smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875

FRESH NILLAINIEs. During the past
two years San Francisco has been un-
earthing a system of rascality in the con-
duct Of its municipal affairs which is al
most unparalleled even in the history Of
official corruption. Only couple OF
weeks ago we had occasion to notice the
fact that positions as teachers had been
secured from the Board of Education by
paying a round sum to hotel waiter for
his influence" when the same persons
had been trying by honorable methods to
to get the same places for months, unsuc-
cessfuly. These investigations provoked
much comment, but in this case justice
got cheated Of her dues, for while the
"schoolmarms" who paid bonus for the
privilege Of working, lost their places,
the Board of Education which proved so
susceptible of " influence" retains its po-
stion.


The State Harbor Commissioners, the
Coroner, and Assessor were in turn sub
jected to examination and for Il time it
seemed rs if malleasance in office would
be punished and prove to those gifted
with temporary power that crime against
the public purse would not be CLOSED
over. But the removal from Office of
Assessor Rosener and the imprisonment
of two OF his deputies, does not seem to
have put check to rascaity in other
quarters. The License Collectors Office
is now undergoing an investigation, and
etho developments being there made are
astounding. According to the sworn
statement Of some Of the deputies, Buck
ley, the Collector, has robbed the city of
two hundred thousand dollars. The way
of doing business there seems to have
been copied from the manner in which
Foreign Miners License was collected in
the mines. Business men were not called
upon for license until three or four quar-
ters had expired, when license for one
quarter would be given and collections
requiring license would be put off with
simple receipt for the money, while the
license due then would be sold to other
parties. 1t is not matter Of much won
derment that the municipal debt of San
Francisco piles up, if this is the manner
in which her business is conducted. -
Stealing seems to have become regular
business with those to whom the custody
Of the city's interest is entrusted. 1t is to
be hoped that in this instance, as in the
case OF the Assessors, that the soyerest
punishment will be meted out to the de-
linquents. 1t is only by these means
that honest administration can be finally
secured.
Year: 1875

Last Friday Tiburcio Vasquez suffered
the extreme penalty of the law. On the
same day four other men-Welch, at In
dependence, Dona, at Modesto, and two
others at San Diego, were condemned to
death, but of the five, Vasquez alone met
his fate; the Others being reprieved for
time, with the exception Of Welch, who
escaped. And al these men were con-
demned by verdict of the juries before
whom they were tried, to death, the jury
having the privilege by law of saying
whether the punishment of murder shall
be death or imprisonment for life.


When this law was enacted, the i'm
preston existed that the lesser penalty
would in most cases be inflicted. 1t was
thought that the growing sentiment of
the State was favorable to this advanced
idea, now finding advocates, that the very
worst use you can put man to, is to
( hang him. But the reverse is shown to
be the case. The juries have acted with
judgment, and in those cases where the
crime was without mitigating circum-
stances, in every instance but one have
decreed that the penalty of murder shall
/ be death. The most strenuous advocates
OF capital punishment could not look for
stricter conformity to their creed than is
shown by those to whom the question Of
! guilt or innocence is referred. The law
was in the nature of compromise be-
tween the advocates of the death penalty
and those who favored its abolition. We
hope that future legislatures will let it
stand upon our statute books without
change, for we believe human ingenuity
cannot frame n law more certain to serve
the ends ofjustice.


Our State has tried nearly all grades Of
/ punishment for criminals, ranging from
the stern Draconian creed which CON
demncd men to die for venal offtnses, to
the turning OF red handed murderers
loose to again commence their work of
death. 1t is true that the latter was not
the result of lenient laws, but rather
through IHC utiCClo Ol INV, WHICH SulI
the accused mast die or be declared in
nocent. Those who we're to take the life
Of another into their keeping, knowing
that from theirscntence there could be
no appeal unless upon techncalites Of
law did 50 with feelings of grave re-
sponsibility. They knew they were
bound to give the prisoner the benefit of
every doubt, and the sympathy which
went out for one against whom, for the
time being, the hand Of every man was
turned, led them to view every extenu-
atng circumstance with an uncomfortable
desire to make it reason for acquittal.
Now the case is ditierent-the jury know
they are not bound to hang the accused
or send him to the world free and un-
trammeled-that they can weigh the tes-
timony and declare the penalty without
tie fear Of doing an irreparable wrong.
And from the cooler judgment which that
knowledge involves comes true justice. -
The law Of California should become
universal.
Year: 1875

If any conclusive evidence was want
ing 20 prove that the social, religious and
political influence and power of the great
Mormon prophet, Brigham Young, was
fast dying out, that evidence is furnished
by the constancy and severity with which
the Salt Lake Tribune pours hot shot
into the Mormon abomination. Ten
years ago no man and no newspaper
would have dared to openly condemn
Brigham and defy his authority. But
the world moves, and before another Ge-
cade the Mormonism of the past will be
known only in history.
Year: 1875

MINING BY recent de-
cision of the Secretary Of the Treasury,
the following points in relation to mining
locations were settled Only citizens, or
those who have declared their intention,
are authorized to claim and locate mines.
a foreigner may make mining location
and dispose Of it, provided he becomes n
citizen before disposing Of the mine. -
Proof that the party was not citizen
before disposing of his claim must
be afirmatively shown by the ad-
verse claimant.
Year: 1875

CosT OF TIE BEECHER TRIAL.-What
the direct cost of the Beecher trial will be
cannot yet be estimated, though it is evil
dent that the mere cash outlay must be
great. But we suspect that if the facts
could be got at it would appear that the
heaviest charge of the proceedings is that
borne by the press, which has already
expended astonishing sums in telegraph
ing and printing the lengthy statements,
speeches, testimony, etc., and which will
be at much greater expense before the tri-
al is concluded. But the money outlay
/ is not the only one, nor indeed can it be
counted the most serious considerations
! The worst feature in the case is that
nearly everything that has been printed
concerning the wretched affair, from the
| beginning, has been of a demoralizing
character. Nothing but harm can come
from the free ventilation of such testimo-
ny as has been adduced during the past
three or four days; and yet it is impossible
10 suppress II, VI lOr any pOl lllOH VI lHc
press to do anything in the way Of pre-
venting its publication. The whole case
is a perennial fountain OF nastiness, and
all the associations and suggestions sur
rounding it inevitably fall into the same
category. Never surely was the conduct
Of famous preacher Of the Gospel the
means of SO generally and rapidly coun-
teractng all the good he may be suppos-
ed to have done during his lifetime, and
never before was famous church the
agency through which the morals Of Il
whole people were corrupted. -Sacro-
! 11elifO RPcO5Il- T'uiOu
Year: 1875

An cold miner" has written a letter to
the New York SIN, declaring that the
only ore to be found in the Black Hills is
that kind of mica called ''cmigrant gold" "
and that there is not enough of the real
article to make the pens with which the
correspondents who have written up the
country, have done their writing.
Year: 1875

CHANGE OF Young Granice,
the murderer of Madden, ut Snclling's,
when brought to trial at that place, made
affidavit that owing to the prejudice Of the
community, he cannot obtain fair trial
in Merccd county, and prays fora change
of venue to Fresno county. The change
of venue was accordingly granted.
Year: 1875

LAST year Mendocino county had its
sensation over zone little niger" in its
schools. Now comes Sacramento with
the same question about one little China
man. The School Superintendent is a
strong anti-nigger Democrat and the ap-
plication of the young Celestial for ad-
mission vcXes him muchly.
Year: 1875

ANOTHER $4,000 COW will never again
switch her tail us a defence against the
mosquitoes Of this vain world. The fourth
Duchess Of Oneida has gono the way of
all kline, and her hide won't make any
better boots than would the hide of a
TeXns steer.
Year: 1875

THERE is probability that we will
now get rid Of the nuisance known as the
" Bit" The coinage of twenty pie
ces is about to be commenced at the Uni
ted States Mint in San Francisco which
will probably bring the decimal system
Of coinage entirely into use.
Year: 1875

ONE Of the sweetest things about a
young and budding love, says the Nor
wich B"tietin, is the way in which she
will smoothe the hair so gently off your
brow, and then smile tenderly in youI
face and show that about four Of her back
teeth are gone.
Year: 1875

SOME of the Nevada physicians are be-
coming little nervous. Under the law
Of the last Legislature it is n crime for
any person to practice medicine in that
State after the 28th inst, without di-
plomA.
Year: 1875

A GIRL in Iowa brought suit for breach
of promise, basing her claim upon the
fact that "said defendant repeatedly and
on divers occasions Winked at the plaintiff
in spelling school,"
Year: 1875

FLOOR STAIN-Weh have just manu- ufsctured
- a fresh supply of the above article, which
has given such great satisfaction to all of our
customers who have tried it. In color it is of a
rich dark walnut, and it is prepared oil ready
for immediate application. Shipped to the
country in any, quantity desired. Sold by the
pint or gallon by


oct 26 JANNEY 500
Year: 1875

CRoPs IN THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY.
in the neighborhood of Grayson the
benefits of thorough tillage are notice
able in a very marked degree. Where
the land was summer-fallowed and
the clods well broken by the liberal
use of the harrow, the crops appear
very fair, while little or no grain VIII
be gathered from the fields which
have been tiled in listless and indii-
ferent manner. Mr.. J. Van Benscho-
ten, one of the first residents OF Gray
son, is authority for the statement that
a fair Weld may be expected IRON
summer.fallowed lands. On the east
side of the river the condition OF the
crops vary according to locality anu
character of soil. Two thirds OF q
crop will be obtained from the black
land. while not more than halt crop
is, as a general thing. is expected from
the lighter red soil along the east
side of the valley. Accounts OF the
condition of the crops in the northern
part of San Joaquin county are OF the
most encouraging character. Between
the the Mokelumne river and Dry
creek an average crop will prob
ably be obtained in many places and
along the Mokelumne, in the neigh
borhoods of Woodbridge, Lodi, Lock
ford and olher localities, much wheat


will be gathered. Along the Gala
yeras river the farmers seem TO be
content over the prospect, and feel as
sured that the harvest will be far
from failure in that section. In the
eastern part of the county, from the
Calaveras river southwark 10 the STAN
islauS river, the yield promises, accord
ing to the best information We can
obtain, an average of from one-half
to two-thirds of that of last year.
South of the the Stanislaus river and
east of Modesto and Turlock, there is
a wide range, where a considerable
amount of wheat will be produced.
The late cool weather has had encour-
aging effect throughout the entire
valley, from San Joaquin county to
Tulare. In Merced the cool atmOs-
phere is said to have had a decidedly
beneficial effect on the wheat growth,
and that the prospect is encouraging
for a good yield from summer.fallowed
land. Volunteer and late sown fields
do not, as a general thing promise
well.-&Ockton Independent.
Year: 1875

BRIGHAM You've on FREE SCHOOLS
The Mormon prophet recently expressed his
opinion with his usual directness on the sub
irct Of free schools He Is opposed to them
Children, he says, should be educated at
home, and parents should work and pay for
that education. In 8righam's opinion, all
the education u child wants is to tit him to
yet a living Free schools aud general
smatteriDg Of education render children dis
satisfied with their condition as laborers, with
out fitting them TO improve 1t. Commenting
On this declaration Of the great Mormon
prophet, an exchange says there Is leaven
Of sense in Brigham Young's views, though
his conclusions are drawn rather from the
imperfections of free schools than from any
inherent evil in the system itself No
doubt education lacks purposes in our schools
as at present conducted, But the principle
established of securing to every child in the
community the means of obtaining an educa-
ton is the grandest prOduot of the thought
of the present century. Instead Of warning
against the system, let the wisest heads in
the nation combine TO make our schools
more perfect expression of the principle on
which they are based.
Year: 1875

\ HAPPY LAND.-A correspondent re-
ioices in the discovery of country where the
applicants for Office are so scarce that il is
necessary for one man to hold half dozen
positions at one and the same time in order to
fill vacancies He says that Walla Walla Is
the place where this anomaly exists, but if
SO. the writer must have been indulging in
Zip Van Winkle sleep. 1t didn't use TO be
that wav.
Year: 1875

IT is a notorious fact that not a public
building or an improvement of any kind
undertaken by the federal go-ernmgnt since
Grant became the head of the nation, that
has not developed some job, and in no in
stance has the work been irst-class. The
latest Developments Are in regard to the new
pOs'ofice and custom house in Chicago. The
buildings have recently been examined by
competent architects aud the discovery was
made that the walls are defective and will
have 10 he taken down, and that the mate
rIals USED were not what the contractors
agreed to furnish.
Year: 1875

J. W. NEsNn1H positively declil IS TO al
low the use of his nsme as q candidate for
Congress. Nez intends to have hand in
cooking the Senatorial broth, and so he pro-
poses TO be at home when that struggle comes
of. We think that it is within Nesmith' S
power 10 run for the house and afterwards
capture the Senatorial prize.
Year: 1875

Mss ANN pamela CUNyIYGHAM, the
first lady regent of the Ladies Mt.
Vernon Association, whose object
was to recover the home Of Washing
ton and. place it in the national keep
ing, died at RosemOnt, South Carolina,
lately. Miss Cunningham was high
ly meritorious and talented lady, IN
whose bosom burned the pure flame
of a patriotism that rebelled against
the desecration and neglect of the
tomb of the Father of his Country.
She and Madame LIE Vert, of Mobile,
were the leaders of the movement TO
rescue the burial place of Washington
from the vandal hands into which it
had fallen, and give it TO the keeping
of the ladies. Her name should De
mentioned with respect all over the
land, and her death Iamented by every
true patriot.
Year: 1875

DANGER or IGNoRANcE.-Mr. George
William Curtis, in an Grafton upon
the Lexington centennial, dwelt with
emphasis upon the dangers to be ap-
pretended from the too rapid influx
of a foreign element, " ignorant and
unfamiliar with the republican ideas"
and suggested the evils which might
follow, from the overcoming OF the
intelligent vote of the country by this
imported ignorance and that of the
enfranchised negroes of the South. 1t
is worthy of remark that republican
statesman when about to confer the
ballot upon the semi-ciVilized negroes
of the South had not a word to say
about allowing the ignorant and un-
educated to control, but when the
white foreigner is to be considered,
they at once become Seriousl y alarmed.
This is the old virus of know nothing
ism cropping out.
Year: 1875

SECRETARY RoBEsoN's LIABILITY
The Supreme Court decision in the
Jay Cooke iron case, relative to Sec
retary of the Navy Robson loaning
the moribund firm of Jay Cooke,
McCulloch & Co., some two years
ago, a million dollars Oh the security
of a quantity of heavily mortgaged
railroad iron, will make that officer
account to the government. The
courts decision is a very satisfactory
one to all who oppose such a loose
way of managing governmental affairs
as that Of turning the naval depart
ment into 4 pawnshop for the benefit
of personal friends. More than one
Cabinet officer may be called on by
the next Congress for an account of
his stewardship, and that Congress Is
not likely to be lenient one.
Year: 1875

ALL hope that the frost had serious.
y injured the grasshopper crop of the
West seems TO have died away, and
the prospect is but a dreary one for
the farmers. In the Eastern and Mid
die States there will be but an aver
age crop, and the farmers there will
doubtless receive a very handsome
price for Bhat surplus grain they may
have.
Year: 1875

THE EGyPTIANS had law that whoever
without sufficient cause was found with a
mortal poison in his custody was compelled
TO swallow it. A law of this kind would
have Il killing effect upon certain saloon
keepers who are licensed to deal out pOisons.
Year: 1875

The REPUBLICANS in Kentucky in their
State convention declared the third term
proposition a hnmbug. Now, inasmuch as
President Grant Is the author Of the proposi-
ton, we presume it is fair to class him
among the hurnbuS OF the day.
Year: 1875

The following wcro the receipts and Shipments Of
The leading articles Of produce iu hs city during The
twenty four hours ending At o'clock on Tues3ny


morning and Tor the corresponding date one year ago
Year: 1875

One day last week little boy who had
been standing for some time in front of
drug store in Baltimore, enviously evening
a large reel well provided with 'simmy
dimmy' twine, as the boys call it, which
was fastened to the top Of the counter, sum-
moncd up courage enough to walk in and
ask for q few yarC with which to fly his
kite. The Doctor bears the reputation Of
being Il good -natured man, full of humor,
and very fond of the little ones, but
the youngster approached him at time
when he was out of his usual mood,
and he consequently gave "No y for
au answer. The urchin had made up his
mind to have some of ''that cord anyhow,
and he got it. On Thursday morning the
boy entered the store, accompanied by an
other boy and Il dog. Boy No. ,, having
placed bottle upon the counter, denurely
asked for five cents worth of SYRUP squills
and pollvgollic," and while the Doctor was
filling the order boy No. was tying the
end of the cord to the dogs tail. When
the man Of medicine returned to the counter
the reel was flying like fury. The Doctor
quietly reached for pallet knife and, hav-
ing hung himself over the counter, made a
desperate whack at the Uranium of the
youngster, who, he supposed, was sitting On
the floor helping himself. But 10 the boys
and the dog ''Bouncer' were not there.
The Doctor having tried in vain to stop
his reel was obliged to give it up on account
of the heat it communicated to the palm OF
his hand. When he reached the door he
beheld the boys upon the sidewalk about
two blocks off, and ''Bouncer' in the mid
die Of the road going at the rate of forty
knots an hour, the string pointing directly
toward his tail. The reel continued to spin
for some time afterward, until it stopped o
its own accord.
Year: 1875

\ very charming daughter Of one of the
''solid men of Boston" being at a ball, was
solicited by a combination of moustache,
starch and broadcloth, for the honor of her
hand in dance, to which solicitation he
received an affirmative answer. In sub


sequent conversation the aforesaid combina-
ton inquired her fathers business, "He
is a woodsawyer," she replied. The dandy
sloped, feeling that he had let himself down
on foot or two by the association. The
lady's father was wealthy dealer in maho-
gany, which occasionally has to be sawed
Year: 1875

\ country clergyman, who had been ac-
customed to administer to the spiritual
needs Of congregation in the backwoods,
was called to occupy the pulpit of; an alb
sent metropolitan brother. The day being
exceedingly hot and his sermon exceedingly
long, he made his preparations accordingly.
He first removed his cravat, and then his
collar and cuffs, and then his coat, and was
proceeding to get rid of his vest, whels
there was stir among tile worshipers and
one of them rising, saidi deep, deliberate
voice


Il don't know what may be the Brothers 5
intention, but perhaps it might us well be
understood before he goes any further, that
this isn't Il bath house


He preached with his vest on.-B Brookly@
Argus,
Year: 1875

One morning respectable locking and
quite wealthy farmer, who was generally
known as very close shaver, whenever he
had a chance, brought his butter hand
somely done up in pound rolls. This was
at time when it was scarce and worth
three shillings, quick sales at that price,
which no doubt had induced him. to scant
the weight of each roll. unexpectedly the.
weigh master saw his butter opened for
sale, when he prepared his test seals to
weigh 1t: while doing so the farmer in his
anxiety, quick as thought, slipped ten
dollar gold piece out of his vest pocket, and
while the weigh masters back was turned,
thrust it into the top roll, as, he thought,
unperceived by any one.


The roll was taken up and it weighed
full weight, which satisfied him without
weighing any other but while he was put
ting up his scales, Quaker gentleman who
had been standing near by, and had seen
the whole transaction, came up and in-
quired the price of butter. ''Three shil-
lings, said the farmer


Put me that roll in my kettle" says,
the Quaker, poiting to the roll with the
gold piece in.


Farmer-"I have sold that roll to
friend


"Ao, thee has not--thee can give thy
friend another roll; they are all good and
weigh alike" He turned and questioned
the weigh master, who said to the farmer
'Hc was entitled to that roll or any roll
he chose to take, if they were priced to
him With this the Quaker took up the
gold roll and placed it in his kettle, then
laid down three shillings and as he was
going lie coolly told the farmer ''Thce
will not always find cheating profitable
Year: 1875

Experience keeps dear school but fools
will learn in no other, and scarce in that ;
for it is true we may give advice but We
cannot give conduct. However, they who
will not be counselled cannot be helped,
and if you viii not hear reason, she will
surely rap your knuckles.
Year: 1875

\ recent advertisement contains the fol-
lowing starting information If the gen
tleman who keeps the shoe store with a red
head will return the umbrella of young
lady with the ivory handle to the slate
rooted grocer's shop, he will hear some
thing to his advantage, as the same is the
Gift of deceased mother now no more,
with the name engraved upon il,
Year: 1875

Profanity never did any man the least
good No man is the richer, or happier,
or wiser for it. 1t commands no one to
any society, 1t is disgusting to the refined;
abominable to the good, insulting to those
with whom we associate degrading to the
mind Improbable needless ard injurious
to society
Year: 1875

Benjamin Franklin occasionally stunable,g
upon the truth. He said The eyes of
other people are the eyes that ruin us. Is
all but myself were blind, l should neither
want fine house nor Gne furniture