smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

Secretary Robeson has made an elaborate ex
PLANTATION of his pecuDiary transactions with
the Cattells, and accompanied it with solemn
declaration that he never dictated, or sug-
"gested, or limited, or spoke to any one" for
the purpose of having either that firm or any
other persons favored i'll the matter of con-
tracts. His denial Of improper transactions
with his New jersey friends was as strong and
as comprehensive as it was possible for him to
make it, and he brought forward a number OF
heads of bureaus and other naval officers to
testify that he never gave ont contracts and
never interfered with the regular course of the
awards. Whether the Secretary's statement
actually covered the whole case 1T you'd be
impossible to decide without closer scrutiny
of the accounts and the testimony than we
have yet an opportunity of making. We are
willing to assume that it did, and that there
is nothing after all in the suspicious book
keepinp of the Cattols which impugns Mr..
Robeson's integrity.


But the INQUIRY will not be satisfactorily
closed until it is shown how the Cattells man
aged to make so much money on other peo-
ple's contracts. They seem to have gone into
the business of furnishing naval supplies as



retary, and Immediately the naval contractors
began to pay toll to them. Without previous
experience they acquired at once the command
of the business. They had only to let it be
known that they thought of bidding, and
somebody would offer them a percentage to
keep quiet. In one case they might be part
ncrs of the actual contractor; i'll another they
might make an arrangement which looked a
little like blackmai, though of course
it was not that; at all events, money
came to them, and it was generally understood
that whoever wanted good thing from the
NAVY Department must see the Cattells. Now
il may be taken for granted that naval con-
tractors as a rule are not fools. They are not
in the habit of paying percentages and bo-
muses. out of compliment to worthy citizens
like the Cattells, but for all that they spend
they expect-and generally Obtain-a full
equivalent. If the Cattells represented that
they had a valuable influence for sale, they
must have given some evidence of the truth
of their representation. If they sold anything
it Is fair to infer that they delivered the goods,
or at least satisfied the purchasers of their
ability to do so.


Mr.. Robson Acknowledges that he heard in
Year: 1876

ton, and that for time he infused unusual
briskness into the circulation of the daily news
papers of that coast. William was undouot-
edy well-meaning person. His aims
were high, particularly during the last
twenty-four hours of his career; as
high, we believe, as a third-story window.
His weapon was, we think, rifle, and he had
no hard feelings toward any one in particular.
There seems to be feeling OF friendliness
toward folks running through the Mul1gans
but it is a sort of friendliness that does not
interfere with the discharge OF public duty
William with his rifle at third-story wlndow
did not shrink from discharging his duty or
his rifle, because of any weak sentiment OF
affection for his fellow men, though he lOVed
them all. So the later Mulligan in the BARRIERS
chair with the fourteen letters which another
man wrote to some other man, and which had
fallen into his hands, unmoyed by Blaine on
his knees. and undeterred by his threats OF
suicide sternly insists upon discharg-
ing his duty to mankind by max
ing the letters public. Mulligan Is at
this moment the most picturesque figure IN the
whole political situation. Only to see him Is
TO admire him. What he will be by and by,
how he will appear when we get little beyond
him and take him in perspective, is quite an
other thing. We are not asking to-day what
his motives may be. We see his headlong
charge we know he has Blaines private
letters which contain something so mysterious
and dreadful that Blaine resorts to question:
able means for their suppression, and we are
given up to the feeling of curiosity. The c0un-
try is racked with anxiety to know what there
is in these fourteen letters that Mr.. Blaine so
breads to have made public. The mystery and
the suspicion may be sufficient to kill Blaine
as a candidate When that is done, let Ills set
up Mulligan the confidential clerk and go
round him carefully. He is character that
seems to invite study.


And as for Blaine and all the rest of the candl-
dates, let us have it understood once for all
that no man can be President of the United
States who is not ready to have published all
his correspondence foreign and domestic, So
cial and political, sentimental and financial,
from the day he learned his pot-hooks. All
the anti Blaine editors arc willing to do this,
and not to keep back their applications Tor
railroad passes even. These modest men are
ready to set the example. Just now they are
rejoicing over the successful charge OF the
Mulligan Guard. and singing,


Then well all march home together,


As slippery "a lard


The solid men will all fall in,


And maSrh In the Mulligan Guard
Year: 1876

On Thursday afternoon Parker, the mustang
rider gave up for the second and 1t Is 10 De
hoped the last time, his attempt to ride 3Oo
miles in Is hours. As on the first occasion,
he became blind from the rapid exhaustion OF
vital force, the loss of which no stimulants
could replace But suppose little additional
power of endurance and of will had carried
him through7 1t would simply prove that
man of Anglo-Saxon blood may accomplish as
much as q South American GanchO, or Tar
tar of Mongolia. As merely mechanical feat,
it would by no means fix the limit OF human
endurance when upheld by some powerful pur-
pose When Charles XII. of Sweden rode
from Adrianople to Stralsund in the early
Winter-a distance of not less than Loo
miles he performed greater exploit,
and 1t meant something. When Fremont
rode from Los Angeles to Monterey and back
800 miles in days of travel-he had an
important object to accomplish. Undoubtedly
many men could be found capable of riding
800 miles in 10 hours. under the spur of some
overwhelming necessity. Similar or equal feats
have been performed, over and over again, In
all ages of the world Capt. Boyton, last
Summer foated across the Channel in his
buOyant India-rubber costume, and had much
to say of his physical exhaustion, so long as
he had no rival; but the Englishman, webb,
swan the same distance with no other float
than the national pride.


The strength which is developed by sys-
tematic training, and exercised under the most
favorable circumstances, may excite curiosity;
but it is a very imperfect test OF human en-
durance. So far from establishing a standard
of physical development, it rather teaches us
what to avoid. DR.. Winship may develop
pair of IIerculcan shoulders upon small
body, but he simply shows us the uselessness
of his special lifting capacity. Weston may
walk his 12O miles in "a hours, by the aid OF
scientific feeding and grooming, but no scnsi-
bic man would desire to do the same thing.
One variety of force is always cultivated at
the expense of other equally necessary forces,
and is more OF less monstrosity. There Is
little in it to admire, and nothing to initiate.


Such performance rs that at Fleetwood
Park lacks every picturesque and heroic ele-
mcnt. One gallop around the hot and dusty
ring is the picture of the whole 300 miles to
the spectators and their chief interest must be
i'm waiting for the moment when the man, in
stead of the mustang, shall be attacked with
the blind staggers. There is no law, we sup
pose, to prevent Parker from riding himself
dead as well as blind; but the uselesSness of
the show has now reached that point where it
becomes cruelty, and it should not be repeated.
Cannot Mr. Bergh, for once, consider man as
good IA an animal, and hold his protecting
shield over the mustang-riderf
Year: 1876

q casual way, between one and two years ago.
that the Cattells were trying to trade upon
their influence with the Department, and III
we are not mistaken he told contractor OF
so that this influence was imaginary. But 1t
does not appear that any change took place In
the intimate relations between him and the
firm, nor were their operations in any way
checked. It would have been difficult to be-
lieye. even in the absence of any positive tcs-
timony on the subject, that an astute Secre


tary, such as Mr.. Robson certainly is, could
have remained unsuspicious of the bargaining
that went on so long all around him bat here
we have proof that it was brought to his at
tention, so that if he did not see it he must
have shut his eyes willfully. Perhaps he will
explain this point before he finishes his de-
fense. An explanation seems to be required.
Year: 1876

The Postmaster General has promptly and grace
fully accepted the suggestion of The TRIBUNE that
il would be false economy to reduce the force EN-
ployed in the Brooklyn Post-Ohice and lessen the
number of daily deliveries in that city. The only
argument in favor of the proposed reduction was the
exceptionally small sale of postage stamps in Brook
lyp. bnt this was shown to be unsound. In order,
however to remove even this excuse, the Postmaster
Of BROOKLYN might perhaps wisely allow his carriers
to sell stamps to residents along their routes and
fins add materially to the income of the Office We
do not know that such plan would be contrary to
postal regulations and it is clear it would be great
convenience to the people of Brooklyn.
Year: 1876

1t is now definitely advertised that the Old South
Church in Boston will be sold at auction next Thurs
day, to be- removed by the purchaser within sixty
days This means that the most interesting Revolu-
tionary structure in Boston is to be demolished. 1t
is little unfortunate that this piece OF vandalism
should occur IN the Centennial year. The building
really belongs to the whole Republic; Boston IS only
It's custodian, though she seems to have but feeble
notions of the Importance and responsibility OF the
trust. 1t is too late to prevent this desecraton by
national subscription. Boston should have gwen
the country notice of her intention.
Year: 1876

So badly is the New Court rt-house-costing
somewhere over twelve millions-designed,
that the Sanitary Inspectors can scarcely sug-
gest plan by which it might be properly
ventilated. Some improvement may be made
by few alterations, but nothing short OF
reconstruction will fully remedy the defects.
Year: 1876

1t is said that Mr. John /. Tracy has accepted the
Presidency of the Elevated Railroad Company.
This means business. Mr. Tracy is a railroad man
of large experience and equally large means and he
is not accustomed to connect his name with things
which do not succeed. Whoever first gives the city
practical and complete rapid transit will be long re-
membered as a public benefactor.
Year: 1876

few weeks ago the drift of large proportion Of
our Letters from the People on the Presidential
canvass WAS in favor of Mr. Bristow. For a week
past, as the letters elsewhere printed show,
it has been in favor of Mr.. Blaine. Whether the
scandal developments of the last two days will
check it, depends chiefly upon the final verdict as to
those private letters.
Year: 1876

The magic lantern and the spectroscope did
service in a forgery trial yesterday. 1t Is well
that science can be brought to bear In such
cases. for the testimony of witnesses-especially
of "experts to signatures is apt to be
contradictory and confusing.
Year: 1876

The breach between the two Houses on the
Appropriation bills is not merely that of the
two political parties, since the Democrats of
the Senate agree with the majority of that
body in restoring to their fall sum all the ap-
preparations that the House has cut down. 1t
is still hoped, however, that an agreement
may be arrived at by which Congress can adj
iourn at the close of this month.
Year: 1876

CONTRADICTORY THEORIES OF THE ORIGIN OF THE
F1RE-INCIDENTs.


The exact place where the fire originated
has not been ascertaned. The general opinion among
OF the insurance and OF two Of the Sisters
was that of the inmates In bedroom the ground
floor was smoking pipe, and hid 1t under his pillow on
hearing the approach of Sister One Of the Sisters said she
had before retiring made her usual round Of the house,
and inspected the furnaces where there less fire
than usual she found Everything night Another Sister
thought that the police somewhat negligent In the
neighborhood When the alarm first given she went
TO the Police Station 10 minutes walk distant and there
the alarm was given Capt Dunn said that the beat OF
the policeman covered two square miles, and If the OIL
Ger end OF his beat he could not hear cries at
the other The fire had already destroyed great por-
ton Of the building before the flames shot above tie
house and could be at a distance.


Assistant Engineer Smith said he reached the Home
soon after the alarm given. The male department
was then fire. and several persons on the roof
Hearing that there several persons confined in the
building he sent out second alarm. The engines were
working possible though some time was lost
owing TO the bydrante being far apart In half an hour
the flames we're under control The remen then looked
after the people reported missing and In few min
brought out the bodies OF two men from the bed
room on the second floor, but they were so
burned ns to be beyond recognition Three more bodies
were found n the cellar beneath the flooring and debris
On the second floor were found two bodies par
italy dressed, II the men had been t9ing to escape
when they were oyerpowered by the smoke and heat
ON top floor nine bodies found burned almost
TO a crisp and beyond recognition. There were Is beds
in this room and Mr.. Smith wondered bow any Of the
occupants escaped every Of must have
been cut of few after the breaking out Of the
fire.


The old stabekceper slept in the garrett but escaped
by climbing on the roof and descending To the female
department. An old German, Johann Schneider, ~
years old when after his escape yesterday sat mo
tioncss staring tho wall OF the 10 which he had
taken and il only after repeated questioning
that he seemed 20 become conscious He said be was
lying awake when he heard a noise and saw a light
Thinking get mp, he dressed and walked toward
the door, when he sneilcd the smoke and became
alarmed lie tried to go the roof found the stair
way door closed. Finally the Sisters came IN and res
cued him. John GarraLan, another old man, was also
awake az the time and had Just time throw
clothing when he led out by the Sisters just before
the flames broke into the room.
Year: 1876

Qured where they could find their relatives. As the
visitors who had gained admission lett the building they
Immediately surrounded by the eager crowd out
side and Piled with questions
Year: 1876

The most notable object of inter
est in Oregon is old Gen. Joe Jane.
No man ever received such an ova-
tion for services in the field as Joe
Lane when he returned from Mexico
at the close of the war, and gave the
State chance to carry him on its
shoulders for his gallantry at Buena
Vista. He went West in 1856, was
appointed provisional governor of
Oregon by Fillmore, then was in the
Senate, and had Just finished his
term when he was nominated for
Vice President on the ticket with
breckenridge. After that defeat
the hot political places that knew
him once knew him no more for
ever. He bought a farm back of
Roseburgh, running up from the
Valley of the Willamette, and built
him a small frame house high on a
picturesque spur of the Rogue River
Mountains, where he has lived ever
since in perfect seclusion. Two
years ago he lost his wife, whom he
always called ''the Madame" and
loved devotedly. Since then his
desolation has been relieved only by
a negro boy, who cooks and keeps
house for him. He is eighty-three
now, straight as an arrow, six feet
two inches in height, and he can
pick up his rifle and bring home a
deer or follow down a trout stream
over the rocks about as well as the
next man. And then he reads a
great deal. One room in his cabin
is sacred to his books, and his Ii
brary is one of the most valuable
on the Pacific slope. Only once
lately they got him worked up to
the point of coming down from his
garret in the clouds and making a
speech. It was on the 4th Of June
at Roseburgh. There were at least
5000 present, and when the old
hero began the auditors stretched
their necks as if some revelation
was coming, and every word was to
be precious. Only a few could hear
him, for his voice has drifted into
the childish treble, but curiosity
kept them spell bound till he closed.
He reminded one, with his majestic
presence and flowing white hair and
beard, of some John the Baptist in
the wilderness crying unto the peo-
Pile, "Repentr' The old man has
one wish left-to vote for Tilden
and Hendricks. If the ticket wins
he wants to depart in peace, like
Simeon, for he will have lived to see
the country's salvation.
Year: 1876

One of the last things done by
the Senate before adjourning was
the confirmation Of Clapp as Gov
eminent Printer. The House man
aged to get this man legislated out
of Office short time ago, after an
investigation IN which his incaPaci-
ty and corruption were shown up in
glaring colors. Grant then under
took to "vindicate" him by nomi-
mating him to the same office, the
name of which had been changed in
the meantime, and the Senate has
confirmed him without any eXami-
nation of the evidence on which the
House was based. Ineflciency and
dishonesty are a. premium in the
administration of Grant.
Year: 1876

BY the will of Henry Raine, a
London brewer, a fund was some
time since established to provide
for the marriage of poor maids. ="
Before his death he established
an asylum where 40 young girls are
trained for domestic service. On
arriving at the age of twenty-one
any girl who has been educated in
the asylum and can show that she
has behaved well may become q
candidate for a marriage portion OF
$500 for which six girls are allowed
to draw twice a year, the Ist oil
May and the 9Th of November
the portion drawn in May is given
after a wedding on the 9th OF No
vember. and the November money
is is given in like manner on May
dab.
Year: 1876

Inc pencil marks you see around this
paragraph (thus) mean that your sub
seription Is out or unpaid. and that you
are requested TO pay up at once. We
would take great pleasure In extending
credit to our friends and patrons. but
cash alone viii Yay onr expenses, and
we are forced to adhere TO strict cash
rule. We hope You viii comprehend
and appreciate the necessity Of such a
course, and renew your subscription
without delay. We solicit your favor.
StZ- We enter no new names on our
books without the money in advance.
Year: 1876

At the close of a concert, while a
young gentleman was struggling
with his hat. cane, oyercoat, opera
glass and his young lady's fan, All
OF which he was trying TO retain on
his lap, a suspicious looking black
bottle fell on the floor with a thud.
There, he exclaimed 20 his com
pany, II shall lose my cough medi-
ciae" That was presence OF mind
for you.
Year: 1876

have taken up on my ranch on Squaw
creek one stray mare, dun or mouse col
ored, with star in forehead. Has no
brand. Also one two year old FLY, same
color, belonging to the mare. The owner
is hereby notified to prove property, pay
charges and take them away.


DENNIS CROWLEY.
Year: 1876

A BEAUTIFUL SENTIMENT The Rev.
S. Starr King, in his address on the
Fourth of July, 1860, at the Children's
Celebration in San Francisco, gave
utterance to the following, which is
worthy of preservation:


"You know that clock ticks and
ticks, second by second, in dull, pa
tient, humdrum sort of way. till the
hand reaches the sixtieth minute, and
and then it strikes. A new hour is
born. What if each day should be
marked at sunrise by the louder stri-
king of clock to tell us that more
important minute was reached? What
if the commencement Of new year
should always be told to us by the vi
brations Of some mighty bell far up
in space, that sounded only on the
first Of January, touched then by the
hand of God? And now suppose that,
when anything very important was
about to happen in the world; when
new year of hope and joy for nation
or mankind was to come, mighty
time-keeper, away up among the stars,
should ring out, SO that men could
hear it, and say: 'Hark! ah, new
hour, one of Gods hours, has struck
in the great belfry of the heavensp


This would be grand. But God does
mark the great seasons of the worlds
history by mighty clock. In fact,
every nation has huge dialplate, and
behind it are the works, and below it
is the pendulum, and every now and
then it's hands mark new hour. Our
revolution was such period. That
is the glory Of it. The English gov
ernment had oppressed our fathers; it
tried to break their spirit. 1t was for
several years dark time, like the sea-
son before sunrise. But the old time
piece kept ticking, ticking, the wheels
kept playing calmly, till about 1775,
there was a strange stir and busy
clatter inside the case; the people
couldn't bear any more; a sixtieth
minute came, and all of a sudden the
clock struck! The world heard the
battle of Bunker Hiil-one; the Decla-
ration Of Independence-two; the sur
render of Burgoyne-three; the siege
of Yorktown four; the treaty OF
Paris-fve; the Inauguration of Wash
ington-six; and then it was sunrise,
and we live in the forenoon of the glo-
rious day.


Let us be glad and grateful on this
anniversary, that such a glorious hour
was marked for our country and the
world, on our coasts. Let us hope
and pray that the good old clock shall
remain for centuries uninjured, and
that it will strike many times again
but not through battles-to mark new
honrs for humanity.
Year: 1876

we believe the record and the principles
OF James G, Blaine to be as pure and as far
above reproach as Mr.. Bristow's; we believe
MIN to be most finished, practical states
man, thoroughly schooled by the great teach-
er experience, in the knowledge that is most
necessary to President, and we believe him
10 De man of such mastery ability, deyel-
oped In just the ways and channels leading
most directly up to the presidential office,
ana oil such wide repute and almost universal
popularity that he stands forth a representa-.
i've man OF his country, and a man most
American people in the Representative office
OF the nation.-St. Albans Aduertiser.
Year: 1876

The fact that Dom Pedro is not fool is a
perpetual surprise TO the reporters and cor
respondents. Wherever he goes they an
nounce with undisguised astonishment that
"he manifests an intelligent interest in every
Thing OF Importance that is brought to his
attention" Why man of culture and good
parts should be expected to do otherwise is
not apparent to most of us.
Year: 1876

The vast ignorance of the argus in regard
to political history and current events has
received another Illustration. In its issue of
Tuesday it informs its readers that "the ar
gument of Judge Hoar in the impeachment
trial on Saturday was crisp and to the point"
Considering that Judge Hoar made no argu-
ment SATURDAY. or any other day in the i'm
peachment trial, and that he has nothing
whatever to do with the case this informa-
ton can scarcely be regarded as reliable. The
argus evidently labors under the impression
that Judge Hoar is member of Congress
a1d manager in the impeachment trial. 1t
should go right to work and study up the his
tory of this country.
Year: 1876

THE conduct of the Direct Cable Company
is in marked and favorable contrast with that
pursued by the old company. They made no
increase of rates for messages while the old
line was broken.