smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

The announcement Of the death of Speaker
Kerr, although it has been anticipated for
weeks, and even for months, will be read
with profound regret by all Of his country
men. In many ways he had endeared himself
to the people Of the United States. 1t was
known that under cold exterior he carried
warm heart and On almost impulsive ma
ture No man was truer in his friendships.
none more ardent in any cause which he
espoused, and none more earnest In seeking
to know his duty and in doing it. He was
not man to conceal his opinions to gain
votes or to fail in his duty lest he should
lose friends. AS democratic leader he had
comparatively little influence upon tho
fortunes of his party, but had ho en-
tered upon his Speakership in health
and lived to enjoy that good age which
his earlier years seemed to promise he
might have made IN important figure
in our history. AS it is he leaves o bright
memory behind him. His public career is
without blemish. His honesty was proven
bial, his public acts were pure and straight
forward and his ambition was unselfish.
Nothing that was mean or trucking or cow
ardly was ever imputed to him, and when
the tongue Of slander impugned the recti-
tude of single act in his public life his
vindication was immediate and complete.
Disease interposed to snatch from him tho
enjoyment of his we'll earned honors, and
death came through much suffering. AS he
lay in agony through all the bright days of
summer he saw the bright world, which he
knew had still much in store for him could
he have lived, slowly fading from his sight,
and resignation which must be regarded as
his crowning glory. His example is all the
brighter because in its personal and domes-
tic aspects his life was noble as his public
career was pure and unsullied
Year: 1876

We believe we are not premature in an
nouncing that the negotiations between
Tammany Hall and the opposing wing of
end. 1t is not oven certain that the commit
tees of conference will again meet, and in
reality there was no hope of agreement from
the beginning. The purposes of the rec
onciliation were such that the people
could have no real sympathy with them,
and throughout the proceedings it must be
confessed that the Tnmmany leaders ex-
hibted spirit of concession seldom shown
in that quarter. 1t is not to be expected
that Tammany Hall will voluntarily yield
up its power, or SO much of it's power as to
give it o secondary place in the affairs of
the city. To compel it to do this it
must be overcome at the polls, and
this is precisely what the anti Tam
many leaders did not propose to do.
BY n compromise John Morrissey sought to
obtain for himself that which John Kelly
would not give him without it, and to give
John Kelly TINT which it is not certain he
can get at the polls. The whole thing, then,
appeals to the public in the light of politi-
cal bargain, but in political bargains there
ought to be something like fairness as we'll
as in faro bank. In such case the
negotiations naturally turned upon
the basis of representation in the
approaching State Convention; but this was
also understood to apply to the division of
the city and county Offices. Morrissey de-
manded one-half Kelly stopped short at a
third. Morrissey said anti-Tammany was
party and in n partnership was entitled to
share on equal terms with Tammany while
Kelly said anti-Tammany had only one
third as many votes as Tammany, and
could not expect to share upon
any other basis than that of its voting
strength Neither side would recede, and
so thoy agreed to disagree, and the great
powwow ends only in heartburnings and
resentments. If the real rs we'll as the pro-
fessed object Of the conference had been to
secure harmony in the party on State and
national issues it would have been entitled
to respect; but nobody can care much for
movement which is only intended to get
official plunder out of Tammany Hall.
Year: 1876

week of remarkable musical interest is
that which has just closed with the crowning
ofWagner with a wreath of laurel. For at least
a score of years it has been the custom to scoff
ut the great music drama on which Richard
Wagner was engaged, and during oil that
time the emusic Of the future" has been re-
garded as charming nbsurdty. Few of us
would admit the possibility of the produc-
ton of the "Ring Of the Nibelungen" ut all,
and We have all had our jokes at the expense
of the artists if it ever should be produced.
While we worshipped at the shrines which
Donizetti and Rosini and Verdi had set
up We laughed at Wagners ideal perfection
and secuted the notion of dramatic consis-
tency in music. The reason of all this was
simply that we were mad with melody.
We could not endure an opera that was
too far above tho level of the street singer
and the variety artist. Conceal it rs we
may, the aria in operate music is akin to
the ballads of the street and the airs of the
black and white minstrels. The ''Casta
form of the "Mulligan Guards" 1t is at
best only an approach to dramatic music;
but it is not its dramatic character, but its
kinship to ballad music, that has made us
receive it SO tumultously. There is no art
in the aria, and its place in opera has always
been the expression of the absence of the art
idea in the works Of the composers. Mr..
Wagner's success is the first real step toward
its abolishment and the substitution of
music dramatic in form, in scope, in aim
and in expression for the crudities and in
consistencies which come and 60 with the
lyric efiigies Of the operatic stage. 1t is idle
longer to talk of the impossibilities of the
Wagner IDEAL of the uselessness Of voices in
the whirl of his Instrumentation and of the
incompatability of his theory with dramatic
and musical capabilities. His success DEM
onstrates the truth of oil the great master
of modern music has ever claimed. 1t is
true the boys cannot whistle his music in
the streets as if his work were the art of
Auber or Offenbach. True art is never within
the common reach. Painting would soon
fall into insignifcance if the chrome paste
boards were held in equal esteem with the
elaborated original which came from the
hand of genius. What would sculpture be
worth if tobacco sign were placed on
exhibition side by side with the work of
some modern Phidias? 1t is such n process
as this that we have been applying to our
music drama. Wngncr's trlogy cannot become
work for popular representation. 1t will
never be represented at the Academy Of
al, AT =
Trovatore" are represented now--by every
chance company that comes along-but it
will form the great art idea of every music
loving people, and although tho 'Ring of
the Nibelungcn" will not be sung until we
learn to worship art so ardently that we shall
be willing to pay for it, that time may not
be so far distant now that we have had one
opportunity of Judging of the real scope and
purpose of Wagners ideal of dramatic music.
Year: 1876

The spasmodic efforts of the Croton
of water to the city took the form of an
attempt to drain the High Bridge rcser-
voir into the house top tanks up town on
Friday last. The labors of the housemaids
Of Harlem have hitherto been devoted to
carrying the water from the Easements to the
top floors by the pailful. But on Friday
these conditions were suddenly reversed
and the difficulty was to prevent the flow
from the roofs delugng the easements and
all tho intervening ho5rs. For some time
the department has been laying big pipes,
preparatory to this aqueous surprise but
the thought never struck the officials that
householdcrs might not like to have their
furniture saturated with the diluted filth of
the Cro.on reservoir. With an energy
worthy of great praise they turned on the
food and made Harlem howl with dismay.
As practical joke the doluge was success.
Nothing could be more ludicrous than the
sight Of tho pots and kettles floating of
the tops of tho kitchen stoves and the
servants wading for the back stairs
We are getting along splendidly. Now let
us have the Fire Department out once
q week for hose practice on the pedestrians
on Broadway. Let Castle Garden be con-
verted into quarantine station. and the
plague introduced direct from Bagdad, and
future generations will contemplate with
envy the glorious privileges We enjoy dur
ing the Centennial.
Year: 1876

IT Is Nor SAFE under the French Republic
for journalist to criticise the actions of the
Chamber of Deputies. The idea of liberty
without a censorship of the press is NOT
newspaper has been guilty of the serious
crime of publishing something that has
irritated the august assemblage of the
peoples representatives at Versailles, and
that sensitive body defends its dignity by
prosecuting the rash offender.
Year: 1876

minutes is n pleasant realization of rapid
transit that will afford enjoyment to thou
sands who cannot spare the time for more
tedious journeys. The new line to Coney
Island via Bay Ridge will be literally pat
ronized as long rs it is operated in the inter-
est of the public. The success of the un-
dertaking entirely depends on the good
sense and efficiency of its managers.
Year: 1876

WE HopE the authorities will not go to
sleep over the question of ''rotten telegraph
poles" 1t should be unnecessary for any
more fatal accidents to occur in order to insure
the removal of these dangerous and un-
slightly objects. Indeed, after the timely
warning already given of the number and
character of these death traps, the city might
be made liable for all future accidents from
This cause.
Year: 1876

The SEWARD MONUMENT. Tho decoration
of the city parks with tho memorial statues
of the illustrious dead Of our land will en-
hance the beauty of the metropolis, as we'll
rs furnish fitting tributes t. the worth of
genius and patriotism. Lincoln, Seward,
Greeley and such men have deserved well of
their country, and we are pleased to record
the completion of the statue to the great
Secretary which is to adorn Madison Park.
Year: 1876

For many weeks the word mediation" has
figured so largely in European rumors that
the wits have got TO comparing it to the sea
serpent, which every one has heard about
but nobody has seen safely landed on terra
.tirmd. But the OCCASION as all admit, on
which mediation will be appropriate seems
to be not far distant. With war once on
foot somebody must be whipped, or at least
badly hurt before any one is eager to make
peace and then peace is precipitatcly if not
passionately sought on one side or the other,
and if the rule holds good in this dry
weather Servia should now be quite pre-
pared to submit her case to the good Offices
of some well disposed ncighbor or other
wise to lay it before diplomatic jury sup
piled by the several Powers. Doubtless, if
the case were not one Of singular dclicacy,
this course would have been ere this strenu-
ously urged upon her. But no advice would
have been palatable in Belgrade save nd
vice from st. Petersburg and from that
quarter it would have seemed less like ad-
vice than command. Servia would not have
felt ut liberty to reject it, and her readiness
would have laid the responsibility of her
fate upon her powerful neighbor, who evil
IDENTIFY did not care to put herself in such
position in view of the complications of
England in Constantinople. In this it may
yet appear that Russian diplomacy was in
fault But however it might have been in
the past, an early mediation seems now the
inevitable fact
Year: 1876

The Coal COMBINATION has not only se-
riously interfered with the production Of the
has brought starvation to the doors Of many
honest miners in the coal regions The pic
ture of utter desolation and want in many
parts of the anthracite district is even moro
terrible than the tales which are told of the
Molly Maguires. Some means Of working
the mines on terms that will be equitable ia
both consumer and producer must be found,
or soon more disastrous consequences will
follow than attend even the race conflicts in
the South.
Year: 1876

regretted that the law does not empower the
police justices to deal summarily with these
knaves, who trade and grow fat on the mis-
fortunes Of the poor. The system is
disgrace to our community, and should be
wholly suppressed as illegal and extor-
tiOnate.
Year: 1876

THE THAMES PROFESSIONAL CREW is now on
its way to take part in our Centennial re-
gatta. Such an interesting muster of oars
men never before took place at any point to
test their muscle ns will gather on the
Schuylkill. so that we may congratulate our
selves in advance that the international
boat race will proven grand success.
Year: 1876

PRESIDENT GRANT arrived ut Long Branch
yesterday, and ho will now enjoy short
season of repose at his cottage by the sea-
The country will not grudge his vacation
after long summer spent Mt Washington,
with democratic House of Representatives
and innumerable committees OF investiga-
lion
Year: 1876

The way in which the veterans in the
national service are treated is disgraceful to
the nation. This is especially apparent in
view of the recent order of the Secretary of
the Navy reducing large number of our
naval officers, among them the most dstin-
guished men in the service, to furlough pay.
When it is remembered that furlouch pay is
only one-half of waiting orders pay, and
that these officers are to be furloughed only
to deprive them Of what is their due the in
justice of the order at once becomes appar-
ent. Think of Vice Admiral Rowan being
compelled to live on three thousand dollars
n year, and officers of almost equal distinc-
ton reduced to one-half that amount,
while the lower grades of officers will re-
ceive less pay than is given to enlisted men.
No surer way Of destroying our naval service
altogether can be found than in the policy
indicated by this niggardly economy. Men
of character and ability cannot be kept in
the navy at furlough pay. and no reasoning
can justify the reduction. Our naval
officers are not politicians, nor are they men
who feed at the public crib without
rendering adequate service. Most of them
are gentlemen of fine culture and the highest
attainments, who make the service pro-
fession and devote to it all their best ener-
gies. To reduce these men to the miserable
pittance which Mr.. Robson proposes to pay
them is an insult to them and the nation. 1t
may be, as the Secretary alleges, that the naval
appropriations for the year are inadequate
to the needs of the department, but retrench-
ment must not begin by taking the bread
out of the mouths of officers who have served
the country long and well. If the appropri-
alton of $3.50 900 for the pay of the navy is
insufficient to keep the few vessels we have
ahoat it is better that all of them should 90
out of commission and the navy yards be
closed than that single officer on the naval
list shall be treated with injustice.
Year: 1876

While We are sending missionaries abroad
to others we are too apt to forget ourselves.
and DIR. Deems, appreciating this fact, will
to-day suggest the propriety of acting the
part of missionary to ones SELF md while
men are looking for power only in material
forces Mr.. Lightbourn will remind them that
truth is power and a force in this world as
great as any that exists; and as an evidence
of what truth can do Mr.. Stone, q converted
infidel lawyer, will illustrate the difference
between theoretical and experimental re-
ligion, and show what n wonderful influence
the love Of God has over tho human souI


What men think of Christ is one thing md
what they do with Him is another and
often quite different thing. Mr.. Davis
will speak of both to-day, and show his
people what they ought to think of and do
with the Saviour. Mr.. Mccarthy, who is
holding controversy on Spiritualism with
n well known defender of that ism, is also
discussing it in his own pulpit in its differ
ent aspects. To-day he will discuss tho re-
lation and the difference existing between
materialsm and the souls Immortality md
the value or worthlcssness OF spirit metlium-
ship in the elucidation of either or both


Mr.. Snow, having exhausted tho prophecies
of Daniel, Ezekiel and John of Pntmos in
relation to the future of Romanism and of the
world, comes down to-day to the parable of
the Ten Virgins, into the fulflment of
which he will inquire. OF course, looking
at it from the Adventist standpoint, no will
lose sight altogether of the practical lessons
which it is designed to inculcate But .the
kingdom of God" must thus suffer violence
Year: 1876

The President of one of our leading life
insurance companies was very much sur
prised and astOnished, last Sunday, by a
call at his house about nine o'clock in
the morning. Two carriage-loads of
persons and hearse stopped in front of
his dwelling which, by the way, is To-
Gated in one of the most aristocratic up
town streets in the city. The neighbors
opened their blinds, and were amazed at
the sight, A funeral oppositel Why, it
aods a surprise; and the idea that there
should be only Elo0 carriages Tor tuner-
al from such an aristoratic house was the
cause of equal wonder. However, the
outdoor establishment was slight COM
pared to the unutterable amazement in
doors. The President came downstairs,
and, when he heard the explanation of
his unlimited guests, he could not control
his risibility. 1t seems that the corpse
was that of an honest Teuton who died
the day before. His life had been in
sured in the company, and the friends
and relatives had informed the widow
that she could not collect the insurance
money until she had taken the body into
the presence of the company's author
lied representative, and convinced him
that the deceased was the person insured,
and that the deceased person was really
defunctl 1t was Sunday, and the honest
mourners knew no other way than to stop
the funeral-procession at the house of the
Life Company's President, and show him
the body. The widow had the policy
with her, and, when the President or
dered the procession to move on, she was
inclined to predict an attempt to swindle
her,-N y Cor. Chicago Tribune.
Year: 1876

OK a floor in a Danbury home lies
little pile of sewing. Five months ago
the head of the house wanted chair,
and, seeing but one handy, he dumped to
the floor the sewing which lay on it.
His wife asked him to pick it up. He
said he wouldn't do it, She told him
that as he threw it there, it could re-
main until he got ready to take it up.
And there it remains, memorial to in
dividual spirit and united folly. y.-DdR-
bury Neios.
Year: 1876

A DELICATE OPERATION ON THE EAR
DR.. Frank D. Cunningham Thursday after
noon succeeded in removing a small, round
piece of ivory from the ear Of Rev. Father
Janssens which had broken off therein from
the head of pencil about fifteen years ago,
while the reverend gentleman was student
at one of the theological universities in Ger
many. Father Janssens was not certain the
ivory ball was in his head, but remem-
bers distinctly missing it from the head
of his pencil Just after twisting the
pencil about in his ear. Some years after
the occurrence he was affected with slight
deafness, and at times suffered some pain.
he thought of the pencil occurrence in this
connection, but could never bring himself
to believe that the little piece OF ivory, was
the cause of the trouble. Recently, how
ever, his ear giving him unusual pain, he
determined to consult physician, and with
that object called on Dr.. Cunningham few
days ago, and was relieved as above stated.
Year: 1876

INABAD WAY-It is stated that we'll
known candidate for the office Of 11igh-Con-
stable went out to meeting OF the SOW
ereigns in Clay Ward night or two ago
on an electioneering tour, and that they
made him secretary. During the proceed
ings refreshments were brought in, and ne
refreshed. Later in the evening, while he
was writing up the record Of the meeting,
it was discovered that the bottles and glasses
had gotten little mixed, and that he was
drinking the ink and dipping his pen into
the beer.
Year: 1876

Primary Meetings. Meetings will be held
to-day at all Of the precincts in the county
for delegates to convention to be held at
the old courthouse to nominate candidate
for Commonwealth attorney, and to send
two delegates and two alternates from each
district to the State Convention.
Year: 1876

The CoUSCILMEN AND MAGIsTRATEs.-In
addition to what has already been written
about the members Of the Board Of Alder
men who 60 out on the 1st of July, it may
be stated that the terms OF all the members
of the Common Council, as we'll as that OF
the justices OF the peace, expire at that time.
Year: 1876

so universally ana CllSudiuluLy lShoAoo.


a. little learning is a dangerous thing:


Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring;


For shallow draugbts intoxicate the Draln,


But drinking deeply sobers us again."


The amount of this grave objection is that
when the State interferes in the work of.c COM
mon-school education it inevitably does not
enough or too much. To give that large
learning and thorough discipline necessary
for setting the mind to deal independently
with the corrupt labyrinth OF modern cur
rent opinion is beyond the States power.
What She does give usually prepares the VIC
tins for the literary seducers.


1t is one of the most important and best
established maXimS Of social science that M
fuence descends. Hence, II you would per-
meate the whole popular mass with any
wholesome influence, the wisest plan Is 10
place the element Of good Mt the top, that II
may percolate downwards. The engineer,
when he wishes to supply the humblest,
lowliest Lane or alley Of city with pure wa
ter, establishes his reservoir upon the top
most hill; and thence it descends, without
any other force than its own gravity, to
every door and every lip. So, the most effec-
tual, the most truly philanthropic mode for
elevating the lower classes Of society is to
provide for the rise OF the superior class.
This is natures process; she elevates the
whole mass by lifting it from above, SO that
all the parts rise together, preserving
that relation Of places on whose pre-
seryation the whole organism depends.
The fashionable plan is to place the
lever under the bottom stones and
prize them to the level OF the cap-stones, of
which, the result is that the whole structure
tumbIas into rubbish. The establishment
of the University OF Virginia for giving the
rnost Thorough training 10 advanced schc-
Lara has been the most truly liberal measure
tor the cultivation OF the masses ever adopt,
Year: 1876

The not very generally known
fact that the five cent nickel pieces
really cost the Government, includ-
ing material, labor. ETC., less than
half cent apiece, or ten per cent. of
its nominal value. offers inducement
to petty counterfeiters which they
have not been slow to take advantage
Of. A large proportion of the nickel
tive-cent pieces are counterfeits. but
worthless only because not made at
tho government mint. being identi-
cal in weight and tineness to the
genuine coin. and as bullion worth
lust as much.