smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1872

A Board of Audit has at last been author
lied to examine the outstanding claims against
the City and County and the important work
of auditing them will be begun at once. We
have heartily approved the bill, and though
wo still think it was an error not to place
upon it an official direct from the people, we
commend the men who now compose the
Board. The public has confidence in their
integrity, and their ability has not yet been
questioned by any one competent to Judge


Nevertheless the Board itself and those who
present claims TO it may as well make up their
minds once for all that for the future the
people themselves intend to do their own
auditing. Taxpayers will resolve themselves
into perpetual Board of Audit. In view of
what their carelessness has cost them in the
past, they will scrutinize every bill presented
and go into such details regarding every item
as only those who have been roundly swindled
know how to appreciate. These bills will be
published and criticised by the press as
public accounts never were criticised be-
fore; and those who have claims against
the City and County will be wise to study well
tho meaning of each entry and the actual
value of all work for which pay is claimed,
else charges of exOrbitant rates, as In the
past may cost some ambitious mechanics
their whole claims. The Corporation will
have to be treated henceforth, for a time at
least, as fairly as individuals are; and if
those who now conduct its affairs expect to
continue in Office, they will have to see to it
that tho City gets its work as cheapy as
do private citizens. The public will not hold
that official guiltless who consents to contract
for work for the City at double or quadruple
the rates ho pays for work done for himself
individually.


Some of the bills already presented, a list Of
which we publish this morning, taken from
the Controllers books. have suspicious look
about them. We are not disposed. however
to criticise them after the brief examination
we have been able to give them; but the sub
ject is not yet disposed Of
Year: 1872

free of all charges against his moral worth.
Unfortunately, the Senate has just confirmed a
person for the position of Territorial
Governor who is not at all like
CTsar's wife. The allegations which
have been brought against Mr. Legate are
specific and grave. They are now given noto-
riety wider than ever, and we earnestly hope
that the attempt to recall them to the attcn-
tion of the Senate will be successful. No hd-
ministratiOn can afford to indOrse such a man
as Mr.. Legate is represented TO be- No honcst
man would accept Office while such charges
are unrefutpd
Year: 1872

After several Intellectual attempts in the
Senate to amend the Apportionment bill, that
body has passed it as it came from the House,
with a single modification. This provides that
should any State after the passage of the act
deny or abrdge the right of any of its male
citizens to vote at any election named in the
Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution,
except for participation in the Rebellion or
other crime, the number of its representatives
shall be proportionately reduced. The House
having concurred in this amendment, the bill
goes to the President with the apportonment
of the House fixed at 2S3 members, divided as
follows.
Year: 1872

The British had monopoly of supplying the


United States with steel rails. The Tariff
broke it up. Under it, American steel rails


were successfully produced, and the price OF
British rails Immediately declined. The duty
on Bessemer steel rails has already saved our
railroads and the nation immense sums of
money. On the other hand, Congress, in its
last revision of the Tariff, committed the error
of conceding two dollars a tun to the import
ers' clamor against the duty on Pig Iron.
What was the consequence The reduction of
the duty was followed within a week by rise
in England in the price of those brands of pig
metal that are marketed here equivalent to
tho decrease of our Tariff The reduction OF
the duty did not profit buyers or consumers
here one farthing-indeed, it was not intended
that it should. The change in the Tariff was
engineered through Congress solely In the IN
terest of British on-masters. lt was de-
signed to give them two dollars tun more
for pig metal than they could then get out OF
the Americans, owing to the competition OF
our own furnaces. But mischievous reflex
Year: 1872

All the CRYING over the spilled municipal
milk of past years will do no good now. The
exposures of the City and County frauds
of the past have accomplished all that
could have been expected of them, and
perhaps. through fortuitous circumstances,
a little more. The money il wasted,
and, except small fraction which may
be - possibly is already secured - wrested
by law from the men who stole it and were
detected in the act. cannot now be recovered.
Those who are wise will cease bewailng the
past, and will study how to prevent fraud
and extravaganza III the future


With this view We present to-day some of
the most important reports over which tax
payers have to ponder. They consist. first. of
a list Of the outstanding claims against the
City and County shortly to be submitted TO
the new Board of Audit, which we have else
where suggested should be awarded care
full scrutiny by the people passing
glance betrays that they conceal some
of the peculiar frauds by which Tweed prOfted
and 1ammany came to ruin, and which we
yesterday exposed very fully in an analysis of
the expenditures of the Department of Public
Works. The other documents refer entirely
to the probable cost of the government for tho
present year, and are in fact the official esti-
mates of the various departments and offices
of the cost of carrying on tho public
business for 1872. They are worthy of careful
study and comparison with past reports. Each
and every item in them ought to be rigdly
examined by citizens competent to point
out wherein they are extrayagant or er-
roneous We shall be glad TO receive
from all such persons brief comments
upon the points involved and promise to
give all whose statements can be verified a
full hearing. 1t is the sort OF criticism which
will keep the public officials constantly aware
of their personal responsibility, and secure us
an honest administration of the Government.
Those who desire faithful and economical
Government must remember that vigilance
alone can insure it,


The estimates sent to the Controller are
still incomplete, and yet the startling fact pre-
sents itself that we shall have to pay
$13,65O4 40S 53 to run about swo-t thirds of the
public departments. This calculation is not as
close as in less hurried cOmnaents We would be
glad to make it, but enough is known to show
that we are beginning the year very unwisely
by making estimates to carry on business on
the extravagapt system which Tammany left
az legacy to ruin us. We have not only
to cut down estimates but to discharge employees,
and reduce the working force to the smallest
possible number. 1t is not enough, as some
Of the reports urge, that the estimates for
1872 are no larger than for 1871. That very
fact will strike taxpayers unfavorohly indeed.
The estimates for the future ought TO be
much less than for last year, and
we trust they will be before they are granted.
We must have careful scrutiny of estimates in
the Council and Supervisors, as well ~ of back
claims by the Board of Audit; and the people
will submit patiently neither to fraud nor ex-
travagance.
Year: 1872

Congress has manifested its appreciation of
our new commercial relations in the Pacific
aud Orient by granting an appropriation of
money to entertain the Embassy from Japan;
and it favOraby entertains a proposition to
increase steam navigation facilities with the
country from which these ambassadors come.
SO far, so good; we hope that the public
money devoted to the cost of a reception of
these wise men from the East will be so dis
creety expended that they will have better
opinions of Republicanism than have some of
their cOuntrymen who came before them.
Year: 1872

at cannot bo doubted that the erection of statue to
Horace Greeley would please and charm Mr.. Greeley
himself"


This seems to afford Mr.. G.. fair OppOr-
tunity to say that he toould not be pleased,
much less charmed, by the erection of any
statue of himself while he lives. After he is
dead-an event which ne does not care to
should see fit to pile granite or marble above
his dust, he can make no objection but, so
long IA he shall remain in the flesh, he is content
with the stones thrown at him prOmiscuously,
and would rather not have any of them con-
soldated into statue.
Year: 1872

The United States Senate indulged in some
undignified and childish prattle anent the Am
nesty Bill. The brief summary of Senator
Schurz's speech shows that it was able, dign-
fed, and conclusive; but Senator Nye, "the
"jolly joker" of the Senate, was put forward
as foil to the unanswerable logic of one of
the most formidable defenders of Universal
Amnesty. This shows the weakness Of the
cause of the opposition, which can say nothing
substantial against the wisdom, justice and
expediency of the measure. The burdening of
the bill with any amendment is unfortunate,
and greatly to be deplored. To-day, the
Senate will finally act on the proposition; is
il too much to hope that it will consider it
judicially and fairly
Year: 1872

There is doubtless enough of our poor
human nature in our readers to make them
thoroughly enjoy the news of the capture of
an English schooner by the Spanish navy IN
Cuban waters. We have ourselves suffered so
much from Spanish insolence and lawlessness
which we did not think worth while to resent
with energy, that we are quite curious to see
how another first-rate power will like it. En-
gland is the only power which has of late
years accomplished the miracle of making
Spain pay her debts. We will see if she can
do anything to teach international good man
ners to the savage prOcOnsulate of Cuba
Year: 1872

Gov Hoffman wanted precedent established
IN the case of jackson, whom he appointed to
the Supreme Judgeship of the Fourth Judicial
District, in place of Potter who was elected by
the people. The resignation of Rosekrans
made way for the application of this novel
test, and now the Court of Appeals has con-
firmed Judge Potter in his seat 1t has cost
the State something to settle this knOtty point,
but Gov. Hoffman is probably satisfied by this
time that his appointment was illegal, and that
Joseph Potter is Justice of the Fourth Judicial
district
Year: 1872

There is said to be picture by Sir Benjamin West
among the unclaimed goods in our Custom-House.
valued at $4,000. II wasn't sold the other day be-
cause the Secretary of the Treasury interposed 10
save it from the degradation of the hammer.
Singularly enough, the subject of this picture Is
THE Resurrection" and a resurrection it is in
every sense of the word. We beg leave to offer Q
brace of corrections. Benjamin West never was
made Sir" and was neithera knight nor baronet.
In the second place, he never painted any picture.
however enormous its proportions, which is now
worth $4,000 If he had any merit at ALL it is MT To
be found in his ten-acre canvases. He the favor
ite painter of poor old George Ill, who gave him
a great many orders. but forgot to pay him for the
work when it was done: and his productions appear
to be just those which like George Ill. would
be likely to admire
Year: 1872

A FATAL DIsEAsE-The strange and
very fatal disease known as "Bright's
disease" appears to be alarmingly on the
increase in this country, and in the city
of New York especially. 1t is only dur
ing the last three years that any accurate
statistics have been filled respecting this
disease, and these show, during that
period, that the ratio OF deaths from
Bright's disease as compared with the
total deaths from all other causes were: {:
In New York City, to 81; in Rochester,
to 70; and in Boston, SO. This shows
far greater proportion of the disease
here than in the Old World, where the
mortality returns for the same period
gave: In London, to 142; in Paris, only
l to 266. Although physicians have
hitherto been unable to discover any cure
for this terrible malady, when once firmly
established, they seem to have at least
been able to trace it to its direct causes,
and to have discovered that il is not only
durable in its earlier stages, but might be
avoided altogether by proper personal
care. The causes of it are said to be in
the excessive use of alcoholic drinks, and
in the very sudden climatic changes to
wbiob ua ora mora su ubiected here than
perhaps in any other quarter of the globe.
1t is at least of invaluable usefulness to
possess these facts, if it only teaches the
necessity of temperance in living, and the
great care to be observed in being always
warmly clad, and in being at all times
prepared to resist the sudden chills and
checks of perspiration to which we are so
perpetually subjected in this climate, at
all seasons Of the year.
Year: 1872

ADA1NTY DIsH.-The most extraordi-
nary of all culinary recipes is the following
diaholical one given by Mizaid,in his How
to roast and eat goose alive" Take a
goose or duck. or some such live crea-
ture; pull of all her feathers-only the
head and neck must be spared then make
fire round about her-not too close to
her-that the fire do not couch her; with
in the circle of the fire let there be set
pots of water, wherein salt and honey are
mingled, and let there be also chargers full
of sodden apples cut into small pieces. The
goose must be all larded and basted over
with butter; to make her the more fit to
be eaten, and roast the better, put the fire
about her, but do not make too much haste
when you see her begin to roast, for by
walking about and flying here ard there,
being cooped in by the fire Chat stops her
way out, she will drink the water to
uuench her thirst and cool her heart and
all her body. The apple sauce will purge
and empty her, and when she roasteth
and consumeth nnwardly, always wet her
head and heart with wet sponge; and
when you see her eiddy with running and
begin to tumble, her heart wants moisture,
and she is roasted enough. Take her up
and set her before your guests, ana she
will cry out as you cut off any part of her,
and will be almost eaten before she is dead.
1t is mighty pleasant to behold. Mr..
Mizad probably stole this recipe from the
kitchen of his Internal Majesty. Perhaps
it was one of the dishes the devil ordered
on the advent of Nero and Caligula.
Year: 1872

self. The master finding him more than
ever attentive to his work appointed him
as foreman, at an advanced rate of wages.
John began to say that he found it vast
ly more pleasant to receive f2 los week
for looking after men do the work than
30s for doing it,


Step by step he rose, until he became q
master himself; and instead of working,
he could afford to pay other men to look
after it and do it for him. He sent bis
son Tommy to first rate school, and in
due time he was apprenticed to doctor,
and is now practicipg as physician with
a good connection. The rest of the chill
dren have been we'll educated. He him
self has built nice row of houses, from
which he receives sufficient to keep HIM
without work the remainder of his days.
Now, in a handsome "Villa," which he
has lately had built, and fitted up with
everything to make it comfortable, he
may often be seen reclining in an easy
chair, viewing with evident satisfaction
and pleasure, through the drawing-room
window, a cherry tree, which he planted
with his-Own hands, and on which ne tor
some time past has been able to "grow
his own cherries" 1t was a pleasant
sight when, added to all this, he and his
wife became hearty supporters of the
"Grand Alliance" and the Temperance
cause and, by the blessing of God. con-
siStent members OF the Christian church.


Workingmer! the moral is soon told :
1t is not how much money a week you
earn, but what you do aOith it when you
get it How many home comforts. in the
shape of carpets, sofas, clothes, books,
boots and shoes, ETC., are lost by your
spending the money in the wrong way
and at the wrong shop.


If you learn nothing else by this tale Of
real life, you may learn this, that if you
wish to have a " Home, sweet home" you
must "BUY Your Own CHERRIEs!"
Year: 1872

BORROWING TRoUBLE.-1tis is uncom lort-
ABLY true that there is almost as much
distress Of mind experienced in the antlci-
patton as in the realization of trouble.
About balf of our unhappy days are occa-
stoned by our looking forward to the un-
happiness of the other half Sufficient
unto the day is the evil thereof We
need never take another job on credit. In
borrowing trouble, natural laws are re-
vcrsed mere mole hills Of annoyance b.
come mountains, when viewed at distance
ahead. Some persons never take actual
comfort. In tranquil times the dread Of a
coming change is always in the way O!
their enjoyment. know OF one family
that was forever expecting to move; con-
sequently, neglecting to make a garden,
repair the house, or permanently arrange
the furniture. At the latest advices, this
family had lived in the same house eleven
years. live take things as they come, we
shall usually find that they come much
better than We have any right to expect.
Our anticipatory flags of distress may have
been inviting compassion and finging
patches of darkness over many bright
scene for months, ior us to find at last that
we have been guilty Of needlessly, we
might almost say criminally, robbing cur
selves and others Of the happiness right
fully belonging US and to them. Dor
rowing trouble" is sometimes Only another
name for selfishness for the one borrowing
trouble is seldom satisfied unless all within
hls or her influence are inveigled into the
loan. 1t is holding dangerous serpent
in our hearts, that grows with what it
feeds upon. 1t is sint ul, for it is an abiding
dlstrust OF Gods GOODNESS.
Year: 1872

How VALUABLE IS THE RESULT OF LABOR.
"A mass of iron ore worthless at the mine,
NAV be worth few cents after taking it
out, few dimes after carrying it to the
furnace, dollar after being made into pig
iron, and five dollars after being puddled into
wrought-iron when worked into horse
sho4s, it is worth ten dollars; made into
penknife blades, it is worth three hundred
dollars; made into needles, it is worth
three thousand dollars; and made into
balance springs for watches, two hundred
and fifty thousand dollars. And so it is
with every thing; all values are the result
of laSor. Even when town or city lot
raises in value, it is the result of the labor
of those who improve the nciehboring land


by which the owner Of the lot is gamer.
Year: 1872

soANDALoUs CONTEXT OF THE KKNT COUNTY LEVY


COURT.


II seems that the Levy Court OF Kent follows
the same course as that Of this County. For
many years, II has been in the habit Of adjourn
ing over from the session held in the early part
OF March, to q day in the latter part of the
month, for the well understood object Of then
completing the Assessment List. This year IL
did so, adjourning TO the 3Oth. Little WAS said,
however, Of the fact, and 1t was only by accident
that the persons interested in having the assess
ment lists made complete learned when 1t was
to meet.


On Saturday, at 10.o'clock, the bell was rung,
announcing the session. In about twenty min
utes thereafter, several gentlemen came in, who
had lists Of taxables to be added in various parts
of the county. when to their amazement, they
we're told hal he Court had adjourned


By this action, large number of citizens re-
main unassessed how many cannot be exactly
stated. A list Of 65 names, sent in to the Court,
early in the session il is feared has not been
put on, and one Of the gentlemen present on
Saturday had list of from $50 to ITS, some Of
whom may be, but most Of whom are certainly
not, assessed.


Such course is evidently with but one pur-
pose, and that an outrage on the right Of citizen
ship It is intended to defeat the will Of the
people at the next election, by disfranchising
the people. II is gratifying to learn that the act
is denounced, in Dover, by fair men Of all par
ties and more than one Democrat declares 1t
indefensible. But this does not right the wrong.
Year: 1872

The report we print elsewhere of the doings OF
the Kent County Levy Court, shows another
gross outrage on the rights OF citizens, and
deliberate attempt to circumvent the laws.
Where and when are these wrongs to cease ?
And can it he possible that such acts can really
aid the cause in whose behalf they are perpe-
Year: 1872




In the face Of all this hostility these defec-
tions, and these serious charges, the sturdy re-
publcans Of the country assemble and declare
that they desire the re- election Of the President
who has been the chief target for the slanderous
missiles of enemies and false friends. To what
shall we attribute their resolution and courage
in the midst of such attacksS To say that the
otfice-holders have managed il all, as many do
saw. is at most only to declare that the people
are Indifferent. If they were thoroughly aroused
and determined to fight, all the ofhce-holdera in
the country could not overcome them. In point
Of fact it is wholly untrue. In any given COM
munity the number Of republicans who oppose
the administration is infinitely small. Nor will
any one venture to assert that the republicans OF
the country choose their course from love Of
corruption and public scandal, or even from in
difference to it. The real truth is that they do
not believe in the truth of the charges made.
Whenever any of them has been brought to the
proof it has been shown to be untrue. 1t is not
denied that out OF the great body OF ofhce-hold-
ers in the country some have proved faithless
and dishonest They have been compelled to
vacate their places. The public mind is unusu-
ally quick at the present time to dishonesty IN
Office and every defalcation makes the impres
sion it ought to make always. But the admins
tration has only been deceived in men who were
presumed to be honest, and many of whom hold
| the position in which they betrayed their trust
before General Grant was mentioned for the
presidency.
The result OF these conventions has proved
| that the strength Of the republican opposition
| to the President is not to be measured by the
| amount of noise made. 1t is an opposition thai
was well-planned, but that did not touch the
popular heart. Tne people believed in Grant
| from the first. They were a little staggered al
/ the boldness OF the accusations brought against
| him, but one after another they have been
/ proved false, the malignant character Of the
| leaders against him has been revealed, and the
old faith has returned in all its original intensity
writer who has studied the subject, says he
| weuld rather be widower regularly every two
years than live lonely miserable old bachelor
ninety days


The Inman steamer City of Brooklyn made
the passage from Liverpool to New York recent.
| in nine days, which is the quickest passage fol
some months past.


A patriotic citizen boasts that "no people OF
the earth can excel the Americans in the mani.


art Of sitting ON bench and watching eighteeI


men playing base ball"
Year: 1872

z 3-1O
& 0 Id LO A N!
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We offer for sale at par and accrued interest the
FIRST MORTGAGE
LAND GRANT GOLD BONDS


OF THE
NORTHERN PACIFIC
RAILROAD COMPANY.
Year: 1872

PRINCIPAL PAYABLE in GOLD
AT THE END OF THIRTY YEARS r
Interest at Seven per Cent


IN GOLD,
payable semi-annually on the 18th days of ApriI
and October, at the Company's Office


80 Pine street, New York