smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1873

The king-elect of the Sandwich Islands
is a bachelor. He has been engaged sew
ial times to Victoria Kamamalu, a sister
of the late king. This lady died about two
wears ago. Ii was moro the late kings
desire to have "Prince Bill'' marry his
sister than it was the formers wish To
espOuse Victoria. 1t was hoped that such
an alliance would better perpetuatc the
Kamehameha dynasty. Victoria was anx-
iOus to capture the handsome bachelor.
who was her junior by several years and
did not allow


"Concealment, like the worm j. the mud,


Feed upon her damaged check,


but laid siege to his heart by every art,
device, and blandishment known to the
femaltemind. The gallant prince, though
not rcciprOcating this ardent attachment
was still willing, for state reasons, TO unite
with her in the bonds of matrimOny. The
preparations for the regal nuptials were
all complete on more than one occasion.
liberal trOusseau was imported from
Paris, the date was fixed, the marriage
feast spread, and everybody was ready for
the wedding except the bridegroom.
"Prince Bill" got glOriously drunk on the
day fixed for the alliance. Instead of 60
ing on his honeymoon he went on terri
BILE spree, and was transported to his
home on wheel barrow. to the intense cha
grin of his aflianced and the modification
and disgust OF all the chiefs and mobiles of
the little kingdom. Another day was
fixed for the marriage, with the same dis
astrOus conclusion. 1t is said that after
this the princess became too partial to the
flowing bowl and drowned her vexatiOns
in royal "tanglefoOt," seldom enjoying a
sober period. Mutual friends still, how
ever, endeavOred to bring about the union
of LunalilO and Kamamalu, and might
have succeeded had it been possible to get
either Of them sober enough to stand be-
fore the altar. When "Bill' was sober it
turned out that "Vic'' was drunk, and
when '.Vic' was sober "Bill" was drunk.
Finally the attempt to unite the two
| branches of the family was abandoned,
and the poor princess, so the romance
runs, drank herself to a premature grave.
The young king is therefore yet single,
| and for the exclusive benefit of our unmar-
ried lady readers we will add that he is
said to be particularly ''sweet" on Amer
lean ladies'. Here is a magnificent chance
for some of our bellies TO capture royal
game, and only think Of it--a king at
| that.-Erchdnqe.
Year: 1873

A SCENE witnessed by some travellers
in the North Of Norway, from cliff one
thousand feet above the sea, is thus de-
scribed:


"The ocean stretched away in silent
vastncss at our feet; the sound OF waves
scarcely reached our airy lookout; away
in the North the huge old sun swung low
along the horizon, like the slow beat of
the pendulum i'm the tall clock of our
grandfathers' parlOr corner. We all stood
SILENT. looking at our watches. When
both hands came together at twelve, mid
night, the full round orb hung triumph
antly above the waves, bridge Of gold
running due north spanning the water be-
tween us and him. There he shOne i'm ST.
lent majesty, which knew no setting. We
involuntarily took off our hats no word
was said. Combine. if you can, the most
brilliant sunrise and sunset you ever saw
and the beauties will pale before the gor-
geOus coloring which now Lit up ocean,
heaven and mountain. In half an hour
the sun had swung up perceptibly in his
beat, the cOlors changed to those Of morn
ing, fresh breeze rippled over the flood,
one songster after another piped up in the
grove behind us-we had slid another
day."
Year: 1873

In the far off Nevada train Of cars
was rushing along at rapid speed, the
locomotive being mounted by trusty
engineer. Suddenly the train whirlcd
round curve entering tunnel six
hundred and fifty feet in length. No
watchmsn had given warning Of dan
ger, but the quick eye of the engineer
caught sight Of red, roaring flames
and dense smoke ahead-the other
end of the tunnel was a fiery mass.
There was but a flash Of time for
thought; no possibility Of stopping; /;
to reverse the engine end whistle down
brakes would bring the cars to a stand
in the midst of the raging flames; the
only hope was to rush on with whirl-
wind speed. With quick hand the en-
gineer threw open the valve; he held
fast to the lever, closed his eyes aud
tried to pray. Through smoke and
flame and falling timber, one instant,
and the terrified passengers beheld the
cool daylight beyond - all saved
through the daring act of this man
known familiarly as Johnny Bartholo
new.


Another faithful engineer was on one
of the trains which recently collided
on the Amboy division Of the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad in consequence of a
mistake in telegrsphic dispatch. The
engineer stood by his engine to the
last, and was dangerously injured. The
fireman told him to jump of, but he
refused. As he afterwards said to his
friends: 81 could not leave ray en-
gine; l had to stop her, and l did al
most do it. l thank God for one
thing; ! can die with Il clear con
science, for it was not my fault"
Year: 1873

To INC OF


SIR: When your correspondent who is in
favor OF taxing mortgages is answering the questions
propounded him in your issue of the 9th inst perhaps
he will also favor with his opinion to tho justice
OF such tax in the following actual The writer OF
this is trustee OF widow who possessed in her own
night. on the death OF her father. small income. To
relieve a son. in emergency. she assened to
rangement BY which the sale was made OF sufficient
amount OF securities belonging TO her estate. To
tho ultimate rights Of the cohers OF the son for whom
the sacrifice was made mortgage taken from him
upon his Interest In the real estate OF the trust To
amount OF his Indebtedness $1,000. The widow, whose
income seriousy essened by this loan to son.


liable for the tax upon the property covered by the mort
gage and upon the mortgage ITSELF from the latter OF
which she receives benefit, 1t being 10 her, IN
simply the evidence OF depletion OF her substance.


Neic- York, March 8, 1878. W. A. NJ.
Year: 1873

SIR: The AstOr Library was, believe, es-
tablished for the public good but am certain the pub


lie do not from all the good they entitled to
receive. Some years ago kept open from O'Clock
in the morning till half hour before sunset which is
certainly early enough to Close considering that there is
no admission to the Library during the gaslght hours
Now however. the public not admitted till 10 O'Clock,
and notwithstanding that the at the present time
does set TILL o'clock, they turned out at il5.
few days ago the time OF closing was o'clock, but
quarter of an hour has been grudgingy added during
the past week What with the cutting of at both ends
OF the day the public at this time OF the daily
deprived OF the use OF the Library over two hourshours
that are important 10 those who only find time TO
visit IL early the forenoon late in the afternoon.
Evidently, the eighthOurs system IA considered TO
be too for those engaged In this institution.
Publicity given TO this complaint may, perhaps, induce


s trustees 10 pay more regard To the intentions OF It's
founder and thus increase the utility Of his benefacon.


Nee I0Tk, March 8, 1873 LIBRARY READER
Year: 1873

T o The Edttor or The tribune.


SIR: The mOckery of justice in the recent
criminal trial ought to open the eyes Of an easy and
sluggish community 10 the dangers TO out or
the condition things brought pass through the blind
ness-to mild word-of Judges the tricks Of coun-
sell and the stupidity OF jurors. The prime evil is in
quiring jury to be unanimous II will always be diff
cult to find twelve good men to agree, and were
the secrets OF the juryroom better known the public
would not he silent regarding the fruits OF the system
under which the city groans The change required Is
very simple bill Of few sentences would settle the


matter OF conviction and that secured, would pave the
way preventing the tricks OF trials and delays
founded bubbles. law something like this might
be passed. 1t Is hereby declared that In criminal
trials shall longer be necessary for the jury TO be
unanimous but that twOthrds of their number shall
convict This act to take effect immediately, and to be
irrespective that Il TO say, all criminals imprisoned be-
fore the passing of this act when tried shall be tried
under this law" The allpowerful press could
the change II they but united. and would lay aside
on this point their sectional and party feeling and look
ing only the good TO be accomplished urge the reform
i'm a way that would not listen 10 delay or denial.


Heu York, March 10, 1873. SCOTIA.
Year: 1873

THE BASIS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT


To the Editor Of The Tribune.


SIR: SO much has been said and written
against the proposed Charter that doubt the expedi
ency OF arguing the subject further but although all
demonstrations and arguments prove useless Is


matter Of exultaton to see how unanimous the people
and press are denouncing this intended ring instru
ment This Is undoubtedly due to the efforts OF the
press 70 break the old Ring But Is there nothing
10 hinder conspraors from imposing their will on
the peoplei In my opinion there is very plain and
simple redeem from such evil The Charter
interests NewYorK alone What other cities and
the rural districts whether the Common Council Of New
York consists OF one two branchesi whether the
Mayor or anybody else has the appointing power
whether the Mayor is gure-head or Is clad with all
the power belonging 10 him. The welfare OF tue cltl
Zens OF WORK, however, requires them 10 interest
themselves in these matters Why then, should theY
need tie advice OF other people IN regard TO the man
aRement Of their own affarsi Does not now lodge
draft bylaws subject to the confirmation OF tue
Grand Lodge Does not each state make iS own coDsti
tuition Why should not the City OF NewYork, or any
other city and community, have the power to decide
upon the rules which its affairs should be managed
Just as an assembly TO frame new state con-
stitution which must be voted by the people,
may proceed with the constitution Of the city This
think is true democratic principle, for II the United
states have only such powers conferred by tho
states latter claim only such powers as are con
was ever given ought 10 Do revoked aud think that
II New York left alone there would not be- much
danger from rings. PkoBIIAs'


.helD- York, March 3, 1873
Year: 1873




To the Editor Of TAe Tribune.


SIR: Complaints are coming up from every
section Of the country concerning the wretched cOndi
ton of the railway mail service OF the Post Office De-
partment, especially from Cincinnati and the West
The Post Office authorities attribute the Of failure
to secure rapid transmission Of the mails to the railroad
companies. In every large city and in many small ones
where there railroad connections there person in
the Post-Ofce employ called Local Agent. IL - the
duty OF Local Agent that the mails properly
labeled and prepared for shipment; TO that the con-
tractor who conveys mails 10 and from the depOts Is
always on hand with his wagons TO that the mails
are not allowed lie at the depots hours after their
rival and that they brought Immediately 10 the
Post-Ofce In city like Pittsburgh Cincinnati it is
also duty of Local Agent 10 see that the through
mails properly transferred from one tram 10 another
and from depot TO another, not 10 miss con-
nections. as is too frequently the case.


Just here Is where the trouble comes In man who
receives the appointment Of Local Agent account OF
his political IS not likely TO be parsonage who
will stndOusly and anXOusY perform his whole duty 10
the public and the POstOice Department lie gen
orally concludes that his duties have all been performed
during campaign AID that his only labor now Is 10
draw his salary witk eOmmendable pr0mptness and reg
uarity The postal service is full OF such rasoas and
will be impossible to have efficient and effective rail-
way mail service until they set adrlft IL Is
easy To see how political Local Agent at Pittsburgh,
Columbus, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Cleveland or any
connecting point be the means OF great mis-
chief the business OF the country. These Local Agents
generally belong to ruling ring OF politicians and
postmaster who should report all delnquencles gen
orally afraid TO make against them for fear OF
bringing upon himself the wrath OF the uetest able
stad that riding the head OF political professions and
presiding ward meetings is not OF ITSELF sufficient
recommendation OF mans qualifications U hold ohice,
we may expect "a change for the better. Z. c. Z.


Columbus o., March Q, 1873.
Year: 1873

.I,I, a.


1t is the duty of the press TO hold public
servants 70 faithful discharge of their duty, and II
they fail in this regard. point out the failure. The
late Congress did several things which they ought not 10
have DONE and left undOne others which they should
have done bu in opinion the very worst and most
utterly ndefensble they did 70 increase their own
salaries year. dating the increase back two years
This puts 5000 in every members pocket for services
for which he has already been paid and recepted In fu
Ii is useless minee words about this matter which we
cannot regard much better than downright stealing
The people OF this country have worked hard aud long
build up the Republican party. They love IL Tor lts
principles and for its great achievements and they SEND
men Congress 70 represent those principles and to
advance the glory Of the country and the party HOW
unsaeakably cruel therefore for them in the last hours
of an expiring Congress- TO dsh0nOr the party and their
constituents by voting themselves this pie OF money
out Of the public treasury We have no patience with
guc conduct,
Year: 1873

A TRUsTY BAROMETER. - Upon the
Little Snake Creek, near Binghampton,
lives an original character, "to fortune
and to fame unknown" This genuine
Solon Shngle has been in the habit Of
coming to Binghampton, getting stagger-
ing drunk, and going home in that condi-
senting such usage by administering some
punishment when Uncle Soon comes
home drunk, and sometimes she receives
him with loving, open arms. But Uncle
Solon has a never-faiing barometer,
which he makes use of on such occasions
to ascertain if there is a storm brewing
When he arrives at the house he opens
the door and throws in his old hat. As
there is only one room in the house, he
gets quick response. If the hat stays
Uncle Solon knows its all right, and stag
gers in with assurance Of warm sup
per aud undisturbed slumbers during the
night. But if the hat comes back-and
if it comes spitefuliy- Solon takes
himself to the stables and spends the
night with his horses. That barometer
has been in operation for over forty years
and never failed to Indicate Storm
And Uncle Solon never failed to heed
the cautionary signal. There is nothing
like accuracy to establi-h confidence.
Year: 1873

A MARTYR TO When, only
a few weeks ago, the cholera was raging
IN the slums of Berlin, young physician
scarcely past his thirtieth year, made
himself remarked by the boldness and
persistency with which he entered the in
fected quarter, and the apparent reckless
ness with which he exposed himself to the
contagion. 1t is worth while that his
name should be recorded and well re-
membered it was Otto Obermeir. He
had another object besides that of reliev-
ing and ifpossible, curing the poor crea-
lures whom he visited. He proposed to
himself to investigate, the presence of
of the living pestllence itself, its causes
and its development. AT last the brave
young soul thought he had discovered
the clew and with heroism as far
above the heroism of the battlefield as it
is nobIer to sacrifice ones self to save
men than to destroy them, he resolved to
test his discovery upon himself. 1t was
an awful moment. Obermeir knew full
we'll that he staked his life against the
hope of conquering the cholera. Obtain
ing from one of his patients some of the
deadly chcleraic germ, he went deiber-
ately to his room, placed table with
pencil and paper by his bedside, and
then lay calmly down upon the bed,
opened vein in his arm, and inserted
the deadly poison. He thought he had
discovered how to neutralize it; if so,
man was master of the pestilence for ev-
ermore. But he was wrong and the error
was fatal. He lived seven hours and then
died but during these seven dying hours
the young hero observed, with scientific
exactness, the effect and progress of the
disease upon him, and one after another
he noted his observations until within the
very half hour when the spirit left the
body. These notes are pronounced to
have the highest value, and will serve the
Commission with new facts of the first
importance. And so the dying legacy of
Otto Obermeir may, after all, lead to the
victory which he condemned himself to
self destruction in trying to achieve
Appieton'S Journal.
Year: 1873

" All the African tribes L nave met,
says Mr.. Reade, in his African Sketch
book, "believe that the ghosts or souls
of the departed hover round the graves
and their former homes. Sometimes the
bodies are buried in the houses, and the
spirits join in the family meals. They
are supposed to be always present, and
often, in the course of conversation, some
one will say, " You remember that,
Mansue, do you not 9'


These people (the Ashantees), believe
as firmly in the under world as they be-
lieve in a country adjoining their own.-
With them faith is not a duty difficult to
be acquired, by simply a part of their
nature. A woman who was killed that
she might join the cortege of king upon
the Gold Coast, was first stripped, ac-
cording to the custom, and then struck
upon the head. She was only stunned
by the blow awaking she found herself
surrounded by dead bodies. She ran
back to the town, where the elders were
sitting in council, informed them that she
had been to the land OF the dead, and
that the king had sent her back because
she had 70 clothes. The elders must
dress her finely, and then kill her over
again, and this accordingly was done.


No ideas OF reward or retrihution are
associated with the future state. As for
their gods, some OF them are good, some
of them are evil their characters are hu-
man and mixed. The good ones can be
made fierce by neglect, the evil ones can
be propitiated by flattery and presents.
The ietichman and priests act as inter-
prefers between gods and men. They
sometimes say to an irreligious man,
You had better take care my friend
l saw Ohylwoo to-day, and he is in a
rage because you have given him moth
ing this harvest" Or to another they
will say Il met Bossumassi just now
in the forest he told me to thank you
for that bottle of palm wine." "Oh, did
he like it ?" Yes, he told me it was
very good indeed" These anecdotes
will show how faint for these people is
the division between the two worlds, and
how unearthly things form part of their
every day life.


They believe in one God, the Creator
of the world, but suppose hei Indifferent
and passive-"a god sitting outside the
universe'-and seldom if ever pray to
him. They say he has deputed the ad
ministration OF the earth to viceroy gods,
or spirits, who govern human things as
they please. just as the Queen" says
Palmer. " sends out to this country gov
ernors and commandants. They often
discuss the mystery of evil. Why"
they ask, does God allow these evil spir-
its to torment us ?"


They do not believe that these gods
punish men for any oAenses save those
against themselves-viz. the Withholding
of tribute and homage, and the breaking
of oaths sworn in their name. 1t is only
the fear Of public opinion which deters
the natives from committing those of
fences which cannot be touched by the
law, but happily they are governed by
opinion in a remarkable degree, and in
small communities where men have no
resources Of their own, and no pleasure
except in society, this must always be
the case.


1t will therefore be perceived that, on
the Gold Coast, theology, morals and re-
ligion are not connected with each other.
Year: 1873

A CHURCH may be so poor as to rem
der it necessary to let the cellar Of the sa-
cred edifce for secular purposes but
some taste and judgment should be ex-
ercised in selecting tenant. The lower
region Of a temple in Dixon, KY. is used
for pig pen, and the devotions of the
congregation are sometimes disturbed by
a great scraping Of backs on the floor
inisfs
Year: 1873

Reporter-Bnt if, sir, you can
neither see solution of the difficulties
of the producers In the reduction Of
Western freight tariffs nor in the cor
rection of individual abuses In the
conduct of railroads, to what source
shall the farmers who are burning
corn because it is the cheapest fuel they
can lay hold OF, look for q correction,
or at least material modification, OF
the evils under which they suffer?


Mr.. Harris-There sir, I confess
you have me. have given the mat-
ter much and serious thought but l
have been unable to satisfy even myself
by . Trustworthy theory regarding it..
There is no single accomplishment
Year: 1873

The following is the minority report OF Messrs.
Opdyke and Bloomenthal:


The undersigned respectfully dissent to the report OF
the Committee OF this House on the Affairs OF Cities upon
the bill referred to them, entitled as now amended An
act to reOrganze the local government of the City of
NewYork" The main reasons for such dissent are sue
cinctly as follows:


THE APPOINTING POWER MISPLACED.


One objection make TO the charter proposed by the
Committee for the City OF New-York and which
alone woud have compelled dissent from their report,
will be found in section % OF the BILL While this sec
ton provides that the first instance the Mayor shall
nominate TO the Board or Aldermen the names OF per-
for the heads OF departments yet 1t provides that
the Aldermen do not confirm such nominations within
the period OF few weeks then the Mayor shall go into
joint convention with the Board Of Aldermen and that
the heads OF departments shall be appointed by ma
jOrty vote in such joint convention. A tyro
legislation will perceive that this section sub
stanaly bestows upon the Aldermen the whole power
OF appointment and that the Mayor has only
the semblsnce OF such power. This provision is an
ominous. unprecedented and in fact revolutionary one
In its character IL subversiye OF all known methods,
and find no sanction from experience from public
need, nom reason. II bettes the dgned office OF
Mayor Of a great municipality. IL mingles the execu-
tive power with the legislative in defiance OF the teach
ing OF all experience aud the radical principles OF free
government everywhere. IL abolshes a republican



pretend to defend the scheme in point Of principle II
other motives have suggested its adoption they are
not such as can claim the support of wise and far
sighted ststesmanship. Temporary expedency Is an
argument which often brings strong temptations, IN
decd departure from recognized methods and from
admitted principle But history. in this State as well
elsewhere, has taught Legislatures the danger OF
yielding to such temptations.


Tue CHARTER WRONG IN PRINCIPLE.


In the second place we dissent from the report OF ths
Committee because we cannot favor tho pro-
posed Charter as q whole The entire framework
OF the Charter framed upon the plan OF nstitutine
separate executive departments of the municipal
government each OF which is TO be, In its own sphere
absolutely OF all control the part either
Of tho Mayor or Of tho Common Council The sole limit
upon the powers Of the heads Of these departments
limit regard TO the aggregate amouDtof annual ex.
pendurc Of money by each To control this provided
that gross sum shall be annually estimated and ap-
proprated for the expenditure of each department;
BY the Common Council elected By the people, but