smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

upon its gravity. He may simply have gone
away, to return after few days all right The
daring plan of abducting in broad daylight
wealthy gentleman, stranger to the coun-
try and its tongue, having or supposed to
have, valuables upon his person, is not at
all beyond the capacity of our intelligent
thieves, and is hence particularly startling
IT, however-and we may be pardoned for
stating 1.-THE missing Cuban came here
upon what he might think clandestine
business, and that some bold rogues
became cognizant of it, the apparent
acquiescence in what Senor Halgado may
have deemed an arrest might be easily ex-
planned. On the same theory the neglect of
Moren to follow his ''upcle" would assume
the shape of desire not to be arrested him
SELF We do not wish to do any person an
injustice, but it is plainly the duty of the
police to examine all the clews
Year: 1876

Nine gentlemen of the Railroad CON-
mittee of the Assembly now have in their
hands the Killian bill, requiring that horse
car companies shall run cars enough to ac/
commodate their passengers without making
each car equal to perambulating ''black
hole of Calcutta" Six of these gentlemen
are from country counties, two are from this
city and one is from Brooklyn. Both of the
members from this city have expressed Them
selves in favor of the principle involved in
the bill. Though not ready to support the
bill they, it may be supposed, will support
an analogous measure. None of the other
seven members seem to be familiar with the
subject-neither informed as to the bill nor
acquainted with the grievance it aims to re.
dress. In fact, the state of mind of the whole
nine members is, as near as can be seen with
the naked eye, that they are ''open to con-
viction." Now from what side their conyic-
tions are most accessible is point that the
future must solve. They who only know OF
the grievance from what they read, the
country members who never ride in horse
cars, may be more easily convinced than
those who reside in cities. But the member
from Brooklyn and the two members from
this city will probably not be convinced with
out good solid reasons. 1t must be admitted,
however, that the car companies are masters
of logic that adapts itself to every capacity.
Year: 1876

Senator Morton must feel rather cheap at
Pinchbacks claim to a seat indorsed, and
the Senate itself has won something quite
the reverse of laurels. The State of Louisi-
ana has been deprived for three years of its
full representation in the Senate by the
failure to decide this case. The delay is in
excusable, because all the facts were as well
known at the beginning as they are now.
There were solid grounds for rejecting him
when he first appeared with Governor Kel-
logg's certificate, and as nothing has been
added to the evidence within the last two
years the unwarranted delay in reaching the
decision has simply had the effect of de-
frauding State of that equal representation
in the Senate to which it is entitled by the
constitution A delay of justice is tantamount
to denial of justice, and the State of Louis
lana has been thus wronged not by any lack
of evidence for reaching decision, but by
the lowest kind of unscrupulous partisan
maneuvres. Pinchback has been at last re-
jected on the report made by the Senate
Committee of Investigation two or three
years ago. The delay is scandalous, and the
republican Senators do not wipe out the
scandal by just decision at this late day.


1t is virtual decision against the right of
Governor kellogg to hold his present Office,
for lie and the Legislature by which Pinch
back was chosen Senator were elected by the
same fraudulent means. Pinchback's claim
is set aside on the ground that he was not
chosen by valid Legislature, but the title
of that Legislature was just as good
as that of the Governor who was
falsely counted in by the same in
famous Returning Board. There is, indeed,
a technical distinction which takes the right
of the Governor out of the scope of this de-
cision, because the election of Senator by
q valid Legislature would be valid even if it
was certified by bogus Governor, or even
if it were not certified at all, as the Senate
could accept other evidence of the election.


1t is reported that Pinchback does not vet
abandon all hope and that he means to 90
back to Louisiana and ask Governor Kellogg
to appoint him to fill the vacancy. We arc
confident that Governor kellogg will do
ho0hihb Va ehO hihu, OcOduSe ~ WOulu DrlnR
his own title to Office within the jurisdiction
of the Senate and furnish motive ior call
ing it in question. The logic of the recent
decision would compel the Senate to reject
an appointment by Kellogg whose right has
the same flaw as that of the Legislature
which elected Pinchback. This circum-
stance will make him very cautious whom
he appoints to fill the vacancy, and exclude
Pinchback from the field of choice.
Year: 1876

the law in some form or other will deal with
Belknap. He will float off like bubble in
the next rain and be forgotten. All that
remains of him is, the fearful example, and
that will soon be historic. Shall we whirl
on in our career, learning nothing forgetting
nothing? Can we not do something towards
bringing the government back to the customs
of the fathers? Is there no way of decen-
tralization? Can we not have q Presidency
that means just respect for the rights of
the people, for law and custom and prece-
dent? Is there no restoring the civil service
to what it was when jackson and his troopers
came into power and plundered every de-
partment of its patronage as they would
have plundered an Indian camp. This is
the solemn political lesson underlying the
whole Belknap business. We may send
Belknap to Jail, and hundred others like
him we may even impeach the President
and his whole Cabinet, and the evil will live,
for it is in our political system. AS matters
now stand the election of q democratic
President would be no remedy. 1t would
be one colony of rats driving another out
of the bin. The same amount of grain
would be eaten. The democratic party in
New York, and in the apportionment of
patronage in the House, showed its want of
respect for real civil service. 1t is not any.
party success that will reach the evil. The
people must do 1.-THE honest men in both
parties. Democrats and republicans must
see alike that there is a duty in this cam
paign which as yet no party proposes to ade-
quately perform. Unless this duty is made
paramount there will be a political revolu-
ton that will sweep away both organizations.
In five years we have seen Tweed and
Belknap-one is century plant of political
democracy, the other of political republi-
canism. Do honest democrats and repub-
licans propose to rest in silence under
domination which has overwhelmed the
country with this twofo Id shame
Year: 1876

OF Mr. OArAAhSs


There was never more righteous proceed.
ing in tribunal of justice than the prosecu.
ton of William A. Darling and Spencer K.
Green, late officers of the broken Third Ave-
nue. Savings Bank, for perjury in making
false returns to the Bank Superintendent at
Albany of the condition of that rotten
institution. OF all the forms of robbery
none is so heartless and wicked as enticine
the poor to deposit their frugal savings
in an insolvent bank from which
they cannot recover them. The small
provision for carrying poor families
through Sickness hard winters and tempo
rary loss of employment should be regarded
as more sacred than any other species Of
property and as better entitled to protection
both by the Legislature and courts of fjustice.
The victims of Mr.. Darling can never recover
the money out of which he cheated them, but
the courts ought to make such an example of
him as will serve as a terror and warning to
other men intrusted with the custody ofpoor
peoples savings. That Mr.. Darling COM
mitted wilful perjury there can be no doubt,
and it will be the opprobrium of
justice if he is not made to suffer
the penalty of his crime The statute
Of limitations will shield him unless
the officers of the law act with vigor, the
statement which he supported by false
oath having been made March IA, 1871, so
that the five years are on the point of expir-
ing. He was committed by Justice Duffy on
Wednesday, and the case was again argued
yesterday before Judge Westbrook on writ
of habeas corpus. Darling's counsel rest his
defence on a mere technicality, and their ar
gument is so absurd that it seems impossible
that any court can sustain it. 1t is, in sub
stance, that the report made March a. 1871,
was at date subsequent to that on which
savings bank officers are required to make
their sworn returns, and that charge of
perjury will not lie in the case of false oath
not required by law. This is q mere subter-
fuge, and is an implied confession of the
false swearing and of an attempt to deceive
the Bank Superintendent. We trust District
Attorney Phelps will lose no time in procur-
ing an indictment by the Grand Jury before
this heartless man escapes under the
statute of limitations. The fact that Judge
Westbrook released the prisoners is no bar
to an indictment, and we call on the District
Attorney to do his duty.
Year: 1876

HE ATTEMPT AT REFORM by the Turkish
government is beset with so many difficult
ties that it seems scarcely possible for any
success to attend it. Indeed, it has been the
opinion of many disinterested observers that
the Christian Powers have all along been
aware that the ready promises of the Porte
were as valueless as Micawber's /. O. us, SO
far as performance went but that when
dishonored by failure they would be useful
in furnishing good reasons for the overthrow
of that anomaly-a semi-barbaric Power in
Europe. A new difficulty has arisen in the
shape of a refusal by the Christians to pay the
tax exempting them from military service, on
the ground that the Sultan's late iuds gives
them liberty to serve as soldiers, which they
profess willingness to do. The Porte
in its denial of the Christians prayer to
be allowed to serve in the army states
that they cannot be trnstad- ThAra ara two
Year: 1876

We hope that Taft will turn out to be as
good Secretary as his friends would have
us regard him. Thus far oil we have in his
favor is the Endorsement of some Ohio edi-
tors. They speak as highly of him as the
Iowa editors spoke of Belknap when he was
made Secretary of War. But Taft does not
carry the country by storm. He is not in
any way q representative of the republican
party whatever he may be of the Methodist
Church. And while he may be as good
Minister as Alexander Hamilton we cannot
help thinking that the party would have
been better served if Secretary had been
named with q national record, who was
known for his republicanism and his pa
triotism, who had seen service in n larger
field, with the eye of the nation upon him.
We like the way in which General Sherman
treated this question in an interview with
the reporter of st. Louis newspaper the
other day. He suggested two or three
names, either one of whom would have won
the confidence of the country. This is what
the President should have done. Mr.. Taft
may be most capable Secretary, but the
country will not think so until he is tried.
Let us hope for the best, at the same time
regretting that the new Secretary is not a
man who does not need State certificate of
character
Year: 1876

THE CENTENNIAL City Fathers yes
terday appointed a committee to consider
how the city should celebrate the hundredth
anniversary of the nations existence, and
also how "a friendly cartel can be estab-
lished between New York and Philadelphia
to further the objects of the International
Exhibition. This mysterious clause looks
as though the visitors to the Centennial were
to be held as prisoners of war by the hotel
keepers of both cities and exchanged in
some friendly" way through the Aldermanic
committee as long as their money lasts.
Until we are reassured on this point we shall
continue to "view with alarm this star
ting assumption Of warlike powers in time
Of profound peace.
Year: 1876

The CoURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS has at
length been provided with quarters at the
expense of the Marine Court, which is moved
from its present quarters to the old stufy
Aldermanic chambers in the City Hall.
Year: 1876

THE New York OFFICE HOLDERS are about
70 have their salaries reduced in earnest. The
bill in its present form is expected to pass,
and all the small fry should begin to agitate
for lower rents or look out for cheaper quar-
kerg
Year: 1876

VIRTUE AND NECESSITY. Grant is praised
q great deal by the organs for such appoint
ments as those of Mr.. Dana and Judge Taft ;
keep his whole administration out of State
Prison is to change his system of appoint
ments we cannot see that virtue practised
under such pressure is worthy very great
praise. 1t has taken Grant a great while
10 find out that there is any one else
in this country besides his personal friends,
and he might never have learned this if the
discovery had not been forced upon him by
the fact that his friends are so generally dis
honest men. Discoveries made in such cir
cumstances are not entitled to medals.
Year: 1876

WHY SHOULD Nor DRUNKEN MEN ride on
the horse cars? The man who lost his teeth
and some blood from his nose because he in
sisted on riding in the same Sixth avenue
ear with an infuriated inebriate is too preju-
diced to be taken as reliable authority.
He should have got out and walked. 1t
is probable he belongs TO that debased
class that neither squirts tobacco juice nor
eats peanuts il trunsii,L He has no rights
that the combative ecstasy of drunkard is
bound 10 respect. He has brought the inno-
sent horse car company into court in a suit
for damages, as if he had not enough of
them. He would also, doubtless, impose
his Puritanical notions on the company.
The jury will probably consign him to
Bloomingdale, under the healthy rule, 'No
sot no seat"
Year: 1876

The late catastrophe at the Christmas
school festival at Helliken, near Baslo,
in Switzerland, was one of the most fear
full Of the kind ever recorded. In battle
it is estimated that four soldiers are
wounded to each killed; but in this vii
lage tragedy the proportion was sadly the
other way, seventy-two persons being
killed on the spot, while forty were laid
up with hurts and fractures, some of the
latter SO severe as still to threaten DEATH


1t seems that about three hundred of
the villagers and their friends had as
sembled to see the distribution of gifts
and share the supper provided at the
schoolhouse. This was large two
storied building, and all the prepara-
tions had been made in the second floor,
which was the chief schoolroom, and
was approached by stair at one end of
the building, with landing from it at
each story. Stairs and landing, from
top to bottom, were crowded, and the
schoolmaster with difficulty made his
way up to open the door. AS he turned
the key, a crash and cry was heard.
The beams supporting the upper land
ing gave way and fell, carrying both it
and the stairs down with all their occu-
pants, and crushing those on the first
floor, where the rest of the woodwork
gave way under the shock, and preci-
pitated the whole company, mixed with
pieces of timber, into one mass iammed
together at the bottom, and choking the
door. Attempts were first made in
vain to haul out the superintendent
beams by ropes from above, and at last,
ladders being thought Of, the few who
were able climbed up, and escaped by
the windows, after which the slow pro
cess of breaking in and clearing out the
corpses and wounded occupied their
friends several weary hours, some of the
bodies being so crushed as to be hardly
recognizable. OF the victims, only
twenty-three belonged to the children
who were the objects of the most un.
fortunate Christmas gathering.
Year: 1876

The Boston Herald publishes inter-
views with a cotton mills agent and an
iron dealer on the condition and pros
poets of their business. In introducing
the interviews it says: 1t is singular
what varietyo of opinion prevails among
business men. 1t would seem at first
thought almost inexphcable, but little
familiarity with the general subject
shows that after all there is not so much
diversity, and that while these opinions
are all the result, more or less, of indi-
vidual experience, they form as a whole
sort of mosaic which, when skillfully
arranged, brings out from dark back
ground a bright and encouraging pic
ture. The cotton mills agent said:


Fear and panic have had no reason
able existence for year past at least in
Boston. AS to general business, it is
not near SO bad as people imagine it to
be. In our trade there has been good
years transactions accomplished, con-
sidering all things. To be sure we have
had to sell close, and our profits have
not been large; but you will notice there
has been scarcely failure in the cotton
goods trade in the city during the past
year. Other trades have not been quite
SO fortunate, it is true; but under the
peculiar condition of things they have
not suffered more than might have been
expected. The depression in business
did not come in consequence of general
poverty or lack of means and supplies,
but from a superabundance and over
supply of everything, including money.
We failed from OVERRIDING everything.
West of Buffalo the revival in business
is apparent everywhere. The hard times
are practically ended there. The best
business ever done by Western agents in
our line was done in Chicago during the
past season. Things are hopeful in that
section and at the South, and a revival
of trade has actually come to them. 1t
will come to us also when we cease to
overproduce and do legitimate busi-
ness. Above all, it will come to us when
we have confidence in ourselves and in
one another.


A prominent dealer in metals said he
also was of the opinion that over-pro-
duction was one of the causes of the
panic. Manufacturers now are careful
to keep their stock low, and if possible
only manufacture to order.
Year: 1876

One of the exquisite wonders of the
sea is called the opelet, and is about as
large as the German aster, looking in
deed very much like one. Imagine q
very large double aster, with ever so
many long petals of light green, glossy
as satin, and each one tipped with rose
color. These lovely petals do not lie
quietly in their places, like those of the
aster in your garden, but wave about in
the water, while the opelet generally
clings to rock. How innocently and
lovely it looks on its rocky bed! Who
would suppose that itcould eat anything
grosser than dew or sunlight But
those beautiful, waving arms, as you
call them, have another use besideslook
ing pretty. They have to provide food
for large, open mouth, which is hid.
den deep down amongst them-so well
hidden that one can scarcely find it.
Well they perform their duty, for tic
instant u foolish little fish touches orc ot
the rosy tips, he is struck with poison
as fatal to him as lightning. He imme
diately becomes numb, and in momen
stops struggling, and then the othel
beautiful arms wrap themselves around
him, and he is drawn into the huge
greedy mouth, and is seen no more
Then the lovely arms unclose and wav,
again in the water, looking as innocen
and harmless as though they had neve
touched fish.
Year: 1876

Apropos of the theory advanced to
show the participation of the dynamite
monster, Thomas, in the mysterious dis
appearance of the steamer City of Bos-
ton, of which not the least clew has ever
been found, we give herewith, says an
exchange, narrative furnished to us
from reliable source. It will be recol-
lected that the ill-fated ship left New
York k in March, 1870. Two months pre-
viously man corresponding to the de-
scription given of Thomas sought and
obtained private interview with Senor
Alfaro, agent at that time of the Cuban
republic, in the course of which he un-
folded most diabolical scheme to in
1ure the Spanish navy by means of
dynamite lodged in thick tubular glass
receptacle, and carefully covered with a
coat of coal preparation. This, it was
proposed, should be placed in the inter
ior of Jumps of coal, bored for the pur-
pose, and the hole imperceptibly sealed
with the coal preparation. These could
beintroduced clandestinely into Havana,
and with great precaution scattered in
with the coal supply of the navy, and in
whatever furnace the Jumps CHANGED to
fall, the ship would be inevitably de-
stroyed, with all on board. The pro-
posal was referred to Senior Morales
Lemus, the general diplomatic agent,
who rejected it at once as q scheme
which would result in the wholesale
slaughter of innocent persons not only
Spaniards, but of other nationalities, as
the coal is kept in large yard opposite
the city, from which all steamers touch
ing there take a supply-English,
French and German, as we'll as Spanish.
The torpedo models were exhibited in
pieces of coal picked at random from a
pile of the fuel. The interior Of the
cavity was polished smooth with emery
20 reduce the risk of explosion by chat
ing while introducing the charge. The
shell after it was filed and closed with o
plug OF brass was dropped into boil
ing mixture of coal tar, pulverized coal
and resin or beeswax, and then instant.


y transferred to a bucket of ice water.
The result was o coating about three


quarters OF an inch thick, and the deadly
contrivance, after the gloss wore off, had
the exact appearance Of coal in weight,
smell and color. A diagram of the pro


jectile was exhibited by the stranger,
and note descriptive of it accompanied
the design. When his proposition was
rejected he left, and was never seen OF
heard of again by the Cuban gentleman,
Year: 1876

in the morning. Here they will insist
upon the highest price they think can
be obtained, and for twenty-five or fifty
cents upon the load, they have been
known to drive ten miles further.


1t was always the rule among them to
help one another out of financial diff
culties without usury, and without the
usual documentary forms, their word
being held as good as gold. Instead of
slowing away their money in old stock
ings and salt bags, as was their custom
during hard money times, they now put
their spare paper money in banks, and
draw interest on it.


While they are scrupulously exact in
their dealings, and always insist upon
their own to the last penny, they are al
ways honest. They have not very ex-
alted idea of woman's mission. That is
shown by the fact that they train their
daughters from early youth to the same
drudgery and severe labor that are re-
quired of the males. There are very
few of these farmers who would vote for
a woman suffrage measure. Their high
est conception of womans sphere is the
kitchen, the field, and the barn. The
washboard is their piano, and the hoe,
rake, and milk pail are their croquet i'm
plements.


The religious fervor of the mother
country has been remarkably preserved
in these people. The love of church
going is inculcated in the youth, and
adults who are without some church
connections are stunned as outlaws.
The ancient forms of worship are in a
remarkable state of preservation, but
they love to make public demonstration
of their piety, and are also fond Of
Boosting of it. They are strict observ-
ers of the Sabbath, but for the other
holidays they care but little, excepting
Christmas and the fourth of July. In
this they widely differ from the Germans
of the old world, who are celebrated fol
their many holidays strictly observed,
Deeming the religious training of the
young of the highest importance, they
pay special attention observation-disclosures.


Roman Catholics are scarcely to be
found among them. The sects most
numerously represented are the Luth
eran, German Reformed, Dunkers, and
Evangelical Association. The latter
being of recent origin, and being speci
ally adapted to the reculiarities of these
people, has of late made immense head
way among them. Preaching in these
churches partakes of the nature of con.
slant exhortation conversion takes
place in public amid the widest demon
strations, and as these people are natur
ally fond of show and ostentation, they
take very kindly to this sect. The Dun
kers are also sometimes called "feet
washers" from the fact that at theil
annual camp meetings they go through
a process of "feet washing" in order
to symbolic the cleansing of the soul.