smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875

Recently the grand jury, at the request
Of their foreman, visited Biackwell's
Island, and in the curse of their inspec-
tion were ushered into the hospital. From
a gentleman who accompanied the grand
jury Sam reporter yesterday obtained
several facts in relation to the condition
of William NJ. Tweed. The gentleman
said:


II was astonished, as think the mem.
bers of the jury were, at the meagre &C,
commodations afforded the great prisoner,
had been led to believe that he was
quartered like a prince, and that so far as
creature comforts were concerned, he
wanted for nothing. But such was
not the case. The Boss was
seated at desk at the
upper end of bare, dreary, uncarpeted
room, lined on both sides with common
iron cots. Here space about eight feet
square had been partitioned off for his
use as office, parlor and bedroom. The
only furniture of this apartment was
bed. the desk, and two or three chairs.
As the jury looked into this little room
Mr.. Tweed neither rose nor moved. His
head was bowed down over a large book
in which he seemed to have been making
an entry, but he was not writing. It was
not until one of the jurymen spoke to
him that he raised his face to US. The
juryman had evidently known the Boss in
his happier days, for as the latter recog.
nized an old friend, his face flushed for
an instant, either with pleasure or with
shame, but it was only for an instant.
After that. whenever [ caught sight Of
his face, could read nothing but the
apathetic indifference of utter hopeless
ness, except at rare intervals. when a
spasm of pain contracted the facial mus
clcs. I can't live great while,' I heard
him say to one of the jurymen, and then
he bowed his head again and resumed his
study OF the unwritten page before him.
It was plain that the conversation. short
as it was, had panied him, and that he
desired to bring it to speedy conclusion.


NV arden Fox told us that Mr.. Tweed
was the hospital prescription clerk, and
attended to his duties with great fidelity.
He explained the fact that Mr.. Tweed
was allowed to sleep out of his cell by
saying that since he entered the prison
he has grown so stout that it would be
impossible to get him into the door of
one. Even if he could be squeezed in, the
bed with which each cell is provided is
too narrow for his bulky form, and there
is not room for larger cot.''


Nv hat was the state Of Mr.. Tweed's
health?'


"Of that cannot speak of my own
knowledge. He looked sick to me, and
acted like man who was suffering both
physically and mentally


us he under medical treatment? p


"Oh, yes. The Warden told US that he
was examined recently by three distin.
ga,shed physicians, who say that he is
afflicted with heart disease and an affec.
ton OF the kidneys. They did not ex-
press any fear of immediate danger, but
thought that his situation was sufficiently
grave to justify unusual consideration on
the pat of the Keepers
Year: 1875

Sixty-six years ago the 18th of February
Abraham Lincoln was born into the world.
Ten years have passed since he fell beneath
the hand of the cowardly assassin, yet his
memory is still fresh and green in the hearts
of the people. Each recurring anniversary
of his birth adds greater sacredness to his
name and fame. The world knew him as
the greatest of American Presdents-the
Republic knew him as its most honest
statesman-the slaves of the South knew
him as their emancipator-the people knew
him as an honest, noble-hearted, honorable
representative. In commemoration of his
great services it has been suggested that
the 18th of February be made a legal holi-
day, and a petition to that effect, signed by
leading citizens of all the States of the
Union, has been presented to Congress.
We have received copy of the petition,
handsomely printed in pamphlet form, and
most heartily endorse its object. The
Congress of the nation would honor itself
by the passage of an act making the 18th of
February day to be forever set apart by
the American people in his remembrance.
Side by side with Washington his name is
written, and linked with memories of the
war for the preservation of the American
Union will ever shine the name of Abraham
lincoln
Year: 1875

The proposed amendments to the City


Charter were reported to Common Council


on Tuesday evening, through Councilman


Elmer, of the Sd ward. In the main they


are desirable, and will add greatly to the


effectiveness of our municipal law. There


is one amendment however, to which we


seriously object. 1t is that in regard to


Assessors and Collector. The amendment
states that there shall be but one Collector.


Now as far as this goes we are satisfied, as


we have long believed that the three Col


lectorships should be united in one, as one
man could more properly attend to the du-
ties it being salaried office of sufficient
Importance to pay him for his time, outside
of other business. All this would have
been well enough, but the amendment goes


on to say that the said Collector, and also
the Assessors of the several wards, shall be
appointed by the Common Council This
is what we object to, and we do object, not
only for ourselves, but for hree-fourths CT
the voters of Bridgeton. The people have
from the birth of the nation elected the men
who were to assess them by ballot, and their
selections have generally been wise. They
are just as capable of electing Assessors
and Collectors as members of Common
COuncil-and little more so-as Council
men are apt to select men to whom they
are partial, in preference to others whom
they do not personally admire, although
they may be more competent. Beside all
this their selections will always be partizan.
If there is Democratic majority, the AS
SCISSORS and Collector will be Democrats.
If there is Republican majority, the As
SCISSORS and Collector will be Republicans.
Being important offices the fight will be for
the caucus nomination of the party in
power in Council, and whoever gets it will
be elected by strict party cote, regardless
of their qualifications. If the people elect
their Assessors and Collector both parties
have equal chance for the election of their
candidates, and whoever is elected is the
choice of the majority of the Taxpayers
while on the contrary whoever is selected
by Council is not the choice of the majority
of the people, but of a majority of Coun-
cilmen, the whole number of whom is only
nine. Instead of taking from the people
the right of selecting their rulers, Council
should add to that prerogative. Trustees
of Schools and Supervisors of Roads ought
always to be elected by the people, and not
appointed. Nearly all the cities and towns
of this country elect their Assessors, Col
lectors, and School Trustees, by ballot of |
the people. In olden time, under the mo-
narchial rule of mother England, our Gov
ernors, Sheriffs, Clerks, Magistrates, and
other officials were appointed by the King,
and if this thing is to be the rule in this
country why we might as well have mon
archy at once. The people of this city who
pay the taxes, want these election matters
left in their own hands. They feel that
they are capable of electing competent Of
ficials, and Council will do we'll at its meet
ing to-day to listen to their voice, and leave
the power where it belongs-with the free
men of this city.
Year: 1875

the pests of society if they had not been
rapidly absorbed and obtained employment
| in mechanical, manufacturing, sea-faring
and other pursuits. But it was not SO with
the men disbanded from the Southern army.
They were left demoralzed by the war,
without work. without employment, largely
without education, by which they might di-
vert their minds, with nothing to do but
brood over their wrongs, and think how
wrong it was that the results of tho war had
been that the negroes who had worked for
them before the war, had been taken from
them. That state of natural irritation had
left in the South large number of demor-
allied and unruly men, and most of the
White Leaguers are men of that class.
call upon the people of the South, if they
want prosperity, thattth shall themselves
check and control this class of men. They
are impoverishing the South. and impover-
ishing the whole country. When | spoke
the other day about the South having large
minority of murderers and raiders, | spoke
of that class of men who form Kuklux
Kians. But we are told that if we pass this
bill we shall not come back to Congress-
My deliberate conviction is that the reason
why many of us do not come back to the
next Congress is because we had not passed
this bill a year ago; because we were do
nothing party, afi aid of our own shadow;
because we were aptlY described by the
angel who asked to have written to the
Church of Laodicea, "Being neither hot nor
cold, l spew you out of my mouth" My
successor, very clever gentleman, could no
more have been elected than he could be
translated to heaven as Elijah, if he had
not agreed to stand on the doctrine of equal
rights to all men before the law on every
stump in my district. Why we were beaten
was because the civil rights bill was not an
accomplished fact. So now, if the Repub.
lican party will finish it's great work; if it
will bring, by bayonets or otherwise. peace,
prosperity, quiet, order and law into the
South, and put down the raiders there as
the people of the South ought to do them
selves, then you will find that we shall come
back here.


The House then proceeded to vote on the
bill and amendments. The first vote was
on Mr.. Kellogg's amendment to strike out
of the House bill all in reference to schools,
and it was agreed to by large majority,
but without the yeas and nays. The next
vote was on Mr.. Cessna's motion to substi-
tute the Senate bill for the House bill, and
it was rejected-yeas 113, nays 14s.


The next vote was on inserting as a pre-
amble to the bill, that portion of the Dem
ocratic platform of 1879 quoted by Mr. Bur-
rows of Michigan.


The preamble was then adopted-yeas
219, nays 90.
Year: 1875

On Monday Congress refused to extend
the patent on the Wilson Sewing Machine
Feed, by large vote. This cuts off the
royalty which the ''sewing machine ring"
have been receiving for the last fifteen
years, and from which they have gained
immense fortunes. AS consequence sew
ing machines will necessarily become cheap
er, which will be blessing to the people
generally, and the poor sewing women in
particular. The price of good machine
has ranged all the way from sixty to hun
dred dollars, altogether beyond the reach
of the average citizen. Now the figures
must of necessity become lower, and the
rate of profit greatly reduced to the pro-
prietorg
Year: 1875

Mr.. Cooper, also a member of the judiciary
committee, presented report, in which he
states that he is opposed TO repeating the law
allowing as much as ten per centum per an
mum TO the creditor for the use of money. His
opposition is based chiefly upon reasons con-
nected with the crisis now upon us. He be-
lIeves II TO be a wise policy IOf the State 70 ix
a rate OF interest beyond which the lender
cannot charge. II the rate is too high by law,
II falsely educates the public mind. FOO many
suppose that, because the State allows q GER
tain peTcentum to be received, they can make
that amount Of profit on the use OF money
and that money Is worth that much. SO by


false education we establish fictitious values,


and strut round in stills only 10 fall. In times
fully prosperous, ten per centum per annun


would be TOO high, and the rate could be
changed without producing "A shock, but,
as facts exist at present, to turn about aud


say that no more than six per cent shall be
received would, in his Judgment, be to deal a
dangerous blow at the business relations Of
the people. should a rate Of irterest be estab-
nshed that is less than tie actual value Of
money, the result would be that the borrow
ing class would be injured by having to pay
q reasonable rate at such crisis, and also TO
Year: 1875

pay the lender for his risk of violating usury
laws; whereas, should a proper rate be al
not be near so great. At present, he thinks,
ten per cent. as the maximum rate of interest
is a bout right
Year: 1875




On Tuesday, June the 22d, as the North
bound mail train on the New Orleans. St.
Louis and Chicago Railroad. was approach
ing point about three miles north of OK
ford. Mississippi. the engineer discovered
some obstruction on the track as he round.
ed curve: ne immediately applied his air
brakes with which he succeeded in stopping
the train within twenty feet of said OBJ
struction. which proved to be a tie set
horizontally in cattle guard, or small
bridge at fence crossing: which had been
placed there by some fiendish miscreant in
human form. for the purpose Of wreckine
the train. The obstruction was moved by
Capt. Levy. conductor of the train. when
the train moved forward and had proceed
ed but short distance. when, in coming
around a short curve it again came in con.
tact with another obstruction which was
too close to allow the air brakes to take
effect before it struck. but fortunately for
all concerned on the train. this obstruction
was simply tie laid on the rails and when
the pilot of the engine struck it. moved
forward and Slid nome distance upon the
track, or until the j rakes could take effect.
thus saving the trssa. This is not the frs.
attempt in this setr,ion of country to wreck
the passenger trains on this road, and what
inetigates such hellish motive gemaius a
mystery - Vieksb,ug Herald.
Year: 1875

An amusing story is told of Gov.
Bagiey of Michigan. who is a good Sab
batarian. He was lately in Detroit on
Sunday, and passing billiard hall with
some friends, heard the balls clicking as
if it were week day. He politely in
qlired of the proprietor if he made a
practice of keeping his hall open on Sun
day, and was aslonished when the man
replied: mo Governor, not as gen.
eral thing, but if you aud your party
would like to play quiet game l guess
| can fix it for YOU"
Year: 1875

LISTEN TO BUSINESS.--We keen
on hand large assert of Jewelry,
the latest novelty of all its branches.
Also large assortment OF Foreign
aud American wathcs, clocks and
plated ware of all descriptions,
which we offer as cheap as any
dealer in the Union. Come and see
us, and we will convince you that
we mean what we say.


CARTWRIGHT q JAMES.
Year: 1875

THE Moscow House, in the village
of Moscow, on Tuesday was burned
to the ground. 1t was vacant at the
time, but a family was at the point
of moving into it. 1t is supposed
TO have been set on fire.
Year: 1875

A YOUNG man Of Mineral Point
while boasting the activity of his
father at the age of eighty says "you
ought to have heard him sing while
lighting the fires in the cold winter
mornings"
Year: 1875

The warden Of Black wcll's Island
states that William NJ Tweed was ex-
amincd recently By three distinguish.
Cd physicians, who say that he is al-
fectcd with heart disease and an affoc-
ton of the kidneys. They did not
express any fear Of i'm m modiate danger
but thought that his situation was
sufficiently grave to justify unusual
consideration on the part of the
keepers. Tweed is allowed to sleep
out of his cell, for the reason that he
grown SO stout that it il impossible
for him to got in tho door Of one.
Even if no could be squeezed in, the
bed with which each cell is provided
is too narrow for his bulky form, aud
there is not room for larger cot. 1t
is said that the grand jury, in MAX
ing their prosentment, will recon-
mend that Mr.. Tweed be allowed
more privileges in consequence of
his sickness.
Year: 1875

In the range Of mountains in Yves.
tern North Carolina known rs the
"Fox Range" II most singular phc-
nomenon exists. 1t is IL "breathing
cave" In the summer months u
current of air comes from it SO strong
ly that person can't walk against
it, while in the winter the suction
is just as great. The cool air from
the mountains in summer if felt f.r
miles in u direct line from the cave.
At times most unpleasant odor is
omitted upon the current from dead
carcasscs Of animals sucked in and
killed by the violence. The loss of
cattle and stock in that section in
winter is accounted for in this way
They range too near the mouth of
the cave, and the current carries
them in. At times, when the
change from inhalation begins, the
air is filled with varinus hairs Of
animals not frequently bones and
whole carcasses are found miles
fiom the place. Tho air has been
known to change materially in tenn
pelaturc during exhalation from
quito cool to unpleasantly hot, with
'ering vegetation within reach, and
accompanied by terrible roaring,
gurgling sound, like pot boiling.
1t is unaccounted for by scientific
men who h We examined, though no
exploration can take place. 1t is
feared by many that a volcanic
eruption may break forth there some
time.
Year: 1875

Tho now fve.cent stamp to be used
for international postage under the
late Borne treaty has upon it q
picture of Gen. Zachary Taylor In
full uniforms The stamp will be
issued in few weeks.
Year: 1875

Police business has been very dull for some
days. Only one drunk was reported this morn
nlg:


Ground has been broken for two new cot
ta ,es ut the Rehobotli Beach Camp Meeting
grounds.
Year: 1875

One day, 25 years ago, four gentlemen


we're seated around table in a restaurant
in San Francisco. One of them was the
postmaster of the city, and all were, or
havebecomc, distinguished in the politics of
the Pacificc coast. The postmaster took


a letter from his pocket and said: ''See
what got to day. 1t was from young
woman in central New York, and directed
simply to the postmaster of the city of
San Francisco, she never having heard of
him except officially. 1t stated that the
writer was poor and depended on her earn
ings as a teacher for living. Salaries in
in central New York were low, and she
wrote to ask if the postmaster would not
send her the money to pay her fare out,
she engaging to repay him when she should
get position 10 teach in California.
Here was most singular position, but she
had not reckoned without her host in ap.
pealing to the generosity of California
man of that time. Our four politicians
made up purse. large aud full enough,
not only to pay her expenses, but also to
provide her with handsome outfit. She
came, and they exerted themselves to get
her q position to- teach. OF course she
married in short. time, but not before
she had repaid them the money they lent
her. Theylos sight Of her for years, until
Year: 1875

The Paris correspondent of The Lon
don Daily Nea0s writes: A curious case
illustrating one of the many delicate
phases of Paris life Just come before the
civil tribunal of the Seine. NJ. Georges
Violet, a retired gentleman, died a few
days ago at comparatively early age,
from consumption. On attaining his
majority he formed the acquaintance of a
young lady named Leonie Viteux, who
became his mistress and was eventually
received into the family of NJ. Violet on
the same footing as if she had been his
wife. She attended him during his long
illness, accompanied him to various water
ing places, and drove about with his
mother in her carriage. At length the
case of NJ. Violet became hopeless, and
seeing his approaching end he made his
will, by which he made his mother univer-
sal legatee, on condition that she gave an
annuity of f40 to his mistress as re-
warG for the care and attention she had
bestowed upon him. The poor fellow
died and was duly buried, and Nine.
Violet, his mother, continued on the best
terms with Mile. Viteux until the latter.
finding that Nine. Violet did not proceed
to execute the will. broached the question
Of the annuity. Thereupon Mmc. Violet
refused point blank to entertain the mat
ter, and Mile. Viteux was obliged to 90 to
law. The respective counsel for the
plaintiff and defendant gave, as was per-
haps natural under the circumstances,
very different account Of the young lady.
According to one she was everything that
was good, barring her living under the
protection of NJ. Violet; according to the
the other she was an intriguing little
serpent, who made other victims than NJ.
Violet. However, the will was there, and
executed it must be. But, after paying
the debt and funeral expenses, it was
found that NJ. Violet had not left enough
to insure an annuity Of f40. So, the
court decided that the account should be
sent before a notary, and that Mile.
Viteux should receive an annuity in pro.
portion to the sum that remained to the
good. 1t may appear strange to the Eng
lish readers that Nine, Violet should
choose to wash such dirty linen in public;


but they manage these things, as you see,


very differently in France.
Year: 1875

Senator Booth of California made his
opening speech in the campaign in that
State on Tuesday evening, July 20, in
San Francisco, before an immense audi
ence. After long discussion of local is.
sues. he closed with this eloquent allus-
ion to National questions: The 'swound
heals slowly that is often chafed. That
would be divine moment in our history
which would strike down every party tie
and party namo which perpetuates war
memory. and bring the people together
who arc willing to forget, in a solid and
impenetrable phalanx. The American
people was the real hero of the war; and
must also be the apostle Of peace and re-
union. Why should they no. come to-
getber! Sumner would remove the
names of civil war why can We not
take the names from our political ban.
ners, which are also reminders? There
comes time when the instinct OF
sentiment is truer guide than cold phil
osophy or calculating prudence. But
they tell us great manyvRcbel Generals
have been elected to the next Congress.


Why should they not be? When the
Government amnestied them, did it mean
to say, We restore your rights. but you
shall never enjoy them?' When they
take their seats in Congress, it will be
with an oath to support the Constitution
Of the United States. 1 do not believe
that the meu who arc willing to die for
their convictions will be the most ready
to perjure themselves for place. Par
ties are but necessary evils. There
are great moments in nations life when
the times should rise above them. Why
may not the true spirit of the people
have way? This is the Centennial yeaa.


Let it be year of Jubilee Before us
is grand outlook Of history. Who shall
estimate the power and population of
this countrp at the close of the century
now dawning, if we, the people. are equal
to the divine opportunity? Who knows
what trials may await us. What temp
tations may beset? Let us challenge des-
tiny as one people, Let us have the have
union which can he permanent-a union
of hearts. Let the true feeling of the
hour find genuine expression unrestrain.
ed; and reconstruction will come-not
by legal enactment, not by force bills or
writs of law, but in the hearts of the peo-
pie, like the dawning of day, like the
breath of the morning, like the Spirit of
the Lord"
Year: 1875

The all-porvading corruption OF the over
thrown District of Columbia Government Is
pretty well understood by this time; but
letter printed on our fourth page to-day makes
some new and interesting disclosures as to
the methods of the Ring robbers.
Year: 1875

The jury laws are no respecters OF persons
and even Rufus Hatch has to pay penalty for
refusing to do jury duty. Not content with
disregarding the summons of tho court, Mr..
Hatch lately INDUCED in violent language to-
ward the messenger of the law. whereupon he
has been called upon to pay $4,000 for libel
Year: 1875

He led her TO the altar-it was in Wisconsin
church-bu just as she was about to plight her vir
gin faith she saw discarded lover i'll the gallery.
gazing down upon her with mixture of SORROW and
anger extremely piteous to behold. She did what
she could under such embarrassing circumstance
she tainted away. Remorse and anguish had very
properly taken possession of her soul for she had
on at the moment Of collapse some 1880 worth Of
jewels which that wretched man in the gallery had
given her Still, don't suppose that she gave up
the bird in her lily-white hand. They brought her
to- and made them one.