smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1879

The report Vi tlt eoullnie'eo w NV"


tigate the Eighth ward school election
is rather remarkable affair, though it
is signed by the whole committee, and
if the report is to be taken as correct
Interpretation of the law, great latitude
is given for the holding of school elec-
tions hereafter, but as lawyer was
chairman of the committee it is not for
us to say that wrong Interpretation
was given to the law. The report shows
that the election officers were all of one
political party, which We know is only


provided against by party usages, and
therefore no breach of the law. In


the second place the committee reports
that although not one of the election


officers was qualified to vote, not hav-


ing paid either their State and county


nor their city and school tax, yet tie


law allows them to sit AMI judge upon


the qualifications of others. This may


be law but it is certainly very great


inconsistency, and the law is never
supposed to he inconsistent.


In the third place the committee re


ports that 10 full and regular list


was kept OF the persons voting at said


election, and then immediately follow


ing under the fourth head. the commit


tee reports that there was no proof ad-


duced of any illegal votes ha wing been


cast. or of any legal ones having been


rejected. That decision was very easily


arrived at as no poll list was kept to


prove that illegal votes were cast.


Where is the evidence that anybody at
all voted at that election :? There were
119 votes cast, so say these unqualified
voters who held the election, but there


is not solitary scratch OF pen oI
pencil anywhere, to show who did OF
who did not vote. True enough there
was no proof of illegality. Half the votes
in the Eighth ward balloL box
! may have been, and it is pretty
we'll known that many of them
! were illegally cast, but according
to the report of the committee, there
is no redress for it, because there wa:
no proof, and poll list, Which is the
}. only proof that could be adduced t.
4 prove who did or who did not vote, wa.
|, not kept by the election officers, ther


everything must fall. Hereafter if thu
= report of this committee is to be takel


as law, there will be no use in careful
p ly guarding the school elections. Any
person whatever, who never paid cen
b of tax of any kind, may hold the cleo
0 tion. If they happen all to be o. on
o political party, that may be obj"ctec
, but must be endured. No poll list o


voters need be kept, for that would b
" proof who voted illegally. In shor
y school elections will degenerate into
Z miserable farce, held for the amuse
h ment Of a rabble of unqualified voters
=. The ballot boxes may b. stuffed wit
g irnpunity with illegal ballots, and a.
II that is required to protect thos" ballot
70 is the destruction Of the poll list or II
m fusng to keep one. The report is Ill
- worthy of the committee, notwithstanc
'0 ing the distinguished lawyer that is il
II chairman.
Year: 1879

lies of citizens in exercising tteir con-
rights; and to make fraud
easy of perpetration at the polls simply
that a Democra. may be elected Presi-
dent in 1880. The President cant see
it." no way it can be fixed. He despises
their fiattery as heartily as he treats
their threats with contempt and sec
ond veto follows the first. The Demo
crats in Congress are now on their
beams end. An honorable retreat from
the position in which they have thrust
themselves is impossible. They nave
now but to 20 ahead and let the army
starve. They have but to block all the


wheels of government, stop the courts
and nut out the lights in the custom


ncuses and post offices, dsrken the sig


nal lamps along the highways OF COM
merce. and create chaos everywhere.


This il their threat if the President re-
fused to sign the Objectionable hll,s.


The President did refuse, and now let
them carry out their threat and take
the responsibility. They must carry
them out or make an inglorious retreat,
either of which involves the collapse OF
the Democratic plans and an lgnomim-
ous surrender of the party in Congress.


They are surprised to find a President


with such remarkably stiff backbone


and what they are afraid OF more than


all else is the solid Republican north at
his back.


Stalwartism marches to the front,


and once more Chandler's unpublished


but true and manly utterances become


the cherished and advanced ideas OF


tbs times to the millions who are


watching with breathless interest the
elimination of the partisan contest IN
, Congress. The last chance for even a
decent retreat was thrown away when
: the Democratic caucus held back the
appropriations as an implied threat
that they would not be passed unless
, the President would sign the military
nop-interference bill. This veto com
pletes the discontinue of the Demo
Gratis, and compels them either to exc
cute their threat or to submit uncohdl'
tionally to the authority they have as
sailed. That they will stay the supplies


no one believes, they dare not do IT


All their threats will be quietly swal
lowed, and the Government will get al
g the money it requires. To the odiun


arising out of the pronunciation OF nn


constitutional and destructive plans io


etf-cting a partisan victor will be adde'
a the derision incident to surrendel
l under circumstances of peculiar humil
, iation.
Year: 1879

One of the great social problems of the day
is to explain why there are SO many marriage
able women who never gel married. Some
say that ii is owing to AL excess in numbers
OF women over men, in Consequence OF
which there are not husbands enough to 60
round. This, however, is disproved by s'a-
tistcs. Take the world through, and the
figures show that there are AS many men in
it as there are women. Others attribute it to
the expensiveness of modern life. Men do
not marry because, it is said, they cannot af
ford to. But the fact is, that no man who
truly loved a woman ever STATED to be-
come engaged to her and eventually marry
her because of poverty. There are cold
blooded men. with no idea of any feeling for
a woman stronger than a languid admiration
who may be deferred from assuming what
they regard as burden in the shape of q
wife, unless assured of liberal income, but
most are not 80 calculating Ofhers again,
attribute it to wOman's fastidiousness. They
expect 100 much in husband, and, while
waiting for an impossible shadow, let the
possible substance slip through their fingers.
This ia libel on the sex. As rule they are no
more fastidiOus than men and are as susceptible
to that enchantment of love which invests
its object with every perfection and covers
up every fault. So far as men and women
themselves are concerned, they are as prone
to marriage now as in any period of the
worlds history. Nevertheless, the women
are waiting for husbands and not getting
them They are pretty. they are accomplished
they are sensible, and under proper training
they would make excellent wives and moth
ers; but they never get chance. What
seems to be needed Is more thorough meth
cd of bringing men and women into social
contact with each other.
Year: 1879

Mr. Cameron dreamed, when he was boy,
that he would be massacred 10y Indians at
the age of forty-seven. The same vision was
repeated ten years later, and with such vivid
ness that every detail was left impressed up
on his memory. He was at ranch near
Bruley City, Dakota, short time ago, when
his forty seventh birthday arrived. The
place was alive with friendly Indians; but
he recollected his dream, and their presence
made him excessively nervous He went to
bed in trepidation, and to his horror, es he
afterwards declared, the room was exactly
like the one of bis dream. He fell asleep,
and promptly dreamed that the Indians were
scalping him. He bounded from the bed,
leaped from window and fled, temporarily
insane. In the morning he was missing. and
a large party of white men and Indians went
in search Of him. It was three days before
they found him, for he hid whenever he
caught sight of an Indian. and only slowly
recovered his senses. He was naked, and
nearly dead with hunger.
Year: 1879

What does the billet doux? What check
did counter sign? Who ever saw hood
wink? Who ever saw pig IRON? What
does egg plant? Why did the thunder bolt ?
Who ever heard foot ball? Why did the
dew drop? Where does clock work? What
did plow share2 Who ever saw wheel
wright? For whom did penny weight? Who
did tin foil? What did brandy smash :
What did grass plot? What vas II grape
shot2 What did the pick rocket? Who
did the goose berry? Is it jokes that Jim
cracks?
Year: 1879

The following is recommended as cure
for sleeplessness: ''Wet half towel, apply
it to the back of the neck, pressing it upward
toward the base of the brain, and fasten the
dry half of the towel over so as to prevent
the too rapid exhalation. The effect is
prompt and charming, cooling the brain and
inducing calmer, sweeter sleep than any mar
cotic. Warm water may be used, though


most persons prefer cold. To those suffer
ing from over-excitement of the brain, whe,h-


er the result of brain work or pressing anx-
iety, this simple remedy is an especial boom -
Year: 1879

Az he walked into the grocery store
tho clerk leaned over the counter and
asked him what he wanted.


"Do look as though in need Of any
thing 2"


"I thought perhaps you wanted some
potatoes. the clerk said. apologetic'
ally.


els there anything peculiar about my
eyes, nose or teeth which seems to sug-
Rest lack OF potatoes on my part 2"


"I don't know that there is"


"Can you construe the appearance oil
the left lobe Of my left ear into an ad.
mission that at the present moment
am out OF wine-jelly and cucumbers
Can you infer from the disheveled state
Of my hair that my children are at home
crying for soft crabs and tomatoes
Well. I didn't suppose you could. !
don't want to buy anything; but Ill be
obliged TO you IL you'll lend me- your
shovel for an hour or two ?"


Il was handed out to him.
Year: 1879

The perfectly contented man is also
perfectly useless.


Try to see yourself through the
eyes Of those around you.


The deal saint of the young moral
ist is cut from sappy timber.


The vigouous idea keeps warm
though wrapped in few words.


Great 2ower of acquisition is COM
mon to ,nil!ionaires and hogs.


Faith that asks no questions kills
the soul and stiles the intellect.


The trouble with many comnuni-
ties is that dead men refuse burial.


Happy is the man who has neigh
bors willing to f.rgive his mistakes.


He who thinks poorly of himself
cannot win the respect of his fellows.


Appear to be better than you are,
and aim to be what you appear to be.


Man believes that to be lie which
oontradlcts the testimony of his own
ignorance.


Only infinite wisdom is able to dis
tinguish the difference between some
mon and beasts.


The gilded calf, having wealth
without soul, finds more wor1hippers
than in the days of Moses.


Whether he is great or small, set
that man down for fool who boasts
that he does not read the local papers.


The Lord can more easily have faith
in the religion that wears an old coat
to church than the ms n in the coat can.


He whose only claim to the title
gentleman is in his clothes, must
necessarily be careful as to what he
wears.


1t is better to arise from your knees,
and shut your hens out Of your neigh
bor's yard, than to indulge in long
prayers.-Chicago NsaOs.
Year: 1879

may say, from Whist we know Of his record,
that he is above buying an Office That
might do for TuDEN, with his bar'I Of
money, but for q kinsnan of tho third
President of the United States it would be
out of the question. MCMAHON, like BAY
AID, is q man of honor-high and
above even Democratic corruption-and
yet We think him fool for adhering to n
party which Is diametYically opposed to
honest currency, honest elections, and hon
est men.


Republicans have some choice among
lected for the Secretaryship of the Senate,
we want one from the "Solid South" sab
The New York Tribune says that BLACK
BURNS election to the Speakership of the
House will be worth ten thousand votes to
the Republican party, and this will apply
to all Southern men who are looking for
office in the new Congress. We confess,
and we do it with candor, that we regret to
see gentleman like MCMAHON asking for
any position under a Democratic Senate
and House. Give us "Major" BLACKBURN,
Corporal BURcH or a STENGER, If the
party is now engaged in picking up "small
potatoes !" and then, if it is herding its
asses, GLOVER will have n chance, and will
not be alone in the Senate. In our humble
opinion, MCMAHoN's honesty will end with
his election. With all his ability we as
sume that he cannot see this A young
genius and an honest partisan, brilliant
orator, a great name, all in danger of being
sunk in pool of corruption. Let us have
GLOVER. He is our man; he is of such an
inquiring turn of mind.
Year: 1879

WAsHlNGTON, IL. u, MArCn i, lcTD'
To The Editor Of the National Republican:


SIR: II seems to me that Congress might
end all the fraud, rs we'll as talk about it, be-
sides reducing the expenses of the Govern
ment, if it would pass a law-frst, alloting
certain number of acres of land to pensioners
who would accept it in lieu Of their pensions,
and, second, committing the pensions of all
Others, paying the present worth Ito be ascer-
tained after the method adopted by life insur-
ance and legacy companies) in money, or bonds
of the United States drawing less rate of in
terest; or, if deemed best, donation of land
and the present worth of the pension in money
might both be given, the Government in any
event to be relieved, upon acceptance, from
all further claim whatever.


Before issuing the warrant or committing
the pension final examination by proper
medical authority could be had TO determine
whether the right TO pension exist or not


l. for one, would be willing to surrender my
present pension Of SIS per month under such -
law, and doubtless n majority of pensioners
would be willing to do the same. Such plan
would relieve the Government of considerable
expense, prevent all fraud, save the pensioner
from trouble and annoyance, and give him a
" fair start in life, If he have il not already.
Besides IL would relieve him altogether Of the
feeling of dicancy, in fact
that he experiences when he draws the blood
money" awarded him for tue loss of an arm or
leg or other injury received during the late
unpleasantness." j. s. S.
Year: 1879

dom Of Individual choice and Of the liberty
Of speech and action. To perform these great
duties, 10 fulfil these high trusts, there must
DO solid unity Of purpose and action in Tho en-
tire army, from conlmapder-in-chieft 10 private,
from The President to the e.simple voter.


If there be divisions, let them be blotted
out; if there be heartburnings Let them be
laid aside If there be disappointments or per-
sonal grievances, let them be put away. In
tho immediate presence of the enemy, with
instant expectation of battle, our chief caro-
should be uniOn-our duty Is 10 keep the line
and look to our ammunition, and not quarrel
rs TO who ought to be sutler, or whether IL was
wise year or SO ago 10 send flag Of truce or
seek parley. True, the flag of truce was
fired on, tho parley was contomptuously re-
jected, but the fact that IL was sent and was
despised gives us strength for the battle.


A Republican President at this time and In
this quarrel is er o6icio the leader of the Re-
publican party. We cannot well spare him.
He certainly cannot spare u.s. Together the
general object can be fulfilled with absolute
certainty. Antagonized against each other we
waste in intestine feuds forces that should be
devoted to common struggle. Forgetting
then the things that are behind" let us press
forward to the high result of the next Presi
DENTAL canvass-in which the purpose shall lie
to secure to everv citizen Of these United
states an absolutely free expression of his
choice as a citizen, and to crush out at once
and forever, by the voice of the people, the
most dark and dangerous conspiracy that has
ever threatened free government in this
country. II.
Year: 1879

The public press and the people are dis
eussing the situation as presented by the
revolutionary action of the late House of
Representatives with as profound an inter-
est and earnestness as the crisis was consid-
cred when secession occurred and rebellion
ensued in 1861. The country is confronted
by fresh menace of danger, and the people
are beginning seriously TO apprehend that
history is about to repeat itself Both Sem
ators THURMAN and BECK have not only
made but have justified the threat that the
wheels of Government should be stopped by
Withholding supplies, unless certain parti-
san legislation shall be yielded to under
Executive sanction. This is the issue that
has been made by these Democratic leaders,
and it has startled the country with gal
vanic power.


To carry this threat into execution is out
right revolution, for to stop the Government
or to paralyze any Department of it is to
bring disorder upon every popular interest
that holds any relation thereto; and in n
Government Of the people, for the people,
and by the people, the interests o: every
man, woman, and child who live under it
are parts of the Government and will suffer
by its suspension. The Constitution clearly
defines what the duties of Congress
are, and to disregard these require
ments is to subvert and revolutionize
the people. The Constitution declares
that the President shall have his
salary. A refusal to make provision for
this on the part of Congress is revolution
ary. The existing appropriations only pro-
vide for that up to June 30, 1879, and TO
refuse to make future provision and it is
| comprised in the defeated appropriation
bills, and the failure to make that provi-
sion is nothing short of n wanton violation
of the Constitution. The salaries of the
| Judges present kindred case, which af-
lects much larger number of persons.
The mandate of the Constitution is rs clear
| in relation TO these officials as TO the case of
the President.


Then again the interests of the business
community are SO closely interviewer with
| our post-OfIiees our mail transmission and
our custom-houses, that to stay the func-
tions of these would be to paralyze the busi-
ness of the country, for these branches of the
public service relate to all the people so di-
rectly and SO strongly that blow aimed at
them falls directly upon their most import
ant interests An attempt TO accomplish
the threat OF Senator BECK will be met by q


food of popular indignation, from which
those who raise the storm will be most
happy to escape with their lives. When
men, no matter how high their position or
strong their temporary power, attempt to
carry Senator BECK's threat into execution,
they will soon find themselves overwhelmed


by a storm that no earthly power can with
stand Party ties will be rs burnt fax under
such circumstances.
Year: 1879

The early prospective organization Of the
next Congress has opened a lively canvass
for the loaves aud fishes that are being
scrambled for, Almost every shade, grade,
aud stamp of the Democrat is now repre-
sented on the stage here as competitors for
something in the way OF patriotic recogni-


ton. All PATRIOTS you know; but there
are different grades in the breed. We have
been looking over the catalogue of "patri-
OTIS who are on the list for the high Of


fees, and the name among them that seems
to bring with IL more worth and better
qualifications for the Secretaryship of the
Senate is that of RGCHARB RANDOLPH Nc
MAHoN, of West Virginia OF course we
have no stock in this mine of tai
ented expectation as a whole, but he seems
TO be the Misunderstanding and shrewdest,
and is known to be the best educated,
though the youngest, of all. According to
the theory of leading Democratic Senators,
the Secretaryship is to be bought; for if it
he not purchaseable why is cash considered
as much of u qualification rs political abil-
ity? In justice to Professor MCMAHON we
Year: 1879

WHEN the Republicans of the Senate
gracefully accorded the compliment of q
committee chairmanship to Senator THUR
MAN in recognition of his prominence as q
statesman there was no ill-tempered sneer-
ing over it by the Republicans press; now,
however, that IL is proposed that the Demo-
Gratis shall do tho same with Senator Ed
NUNDs, the Democratic organ here in WASH
ington descends to low-born and envy
inspired jeers at that gentleman. Whatever
else may be said of the Democrats in the
Senate, 1t is to their credit that they do not
pay heed to the snarling innuendoes of the
cur of the Dot.
Year: 1879

reason IL thrcatens the Government with a
money famine unless the elections shall be
thrown open 70 all manner of fraud which
its Ingenuity can invent and ID has talent
in that way. Without the repeal of those
laws, which stand between the ballot-box
and such practices in elections Us are illegal,
wrong, and corrupt, the Democratic party
will have no showing in any future cleo
tons outside the South, and very little
there. If the ballot-box in the city of New
York can be successfully guarded against
fraud the Democrats cannot by any possi-
bility carry that State. Their strength lies
in the frauds they are able TO commit, and
they know ID, otherwise they would not
assume the revolutionary attitude they now
occupy toward the Government under an
open threat that unless their party ends can
he subserved the Government is TO be
stopped in the exercise of its proper func-
tons. If this is not threatened revolution
it is mere badinage, and if IL is the latter it
should not bear any weight. At all events
we feel assured that It will be put to the
severest test.


HERE is o good suggestion for the Repub-
lican Legislature of some Stalwart State,
New York, for example: Instantly pro-
pose an amendment to the National Com
stitution embodying the principles of pro-
lection to the purity of the ballot now pro-
vided for in the national election laws
The supremacy or overthrow of these prin-
ciples has already become the dominant
issue between the two great parties in Con-
grcss and an attempt by the Republicans
to engraft them into the Constitution
would concentrate the intelligence and
patriotism Of the country in their support.
The Democrats would, of course, oppose
such an attempt, aud the campaign of 1850
would naturally be fought upon this Ques-
ton. Incidentally the rights of the Ma
tional Government and the subordinate
| privileges Of the governments of the States
would enter into the consequent discussion,
| and, in fact, the decision OF the question
| would amount to an emphatic declaration
of the will of the people in the premises
| Will New York, exercising her legitimate


and organic prerogatve to suggest n consti-


tutional amendment, take this matter i'll


hand? The idea is, simply and briefly


that the General Government shall have


proper control over the election of its own


officials-a control that will protect clec-


tors, high or low, and black or white, in ex-


ercising the right of suffrage conferred upon
| them by the National Constitution.
Year: 1879

THERE is no danger that President HAYES
will ever succumb to the demand of the
Democrats for repeal of the supervisor
law. That demand is based upon the vio-
lent assumption that every official of that
grade is n periurer. He will hesitate some
time before joining the Democracy in this
wholesale execration of q reputable class of
American citizens.
Year: 1879

THE advanced guard Of the hordes of
Democratic Office seekers has already reached
Washington in expectation of an extra ses-
sion. They are one and all disgusted to find
the rear guard of their predecessors in the
Forty-ifth Congress lettering about the
scenes of place and plumber. This would
ordinarily be good news to the boot and shoe
trade but the trouble is these industrious
patriots hang around town until their funds
and hopes for appointments are both ex.
hausted before they start to walk home.
Year: 1879

Those who rally around the flag cannot
sleep while danger besets the Union, the
Constitution, aud the Government. IT Is
about time for the band TO strike up and
for the boys 10 make the wellsin ring with
Wen rally once ngain" Then the ele-
phant will 20 round and round when the
band begins to play"