smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

l. lIllc W do Ia tlllS COudSlN "hSh
nothing could be more fatal to
the success of a candidate for Of
flee than to be detected in in
triguing or actively working for
his own nomination or election,
and a log-rolling arrangement
between two or more candidates
to aid each other by an inter
change of followers, was regard
ed by popular sentiment as an
evidence of corruption which
would exclude from any position
of public confidence or trust ev-
cry man engaged therein. But,
alas! how times have changed,
as the primary meetings held in
this city last evening demonstra-
ted; in which the candidates
appeared personally as the lead
ers of trained bands, enlisted
as followers, pledged to the for
tunes of their several chiefs, like
the soldiers of fortune Of the
middle ages whose lances were
at the service Of any power with
the disposition and ability to
pay the purchase price. 10
day these leaders are exhibiting
the results of the conflict in SO
many delegates elected to the
nominating convention pledged
to do their bidding. What Il
gross travesty is this upon free
popular government. The the


ory OF nominating conventions
is, that they are dcllberative
bodies, composed Of delegates
elected to express and aggregate
popular sentiments, as unbiased
by personal considerations as Il
jury for the trial of an action in
court. The practice OF electing
delegates in the interest Of self
seeking candidates is as totally
adverse to this theory as it is
hazardous to good government;
it is devised to defeat, instead of
expressing the popular will, re-
lying upon party discipline and
not upon the unconstrained judg-
ment Of the people for success.
A candidate thus nominated and
elected may possibly make an
efficient officer, but his qualifca-
tions as an officer are not, as they
should be, the basis Of success;
his ability for management and
intrigue giving him his principal
advantage.


All parties now profess to be
in favor of civil service reform.
Few among our most intelligent
citizens can explain the political
differences which now divide
parties, and none can tell what
possible bearing political pro-
LESSONS have upon the discharge
of the clerical duties Of off cial
positions, or how the interven-
ton Of party is useful in the Sc
lection of such offices, except as
a means of promoting the de-
signs of demagogues and Office
seekers who cannot command
the popular suffrages upon their
own personal merits. We can
expect no reform of our civil
service until the people cease to
Le the bond-slaves of party un-
der the management Of self
seeking politicians. For thirty
five years we never missed being
a delegate to any convention OF
our party in either the county,
state or district in which we re-
sided, and never went into a
convention under instructions or
personally committed to the sup
port of any candidate for a NOM
ination, and uniformly discrimi-
mated against the candidates who
personally solicited nominations.
When we found bargain and
sale the rule which controlled in
Year: 1878

The S. T. Calls Boston special says
there are evidences of some improved
demand for skilled labor in New Eng
land. Statistics show only nine and
one-half per cent. wages reduction, while
the total number employed has increased


two and one-half per cent. The gold
valuation of goods manufactured is If
teen per cent. greater. A deduction


from statistics is warranted to be the
effect that capital and labor are sharing
more equally than ever before. While
the wages of labor have been reduced,
the reduction has not been 80 great as
the reduction in the profits of business.
There are many reasons which justify q
hope of improvement in business, no one
of whicb is perhaps more conclusive than
the fact that there is no reason why
business should not improve. Agricul-
ture. the basis of prosperity, has en-
joyed good year. The crop averaged
large. and prices were good. 1t was a
reasonably good year for cotton. wheat.
and other staples, and the money these
proiucts sold for abroad is coming to the
country. There are now no causes to
prevent tho country from receiving the
full benefit Of this favorable condition OF
trade. There is no threat hanging over
US in any direction. No further depre-
citation in property is apprehended. since
property has already reached coin
basis. Property depreciates in nominal
value for two causes-beoause it has
been valued in an inflated currency, OF
because for some reason its products are
falling off. Neither of these causes op


crates longer in this country. The staple
products of the country are as saleable
as ever, , and the demand for them abroad
is not likely to diminish for some years
at least. The resumption of silver
broadens our specie basis. increases the
volume of real money in the country


and renders improbable any farther in


crease in the value of money, which il
the same as depreciation of property.
Year: 1878

The full text OF the report made by the
majority of the House Committee on
Civil Service Reform contains no less
than ten several counts against Door.
keeper Polk, charging him with pretty
much every abuse that it was possible
for him to commit in his official position.
The allegations are specific. and in most
cases fortified by proof.
Year: 1878

Mary Clarke, wife of the learned
Adam Clarke, was the mother OF six
sons and six daughters. and the love
she bore them would astonish many
in these days. To one of her sons
she wrote the following instructive
words:


"Do nothing carelessly, and then
L venture to say that, with the abili-
ty you have. you will do most things
well. Be exact in all you do. nor
let the least matter pass you unex
amined. In your reading, too. in
vestigate your subject, and be not
satisfied with skimming on the sur.
face OF things. nor make an attempt
to grasp the whole without attend
ing to every part in order. Paying
attention to particulars, as well as
to generalities, will. by degrees,
give you habit Of mental observa-
ton, while at the same time it will
deepen your knowledge. But en-
deavor TO gain heavenly wisdom. Do
not forget to bear your needs and
your heart in private before God,
that He may grant you His grace.
and direct all your future path in
life"
Year: 1878

Nothing presents a sadder COM
mentary upon the present condition
of society than the large number of
families, both in town and country.
but more especially in the latter,
that subscribe to no paper of any
kind. Hundreds and thousands Of
families are thus growing up utterly
ignorant of what is transpiring in
the world around them-ignorant of
the mighty events of the day. But
who can tell the vast amount of in
jury that is being inflicted on the
rising generation--those who are to
take our place In the busy world at
no distant day-growing up without
any knowledge OF the present, or
any study of the past, this ignorance,


too. being imbued into them by the
sanction of those who should, and


doubtless do, know better. did they
only think of the injurious effects Of
Year: 1878

General Skobeleff is the idol OF
his soldiers, One afternoon in No.
Vember his troops were massed near
their encampment. with arms in
their hands, and with spades to en-
trench the ground they were about
to take stretcher.bearers in a group
at the rear, a suggestive but un-
pleasant sight; battery of mitrail-
leuses bundled up like so many hu-
man beings to keep out the damp,
and in front Of the troops the little
body of picked men, each with his
shovel, his rations and plenty of
ammunition, who were to make the
first rush across, use the bayonet
and then throw it aside for the spade
and endeavor to cover in time TO
resist the attack of the returning
Turks. General Scobelefr dismount-
ed and told them just what he ex-
pected of them-that they were not
to storm the works OF Plevna, but
only to run forward and take the
piece Of ground they knew perfectly
well, in front of the road, and to
hold it until they had works thrown
up. He cautioned them,. as many
we're young soldiers sent out from
the reserve, to fill the great gaps in
the ranks, not to advance to far. but
to mind exactly what the officers
told them. He would be with them
himself. aud would direct the move
ments personally. AS the men
passed they all received enesurag-
ing words. and they went by smiling
at the goed-natured craft frem the
general, who called to them by name
remarked on their new boots, which
he said, were like those of Spanish
don, and told the musicians they
would play waltz in the new re-
doubts on the morrow.
Year: 1878

/ l call to MUD the description giY.


en- me by Bishop Kavanaugh. him


self one Of the most eloquent Of


American preachers. either living or


dead. ii first heard him In BaIti-


more, and before 1 went to the


church." said be. II fully made up


my mind that this man Munsey


should not carry me away bodily
heart, hand, and alias he did oths


ers, and leave me neither sense nor


words with which to express my


opinion Of his preaching. A CON-


Portable chair was given me, which I


had placed Immediately in front Of
the pulpit; and when settled my.
self in it | was firmly determined to
listen to and judge him in a styls


worthy of the most cold blooded
critic. hadn't seen much OF him.
but that little did not prepare me for
a highly favorable opinion as to his
talents. The fact is, I didn't think
he was much, anyhow. When he
took his text looked at his shaved
head and sharp features, and said to
myself, "Drive away, my man, but
am going to stay with you to the
last ]" For a while it was easy
enough to keep along with him.
began to congratulate myself upon
my success as critic, and was set.
Ting down to an easier position in
the chair, when / was startled al.
most to my feet by a sharp, Jagged,
brain piercing sentence that shot
from his mouth like a bolt from q
catapult. Just then, too, he gave an
awkward, singular gesture by bring
ing his extended left arm sweeping
around to the front, the hand shut
closely together, except the straight
ened little finger. In some way or
other, / could not tell how, he
caught me upon that Strengthened
little finger, and very unexpectedly
gave me shoot way up yonder;
and for the rest Of the sermon Just
went sailingI' But said I, Bishop,
how did all this impress you? His
keen little eyes gave a mischievous
twinkle as he replied, "As far as I
remember. do not think that had
any impressions; or, if l did they
are not describable. All 1 know
about nay feelings is that they were
grand and glorious-something akin,
maybe, to what l shall have when
hear, like John, "a voice from heaven.
as the voice of many waters, and as
the voice of great thunder, and
voice of harpers harping on their
harps.' Cor. N. Y. Methodist
Year: 1878

Written for the Morristown Gazette.
The ringing of the bell / hear,
Its music sounds both sweet and clear;
'Tis sounding sweetly, through the air
And calls to worship God in prayer.
Sweet hour of prayer, may none forget
The hour for prayer which we have set
May all with willing footsteps go
To worship God in prayer below.
This life is short, the time is near
When we no more the bell will hear;
Then heed its notes-with haste repair
To meet and worship God in prayer.
Let not the busy world prevent,
But go-and let the hour be spent
With those who love and gather there
To worship God in praise and prayer.


J.C.
Year: 1878

Pennington CGs) Chronicle.


He was the manager of the churcl


fair, and one morning he walked in.


to the newspaper Office and said


Want an item this morning?"


"Of course replied the editor,


whereupon the visitor laid the follow.


ing note upon the table:


"The ladies Of the - street
church will give festival at their
vestry hall next Friday evening.
Literary and musical entertainments
will be provided, and a supper will
be served to all who desire. The
ladies in charge Of the affair have
much experience in such matters.
and are sure to provide good time.
The admission will be only Is cents.
and it is certain that no one can
spend that amount to better advan.
tage. Be sure to go and take your
| friends"


When the editor had read it he
said:


"Oh. see. an advertisement"


" No, not an advertisement. We
prefer to have it go into the local
column" replied the manager. And
seeing the editor looked skepticAI.
he continued: ut will interest q
great many of your readers and help
good cause besides we have spent
so much money in getting up our en-
tertainment that we cannot afford
to advertise it without increasing the
price of the tickets. In such a mat
ter as this we ought to be willing to
help each other


"Well." said the editor, "if it
goes int the locals, suppose you
would reciprocate by reading little
notice in your church next Sunday"
The visiting brother asked what no.
tice, and the editor wrote and hand
ed him the following:


"The Weekly Chronicle for the
coming year will be the best and
cheapest family paper in Maine. Its
proprietor has had much experience,
and has all the helps which a large
outlay of money can procure. His
paper has a larger circulation than
any other published in the county,
and is to be furnished at only two
dollars. It is certain that no one
can spend that amount of money to
a better advantage. Be sure to take
the Chronicle, and subscribe for your
friends


The manager hemmed and hesita-
ted, and then said, solemaly, that he
doubted whether it would be judi
cious to read such a notice." but
suggested that if it was printed,
copies of it might be distributed at
the door of the vestry on the even
ing OF the entertainment.


Yes" said the editor, "but it
would attract more attention in the
middle of sermon. 1t will interest
a large number Of your congregation
and help good cause. and, besides,
so much money is spent upon the
Chronicle that I don't see how the
owner can afford to print handbills
to advertise 1t without increasing the
price. In such a mat
ter as this we ought to be willing to
help each other.''


Then the gentleman saw the situa-
ton, and went straight out. without
leaving SO much as complimentary
ticket.
Year: 1878

their insane course. Let the head
Of every family think of this, and
place in the hands of those for whom
he is responsible the means of ac
quiring some knowledge OF the NOV
ing panorama in which we act our
different parts.
Year: 1878

Nothing, animate or inanimate, manag s to disappear 50 completely as pin Though small, it is not very perishabl- ar tice, but it has a marvellous aptitude to make way with itself. But even larger pieces of metal in daily use manage to dis appear. There must be tens of thousands of horse-shoes dropped in New York in the course of the year, yet how rarely they are seen. This is all the more remarkable, iDasmueh as it is considered lucky to pick them up, therefore people are on tine look out for them. There is a great demand for the nails by which they are fastened, in the manufacturing world. The bang ing they have got through constant weur makes them of more value than even new niils-for what, does our reader think? To make stubb twist barrels. It seems odd that the same malleability could not be given to the iron ill sonr quicker and more simple manner than the traffic of horses feet. But pins disappear for good and Gll" Do the fairi, take theuis
Year: 1878

and, secondly, for the industry which enabled it to
master greater number of grand and trying
works than have ever before, within our
experience, been crowded into a four days
celebration. But the chorus-snging, taken by
itself, was not phenomeRdty good. The chorus
part of the Ninth Symphony, for instance,
we have heard better done by the Handel and
Haydn Society of Boston, and we might say the
same thing of the choruses in "The Messiah" No
festivals, however. either this country OF III Eu-
rope are ever given with such superb orchestra as
that which filled the Cincinnati Festival with life
and brightness. 1t was the wonderful orchestra,
and its magnetic MASTER that made the four great
programmes possible, and raised the Cincinnati con-
certs to level which has never been attained by
any similar performances i'll this country. Those
people In Cincinnati who forget to orate the conduc-
tor and the orchestra at their full value, and think
only Of the singing and the crowd, do not know what
a great festival they have had.
Year: 1878

private has been working hard infnse atte respecta.
biity into the gered LEGISLATURE during the past
session. but the task great and he will reach for
higher sphere. We have thought Private Dazeli
a truly great maD but he would be a whale among mn-
nOws in an ordinary reform" Congress.
Year: 1878

The other day gentleman went Into q
dry goods store In this city asked for q
quarter ofa yard Of silk, at the same
time presenting a pattern OF the desired
shade when the girl In waiting, with the
utmost simplicity, inquired IL he wished
sewing silk or trimming silk. The idea
OF shop girl supposing that any one
silk, which Is sold by the spool, is de-
cidely rich. Had quarter of mile
been asked for the query might have
been excusable.
Year: 1878

The Greenback papers are exulting over
the fact that the trade dollar, containing APO
grains of silver, is received in trade for only
ninety cents, while the legal tender dollar,
containing but 4125 grains of silver is receiva-
BILE for one hundred cents; and they triumph
antly cry out, in proof of their theory of 'sfiat
money" that the Government stamp makes
the difference and confers upon the Bland
dollar value considerably beyond its intrin-
sic worth.


The assumption in plausible. Let US ex-
anime it. The claim that 4121 grains of sill
yer have greater value than APO grains is of
course absurd, for that would be saying that
part is greater than the whole, and thus be
contradicting one of the seltevident truths of
mathematics. 1t would be like saying that
three pecks Of corn are worth more than
bushel, or 120 pounds of flour worth more
than barrel. There is no reason why this
self-evident truth should not apply to money
as to all other things, for money is, and
should profess to be, but an equivalent for
the commodities for which it is exchanged.
The farmer who parts with a ton of hay, the
grocer who sells pound Of sugar, the tailor
who disposes of suit of Clothes these all
expect to receive something OF value equal to
the goods with which they parted. Other
wise they would decline to sell, for they
would not put themselves to the labor of cul-
tivating crops, or the trouble and expense of
building or renting and running shops and
buying material if they were not to be recon-
pensed, were not to get back all they ex-
pended and something for their labor. For
they would be constantly "running
behind" and soon be reduced to nothing.
The faIm would be run out and the shop
depleted. The farmer, if required to give as
much hay for one suit of clothes as it would
cost him to buy two would think he was
cheated The tailor if required to make two
suits of clothes as cheap as he makes one,
would think he was cheated. Both would
refuse to labor or sell under these conditions.
How is it then that both the farmer and the
trader will part with more commodities for
lesser weight of silver than for greater?


The answer is simple enough. The legal
tender dollar will pay duties on imported
goods as we'll as the gold dollar, while the
trade dollar will not. As the amount coined
is not sufficient to pay duties the nominal
value is maintained. If the Government
should promise to take potatoes, at hun
dred cents each, for duties instead of taking
dollars, each potato would be worth dollar
as long as the supply did not exceed the
amounf of dutios IN bn maid. Rut after that
who would give dollar for a potatoP What
would they be worth beyond their Intrinsic
value as food? What farmer after that


would exchange ton of hay for twenty pota-
toes? In what situation would the Govern
ment be? 1t might pay off its servants in
potatoes, requiring them to take two or three
or four or five potatoes, as the case might be,
for days service; but could it engage serv-
ants on a new contract for another day?
Would the man who could exchange his
labor for two bushels of corn OR ten yards OF
Year: 1878

THE Shoe and Leather Reporter well says ::
The American people have one imperative
duty yet to perform before they can expect to
reap the full reward of the valor, patriotism


and self-sacrifics of which they furnished the
world such magnificent examples while they
were upholding the flag of the Union. They
have shown their prowess by feats Of arms
that challenged the admiration of mankind.
Their love of liberty, their faith in free insti-
tutions have been manifested in manner
that can leave no doubt of the sincerity of
their devotion to the principles of self-gov-
ernment, which is the very corner stone of
the Republic whose Centennial they lately
celebrated with so much JUNCTION and pride.
The thing which remains to be done now is
to give such an expression of fidelity to order
and respect for law, as shall convince the
Year: 1878

THE Argus may skip round the subject of
the appropriations as much as it pIeases, but
it cannot get over the fact that they have
been increased over $24,0OO,OOO since last
year. No jugglery with figures can hide that.
Democratic houses have set up a false claim
to economy and have attempted to mislead
the people by Withholding as long as possible
portion of the SUM essential to carry on
the government. Now the bills can no longer
be deferred and so the deficiency bills are
passed. Thus is proved what the Repuh-
licans asserted, that the vaunted retrench-
ment was fraud deliberately contrived and
planned to deceive the country, and that the
pretended saving was not real reduction,
but merely postponement of payment. It
is suggestive fact that the deficiency bills OF
the present year alone are greater than
for the last four years of Republican con-
troll in the House taken together. This
truth proves that the Republicans honestly
and promptly met all of the public require
ments, while the Democratic managers, in
order to make up false claim of economy for
political campaign, refused to meet the
just necessities Of the government and put
them off to future time. Another fact
shows the difference between the two parties.
While the Republicans had control, they
steadily reduced expenditures. In the last
year of a Republican House the appropria-
tions were $16,000,000 less than the year be-
fore, and in the last two years the reduction
amounted to $2S,OOOO00. On the other hand,
Democratic rule is marked by rapid increase.
As already stated, the appropriations for this
year are 1924. 100000 more than two years ago.
This contrast is an argument as strong for
the Republicans as it is against the Demo-
Year: 1878

IT is rather distasteful to be compelled to
repeat, day after day, the first lessons, the
very primer of finance. But it is necessary !;
for the error Of the Greenbackers is radical,
their mistake one in elemental principles


The nature of exchange, the interchange of
equivalents, must constantly be kept in mind
if we wish to avoid errors in the considera-
tion of finance,
Year: 1878

"Paper emissions by the government are
Of n nature SO liable to abuse, L may say
SO certain to be abused, that the wisd 0m Of
the government will be shown by never
trusting itself w th SO seducing and dan
gerous a power"


ALEXANDER HAMILTON,
Year: 1878

THE Representative ticket nominated by
the Republicans yesterday is thoroughly
good one. A majority of the names on 1t
are those of business men who understand
the needs of commercial city better than
any other class can and who can be trusted
to look out for them. 1t will command sue
cess because it deserves it,
Year: 1878

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


We cannot undertake to return or preserve COM
munications that are not used.
Year: 1878

most distrustful that property is as secure,
that vested rights are as inviolable, that there
is as little danger of acts of disturbance and
tumult under the government of the many
as of the few