smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1872

The American Constitution has made rather
startling apparition in the British Parliament.
Mr. IIorsman, not feeling blind confidence IN
the wisdom of Her Majcsty's Ministers. asked
the Government to assure Parliament that no
proposals for fresh negotiations with the United
States, in the Alabama matter, should he
accepted until they had received the sanction
of Parliament OF course, Mr.. Gladstone could
only protest that Parliament should always be
kept carefully informed of the acton, the
spirit, and the intention of the Government Ill
all matters of public concern, but that 1t was
impossible for the Executive to devOlve upon
the Legislature of the Kingdom the treaty
making power. This reply was the ohly
traditional and constitutional one. But Mr.
Horsman dciicd all cOnvcntonaties by
quoting, as an example for Her MaJesty's
Government, that provision of our Constitution
which gives to the Senate the power of ratify-
ing OF rejecting treaties.


AS may naturally be supposed, the Premier
did not accept this well-meant intimation OF
the true source of all political wisdom. In the
radical conventions and republican debating
societies of Europe it is the custom to refer TO
the Constitution of the United States as the
highest standard of human government. 1t is
regarded, as Thomas Paine once said OF the
Constitutions of the Colonies, "as the gram
"mar of politics" But it is something un-
usual and unexpected to see this view pre-
sented even by implication in the Parliament
of Great Britain In this case there will be
no opportunity for Mr. HOrsman to test
his new ideas of legislative authority.
We are not going to make any new
proposals in the Alabama case. We tn
tered into the present Treaty with
firm and sincere desire to make it finality
in the interest not only of both nations, but
also of universal peace and good will. Relying
upon this Treaty, we went to Geneva and laid
before the Board our whole claim, leaving to
the arbitrators to decide whether it was within
the limits set by the Treaty or not. we see
no way out of the question but for both sides
to wait for the award of the Board and to
submit to it Loyalty. If the English Govern
ment prefers to break up the arbitration rather
than do this, it is in their power to do so,
and not in ours to prevent it. II any one IN
England is expecting new proposals from the
Government of the United States he is cher
ishinS an empty Illusion.
Year: 1872

such as q careful editor might be excused for
trusting. In the rare cases when they have mis-
led us, we have, of course, been prompt to make
what amends we could for whatever injustice
we may have done. This is the only rational
and honest and manly course: when you are
satisfied that public man is rogue, attack
him boldly, and let it be known that the same
proofs which convinced your mind are at the
disposal of any proper tribunal that may
call for them. But when On editor wraps HIM
self up in his newspaper and to every call for
proof replies, al shall not answer; Journalism
"must be anonymous, or we cannot get news;
"no matter who told me of these things !;
"they satisfy my mind, and that ought to be
"enough for you; / say that so-and-so is
"tbief and it rests upon him to prove that he
"is MT when an editor answers thus, the
people lose respect for his invective, and the
thieves cease to fear it. The Twecds and
Connolys do not care for newspaper clamor
which is never to take the form of testimony;
their fear is not of what we say but OF what
we prove. And the public, on the other hand,
has reasonable distrust of all anonymous
ASSISTANTS, and conviction that he who VIII
not prove his words cannot prove them.
Year: 1872

Our Legislature may well look with dlsmay
on the thrOng, the crush, OF bills relating more
especially to this City and Brooklyn. we
wish they were fewer, but we sec not now
any of them can be put aside. Each OF these
great cities imperatively needs a Reformed
Charter. She needs to be relieved of faith
less. corrupt officers and enabled to nil their
places with better. She needs the most
stringent safeguards against frauds at elec-
tons She needs retrenchment, and provisions
against inOrdinate expenditure which are only
obtainable through legislation. So we beg the
Legislature to choke Off the thousands OF ap-
plicants for private, special acts, and put
through those measures OF relIe1 10 these
Oyerburdened and suffering municipalities
which are imperativey needed.


AS to details, we ask only candid cOnsidera-
ton. The sister cities must have reformed
Charters: but it does not follow that the
work of any volunteer body should be blindly
swallowed. Give earnest heed to the Commit
tee of Seventy and its Brooklyn counterpart; !;
but enact nothing that yOu judge absurd or
i,npracticable merely because they require 1t.
On the contrary revise their projects fearlessly,
and make each of the new Charters what 1t
sbould be. even at the cost of incurring
their dispeasure. You cannot justify your
selves, if your work should prove bad, by the
plea that they would have it so. But we pre-
sumo they will not be so unreasonable as to
expect you to swallow blindly whatever they
may prescribe


Drive the plowshare of Rctrenchment and
Reform through every corrupt job or merce-
nary contrivance to enrich Office ehOldcrs at
the expense of taxpayers. Remember that
this is Reform Legislature, and take care
the phrase do not incite an involuntary curl
of the lip whenever your work shall hereafter
be referred to- Time presses; let it bc nObly
improved
Year: 1872

The Wisconsin Legislature, misinformed or
misapprehending, has, by joint resolution, re-
auested Congress to examine into the terms OF
the purchase by the Northern Pacific Railroad
Company of the Lake Superior and Mississippi
Road, connecting Duluth with st. Paul, and
"espccally to inquire whether said contract
"of purchase is conditioned on the defeat In
Congress of the bill to renew the grant OF
Gland to the State of Wisconsin in and OF the
construction of the railroad from the st.
"Croix River or Lake to Lake Superior" The
Secretary of the Northern Pacific Railroad
Company an officer presumed to be perfectly
informed upon that point, assures us that the
Northern Pacific has not purchased nor con
tracted to purchase the Lake Superior and
Mississippi Road, and that no negotiation for
such purchase is either pending or proposed.
Year: 1872

Tnrsuxs gladly hears. though it contradicts
nothing We ever asxerted. We never supposed
the Republicans wore special sinners in this
respect, and we said nothing as to the rcla-
tive or positive culpability OF this or that
party. We only insisted that, if no more
money was raised than could be properly
used, that sum should be raised at home
And we are sure the Editor of The COurdn',
at heart, fully agrees with us.
Year: 1872

Dccoy Bliss, jr., in his testimony before the
Senate Committee on the NewYork Custom
house, seems to have been ambitious to show
how well he has earned the sOubriquet which
he wears The witness is one of those per-
sous whose highest happiness is found in an
intrigue, and, though we have but brief
summary of bis evidence yesterday, 1T is clear
that he reveled in richness of that sort. But
he has not yet finished.
Year: 1872

At last, in spite of the apathy of the police
and the brazen impudence of a gang of
swindlers, THE TRIBUNE has succeeded in
bringing home their guilt to the Elias gang


1t is marvellous that company of men should
be able to open and carry on in Broadway a
shop filled with worthless watches, and sell them
openly as valuable merchandise. That this
could be done for one day is strange enough,
but it has been a notorious scandal
for weeks, and the police have apparently
been unable or unwilling to take the first
steps to suppress it. BY the use of the same
means which were open to the authorities, we
have succeeded in showing that the so-callod
watches are worthless as itimekeepers and
vaueess as metal-cased instruments. The
works are imperfect, and the assay of the so
called precious metals in the cases proves
them to be mainly drOss. THE TRIBUNE
usually accomplishcs the purposes which it
has in view in a public movement, and this
time it has, we hope, made an end to great
and rrinOuS imposition on the people.
Year: 1872

L. is said that the Democratic side of the
House applauded the defeat of the proposition
to increase the China mail service yesterday
We cannot tell if they rejoiced at the failure
Of a motion to extend American commerce in
the Pacific, or were glad that they had thrown
a fancied obstacle in the way of the immigra-
fion of Chinese; either way, the fact that the
measure did not pass is not creditable to
ninety-two politicians who seem not to know
their r,ght hand from their left.
Year: 1872

The books of the Marquis do Morante were sold
last month in Madrid. about 10000 of them. lie
was Rector of the University of Madrid and lost his


life in a queer sort of way for he was killed by fall
ing from his library ladder The fact IL suggestive
of very high shelves. of IA very long ladder. AMI "i
a great many books. Whether TO die that way would
he bliss to your confirmed bibliomaniac. we do not
know When men go to the grave it IL undeistood
that worms cat them (Shakespearo). and that grave
worms will cat even BOOK worms seems reasonably
certain.
Year: 1872

A little incident was brought to our
notice a day or two since, which illustrates
the Ingenuity OF the Chinese in a rather
peculiar manner. 'Mickey McDaniels," as
be Is iamiliarly called, owns a number of
geese, which occasionally gets in the slough
and strayS away to the Chinese vegetable
gardens which border this pleasant pool.
Doubtless they would help themselves to
-iphn'S cabbage on these predatory excur-
>ious, for it is well known that the descend
ants nf Rome's ancient preserves have a
tondness for this article.


The plan hit upon by John to prevent
Them from gratifying their natural propen-
stiles was ingenious and novel, and re-
manned undiscovered until a few days since.
Several geese belonging to Mr.. McDaniels
had died and no reason could be assigned
inr thus strange procedure on their part,
Tor they were fat and healthy, and goose
j. supposed to he a long lived fowl. But
when They were driven M to be picked the
mystery was solved Four of the birds
were found gagged in a singular manner,
aud one which can hardly be described. A
ring of line wire, about two inches in cir
conference, was found in the mouth of
zach, held there by being turned over the
sop of HE head and hooked i'm under the
feathers. The way il came there is easily
Hhu'fSlnod- Inc tlinaman, when maxine
these rings, twisted two ends of the wire
together, turning the end over, making
quite Il strong hook, This was hung on a
cabbage leaf, or other vegetable, and left to
wait the coming of the victim. In feeding.
The goose would strike its bill down to pick
~ Il tempting morsel and if one part of
Ih. bill went inside this loop, its doom was
sealed, for the loop would by the force OF
ih- blow he turned over the head of the
reckless bird, and the hook would of neces-
>ity iasteD under the feathers on the top of
the head. few struggles of the impris-
oned bird would draw the fine wire under
the feathers out of sight and thus the bird
would be unable to close its bill. In this
condition, with its head high in the air, it
would run around in circle until exhaust
ed. Even in being driven home and
observed in this situation, it would require
close inspection to detect the cause of this
strange proceeding on the part of the tor
tured bird. Mr.. McDaniels lost large
number, and only discovered the cause
when engaged in picking them. Marys-
vile (Cal.) Appeal.
Year: 1872

Brave deeds deserve honorable mention
| and the noblest individual sacrifice that
has happened in the vicinity of this great
city tor many years occurred on Thurs
day morning near Norristown, on the
Philadelphia and Reading railroad, and
by which the lives of five women were
saved, snatched back, as it were, from
the grave, the bold hero himself losing
his life in the endeavor. The following
are the particulars of the affair:


A company of colored soldiers from this
city visited Spring Hill Heights, near
Norristown, on Thursday, for the purpose
OF engaging in target practice, and enjoy
ing the pleasures of picnic.


The day was spent to the satisfaction of
all parties concerned, until half-past six
O'Clock in the afternoon, when fearful
accident cast q gloom over the affair, and
sadly terminated the days enjoyment.
About that time Philip Gould, who was
not 4 member OF the company, but had
come from New Jersey to attend the pic
nc, il company with FIVE ladies, one of
whom was the wife of the lieutenant of
the company, who was enjoying a row on
Schuylkill.


The party finally discmbarked opposite
the picnic grounds, at the point where the
boats are usually moored They then as
cended the bank and commenced walking
down the track. 1t so happened ithat
they chose the down track, which runs
along next to the river, on an embank-
| ment about ten feet high.


They had proceeded q considerable dis
tance below the picnic grounds when one
of the ladies heard the whistle of an en-
gine, and called the attention to the other
to the fact. The party, half turning
round, looked across the river, and see
ing Il train on the Norristown side sup
posed the whistle to have been that Of the
engine attached to it. Unfortunately they
Were mistaken, and before single warn
ing could be given, the Reading express
which does not stop between Norristown
and Philadelphia, came laundering around
the curve at the rate Of forty miles an
hour.


The heavy curve prevented the engineer
from seeing them until almost upon them,
and then it was impossible to do anvthlnr
to stop the train. Gould was the first to
see danger. and with presence Of mind
totally unexampled and with heroism
which rarely had q parallel, instantly
pushed the whole five companions off the
track and over the embankment.


Almost in the act the engine caught
him and mangling him terribly, tossed
his body over the smoke-stack on the ten
der of the engine, from which he rolled
off on the roadside


The lieutenant of the company was but
4 short way over and seeing the position
OF the party when the train came along
supposed, OF course. all were killed


He rushed Immediately to the spot, and .
looking over the embankment, saw his
wife and four other ladies among the
bushes along the rivers edge, where they
had failed, entirely uniniured. But Gould
had preserved them only at a sacrifice of
his own life, and when picked up he was
entirely dead.


A Jury was gotten together and the
coroner held an inquest, n verdict being
returned in accordance with the facts in
the case.
Year: 1872

COMPRESSION. l have seen young girls
of fifteen weeping bitterly, and all shrunk
together with pain, and yet they would
not loosen an inch of the corset string.
Ask them what is the matter: "a pain
in my breast ~ And no wsnder But
there are no such willing and enthusiastic
martyrs to custom as young girls. We
talk with adherence of Chinese foot-tor
ture 1t can be no whit more revolving
or painful than the custom of reducing
the waist of wel-formed girls to the
standard of absolute deformity. In many
cases this is really nothing more than
slow suicide, in proportion to the strength
and vitality of the tortured creature; and
it is as much more reprehensible than the
Chinese custom. as the lungs, stomach
and heart are necessary to life than the
feet. The evil is wrought so gradually
that we do not realize it fully. but it is
none the less scourge of the nation for
all that. Herald of Health.
Year: 1872

The result of an experiment made during
the last season, by r. A. Gilpin, at his farm
in Weston, on the wide planting and cult
walton OF wheat, appears to be quite re-
markable. In giving an account of the eX-
pertinent, Mr.. Gilpin says: The ground
measured an acre within fraction: it was
not selected on account of any inferiority,
hut was much the same as the rest of the
held; and was manured and prepared Just
the same. The seed was the red Mediter-
ranean' and not very good, being taken
from the wheat grown on the place the
previous season, which was injured by the
weeFil. 1t was drilled in at the rate of
three quarters of a bushel to the acre, on
the 18th of September, at the same time as
the rest of the field. The popularity in the
statement was that every other pipe in the
drill was stopped, so that the rows of wheat
were twenty inches apart, or double the
usual distance. In the spring, when the
ground had become sufficiently dry to work,
a small garden hoe harrow was run between
the rows, working the ground to the depth
OF about three inches this was done only
once. The effect of this work was very
apparent; the wheat took rapid start and
outgrew the rest of the field. As the sea-
son advanced it grew tall and strong, and
no amount of wind or rain had anv effect
to lay 1t down; when the heads formed,
their greater length was very apparent. 1t
was backward in ripening, and the rest of
the fields was cut and hauled a week before
this was ready. Now for the result: The
experimental wheat yielded twenty three
bushels to the acre, and the rest yielded only
nine bushels to the acre; Inequality of each
was about the same. Whether from defect


in the seed, or the wet season, or the late
planting, the whole of nv wheat was in
Jured both by rust and weevil, and the
experimental part did not escape-it was
affected just as the rest was. The expert
ment can not be regarded rs entirely salts
factory; the season was exceptional the
seed used was inferior, and the yield Of the
experimental part of the field was not abso-


utely great, but only by comparison with
the rest of the crop, which was a poor one,
from the effects of the rust and the weevil !;
but the result is, under any circumstances
sufficiently reasonable to attract the atten-
ton of farmers and induce further trial


American Farm journal.
Year: 1872

If YOU Want kiss, take it.


There is a jolly Saxon proyerb.
That man is half in heaven


When he has woman'S kiss;
But there's danger in delaying,


And the sweetness may for,ake it.
So tell you, baShful lover,


If you want a kiss Why, take it.
Never let another fellow


Steal a march on you in this.
Never let laughing maiden


See you spelling for u kiss.
There's royal way to kissing.


And the Jolly ones who take it
Have a motto that is winning:


If you want a kiss: Why, take it.
Any fool may face a woman.


Anybody wear crown;
But a man must win q woman


If he'd have her for his own.
Would You have the golden apple.
You must lind the tree and shake it
If the thing is worth the having.


And YOU want a kiss: Why. take it.
Year: 1872

SEAsoNABLE ADVICE. The Maine Farmer
says; We need again to urge farmers to
have greater regard for their personal
health and comfort than is generally the
case. We know just how hard farmers
have to work, and how pressing are the de-
mands of the present season. But nothing
is gained by hard and long continued appl-
cation. Work in the morning and at night,
and if possible enjoy long "nooning"
will do you no harm. Battle frequently,
and never repose at night in the inner
clothing in which you have worked durin.
the day. Have light, clean night-shirt,
to take the place of that full of perspiration
and dust, and enjoy to its fullest extent the
refreshing influences of the nights rest.
Eat wholesome and well prepared food, but
avoid an excessive use of fresh meats.
Drink sparingly of cold water during hot
weather-great injury often results from
this cause.
Year: 1872

WISE OLD BRuIN. A gentleman who
has Just returned from the Katahdin Iron
Works. gives rs the following facts show
ing the sagacity of a bear


A few miles from the Works is log
cabin in which some meat was stored; but
a large bear who happened round, fear
ing that it would spoil before eaten,
thought he might as well have a taste for
himself. Accordingly he cautiously ap-
preached the hut and tried to push the
door open. but failing in this he went to
the windows which were closed by shut
ters, and removed one from each side of
cabin, for the sole purpose no doubt of
making sure his retreat, for if attacked
from one window he could then Jump
from the other and So escape. He then
went and took Il piece of meat and de-
parted as he came. This game was so
cleverly performed that the owners of the
cabin who were concealed in the bushes
near by, let the old fellow depart in
peace. Commercial.
Year: 1872

FACTS ABOUT CoLORs. A spoonful of
OK gall to a gallon of water will set the
colors of almost any goods soaked in it
previous to washing. A tea-cup of lye in
a pail of water will improve the color OF
black goods. Nankn should lie in lye be-
fore being washed; it sets the color. A
strong tea Of common hay will preserve the
color of French linens. Vinegar in the
rinsing water for pink or green calicoes
will brighten them. Soda answers the same
end for both purple and blue.
Year: 1872

Cotton Quiet and Easier-Reccipts at


the Ports, s,52s Bales-Flour Quiet


Wheat and Corn Dull and Lower


Pork and Lard Easier-Frcights Firm


Groceries Steady-PetrOleum Dull and


Unchangcd-Naval stores Dull, but No


Lowcr-Whishey Higher.


MONDAY, Oct. 11-6P. NJ.


Tile trade movement was retarded to-day by the
great connagratlon In Boston, which devastated
almost the entire business portion of the city.
Though the commercial ties between Boston and
this city were scarcely so close as those between
Chicago and New York, yet the commercial cen.
tres OF the country have come to be 80 closely
cemented by mercantile and monetary In.
terests that no great disaster OF this
character can befal one without materially af-
fecting all. Hence business here was very greatly
affected to-day by the great fire In our neighbor-
ing city, and commercial values were in many
instances considerably lower, owing however, more
to an apprehension Of general interruption to busl
ness enterprises and a general depression Of mer-
chandse as natural consequence Of the fire than
to any visible immediate eject. good deal Of
uneasiness obtained In both financial and CON-
mercial circles and great anxiety was everywhere
manifested to ascertain the worst. Business was
of only secondary Importance and but little was
done. Cotton was easier with but moderate
movement At the Produce Exchange hour con-
tinued dull; wheat and corn were decidedly dull
and lower, though there was some inquiry for ex-
port-generally the basis Of too great reduction in
prices to admit of business The provisions market
dull, and both pork and lard lower and difficult Of
sale. Frcighs without decided change full prices
being quite generally insisted Groceries were but
moderately dealt in, yet whole prices were pretty
well sustained. Petroleum continued quiet, but no
weakness was manifest. Naval stores were unusually
quiet but no essential change took place In values whis
key was purchased moderately at higher prices.


CoffkK-The general market continued Quiet for all de-
Year: 1872

seems to have Its grievances as well as our own,
for consols have fallen or despite the non-advance
ment OF the bank rate in London. Our hve-twenties
declined one per cent and Eries several per cent.
The trouble abroad Is the apprehension Of an I'm
mense drain Of gold to the German capital in settle
ment Immediately Of the French indemnity and
remotely for recoinage into the coin OF the Ger
man Empire. Meantime the gold which we were
to ship to help England In her difficulty will now
remain with us because OF the losses Of English
insurance cOmpanies at Boston.