smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1872

by the fame than rick of hay in the open field
ignited by the descending bolt There is nothing
surprising in this, for most of these roofs
are only immense tinder boxes for setting
whole cities aHame. They make no preten-
sions toward being freproof for they are built
of wood, and are readily ignited either from
within or without. This is wrong so ap-
parent as to be criminal. Like the new build
ing on the former site of the HERALD establish
ment, now in course Of construction, all large
buildings should be as secure at top as at bot
tom, and the roof should rest only upon iron.
If this had been the case with 'the high Man
sard. overtopping all the houses in the vicin-
ity," seventy acres of Boston would not be in
ashes nor hundred millions of capital re-
duced to dust.


We may preach as we please Of the pre-
cautions against fire in our large cities, but
we shall preach without effect while narrow,
sinuous streets and dangerous buildings only
serve as the conductors of flame. No fire.
department., however efficient no supply of
water however abundant and accessible, not
even the admirable method finally adopted in
Boston, of undermining barrier against the
flames, is sufficient protection. What we
want is security against fire by making fire
impossible. To do this many of our
cities so laboriously constructed must in great
part be reconstructed. The tumble-down and
combustible buildings must disappear with
the narrow, crooked streets. It is o desperate
remedy, we know, and one not to be rashly or
carelessly undertaken, for it is like cutting
cancer out of the living, healthful flesh. In
either case, if the remedy is applied with wis
dom and skill, the result is beneficial The
sick man grows well and strong after the pain
full operation; the imperilled city becomes
secure and rich. If we had broad, wide streets
in the slums which centre at the Five
Points vice would retreat before the appre-
citation of property. Even the busy haunts
about Nassau and Wall streets would
become more valuable if there was greater
security against fire-security to be attained
only by ireproof buildings and broad thor
oughfarcs. Thus il. is plain that the interest
as well as the security of New York is in oblit-
Grating old landmarks and building new
city on the site Of the old. We failed to take
the Chicago lesson to heart, and now comes
the same lesson from Boston's misfortune 1t
may be our turn to suffer- as we suffered in
the great fire Of 1885, and as Chicago and
Boston are suffering now, unless we act upon
the warnings we have received.
Year: 1872




The members of the French Legislative
Assembly reassembled in session, after the
recess propagation, at Versailles yesterday.
The representative attendance was unusually
numerous, there being scarcely a vacant seat
in the Chambers hall at the moment Of the
official opening of the sitting. The leaders
of the more powerful aud distinct political
parties Of the hour were present. Citizens
the Duke dAumale and Prince de Joinville
were in their places, as was NJ Royher. with
his Bonapartist affiliations, and M. Gambetta,
with his notions of democratic progress onward
toward the perfection Of the radical red idea
of the republican system Of government
His Excellency President Theirs appeared
pronounoement of the seasonal power. The
presence of the Chief Of State was hailed on
all sides with cheers. The regular organiza-
ton of the Assembly for the transaction
of business will, it is hoped, be COM
pleted to-day. The Duke de Broglie and
M. Marc Girardin are spoken of as likely to be
offered, one of them by the party of the Right
for the position of President of the Assembly
in place Of NJ. Grevy. There is political eau
GUS and, apparently, very active canvass for
the attainment Of party power, SO that the
proceedings are likely to become quite ami
mated within q few days. The sentiment
generally prevailing among the members, re-
publicans and monarchists alike, appears to
be healthily national for the sustainment of
the democratic form of rule, and strongly
opposed to any experimental tamperings with
the constitutional principle which was vindi-
Gated by tho French nation against imperial
ism, and which has been cherished and
nurtured by the French people to its present
power of recuperative vitality under very
dangerous and most disheartening circum-
stances.
Year: 1872

2 The ORIGIN OF OF THE FRE.-As from small
acorns great oaks do grow, SO it is that from
most trifing causes widespread calamities are
oftentimes derived. One account OF the Bos-
ton fire traces its origin to an overheated fur
mace in the basement of building on the
corner of Kingston and Summer streets. This
of itself might have been insufficient to pro-
duce conhagration, but as there happened to
be an elevator way above the furnace the
draught therefrom famed the heat into
blaze, which very soon communicated to the
floors above, and the rest is sad and fearful
history,
Year: 1872

The Boston Post comes to us printed on o hall
sheet, with its usual pleasant column OF GAN Sorts"
and editorialy expressing Its congratulations In
the midst of the ruins Of Its material edifce that
the destruction is no greater. Says the POST


se ~ Tck ana a1u o tc ~
merchandise, there Is yet remaining even
to the greatest sufferers an energy that
will wrest benefit from the fiery trial. Among
the causes OF thankfulness discoverable even
In the midst Of such trouble Is the compare
tive immunity from personal suffering that has
been experienced. The fire was SO closely confined
to the business portion Of the city that while eat
ing up the millions of property with every advan
tage In its favor, IL touched few dwellings and
turned out few families into the Streets
Year: 1872

THE FIRE AND THE WALL STREET EXCITE
MENT.-As usual in such extraordinary cases,
the first reports Of the losses at Boston prove
to have been greatly exaggerated. The total
losses will not exceed one hundred millions,
and may fall as low as seventy-ive millions.
Of this sum the insurance companies Of New
York city and State will have to pay nearly
fifteen millions and the English insurance
companies about as much more. The res,
falls upon the Boston and Eastern companies
and some few Philadelphia and Western COM
panies Wall street and Broadway will stand
their share with only few bankruptcies
and avert the impending panic.
Year: 1872

0reO ConO1OAto's OOnAUSlOhs


WASHINGTON, Nov. IL, 1872.


The Boston fire has but momentarily inter
rupted the anxious discussion here Of the changes
through every grade Of oicial position that to
mark the opening OF the second term OF the Presi-
dent. In the inferior places there will be but little
movement, but as the grades ascend to Chief of
Bureau the prospects are brighter Tor the aspirants
for place. With respect to the Cabinet the Presi-
dent will be subjected to no other embarrassment
than that Of satisfactorily dlsposing of the retiring
members without displacing other oGlcials who ex-
pect to retain their positions. The certainty as it
Is admitted to be in the best-informed circles that
all the present Cabinet except Secretary De-
lano and Attorney General Williams, will be
counted out with the present term, makes
the task of placing such as require suitable ofces
outside the Cabinet matter OF difficulty.
Secretary Fish is said by his friends to desire
nothing beyond the retention of the cordial friend
ship subsisting between himself and the President,
and the kind treatment Of the personal and political
friends on whom he has bestowed Offices suited to
their capacities. Secretary Robson, who desires
to go abroad covets vacant foreign mission, but
will permit none to be vacated expressly to make
place for him; and Postmaster General Creswell
is said to be willing to take anything that an
ex-senator and Cabinet Minister can take
with propriety. There is absolutely no rea-
Bile data concerning the successorship to the
Cabinet Offices soon to be vacated by the
present incumbents, the President evading ali
attempts to smoke him out and manifesting no
disposition to take anybody into his confidence
except those Immediately concerned, it being
doubted, even by friends, II he has exchanged
word with anybody as yet on the subject.
Senator Harlan is known to be anxious for a seat
at the council board, and II he cannot get the State
Department, will be content to relieve his fellow
Iowan at the War department, But the most care.
full inquiry fails to indicate anything in favor of his
prospects, and it is known that he Is personally
disfavored, and must count on his assumed poti.
cal strength and party services In the last session
and during the campaign for support to his preten-
sions. But to get the War Department he must be
acceptable to General Sherman, as the President,
with so many to choose from, will unquestionably
be careful to put nobody over the Generain-Ch
who cannot establish and maintain the same per-
sonal relations that exist now, and must continue
to exist, between the heads OF the War Depart
ment and the army. The c0lored aspirant for
Cabinet honors has met the fate that has befallen
the long line OF white predecessors whose "cIamsr
and chances were prematurely advertised by
themselves or partisans, his name being only men,
toned with derison and his selfasserted rights
repelled by the Presidents friends and the local
politicians OF his own color.
Year: 1872

Public attention is just now thoroughly
aroused to the necessity of adopting additional
precautions against the danger Of an extensive
conhagration. We have been startled from
our fancied security by the fate that has be-
fallen Boston, which was supposed to be
better guarded than even we claim to be.
Now that the reliance of Boston on its admira-
bly, organized Fire Department has proved
calamitous, we begin to be alarmed lest we
also have been resting our hopes on an equally
rotten foundation. The suggestion which we
advanced yesterday that the Fire Department
should be authorized, in cases of pressing
urgency to blow down buildings where it
might be considered necessary to check the
progress of fire, has been taken up by the
meeting of citizens held at the Chamber of
Commerce. In view Of the experience gained
at Boston the desrableness of attaching a
section Of engineers to the Fire Depart
ment cannot be questioned, and we hope
this reform will be at once carried
into effect. But this precaution can only be
adopted in view of extreme cases such as
fire making Roadway in spite Of the efforts of
a well-organized fire service. Now we hold
that, while it is well to be prepared for the
worst, we can avoid the necessity OF having
recourse to heroic measures by utilizing all the
means at our disposal for subduing fires before
they can make such headway as to endanger
the safety of the city or any large portion of
it. Our position, surrounded by water, gives
us such facilities for fighting the flames that
we need have no fear of the result if only we
will use the advantages which nature affords
US. BY the aid of force pumps, with thor
ough system of pipes laid through the city in
all directions, we could secure an inexhausti-
blesupply OF water, which would place us in
position to struggle with effect against the
spread of fire and place us beyond danger
from failure in the supply Of so essential an
element as water.
Year: 1872

The Merchants Meeting for tho Relief


OF Boston.


A large meeting Of our prominent CONNER
oial men was held yesterday at the Chamber of
Commerce in relation to the Boston catas-
trophe. The heartiest sympathy and most
effective assistance were profered by the mer-
chants Of the metropolis to their Massachu-
setts neighbors who are sufferers by this ap-
palling and unanicipated blow. It was de-
cided to appoint committee to consider what
measures can be devised for the relief Of the
distress resulting from tho enormous destruc-
ton of property, Of books and papers, and the
interruption Of trade. This committee will
probably report their plan at the adjourned
meeting to be held to-day. The sentiment ex-
hibited by this assemblage of the substantial
men who give tone TO the commerce of New
York was of that noble and generous sort
which only was to be expected All were
anxious to do promptly, yet with the utmost
delicacy and prudence, oil that is possible for
one great body of wealthy and enterprising
merchants to do to soften blow which has
crippled neighboring community OF Like
kind and help to repair its damage New
York stood beside Boston last year in helping
Chicago. To-day she will not be wanting in
efficient assistance to Boston in reconstructng
her trade And while they thus show gen.
erous sympathy with a stricken neighbor our
merchants look wisely to their own combus-
tible warehouses; and repeat inquiries SO often
suggested by the HERALD as to the feasibility
Of building our own city more safely and fur
nishing 1t better appliances for controlling
fires. If the fearful lessons from Boston and
Chicago find New York prudent and teachable
she will s'out Of this nettle danger pluck the
flower safety by adopting means by which
she may avoid similar calamity.
Year: 1872


BY order OF the supreme government the tarlfr OF
1856 for the importation OF merchandise to the
interior remains In force until the 3lst OF Decem-
ber, 1872, and the privileges Of the Free Zone have
been fully restored,
Year: 1872

The remains of General George G. Meade
were inferred yesterday at Laurel Hill Gene
terry, Philadelphia, as will be seen by our
report in another part of the paper, with all
the honors becoming the distinguished soldier
and hero. General Mcdowell, commanding
the Department Of the East, had charge of
the arrangements and carried them out in q
fitting manner. President Grant and Generals
Sherman and Sheridan, besides number of
other heroes of the war, both military and
naval, and host of eminent citizens, attended
the funeral. We need not go over the details
Of this last and sad ceremony, as they are told
in our columns this morning 1t is proper to
say on this occasion, however, that the,
grief over the remains of General Meade,
both of the public and those who knew
him personally and of his companions in.
arms, was profound. Not only is General
Meade's name embalmed in the memory
of his countrymen for his long and important
services, and particularly for that crowning act
of his military career, the battle of Gettysburg,
when at the most critical period of the war he
turned the doubtful balance in favor of the
Union, but also for his noble and pure char
acter. He was the model Of a gentleman, and
one of the best and highest types Of our Ameri-
can civilization and institutions. In manner
he was simple as a child, yet so noble, digni-
fed and lofty in principle that he would have
done honor to any country in the world, what
ever its form of government or however ele-
waited its social system. He had such delicate
sense of duty and propriety as high officer of
the army that he was careful not to obtrude his
political views though no citizen could be
more patriotic, and few, perhaps, knew what
were his political opinions. No prominent
man. probably, had fewer enemies or was more
generally esteemed. The nation has lost one
of its most renowned servants and best citizens
when scarcely beyond the prime Of his life, and
may well mourn over the sad bereavement.
Year: 1872

diary. Its wide streets and substantial build
ings were better protection against destruc-
ton by fire than the weapons or the courage
of its defenders. So it must be with every
city we'll and wisely built If Boston had
long ago exchanged its crooked cowpaths for
wide and straight avenues fire at the corner
Of Kingston and Summer streets would not
have swept everything before it from Wash
ington street to the water and almost as far as
Faneuil Hall. Failing to take this necessary
precaution, Boston now suffers as many other
cities suffered before this latest lesson was
added to the long list Of the calamities Of the
past.


There is one point in this Boston fire which
must not be overlooked. 1t was O Mansard
roof which lifted up and scattered the flames
broadcast over the city. any une VINO will
take the trouble TO look up at some of the
buildings now under construction in this city
will readily understand the dangers which
lurk under these frail, insufficient and COM
bustible roofs. In Broadway, between Union
sqnare and Twenty-third street, and in the
latter street are buildings recently covered
which some day or other may do for New York
what similar structure has just done for
Boston. One of the correspondents of the
HERALD, in describing the origin of the fire and
the rapid spread of the flames, refers to this
building as surmounted by high Mansard,
overtopping all the houses in the vicinity
Upon this elevated fre-box the flames roared
and cracked and were at once carried by the
high wind from roof to roof, block to block,
corner to corner. An hour before it looked
grand enough and secure enough, but the fire
gave the lie to all its pretensions of grandeur
and security. 1t was licked up more readily
Year: 1872

1t will not help the cause Of the repub-
lican party or Geu Grant to abuse aud
disparage Charles Sumner. He is one Of
the graudest historical characters OF our
time, standing almost alone III the iin.
inensity Of his intellect aud the subimity
OF his patriotism and integrity He is
the ideal of democratic senator in Il
republic approaching more nearly, the
Roman model than any man that lives
to-day. His life is record of absolute
fidelity to liberty and human rights-of
that rare virtue that clings to right in the
absence of reward and at the expense of
preierment. In the struggle against
slavery and caste he has been the fore.
most man in America, aud through all
the mutations Of our politics, the apostasy
OF somo leaders and the lukewarmness OF
others, Charles Sumner has been consist
ent in his rigid devotion to repubicanism
in the widest meaning Of the term.


1t is said that Mr.. Sumner "has done
some service tor the black man as against
his democratic enemies," but it was "the
great republican party that gave him
liberty, citizenship, his rights as human
beirg, protection from democratic knklux,
and laws which compel his enemies TO
treat him as a human being and not as a
beast" 1t will be readily granted that
it was the republican party Of the couu-
try that did all these things for the color
ed man, simply because every intelligent
man knows that in free land the act OF
ono individual could not effect so much,
but the republicans did all these at the
instigatiou of Charles Sumner indeed at
the coercion of his mighty brain aud
eloquent tongue He was an emancipa-
touist before Abraham Lincoln dreamed
of issuing his proclamation. He advoca-
ted universal suffrage in the Senate years
before the republican party in convention
assembled had the temerity to say SC
slight thing as that, while the suffrage
question in the loyal states belonged tc
the people thereof, at the South it should
be granted to the loyal blacks aud he
alone, even as late as the last session oI
Congress, Of all the republicans in the
Senate, dared advocate a measure that
gave the black man the last full measure
of liberty and equality.


We deeply regret the present position
OF Senator Sumner. but more the personal
abuse that is heaped upon him, and while
: We hold that every colored man owes il
as sacred duty to support the republi
can party and General Grant in the pres
ent crisis, we hope none will be found ,un
grateful and ungenerous. to raise his hand
against the best and most faithful fricut
that ever espoused the cause Of the weaI
or oppressed on this continent.
Year: 1872

Frederick Douglass makes good point
when, apropos of ireeley, he asserts that
"a man who abaudous party because
his party has not the same sanse Of his
personal NESTS that he has himself, and
who joins another, hoping for better
luck with the new than with the old, may
be courageous as well as cunning, hut it


is impossible to commend such an one for
politics wisdom or virtue. lie acts upon
the principal that what is good for him
must be good for the country, and makes
himself greater than the nation, and
athrms that part is more than the whole


He puts himself first, aud country last.
Year: 1872

party is duty of the hour. Its triumph
is the triumph Of peace, law, justice: its
defeat the practical reinstatement Of
labor aud the revival Of anarchy through
out the States of the South
Year: 1872

Speak kindly in the morning. it
lightens the cares of the day. and makes
household and all other affairs move
alnng more smoothly. Speak Kindly at
night, for il NAV bo that before the dawn
some loved one may finish his or her
spau OF life Tor this world, and it will be
too late to ask forgiveness.
Year: 1872

Our friend whose syn-sight was not
good, was recommended to try glasses.
He saws he went and took four at the
nearest drinking saloon, and the result
was that his sight was So much improved
,hat lao could spp doublp
Year: 1872

BE CAREFuIn these days. when tight hats hot air. and
sedenary occupations. the hair fall matter
of little Importance to know which of the hair preparations
OF value The majority has been proved
by the first dermatOogts hairdoctorS, little
merit Such being the tact. 1t is consong those are
afflicted to know there really which
recommended and used by the first medical authority
This preparation is Halls VEGE
TABLE SICILIAN HAIR RENEwER,-a truly scientific
compound which the OF the
kind before the American public 1t will restore
hair its original color cleanse tho head thoroughly cure
eruption Of the scalp will always long
remain, they almost invariably
old has destroyed the roots The original
Is, 1868,
Year: 1872

PoLITICAL NOTEs.-We publish on the
next page an interesting batch of political
notes" clipped as they are passing the rounds
of our exchanges They are not published
with a partisan view but are of a general
character and intended merely to show the
drift in political sentiment.
Year: 1872

unknown What adduced before the Grand Jury


but suelento the Jury in finding


bill against Platter the author of the deed and he
Friday arrested by Sheriff SDsrks and committed to
Easton Jail. His trial will off in July. Platter swe to do
During the he Joined the rebel and whilst Lees
marreda Virginia lady and deserted her He home
and that he married until his wife
Eaon search oi MIN. She found him at his farm and
making her appearance left the premises TO his
mothers taking all the furniture from his house In two
weeks time found dead the road side.