smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

assent to patriotic measures which II


originally opposed and still hates.


At first 1t declared the public debt


invalid and clamored for its repudi-


atson. With its customary futility,


It denounced and opposed the green


backs when their issue was necessary


to the salvation of the Union, and
espoused their cause as soon as it


found that their usefulness was
gone.


Still less IL to be hoped from the
Democratic party in the direction of
civil service reform. While the &C.


tion of the Republican party on this
question has frequently received our
censure, we do not forget that nine-
ty-nine hundredths of the sincere
advocates of the reform are Repub-
licans. 1t Is very easy for an oppo-
sition party to shout for reform, but
the Democrats are especially careful
not to commit themselves to any
particular scheme. Gov. Tilden
takes good care to keep his own
hands free by declaring that mo re-
form of the civil service of the coun-
try will be complete and permanent
until its chief magistrate is con-
stitutionally disqualified for re-elec-
tion," which Is very pretty way of
postponing the reform till the mil
lennium. The average Democratic
idea of reform" Is the turning out
OF black Republicans and appoint
ment of straight-out Democrats In
their places. There Is no promise in
either the Democratic platform or
Gov. Tilden's letters of any definite
plan of reform, while the whole his
tory, traditions and composition of
the party justify the belief that lift
should regain its power, il would
now, as In former times. degrade the
civil service into an abject party
machine. The Republican party
and candidates, on the other hand
are unequivocally committed to a
definite and adequate plan of reform,
are supported by an educated senti-
ment within the party, which will
not tolerate violation of the pledge.


On every great question of the
times, II thus appears the Democrat
ic party Is the party of reaction, re-
pudiation, and retrogression, while
the Republican party is the true
party OF progress, patriotism and
reform.
Year: 1876

been sent to as many leaders IN each
ofthe doubtful Southern States. It
Is expected that You will convey the
above admonition to none but brave
rfsolute, and determined men,
In it you will see that murder and
blood-shed is not only advised but
urged. One would suppose to read
the above that 1t was an order from
Sitting Bull to bis warriors on the
war path, rather than to the men
who are to protect the ballot-box.
and who are crying ssreform. y
Read the above and then think OF
Democratic reform.
Year: 1876

A vote for Democracy will be a
vote for the introduction OF disturb
ing elements into the body polite.
It will be q vote In favor of revers-
ing the verdict Of the war. a vote In
favor Of throwing aside the fruits OF
q costly and bloody struggle. The
ascendency Of Republicanism means
the continuance of peace, and to
maintain this ascendency is the duty
Of all who love their country.
Year: 1876

Tho Emperor Dom Pedro Ii of Brazil,
has made brief visit to California and Is
now en- route for the East and the Cen
tennial. 1t is expected that he will arrive
at Chicago to-day (May 4th.) Having
landed on our shores at Brook lyn-thus
seeing the worst of the country at first
it is probable that Dom Pedro wishes to
compare notes in the wicked city of the
West Our imperial visitor still refuses
to be lionized He came to see the coun-
try, not to let the country see him-un-
less the two observations can 90 on pleas
antly and proiitably together. 1t will
long be remembered how he commenced
his tour here by snubbing Secretaries Fish,
Taft and Robson when they met him in
New York harbor and offered him an es-
cort up the bay The forts and vessels
saluted the wrong ship while the Emper-
OF and Empress quietly landed, and then
drove to the Fifth Ave. Hotel in q common
hack. Dom Pedro has met with several
accidents since he boarded his ship for
the United States. At the start there was
a collision in the Brazilian harbor which
did not result seriously. The next co7atre-
temps occurred in New York City when
the driver of knick kerbockcr Ice Cart de-
termined to show Dom Pedro how Ameri-
cans drive, and So coolly smashed uo the
imperial carriage and tumbled the En-
peror into the mud 1t is said that with
difficulty the driver was restrained from
running over His Majesty Il haven't
killed an Emperor in more'n a year he
exclaimed, when demonstrated with by
the police. The next accident was when
the train going west ran off for mile or
SO without the Emperor who had stepped
out to look about. And now the telegraph
brings the news of an accident on the rail
road between Cisco and Summit Stations
California which caused a delay TO His
Majesty's train of eight hours. Our titled
visitor is very patient and philosophical
under al circumstances.
Year: 1876

The amount taken unlawfully from the


secret service fund, and the fees otherwise


paid by the general government to secure


the reelection of Grant in 1872 amounted


to the startling sum of $4,000. Even


the presidents quondam tool Ex-Atty.


Gen. Williams hesitated at first and refus-


ed to pay S35, 900 to the New York super
visor of elections Davenport. on the


presidents order till he had conferred with
the president. Davenport came to him
with a letter from the executive, request
ing that the money be paid him. The at
torney- general was surprised" as he
well might be at the presidential assump-
tion of the duties of auditor of accounts


and declined to do anything until he had
visited the White House; but when he had
listened to the presidents earnest and en-
thusiastic explanations OF Davenport's SER
vices he yielded There was an appropri-


alton of $4,000 made by Congress to car
ry out the law under which Davenport


acted but this money had all been paid


out for lawful purposes, and there was


nothing for the attorney general to DO but


to pay Davenport out Of the secret-service
fund-which he had no right to do He
says he was ''reluctant about paying the
money at the time, because he did not
think such a course was warranted by


law" but he ''believes the money was


well spent" When the committee at


tempted to question the witness concern
ing the conversation between the presi-
dent and himself about the transaction,
his memory suddenly became defective.
1t is believed that, as law adviser of the


president, he advised the latter that the


payment would be in violation of the law !;


but he could not remember about this


point, though he easily recalled great


many other things more difficult
Year: 1876

DRUNKENEss AND DISTURBANCE. Mary
kiley gave matinee yesterday afternoon
at her residence on New Federal street.
Mary has given similar entertainments be-
fore aud always with distinguished success
though the bill for broken furniture has
rendered them rather expensive. Yester-
day she outdid her previous efforts, and
when officers Morse and Laughton inter-
fered she was very indignant and fought
them tooth and nail Near the corner of
Pearl and Congress streets on her way to
the station, she shocked the meeting goers
by her abandon in the use of both sets of
limbs, giving performance which had
twice the indecency of the can-can and
not half its grace, Finally one officer
seized her by the shoulders and the other
by the feet and bore her to police station
where they deposited her upon an iron
bedstead. Mary's language was not al
ways chaste and there were indications
that she had been drinking. portland
Press May 1st.
Year: 1876

No tears are shed over the prospect of
the speedy disappearance of the dirty
scrip which has so long been an abomina-
ton under the eyes and nostrels Of a suffer-
ing people. 1t has cost US dearly enough
as is shown by the fact that not more than
thirty millions in silver coin will be requr-
ed to redeem the existing outstanding trac-
tional currency, one-third of the forty-tve
millions being lost and destroyed. The
process of redemption goes on actively,
and occasions some inconvenience Tempo
rarily to the traders who need small change
with which to do business. So both silver
and fractional currency command pre-
MUM just at present, but the lack of
small notes viii soon compel the use Of
coins.
Year: 1876

General Grant was deservedly famous
soldier, but Immediately upon his installa-
ton as President he began to tritter away
his reputation Now, at the close Of his
second term, he is confessedly the worst
failure as a President that ever disgraced
the White House. The people with whom
he surrounded himself, fresh from the
back-woods Cf the West, unaccustomed
to Washington life, at once plunged into
licentiousness, corrupted their women and
were in turn corrupted by them, until the
whole gang became thievish and immoral.
His favcrite advisers, chosen by himself,
have been detected in the grossest Of
fences. His brother and his brother-in-law
have confessed their completely in crimes.
His whole administration is rotten and
wicked. Suspicion rests upon his own
conduct. and detectives dog his footsteps
and pry into his financial transactions. If
this Republic We're ungrateful--as Repub-
lies are said to be-nothing could save


Grant from impeachment and removal
from office. His disregard of law, his
ignorance of the laws, and his irregulari-
ties in office, have been frequent and fla


grant. There is no official vice, from
nepotism to bribery, which cannot be laid
to his charge, with sufficient show of
proof to Justify an investigation.
Year: 1876

Little Johnny Davenport the election
commissioner at New Y York in 1872, testi-
fies that there were democratic election
frauds in New York that year when his
master, Grant, was reelected. No doubt.
So the president ordered money to be paid
him out of fund which he could not le-
gally touch for political wire-pulling. 1t
is easy to account for Grants pious horror
of democratic fraud that year
Year: 1876

Yesterday (May SD the Connecticut
Legislature met; this is to be the last ses-


sion in the Spring, another election takes


place in the Autumn. This is probably


the last meeting in the old State house


which was built, we believe, in 1894.


Hereafter the lawmakers of the land of
steady habits will assemble in the grand


new white marble capitol which over
looks Bushnell Park. Both the Senate


and House of Representatives are strong
ly Democratic this Spring. The main


point of political interest this session will


De the election of United States Sena-
| tor-to fill the unexpired term of Senator
Ferry, whose seat is now occupied by


Ex-Governor and Congressman James E.
English of New Haven. The incumb ent
| will doubtless continue to hold his seat.
Sister Summers attends the Fleet street


colored Church Brooklyn, and like all


Christians in that sanity city She feels


jealous of her religious privileges. So
Sister Summers appeared in police court


room lately to press charge against


Brother Thomas She declared that she


was damned twice. against door by


him while trying to shield her pastor from
injury. Brother Thomas said in his de-
fense that Sister Summers insisted upon
keeping the church door open when he
wanted to shut it. The result was that
Brother Thomas was found guilty of as
sault. How pleasant it's to see brethren
dwell together in unity.
Year: 1876

III Is now year or more since the loet
Laureate of England tried an experiment
in dramatic writing and published Queen
Mary Drama" The winds of criticism
have since then blown hot and cold upon
this work, but praise has been more fire.
quent than blame Yet those who knew
Tennyson best and loved his work the
most saw in this new venture much that
was below the poets former standard ;
they declared the poem good only in spots
and whether it could be successfully acted
or not remained until now an open ques-
ton. Hence it is particularly interesting
to learn that 'Queen Mary" appeared be-
fore the footlights at the London Lyceum
Theatre on the 18th ultimo with every ac-
cessory Of magnificent scenery and gor-
geous costume. A brilliant audience of
the literary people attended this first rep
resentatlon and the applause was gener-
GUS. But the judgment Of such an assem-
blage does not tell after ali the final fate
of Teunyson's drama if it pleases also the
ear Of the general public then it may be
rated a success.
Year: 1876

The first grand turnout lately of the
New York Coaching Club is described as
having been altogether unique. Six four
in-hand drags drove up Fifth avenue and
through the Park, making a rare exhibition
of fine horses, expert driving and spirited
sport The coaches were resplendent with
color and gay with the costumes of the
ladies who rode in them the harnesses
were brilliant with gold and silver, and the
gentlemen handling the reins proudly di-
rected their teams past admiring crowds.
Year: 1876

The Beecher-Tilton scandal is
getting into worse snarl than ever,
and, with all the shrewdness of the
managers on their side, the Ply
mouth church party are losing
ground rapidly. Their refusal to
abide by mutual council of which
Drs. Storrs and Buddington were
members was most unfortunate.
These gentlemen are too generally
known and highly esteemed for any
one to believe that they would be
partial in their action in a matter of
such grave Importance. And, again,
the efforts of some of the Plymouth
folks to destroy Mr.. Bowen's inhu-
ence and reputation by assertions
which they had no particle of evi-
dence to sustain, has tended not a
little to weaken their title to public
confidence.
Year: 1876

correct data for levying assessments
and at the same time afforded CON-
Portable berths for favorites of those
in authority.


Nowadays, however, they are
wholly unjust and unnecessary, for
the knowledge how to measure and
weigh for ourselves what we buy is
so universal that it is not likely that
any serious cheatery could be Sue
cessfully practiced. We hope,
therefore, that sthe enforcement of
this ordinance will not be persisted
in, and that what fines have been
collected will be remitted, with costs
and expenses added, and that the
suits commenced will be abandoned.


In short, we think it is time for us
to call it joke and apologize, for
we may rest assured that these
Pierce county wood men can kick
harder than we can;
Year: 1876

To those who are misled into op-
posing an appropriation for the Gen.
tennial, under the impression that
the State cannot afford it, we have
only space to say that we don't be-
lieve that $4,000 could be more
bene6cially expended, and we don't
believe that the State can afford to
limit its appropriation to less than
$4,000, We believe that an inad-
equate exhibition of the States
wealth and resources on that occa-
sion will do us serious injury, in that
it will convince the world that this
is an especially poverty-stricken,
unproductive and undesirable re-
gion, where people are far more
likely to starve than thrive. Where
the community is too poor to spend
money to make a showing at the
nations great jubilee festival. The
force of the charge that we are
guilty ofrepudiating our State bonds
would then have tenfold increased
effect.
Year: 1876

"A glowing account Of successful
gold digging comes from the Black Hills.
1900 miners are said to be at work there
and more are constantly arriving; and
thirty four dollars worth Of gold are re-
ported to be found in a single pan, some
single nuggets being worth twenty dol
lars. The report comes by way of Bis
mark, from company that arrive there
on Sunday with mail and express, seems
to be well authenticated. It is claimed
that the placer diggings are rich and
the quartz mines richer.
Year: 1876

There are those who often make
serious mistakes, unintentionally, no
doubt, but highly injurious. They
are apt to act from motives which
are so deeply hidden within their
own bosoms that they are hardly
conscious of their existence. Be-
ing incapable of comprehending the
"inner consciousness" of their own
mental organisms, they are often led
to believe that they are prompted
to certain courses of conduct by
influences which do not apd which
could not possibly control them.


These gentlemen oppose the ap-
preparation of any adequate sum OF
money for the Centennial Exposi-.
ton by this State, on the ground that
the State is too poor to make the
expenditure, and they declaim ear
nestly against such as favor the ap-
preparation. They pretend to be
influenced by desire for economy,
as some others sincerely are; but
those who make the most noise and
vaunt their opposition in season and
out of season, rarely ever think of
economy and could no more be in
fluenced by it than child in search
of Christmas toys.


Remember, that we simply assert
this as fact, and the gentlemen
themselves would acknowledge it,
if they possessed ability to analyze
their own sentiments and courage
to expose the results of such anal
ysis. Instead of its being a regard
fo' economy that ails them, it is only
a feeling of opposition towards the
exhibition. They don't like the
Centennial, and having said it would
be a failure, they want their predic-
ton to come true, and intend to do
what they can to prevent its success.
This is what is the matter with them.


We don't feel called upon to tell
why these gentlemen dislike the
Centennial; but may be permitted
to say that the peculiar class we al
lude to have not been perfectly sat-
is6ed with any public event that has
transpired since 1860, and don't in
tend ever to be satisfied again if they
can help it. Away down in the
uttermost depths of their innermost
deepness they silently wish that
nothing would succeed again; that
the whole blasted thing would burst.
They would almost hail the final
consummation with gladness, and 60
down below rejoicing in the nnt-
| versal failure.
Year: 1876

Doc. Potter used to say: IF you
think you've got man in your pow
er, skin him. If he whines, kick
him. If he kicks back, swear it was
all a joke and apologize. We think
it is now about time for the authori-
ties of Red Wing to swear that the
wood-measuring ordinance was all
joke, and to apologize for it to the
justly indignant wood sellers of
Pierce county. We wanted to de-
nounce it last week, but were asham-
ed to. We were ashamed to con.
fess that. in this city, the ruling pow
ers had so little regard for the public
interests, or so little foresight as to
he consequences Of their acts, as to
undertake the enforcement of an
ordinance for which no tolerably
reasonable excuse can be given.
But the wood-haulers Of Pierce
county have placed the matter prom
inently before the public now, by
the publication of the manly pro-
test which will be found in another
column, and there is no longer any
excuse for our silence.


1t is pretended that the ordinance
is for the protection of the buyers
of wood, but this pretence is an in
suit to both seller and buyer, for its
inference is that the former is a
knave who will cheat if he can, and
the latter a fool who won't know
when he is cheated. The city
might, with the same propriety, send
a measurer into every store with
every customer who comes along,
and insist upon his measuring every
yard or gallon, and weighing every
pound or ounce of goods that is sold,
and exacting fee for so doing; for
mankind are pretty much alike,
whether they are merchants or wood
haulers, and those who buy at the
stores have no opportunity of de-
tern1ining whether the yard-sticks
are too short, the liquid measures
too small, and the weights too light,
or whether the weighing and meas
uring is done correctly. Why not
protect them2


We do not believe that the en-
fo1cement of this ordinance would
save to single buyer stick of
wood or dime Of money in an en-
tire season; but that it will embitter
our neighbors and induce them to
withdraw their patronage from us is
evident. And the worst of it is, it
gives them cause for becoming just
ly incense1, for it imposes an unjust
tax upon them; one which we would
resist if we were in their places. In
old times, and under monarchical
governments, there was some excuse
for such laws as this, inasmuch as
the practice of weighing and meas.
uring every mans surplus products
gave the taxing and tithlng officers
Year: 1876

The movement to encourage immigration to
the South seems to have engaged the serious at
tentiop OF the most prominent and Influential
people OF that part of the country. The recent
convention for the encourage ment of mmlgra
tion at New Orleans, at which representatives
from eleven states were persent, called cut soue
OF the best business talent of the South, and
even jeff Davis auo General Wade Hampton
made themselves useful in it. A special effort
was made to dsabuse the public mind of the
impression that life and property are not safe
at the South.


Robert Dale Owen has partially recOvered
his health, and is about to sail for Europe oo a
pleasure tip.
Year: 1876

WHO will vote on the Maine Central stock
at the Augusta meeting next Wednesday
owned by the expiring Eastern Railroad
Company? Will those gentlemen who came
this way last March to teach the Maine rail-
road men how to run road, be in Augusta
next "Wednesday? Will they put on those
airs of year agoP Are they entirely satisfied
with their own experiment in railroad man
agement?
Year: 1876

we do not read Anonymous letters and communi-
cations The name and address of the writer are In
all cases ndispensa ole, not necessarily publication
but as guaranty Ct good faith.


we cannot under take to return or reserve commu-
ncations that are not used.