smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1873

ABOUT DIVORCES. Hardly have our Legis-
lators got seated at their desks and finished up
the routine preli minaries of the session, than
they are che cked in their legitimate business
Of law making and petitioned to go into match
breaking. Every husband or wife in the State
who is not suitably mated, and is not ashamed
to apply for a divorce, will be affecting the
Legislature with their domestic troubles, and
asking the III onorable Bodies" to dissolve the
bands that ''no man should put asunder "
Such work is no Legitimate business of the Legis-
lature, and the law.making power of no State
but Delaware, we believe, is intrusted exclu,
sively with it. The Courts, in every other State,
take cogni zance of such matters, and SO they
should in this. All other matters of grievance
between individuals are settl ed before the bar
of justice and why not divorces? They are
purely matters of domestic concern with which
the legislative power of the State has nothing
to do and should not be burdened with Every
divorce granted Isl act of special legislation
and such legislation is receiving the condemna-
ton of public opinion all over the land. Such
proceedings look odd in our legislative reports,
and the frequency with which they occur
brings regret, if not absolute shame, to the
citizens of the State.


The investigation Of such cases dc not receive
the thorough sitting before a legislative com
mittee that they generally demand, simply
because said committee have not the tine aud
experience required. They "a to get out all
the points on both sides, as would be done
before the courts, and some very unexpected
results have eliminated either for or against
applicants in many instances The case OF
Surgeon Bailey, an old srmy officer, has not
gone out CT the minds of our readers He
applied, at the last session of the Legislature
for divorce from his over frisky young wife
and the plea was granted upon his testimony.
Hardly had the vote been taken when Mrs.
Bliley put in an appearance, with counsel, and
upon her statements the divorce was repealed.
lie made another statement, we believe, and
so did she, and one side was always good until
the other was told, thus making the Legsla-
ture do and undo until the matter became SO
knotted that no one could tell whether the
parties we're married or divorced. To put the
question beyond dispute SO far as the Doctor
was concerned, he got the Government to send
him to Alaska, where he still remains, to the
best of our knowledge.


Public sentiment is against such Legislative
business, and their Honorable Bodies ought
20 enact such law as will in the future take
such duties from the Legislature.
Year: 1873

II is a remarkable fact that neither in the
Message in which the President of the United
States was supposed to inform Congress Of
the condition of the country at the opening
of the session, nor in the Report of the Secre-
tary of the Treasury who was expected to
explain at the same time the state of the
finances, is there any distinct warning-we
might almost say any hint-of the perplexites
and disasters with which we are now threat
ened. 1t was obvious to us, and it certainly
ought to have been understood by the Ad-
minstratiOn that we were running ahead of
our income at fearful rate that our expendi-
lures were increasing and our receipts falling
off; and that for some time we had been sus-
tanning ourselves by an illegal imitation of the
currency But Mr.. Richardson was unwilling
to admit these unwelcome truths and Gen.
Grant probably did not realize them. At any
rate we look in VAN through the Presi-
dents Message for any sort of state
ment Of the situation and the Secretary's Re-
mort was actually calculated to lead astray
anybody who trusted it. 1t is very doubt
"ful,n said Gen. Grant, whether, except with
great economy on the part of Congress in
"making appropriations and the same econ
"omy in administering the various depart
"ments of Government, the revenues will not
"fall short Of meeting actual expenses, and
at that very time the revenues had already
fallen ten millions short of meeting actual ex-
penses, and the deficiency was increasing with
accelerating speed. There was no doubt
about the matter at all. 1t was not prob
able and conditional but an actual and grow
ing deficiency.


We have said that Gen. Grant did not seem
to realize the situation. His Message ran
on. in curious forgetfuluess of the straits of
the Treasury, suggesting fresh expenditures
and costly improvements as if the. national


purse was ineKhaustible, aud sgood money
Year: 1873

"chadnczzsrT Neither OF them had read word
of the oratiOn. Such speeches are intended
solely for effect among the members con-
stitnents, and serve tho purpose of those
addresses to electors which are from time to
time issued by members of legislative bodies
in other countries. They form part OF his
ordinary electiOneering work, and he has no
more right to make the Government pay Tor
them than for any other of his private
expenditurcs. He does not bring in a bill for
his torches, his banners or the wagons he
proyides to bring the lame, the aged, and the
idiotic to the polls. But he would be just
as fully justified in recOuping these dlsburSe-
mcnts ont of the Treasury, Is in making the
Government printers prepare his circulars tor
distribution in his district.


The practice should be abolished for several
reasons. In the first place, if they were not
printed they would cease to be written, and
that would be aigreat gain on all hands. The
reform would be promptly followed by con-
traction in the business of the Government
printing Offices, which would5put check upon
the food of useless publications which pour
forth yearly from Washington for no con-
ceivable purpose but to justify expense and to
minister to private greed and vanity. If this
is not done we may look for speedy re-
establishment of the Franking Abuse, and
already this is under discussion.
Year: 1873

printed on the morning on which the dis-
aster was annOunced.l 1t ia greater
pleasure, however to chronicle the higher VIC
tories of peace and goodwill. Some of our
employees went to jai with apostolic tran
quillity of mind because we were IN advance
of all our cotemporaries in furnishing the
news of the Alabama Treaty, and yes
tcrday morning our special dispatches
from Washington gave to President Grant,
Mr. Fish, aud the rest of mankind,
the only account yet receyedAOf the sur
render of the vrginus at Bahia Honda
Throughout the entire course of this firgnias
controversy we have furnished the fullest and
most accurate reports of every phase OF the
affair, from our special correspondents at
Washington, Key West, Havana, and San
tiago, and it was therefore fit conclusion of
the matter that ut the closing ceremony at
Bahia Honda, the representative Of The IRIB-
UNE should be the only journalist present to
describe to the civilized world the ,fulilment
OF the first clause Of the Washington protocol
II gives us sincere pleasure to congratulate
the Government upon receiving this first in
telligence of this event i'll the graphic and
vigorous language of our correspondent rather
than In the curt and jeune style OF ordinary
official intercourse. Still more do we cOngratu-
late our readers upon their privilege in sharing
this early information. The humblest work


ngman in New-York who bought a TRIBUNE
on his way to his shop yesterday morning
knew more about this important official act
than President Grant in Washington or Prcsi-
dent CASTELAR, in Madrid.


We do not desire to annoy our neighbors
by any untimey preaching over this success.
But the truth is always wholesome, and we
hope they Will pardon us if we observe once
more that publishing a newspaper Is far
more pleasant and profitable business than
squabbling. Still. the latter pursuit may have
its charms to those who nave no taste for the
former.
Year: 1873

Boston, "a our readers already know, has-lf
we may use so unfeminine an ILLUSTRATION
taken the bull by the horns, and elected four
women to serve upon the School Committee
Grave doubts of the eligibility of these candi-
dates, under the provisions of the Constitu-
ton, were expressed during the preliminary
canvass; but the weight of opinion seemed to
be in favor of female qualification. Probably
the question will be taken to the Supreme
Court; but it is not likely that the decision OF
the voters will be disturbed.


1t il hardly worth while to discuss the fit
ness Of woman for this office. From the
supervision of girls schools, especially, 1T
would be hard To assign any valid reason for
the exclusion of women which would not
equally apply to the appointment OF female
teachers. If competent ladies can be found
to accept the place, We can anticipate only
good from their doing 40.


The question which Boston has decided, it
is proper to suggest is quito distinct from
the general one of comforting pure political
Office upon the sex. The oversight of schools
is not, strictly speaking, political business
The value of the Boston experiment will DO
in the high character of the institutions of
learning in that city. Ii women there are
found to be competent assistants in the work
of the School Committees, then there is no
reason why the innovation should not be
elsewhere and generally accepted, with rea-
sonabe hope Of success Perhaps the change
may do something to sweeten all School Com
mittees thus mixed from the taint of jObbery,
from which, We are sorry to say, they are
nowhere 80 free as they should be. For this
reason, if for no other, We welcome the BOs-
ton experiment, and hope that the Judges
will not feel obliged to interfere to prevent,
or rather postpone it.
Year: 1873

The practice of Congress to allow members
to print speeches which have never been
delivered is full of the very spirit of Dead
Head IL is a device to carry on their cleo
tiOneering business at the public expense.
The ostensible purpose and only justifable
reason for existing which speech in Congress
can have, is 10 convince or persuade other
Congressman to the speakers way of think
ing, or to elucidate some matter of public
policy under consideration in the Legislature.
1t is idle to say that printed speeches serve
the same purpose as those made in debate.
The latter often decide the fate OF bill or
resolution when the debate is rapid and inter-
esting, and the former are never read. 1t is
doubtful if even a speech of Summers would be
generally read in Congress if it had not been
delivered, however eagerly 1t might be
devoured by all reading people outside of
Washington. The thousands OF sheets annu-
ally printed to perpetuate the unspoken
discourses of mediocrity are never looked at
or thought of, in either end Of the Capitol.


They are fraudulent from beginning to end.
They pretend to be speeches, and are not.
They pretend to have been uttered in debate.
and they have never como to the knowledge
of nine -tenths of Congress. Very often they
are written by men who could not make a
speech if they tried, and sometimes they bear
the names of men who can neither write nor
speak and who have paid for them by the
page. Gen. Halpine once threw q Member of
Congress from this city into great confusion
by asking him in the crowded lobby, What
"he meant by saying in his speech last week
"thst Erin 90 Bragh was the motto Of Nebu.
Year: 1873

How much will be practically gained to the
cause of reform in Pennsylvania by the
adoption of the new Constitution cannot now
be accurately estimated. Time will show what
defects in the new instrument may be used
viciOusIy by the cOrruptionists but the care
fully prepared synopsis printed on the third
page of THE TRIBUNE shows many changes
in tho Constitution which promise to be most
salutary
Year: 1873

There seems TO be no end TO the acerbity
and irritability which follow in the train OF
the Back Pay fraud. The House was again in
an uproar about this miserable business, yes
terday, and the American Statesmen called
each other by what they considered their
proper names. When we say that dirty
"cur' was one of tho endearing eplthets
thus hurled, and that Gen. B. +. Butler was III
the thick of the fight, the intelligent reader
will be able to guess the rest.
Year: 1873

American disciples of Manifest Destiny will
be sorry to learn that King Lunalilo of the
Hawaiian Islands has withdrawn his offer of
reciprocity with the United States. 1t was
thought here that reciprocity would be in
eyitably followed by annexation. SO thought
the Hawaiians and cabinet crisis was the
consequence. Reciprocal trade with the Sand
vich Islands would he doubtful measure ;
and annexation would be positive evil.
Year: 1873

A guide to seekers after holiday gifts is just
now a timely boon. Readers of The TRIBUNE
viii find just such friendly counsel in the
classified list of shopping places printed Oh
our third and fourth pages.
Year: 1873

The list of Senators and Representatives. who
have absolutely returned their back pay (as
printed from an official source in another
column is an interesting record for preserva-
ton. The number of names is smaller than
has been generally supposed. Those gentle
men who have contented themselves with
leaving the plunder in the hands of the dis
bursting officers, subject at any time to their
order, but assuring their constituents that they
"have not drawn it and do not intend to-" are
not included in the list. But it will be OBJ
served that Gen. Spinner's record is the only
thing that can be reckoned official and authen-
tic in the matter.
Year: 1873

There is dismay in Washington over the
accommodating piles of public documents
Congressman are represented as standing
neck-deep in Agricultural Reports and Con-
gressional Investigations, which they declare
they will leave to rot where they are unless
they can get them away without paying
postage. This means revival OF the Frank
ing Privilege. Yet Senator Frelinghuysen
talks of printing million or so of illustrated
books for gratuitous distribution, principally
in the agricultural districts" The situation
is reported to be almost as trying as that In
the Treasury Department. The remedy Is
simple-Print no more books.
Year: 1873

Prices AND PRosPEcTs in ILLINOIS. The
recent advance in prices of corn and pork-the
former from 80 cents to 40 cents per bushe
OF 20 pounds in the ear and the latter from
1925 to ~ 80 per cwt. gToss-has had the ef-
feet TO withdraw virtually both staples from the
market.


The crop of corn for tuis year is found to be
ofPoorer quality generally than was expected
before harvesting. Only small proportion of
the crop is sent to market out of the country,
and but for the old corn on hand, we should
run out Of supply long before another harvest,
The remark is often heard on our streets that
corn must go to 81 per bushel in a few months
rather too high figure in my opinion. 1t
is well for US that prices have advanced just
in time to pat little money in circulation for
paying taxes. During the war, thorgh taxes
we're high, good crops and high prices made il
easy to pay them. As matters have been O
late, are people are of the opinion that We are
burdened in providing means to meet obligation
assumed by town aid in the construction o
railroads, and in nrhoring the capital al
Springfield.


A system Of extravaganza in the erection o
all public buildings has been inaugurated with
in the past few years which it is best TO dispense
with until money is made more readily thar
now, and even then to profit by the lessons 0
to-day In correcting these and kindred evils
the new party now in the majority in Illinois
will find no light lask.-Princeton Ill.,, Dec Is
Year: 1873

A few days ago young man of thirty
four entered within the sacred precincts CT
this sanctum, and coming up to our spirit
ual reporter wanted him to tell quick as
possible


WHAT HE KNEW ABOUT FOSTER.


Our reporter Objectsd to this in2smuch as
his knowledge concerning the exploits Of
the spirit medium could not be given in a
day. He referred the anxious inquirer to
the file of the UNION AND AMERICAN for
some Of bis information, but this not salts
flying his intellectual capacity ne tried to
satiate his unguestional propensities by re-
lating briefly what Foster says is


THE ORIGIN OF ARIEL,
book in relation TO the ethnology of the
African race, and written by learned gen.
tleman in this city. According to Foster,
there dwelt in one of the New England
States wealthy gentleman who had much
learning in


BIBLICAL HISTORY,
and being very much disturbed about the
origin of the races, inquired through him of
the spirits concerning the learned men of
this country engaged in chronological mys-
teries. The spirits being generously dis
posed, told him the name of the gentleman
who at that time was preparing for publica-
ton book on the history of the


AFRICAN RACE.


The wealthy literateUr Immediately wrote
IS the spirits had directed to the author in
this city, and soon regular correspond
ence relative to the subject agitating the
mind Of the former and claiming the atten-
tiOn of the latter, was established, resulting
in pleasant acquaintance of much benefit
to the one and assistance to the other.


THE MANUSCRIPTS
used in the composition Of Ariel, were Civ
Year: 1873

The barn-yard is the farmers main de,


pendence for manure. The yard should


be freely Uttered, the stalls cleaned out
regularly and their contents distributed
evenly over the yard. Plaster should be
scattered over the yarl every week or two.
All stock ought to be induced to remain
in the ward when not s'abled. A little
hay or fodder will make them fond OF the
ward. The yard ought to be securely Ell
closed and cistern at the end OF the barn,
Of suitable size. win furnish 2 large guam
Year: 1873

to express in the feeblest manner the state
OF his mind. The more music there was in
bis stomach, the wilder and more complete
ly chaotic became the discord in his soul.
Just as likely as not it would occur that
while he lay asleep in bed in the middle of
the night the melody works within would
begin to revolve, and would play Home,
Sweet Home" for two or three hours, unless
the peg happened to slip, when the cylinder
would switch back again to " A Life on the
Ocean Wave and Home on the Rolling
Deep" and would rattle out that tune with
variations and fragments of the scales, until
William Bangs's brother would kick him
out of bed in wild despair, and sit on him in
vain effort to subdue the serenade. which,
however, invariably proceeded with fresh
vigor when subjected to unusual pressure.


And when William Bangs went to church,
it frequently occurred that, in the very
midst of the most solemn portion of the
sermon, he would feel gentle disturbance
under the lowest button Of his jacket; and
presently, when everything was hushed, the
undigested engine would give preliminary
buzz, and then reel off Listen to the Mock
ing g-Bird" and "Thou'lt never Cease to Love"
and scales and exercises, until the clergy
man would stop and glare at William over
his spectacles, and whisper to one of the
deacons. Then the sexton would suddenly
tack up the aisle and clutch the unhappy
Mr.. Bangs by the collar, and scud down the
aisle again to the accompaniment of "a Life
on the Ocean Wave and Home on the
Rolling Deep," and then incarcerate William
in the upper portion of the steeple until after
church.


But the end came at last, and the misera-
BILE offspring oft senior Bangs found peace.
One day, while be was sitting in school en-
deavoring to learn his objectionable
to the tune of Home, Sweet Home" his
gastric juice triumphed. Something or 9th
er in the music box gave way all at once,
the springs were unrolled with alarming
force, and William Bangs, as he felt the
fragments of the instrument hurled right
and left among his vitals, tumbled over on
the floor and expired.


At the postmortem examination they
found several pieces of "Home, Sweet
Home" in his liver, while one of his lungs
was severely torn by fragment of " A Life
on the Ocean Wave" Small particles of
= Listen to the Mocking- Bird" were removed
from his heart and breast-bone, and three
brass pegs of Thou'lt never Cease to Love"
we're found firmly driven into his fifth rib.


They had no music at the funeral. They
sifted the machinery out of him, and buried
him quietly in the cemetery. Whenever
the Bangses buy musical-boxes now, they
get them as large as piano and chain them
to the wall
Year: 1873

into an unremunerative groove OF life. We
have seen here, over and over again, how
impossible it is, notwithstanding the number
OF our cities, and the intense appreciation
of humor characteristic of our people, to
maintain comic journal and it is no Sc
cret that Punch has never been paving
publication-indeed, glance at the small
number of its advertisements is sufficient to
give notion of its failure in this respect.
Mark Lemon, its editor, suffered accordingly,
and his means did not suffice for saving


When Sir Walter Scott was ruined, his
friend, the able and eccentric Lord Dudley
said; "Let every man who has derived
pleasure from the Waverley novels subscribe
sixpence. and Sir Walter will rise, to-mor-
row, richer than Rothschild" 1t was a
happy thought" and it is thousand pities
that it was not acted on.


We wish the same could be done for poor
Mark Lemons family, for, if every Anglo
Saxon who has laughed over Punch would
send twenty-five cents to his widow and
daughters, they would be placed in adequate
comfort for the rest of their days The
Queen has now given the widow and child
rem pension of five hundred dollars year
but this is but scanty provision for gentle
women. Young people intent on pursuing
the path trodden by Mark Lemon will do
well to "read, mark, learn and inwardly
digest" the lives of literary men.-Apple-
TONS Journal
Year: 1873

Half the perplexity, annoyance and
trouble that men have in this world is in
consequence Of getting into debt. IL
seems to be natural for some people to
buy, and incur obligations without
measure so long as they can avoid paying
ready cash. Give one OF this sort u
chance to buy on credit. and the ques-
lions of payments are matters that he
cares but little about. But what q crop
If trouble springs up from the seed OF
debt. How many grey hairs It brings.
and how often Il shoriens life sometimes
leading men to commit suicide OF murder.
And yet how easy II is TO keep clear oil
this terrible monster. Every young man
should form fixed and unalterabtc de-
termination, before commencing his ac-
live business career. not TO incur one
penny of Indebtedness, under any cir
cumstances. Never buy anything unless
you have the money 10 pay for 1t ut once
Pay no attention to tho splendid oppor'
tuni,ics," rare chances" "bargLins, "
and the like. Such are only traps set TO
catch victims. II you see anything that
YOU would like TO accept, look first at
Your money pile. and make tue answer
depend upon that. Away pay as you
20. II you arc short OF money gauge
NDur demands accordingly.