smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875

proportion of the losses to the risk, A
rough estimate, places the loss at two
million dollars. No loss of life has
yet been reported. The number Of
people reported as turned out OF doors
by the fire Is stated at ten thousand.
This is accounted for by the fact that
owing to the peculiar mode of life led
by the large population engaged in the
mines, who work by shifts, day and
night, in many Instances the same
lodgings are occupied at different
hours by numerous tenants, and ut no
time are the household accommoda-
tions equal to the demand of the pop
ulation. Nearly all the lodging houses
and dwellings occupied 10y the miners
were in the track OF the contiagration,
In its northeasterly course, being in
the immediate neighborhood OF the
mining works The fire has now all
burnt out and all danger is at an end,


A special to the Call from Virginia
City, says that the destruction nf the
city was owing to the bad manage
ment of the Engineer of the Fire
Department at the beginning OF the
conhagration. The fire started in the
undertaking establishment on b street,
spreading rapidly to the adjoining
livery stables. Streams were turned
upon the stable, allowing the flames
TO communicate to the county build
ings adjoining. The fire department
lost its head. The wind was blowing
briskly from the west aud carried the
flames through the town; the water
supply gave out; the engines and hose
were burned In the street; panic
seized the citizens, and the fire swept
on unimpeded to the mills and hoist
ing works OF the Consolidated Vir-
ginia, California and Opnir. destroy
ing everything in its course.


An additional special to the Call,
says that by good fortune the wind
shifted and the south end of the town
was saved. hut the fire still swept on
northwardly. The town presented
a scene of the widest confusion aud
panici the streets were blo"ked
with goods and household furni-
TUE. The recent scourge of typhoid
fever caused the presence OF many
helpless invalids, who were being
carried to places of safety by their
friends. The extortionate demands Of
the owners of vehicles. in one case Mt
least, caused murder. a man on b
street. while endeavoring to engage II
teamster, and unable to comply with
his demands, in desperation drew u
pistol and shot the driver dead.
Year: 1875

1t should be remembered that the grand
fair of the Ladies' Aid and Sewing Society,
for the benefit OF the Touro Infrmary, will
open in Grunewald Hall tomorrow Mon
day evening. The ladies have spared no
efforts in preparing for this event, and We
are sure it will be one of the most delight
ful ever given in our city. The object for
the most active and substantial encourage.
ment, and we hope to see the entertainment
well attended from the opening to its close.
Year: 1875

republicans and the exultant satisfaction or
the democrats throughout the United


States. The Democratic Convention to-day
viii doubtless renominate Governor CASTOR,


who, besides being a popular citizen, has
proved himself most able and upright chief
magistrate. If they elect him again it will


be by the aid of the liberal republicans who
reinforced them last year, and whom Vice
President Wilson has been trying to coax
back into the regular fold. But while they
respect his intentions and give him credit
for sincerity they courteously reject his adj
vice. They have no confidence in the ad-
ministration which insulted and tried TO de-
grade the late Senator Sumner and which
perpetuates all the abuses which drove him
and many other eminent leaders out
of the party. The Liberal Republican
State Committee has just issued
long address, commenting on the political
situation, and counselling cordial co-opera-
tion with the democrats in the approaching
election. 1t passes high eulogy on Cover
nor Tilden, of this State, and the spirit of
reform Of which he is the representative
and thinks him more worthy Of trust than
that branch of the republicans who pay
allegiance to President Grant. The Spring
field Republican, as we judge from its recent
tone, will warmly support the coalition,
and unless the republicans make an excep-
tionally strong and popular ticket the demo-
Gratis and liberals may again carry the State.
Year: 1875

The heart of the country will be thrilled
this morning by the graphic account given
in our news columns of the awful destruc-
ton OF life and property at Indianola, on the
Texas coast and other points in the vicinity,
by the cyclone which recently swept over
the Gulf The great mass of the dwellings
and other structures have been DESTROYED.
and while it seems wonderful that under the
circumstances the loss of life was not greater
in the aggregate, it is still very large. The
great majority of those who survive have lost
their all, and in the midst of their ex-
treme destitution there comes up q, cry for
help which will afford our people an
opportunity to do graceful and generous
thing toward the South. The effect of the
recent storm in the Gulf of Mexico has been
to bring widespread devastation upon Texas.
We have stories of the sea carrying with it
homes, overturning schoolhouses destroying
crops and marking hundreds of miles of
coast and inland. Texas, which happily sur
vived the war-coming out oft, indeed richer
than before she engaged in it-has grown to
be the Empire State of the South. Her
prosperity Has Deen InarVeI, ana espechlly
when compared with the desolation and
poverty and misgovernment of the other
States The effect of this storm will be to
arrest this prosperity and throw gloom over
the State. 1t should be our duty, as well
as our pleasure, to hold out helping hand,
and to strive, as far as possible to ameliorate
the calamity that has fallen upon this peo-
pie. BY such acts-prompt, fraternal, con-
siderate-the interests of the Union are best
served. They show that no matter how
much we may differ in politics, no matter
how far we may have been apart in the past,
when the cry for relief comes we are only
too glad to assist as far as in our power.
Let there be generous, prompt subscription
for Texas
Year: 1875

soon as the patent issues vesting the title to
the lands in the railroad company. But
when the patent has been withheld in conse-
quence of the neglect of the company to pay
the expenses of survey or non-fulflment of
other conditions the lands are not taxable
This is doubtless law, because the Supreme
Court so declares. But it would seem to
operate as premium to the railroad for post
poning the fulflment of its obligations and
deferring the issue of the patent. 1t may be
law but it is not equity, to make the failure
of an obligation to the federal government
reason for escaping duty to the State.
Year: 1875

OF man whose good fame is as valuable TO
the country as it can be TO himself, and Of
whose capacity to do what he has so lament
ably failed to do no one can doubt who re-
fleets upon his career in the army. 1t is
pity that, looking at his service in the Presi-
Dental chair, even the best friend of General
Grant must acknowledge that he has only
frittered away great opportunities and tar
nished his own fame. 1t is a pitiful specta-
Gle to see him to-day maintaining in his Cab
met man disgraced in the public eye, and
whose chief claim to the place he holds is,
perhaps, that he gave to the Presidents
brother the appointment of Indian trader
Year: 1875

It seems almost like a recurrence to an
other century to get such news from Spain
as the telegraph has given us within the few
days past, and it forcibly recalls to public
attention the fact, which was slipping out
of sight, that there is one country in Europe
in which Rome is so clearly conscious Of her
strength that she scarcely feels herself under
the necessity to even take notice of the pres
ence and existence Of the political authori-
ties. Only Spain could in this age, tolerate
such proceeding as that of the ambassador
of foreign Power communicating his views
and instructions to the subordinate authori-
ties throughout the realm upon facts re-
lated to their functions as part of
the administrative machinery practically
usurping within certain limit, the
executive power of the nation. This is
exactly what was done in Spain when the
Popes Nuncio at Madrid informed the
bishops throughout the country of their right
to have exclusive charge of the education of
the people, and also that the Pope claimed
that all other religious exercises but those of
the Roman Church must be absolutely pro-



treaty between the government and the Pope
to this effect-however mistaken we may be-
lieve any government to be in making such
treaty-the Pope was right enough to claim
what it gives him. But in any other country
he would have addressed the Executive if he
believed it derelict, and that would have taken
its own course with the authorities. In Spain,
however, the Papal power proceeds itself to
instruct and act upon the subordinate
authorities. No one is astonished at this
course on the part of the Nuncio, for he but
acts upon what the Papacy has always
claimed as its right in Catholic countries
but the fact is a measure of the position of
Spain, and shows how far she is behind all
other nations in the assertion of her own
suficiency-in moral independence It is
plainly intimated that if the bishops
encounter from the secular authorities
any resistance or obstruction in what
is thus claimed as their sphere the govern
ment must expect to force the wrath of the
Vatican. In fact, the good old medieval
curiosity of an ''interdict" is threatened in
the full daylight of this nineteenth century,
and the world may yet see an ablegate with
Spanish crown in his carpet bag travelling
over the rocky ranges Of Navarro or Guipuz-
Goa in search Of Don Carlos and eager to
confer upon him the bauble for the enjoy
ment of which his little cousin, Alfonso, is
not willing to pay the full price demanded.
Il is encouraging to learn that Spain may at
last assert her political independence, but
the delay thus far is like a chapter out of tho
history of any country in the fourteenth
cpntury.
Year: 1875

A SENSIBLE VIEW OF ERIE. Sir E. w. Wat
kin takes sensible view of the Erie Railway
question and gives sound advice to the stock
holders. His points are, that it is useless to
raise and invest more capital in the road
when there is at present but little prospect
of getting back what has already been sunk,
but that the road must be made to clear
itself Of its difficulties by its earnings. Presi-
dent Jewett's policy has been to reduce the
expenses, to get rid of ruinous contracts on
the easiest terms that can be secured, to pay
the debts gradually as the earnings increase,
and to trust to revival Of railroad business
generally for better times in the future. Sir
E. W. Watllin recommends concurrence in
this common sense policy and faith in the
receivership. Above all, he protests against
foreclosure and against any increase of the
debt by new loans. Avoid the money lend
ers and pay as you go is the doctrine of the
English financier or, in other words be vir-
tuous and you will be happy.
Year: 1875

The Judges Of the Court Of Appeals paid q
deserved and fitting tribute yesterday to the
memory of their late associate Judge Grover
Chief Justice Church read q paper, drawn up
in the consultation room on the reassembling
of the Judges after their summer vacation
in which they expressed their appreciation
of the character and services Of the deceased
some marked peculiarities-not to say eccen-
tricities-of individual character, was an
acute, able lawyer and upright magistrate
His mind was, perhaps, more active than that
of any other member of the Court of APP
peals. Out of court he was never restrained
by q stiff, judicial reserve, and on all other
topics than pending cases his keen observa-
tions on men and things were full Of point
and piquancy. He took lively interest in
politics his always astute and sometimes
satirical remarks on public men and measures
found admiring listeners. His peculiar
qualities as Judge shone forth with lustre
when he was on the bench of the Supreme
Court in the Eighth district, where he fire.
quently had to try cases with the aid Of a
jury. He quickly penetrated to the pith of
a controversy and cut short tedious and ir-
relevant testimony or arguments without in
Justice to the parties AS the Judges of the
Court of Appeals happily express it, che was
a Judge who did try the cause before him,
directing the course of it, and did not help
lessly drift with it." When promoted to
the Court Of Appeals his ready mastery of
legal principles and skill in applying
them made him an invaluable member of
that tribunal. 1t does not yet appear whom
Governor Tilden will appoint as Judge
Growers successor. AS his death occurred
within three months Of the State election the
temporary appointee will hold until January
1, 1s7G-a longer term than is often filled by
Executive appointment.
Year: 1875

The Supreme Court of the United States
delivered its decision yesterday in the cases
which came up on appeal from the Circuit
Court relating TO the right of State to tax
railway lands granted as a subsidy toward
building railroads. The case originated in
Nebraska, and it has been decided partly in
favor of the State The Union Pacific Rail-
road owns by grant Of Congress alternate
sections of land for a distance of twenty
miles on each side of its track. There is no
good reason why these lands should be ex-
empt from taxation for State, school and
local municipal purposes any more than
other property lying within the limits of the
State. in admitting new States into the
Union Congress always reserves control of
the public lands. and makes it q condition of
admission that they shall be exempt from
municipal taxation. But this exemption ends
as soon as the title to the lands passes from
the government to other owners The
Supreme Court has decided that the railroad
lands besowe SUBJECT 70 local tsxation Os
Year: 1875

The democrats Of the old Bay State hold
their State Convention at Worcester to-day.
This would seem a small event if the politics
of the State had not undergone SO astonish-
ing n metamorphosis last year. Nowhere
else did the 'tidal wave" dash so high and
make its way over SO solid an embankment
as in Massachusetts,. The election of a
democratic Governor in the strongest repub-
lican State Of the Union filed everybody
with incrcdulous wonder. 1t was difficult at
first TO believe that the election returns were
not stupendous hoax but they proved to
hs TRUE, To the great mortidcatinn~ OF the
Year: 1875

| TO vote Tor corrupt men and measures. III to-
day there is in Mississippi deep feeling OF
resentment against the republican party this
is owing more to Governor Ames' misconduct
than to any other cause. If large number
of the white people are alienated from the re-
publican party there it is because they have
been repelled by the robbery and corruption
which the republican Governor has counte-
nanced.


And now, that he has raised the storm, he
would like federal troops to help Linn to
quell it. He has done nothing which Gov<
ernor ought to do to maintain peace in thu
State. One of his own party, ex-senator
Pease, has notified the Attorney General
that good citizens of both parties are obtain.
able in every county to preserve order. But
the Governor does not want this. What hs
wants, and what he needs for his political
purposes, is to appear to the negroes to COM
mand federal troops. If he is merely Gov
ernor, if he relies only on the civil force and
on his power as Governor, they will de-
sert him. If he can persuade them, however,
that he is the confdant and representative
Of General Grant, that he can have federal
troops at will, then they will flock around
him and make him Senator. If the Presi-
dent continues to refuse the use of troops
the Governors power over the negro leaders
will be broken. In that case, and not other
wise, there will be q chance for an honest
administration and an honest republican
party in Mississippi. 1t is ring of tho
worst description which is calling for troops
down there.
Year: 1875

Our dispatches from the Principalities
are vivid enough, but they should be read in
connection with the admirable letters which
we publish from our correspondent at
Vienna According TO our dispatches, both
from London and the capital town of Servia,
the rebellion in the Principalities is making
steady progress. Prince Milan is said to be
thinking about war in Bosnia. There has
been an engagement between the insurgents
and Turkish brigade, resulting in the re-
treat Of the Turks. The Turkish govern
ment is said to have pushed the railway for
ward with all possible despatch. There is
O rumor from Vienna that Turkish army of
forty-eight thousand men is on the frontier
of Servia.


It is well to remember in reading all these
dispatches from the Principalities that there
is nothing now more speculative than Turk
ish securities. They hold pretty much the
same position in the London market that
Erie and Union Pacific Railway shares do in
our New York market. That is to say, they
have very little real value, and are tumbled
about at the mercy of every speculator.
few days since there was a panic in these
securities arising out Of the rumor that the
Continental Powers thought Of interfering in
the affairs of Turkey. AS soon as the panic
had done its work the stocks resumed their
natural position We can well understand
how the manipulators of news would arrange
a series of dispatches from the Principalities
intended to affect these values Conse-
quently we read all this news feeling at the
time that we are never certain whether it is
a revolution or q speculation.


Thus far we have seen nothing in the East
ern question to raise it above the dignity Of
q stock-jobbing speculation. 1t is possible
that out of this little spluttering war,
which as yet has not attained the proper
tions Of an Indian fight on the Plains, COM
plications may arise which will involve Aus
tria Germany and Russia. If these great
Powers are ready for war they can find pre-
texts without trouble. None would be easier
than a revolt in the Principalities. But we
do not think that war will come, at least
general war, involving the interests Of Eu-
rope. 1t is late in the season. No expe-
rienced military commander would care to
march an army into the Principalities to en-
counter the stern and cold winter. What is to
be gained in the way Of fighting can be gained
next spring. The advantages to Austria and
Germany are contingent Austria will
scarcely care to give all her German prov
inces in exchange for the half-civilized rem
nant that lies between Christianity and Mo-
hammedanism. Austria herself is not in the
best financial condition. Her Emperor will
scarcely welcome the opportunity Of increas-
ing his debt, which would come from fool
ish war on the Danube. Russia has too
much to do in Asia to care about undertaking
new work in Europe. Therefore, while any
thing is possible in the modern phase Of
European politics, nothing is more improb-
able than war. As we before remarked,
reading these dispatches in the light of our
own most valuable correspondence, we see
nothing in this revolt in the Principalities
to raise it above the dignity of stock
jobbing speculation.
Year: 1875

Our APPETITEs. is estimated that the
people of this city spend daily one million
articles of food-an average of say dollar
and half to every person. This seems to
us very high average. There are, of course,
thousands who are fed ON ten or twenty
cents worth of food daily, and equally other
thousands whose appetites are not reduced
for less than ten or twenty dollars daily
An interesting accumulation of statistics ON
what we eat is given elsewhere.
Year: 1875

JAPAN AND RUssM--In our letter from
Toxic will be found an account Of the nego-
tiations that preceded the transfer of the
island of Saghalien to Russia "a chapter Of
contemporary history full of interest to all
who watch the march of events in the ex-
treme East. by this change Russia secures
o naval station and az abundance Of coal on
the Pacifc
Year: 1875

HE INDIAN Council Our telegram COM
municates the fact that the nucleus of a coun-
Gil with the Sioux for the extinction by pur-
chase Of the title to the Black Hills is actually
gathered on White River, and that efforts
were making to secure the attendance of all
influential chiefs Our voluminous and very
interesting letters from that country give an
instructive view of the state of mind with
which the Indians were coming to meet the
persons appointed to deal with them, and of
the maneuvre and intrigue Of the occasion.
From what is written it seems to follow that
the purchase of the country is TO turn
out, as we might have expected, an enormous
Job, with millions in it" for those who know
how to grab them and thousands in it for the
Indians. The purchase, that, if made quietly
and practically, could have been completed
for trivial sum, has been magnifed in i'm
portance by careful manipulation, and
the Indians have been given to understand
that the only way in which they can get dny
money is by demanding an enormous sum,
the larger portion of which will, Of course,
stick to the fingers Of those through whose
hsnds it IaDst uasa.
Year: 1875

COACHING IN ENGLAND is dealt with in our
London letter, and will be recognized by the
man Of taste as very rational and enjoyable
revival as pleasure of what was a necessity
In former times. The journey out of London
to the neighboring towns by stage coach is
the most delightful way of visiting the
country parts Of England.
Year: 1875

The ECLIPSE. Our astronomer gives an
account to-day of the next celestial event of
importance-t the eclipse of the sun on the
Goth inst This eclipse is of the same class as
that now suffered bypublic virtue in SO many
government ofices-an annular or ring
eclipse
Year: 1875

A Western editor appeals to lis delin- quent subscribers by saying: ''This week we have taken in potatoes and pickles on subscription. Now, if you will bring in some vinegar for the pickles and some wood to roast the potatoes, We can live till artichokes get big enough to dig"
Year: 1875

Civility generally has luck as an ally. There is the story told of some gentle man, who, on Q battlefield, happening to bow with much grace to some officer who addressed him, D cannon-ball ball just went through his hair, and took off the head of another one. The officer, when he saw the marvellous escape, just ly observed that man never lost by polite ness. Another curious story of luck on a battle field is perfectly authentic A ball passed straight through mans body, and that man recovered. Thus much is not unparalleled, but there was something more, highly curious and lucky. The man was consumptive, and had formed tucercles. The ball carried away the tubercles, and the man re- covered not only from the wound, but also from the consumption.
Year: 1875

A Portland gentleman is said to have slept so soundly on the occasion of the recent railroad accident at Kennebunk, when seven cars were thrown from the track, that he did not wake, and when the train came out to bring the passen- gers into the city he had to be aroused. And hadn't taken anything, either,
Year: 1875

pany, they felt that they were right
and would consequently succeed. He did
not blame the other lines for the action
they had taken. ...T They worked under the
conviction that they were right, and were
therefore following out their policy It
was a mistake that the present warfare
bad anything Of personal nature about
it; it was simply similar to the business
transactions of two firms, and each was
carrying out its convictions Of right.
The Pennsylvania company was carrying
out its purpose to keep them from com.
munication with New York, as far as it
possibly could. During the past week it
even went so far as to inform the Post.
master General that it would not draw
wheel of the postal car from the Balti-
more line over the Camden and Amboy
railroad. Notwithstanding all this, how
ever. he believed that common sense
would ultimately prevail, but this could
not happen until the one great principle
of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad was
verified that it would be allowed to
conduct it's own business as it thought
proper.