smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

From Florida comes a report that Cover
nor Stearns intends to constitute himself In
person returning board to canvass the
Presidential vote, founding his right to do
so on an error in the State laws which pre-
scribe the duties Of the Board. This error
seems to have come about in the
course Of one of those disputes
peculiar to the Southern republican
States, when. to avoid the mandate
OF a court TO returning board, the repubii-
can Legislature hastily abolished it and
created new one. There is also report
that the Returning Board refuses to begin
the canvass until thirty-fve days after the
election, which would throw ont Floridas
electoral vote. These devices and delays by
the Florida republicans create general
impression in the North that the
State has given democratic major
ity. So far the democrats have caused
and asked for no delay; but they are very
fnssy. Let them be easy; while repubi-
can like General Barlow is at Tallahassee
publicly denounce.


In South Carolina there is new hltcn,
but as the Supreme Court is sitting as arbi-
ter between the parties it is we'll to be pa
tient. We get hint from republican sources
that compromise is possible, giving the
State to Hayes and Hampton, and threaten
ing endless Investigations if this is resisted.


From New Orleans comes tho text of the
resolution inviting five gentlemen of each
party to be present at the work of the Re-
turning Donrd, and also the reply of the
Northern republicans to the democrats.
Year: 1876

Antonelli has at last gone to his rest.
His life, stretching across two generations,
was restless, eloquent, successful. lie was
brave and uncompromising champion of
the cause he represented; stern but wise
counsellor in peace and war, and chivalric
and loyal friend Of the Pope, not only in
his triumphs, but also in his defeat. Be-
tween the years 1S47 and 1850 he exhibited
the qualities of character which belong only
to a race of giants, and by his courage, per-
sistency and devotion achieved results
which will not be forgotten as long as men
remain grateful.


During that turbulent period when Rome
was shaken as by an earthquake, when the
treachery Of NIamiani was discovered and
Rossi was assassinated, when the revolution
was at its height and the Hsly Father was
compelled to leave the Vatican md fly to
Gaeta Antonelli made himself master Of the
situation and gained to his cause every con-
cession that could be wrung from deter
mined and powerful foe. Living amid some
of the greatest changes which have occurred
in the history of Italy, looking on while
State after State was wrested from the do
main of the Holy See, he was always calm,
far-sighted and sagacious.


His obsequies were such as only grateful
Church can render to her illustrious dead.
Their splendor and their imposing and i'm
pressive ceremonies were but the type of
her regard for and admiration of faithful
servant and a self-sacrifcing patriot. She
could do no less and she could do no more
for man who had risen step by step dur
ing half century and had occupied sue
cessively nearly every position from that of
an humble prelate to that of President Of the
Consulta and Secretary of State.


The religious papers of the whole country
have expressed marked appreciation OF
the great Cardinals character. Though diff
fering from him on many essential points
they have paid the respect due to extraor-
dinary genius Even political enmities are
silent, and now that he is beyond the reach
of all opposition we respectfully gather
about his bier and with bowed heads con-
fess that, whether as friend orr foe, he was
always firm, faithful and mighty.


His successor, Allessandro Franchi, is not
unknown to European politics. He is
man Of large administrative ability and has
already occupied positions Of the highest
trust. The next great event in the history
of the Church will probably be the death of
Plus TX. In the course Of nature this must
occur ere many months. The death of his
faithful friend is the last shadow on his
illustrious career. Feeble through old ago
he still maintains the dignity of his office,
but will not be sorry to give the sccptre into
younger hands,


So goes the world, and SO history is made.
Generation after generation dies, but the
good and true in mems lives last forever
Year: 1876

little attention to the misdecds Of the Kel-
loggs' Packards, sVncers, chamberlains and
Whippers. So long as only predominance in
Southern States was the object of these men
the Northern republicans seemed willing for
the administration to take what course it
pleased in the South but the last two elec-
tons show that this carelessness was more
apparent than real, and the Northern
people at the recent election expressed
in strong terms their disapproval OF
the republican mismanagement of the
South. In the recent election the
republican majorities in the Northern States
alone were 223,000 less than in 1868, and
52l 900 less man in 1872. But now we come
to point where these dsreputable allies of
the party are to give it, by doubtful means,
its President. What will the country
already awake as these figures show--what
will it think, what will it do at the next
election, if the republican leaders dare to
allow their candidate to bo counted in by
doubtful means and in a manner which
shall not satisfy both parties as honest or
fair2
Year: 1876

Much as man is given to war, It is IN
abnormal condition, and hence the reac-
tionary longing for peace is sure to como
with the irresistible sweep Of the long blue
black mid-Atlantic wave We have had .
fortnight of Presidential agony after long
campaign excitement, and people want o
rest-a day of it, anyhow. Let them take i!
to-day. We are far from advising de-
liberate murder, but it would not be objec-
tionable to gag anybody who attempted tc
open an argument to-day with, "Well,
what do you think of South Carolina? ?" We
desire to see the three doubtful States re.
main loyal to the Union and to humanity
and their electoral votes given to the men
really elected; but if our citizens catch
either Louisiana or Florida or South Car
olna on the tip of anybody's tongue to-day
we do not think it would be either treason
or mayhem to cut it off There arc men
who would hold one corner of hymn book
and. whisper nonsense into the ear of q
young lady holding the other corner.
There arc others who would talk business at
the funerals of their mothers-in-law, not
being content to contemplate in rapturous
silence the good the gods can do. In times
of political excitement these people are not
to be trusted. No moment sublimely
given over to rest is safe from them. Many
such will burst in upon tranquil citizens to-
day with the tempting overture, "Well, old
boy, we've got you now" That all such
should be legitimate subjects for the Coroner
in five minutes after the fatal avowal we
are not prepared to admit with our narrow
Eastern ideas of homicidal etiquette, but
the offenders should be promptly handed
over to the police as meters to breach Of
the peace. To all, therefore, irrespective Of
race or previous condition of servitude
who want to talk politics to-day,
We say, "Give us rest-a whole
day of it, Many sensitive persons
already show signs Of impatience at the bare
possibility Of people talking politics within
carshot Of them even on week days. These
will form q determined nucleus for the rigid
avoidance Of oil topics south of Mason and
Dixon's line on Sunday. They can do nc
greater service to mankind than leading con.
versation toward the starving monkeys in
Central Park, tho new Opera House, the
"Shaughraun" revival Nine Essipof's digi-
tai dexterity, the ballet at Booths, the Young
Mems Christian Association, the Croton
water, the Harlem River Improvement or
any other light and airy subject that will
act as tablecloth to the returning boards
for twenty -four hours.
Year: 1876

or philosophy, but the word of God, the
Gospel of repentance toward God and faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ There are no
moral qualities in sensational or speculative
preaching by which men can be purified
and redeemed from sin. fSuch topics may
serve good purpose in the lecture room,
hours education for heaven each week that
education cannot be too pointed or practi-
cal. 1t is well to care for the things of
others as we'll rs for our own, and when
reconciliation between God and man is
effected public profession is far better than
secret discipleship, and sanctited strength
VIII keep men from drifting and establish
them in the truth rs it is in Jesus
Year: 1876

Some industrious rumOr-mongers are cir
culating the story that the present city
charter fails to give the Mayor the power to
appoint Comptroller, and that the present
Comptroller will take advantage of the
omission and insist on his right to hold on
to the office until the law shall have been so
amended as to admit Of the legal appoint
ment Of his successor. We have no idea
that Mr.. Green would make any such ridic-
ulous opposition to the surrender of his
Office at the expiration of his term. The
pretended defect in the charter is found
in the first part Of section %, which reads as
fcllows:--


The Mayor shall nominate and by and with the con-
of the Board OF Aldermen appoint the hoads OF
departments and all commissioners, save Comls sion
OF Public Instruction, ana also save and except
the following named commissioners and officer, who
held Office as such on the first day of January IN Tho
year 1873 that is TO say:-Tho Comptroller, the Com
missioner of Public Works, the Counsel the Curpo.
ration, the President of the Department Of Pubic
Parks and the President of the Department of Police
which said Comptroller, Commissioner and Counsel 10
the Corporation Aforesaid shall hold until tho cxpra-
tion OF their respective terms Of Office which they
appointed unless removed for as herein pro-
vdcd.


Tho exception, Of course, relates only to
the term for which the then incumbents of
the Offices named were originally appointed,
and after that the appointment of their sue
cessors revcrts to the Mayor the same as the
appointment Of all other heads of depart
ments and commissioners. When the Presi
dent Of the Department Of Police died his
successor was appointed by the Mayor.
When the Commissioner of Public Works
resigned General Porter was appointed to
the vacancy, and at the legal expiration of
tho term MIR. Campbell was appointed.
When the Corporation Counsel was removed
his successor was in like manner appointed.
Butto relieve tho matter of all doubt the
snmo section Of the charter goes on to pro-
vide that ''any such nomination or nomina-
tons (by tho Mayor) TO fill any vacancy
which shall hereafter occur by reason Of the
expiration of the term of any officer :
shall be made to the Board of Aldermen
within ten days from tho day of the date of
any such vacancy" The best chance for
Mr.. Green is through tho coming vacancy in
the State Comp.rollership. The numerous
delegations that waited on Mr.. Green in
connection with the Mayoralty-blind men
and all-had better look after Governor
Robinsons present Office than search for
quibbles in the charter.
Year: 1876

The awful visitation of natures power,
which has, according to the reports from
Calcutta, swept out of existence one hun
dred and twenty thousand human beings in
Eastern Bengal, fills tho civilized world
with horror and must be regarded MS the
most appalling calamity Of modern times.
The region affected by this singularly terri
bic occurrence is located at the northern ex-
tremity of the Bay of Bengal, and is inter-
sected by the many outlets of the Ganges
and the Brahmapootra rivers, which
drain the great southern slopes Of
the Himalaya Mountains. The land
itself is therefore low and flat, being mainly
Of allrvial formation, and consequently
much exposed to the overflow of the sea
during violent storms. These frequently
visit this region and cause immense damage
and even extraordinary loss of life, but in
the latter respect the recent cyclone has pro-
duced unparalleled destruction. The causes
that combine to develop cyclones have been
frequently explained in the HERALD, and it
revolving storms owe their origin to the
contact Of vast volumes of the atmosphere
of unequal temperatures and humidities.
Once the cyclone is developed the sur
rounding mir revolves about movable
centre with an inward and upward spiral
motion, which tends tdlift from the earth's
surface everything that can be affected by
the tremendous force of the wind. Thus
buildings, trees, animals and even immense
masses of detached rock nre raised as if they
were feathers in the vortex Of the ascending
column of air, which can only be compared
to an inverted atmospheric maelstrom. The
effect on water surfnces is to raise the ele-
ment into the form of a great truncated
cone, which is carried along in the direction
of the track of the centre of the cyclone
and over the low lands of the sea
coast, and even far inland, where the topog-
raphy presents no barriers. The violence
of the storm increases toward the centre of
the cyclone, the lifting power being of
course greatest at that part where the winds
attain their highest velocity. The paths Of
these meteors are invariably parabolic
curves, with the apex or turning point gen.
cIully III OF uDOuL Cue tWcAtletu ueRTc6 Oh
latitude but the conformation of the land
frequently modiies the curvature according
as the cyclone is more or less violent.


Now, the region devastated by the East
Indian cyclone is in the angle of ninety
degrees formed by the coast Of Bengal
with that of British Burmah. Tho
course Of the storm led it in north
westerly and northerly direction until
it reached latitude twenty degrees north,
where it began to curve to the north
eastward, forcing the immense mountain of
water which it had raised into the sharp
angle referred to, whence there was no
chance for tho waters to escape laterally
when brought in contact with the land.
The consequence was that the water volume
was swept up the inclined plane represented
by the gradually shoaling bottom of the sea
in front of the low alluvial lands, and
poured with overwhelming violence over the
country, destroying everything in its sud-
den and terrible onset
Year: 1876

AFTER Six Months in a receiving vault
tho body Of the late Baron Palm will be
taken to Washington, Pa, for cremation
by Colonel Olcott, tho head of the
Theosophists or peculiar people who
gave him an extraordinary funeral
at Masonic Hall. He is to be con-
sumed without any disagreeable smell in
five hours, and will thereafter be carried
round in o mortuary snuffbox by the gallant
Colonel. Imperial Cesar
Year: 1876

A BOARDING MIssus is usually understood
to personify hardness Of heart, combined
with cynicism Of the most cold blooded
Drder. This cannot be just estimate, for
We repeatedly print stories of swindlers who
walk with empty pockets into the good grnces
of their landadies by the powers of per-
Suasiyeness. Mrs. Castlemaine was said
10 make her way by affecting desire for
every luxury without regard TO expense, but
in another case young man who departed
on the wings Of bogus check, out Of which
he got some change, had secured four weeks
credit by pleasantly telling the boarding
marin that she resembled his mother.
Year: 1876

matter they will be governed by sense OF
State importance and State pride, and other
large States will share their views.


If Mr.. Morton's plan had been in operation
in this election we do not see that it would
have made much difference or have saved US
from this close contest and deadlock in the
count A direct vote by the whole people en-
masse would indeed have saved US from the
difficulty, for one Of the candidates has a
decided popular majority; but Mr.. Morton's
scheme would have altered nothing. In the
districts the democrats would have had
majority precisely equal to their ma
jority in the next House, which, though
not yet precisely ascertained, is certain
to be small On the other hand, the
republicans claim to have carried six moro
States than the democrats, which would
give them twelve Of Mr.. Morton's votes at
large. On such plan, if it should happen
that the republican majority of the votes at
large was exactly equal to the democratic
majority of the districts, there would be the
same uncertainty, and, instead OF lasting for
few weeks, it might extend into the next
Congress. Contested seats and the rejection
of members having regular certificates might
throw back doubts on the validity of n Pres
idential election long after the question had
seemed to be closed. But, apart from such
matters of detail. it is certain that the large
States will not consent to scatter their power
by consenting to the district system; and the
district system is all that Mr.. Morton's plan
practically amounts to.


Our present system of electing the Presi-
dent cannot always continue = but no substi-
tute has yet been proposed which the large
and the small States would be alike willing
to accept. We are not sure that a much
deeper change is necessary than any which
has yet been proposed-such change in
the Executive Department as would make
our government as Immediately responsible
to the people as that of Great Britain. In
this country the people, however provoked
by grievances, may have to wait the greater
part of four years before they can have even
o chance of redress, but in England the
government yields to the popular will as
readily as ship to its helm. We hope that
when the constitution is next amended it
will be in the direction of more immediate
responsibility to the people. But this is too
large subject to be discussed at present.
Year: 1876

Turkey evidently expects to take posi In
to judge by the selection of its plenipoten-
tiaries. These are Midhat and Savfet
Pachas, both men of ability and force Of
character. The hope of peace, at present
weak in all quarters, may be strengthened
by this; but the continued preparations
for war by Russia and England show that
reliance on the strongest battalions is up
permost in Europe At the same time it is
certain that England will make strong
effort to avert hostilities. The gravity Of
the situation may be judged by recalling
a fact or two. The armistice which
stopped the otherwise inevitable march Of
the Turks to Belgrade was concluded to save
Servia. Before it is half expired the VIC
torious Turk is practically asked to
show cause why he should not be
deprived of territory many times
greater than that whose suzerainty he had
long enjoyed with the consent Of Europe,
and which he had all but reconquered from
the rebellious Serbs. We are aware that tho
Conference will carefully avoid considering
the case in these words. twill speak OF
the Independence and integrity" of the
Ottoman Empire and the reforms necessary
to make the Christian subjects Of the Sultan
happy. The understanding will be diff
ferent. Turkey must consent to things
which no independent Power would sub
NIT to if peace must be preserved.
She will be backed by all the might
of England in trying to make these
things-the material guarantees Of the
promised reforms-as little CALLING AZ
possible, but she will have to make large
concessions under the menace of Russia II
will be difficult knot to unravel,
and Great Britain's statesmen will
have an opportunity Of bringing their
most cultivated powers to the task.
A modicum of moderation on the part Of
Russia will help the Conference to a peace
able end. The issue of popular Russian
loan of eighty million dollars for the late
extraordinary expenditures in moving
troops is not an encouraging symptom.
Year: 1876

ent when the murder was done. It ruay
not be often that the case Of man who
confesses to being convicted of other offences.
and whom jury was satisfied was acting a.
a burglar when his fellow shot and killed an
officer, attracts the attention of the law
abiding. Still, we think that this
case deserves consideration. There is .
manifest disparity between the guilt Of the
two men, and we think, upon careful re-
view of all the circumstances, that Jersey
justice may. in Ryan's case, be advan-
tageously tempered with mercy Outlaw
and outcast as the man may be, there ID
nothing for the community to gain by in.
ficting undue punishment upon him. He
did not murder, and the best instincts OF
humanity cry out against taking human life
for crime short of killing. That he bears
no weight of the awful crime upon his
shoulders we do not say, but the penalty Of
death is too great for his share of it, which
is more in the nature of accessory after the
fact than active accomplice We earnestly
appeal for mitigation of his sentence.
Year: 1876

The phrase 'Jersey justice" has grown
to mean dealing out the severest statu-
tory penalties to all transgressors of the
law, particularly in cases of homicide


Where. as in New York. there have been so
many failures Of justice in cases dealing with
the taking of life, an admiration not at all


logical for the practice this phrase embodies
is likely to be engendered. The best
experience of the wisest commentators
teaches us to recognize that the graduation
of the punishment to the crime is the most
delicate function of the Judge, because after
all the evidence is in, all the arguments
made, and the verdict rendered, there is
beyond all the legal subdivisions of guilt
mess, in almost all cases, a latitude
given to the judge as to whether
the punishment shall be more or
less; or where the punishment is
exactly prescribed by law there at least ro-


mains the recommendation to the mercy of
the higher powers, which seldom fails Of it's
effect In the Brock murder trial ut Newark,


which had its last act on Saturday in the
sentencing of the two men, Charles Osch-
valid and Thomas Ryan to the gallows,


there was no distinction made between
the crimes of the men but, whatever tho
letter of the law may say, dispassionate
examination will prove that there was a
difference On the morning of August 3
the policeman Brock entered a house in
which two burglars were operating. While
thus pursuing his duty he was shot down
by one of the thieves. The unfortunate
officer died of his wound. The two men
named above were arrested, and link by link
the evidence was made into a chain which
made it clear TO the jury that Oschwald fired
the fatal shot; that Ryan was the other
burglar and porticeps crjminis in being pres.
Year: 1876

The News WE PUBLISH to-day relative to
the concentration of troops at Washington
will doubtless excite some comment, but it
need not occasion any ALARM. The Presi-
dent and his advisers claim that it is wise
precaution to have respectable body of
troops at hand until after the 4th of March,
Inauguration day. They do not fear any
outbreak or disturbance, but simply provide
for oil possible emergencies
Year: 1876

WAS IT FAm REQUEST AFTER the State
canvassers ofSouth Carolina had aggregated
and declared the vote according to the ac-
tual returns on Saturday, as ordered by the
Supreme Court, Senator Gordon requested
that clerks might be permitted to copy at
his expense the original figures from which
the canvassers made up their count Can any
honest reason be given why this request was
denied? The refusal was not indeed abso-
lutte, as the canvassers made an intimation
that it might be complied with on Monday.
Senator Gordon replied that the reason why
he wanted to copy them at once was a fear
that they might be changed before Monday.
He evidently suspected that the count was
not in accordance with'the original figures,
and he wished to test it before the figures could
Year: 1876

LonD BEAcoNsrIELp's SPEECH at the Man.
sion House, which caused such q sensation
in Europe and drew from the Car fiery
reply, is printed in full in to-days HERALD
1t forms an interesting addition to the infor-
nation already received concerning the re-
cent outburst of the war feeling in England
and Russia
Year: 1876

HIGHwAY RoBBER1Es in tho streets Of Now
York are becoming of frequent occurrence,
and the offenders must be treated TO some
wholesome lessons by the police magistrates
before the crime can be effectually checked.
If the footpad becomes scourge to society
then society must protect itself by using the
lash