smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

The wives of the Presidents have in
every instance been ladies worthy of tho
position they have occupied and in ma
ny instances they have greatly adorned
and elevated it by the exercise of their
personal attributes. Mrs. John Adams
was woman who after this lapse Of
time lives in the memory of this people
as a Spartan spirit OF the Revolution; AZ
a character sufficiently strong and self
contained TO have performed the duties
OF her husbands high office if the emer
gency had demanded Mrs. Madison
was a social queen. In some particulars
she never had her equal among her coun-
try-women. Born Quaker and reared
one, marrying in her own faith, and iiv-
lug during her husbands short life, in
the exclusive society OF her sect, she
emerged like chrysallis into society la-
dy after her union with Mr.. Madison,
tie then law student Of Philadelphia


Miss Lane had the strongest personal


influence of any OF the latter-day ladies
of the White House. She went to II
blushing young girl Of great beauty, and
she left it the idol OF Washington peo-
pie; and not only of Washington peo-
pie, but of great numbers who had made
her acquaintance during-the time Of Mr..
Buchanau's Administration. She was
popular, because of her exceptional
sweetness Of disposition and high bred,
refined ways. Her influence aud power
were not exerted beyond the social king
dom in which she reigned supreme, be-
cause of her youth, and in fact that she
was peculiarly situated, having no near
relative 10 share with her the position
she held and in a sense her counselor
But she made the domestic life Of the
While House ideal in its delightfulness,
and she ranks in history with Mrs Msd.
ison in popularity, while she stands alone
in her unique place as the first woman
in America who, while occupying neith-
er wife or daughter, held the FIRST place
in society as the representative Of the
President.


Mrs. Hayes is in no respect like Miss
Lane, and yet IN certain ways she ~ her
immediate successor Unlike Mrs.
Grant, she is an interested observer of
public affairs, and an ardent and inter-
ested actor in the events transpiring
about her. She does not content herself
with social duties, nor yet does she ig-
more them. Like Miss Lane, she is in-
tently watchful and careful OF the fame
and name of the Chief Magistrate, and
no act, however insignificsDt of itself is
deemed too slight TO be considered Tits
results will add TO the better pablic un-
derstanding Of his efforts. Throughout
the Northern and Eastern trip she was
received, with the other ladies of the
party, in the most respectful manner,
but it remained for Southern audience
TO give her welcome in a special CON-
plinentary way, and TO pay her husband
honor by showing her exceptional al
tention. Her presence was in every In.
stance the signal for the uplifting of
bats and Spontaneous welcome from ev-
cry man before her. -BrOokiyn Sunday
Eagie.
Year: 1877

cannot be lawfully required to attend
them on that day. II is easily expected
from the twenty-five days which are
required from the teacher for every
month, and of which two are set apart
for Institutes. Saturday Institutes
would be, at best, but frivolous eva
sion of the high duty which the proyi-
sion of the law imposes, alike on County
Superintendents and teachers.


Where schools are continued for
more than four months, the question
has been raised whetherthe extra months
shall consist of twenty or twenty two
days. The law is not explicit, but as
the continuance of schools for more
than four months in the year is not re-
quired by the general law, but is left
entirely to the Boards Of Education
and the voters of the districts, it is
doubtless competent for them to decide
also the term of the month. We
strongly urge however, for the sake OF
uniformity and to suit our School Reg
listers, that the number of days to be
devoted to teaching be fixed at twenty
to the month, for the extra months also,
even should it be necessary to make a
pro rata reduction in the monthly COM
pensation.


We earnestly urge upon the County
Superintendent the propriety and I'M
portance of impressing upon the teach
ers the advantages of these Institutes
and the moral and legal obligation they
are under faithfully and diligently to
attend them. Teachers should remem-
Der that the State proposes to pay them
for these eight days at an average OF
Sl.5O per day, and that this expedient
for their instruction and Improvement
in the knowledge and art of their pro
tession is at a cost of S50,000a a year TO
the people whom they serve. Such an
expression of the public concern for a
higher grade of competency IN our
teachers ought to excite an earnest in
terest, not only on every officer of the
public schools, but in the people gener-
ally, 70 give hearty and vigilant en-
couragement to make the provision as
effective as possible for the interests OF
education.


w. X. PENDLETON,


State Superintendent.
Year: 1877

A Young lady from the South was
wooed and won by youthful physician
living in California. When the engage
ment was made the doctor was rich,
having been very successful in San Fran
cisco 1t had not existed six months,
however, when, by an unfortunate in
vestment, he lost his entire heap. This
event came upon him, it should be add
ed, Just as he was about 10 claim his
bride What does he do? Why, like
an honorable and chivarous young tel-
low as he is, lie sits down aud writes
the young lady every particular of the
unhappy turn which has taken place in
his fortunes, assuring her that if the
fact produced any change in her feel
ings toward him, she is released from
every promise she has made him. Aud
what does the dear, good girl Why
she takes lump of pure gold which her
lover had sent her in his prosperity as
a Keepsake, and having it manufactured
into a ring forwards ii TO him with the
following Bible inscription engraved in
distinct characters along the outside: /:
''Entreat me not to leave thee, or TO re-
turn from following after thee: for
whittier thou goest will | go, and whith-
er thou lodgest will | lodge: thy people
will be my people, and thy God my
God: where thou diest will | die and
there will ! be buried: the Lord do so TO
me, and more also, if aught but death
part me and thee" The lover idolized
his sweetheart more than ever when he
received this precious evidence OF her
devotion to him both in storm and sun
shine We may add that fortune soon
again smiled upon the young physician,
and that he subsequently returned to
the South to wed the sweet girl that he
loved, and who loved him with such
undying affection. Reader this is all
true. Young ladies who read the bible
as closely as the heroine of this incident
seems to have done are pretty sure 10
make good sweethearts and better
wivcs
Year: 1877

There is a young lady staying in
Joliet whose history is romantic. One
evening three years ago, in the south
ern part of Illinois, she was out walk
ing with her lover They stepped into
an oyster house for refreshments, and
while seated at the table drunken
rough came staggering in and insulted
the lady. Her lover warned him not
to do so again under penalty OF death.
The rough was just drunk enough to
repeat bis insult, and the lover pulled
his revolver and shot him dead For
this the lover was arrested, tried and
sentenced to two years in the Joliet
penitentiary. The young lady is there
awaiting the time when be will regain
his liberty, which will be shortly. She
has elegant clothing, jewelry, and plenty
of money awaiting his release, and then
they both expect to be happy
Year: 1877

In the midst of the excitement caused by
domestic disturbanc and by the war now
in progress in the East few persons remem-
Der that famine Of unexampled severity
and involving an immense extent of country
is making awful havoc among the unfortu-
nate natives of British India The march
of this dreadful visitation is already passing
beyond the control of the 'famine secreta-
ries," to whom we took occasion to refer in
q previous article on this subject The
officials who represent red tape and statis-
tics when surrounded by starving millions
of Hindoos, are growing anxious. The
Marquis of Salisbury, the Secretary of State
for India, admits ''that our prospects, in
stead of Frightening, have, during the
past few weeks, become more gloomy"
He adds that 'the physical circum-
stances are such that even if we
cannot prevent any widespread suffer-
ing from actual famine-which very
much doubt-there can be no doubt
that severe epidemics will follow and COM
plete it's work" The facts that the rains
have been exceptionally light in Southern
India during the season, that all the beasts
of burden have died of the drought and that
railroad communication is wanting with
the stricken districts, suggest an appalling
picture Of the future There can be no
doubt that q second years famine is COM
mencing with all its nameless horrors.
The canals are dry, the rivers at their
lowest levels, and the railroads that have
absorbed much of the wealth of the country
in their construction, though cleverly laid
down for purely military purposes, do not
convey food to the helpless inhabitants.
England is sending troops to guard and
keep open the road to India. Unless her
rule in that country has different results
within few years guarding the road to
India will become as absurd as it would be
to put sentries on the edge of Sahara to pre-
vent trespass on it's desert wastes
Year: 1877

The speech at Bourges of the Marshal
President of France is telegraphed as an ex-
planation of his policy; but it has very
much the tone of an apology to the nation
for the escapade Of the recent change which
it endeavors to commend as a consequence
of good intention. ''His sole aim had
been the maintenance of peace abroad and
constitutional order at home" Although
he had really alarmed all friends Of order by
the fear of a reactionary revolution, that
was not his intention; and though he had
imperilled the relations of France with
Germany by seeming to make the politics
of his country subordinate to papal theories,


that also was remote from his purpose.


This is q sort Of plea which implies that
man does not know what is the meaning
and obvious consequence of his own acts
that he has no political conceptions-that he
should resign or leave politics alone. But
the Marshal will do neither. He is conf
dent that the nation will choose representa-
tives that will support his policy and 'limit
the conflict, which if prolonged can only be
hurtful to the interests Of the country"
With whom is his conflict? If his declara-
ton of his patriotic intentions is just there
is no person or party opposed to his policy.
Year: 1877

There does not seem to be the usual rush
from the city this year. One reason, proba-
bly. is the dulness of the times and the gen.
eral desire to economize. but another, and
more important one, is the comparative COOL
ness of the summer The average heat OF
June last year was 73 $40, and for June Of
this year. II 4-1O. In July, 1876, the average
was SO $40, and for twenty-eight days of
the present month, rs 6-10 The difference
of eight degrees is very perceptibly felt in
large city, but the mere registry of the ther-
mometer does not fully measure the
effect of heat. There were maLy days
last year without rainfall, and the city
was baked in q dry atmosphere This season
there has been plenty of rain, and there
has been comparatively little discom-
tort from dust. Our citizens have found
the summer pleasant thus far, and
while the country has lost none of
it's charms the town is without
some of its pains. Hundreds Of families
have therefore remained at home, and have
not regretted their decision. Besides this,
there are so many opportunities for short
holidays in the vicinity of New York that
both the mountains and the sea may
be said to be at our gates. In
these respects it is the most favored Of
American cities. The Bay and the Park are
priceless treasures, and it is to be regretted
that the latter is not better appreciated. In
the early morning the Central Park is
paradise of shade and GOODNESS yet
there are thousands who endure the
discomforts of village boarding houses
and torrid seashores while the most
beautiful garden in America lies un-
noticed at their doors. Those who must
remain at home are wise to consider that
they are not shut up in an inland town, but
have at any time, within the reach of an
hours travel, all the beauty of the woods
and all the grandeur of the ocean.
Year: 1877

Having no great admiration for many OF
the antics Of so-called Irish patriots in the
British Parliament, we are, we believe, the
more ready to recognize Legitimate struggle
when it is initiated. In the tilibustering
campaign of the two Irish members who
have lately so tried the patience of John
Bull il seems to us that fair occasion has
been taken to make effective opposition to
measures of legislation by means that the
in Parliament have 80 much neglected that
field for the assertion of their opinions that
it is, perhaps. not strange that English
members have acquired the habit Of
regarding them as not possessed of the same
rights and privileges as themselves. They
have had their eyes opened on that subject
by the experience that these two members,
adroitly and persistently using the devices
of parliamentary law, have managed to make
an opposition so effective as to paralyze action
on all obnoxious points. It has lately been
endeavored to overwhelm one Of these two
House. and the proposed addition to the
rules, as given in our dispatches yesterday,
is related to this subject. TWAS endeavored
to suspend the functions of Mr.. Parnell by
declaring him in contempt Of the House, but
the very fact that it is necessary to make
new rules on the point in dispute shows
that the Interpretation of the rules as they
existed was at least open to doubt. If new
rule is necessary to prevent certain course
that course cannot be plainly in dereliction
of an existing rule.
Year: 1877

The Health Boards Pest Holes.


The citizens OF Harlem are certainly to be
commiserated, for the outrages they suffer
at the hands of the Health Board are be-
coming intolerable. Not satisfied with per-
mitting the Harlem fats to be made dump
ing ground for the city filth this precious
Board, composed of experts in chemistry
and medicine, has issued its license under
which the district is fast becoming manure
depot for Southern New York State and East
ern New Jersey. With ruthless disregard
for the commonest rights OF their fellow cit
izens, and in contravention of the very pur-
pose for which they receiver public pay. these
officials of the so-called Health Board toll
crate nuisances in Harlem that community
of Digger Indians would not permit near
their miserable villages. And yet we live
in the Empire City, the great commercial
metropolis of the continent, the centre OF
wealth, culture and luxury. The truth is
that these Health Board ghouls have never
been made to feel the weight of public CEN
sure, They are secure in having the re-
moving power in the hands of Mayor who
is as plastic as putty in their hands They
laugh ut the protests of press and public
because it pays to take abuse. Let no one
suppose that Mr. Kane. the manure man, or
Judkins the manufacturer of "bone dust"
can carry on his filthy business without ''see-
ing somebody about it. 1t would be con-
trary to the system controlling the admins
tration of our city government that any in
dividual should make money at the public
expense without coming to on arrangement
with the officials. Now the HERALD is on
the track of these traders in the city
health, and when the chain of evidence
against them is complete the people will be
informed as to who they are. We give this
morning full particulars rs to the number,
location and character of the pest holes
licensed by the Board Of Health, and we
hope soon to be in position to tell chow
much it was worth"
Year: 1877

BY order of the Supreme Court all the
creditors of Tweed are to meet Ill Septem-
Der next to agree among themselves as to
whether they will join in petition in favor
of the assignment of all his property by
Tweed in favor Of his creditors. This step
is initiated by Mr.. Butt, a creditor for one
thousand dollars. Perhaps this thousand
dollars may be sum of great consequence
to Mr.. Butt but, if what has been lately
reported OF the estate still in Tweed's hands
is true, the sum is so disproportionate to
the demand that the suspicion Is naturally
excited that there are in this mannuvre
other purposes than such as are declared on
the surface.
Year: 1877

In another column will be found very
interesting conversation of HERALD corre-
spondent with M. Tisza. the head of the
Hungarian government under the Emperor.
Naturally this distinguished statesman,
in his references to the complications of
European politics, speaks in guarded terms,
but between the lines is perceptible that
sentiment toward Russia which might be of
evil augury for the legions of the
Gear beyond the Danube, if discretion were
not wisely considered the better part of
all policy in the acts of Austria. In this
interview the Minister repeats his wise and
politically sound dictum that no nation
can afford to submit it's policy to the in
Auence of the sympathies or antipathies of
it's people. From his words it is to be in
ferred that the one ounce which would
practically overload the Hungarian camel
would be the attempt of Russia to establish
q new Slavic State near the Hungarian
frontier.
Year: 1877

idle. The opening up Of the newly annexed
district would give an impetus to real estate
that would soon make itself benefcially felt
in all branches of trade. We should speedily
recover quarter of million of population
which legitimately belongs to us, but has
been driven to Brooklyn and New Jersey by
the impossibility of finding q COM
Portable, healthful home in New York
at reasonable rent. Our return
ing prosperity would stimulate capital
to investments that would give employment
to labor, as we'll as encourage the city to
proceed with works of public improvement,
such as the improvement of the docks and
of the lower portion of the city. This is no
imaginary picture, but is fair deduction
from facts We have been in condition OF
stagnation both as to public and private
work because no person could fore
see how long it would be before we
should have o revival Of business activ-
ity. When that comes confidence will
be restored and capital now, like labor,
lying idle, will seek investment. Rapid
transit would revive business activity more
speedily than anything else. The worst
enemies of the laboring classes are the
enemies of rapid transit, the street railroad
corporations, the ferry and downtown tene-
ment house interests and the narrow-sighted
property owners who fight against that great
public necessity. For their own personal
ends they withhold from the city an inn
provement that would give an impetus to
business insure work for unemployed labor
and revolutionize the abominable and dam
gerous tenement house system. If the
workingmen of New York were half as un-
scrupulous and selfish as the opponents of
rapid transit we might to-day have reason to
blush for the metropolis.
Year: 1877

The WEATuER.--All the territory north of
the Tennessee line and east of the Missouri is
now within the margin of an extensive depres-
sion. The areas of highest barometer are
in the South Atlantic and the Western
States and Territories south of the Platte
Valley. The barometric gradient desccnds to-
ward the Gulf of Mexico in the Southwest.
Rains have been general through the lake region,
the Ohio Valley, the Middle and Eastern States,
and also in the Western Gulf Owing to the
general uniformity of pressure within the low
area the winds have been and continue to be
very moderate. The temperature has fallen
decidedly on the Middle and North Atlantic
coast, but has risen in the West. 1t
IA somewhat lower in the Southern States.
As the high pressure advances from the west
ward toward the Mississippi Valley during to-
day a ''northcr7 will be experienced on the
Texas coast, but the indications do not point to n
,eycrc blow. The weather in New York to-day
"a be cloudy or partly cloudy and COOL proba-
A. .-;tL ssiaA-
Year: 1877

The honest workingmen of New York con-
recent excitement The authorities, the
police, and above all the citizen soldiery,
gave satisfactory proof of their devotion to
law and order and of their readiness to
ignore personal convenience and risk per-
sonal danger in preserving the public peace.
How painful is it at such time as
this to find few miserable exceptions to
this devotion to the public good How
humiliating to learn that some business
men have so dem eaned and degraded them
selves as to make the attendance of thei
employees to their duty, as members Of the
National Guard, reason for their dis
missal We are in receipt of communica-
tions which assure us that this has actually
been done; that some employers have dis
charged men in their service who,
as members Of companies in the
National Guard, obeyed the call of
their superior officers and reported
at their armores for duty. We also learn
that there are other business firms who gave
their employees leave of absence without any
reduction of pay. This was no more than
their duty, for it was in their service and
for the protection of their property that
their employees shouldered their muskets to
guard the peace OF the city. 1t is to be
hoped that the men who have lost situations
from such a cause will speedily find new,
as they certainly will find more just and
generous, employers.
Year: 1877

The increasing mortality from diarrheal
diseases during the present month has
directed attention to the unhealthy con-
dition of our crowded tenement houses, and
has induced a charitable movement in aid
of the children of the poor, who are the
principal sufferers from such maladies.
Visits are made and relief extended in the
shape of medical attendance and nourlsh-
ment, and no doubt some lives are saved and
some deaths rendered less painful through
these commendable and Christian efforts.
But the aid, timely as it is, leaves untouched
the cause Of the evil. Medicine and whole
some food can do no permanent good
while the foul air of overcrowded neigh
borhoods, badly ventilated buildings and
streets in which garbage is suffered to
lie and rot, is breathed night and
day by the tenement house victims Chill
dren can no more live and thrive in such an
atmosphere than flowers could grow and
flourish in a close, dark cellar. The pinched
face, the shrivelled limbs and the sad, old
thing more to save human life and relieve
human suffering than can be accomplished
by drugs and diet. Our abominable tene-
ment house system must be changed unless
we desire to rival Bethlehem in the
slaughter of the innocents, and to plant in
the tainted districts the seeds of pestilence
which may one day reap its harvest in the
richest as we'll as in the poorest quarters of
the city.


The statistics Of the Health Department
for the several wards furnish food for re-
Election, and show what lies at the basis Of
our heavy mortality from the complaints
superinduced by the want of pure air. In
that district or block of the city lying south
of East Fourteenth street and east of the
Bowery and Catharine street, containing
the Seventh, Tenth, Eleventh, Thirteenth
and Seventeenth wards, the deaths from all
causes and from diarrh9al diseases for the
second week of the present month"; as COM
pared with the area and population, were as
follows:-
Year: 1877

The condition of society in the country
during the past week and the scenes of
bloodshed and riot that have been Witnessed
have stirred up some of our city pastors to
consider the relations of capital and labor
and other questions growing out of the
great strike. DR.. Herr, for instance, will
review the condition of the country and
suggest III easnres for preventing the recur-
Year: 1877

AMERICANS will find it difficult to believe that
the cruelty elsewhere described can be practised
N one of Englands great and historic schools,
cruelty which drove one little fellow to suicide.
rne story of the "Buc Coat Boy" can never
nave a parallel in the United States.