smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1879




Messrs. Senators and Representatives
Of Detdpdre, Just noW starting on ne,o
Session Il wish to call your attention
to the way that previous Legislatures have
altered and amended our laws. A men,
ber either of the Senate or the House, as
the case may happen, would get up and
say, Mr.. Speaker, propose to alter or
amend such chapter of the laws, with
out giving the least intimation of what
the substance of the change might be-
Gentlemen, your constituents cannot af-
ford the time to sit in their houses with
a Delaware law hook before them to fol-
low you all winter to see what changes
you are making. You are paid for law
making and law changing, and book
found you to peruse, and it certainly is
not all unreasonable request of you, that
when any member proposes change, to
let the public know in few words the
substance of the proposed change and
Us you find newspaper reporters comforta-
BILE quarters free, you should see that the
said reporters give full and fair report.
Then the public could inform you wheth-
er or not such changes in our laws were
satisfactory. The way the last two or
three sessions have been conducted, but
very few people knew very little of what
changes had been made until the next
summer, after the laws were printed
Then, of course, it was too late to pro-
test, as the honorable body had drawn
their pay and some of them gone out of
the law-making business for the remain
der of their days.


SAMUEL TOWNSEND.
Townsend, Jan. 8, 1879.
Year: 1879

anu HtOutS DOtON tWe 1ttDeF w uNOUt


Causing any Damage.


When the ice broke up and commenc-
ed moving down the Brandyw,ne, yester-
day, fears were entertained that the
water would be backed up into the mills
near Market street, and the safety of
Eleventh street bridge threatened. These
fears assumed grave proportions towards
evening,w the stream became choked
up with broken ice at the Poplar street
bend, while the ice still kept coming
down from the dams at rapid rate.


This state of affairs continued all
evening, and between 7.30 and 8 o'clock
the ice from the Rockland dam broke,
and came down in a perfect torrent.
Fortunately, at this time the hard ice
below the Poplar street bend gave
way, and the entire mass moved down
the channel. making room for the broken
ice that had choked up the stream ln the
vicinity of the mills. The channel thus
being clear the ice floated easily down
the stream, and all danger was happily
avertcd, the water not even rising to the
fl st floor of the mills. This morning
the broken ice was still coming down in
large quantities, but an open channel
gave it free passage until it passed into
the ChristianA and thence into the Della
ware.


After the ice from the Rock and dam
started down last evening, the stream
was completely. filled for over two hours
with mass Of rapidly moving ice, upon
which the moonbeams shone, with a re-
splendent beauty. The sight was pro-
nonnced by those who saw it as one which
they will not soon forget.
Year: 1879

AS the train leaves the depot young man
leans over the back OF my seat and asks me
what paid for my ticket. 1 tell him and he
chuckles He bought ticket of scalper and
is dollar and half ahead of the railroad
company. He pities me because do not know
how to travel, and I blush and feel cheap in
the presence of his superior sagacity. The
conductor comes along. He punches my ticket
with ready unquestioning acceptance that
makes me an honest man, and L feel proud.
He takes the shrewd young mans ticket and
gazes at it with an awful scrutiny.


"Where are you going?" he asks the young
man.


The young man gazes at him with the un-
fiinching glance of q citizen who knows his
rights and the railroad law.


'I am going to Indianapolis" he said def
anty, "and that ticket is good until it is used"


''Certainly," replied the conductor, appar-
entity greatly terrified by the young mans de-
fiant attitude, ''of course it is; but it's got to
be used on its own road, and as this is Wa
bash excursion ticket of last summer, from
Peru to Lafayette, you'll have to get on
Wabash train and so to Lafayette to use 1t.
Fare, please"


And the young man read the ticket careful
ly and paid his fare, and planked down the
extra ten cents for having no ticket. lie mas
gone into the smoking car now, and mas ms
head oul of the window, but can hear hlm
swearing with startling energy and appalling
grammar
Year: 1879

Boston Transcript: "When elections
cease to elect, the end of the republic will
not be far off; the handspring of our self
governing system will have been broken.
The overturning of the result OF the last
election in Maine, by the Returning Board
arrangement cooked up under strict con-
struction of the letter of the law, will be
long step on the downward road. The first
steps were taken in the desperate and anom-
alous politics of the South, which have been
a curse to the country in more ways than
are yet fully appreciated. But two wrongs
do not make one right; two frauds cannot
Justify one another; and the politician who
proposes to meet intrigue by intrigue, and
revolution by revolution, is a public
enemy to be repudiated by all good
citizens. The true way to defeat and punish
such an outrage as that contemplated in
Maine is to appeal directly to public senti-
ment on it, and let its authors reap the
whirlwind, as they surely will unless al,
public spirit has been supplanted by party
spirit Let us have no such tactics or their
counterplots carried into the Presidential
election this time
Year: 1879

In the high class schools the colleges and
lycees attached to the university OF Paris, and
which correspond to the public schools in Eng
land to Eton, Harrow, Rugby, Winchester
and the rest, English is taught exactly as if it
were dead language, and by precisely the
same methods as are applied to the teaching
of Greek and Latin. The pupils spend years
and years over their grammars and over pain
full translations of the best English authors
The sharp boys learn to read English with the
same facility with which they read Greek and
Latin, that is to say, not very easily, and they
naturally do not enter into the genius of the
English language and literature any more than
they enter into that of the languages OF Greece
and Rome. The literature to them seems as
dead as the language. How many of our read
ers will recognize that this was the system on
which they were taught French at school. The
results may be excellent, but they are not
practical, and an Englishman who has learned
French in this manner, finds himself bewil-
dered when he comes to France, just as
French boy who has learned English in Ly-
Gee finds himself bewildered when he has to
tell a London "cabby' an address, and still
more so when the ''cabby" asks him some SIM
pie question in return. The knowledge is not
practical. You,can barely make yourself un-
derstood and you can certainly not understand
a word yourself. As for the terrible question
of pronunciation, approximate correctness can
only be acquired in the country itself where
the language is spoken. 1t is quite true that
in French every letter has its value, but it is
absurd to say that French words are pro-
nounced as they are written. The French ac-
cuse us of swallowing four-fifths of our words;
we may accuse them, in return, of abbreviat-
ing their spoken language very much in ordi-
nary conversation In common conversation,
both in English and in French, the non-accen-
tuated syllables of words have tendency to
disappear, more so, perhaps, in the English
than in the French language. This is the rea-
son why we cannot understand each others
spoken language, although we may be perfect
ly able to read it. 1t is the old story of the
railway porter and the name of the station
and we have as good cause to complain of
the French as they have to complain OF us. AS
for a merely practical knowledge of French,
there is 10 doubt that by the aid of good
method you may acquire a very servlceable
knowledge Of the language in comparatively
short time, particularly if you can come and
spend some time in the country, but between
this command of small vocabulary of the
French words and practical phrases and sci
entific knowledge of the French grammar and
language is chasm which it requires a life
time to bridge over.-The Partisan.
Year: 1879

SAYS the Concord Monitor: "a prom
inent Democrat from Maine assured us
recently that the men engaged in the count
ing-out process in that State did not repre-
sent the better portion of the Democratic
party there, but were for the most part in
dividuals with no reputation to lose-rene-
gades, sore-heads, and ingrates, who were
everything by turns and nothing long. :"
The better portion of the Democratic party
will do well then to hunt round for its
voice. Silence will be construed as giving
consent.
Year: 1879

SHOULD the Republican majority in the
Senate be counted out and the Republicans
be left in the control of the House they will
have to decide between Smith, whose finan-
cial principles are bad, and some Democrat
who, if we judge by the past, has no princi-
pie at all.
Year: 1879

The PRESS was in error in stating that
the Hon. Bion Bradbury is engaged as legal
advisor for the Governor and Council, and
that he was in consultation with them all
day last Monday. On that day Mr. Brad
bury was in attendance on the District
Court, both morning and afternoon sessions,
and engaged in arguing a case.
Year: 1879

IT is said Councillor Chase owes his posi-
ton to the willingness of Republican
Council to permit the amendment OF
defective return from the town of West
brook. At that time the Old Salt was not
at all anxious for strict observance OF
technicalities.
Year: 1879

THE Argus describes the opinion OF the
Court in the mandamus case as ''soand law
and logic from Judge Virgin" 1t is just
that. It affirms that the returns are in the
nature of public records and open to inspec-
ton. 1t does not affirm the honesty and
fair mindedness of the Council. 1t would
be rash man that would venture on that.
Year: 1879

We do not read anonymous letters and communi-
cations. The name and address of the writer are in
all Indispensable not necessarily for publica-
ton but guaranty Of good faith.


We cannot undertake to return or preserve com
munlcatlons that are not used
Year: 1879

Mrs. Il. Taylor Lacy, of Reading, Pa,
has Il number of pets. among which are
ringdoves, canary birds, white rabbits,
fancy stock of fowls. n dog and land
tortoise. She said to D reporter that she
"hardly knew which she thought the
most of, excepting it might be the land
tortoise, which she would not sell for
anv money! She was stroking the
head of the tortoise with her finger, and.
as she spoke to it, calling it my pet, "
the shcllcd animal looked up into her
face and turned its head to one side and
then to the other, as if listening to and
understanding what she said. When
the reporter came close it quickly drew
back out of sight into its shell, and she
remarked, 1.-The little pet is afraid OF
strangers" -,


Bread and milk in bucket"


GLOW long have you had it?n


About two years. / received it from
friend in Philadelphia. A cousin of
mine residing in that city has one that
makes peculiar noise when it wants
something to eat, and it follows mem
hers of the family all around the yard:
They keep it in the yard in summer, and
at the approach of winter it goes to the
cellar door, when some one opens ii and
it goes down and creeps into the ground,
where it stays until spring.
Year: 1879

A man who attends strictly to his
own business, says the Quincy Modern
Argo, is always busy, but the man who
wants to attend strictly to your business
can go to fire or circus just rs well mt
one time rs at another. We arc always
ready to give him IL vacation.
Year: 1879

A thorough test of the power, cost and
comparative advantages Of the electric
light is to be made in the Capitol build
ing at Washington, and three machines
for the purpose have already been pur-
chased. 1t is also proposed to place a
light at the summit of the dome of such
power as to illuminate large portion of
the city.
Year: 1879

To the Editor OF Ths Tribune


SIR: In your issue of this morning there
appeared report that had been arrested for robDng
William II. Yelling OF Centre-st for whom have been
bookkeeper and salesman for nearly fifteen years The
charge has since been withdrawn and desire to make
public all the facts of the In Mr. Weipgs aD-
sence sold bill Of goods for SO, and received the
money. AS a stranger lady, was sitting close to the
money drawer at the moment rather than ASK her 10
move I put the money IN my waistcoat pocket, ana
went about other business Then Mr. Wellng came III
while was thus engaged, and asked II any one mad
been in supposing that he meant as usual some one
TO see him personally said No." He then caused my
arrest This morning Court these facts appeared,
and the further fact that Mr. yelling is sui owing Inc
large amount Of salary already earned have served
Mr. Yelling or his firm faithfully since have been
with the house getting TO the office daily few minutes
after a. IN and leaving at $3.50 p m, ana nave Oniy
had one weeks vacation each summer. nave never
taken ANYTHING from Mr. yelling WrOngfuIly ana dld
not admit doing stated IN some OF the papers MI
yelling admitted TO the Judge that during my Vacations
he has expert examine my books OF account, ana
that they have always been found correct am man
of regular ana proper habits as can prove by all VINO
know me socially, many of whom are gentlemen wei
known TO the public. ,


As nv good name has been compromised by the pun
icatOn OF the charge you Will greatly OOge me ny In
sertiug the foregoing. Yours very respectfully,


Ner York, May %, 1879. IL u MARsH'
Year: 1879




SIR: 1t is certainly the wish OF all
honest and peace-ioving people in this coun-
try that all feelings Of political enmity con-
nected with the war be entirely wiped out. In &C
cordance with this wish be- leave TO make PROPOSE


ton which am sure might be easily spread over the
country and be favoraby received If the newspapers
would but give it notice and that Is, that Decoration
Day be observed all over this land in general way DO
not let us have diff rent days which to pay homage
to the memory Of those VINO fell honOraby combating
for the cause which they believed to be just They are
sleeping quietly side by side; why should their mouder
ing bones be Of contention France has her
beautiful jour des morris; why may we not nave II
Surely we can meet fratrnay and strew flowers upon
the sod which covers the bOsoms OF our fallen braves
and In places where both the bue and the gray sleep IN
an eternal brotherhood If two different associations OF
their survivors desire perform certain ceremonies,


m sure that taking little pains TO arrange IN regard
10 the time both could carry out their respective pro-
grammes and doubt each would receive assistance
from the other Then also, If II become settled Iht
those no relatives dear personal trlends IN
the strife may 20 to their private spot IN Coz
acre and thus in time all outward observance OF sec
tiOnal or political character be done away. surely
in our busy life stop ana give one uay
IN each of the fleeing OF our SOlOufnlntt mere
10 the remembrance OF those who have iolled ana
struggled before u.s. and 10 the recollection OF ther VIZ
tues And, as by the 30th Of May flowers are blooming
all over our wide land, sure tnat II IL shoui1 pe
determined TO observe that day generally II would DC
for tne hest PRO PArRIA-


Washin0ton D. c., May g, 1879.
Year: 1879

SAN Francisco, May GA report has been
spread abroad stanford is about TO re-
sign the presidency OF the Central Pacific Railway and
branches on account OF III health The Governor em
phaticay denies the assertion His health Is better
than for some time past and he has intention Of re
signing
Year: 1879

Maud Banks, the youngest daughter of
General Banks, made her debut in sort OF
theatrical performance in Brooklyn the other
night, and made, it is said an excellent i'm
PRESTON. | mentioned the fact because the
young lady had desire to 60 upon the stage,
and her appearance was something OF trial
of her abilities. Her love tor the stage comes
naturally, for it will be recalled that the
General first tried that magnificent voice and
that manly presence upon the stage of the
old National years ago, and was stock actor
of some pretensions. Miss Banks has also
an ambition to seek fame through the pur-
suit of literature She has written several
stories already, but hasn't had the courage to
try them with the editors. A friend of hers,
however, says that she is soon to make q
venture, and with Sc,I6ners! An athlete,
too, is this accomplished and cha ming young
lady, President of the National Archey AS
socation, and skillful hand with the bow
and she has ideas, advanced and very radical
ones, believing and maintaining that a young
woman should have an equal chance at the
professions, to learn and follow them, with
young man. Here is a specimen girl of the
period, of class which seldom gets recogni-
zed in the papers. There are not few like
her in Boston and its neighborhood. They
are not dyepeptic, they are not morose, they
are not fragile, and they do not wear glasses
and quote Emerson in every day tax and
chatter But they are bright, healthy, wide
awake girls, imbued with the spirit of the
age and meaning business"
Year: 1879

A merchant doing business near the foot OF
Jefferson avenue used to spend about half bis
time in explaining to callers why he could
not sign petitions, lend small sums, buy books
or invest in moonshine enterprises, but that
time has passed, and it now takes him only
two minutes to get rid of the most persistent
case. Yesterday man called to sell him a
map of Michigan. He had scarcely made
known his errand when the merchant put on
his hat and said:


''Come along and I'll see about it,"


He led the way to boiler shop, two blocks
distant, wherein hundred hammers were
pounding at iron, and walking to the centre
of the shop and into the midst of the deafen-
ing racket he turned to the agent and kindly
shouted:


'.Now then if you know Of any special rea-
sons why should purchase map of Michi-
gan please state them at length


The man with the maps went right out
without attempting to state treason the one, }"
and the merchant TRANQUILITY returned to his
desk to await the next.-Detrost Free Press
Year: 1879

With Sherman and Foster declining in q
way that looks as if they were in earnest, it
is not surprising to find that General Garfield
is the favorite. In State less prolific of
brainy and ambitious men this really able,
partisan statesman would have been chosen
to the Senate long ago. Second to Sherman
only in point of political experience, with a
sngleness of purpose quite foreign to Sher-
mans nature, and second to no Ohio Repub-
lican in ability, he is the only man in the
field who would be positive acquisition,
otherwise than in vote, to the Republican
side of the Senate.
Year: 1879

Ex-GovERNoR SEYMOUR, when asked the
other day whether be could be induced under
any circumstances to become the Democratic
candidate for the Presidency said: II need
entire rest. l have been overworked ond my
physicians prescribe for me quiet and inac-
tivity. This is my part for the short re-
mainder of my life, and have no regret in
playing it. Beside. have an idea that the
sentiment and wishes of both the political
parties turn to younger and more vigorous
men, and all l ask now is to be left in peace. ;"
Year: 1879

A FATHER never thinks his ten-year- old
son is stronger than horse until he employs
him to turn the grindstone to sharpen an old
axe that is about as sharp at one end as at
the other. The old man bears on until the
lads eyes hang out and bis trowsers buckle
flies off, and just before he bursts blood
vessel his father encourages him with the re-
mark, Does-it-turn-hard ?" Thousands
of boys have run away from home and be-
come pirates and ereenbackers in order to
escape q second siege at the grindstone.
Year: 1879

The indications are abundant
that the approaching Presidential
campaign will be one of unparallel-
ed excitement aud bitterness.
There is a quadrennial crisis in
American politics which is not the
less important because several
Presidents may be elected without
disaster. We are none the less
scrambling over a smoldering vol
cano. More and more every year
men seem to pass under the inhu-
ence of spirit Of parti2an unfair


ness. The last Presidential elsc-
ton was really sort of national
Pandora's box; and, though the
evils may not be fully apparent
just now, they will be certain to
disclose themselves later on. Mr..


Rutherford B. Hayes, grown bold
at the success of the fraud by


which he was himself installed as
President, though he only received
167 of the 800 electoral votes of the
United States, and though he was
in popular minority of one mill
lion three hundred thousand
of the white voters Of this
country, and of quarter of a
million of white and black togeth-
er, is represented by the telegraph
as saying that the Vice-President
of the United States alone has the
power to declare who has been
elected President of the United
States, and that, as the retiring Ex-
ecutive, he will support the person
so declared. Thus we see outlined
hardy step in advance Of what
the Republican party dared to
stand by in IS76-77. The history of
that party is evidently one of pro-
gress, and that from bE to worse,
II any considerable portion of it
eau be persuaded into any such un-
patriotic and revolutionary attitude
rs that creditedto Hayes. 1t is just
possible that the President is in
dulging In little game Of bluff,
and that the placid Mr.. Wheeler,
having more good sense and patri-
otlsm then the occupant of the
White House, will be quite con-
tent to settle down to his constitu-
tional duty Of announcing


result OF the electoral count
Year: 1879

as it shall be found by both
Houses of Congress when they
have formally assembled for that
purpose. Mr.. Hayes does not APP
pear in an enviable light In the
character Of q blowhard and a pos
sible usurper. He would do far
better to apply himself, with re-
doubled vigor, to playing "puss in
the corner" with the young ladies'
who visit the White House "a
game in which we see. by the East
elm papers, he is a proficient. He
will find far more pleasure and
profit in pursuing this somewhat
frivolous amusement than in play
ing the role of vaporer and trying
to frighten somebody.