smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1870

The subscription to the Stanton
memorial fund now exceeds fifty
thousand dollars. The committee in
charge Of the affair hope, with the
contributions in other cities, to make
the whole fund one hundred thousand
dollars
Year: 1870

The Union Republican Association OF the
XVIth Assembly District, at its regular meeting las'
evening in Demit Hail. received 2 member and ex,
PEELED three namely Joseph Casey, James Cannon, anu
william Gallagher


The XVIIth Assembly District Republican
Association has appointed VIM. I. Graft Ira o. Miller,
and D. Melish committee to inquire and report as to
the effect of Federal patronage, and of CITY patronage
under the City Charter upon the Republican or8ani
zotion in New-York City.


The latest reported figures Of the political
strength in the newly elected Legislature Of Nevada are
OF some interest In view Of the election OF United
States Senator the session following that Of 1911 The
Senate now elected will hold over and have voice in
the choice Of the successor OF Mr. Nye, whose term
expires in 1873 The new Senate Will stand apparently,
II Republicans and II DemocTats as recently Pu9sneu %
cratic by about six majority but VIII have no part III inc
election OF u Senator


There has been some discussion among the
newspapers of Michigan the eligibility, under tho
State Constitution OF Judge Sutherland the Democratic
candidate recently elected in thd Iyth Congress District
clause Of the Constitution provides that no Judge OF
the Circuit Court shall be elected to any Office other than
judicial during his term Of duty for there
after and all votes cast for such ineligible person shall
be void" Against thls clause Is placed mat OF 1.-THE the
qualification than proper age and residence OF seven
1t argued that the state make man ineli-
gibe member OF Congress who Is not ineligible under
the United states Constitution.


A report that Mr.. Kellogg, member elect of
the Massachusetts Legislature from Pittsied designed
oppose the reelection OF Senator Wilson, has created
indignation among the Republican editors OF
Eastern The Berkshire County Eagle
plains that Mr. Kellogg is not engaged IN any scheme in
favor another candidate but simply demands that the
subject be left open for tho unbiased deboraton OF the
Legislature when IL conyenes. He proposes TO go 10
Boston uncommittod regards the United states SEN
aOr and hopes 10 meet others who are a free to discuss
the question himself The Boston Journal IL not salts


fled with this explanation and says Tine people at the
last election settled the question of Senatorship and
il not too much say that Republican convention
through the would have selected as
candidate for the General Court any member or Their
party known to be nncal to the reelection oi the HON.
Horny Wilson"
Year: 1870

preudloes Of the people against the newly enrsnchsed
race. Those preudlces must be overcome, and the
church Sunday morning, he had heard that negro


man had been hung up In fauquier County until he was
put ti0O note which the white man who hung him af
terward found This another illustration OF the me-
menf and the law should be enforced until the colored
man In Virginia respected ut least IN Ia months
Year: 1870

Coroner Flynn and Il jury yesterday investi-
gated the death OF Thomas Milard Of Lafayetteaye..
Brooklyn, who instantly killed on the evening of
Nov o. at Broadway and Johnst by the tender Of En-
gnc No Joseph Derry the driver Of the tender testi-
fed that he detailed driver on that night but
had no knowledge Of having man until alter
returning the fire. when officer came To the en-
guehouse and told him. several witnesses TESTIFIED THAT
The engine aud tender were going slower than usual as
the time. ~, o.o r,,,


Andrew Wilson, letercarrier, OF NO 253 ThrdaVe.,
tesed that on the evening In question he jumped on
the rear step the tender and when nearly opposite
Deyst saw a start from the west side OF Broadway
no ran I'm front OF the wheel OF the tender, and was
knocked down and witness called to the driver
that he had man. and was told by MN To get
o the driver not have heard what witness SAID;


witness thinks the driver could not have seen the De
ceased before he run over ON being ordered on h
tender witness went back TO where the man lay and
found him dying the horse attached to the tender was
eThs Jury rendered A verdict Of accidental death.
Year: 1870

such 11l act would not. An act which
makes men promise to pay dollars ii
legal tenders for the payment of debts
previously contracted is not o means
appropriate, plainly adapted or really
calculated to carry into effect any ex.
press power granted to Congress
though it Is not surprising amid the
tumult Of civil war, under apprehen-
sions for the safety of the Republic, q
different view was entertained by Amer.
ican statesmen, and was adopted by
many. The time was not favorable
for considerate reflection upon the
constitutional limits Of the Legislative
or Executive authority, but the power
was assumed from patriotic motives, and
the assumption found ready justifca-
ton in patriotic hearts. But many
who then acquiesced in view of oui
necessity since the return of peace III
calmer times have considered their
opinions, and now concur in the views
here announced, that the legal tender
net can not apply to pre-existing con-
tracts.


Judge Miller, after arguing the case
at great length, says the legal tender
clauses were placed in the bill reluct-
antly and with hesitation, and only
after theimperatiye necessity of il bad
been demonstrated. How this neces-
sity alone could have carried this
clause also proves clearly that tho ex-
istence OF that necessity refers TO The
power of Congress TO establish sys-
tenn of bankruptcy, tho essence oi
which is to discharge debtors from the
obligation of pre-existing tracts


He declares the arguments too fine fol
his perception by which the indirect
effect of new public measure in de.
preciating tho value of lands, stocks
and bonds renders such law invalid.
As to the taking Of private property
for public use, or depriving the owner
of it without due process of law, those
laws have been received as valid with
almost UNIVERSAL acceptance, and pay.
ment has been made in legal tenders
to the amount OF thousands OF mil.
lions of dollars, though gold was the
only lawful tender when the debt was
contracted The two houses of Con.
gross, the President who signed tho
bill, and fifteen State Courts of last
resort (being all but one that have
passed upon the question:, have ex.
| ressed belief in the constitutionality
of these laws. With all this great
weight of authority and this strong
concurrence OF opinion among those
who have passed upon the question
previous TO our being called upon tC
decide it, whose duty it was TO pass
upon it, in the light Of the Constitu
ton, we are to reverse their action
disturb contracts, and declare the lau
void, because the necessity for its en-.
actment does not appear SO strong Il
us now as it did then to Congress, ol
so clear as 1t was 10 other Courts
Such is not my idea Of the relative
functions OF Legislative and Judicial
Department of the Government


Where there is choice means tho
power of selections is with Congress
not with the Court. If the act to bs
considered Is in any sense essential t.
the execution of acknowledged power
that necessity is for the Legislature
not for any Court to determine.
Year: 1870




CnIcAao, Feb. s.-The opinion of
the Supreme Court on the legal tender
question is a very long and able view
OF the case. Justice Chase SAYS no.
body questions the constitutionality
and not many question the expediency
OF the net by which currency notes
have been authorized IN recent years.
Doubt exists as to the power of Con-
gress TO declare these notes legal ten
der in payment of pre-existing debts.
The only ground upon which this pow
or is asserted is not that the issue of
notes was appropriate and plainly
adopted as the means for carrying on
the war, for that is admitted, but that
the making of mhem legal tender to
the extent mentioned was such means.
Justice Chase proceeds to argue the
question whether making the notes le-
gal tenders really added anything to
their credit or usefulness. He says
the history of legislation shows that
the reliance for their circulation was
originally placed in the receivability
and not IN the quality OF the legal ten
der notes, because the receivability
clause appears in the original draft of
the bill, while the legal tender clause
was introduced at q later stage of its
progress. He thinks it by no means
certain that the depreciation of the
notes would be less IL the Government
pledged the holder its power to COM
pei his creditors to receive them at
par in payment. II the quantity to
be issned be uncertain and their re-
demption fixed at remote period,
great depreciation would take place,
but if the quantity only equalled the
demands of business, and confidence
in their redemption be strong, the
notes will circulate freely, whether
made legal tender or not. If it is adj
mitted that some increase of available
/ ity is derived from making the notes q
legal tender under new contracts, il
does not follow that any appreciable
advantage is gained by compelling
!, creditors to receive them in satisfac-
ton of pre-existing debt The opin.
ion points out the evils of an irredeem-
liable paper currency. He thinks max.
ling them legal tender widens their ex-
tent protracts their continuance, and


he cannot allow, therefore, that such
lexpedient is the appropriate and plain.
Ily adapted means for the execution o.
'lpower to carry on the war. But there
lis another view, by which it appears


nothing prohibited by or inconsistent
with the spirit of the Constitution car


be regarded as appropriate, plainly
Iadapted OF really calculated means tx
'lany such end. After careful inqui
Try he arrives at the conclusion tha-
making bills of credit legal tender
Applicable to pre-existing contracts, i
inconsistent with the spirit and letter


of the Constitution, which forbids leg
.lislation impairing the obligation O


contracts, and prohibits the taking o
priyate property for public use withou


compensation. It also declares tina
no person shall be deprived of life
!, liberty or property without due pro
cess of law. An act which compel
! creditors who hold contracts for pay
ment in specie to accept currency o


inferior value in payment thereof, de


priyes such persons of property with


out due process of law. It is Difficult
/ to perceive what act would take prop
Aerty without due process Of law
Year: 1870

the subsequent speaking. The whites being
in sympathy with Mr.. Brigham. and the
colored having i'll great measure left, he
had but little incentive to attempt an
answer to the arguments going before SO
We heard him say subsequently. We know
nothing OF the reply to Mr. Brigham.


We have never witnessed a more orderly
and well behaved political gathering. The
party ruling this State could not have more
satisfactory assurances of the willingness
on the part OF our people to have a fair,
liberal canvass, and an unprecedented nhilot
at the approaching election.


We understand that both Mr.. Ray and
General Sheridan coniplimented the parish
very highly To use General Sheridan's
own language to Colonel Hoffman. While
sharing his hospitality. Il have had q jolly
good time IN Morehouse.' The effect Of
this visit by these gentlemen to oar parish.
their reception. etc, will tell for our politl-
cal and local interests in time 20 come.
Year: 1870

Mr.. Boutwell's debt statement for the last
month makes out reduction Of something
over seventeen millions in the national
debt for that period. The Secretary ID
going on better and better all the time.
Eight or nine millions surplus month to
DO applied to the liquidation or the debt
was considerable sum; ten millions waa
better still but seventeen millions, which Is al
the rate OF hundred and eighty millions .
year, is glorious, and shows that the debt Is
bagatelle to this rioh and prosperous coun-
try The reduction in June was over twenty
millions, which makes within Nhe last two
months over thirty-ave millions. or course,
we cannot expect the debt to be liqut-
dated 80 rapidly hereafter when the laws OF
Congress reducing taxation come into ppers-
ton; but we have no doubt there will be still
large surplus to be applied to The payment
of the debt. The United States can pay Me
whole offin fifteen years Never before in ttAs
history of nations did any country show ouch
resources and wealth. There ought to be no
difficulty in funding the debt at lower rate OF
interest, and there Is no reason why tie credA
ofthe republic should not stand highest in ths
markets of the world.
Year: 1870

On Saturday night q freight train on the
Susquehanna division Of the Erie Railroad,
going west, was thrown off the track. The
forward cars were smashed to pieces and q
number of horses in the cars were more or less
injured, while two men were instantly killed.
The conductor and engineer declared that the
accident was caused by some person having
''tampered with the SWITCH" Doubtless many
railway accidents have been caused by persons
''tampering with the SWITCH" but If public
opinion were as kcenly alive as ii ought to bs
to the vital importance of detecting and
severely Furnishing these diabolical "tampererz
with the switch" their occupation would soon
be gone. Moreover, tho guilt to be justly laid
to their charge is but molehil to the noun
tain of responsibility that weighs upon railway
corporations themselves for the vast majority
of accidents directly or indirectly Occasoned
by their culpable Indifference to human life.
A full and accurate statistical record Of such
accidents during the last ten years would
reveal an aggregate of horrible results too
dreadful 10 contemplate. The statement
which the late Mr.. Nathan made to an Ameri-
can railway king, that at the Mount Sinai Hos
pital alone, Gin the course of two years,
nearly forty persons, more or less seriously
injured along tho line Of his railroad in ths
city, had been brought in and treated, without
the expense of cent either to the railroad or
to the injured parties, gives but a faint idea
of the accidents which occur along the thou
sands of miles of railway in the United States.
The usual verdict in each Of these cases is,
''Nobody to blame" But the time viii surely
come when no such verdict can be accepted,
and when tsmpering with human life on the
part of railway corporations shall excite IN
deep Indignation and be- as summarily pan
ished as any alleged "tamperiug with the
switch" by individuals.
Year: 1870

WALL STREET AND THE NATHAN MURDER. -
1t must be some slight mitigation of the great
grief of Mr.. Nathans family to learn of the
profound respect which was paid his memory
in Wall street yesterday. The Stock Exchange
was hermetically closed throughout the funeral
services, and even the frivolous curbstone
dealers were awed into silence by the quiet
which reigned in Broad street. The remains
consigned to the tomb, the Stock Exchange
opened at one o'clock In the afternoon.
Year: 1870

A MURDER IN FIGHT FOR BREAD Is q new
phase taken by the murder mania in at least
one instance in the city. A party of roughs
demanded bread of baker on East Fourteenth
street, but refused to pay for it, when fight
ensued and the baker fatally stabbed one of
the party, named Fingleton, with bayonet
The party were not starving or unable to buy
bread, but they had been drinking and were
bent on fight. Rum usually has something
to do with cases Of this kind, and bread very
seldom,
Year: 1870

PRESIDENT GRANT, Secretary Fish and Min
lster Frelinghuysen are in close council at Long
Branch. 1t is believed that Frelinghuysen
Intends to decline the mission to England. II
such Is the case It is to be hoped that Motley
will return home, and that no Minister will be
appointed at all to the English Court. We do
not need anybody there In that capacity, for
there Is no great question pending between
ourselves and the English nation that can be
settled by diplomacy. Discussion on the
Alabama claims is no longer allowable, and
oonsular agents can do the necessary routine
~0rx Vi he mission.
Year: 1870

THE GOVERNOR has finally decided against
committing the sentence Of John Real, who
will in all probability be hanged next Friday.
Considerable sympathy has been excited by the
courageous bearing of Real since his sentence {;
but sympathies have little to do with law, and
in this case, whatever one may think Of Real
personally, the courae Of the law IL as Just as
" is stern.
Year: 1870

WHAT SENATOR HARLAN SAYS ABOUT
GENERAL GRANT.--Senator Harlan, of Iowa,
has written letter to q gentleman in Florida
In reply to certain inquiries respecting General
Grant and his administration. The Senator
says that, although some Of the acts Of the
administration do not meet the cordial
approval Of number of republicans-the
recall Of Mr.. Motley, for instance-yet, as o
whole, it meets the support Of the party.
The Senator might have spared himself the
trouble of gratifying the curiosity Of his
Florida correspondent; for no doubt the
dreams Of General Grant at his cool retreat
on Long Branch will not be disturbed OF the
present time about whatever politicians may
write or think about himself or his admins
tratiOn.
Year: 1870

In CONSERVATIVE "OLD KENTUCK," where
they run up democratic majorities by the
hundred thousand, Sambo voted for the frst
time yesterday. Strong efforts have been
made to secure his aggregate vote for the
republicans, but the democratic papers of the
State have offered him a fair show on their
side, and 1t is likely that his vote will be
divided. In Louisville yesterday, although
every darkey polled his vote, the democracy
sarried the city and county, and it is very
probable that the unterrifed still hold their
lmpreguable position in the State.
Year: 1870




As to the issue OF the war, the adviser OF King
William looks forward to 1t with the utmost calm
nessnOt that he anects any arrogant confidence in
the military results but the political consequences
appear to him to present little danger to his cause
even on the suppOsitlOn OF O striking defeat. "If
Prussia Is victorious" he says, ''she would not only
achieve German unity to her own advantage, but
she would retake, II she thought nt, Lorraine and
AlSace; she would have in France only a neighbor
lessened territory and lowered without the nope
will require ten or twerty years before It VIII be
over; she remains incOntestably in possession of
the first rank among the Powers OF Western Europe.
Should Prussia, on the other hand, be beaten what
OF the Rhine In point OF fact her territorial nteg.
rity Ia not interered with; her power Of expansion
as representative OF the Germantc idea remains
what 1t was before; her internal constitution
rests intact; her power and her military renown
Will be shaken for time, 1t Is true but she will
main in full possession OF all the elements necessary
for her recovery. For Prussia In a word, defeat
means simply loss OF time; for France 1t would be
equivalent to ruin. The first risks at the most to
see her present compromised ana her advance de-
position IN the world So reasons M. Bismarck, aud
IL Is from such arguments that he derives The
serenity OF mind or to-day just as 1t caused him for
four years to brave increasingly. He piques him.
self on the fact that he led US where and how he
pleased He mas the conviction that he has, on his
part secured all the advantages on his side before
beginning the game, and ne thinks himself, at least
certain that he Will not lose even IL he does not
ceed in winning The calculation Is worthy of the
profound politician who prepared and made the
rienced first surprise In seeing France acclaim the
war, and her people range themselves around their
government instead OF separating from 1t. Per-
hapS this Is not the only miscalculatiOn that this
result OF the enterprise may entail upon him, in
spite OF his confidence that he has foreseen every
thing
Year: 1870

bition OF young and conquering Prussia, but have
always oeon or opinion that this ought only TO be
done when tine neco 8ity was obvious and wnen all
European nations would hold US to be IN the right
Policy ana humanity equally oounselled such q
course. II In demanding the production OF the
despatches ! had been able to obtain twenty -four
hours respite think that my fellow c0untrymen
havlng time Tor renectiOn, would perhaps have de-
cided In favor OF peace. was unable to succeed
and now, always faithful TO the nag of my country
II only remains To me TO pray for success. while
desiring that this may cost humanity little suffer
ing rs possible and lead to a durable peace.
Year: 1870

The following Is the translation OF private letter
from M. Thiers, published in London


SIR-I thank you for the letter you have done me
the honor OF writing concerning the circumstances
through which we have just passed. have always
believed that Franco would eled to resist tue alA
Year: 1870

l AN going TO tell you true story OF
some children l knew when lived in
Texas Alick was ten years old, Mary
was eight, and little Eta was only four.
They had lost their father and mother,
but had big brother Frank, and the best
sister in the world, Sallie; and she took
Just as good care of them as their own
dear mother could have done.


They lived far off in Western Texas, on
the edge of wide prairie. Do you know
what prairie is? Just think how it
would look if you could see nothing on
either side of you but one great field of
waving grass and beautiful flowers reach
ing away, away, far away to where the
blue sky seems to bend down and touch
it. That is a prairie.


Well, brother Franks fields were on the
prairie; but the log-house in which they
lived was in the edge of the woods that
bordered it.


The trees were not such as you know
about. They were live-oaks, which stay
green all winter; pecans, which bear the
incest nuts; dogwood, with large white
flowers holly, with glossy leaves and
bright red berries; and, best of all, the
stately magnolia, which is almost too
grand to talk about in small magazine
like this,


There was great magnolia growing by
a spring not far from the house; and this
was the place where the children liked
best to play


One bright SATURDAY. afternoon, they
had gone to the spring as usual, to have
nice time, and Sallic was busy making a
Jacket for Alick, when suddenly the little
boy came rushing into the house, and
seized his brothers gun which stood in
the corner.


40 Alick I" cried Sallie, show often
must you be told not to touch that gun"


Cant help it this time, sister Sallie:
there is big panther up in our tree, and
I'm bound to shoot him."


"But where are Mary and Etta?"


"Oh! they arc down there looking him
right in the eye, so that he may not go of
till get back.


! lie was running with all his might as he
| spoke. Poor Sallie! her heart seemed TO
stand still; ut i. was no time to faint.
! She caught up the horn with which she
used to call Frank to dinner, and blew a
blast which she knew he would under
stand to mean danger. Then she wrote
on the door in large letters, To the spring,
gHick :" and followed Alick with all the
speed that love and fear could lend her.


The hoy reached the spot little before
| her. When she came in sight, there was
the frightful beast stretched out on a
bough Of the tree, growing low, and look
ing down with fiery eyes at th"'little girls
who stood hand in hand gazing steadily
up at him, and never thinking Of the
danger.


Bang, went the gun, and the panther
fell to the ground.


Presently Frank arrived. Sallie had
sunk down at the foot of the tree, clasp
ing the little girls.


Alick stood looking at his prize ana
YOU may be sure he got plenty of praise (;
only he was told that he should never
again leave his sisters alone in the woods
to keep guard over a panther.-1he
| NUrSerU