the Court settles
the right Of the State tocollectfrom the
Company this amount. The dseisiop


i ooe Of much importance. ne& cnly On
account ofths principles & Nv involv-
- - bs1nnseeest1o s0dhmt q 1n6n-
ey which vill thereby BE- coming into
the Treasury. This is variously esti.
mated from four hundred to eight hum
dred thousand dollars and will be q
nice little sum for the relief of the tar
payers. The Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road claims that the State il largely
indebted to il on account of the pay
ment by il of the interest ON the ''sterl-
ing bonds" due by the State in England,
and insists that equitably that claim
should be allowed a. q set-of against
the demands growing out of the ar
rearages of the capitation tax now de-
clared constitutional. Whether or not
this set-of will be allowed will be a
matter for the next Legislature TO de-
termine. If it is ri ght and Just it un-
doubtedly should be allowed. But the
past conduct of the management of the
B. & o. r. r. in relation to this capt.
tation tar has not been calculated to
incline the people of the State at large
to deal very leniently with them. A
clear contract was made by which the
Company agreed to pay this pro-
portion of its passenger fare into the
State Treasury, and good faith requir-
ed compliance with this obligation
If . change of circumstances made
the exaction Of it unjust and on
erous an appeal should have been
made to the sense of justice of the
State and would have undoubtedly have
met with favorable response. But in
stead of that the Company after many
years of aequiescence undertook to
repudiate its own contract. The State
then undertook to enforce its rights
in the Courts. The Court of Appeals.
our highest judicial. tribunal, decided
that the contract was valid and the
money must be paid. Here the matter
ought to have stopped. But the Com
pany again repudiated the authority of
the State which created it and by writ
of error succeeded in getting the case
before the Supreme Court of the Uni
ted States. where it was hoped that
the centrahzing influences, which have
50 long prevailed at Washington, and
which have gone so far towards destroy
ing all States rights would uphold it
in its rebellion. It has now met with
deserved rebuke. But notwithstand-
ing all this, we have no doubt that Us
soon as this corporation recognizes its
proper obligations and duty to the
State and abandons its attempt to be-
come greater than its creator, such full
Justice and equity will be meted out to
it as comports with the dignity Of
the people Of Maryland.-Port Tobacco
Times.
Year: 1875

The Police Commissioners held their regular
meeting yesterday afternoon, President Matsel IN the
chair Capt Siebert OF the Seeenteenth Precinct was
charged with neglect Of duty in not obeying the order
OF the superintendent OF Police He was ordered to
attend the Louisiana mass meeting in Cooper Instt-
tute, and TO furnish sufficient number Of men
TO preserve order. 1t was charged that
ho did not attend the meeting, and did not furnish
enough men TO preserve order. Tho Board adjudged
him guilty and he fined 10 days' pay. Tho Board
found that the order issued by superintendent Walng
had not been as explicit and full as 1t should have been
and therefore ordered shat upon similar occasions In
future the Superintendent shall give full aud ex-
plicit directions in writing to the Captain and Off
GERS In the precinct which the order Is 10
be issued. Houorble mention made
OF Patrolman Adam COwell or the Ffth
Precinct Police for his courage and cool Judgment dis
played In the capture OF several burglars several days
ActlngSergeant SImmOnds, who has been detailed at
tho Police Central Office for the past two years drill
sergeant, promoted to full sergeant recommend
alton OF the Committee Rules aud Discipline. The
resdents OF Kngsbridge presented petition, asking
that ActngCaptain Williams DO made full captain OF
the Thirty nth Precinct. The petGion was placed on
he The remainder OF the session was devoted TO ordn
routine business OF transfers petty trials and minor
points OF discipline.
Year: 1875

The troubles Of the NewYOrk and Oswego
Midland Railroad far from being over, and 1t Is
feared that the road will have to cease operations
The Collector Of Taxes seized two trains yesterday at
Delhi Delaware County, turned the passengers out into
the snow and took possession OF the private freight that
was in transportation by the road. The passengers had
to walk some distance in order TO reach their destna-
tlon.


At the Office Of the Company In this city the course
adopted by the Collector Taxes much deprecated
Yesterday IL was stated that II the Collector expected
TO realize money from Now-YOrk by any such plan OF
action the expectations would fail OF result for II there
s no money the treasury and the Collector thus cuts
off all source OF revenue, it would not be possible 10
raise a dollar The receivers had been doing all they
could to keep the line operation even by advancing
money to pay the employee and TO stop the road IN
this ma nner was the proper way to obtain the pat
ronago OF the travelling public to secure payment 10
the Collector.
Year: 1875

A meeting of the members OF the Butter
and Cheese Exchange held yesterday for tho pur-
pose OF receiving the report the Committee on credit
The report long and recommended that seven days
be xed "a the limit OF credit unless special agreement
be made to the contrary The report ordered TO be
recommitted and the Committee instructed to amend
Il and make the basis Of their amendment cash that is
to make bills due goods sold. but TO allow az
seven on eggs on tho domestic trade Tle COMMITTEE
will report next Friday.


On Monday this Exchauge will DO thrown open 70
subscribers as general aide exchange, and tele
graphc apparatus and quotation indicators VIII be
placed In operation. The members OF the Exchange
Include merchants OF nearly all the interests repre-
sented on the west side.
Year: 1875

This troupe of colored singers, which has
become we'll known both at home and abroad IA an
pounced TO give a concert In this city next Monday
evening. They not strangers the New-York pub


lie Since they here two years ago they have been
across the sea- and had marvellous success in Great
Britain singing before the Queen and before the Prime
Minister Mr. Gladstone, who invited them TO breakfast
We glad 10 hear that this great success has not
taken at all from that modesty and simplicity which
OF their chief charms. IL is said they
proved by experience and that their voices arc
aud swsetar than avsr.
Year: 1875

If nothing else were wanting to
unite the Democracy Of Texas in n
and resolute support of
the new Constitution, the attitude
of the Radical party, their leaders
press, would be sufficient. The Re-
publican element in the Convention
worked only for one object, and
that was to plant the seeds of dis
cord in the Constition, so that a
point of departure for their cam
paign against it might be secured,
which would promise to unite all
the elements of discord in the
State, to secure their ends, the ut
ter and ignominous defeat of the
Constitution, and the consequent
disruption of the party. The plan
was, and is, very sklllfully laid
one, and only the thorough unity
and watchfulness of the Demo
cratic party can defeat the scheme.


The Radical party in Texas,
though insignificant in numbers,
contains within its body some of
the most skillful party tacticians in
the State, and as long as Webb
Flanagan, 4. J. Davis, w. X.
Chase, and others of that ilk, re-
main its devoted adherents, so long
will it pay a large dividend to the
Democracy to watch them and it,
with anxious solicitude. And
now, then, when these forces are
found arrayed solidly against
the Constitution, so lately framed
by the Democracy of Texas, it has
but one significance to us, and that
is, the return, by this means, of
Davis and all his Radical crew, to
power, in this State, and the landing
of the State into the middle of the
Radical camp, in the national cleo
ton which is to come off next fall.
Is there not wisdom, patriotism,
compromise and forbearance enough
in the Democratic party of Texas
to cause them TO make the one effort
which alone is necessary to defeat
this fell scheme? We think so,
and will never believe the contrary,
until we see it accomplished.


Did the adoption of the new con
stitution effectually close the door,
for the present, against the neces-
sary reforms contemplated III the
act calling the Convention, yet the
gravity of the situation is such as
to demand Its adoption, even will
all its faults. But this, even, is MOI
the case, because the very first Leg
islature to meet after its adoption
can, and no doubt will, avail itsel


of the easy means of amendmen


to give the State the reforms so ne


cessary and so loudly demanded.


We call upon the Democratic
masses of Texas TO rally to tn
: front, and save the State the dir
calamity of another long reign Q
. Radical supremacy, for this is tn
true issue, cover it up and gloss
over as we may, and this is the issu
t the opposition. journals are forcin
: on the people, and for which the
c will be called upon to render an a
. count to a betrayed and outrage
!. people, when il is too late TO retra,
Year: 1875

In taking position with reference
to the adoption or rejection of the
new Constitution, it will not do to
arraign the motives of men or pa
pers however much we may doubt
their judgment, or regret their
course. We will present our honest
sentiments, and urge them with all
our strength, and while we do SO,
We will carry the consciousness of
honest purpose, and will not ar
raign those of others who may OPP
pose us. Let the coming struggle
be conducted with dignity, fairness,
and that degree of courtesy which
we have a right to expect from the
able press of the State. Bitter
ness, petulance and recrimination
will only reveal the weaker cause,
and serve to insure its defeat.
Complications like the present only
furnish the conscientious and OBJ
servant journalist his opportunity.
Let us all improve it to the best OF
our ability, and let true merit and
true patriotism bear off the palm.