smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1873

There was much interest felt yesterday in
regard 10 the election Of a President Of the Police
Board and the appointment Of a superintendent There
were many who believed that Henry Smith would be
the successful candidate, while others equally
tain that Hugh Gardner would be the winner. Oliver
Cha1ick, 1t known had declined the position be-
cause he could spare the time from his business 10 de-
vote 70 For the position Of superintendent there are
four candldates-George w. Matse, James Kelso, the
present superintendent, Inspector g. W. Walllns' and
Capt Anthony Allare. Tue majority Of those who dis
eussed the matter seemed TO believe that Mr. Mase
would be successful for that he was the can
ddate OF the Mayor The fact that the Board Of Police
met and temporarily organized and then, without do
ine anything Of importance adjourned until to-day, has
aroused public curiosity TO high degree. Among poh
tcaus evening the matter was discussed to the ex
eluson Of almost all other subjects.


The new Board OF Police Commissioners met at Police
headquarters in Muberry-st. yesterday all the mem


ers being present-Henry Smith, Oliver Charlick, Hugh
Gardner Abram Duryee, and John r. Russell


Commissioner Gardner moved that Commissioner
Henry Smith be elected temporary chairman. The mo
fon was carried, and Commissioner Smith assumed the
chair. resolution then passed that Committee
on Organization, 10 consist OF two Commissioners,
should be appointed by the Chairman. Commissioner
Smith named as the Committee Commissioners Garduer
and Russell. On motion OF Commissioner Gardner, the
Chairman Commissioner Smith, was added TO the Com
mittee Commissioner Gardner then read the following,
which was passed:


Resolrsd That the Counsel TO the Corporation be
uuesed to report the Police Commissioners his Opn
Iou whether the Commissioner holding the office Of
president Of the Board OF Police, Henry Smith, is by
Charter continued in tnat Office, and that lie respond
without delay.


The Board then adjourned to meet at s p. N. today
During the session letter sent TO superintendent
Kelso asking him to resign but he returned decided
refusal This action Of the Board is probably due TO


desire on their part to NIL the office of Superintendent at
once without being embarrassed with interval OF the
i've days sgnedsby the state Legislature for the term
of Office Of superintendent Kelso TO come TO end.
After the Board had adjourned Commissioner Smith
stated that he did not claim the Presidents
once from any desire for the place. but solely because
ne wished to act in legal manner II was matter OF


doubt as 70 whether the State Legislature intended him
60 be the President OF the Board Of Police not


As soon Charter had been examined by the Coun-
se 10 the Corporation and opinion had been pro-
pouneed by him. the Board OF Police would have au-
thorfty for any action they might take The new Com


isoners have not as yet discussed the policy by which
che Department will be governed, and declare that they
will not act IN that respect until they have become thor
oughy acquainted with the Department s defects and
ttS points Of excellence.
Year: 1873

Serious charges have been made against a
committee Of the Board Of Kings Comfy Supervisors by
Of its members. The Board held meeting at the
PenitCntiary In FatLush, Wednesday afternoon for
the purpose OF examining the condition OF the new
female prison which has recently been completed and
Supervisor Dwight johnson OF the Third Ward then
stated that in the years ls 1862 and 1870 there had
been 100000 spent on the building OF 1t without
any legal authority He called attention to the fact that
the stable attached to the building alone cost 5000
and for the expenditure there had been authority
from the Board There carpenter work 10 the
amount OF $500, and bill Of 5000 for plumbing
There order OF the Board record for having
the work done and further he found that $4,000 was
paid TO the architect wltheut any authority from the
Board. The Supervisor then offered resolution calling
for investigation. Supervisor Richardson opposed H.
claiming that was made lJr political effect only and
his suggestion the matter Laid over until the next
meeting OF the Board.


County Treasurer Gardiner denies the allegation that
he has pad these sums without due authority aud
states that no money paid of his Office until tne
Board Of Supervisors had adopted resolutions
him TO do He asserts that for every dollar paid he
has the vouchers under the resoiution.
Year: 1873

WE publish this morning another
dreary mess of stuff, the result of the ef
forts at legislation of our general council
yesterday. 1t will be seen that little out
of the usual routine was accomplished
A debate on paying for the water used
by the city was the principal feature in
one body, while the acceptance of the
waterworks was the leading topic for
debate in the other. No good citizen
who wades through the proceedings viii
fail to coincide with us, and confess that
from the first hour Of the inception of
the waterworks the company has been
unfairly, illibeTally and unjustly dealt
with by the city. Every concession
made by the company has been
followed by fresh extOrtions, and
nav, when the works have
been subjected to every known test and
confessedly give satisfaction to all, there
is TO be further needles and seemingly
puuposed delay in order to impede the
company and cripple it. This is nei-
ther fair nor just, but disgraceful and
discreditable. II is simply ehild's play.
The waterwOTks company shOuld be
dealt with on high principles as it de-
serves, should be paid for the water used
and be fully recognized in the spirit OF
Mr.. Clarke's resolutions.
Year: 1873

Senator Morton has addressed notes
to his associates of the committee on
privileges and elections, appoint
ing the fall meeting of that COM
mittee on tine first of October,
for the consideration of the pro-
posed amendment to the constitution,
which shall effect change in the mode
of the election of President and Vice
President. 1t is intended to give the
sessions of the committee in New York
a public character, and several leading
constitutional lawyers and writers on
this subject will be invited to address
the committee.
Year: 1873

WHY it is We cannot tell, but 50 it is
we know full well. While We get every
other sort Of news from Kentucky, we
have not vet received anything worth
printing in regard to the election. Why
is this9 Will anybody tell as?
Year: 1873

No portion OF the community look forward to
the coming Of this important event with greater
interest than do those who are the wards OF the
Commissioners Of Charities and Correction and
other institutions that dot the Island OF Manhat-
tan and cover the islands in the East River. From
present indications to-day will be as joyous
Christmas to the poor the halt the blind, the sick,
the young and the aged in the public and private
institutions as those OF previous years have been.
The late financial panic that has affected all classes
Of the community may possibly be felt little in
decrease OF the bounty provided; but It is believed
that all who are char1tably disposed will make an
erort to cheer the poor and unfortunate by their
0enerOua offerings.
Year: 1873

When The nomination of Judge Williams to
be Chief Justice was first announced, The
TRIBUNE was not disposed to criticise it with
ANYTHING like the severity that has been IN
dulged in by some of the organs OF the Nd
miDistration. He had served in the Senate
with credit. and though not by any means a
great man or in any sense statesman, had
made good record as an industrious. careful
legislator; prudent and sensible, though not
brilliant. lie had done fairly as Attorney
General, though in Que or two cases,
notably IN that of the Government against
the Credit MObilier stockholders, he had ex-
hibited such weakness and incapacity that the
Administration organs did not hesitate to pro-
nounce him utterly incompetent. IL was known
of course that his successive promotions were
due rather to his partisanship and personal
fayoritism on the part of the President than
to his ability or merits; but that has come to
be so constant factor in the distribution OF
offices by President Grant that it had been
pretty much discounted before the announce
ment was made.


We were disposed accordingly to accept the
appointment in the spirit in which most peO-
ple dd-not with entire satisfaction, but rea-
s0ndDly COUttHl tIat ~ was al" "Vioo' i' In 4"
sad commentary upon the administration of
the Civil Service and the principles which
govern the distribution of patronage that this
feeling was so general among the people over
the appointment of a Chief -Justice-nOt that
it was fit or proper, but that upon the
"whole it might have been worse"
President Grant had to choose from such men
as b. X. Curtis. whom the voice of the whole
nation would have commended as fit sue
cessor to the great men who have presided over
our highest court; VIM. NJ. EyaIts, who would
have adorned the Bench by his learning and
his upriehtness; T.. lockwood HOar, gentle
man who has in the highest degree the re-
spect and confidence Of the bar and the people !;
or either of the Supreme Court Justices
Swayne. Miller, or Davis-and the appoint
ment of any one of these, or of large num-
ber of eminent jurists in the country who
might be named, would have given satisfac-
tion TO the country and added dignity to the
Bench.


But President Grant passed by all these and
selected Mr.. Williams. We were disposed. as
we have said, not to criticise the appointments
severely, but, upon Our knowledge OF the man
and the impression derived from his public
life. that he would make at least respectable
Judge, to be content with it. Within few
days past however, new phase bas been put
upon the affair Charges affecting Judge Will
liams's personal integrity have been made
! upon the authority Of sentlemea or rospects-
Year: 1873




| Our special dispatches from Bahia Honda
and tho TOrtugas give all the particulars OF
the surrender of the VirginiuS and OF her
transfer from Spanish waters to our own
jurisdiction. The delivery of the vessel was
attended with as little ceremony as possible.
A dispatch boat was sent from Key West TO
receive her, and a single Spanish oihcer
awaited on her deck tho demand
of our representative, and coureousiy
gave her into Our possession IN the solitude
of tho Bay, where no one except the naval
officers and THE TRIBUNE correspondent wit
messed the ceremony. The people III the
peighboring town did not think it worth
while to 60 mile or two to see the sight,
and the Catalan fishermen throwing their nets
by the shore did not pause from their worK
while the scene was in progress.


There may be an echo on land to the loud
disgust of some of the naval officers at this
quiet and practical end of the matter. There
are some people who cannot enjoy their own
rights unless the attainment of them is dis
agreeable to others; and there Will be many
estimable people who will think that it was not
worth while to have the Virginius surrendered
unless it could be in the harbor of Havana, with
full band playing Hail Columbia before the
Casino Espa1ol with an OblgatO accOmpani-
ment of Castilian curses and groans from the
windows But we think most people will be
satisfied that the surrender was made in such
a way as to avoid the occasion of riOting and
bloodshed If we had wanted war we could
have had it at any time. But wanting nothing
more than Justice and reparation, it is matter
of congratulatiOn when we obtain these with
out adding to a sense of defeat the bitterness
of humiliation in the minds of the Spaniards


Our honor. so far, is clearly indicated by
the prompt accomplishment of the first portion
of the Washington protocol. We take it for
granted that the prisoners are already released,
and that immediate measures are to be taken
for the salute to the flag and for the indem-
nity to be paid to the families of the slaugh-
tered Americans. With this satisfaction OF our
claims, our responsibilities begin. There must
be no time lost in determining the exact
status of the Virginius. She was flying
the American flag, with her papers IN
order. Her capture was therefore unlawful,
and we have properly demanded and obtained
her surrender. But having been met 40
frankly and Loyalty by the Government OF
Spain, it is now incumbent upon us to asccr-
tain whether she had right TO our flag, and
whether she was engaged III an enterprise
which was violation of our laws. Good
faith demands that this investigation should
be prompt and thorough.
Year: 1873

sgy1TOR FEEION ON THE CURRENCY


Senator Fenton is one Of the very few men
in Congress who clearly comprehend the eie-
mentary laws of money. Every ono can SEQ
that this is about as faint praise as it would
ha 10 say of an astronomer that he was ac-
ouanted with the laws of gravitatiOn, yet 1t Is
vastly higher commendation than nine-tonths
Of our Congressman can lay claim to. We re-
eret that our restricted space makes it neces-
sary for us to leave out some portions OF Mr'
Fenton's speech delivered yesterday III the
Senate, for it is like water in the Great Des-
ert. Mr. FentOn accepts without reservation
the principle that the value Of money III q
given country, with established modes OF buy
ing and selling, and giving and taking credit,
varies indirectly with tho quantity. Increase
tbo money and you simply increase prices.
Decrease t!sy money apd you decrease prices
Won cannot, except for tho moment, make
money plenty by increasing the quan-
t;tv of it, or mako it scarce by decreasing the
ouantity BY increasing the quantity OF
money you simply lower its value. and by de-
creasing the quantity you raise its value. DO
YOU get any moro nOurishment from piece
of meat by paying a double price for it An
increase of tho currency ut the present time
does the slightest possible good and tho ut
most conceivable mischief. The country is
rapidly recovering from the panic, and would
be doing 40 just as fast if Secretary Richard
son Obeyed the laws which forbid an increase
of the Public Debt by the issue OF green
backs in excess of S356,0OO0OO.


The vexed problem of specie payments is
Just this,--tO increase the value of the paper
dollar to that of the Constitutional gold dollar
To increase the value Of the paper by the
gradual withdrawal of the notes is certain to
bring paper and gold to par with each other.
To limit the present paper circulation ngidly
to its present volume, though a slower pro.
cess, is equally sure, since the country is sure
TO grow. To increase the paper and expect to
sec it become equal tO gold IN value
is to wait for the sun to drop from
heaven. There are. evils connected with in
flation, and there are evils inseparable from
contraction, however gradual. But the differ
ence is that there. is an end to the latter, and
no end to tho former. Imagine man shut
I'D by fire in lofty building. with no resource
but to drop out of the window. What should
we think of that man il he refused to drop
from the second story. or the third, or the
fourth but waited till the flames compelled
him to leap out of the garret and break his
neck We should say that he had the Wis
dom of the average Congressman.
Year: 1873

A beginning was finally made in the trial
of Assemblyman Genet. yesterday. The pros
ecution pushed their case forward very rap
idly, and the defense were equally prompt.
To the charge that Genet used fraud in hand
ling the Harlem Courthouse accounts, his
counsel replied in general terms that Genet
had felt deep interest in the building pro
ject and made it his "pet dream" According
to Genet's own statement he indorsed war
rant payable to Mcbride Davidson. signing
Davidson's name, but acting as attorney ior
that gentleman. This line of the defense has
just been developed additional evidence on
that side is to come.
Year: 1873

A CHICAGO girl hearing that her lover
had been stricken with the smallpox
insisted upon flying to his bedside and
becoming his nurse 1t was a severe
ease, but she was unceasing in her de-
yotion, aud principally through her care
and skill the patient recovered, And
now she herself fell victim to the COM
MISUNDERSTANDING monster, and although
she survived the attack at its close the
beautiful pink and white Of her fair face
has flown forever, and from being the
prettiest girl in Chicago, she became one
of the plainest but when he sa W how
fearfully she was changed, his love for
her departed, and wnen the marriage
day drew near he refused to fulfil his
part of the contract. She took his re-
fnsal very calmly. no reproaehes came
from the once pretty mouth which had
lost its prettiness in saving the ungrate-
fnl one from death Her cheek, which
the telltale blood used SO often to tinge
with rosey red, retained its color, and
she married an octogenarian worth $780,
900.
Year: 1873

IL was an aggravated case of complicated


circumstances. You see, Dick Slater is


Randolph street saloon keeper. and


very proud of his skill with the rifle.


he shot lynx once, or claimed that he


dld, and as lasting proof had the animal


neatly stuffed and set up in one of his


show windows. Four boys were passing


the window on yesterday morning, and


stopped to take look at the lynx. One
OIL the boys had bulldog, and the bull
dog stopped also No sooner did he oct


his eyes on that lynx, however. than
crash he went through the window. seized
the game by the throat, and shook the
,stnflng out Of it in less than no time.


The glass breaking frightened horse
that was standing before the door. and


with splendid lunge be went on the
sidewalk and gulched another big piece
out OF the same window, then fed, mp
setting two boys who were in the buggy
behind him. He was caught at Twelfth
street peiees of the buggy might have
been picked up all along between that
point and the starting one and the bows
are now nursed by anxious mothers. Sia-
ter set up some folding doors to protect
his place until he could get a new win
dow. Presently Mrs. Slater came down
stairs, and being totally ignorant that
anything had happened opened the
side door of the saloon. This knocked
down the folding doors and completed
the wreck. A peiee of glass gashed Mrs.
olater's nose painfully, and springing
suddenly back she upset two junior Sla-
lers who had followed her down. At
present the saloon has bran new win
low, and in place of the lynx is a green
frog, which prognostieates all kinds of
weather. Chicaqo Times.
Year: 1873

A SHORT time ago a elose-fsted farmer
on the Sandy River, in Maine, died, after
devising 81 to his only son. The old
gentleman was duly buried in the vener-
able churchyard, which suffered a terrible
washing away by the late flood, and a
short time ago his body was found oppo-
site his sons place. having been brought
down the river long distance. When
the tender-hearted son was informed of
the fact he made the touching remark,
Probably come back after that dollar p
Year: 1873

The News Job Once is now supplied with an
cards. and other materials and facilities for
good job printing. Additional materials are
arriving. anu we ask the attention of our
friends and the public to the fact that all Job
printing can be handsomely and expeditiously
done al this Office
Year: 1873

CoSGREssMEN are making inquiry at
Washington concerning the feeling on the
subject of the salary grab question. The
timid and semi-honest express their will
lingness to repeal the obnoxious law,
while the cheeky and close-hsted say they
will fight it out ON this line ii it takes all
Winter.
Year: 1873

A YOUNG gentleman telegraph operator
in Hartford after repeated calls for a
young lady operator in an other Office, at
last got "A response, and then he tele-
graphed back to her, Il have been try
ing to get you for the last half hour p
In moment the following spicy reply
come tripping back to him over the wires
from the telegraphie maiden That S
nothing; there is a young man here been
trying to do the same thing for the last
two years, and he hasn't got me yet.
Year: 1873

The Central City Register, of Colorado,
gives an account of the discovery nea. there
of volcano. A man of that place out pro-
specting saw smoke at distance which he
at first attributed to a fire in the woods.
But second thought convinced him that was
not possible, as its locality was far above
timber line. So, with the usual zeal of a
prospector for something new, he clambered
up and down and over several ridges of the
main range until arriving at the place he
found himself on the edge of q
veritable crater. The place had evil
IDENTIFY once been the scene of
great and long-continued volcanic action,
for there were plainly to be traced the rim
of pre- historic crater about one mile in
diamater. Within the ancient bowl, and
near one edge, the young volcano had COM
menced operations. It did not emit vic.
lently while he vas there, but contentedi
self with an occasional spasm, the resL|0f
the time smoking as placldly as an old to-
bacconist. But the best proofs of his story
are bits of lava, evidently of recent origin,
and several Jumps of scoria. A large party
will start from here to-day, determined to
authenticate or disprove the matter. Seye-
raj men have been there, and all return
with lava trophies.
Year: 1873

AS to my own personal example in
the matter of dueling, have only to
say, in addition to what | have said al
ready, that | had the misfortune twice to
be challenged to the field of honor; in
two other instances was foolish enough
to be the challenging party. On the first
occasion, in 1928, was shot in the
shoulder by one of the celebrated duel
ing pistols of General jackson, borrow
ed by my antagonist from the venerable
hero of the Hermitage, who, by the by,
had certainly no hand in instigating this
duel, and who lived and died my friend,
bestowing upon me an important oi1ce
almost in the last days of his ever glori-
GUS administration The last time /
fought was In 1887, when, after FIVE
shots having been exchanged, the affair
terminated without the least personal
injury to myself, my adversary having
been disabled by my fifth shot, which
had entered his hip.


In the winter of 1928 | had a per-
sonal dispute at the bar with the famous
s. S. Prentiss, during the trial of cap
ital case of much Importance. His Ian
guage though sufficiently retaliated by me
at the time, induced me to send him a
challenge, which ought never to have
thought of doing. He promptly accepted,
proved far better shot than myself, and
wounded me very painfully in the lett
shoulder. We adjusted our dispute be-
fore we left the ground. An indiscreet
friend or two of his spoke disparagingly
of nv conduct on the occasion. | was
highly exasperated, and wrote him note
demanding whether he had given bis
sanction to this act of injustice. He at
once denied doing so. ] published the
correspondence. He placed such an in
terpretation upon my letter to him as
gave him much offense. He proposed re-
opening the fight, which we did on exceed
ingly desperate terms. He shot me down,
giving me an exceedingly dangerous
wound. In three months we were good
friends, and lived in the greatest amity
and harmony up to the period OF his
death, which happened in 1913. Of this
remarkable man, and of Alexander X.
McClung. who waited on me to the field
whom | had my second duel with Mr..
Prentiss, ] shall have something special
to say hereafter, for these were, upon
the whole, among the most remarkable
men | have ever known. In pRtive In
tellect | am satisfied that neither has
had q superior in the Southwestern Sec
ton of tha Union. Both were brave,
affectionate, msgnanimous and patriotic.
I exceedingly doubt whether the State OF
Mississippi will ever have ia her midst
men of loftier bearing, and Of greater
intellectual powers than those friends OF
by.gone years 70 whom have thus
briefly alluded. haze no space here to
sneak of them as feel them both to de-
serve at my hands, but shall take pride
in doing so hereafter.