smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876




Street car companies should be held 10 a
strict accountability under the local authori-
ties, and it is a great defect in the laws
by which they are incorporated that this is
not provided for. To simply give up several
OF the important streets of a great city to
certain corporations which propose to use
them for commercial purpose, and to per-
init them to use these streets without any
regard whatever to the interests, welfare or
convenience of the people, is one of those
monstrosities of privilege which could only
have grown up in such corrupt and loose
administrative system as eliminated in the
Tweed robberies. But as Tweed has been
driven out, and as in the war against John
Kelly the people bid fair to destroy and root
up even the remnants of the Tweed system,
1T is possible that we may presently be able
to secure remedies for those abuses of legis-
lation which have always characterized that
system, and of which the street car franchises
are among the more fragrant Between the
rights of the people and the rights of the car
companies the main points are clear, but some
uncertainty is cast on part of the subject
by the technicalities of the lawyers rather
than of the law. 1t may be we'll doubted
whether when the Legislature has chartered
a city government it has not surren-
dered to the Corporation such q con-
troll over the streets of the city as
to render it improper for it to assume any
authority in regard to them, such as is i'm
piled in giving franchise to company


1t has surrendered to one Corporation all
control with regard to certain specified pur-
poses over section of the territory of the
State How, then, can it deal with another
corporation with regard to the same pur-
poses within the same limits? But if we ad-
ration have the right to license car compa-
MES it cannot be pretended by any one that
this license becomes a right independent of
all limitation and control. Railway COM
panies may be authorized by the Legislature
to build a line across any mans farm, but
they must pay the farmer for his land;
and so if the Legislature authorizes
the construction of line in any street the
company must deal with the Corporation for
the use of that street, and must operate the
line under regulations imposed by the city
authorities If this is not the law it must
be made the law, and good way to settle
all doubts on the subject would be to pass a
statute to this effect in the present winter


1t is preposterous to suppose that any cor
poration will regard the convenience of the
public when its own convenience is in the
other scale unless it is forced to such a
course, and it is equally preposterous to pre-
tend that the city government should not
have authority to do the forcing. With a
local authority to compel companies to run
their cars in q certain way, and defined
number of them in proportion to the traffic,
if the duty were made so plain that the per-
son charged with it would not dare sell out
to the companies, one of the greatest griev-
ances of city life could be redressed.
Year: 1876

The paper printed by the Finance Com
mittee puts Senator Sherman's project in
clearer and more practical light than it has
hitherto appeared in. BY this it resolves
itself into proposition to make very small
change in the value of our coin dollar and
thus adjust it precisely to an easy division of
the English sovereign, thereby making our
half eagle and the sovereign identical in value,
and gaining the great advantage in commercial
transactions of accounts that can be easily
calculated in sovereigns As the deprecated
paper rises in value, and before it reaches
the full value of the gold dollar as now con-
stituted, it must touch the point at which it
will be exactly equal to one-ffth Of SOW
ereign. 1t will reach this point when worth
ninety-seven and a half cents. 1t is pro-
posed to coin dollars at that time exactly equal
in value to the paper at that price in short,
to make the new coin dollar worth two and
a half cents less than the former dollar. 1t
will then be just equal in value to four shil-
lings English, or one-ffth of pound, and
the English form will be equivalent to our
half dollar. There would be great future
advantage in this, but two and a half cents
on dollar will be thought a great deal to re-
linquish of the advantage that comes to many
in the appreciation of the paper.
Year: 1876

TYRANNY AND CoRNERs-In the case of
Brodski, of Odessa, the average fnancier
and speculator may contemplate at his
leisure the beauties of freedom. In
this country, thanks to the exertions Of
some thousands of old gentlemen in buff
waistcoats and small clothes, who eft into
the Revolution, there is but little restraint
on the eccentricities of the financial imagina-
ton. If any one in Wall street is able to
get the price of United States stocks down to
twenty-five per cent on o dollar all the
courts of the country will protect him in
the exercise of this right while if he is
able to make corner on wheat that will
double or treble the price of this COM
modify there is ''none to make him afraid. :"
Brodski tried these little games in Russia
and discovered that the imperial administra-
ton has no appreciation of this sort of
genius. Ho was admonished one day to come
up and take an early train for Siberia but
this, it appears, has been reconsidered, and
he is now ordered to remain in a little town
near Moscow. 1t is tobe apprehended, how
ever. that his financial ardor is dampened
forever.
Year: 1876

THE SKRvANs are represented to be in a
highly understandable condition. Austria
meanwhile is acting with great moderation,
as she well may if the Servians will set the
Sick Mans house on fire in her interest
With the Montenegrins also calling on some
body to hold them back, it will be very
strange if the fight with the Turks does not
speedily take larger proportions.
Year: 1876

NEW YoEK's APATHY in regard to complet-
ing the suspension bridge over the East
River only tends to making the burden Of
expense all the greater in the end. The true
policy is to push forward the work and so
unite the two cities in way which will
bring about more complete union if it is
desired
Year: 1876

WALL STREET YEsTERDAY.-Fapcy stocks
were lower and under the influence of large
short sales. Gold was quiet ut 113. Money
on call loans found use at 8 and per cent.
Government bonds were strong and active.
Year: 1876

THE ASSEMBLY tried its hand yesterday at
its old-time task Of tinkering the New York
charter BY vote of ffty-eight to fifty
seven the House refused to recommit to the
Committee on Cities the bill which it re-
ported favorably and which legislates out of
Office the Park Commissioners except Presi-
dent Stebbins. The first amendment
should be one giving us a spring election for
municipal officers, allowing the citizens to
select their official servants without refer
ence 10 Stata or national politics.
Year: 1876

THE BURGLARY yesterday morning in Union
square shows how poorly our citizens are
protected by the police against daring
thieves. The officers are stated to have been
in the house before the burglars left, but
failed to make any arrest
Year: 1876

The CHAMBER OF COMMERCE yesterday had
q report Of the condition of our commerce
with Cuba laid before it, and therein we see
stated that the problem of increased imports
by the United States from that island during
time Of decreased production is accounted
for by the falling off of Cuban trade with
Europe. The ratio of exports from Cuba are
said to be as follows United States, eighty
five per cent Spain, two per cent ; all other
countries, thirteen per ccnE The committee
could not deduce any unanimous recon-
mendation from these facts, and hence sim
plY stated theme
Year: 1876

THE RELEASE OF CARDINAL LEDocHowsKI
has given occasion to great rejoicing among
the German Catholics. The prelate arrived
at Berlin whence it is understood he will
depart for Rome to receive his red hat.
Year: 1876

In another portion of the HERALD we pre-.
sent an account of the progress of the French
exploring party now making its way into
the great African desert under the lead of NJ


Largeau. The account is from the pen OF
a distinguished French journalist. and
gives a lively picture of life in the
southernmost portions of Algeria. The
hold which French rule has taken
there is remarkable, and when we
remember that in these districts of the
province of Constantine where the Sahara
breaks, as it were, around the outposts Of
human settlement the French have had
almost to create the desert towns before
ruling the inhabitants full need of credit
will be given them. The exploration is not
undertaken purely in the interests of
science, but science will benefit by it in
the accurate observations of the desert
phenomena and geological formation which
are made as the little expedition progresses.
The destination of the party is Rhadames,
and it can be judged from the scenes de-
picted by our correspondent how desolate
journey is before them when they plunge
finally into the waterless waste of
the Sahara proper. Among the curious
phenomena already observed is the wonder
full mirage of Chott Ell Mir, whose arid white
plain becomes at certain periods of the day
magnificent sheet of water to the eye, stud
ded with numerous islands The character
sketches are also well worthy of attention;
and, as the story bears that air of cheeriness
characteristic of the Frenchman everywhere,
the most desoate scenes can be contem-
plated through it with something of pleasure.
Year: 1876

SOLOMON KEEAMAN proved most impor-
tant witness on the trial of Rubenstein yes
terday, for he swore distinctly to having met
the prisoner and the murdered girl on the
road near the cornfeld where the crime was
committed; to having seen them cross the
fence, and to having heard the cries of the
girl appealing for help. He stated that his
reason for not interfering was his belief that
although the girl was suffering harm he did
not think she was being murdered.
Year: 1876

American Registers and Free Ships


The House of Representatives has passed
bill granting an American register to the
Hawaiian bark Arctic, which was sold during
the late war Many of our ships, owing
to the perils Of war during that struggle,


purchased safety by changing their flags.
and the registers of only two or three of
these have been restored 1t is the general
impression that theact of Congress disallow-
ing American vessels which have become the
property of foreign owners to receive new
register, even when they are repurchased by
American citizens, is a measure which
sprung out of the war but the truth is that
this has long been the policy of our govern
ment, and it has only been felt to be real
grievance owing to the exigencies of that
struggle. Now new policy has become inn
perative, and instead Of allowing a new regis
ter to few vessels by special enactment
general law ought to be passed granting all
the privilege of the flag This would not
only be just in itself but it would be an
exemplifcation of the doctrine of free ships,
without which revival of American COM
merce is impossible. more liberal policy
must be inaugurated, and the way to begin
is to make our navigation laws broad enough
for that new era in our trade which all of us
have been expecting so impatiently. ~
Year: 1876

1t will be seen by the table that the
vote last year was the largest ever cast
in the state. The Republicans had ne'er
beeun before 20 reach their aggregate
vote of last fall, and yet their msjority
was but 5,544-not by any means sub
stantisl triumph in state bosstlngly
claimed as good Tor thirty thousand Re-
publican msority. 1t is well known that
the Germans were united against the De
mocracy last ia Il, and that large number
of other voters were drawn to the support
of HAYES by the agitation OF the schooI
ouestion. These were the two points OF
the campaign that turned the election IN
favor of the Republicans, nevertheless
they came through with only meagre
majority of 5,544 out of an aggregate
of $4,000.


This year it is certain that the total
vote will exceed six hundred thousand
If we apply the rule which Maine fur
nishes to Ohio the Democrats will gain
all the increase in the total vote. This
WAS the case in Maine where, while
the Republican vote was less than
it had been in a former
year the total vote was nearly five
thousand more than ever before. With
an aggregate vote of six hundred thou
sand IN Ohio, and the Democrats getting
all the increase over the poll of last
year-ss we have right to expect will
be the case-the Republicans will be
left in the minority by five thousand.
This without counting any benefit from
the natural advantages of the Democracy
in the pending campaign, but by simply
applying the sscertsined percentages OF
gain in the Vermont and Maine cleo
tions.


The more thoroughly advantageous
features OF the situation are: First, the
school question is wholly out of the can
vass now, and the Radical hurrsh about
it is shown to have been a contemplate
electloneering sham; second, the Ger
mans are now rs solidly against the Re-
publican ticket as they were last year for
it, and third, there are q great many con-
versions of honest men to the cause OF
reform and good government. 1t Is
certain that the Democrats
Year: 1876

AN ITEM appeared in the local columns
of the hteliigeneer yesterday morning
stating that gentleman interested in
collecting fund for the yellow fever
sufferers of Savannah had said that Mr.
GEORGE K. TINGLE, Democratic candI-
date for Sheriff, had refused TO sign a
communication asking for benefit at
the Opera House for the above purpose,
on the ground that we had no CONNER
cisl intercourse in Wheeling with Sa-
yannah.


The gentleman alluded to as having
made this statement desires us TO tatiy
contradict It. He admits that in prl-
yste conversation with the MtetilgGmcer
reporter. a conversation which he had
no idea would ever find its way into
print, he did mention the fact that
Mr.. TINGLE had declined To sign the
said communication. But he never limited
at the idea even, that MIR. TINGLE refused
10 siyn from so sordid and uncharitable Il
motive ss the reporter gives. lie FUR
thermore says, that in a subsequent con
yersation with Mr.. TINGLE, that gentle
man remarked that he would GLADLY
aid this or any other charitable
object to the limit OF his means; but he
did not wish to lead od in u communi-
cation of the character aforesaid, lest his
motives might be misconstrued. From
this it may be seen that Mr.. TlNGLES
position in the matter is worthy OF praise,
and what can we think of y party or
party paper which lends itselfto the small
ness OF retailing private conversation
to endeavor to excite prejudice and make
political capital? If that is the only
means the Radicals have for carrying on
the present campaign, they would do well
to abandon the field. Such conduct Will
make them more enemies than they can
ever hope to gain friends.
Year: 1876

will have some recruits on
these points-the Republicans concede
that. A change of one-balf OF one per
cent of the vote-oAe voter of each two
hundred-will give the state to the
Democrats, and who is to say that even
q greater change has not already taken
place. The Republicans have no reserve
vote to call out, as has been the case
frequently; they threw their complete
vote last fall.


These are the facts which have caused
the Republicans alarm, which have led
them to take Ohio out of the Republican
column and set it down with the doubt
fu states.
Year: 1876

The Republicans are beginning to fear
that their candidate for the Presidency Is


not going to hold his own state. There
is good cause for this alarm, as an exami-
nation of the figures will show. The
vote of Ohio since 1868 has been MS tol-
Year: 1876

The republican or Nackey Legislature
went through the form of electing United
States Senator yesterday, the choice falling
Attorney. 1t is not probable that he will
ever take his seat as Senator. There are
too many sound republican lawyers in the
federal Senate to admit member whose claim
has SO little foundation. The Mackey House
has never had o quorum and therefore no
right to participate in the election of Sena-
tor. To be sure it does not depend on tho
courts of South Carolina, but on the Senate Of
the United States, to determine whether Cor
bins election is valid; but the Senate must de-
eide with reference to the State constitution
The point of law involved is SO clear that the
ablest republican Senators can have but one
opinion upon 1t. We assume that the Senate
will reject the claim of Corbin on the ground
that he was not elected by valid Legisla-
ture /; but this decision cannot be reached
until some time in March, during the extra
session of the Senate But the Mackey
Legislature meanwhile exists by frail ten
ure. 1t is already on the point of tumbling
10 pieces. The democratic Senators will
probably secede tomorrow, and it
is expected that some dcsertions from
tho other side will give them a
quorum, when the regular Legislature will
be fully organized, Wade Hampton inaug-
untcd and a democratic Senator chosen.
This result may be facilitated by the fact that
the democratic members are getting their
pay, while their rivals are mover likely to
receive q cent until after they shall have
taken seats in the Wallace House.
Year: 1876

Maine and Nova Scotia, while aDother, with
q central pressure of only 1928 inches, is
rapidly advancing over the lakes. Thewin-
ter storm belt is thus agitated by frequent
storms which cause extraordinary alter
notions of temperature throughout its
length. For instance, at North Platte
the temperature has ranged within a
few days between zero and sixty-two
degrees above, while at other points
the changes have been still greater. Yester-
day morning snow was falling along the
storm track from Pembina to Halifax, and
in the evening in two areas--one in the
Northwest and the other in the Northeast.
The wind at New York varied between five
and twenty miles an hour as the depression
moved eastward, while the temperature sem
sibly rose toward night. To-day the weather
will be cloudy or partly cloudy and warmer,
probably with light snow toward evening.
Year: 1876

The orders which Mr.. Eli Bates, Chief Of
the Fire Department, has issued, and which
will be found elsewhere, will be read with
interest by the public. We congratulate the
Fire Department upon the promptness
with which it has acted upon the advice of
the HERALD. 1t has, in the first in
stance, ordered thorough investiga-
ton of all the theatres in the city,
and the experienced fremen who are
intrusted with the inspection are di-
rected to report as soon as their important
labors ore finished. In the second place the
Fire Department has detailed some of its men
for duty at the Union Square Theatre, and
they are instructed to remain on duty from
the time the doors open till they shut. All
theappliances for the extinguishing ofa spark
are to be supervised and every precaution
taken. We are glad to learn that the Union
Square Theatre and the Fire Department
have adopted this prudent measure, which
will 90 far to restore the confidence of the
public. All the other managers should fol-
low SO excellent an example. Theatres
are really not as dangerous rs is supposed,
but when fire does occur it is likely to be
disastrous. Churches frequently are quite
as unsafe, but a church is generally open
but one day in week, while n theatre is
open six nights. Yet the accidents to
audiences in American theatres are not as nu-
merous as many persons believe. The burn
ing Of the Richmond Theatre and the Brook
lyn Theatre is without any parallel. Still
the absolute importance of better protection
is comprehended by the people who trust
their lives to the guarantee Of manager,
and the measures taken by the Fire Depart
ment will meet the hearty approval of the
cop, m nifv
Year: 1876

dering their swords to resist? Not they.
They are great at clustering and manipu.
lating. They know how. most adroitly and
shamefully, to impose upon the Ignorance
and infame the prejudices of the poo,
soldier in the White House. They will brag,
probably. to the end; but they know per-
fectly well that if Mr.. Tilden is elected they
will have to submit, because the American
people of both parties will mako them
submit.


Who will fight? We can toll the poll
ticians of both parties whom both can
equally count on. Not the decent, indus
trious men who earn their bread and sup
consist Of the Five Points thieves, tho burg
lars, the robbers, the noble corps
Of tramps, the assemblage of the un-
detected Of the rag-tag and bobtail who
happen to be out of Jail. These would
answer to their summons. and marching at
the head Of such Falstaff's brigade, what
reception do these yaporers imagine they
would get from tho respectable part Of the
community? An army whose business will
be to rob, to steal, to set on fire private
dwellings, to empty shops, which will sec
an enemy in every bale of dry goods, and
whose greatest triumph would be an
act OF arson which would send it,
rank and file, to State Prison--that
is the kind of army on which General
Chandler and General Cameron and Gen
eral Morton. on the one side. and SGT OF
unhedgcd democratic generals, equally in
nocent of war. on the other, may count; and
VIC wish them JOY in advance of their impa-
tient recruits


We advise the factionists md partisans,
including the President, to keep their tenn
pers. Their innings are nearly over. They
have como nearly to the end of their rope.
They have gambled with the country's in
terests long enough We counsel them.
on both sides, not to go too far. This
country does not belong to tho politi-
cal gamblers of either party; it is
the property of the people They were
dragged into needless war in 1861 by set
of reckless politicians and they are not going
to suffer similar calamity now to please
either side. They care little who is to be
President, but they mean to tolerate no vio-
lence, and they are right. Whichever party
is disappointed in the eventual result can
appeal to the country two years hence. If it
has grievances they will be settled then,
but only on the condition that now, what
ever happens, there shall be quiet and
ORDERLY submission. That is what the peo-
pie require and what thew will insist on
Year: 1876

nigh broken down" tailor states that
in three weeks he did not average .
meal . day and knew o man who
had not eaten a mouthful for three days and
had slept in the parks. These are but single
instances. but they represent thousands Of
honest good citizens, who are starving be-
cause there is want of systematic effort to
save them. The Board of Apportion-
ment yesterday appropriated thirty-fve
thousand dollars to several societies
for distribution among the needy.
This will afford relief to some il
these societies are prompt in using it. In
addition to the work Of such organizations
if every family that has the means will seek
out those that are in poverty the benefit that
will follow will be incalculable We wish
it understood that we are calling upon tho
readers Of the HERALD for spontaneous
charity. Let them stretch out the helping
hand before those who need help are be-
yond help. There is dignity in poverty
that wealth should respect, and there is no
generosity that adorns the character
like that which is unsolicited. Leav-
ing the question of moral duty aside,
an intelligent selfshness suggests that
it is we'll for the rich to protect themselves
and society from deeds that the desperation
of want frequently creates. While many .
thief strives 10 cloak his sin with the mantle
of necessity and many worthless woman
excuses the wearing of the salmon shawl
of Pelagia because she wanted food, there
are undoubtedly many cases of crime and
degradation which are the offspring of star.
vation.