smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

A stakeholder in one of the mismanagcd
railroads which have come to grief in these
troubous times, uses the columns of The
TRIBUNE this morning TO array before his fel-
low sufferers their grievances and the remedy
1t is quite possible that he gives only a
One-sidcd view of the facts in the ease of
this particular railway. That is the affair
of himself and the other Stockholders
But as to the general principles involved, and
especially as to the effect of the able opinion
from McsSrs. Scwcll, Nandcrpoel and Bennett,
Herewith published, there can be no doubt
This opinion strikes at the root of a gigantic
evil which has been destroying our railway
system, and by holding directors and trustees
to their true responsibility shows at once the
wrong and the remedy.


The conclusions of the opinion commend
themselves tO the common sense Cf all classes
Briefly stated they are those directors or
trustees have no right to seek their own profit
at the expense of the company, its stock
holders, or its bOndhOlders. They have no
right as directors of company to make n
lease from themselves as stockholders OF another
company. They must not place themselves
in a position where as directors it is their
duty to make lease at the lowest rates.
while as stockholders of the road leased it is
their interest to make the lease at the highest
rates Such operations are essentially fraudu-
lent. and n breach of trust The corporation
thus defrauded may find its remedy,
either in having the fraudulent acts
Year: 1876

Three blind men waited upon Mr. Green
yesterday in a solemn and eyeless delegation,
and assured bin that the blind men would
support him for Mayor. And yet Mr.. Green
was probably the one there who could not see
the joke.
Year: 1876

The Democratic arithmetic man never had
such an opportunity before. There is one
county in Colorado in which there is Demo-
cratic gain The gain is one vote, no more,
no less. The Republican arithmetic man, on
the other hand, is likely to be confused with
details He has on his hands a Republican
gain of more than 1000, Legislature two
thirds Republican, three electoral votes for
Hayes, and other things too numerous to men
ton. But that Democratic gain of one Is the
striking thing in the situation. 1t is impress
sive in its lonely, far off grandeur. And then
TO think that it may be the only case OF the
kind this side of the Rocky Mountains
Year: 1876

Few of the conventions that have met under
the shadow of the Centennial Exhibition will
concern themselves with matters of greater
general interest than those which engage the
Conference of Librarians now in session. The
effect of libraries as a means of popular edu-
cation is likely to be discussed under various
aspects from the librarians point of view.
One of the most interesting questions will be
as to the effect of the increased amount of
noyel-reading that results from the facilities
most public libraries afford. Already differ
ence of opinion has been developed on this


subject in the Conference, several speakers
Year: 1876

PROPAGATION OF DISEASE By Birds
There are few more mysterious travellers
than tunes and diseases. A new tune
comes out in London, and six weeks
later it may be heard whistled by boys in
some obscure and distant village, to
which it has found its way in some
manner best known to itself. 1t is the
same with diseases, which creep over the
country silently, swiftly and surely.
although their means OF transit battle the
skill Of the most intelligent members of
the medical profession to divine. A
new theory has now been started, that
the foot and mouth disease, which is so
PREVALENT among cattle, is conveyed
from one district to another, notwith


standing all the precautions taken
against its spread, by birds. A wood
pigeon has, according to the Elgin
Courant, been lately shot near Elgin
which has been declared by veterinary
surgeons and competent medical au-
thorities to have been evidently affected
by foot and mouth disease at the time
Of its death. The body of the unfortu-
nate bird has, it is stated. been sent to
the Veterinary Department of the
Privy Council Office, and it may
throw new light on the subject. Ano-
ther disagreeable notion has also
arisen that the soap is an active agent
in the propagation of disease. The
New York physicians have arrived at
the conclusion that a terrible amount
of illness is occasioned by the impur-
tiles contained in soap, especially in
scented soap.-Pall Mall Gazette.
Year: 1876

News of the snow storm of the 18th ulti. mo, on Mount Washington, was telegraphed the same day to Tunes. The occurrence itself is thus spoken of there:

 The great July snow storm, on Wednes. day morning last, the 26th of July, proved a real novelty and one of the most severe of the year. That morn the sun rose bright and clear, and it was said by all to be the most glorious sunrise" ever seen here. At 6 a. m. the skies began suddenly to cloud and grow overcast, and few minutes after the snow came down thick and fast, re- minding all of heavy January snow storm, while the wind blew perfect gale. The storm ragged over an hour, leaving snow to the depth of three and half inches upon the rocks. Indeed, 1t was novel sight for midsummer, aud as we waded through the snow in various directions it looked so comical, and it was with difficulty one could bring themselves to believe they were on Mount Washington. To celebrate this event everybody went snowballing each other-both old and young entering heartily into the sport of snowballing in summer.
Year: 1876

The Ride Through Hoosac Tuunei

 A correspondent of the Boston Glo6, gives the following description of the ride through Hoosac Tunnel:

 Buckland, Charlemont and Zoar are passed, and as the train darts around the sharp curves, the hills grow more and more precipitous, and the river narrower an6 more brawling, till at last you stop once more, and the brskemen roar 'Hoosac Tun nel.'

 Now you, in accordance with the travel. ler's rule, follow the crowd and betake yourself to the rear platform of the rear car and turn up the collar of your linen duster we'll about your neck, for this IS dusty, dirty work. Every one's eyes are open to take in all the sights to be seen. The train enters a narrow rocky defie, which contracts as you proceed, ,and crack l! you're rattling along under natural stone arch, with your mouth and eyes suddenly full of smoke and cinders. You beat a nasty retreat into the car, and looking out at the rear window you admire the effect of the receeding light at the entrance, and the damp, darkly glisteniug walls of the tunnel. In few seconds the light at the entrance becomes a faint, distant speck, and after few wrinkles through the gloom, becomes lost to sight, and you look at such blackness as you never beheld above ground on the blackest night of your earth lY existence-such darkness that the re dection of your own face in the car window gazes at you with an awe-stricken expres- sion, and it really might seem that the train had cut loose from earth and sunlight and was whirling its four-score passengers through the realm of Nowhere oyer a track of Nothingness. The speed of the engine seems tremendous. There is harsh rat tie clank about the motion of the train that seems almost odd. Why should anything make such 8 loud noise where it is SO dark as this9 Flash! Three or four specks of flame flare up before you and drop behind as quickly. They are the lanterns of the workmen. Suddenly conception of the tremendous work, the awful undertaking of burrowing five miles through the inter minable rock comes across you, and you pity those lonely miners for Q moment
Year: 1876

When the thermometer indicates ninety and nine. you may have noticed that 8 man can get his choler up more easily than he can keep his collar up.

 The Oswego PALLADIUM mentions James Clark and Wife who were born, died and were buried on the same day." Jimmy and his wife must havo been awfully young.

 A Kentucky schOolmaster whose wife was one of his pupils had occasion to pun ish her one day. The next day the school. house door bore thls inscription School closed for one week; schoolmaster ill.
Year: 1876

Then you hear the locomotive give hoarse roar, which is caught by thousand demon echoes, and hurled back and forward from rocky wall 10 wall, till it dies away in the Egyptian darkness. A faint glow simmer ing along the slimy sides warns you that you are coming to some light ahead and ln moment you pass two lanterns, one suspended above the other Near by you catch faint but terribly suggestive glimpse of rope ladder hanging from "the central shaft," which extends from the center of the tunnel to the mountain top: You are now halfway through. Eight minutes have passed since you entered the east end. Agaln the faint, inefficient gleam dies away flickering feebly in the distance, and you are alone with the subterranesn night Tho darkness Is oppressive. One would think that he could perhaps get glimpse of the side walls st times, but his efforts are only rewarded bv an accurate reflection of the inside of the car.

 This is so oppressive that when you ap- proach daylight at the other end you arc quite rejoiced to see the bright, beautiful sunshine again. At first you begin to see faint shadows drift by the windows; then these faint shadows become dripping rocks :; then they reveal themselves palmer and plainer, until with grand burst, which sets you to blinking like scared owl, you emerge from the western end Of the tun- nel, and looking back you see 'Hoosac, lS74,' cut in the granite coping which adorns the entrance. You have been about fifteen minutes coming through A short run lands you in North Adams, lively, thrifty and beautifully situated city, from which you may trip over to Troy, N. Y., ln about an hours time.
Year: 1876

Kent Tax List.-We are indebted to Mir. Town Clerk Gibbs, of Kent, for the following list of tax payers in the town of Kent, who pay tax of twenty-five dollars and over. The rate is cent and half on dollar, and the list is for 1875, payable
Year: 1876

This matter has brought the liquor ques- tion forward as prominent topic of con- versation among the quidnuncs at oul village stores.

 One thing is pretty evident, that our pres- ent laws for the suppression of intemper- ance don't suppress worth cent.

 Not long since several disgraceful drunk en hrawls occurred right in the heart of our village, and number of prominent burgh- CTS were grossly insulted in their places of business, and little or no notice was taken of it. What is the difficulty? Surely no fault can be found with the law on account of it's leniency. It is arbitrary and se- we're enough. No; the real trouble is, there is not moral backbone enough in this con- munity to enforce the present or any other liquor law. The howl and cry for pro- hibitorY law is simply ridiculous. It would be no more effectual than the present one. Every one of course has his own pet theory as to the most efficient way of checking intemDerance. Every one has his peculiar views about the liquor question, anl bis plan for eradicating or remedying the evil or lntemperance. If you have space enough and care to publish them will give you mine.

 Prohibition is wrong anyway in principle. and if wrong in principle no end or object will justify it's enactment. You have just as much right to prescribe by legislative enactment that man shall not sell pickles, opium or tobacco, as to say he shall not sell intoxicating liquor. The selling of liquor is not crime itself, nor even the excessive drinking of it.

 If man retires to his room and gets drunk he has committed no offense against human society or human laws, provided
Year: 1876

The Tribune says the presence of the Mayor
during the disturbance last week and his civ.
ing the officers no encouragement to make ar-
rests was an excuse for their neglect of duty.
This is a misstatement. The Mayor was not
present ut the time stated. We leel confident
that The I ribune will make the necessary cor
acknowledgements.


The TRIBUNE is always willing
and anxious to correct any misstate-
ment it makes. The Mayor informs
US that he was not present during all
the disturbance on the day mention
ed, and that he did not order the ar
rest Of the disturber because a peace
officer present assured him (the
Mayor that there was no cause for
arrest. This exonerates the Mayor
from having discouraged arrest, and
leaves the blame upon the Constable,
whose Misrepresentation misled the
Mayor. The Chief of Police was not
present at the time stated Had he
been, the peace of the city would no
doubt have been better preserved.
Year: 1876

The Highland correspondent of
the Democrat tells the public that


the people out there are almost q
unit for Tilden and Hendricks. He
might have added, with equal truth,
"as they would be for anything pre-
sented to them labeled Democratic"
Year: 1876

TIE RIVER ON FRE.-Dame Nature.
who is continually astonishing us with
her freaks, treats the world to new
phenomenon. In small stream in q
certain part of Pennsylvania, bubbles,
of gas have long been seen on the sur
face of the water, but short time ago
they so much increased that the smell
of gas was perceptible, and a gentleman
set fire to it, by throwing a bundle of
rags soaked in kerosene, and lighted,
Before the bundle reached the surface
of the water the gas ignited and slight
explosion followed. In portion of the
stream small flames sprang up. Since
that day the gas has continued toburn,
and the area has increased until now
the fires extend quarter of a mile
down the run. At night the scene is
magnificent. The fires light up the
dark forests and sparkle on the waters,
making a spectacle rarely witnessed.
This stream is contiguous to oil territory.
The gas probably comes from petroleum
deposits beneath the water.
Year: 1876

A LION SToRY.-A story is told of a
lion which was brought from India, and
which, on the passage, grew very fond
of a sailor who had charge of him. His
name was Nero. On being shut up in a
cage in London, he grew sulky, and was
very fierce when any one came near
him, SO that it was dangerous even for
his keeper to approach him. One day,
a few weeks after Nero had been shut up
in his new prison, party of sailors Wis
tied the menagerie, and were warned by
the keeper not to go near the lion, who,
every now and then growled savagely at
those who were looking at him. All at
once one of these sailors ran up to the
cage, and, thrusting in his hand, cried
out, What. old shipmateI don't you
know me? What cheer, old Nero, my
lsdP" The lion instantly left off feed
ing and growing, sprang up to the bars
of the cage, and put out his nose be-
tween them. Jack patted him on the
head, and the lion rubbed his hand
with his whiskers like q cat, showing
evident signs of pleasure. "Ahl" said
Jack, turning to the keeper and specta-
tors, who stood frightened and in aston
ishment, Nero and I were once ship
mates, and you see he isn't like some
folks; he don't forget an old friend"
Year: 1876

The history of the Chinese queues is
told by the Rev. Julius Doolittle, mis-
sionary in China, as follows: The
first Emperor of the present dynasty,
who began to reign in 1914, having
usurped the throne, determined to make
the tonsure of Manchuria, his native
country, the token of the submission of
the Chinese to his authority. He or
dered them to shave all the head, ex-
cepting the crown, and allowing the
hair on that part to grow long and dress
it according TO the custom of Man
churM. The Chinese had been accus-
toned, under native emperors, to wear
long hair over the whole head, and to
arrange it in a tuft or coil. The change
was gradual, but finally prevailed
through the Empire. At trst those who
shaved their heads and conformed to
the laws, received, it is said, a present
of q tael of silver, after q while only
half a tael, and then only tenth of a
tael, and afterward only an egg-fnally
even an egg was not allowed. The law
requiring the people to shave their
heads and braid the queue was not often
rigidly enforced by the penalty of i'm
mediate death, but became very mani
fest that those who did not conform to
the wishes of the dominant dynasty
would never become successful in a
lawsuit against those who did conform,
nor would they succeed at the literary
examinations.
Year: 1876

The whole examining force of the
patent Office at Washington numbers
about one hundred, of which two are
ladies. OF course, among such a large
number, there are to be found men of
every kind. Some are so liberal that
they will never grant a patent when
they can possibly refuse it; others go
to the opposite extreme Each one hay
ing his own idea of what constitutes an
invention, of what is useful, many ri
diculous patents have been granted.
One man obtained a patent for q COM
bined plough and cannon. Whenever
the farmer, while at work in the field
saw any savages or tramps approaching,
he was to unhitch his team so as to get
them from before the muzzle, apply his
match, and say his prayers, for the
farmer was a good deal more apt to be
killed by the recoil, than the savages
by the shot. In case the cannon went
off while in use as pillow, it was unfor-
tunate for both the team and the farmer.
A patent was granted to another person
for tying brick to cows tail, SO as to
prevent her switching her tail in his
eyes while milking. Another received
a patent for placing house on rollers,
SO that in case of an earthquake the
house would not be shaken to pieces.
Still another received a patent for COM
bined trunk and house. The trunk is
made with triple walls, so that by tax
ing the articles out of the trunk, and
extending the two extra walls, house
is formed.
Year: 1876

INVISIBLE MUsIC.-Thomas Moore, in
his diary, tells an amusing story of an
English nobleman who wished to sur
prise his guests by invisible music.
His plan was SO original and ingenious
that he felt certain no one could dis
cover the secret. He designed to place
"seven and twenty fddlers in an apart
ment underground, from which music
might be communicable by tubes to any
part of the house." The project was
never fully carried out, and the estate
was sold. But Lord Landsdovne, who
purchased it, confirmed the truth of the
story, with the single exception of sub
stituting an organ in place of the fid-
dlers. He said that in making some re-
pairs in the house the pipes were dis
covered which had been laid by the
former proprietor to carry out the mu-
sical scheme.


1t is possible that the nobleman bor-
rowed his idea from a project published
by an inveterate joker. When the
water-works were established at Chel-
sea, this joker, in q serio-comic article.
suggested that huge organ might cas-
lily be built underground, with con-
Meeting pipes, 50 that families could be
supplied with sacred music by turning
O cock,
Year: 1876

A great deal of talent is lost in the
world for the want of little courage
Every day sends to the grave number of
obscure men, who have only remained in
obsourity because their timidity has pre-
vented them from making first effort, and
who, il they could have been induced to
begin, would in all probability have gone
great lengths in fame. The fact is, to do
anything in the world worth doing, we must
not stand back shivering and think OF the
cold and the danger but just jump in and
scramble through as well as We can. It will
not do to be perpetually calculating tesks
and adjusting nice chances. 1t did very well
before the hcod where man could subsist
his friends upon an intended publication
for a hundred and fifty years, and then live
to see its SUCCESS afuerward. But at pres
ent man waits and doubts hesitates and
consults his brother, and his uncle, and
particular friends, Until one fine day he
finds he is sixty years Of age that he has
lost so much time in consulting his first
cousin and particular friends, that he has
no more to follow their advice
Year: 1876

A New York dealer in fire.orackors has
narrowly escaped earning the everlasting
gratitude of large portion of the people.
He had set to work to make a " corner in
crackers, and run up the price to some
enormous figure Unfortunately, he failed,
or we might now be reveling in the bliesful
satisfaction Of seeing crackers offered at
ten dolare pack, and torpedoes at fifty
cents apiece. The name Of this genuine
philanthropist has not been made public
Year: 1876

HOW THEY ATTEND TO PRIVATE PRACTICE AND


NEGLECT THEIR OFFICIAL DUTIES.


Two months ago Commissioner Erhardt placed upon
trial of the police surgeons for neglect OF duty 1t
proceeding without parallel, and the police sur
geons grew savage at the ndignity." week passed
by and another surgeon treated in q similar man
decided improvement now soon became notice.
able in the work of the doctors Calls for surgical aid
answered with reasonable promptness and their
private practice permitted await the perform
OF their official duties From every district in the
city surgeons 1ocked to Headquarters to pay
homage to the new chief One surgeon who
had for years drawn his salary of 81, 500 year
while he lived in Yonkers, and professed TO
calls night and day in downtown precinct, hastily
moved into town and commenced giving little of his
time to the Police Department Another police
surgeon found not to be an N. d. at ALL although
he had practsed three years as one other short
comngs to light and the Board of Surgeons was
placed the ragged edge.n


Yesterday Surgeons Walker Powell Dorne, Steinert
Wade, Cook, Mcleod and Ensign were put upon trial
before Commissioner Erhardt for falling to
call for surgical aid from the Ninth precinct station


man was brought into the Ninth ward station house
with his skull fractured the result accident The
sergeant in command at once despatched officer for
the district surgeon, Dr. Walker The officer returned
saying he not at home. The OF the defendants
were each in turn sent for, but none answered the call
In the meantime the with the fractured skull grew
weaker and weaker. AT last surgeon found an
the patient received attention In nearly every case
the reason given for failure TO the call was
gagement IN private practice. All admitted having
learned of the call their return their respect,
residences but yet none answered for the that
"they thought some other surgeon had gone instead -
II thus leaked out that pretty little understanding
existed among the surgeons pleasant enough for them,
but very damaging TO the poor patient with broken
arm or fractured skull who might be diving for want
OF surgical aid II seems that the custom has been
never 10 respond 10 call unless homo
when II was made. II police surgeon hap
pened to be absent in his private practice
and returning found that policeman had called for
him. he paid no attention 10 the CALL as 1t was the
custom always when surgeon did not happen to be
at home for the police TO send for the next When
this explanation was made yesterday the Commissioner
said:-"Then If all the police surgeons the city hap
pen be engaged in private practce at the time
the victim nf an accident lying in station house
might die so far as the police surgeons concerned
The wore all referred to the full Board for de-
csion.