smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875

CITY GOVERNMENT By POPULAR VOTE.


The problem Of municipal government un-
der system Of universal suffrage is certainly
the most difficult and important TINT con-
fronts the American people. It includes not
merely the political evil Of utilizing the
vicious elements in election, but the still
greater evil Of unbridled extravaganza and
public plunder. The latter phase of the
question has been forced upon US frequently
Of late by the statistics Of local indebtedness
and the startling increase Of both local debt
and local taxation within the last half-decale.
The former is revived by the recent elections,
and the evidence they afforded in nearly all
the large cities,-notably New York, Bolti-
more, and Chicago,-of the formidable
strength Of that class of voters who uniform
~ range themselves against the taxpayers.
The Nation for the current week examines
the question again under the significant title
of "Boss Government" It refers to the
ground it took in 1871, when the
enthusiastic reformers persuaded themselves
that they had put down the corruptionists
once for all; at that time the Nation held
that ~ Boss Government" is the outgrowth
Of the condition Of citys voting population,
and that, so long as the present system con-
tinues new Bosses would appear on the scene
from time to time. The prediction was full
filed sooner, probably, than the Nation an
ticipated at the time it was made; for, in less
than five years, the people had to be aroused
again to put down another Boss, and only
succeeded, as before, with the assistance
of blacklegs and gamblers like "Jn1xY"
O'BR1H and JoRS MonRlssEy. Nor is KELLY,
though beaten now, any more likely to be the
last Of the Bosses than was TWEED; the
same classes who are responsible for TWEED
and KELLY will set up new Bosses in the
future.


What is true Of New York ia likewise true
Of Chicago and every other great city whose
government is controlled by popular vote.
A close estimate, compiled in New York at.
the time the effort was making to defeat
TWEED, showed that there are 10000 voters,
or nearly half tho voting population of the
city, that would always so with the Boss
and corrupt and c1travagaut administration.
Our experience in Chicago has been very
much the SAME. The Boss here was only
defeated by detection in his own ranks,
and the Ring. though smashed for the time
being, will certainly come forward again and
make IS desperate an effort for success as it
has in the past The trouble is that the tax-
payers and voters With personal in
terast at stalks ms limited a. to
stamher md soon veny a vikilhups. 4ftae
Year: 1875

by adopting this course, and his best friends
will strongly urge it upon him. II he listens
to this good counsel, there will then be
seven honest votes in the Board There
needs but one more to give the
taxpayers majority, and the man
Of all others who ought to seize upon this
opportunity is Alr. LoSERoAS. # he can es-
cape certain personal influences that have
misdirected his vote in the past, he may CON-
mand the respect and confidence to which
his private life entitle him. Mr.. LoSERoAH
can take a stand in the new Board that will
save thousands Of dollars to the county with
in the next year, and redeem the reputation
Of the Board.


We understand that it is the programme Of
the PERo1AT and RouN1REE crowd to elect
HOLDEN Chairman. Such an event would be
the first sign Of the intention to run the new
Board as the old has been run, except worse.
It is here, therefore, that the reform element
should begin to assert itself. There is no
hope Of electing good Chairman by the po-
litical divisions of Republican and Democrat
>ic, Or Republican and Opposition. Those in
the Board, therefore, who desire an admins
tration in behalf Of the taxpayers will do well
to elect some man to the chair who has gen.
orally been counted among the "Bean"
crowd, but who may be rescued possibly
from his bad company. Why not Mr. LoS-
EnGAN? The taxpayers have certainly more
to hope from him than from HOLDEN. It
would be better, Of course, to continue Mr..
BuRp1oK in the chair, if that can be done; if
not, we are confident that Mr.. BuRD1ck will
join the reform element in any plan to defeat
the PEn1o1AT crowd Tho choice of Chair
man, both on account Of the formation of the
committees and as an indication OF the future
conduct Of the Board, is an important point;
and if the Bean" crowd can be defeated
here they may perhaps be kept down.
Year: 1875

The New York Democrats nominated an old
Republican for Secretary of State and elected
him by 1900 to 1900 majority. Last year
their leading candidate had upwards OF
10000 majority Next year, at this rate Of
progress, their ticket will be swamped under
1000 Republican majority.
Year: 1875

BY Law part Of separate Legislative and
Senatorial District. It has been also pro-
posed to attach it to the Seventeenth and
also to attach it to the Twentieth Ward.
Both Of these wards have less than full
ratio. But the Nineteenth Ward may be
easily divided on the line of Oak street, and
the north half attached to the Seventeenth
Ward and the south half attached to the
Twentieth Ward. This arrangement would
bring both Of these wards up to the ratio
and divide the North Division according to
population into four almost equal portions


This plan would accomplish the re-
districdng of the whole number Of wards,
without producing any confusion in the pres
ent State apportionment for Legislature. 1t
will leave the present division Of wards On
the West Side undisturbed That there are
inequalities in the present West Side ward
populations is true but no apportionment
that can be made now but will be unequal a
year hence. The apportionment by divisions
is so nearly exact that the inequalities in
wards may readily be overlooked. The new
apportionment will not take effect until April,
1876, aud four years later there viii be Fed
eral CENSUS and new Legislative and Congress
sional apportionments, when there can be q
general readjustment of ward and district
lines. Whatever is done before 1850 must OF
necessity be temporary in its character so
the present division of wards may be left as
they are except in the two cases mentioned
the consolidation Of the First and Second
Wards, end the apportionment of the present
Nineteenth Ward between the Seventeenth
and Twentieth Wards.
Year: 1875

to destruction. It needs narrow-gauge,
smaller cars, steel rails, new locomotives, and
q few other million~dollar changes It is un-
likely that the stockholders will ever get any,
thing out of it. Their investment is pretty
nearly, if not quite, o dead loss The bond
holders may perhaps get the road and then
get enough out Of it to pay the interest and
gradually cancel the principal Of their bonds.
But even this may be TOO sanguine view.
Year: 1875

This department Of the paper will be
open at all times to those who wish to
furnish communications for publication.
But the editor reserves to himself the
right to accept or. reject. The name Of
the author must invariably accompany the
article, and manuscript should be written
upon but one side Of the paper.
Year: 1875

To the Edttor OF the Tribune.


SIR: The effort to introduce the study OF
German and French into our public schools naturally
nctes the query whether ordinary mode of teaching
is the best way inuct beginners into the knowledge
OF foreign tongue To this question IL is neces
sary put another viz "What is the Object 10 be al
tanned by ie study OF French German II is that
the may speak it, either in the event OF
foreign travel business and social intercourse, then
one must conclude that the old system Of teaching,
mainly by the eye and grainmars has not heretofore
proved successful We all readily recall
instances young persons have studied French
German text books for years and when put 10 the test Of
practical life unable either 10 speak TO make
themselves understood even 10 comprehend when adj
dressed by native OF Paris Berlin. though they might
b able To read and translate with some facility.


The oral system. III the hands OF skiiful teacher is
capable Of embracing all that il taught in grammar with
the added vaue Of enabling any either child or adult
10 the language of which the Old system simply i'm
parts less knowledge OF how IL IA artiically
constructed But the ability TO speak Ia the prime OBJ
ect only the practice OF speaking can make experts in
that direction instead OF the eye being trained to
recognize printed words, the ear must be accustomed to
distinguish the sounds and the vocal
be Trained into readiness 10 utter them as rapidly as
thought flows, or needs require to be expressed.


IL, then foreign living language IL TO De taught in
our public schools IL Is 10 De hoped that we may at least
begin In the right way. and not have the time Of
youth wasted the mere memorlzng or rules and con-
juatiOns which always fail their victims at the critical
moment. The life OF Language exists in It's ldomatic
vet ignorant OF them the learned foreigner dis
tanced practical life by the youngest child who
them hope that al least fair trial will be given
the conversational study OF either French eierman
whenever these shall be introduced into public
school. E.v.B.


Aeto- FORK May IL. 1875.
Year: 1875

From one end ofthe country to the other,
loud complaints are heard against the grow
ing numbers of wandering vsgsbonds, bur-
glars and desperate robbers. Not only are
these classes increasing in numbers, but
their audacity and recklessuess are also on
the advance. To such an extent is the
country infested with that wretched class


called trsmps that public attention is at
tracted to them. 1t Is stated that the peo-
pie of New Hampshire are very general arm
ing themselves for defense against the as
saults of these wretches, which are becom-
ing more and more dangerous. In all The
West, both In city and country, it is
the rule rather thaR the -excep-
ten, nowadays, to keep either
guns or reyo)vers loaded in the house ready
for defense from the prowlers who make
the night a sort OF terror. The ordinary
security OF locks and bolts is insufficient to
oatfle the skilled burglar, and the sense OF
security is seriously disturbed. 1t is safe TO
assert that no former summer season has
ever recorded so many or so desperate at
tempts at thieviDg and violence made upon
private dwellings. 1t is not unfrequently
the case that murderous assaults are made
while the impertinence and abuse OF
tramps are common. Several instances
have been recorded lately in different
parts of the country where tramps have as
sailed those whom they would plunder with
revolvers. 1t Is certain that public
authority will be forced to take special
notice OF this evil, and moro effective
measures will be required for a remedy.


AS before said. it is a rapidly growing class.


Large reinforcements come to it from the


poorest and most worthless of those who


have been thrown into idleness during the


past year. In the summer they ravsge the


country she ggiog, stealing and robbing, as
Year: 1875

Bome consolation for the housewives may
be derived from the fact that peaches and
berries will be abundant and cheap after the
earning season begins and through the COM
ING year. The proof of this is in the fact
that canned fruits can now be contracted for
at considerably less prices thansthey could
be last year at this time Yet dealers are so
well convinced that low prices will rule
throughout the year that they will decline
to lay in as heavy stocks as usual,
depending on purchasing as they
need for satisfactory prices.
canned goods are now put up SO successfully,
sold so low, and are of so fine quality thai
housekeepers are unwise who attempt to
buy and put up their own fruit. A few still
stick to this folly from habit and sort OF
domestic providence and solicitude that
will not let them rest without the customary
campaign OF canning. One lady attempted
to buy the blackberr which have come to
this market hy the drawer to "put up" She
found them too rctsen for use. At the best
seasons the peaches otthis region areinferior
IN thoss canned ia Delaware and New Jersey


But this year, the best way will be to fall
hack = holly Oh Eastern canned goods. II
will b. : d5Gb.e bsneG., furnishing . mar
ket fer the enormous supplies of the East,
and adding to the luxuries of which the


West is deprived this year. But why


Thar gardeners do not supply this market
VII -.-e s-cTn ras?ee-T-cs %Ac h!Sc-
Year: 1875

The recent remarkable running race az
Saratoga has created a great deal of discus
sion. as the time made is said to be the
fastest on record. The New York Herald
argues that, because Springbok and Freak
ness ran two and quarter miles in 1854,
and Doncaster, the winner of the Derby,
only ran two miles and half in
in 1891, therefore American horses are
much faster than English horses. This test
of speed by time Is not trustworthy one.
In this country time Is made standard In
an altogether different fashion from that in
which it is used in England. Here tracks
are laid out scientifically, the road
beds are carefully prepared and accur-
stely leveled. The design is to have the
horse make the given distance under the
most favorable circumstances. In Eng
land, on the contrary, the most celebrated
race course on Epson Down; is strip
of turf in its natural condition, up hill and
down dale. The performance OF horse on
such track can not be made the basis of 8
comparison with what is done on our
American courses. In the same way the
rowing time In England can not be re-
lied upon as q measure of the skill
and strength of oarsmen. The university
crews do not, for instance, wait for smooth
water and favorable tide, and their best
races have been run against q strong cur.
rent. Horses and men strive with each
other, rather than with Father Time. OF
course, the Sentinel is willing to back any
thing American against the old country
product, but it would do so on other grounds
than the time test.
Year: 1875

A tea peddler in one of the small towns in
Canada called on poor woman and asked
her to purchase box Of tea. She told him
she was not able to pay for it, whereupon he
proposed to take the baby that lay in the
cradle in exchange for IL; and, she at ones
conseDtiDg, he took the baby and left the
tea, thinking the woman wonld soon follow !.
When he came 90 the next house he told
wbet he done, and was informed that toe
baby did not belong TO ;hY woman, but had
only been lefs with her the night before. he
then concluded to return the child, but had
to give the woman another box 0,f tea to get
her TO take it back.
Year: 1875

The account of Rodifer's last attempt to
escape suggests a criticism in regard 70 the
discipline at the Southern Prison. The at
tempt met with partial success only because
the guard, Kennedy, was armed with re-
volver, the capture of which rendered Rodifer
and his companions dangerous. 1t would
be well TO put the rule adopted in
Michigan City prison in force. AT
that institution no one inside the
building is allowed to carry fire arms,
which are only entrusted to the guards on
the walls. The precaution is apt to prevent
hasty bloodshed, and puts 1t beyond the
power of convicts to capture any murder
Gus weapon. From the story of the diff
Guilty it is plain that Warden Howard be-
haved with GOODNESS and capacity, while
Rodifer displayed his usual reckless audac-
ity without any of his ordinary cunning.
Year: 1875

From the Richmond independent


The Indianapolis Sentinel has been max
ing a thorough change of base, and will
most likely become an organ of democracy.
They have wind, and small boy to pump
the bellows, and if they do not manufac-
ture a superior wind music for the campaign
we are mistaken. We trust that the supply
of brain vigor will not run out so that they
will want their fish back
Year: 1875

WE have been grieved to notice during the
past few months that the Aroostook Pioneer
has been wont to print long editorials of a
character which indicated that that journal
at last had fallen into the hands of our polit-
ical enemies. The administration has been
denounced for its bad tendencies, its leaders
have been criticised in the most partisan
manner Indeed, if we mistake not, it was
very severe upon our Eastern Senator for his
mistake in reference to third class postal mat
ter. II has had much very Democratic slack
law about third term, and has said some
things which would quite surprise one were
they not uttered by journal labelled Bour
bon, We were grieved, we say, because we
knew by this change of sentiment that the
Pioneer was not receiving those small but val
able remembrances from our Republican
friends which tend to keep it sweet and de-
voted to us-that is, to our "fellers." Now
imagine our delight when we found in the
issue of May 4:h, remark hurled at "disaf-
fected, office-seeking Republicans" But if
we were happy at the above, we were fren-
zied with delight when we took in the follow
ing simon-pure, straight orthodox sentiment:
''Such men (Mr. Llewellyn Powers of Houl-
ton, being the such) are needed more espec-
tally at this time, when the waning star of
the Republican party forebodes a possible
transfer of its power to the slumbering al
though by no means defunct southern slave
oligarchy." We are so glad that the Pioneer
has seen the error of its ways, and prodigal
son like comes back to fathers house and fat
ted calf; and we want it TO be understood
that we irowned upon resident Of Aroos-
took who shamelessly asserted in our presence
spread before the public for less than five
oantS q limo
Year: 1875

THE New Hampshire Republicans do not
purpose to tamely submit to any Louisiana
trick, that is evident. They have fair ma
jority of nine in the House, and are not mind
of the Democratic Clerk of defunct body.


Astounding revelations have been made of
Democratic frauds practiced at Manchester,
Portsmouth and Dover, and if justice be done
the number of Republican representatives
will be increased instead of being diminished.
Year: 1875

We do not read anonymous letters and cemmuni-
cations. The name and address of the writer in
all cases Indispensable, not necessarily tor publication
but as guaranty Of good faith.


We cannot undertake to return reserve commu-
nications that are not used.
Year: 1875

FIVE classes of questions pertaining to in
ternational law reform are to be brought be-
fore the international conference at the
Hague in the coming September. Those of
the first class relate to the desirableness and
practicability of a proportionate reduction
in the armaments Of the European nations.
Those of the second class pertain to the prac-
ticabllity of general treaty binding nations
to the observance Of certain formalites and
delays before beginning any offensive war.
The third class of these questions has to do
with the practicability of establishing a
scheme of arbitration tor the settlement of
international disputes. The fourth class en-
braces questions pertaining to any progress
which has been made in any country since
the last meeting of the conference, towards
the reform and codifcaton of the law of ma
tions. The fifth class has to do with the
best method of preventing, so far as posi-
BILE, collisions at sea, and fixing the RESPONSE
bility on the culpable parties when such col
lisions occur.
Year: 1875

above deck until after an hours time from our depar
ture Is a dead man


one by one they moved backward up the stairs
leading TO the deck, each one still covering
his man with a revolver As we were taken
wholly by surprise, resistance would have been
less They rubber shoes They cut our top
sail sheet and used the ropes TO tie fast cabin
door. The last thing heard was ''damn them,
don't believe we've made a single hundred TO night ~
We all lay still, for they moved quietly that we
could not tell when they left Their oars were
muffed and the sides or their boat otherwise we
should have heard the creakng OF their oar locks
and felt the hud Of their boat humping against ours
When we venured upon deck We could see nothing Of
them,
Year: 1875

Contains no alcohol, an excellent purgative or
the bowels, relieving and curing all cOmpla ts
of the Liver, Blood, Kidneys. and Stomach Read
the following testimonial from prominent New
ork editor:


Office of Geo. Fl. Sweets ''Texas New Yorker")


Nos. 2S. 80 and 80 Centre Street,


New York City Sept. s, 1874. J


Mcssrs. & c. Mcguire, st. Louis: Gents
Yours of the 31st ut, with of one dozen Cund-
urango Liver and Blood Bitters came duly to hand
You will please accept my thanks for your gener-
will do the most good.' have given one bottle to
friend of mine who resides in BROOKLYN. both
himself and wife have taken it. and their testimony
Is the same as mine. first met with it in Houston
Texas, afterwards returned TO my home in Austin
where have the Texas branch office of my paper
NY Houston bottle was used up, and l found on
trial that could not obtain single bottle in all
Austin for | went to every druggist in the place
and there are some five, but each house told me
they intended TO order ltOn the strength of nv rec
Ommendation. Ere coming to New York | was in
Galveston, and bought bottle of RObirds, an old
friend and good house. had no idea then that
could not obtain it in New York; but after nv
Galveston bottle was used up. | started to find
moretand was much surprised to find none after visit
lug fully dozen different establishments gave uD
the search here and wrote to you, Now gents 50
good medicine as yours is ought to be placed at
the command of the whole world. 1t will not only
prove great fortune to yourselves, but lasting
blessing to the whole human family. As a remedy
IN my own case have never met with its equal.
It squeezes my liver better than Calomel of which
| have taken not little. am a hard worker and
constant thinker, and consequently for the last ten
to twelve years my body has found 1t difficult keep
up with my brain. There aIe millions of American
people just like myself and they need some simple
herb medicine to keep them from sinking into dys
peptlc graves, until they can apply, brakes and
cut OF part of the steam and see where they are
You have the medicine and you have great fortune
in 1t If you Will but let the world know it, In nv
, search after your Cnndurango IN this market
found preparation of Cundurango sold at So per
bottle but no more like yours than is black man
like white. OF course did not buy it. This let
ter is only written TO thank you and to give Won
my experience with cundurango, Wishing you the
success you deserve am.


Very Respectfully &c. GEO. H. SWEET.
Year: 1875

THE WORK or LAYING WATER MAINE TO BE Pho


CEEDED WITH.


Now that the City Council has definitely dec-
ded what kind of a basin is to be built, there
will be no more delays in getting ready and lay
ing mains from the site of the new basin to all
parts of the city.


Owing to the adverse weather of winter, no
work can be done upon the basin proper until
spring, but in the meantime preparations will be
made for vigorous prosecution of the work az
soon as spring opens


The Water Committee will not meet until
| Monday evening, at which time the main water
| pipes will be ordered, and the streets selected
| upon which they are to be laid.
| bill will also be prepared to send TO the Leg
slature authorizing the City Council to issue
| bonds for the laying OF the water mains.
| The change OF programme by the City Coun-
| ell in building smaller basin, while great saw
ing in money to the city, renders useless much
Of the work already done which has cost proba-
| bly, between "A 900 or $1,000.
1t is found that the French drain opened along
| Tenth street, when work first commenced
ID not fully answering the purpose for which il
was intended, and while conveying the water
from the Rodney Spring it does not drain the
| ground south of the spring. 1t is hoped, how
ever, that the drain will yet partially answer it,
intended purpose, and the labor expended upon
| it not be wholly lost