smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

Hon. f. F. Pillsbury, of Augusta, was
in this city on Friday Mr. Pillsbury is
chairman Of the Democratic State Com
mittee, and a most interchangeable worker
in the cause. He gives our Republican
opponents vast deal of trouble, and one
of the things that atllicts them mos. is that
his high personal character is proof against
all SANDERS and assaults. The Democra-
cy owe u debt of gratitude to that gentle
man which should have its consideration
by the majority party of the near future


The independent press of Maine has Of
late decided expressions in favor of a
change OF administration The new Han
cock Citizen has strong leaning towards
Democracy, and the Camden Herald takes
the following bold stand


People are beginning to think that it j. about
time to have 4 change i'll the administration of
affairs. They are getting tired of seeing the
same men i'll office; no matter how we'll or
faithfully they may have performed their
duties. The people now clamor for Il change,
and will doubtless have it,
Year: 1876

We hear from Washington that some mem
bers of both parties are expressing them
selves as tired of these "eternal investiga-
tions, and annoyed that the House of Rep
resentatives should have turned itself into a
vast smelling committee" We are glad to
hear, at the same time, that the best, the
most active and useful members are of an
entirely different mind, and believe, as we
believe and as the country believes, that the
Investigations are useful and necessary, and
that the House-and the Senate, too, for
that matter-cannot be employed at this ses-
sion in more important and useful work
than just this of bringing to light the cor
ruption, waste and extravaganza which have
been permitted to gain foothold in almost
all parts of the government.


The madness which followed the war and
was caused by the paper money imitation
has received check. The country is poor !;
hundreds of thousands of able-bodied work
ers find no work to do Taxes are high and
money to pay them is hard to get. What
better service can Congress do than to prune
the estimates, and at the same time bring to
discovery and punishment the men who
have robbed the people. wasted their sub
stance and brought the country to bank
ruptcy and shame? What more important
service can Congress do for the people than
to expose maladministration and show the
causes of the huge and dangerous de-
moralization which has poisoned public
virtue and made the public service the
tool of rogues? So far from discouraging
the work of investigation, we assure
members of Congress that they have
the ardent sympathy of all honest
taxpayers, and that the people will thank
them for every effort they make, by such in
vestigations, to purify the public service,
and GUST from it corrupt men, time-servers,
subservient tools of power, the whole gang
of unscrupulous and greedy persons who
have lived upon the public with free power
SO many years.


If we were asked to advise the democrats
in the House, who have these investigations
in charge, should tell them go on, gen.
tlemen; the task you have unuertoken is Sc
we're and disagreeable; but it is your solemn
duty. Spare no one, no matter what his
party allegiance or his station. Be careful
and patient; do not allow yourselves to be
hurried; the public waits patiently, and will
be grateful to you for all you do" And if we
were asked to advise the republicans we
should urge them to show the utmost zeal in
helping the democrats. The people will not
fail to mark the men who hang back in this
matter. They are already asking why the
President and the Attorney General do not
take some measures to get Mr.. Marsh back
to this country.
Year: 1876

ence-that the crime of Dolan was much
more atrocious than that of Ruben
stein. Dolan murdered an innocent man
VINO was trying to save his property
from thief He was murdered at his own
nome wantonly murdered by brutal rufian
VINO came there to rob. But Dolan will have
ms nearing before the Court of Appeals,
wnile hubenstein is denied the privilege.
we think it proper that this right should be
awarded TO Dolan ; but at the same time we
10 not think that there should be one law
ior the Gentle and another for the Jew.


huoenstein belongs to small and peculiar
sect-a sect whose history is marked with
many prosecutions, with centuries of suffer-
ing and wrong. If 1--WE deny to him what we
give to Dolan the inference will he drawn
that, because of his religion and his race, he
Is not deemed worthy of a hearing by our
highest tribunal. We repeat that ANYTHING
that looks like this favoritism is a blunder.
serious and inexcusable blunder. The
way to prevent it would be to chance
our law so that when a nrisoner 10
condemned to death the appeal to our
highest tribunal should be writ of right
Inc Court of Appeals should hear all such
appeals within a month at least If the de-
clsion is adverse then the sentence should
be executed without delay-say within three
weeks OF month at the furthest. AS it is,
these dllatory motions and the uncertainty
which attends them, paralyze justice and
condemn the anxious and expectant wretch
10 torture compared with which the tor
lures of the Chinese are mercy But while
the law is so uncertain, and while this
appeal is optional, we trust that one Judge
Will be humane and just enough to declare
that he Will regard every application on the
part OF prisoner under sentence of death
to go to the Court OF Appeals as an applica-
ton to be granted as laatter of right Such
q resolution would be tia dispensation of
justice in its highest form. Rut the proper
way is to amend the law and max. our whole
capital punishment system more effectiye
and humane.
Year: 1876

The Bos1oS CELEBRATION of the one hun
dredth anniversary of the evacuation of the
city by the British was creditable to the
nustere good taste of the New England cap
ital. Like the Roman people who saw en-
blazoned on the walls along their chief
street the ethc scrolls of Numa Pompilius,
Boston was reminded yesterday by the in
scriptions on her buildings of the historic
events in her early history which are calcu-
lated to awaken into flame the vestal spark
OF patriotism in every American bosom. All
who ran could read these terse and brief
mementoes of a heroic past, which might,
perhaps, infuse high significance into the
sympathetic rejoicing Of the dullest citizen
sharing the civic holiday. The houses were
illuminated at night, and Old South Church
was a scene Of light in which the memory
of the days of Paul Revere was revivifed.
Itxas quite .fsk day at the Hub"
Year: 1876

ferior to that of England. The English Ex-
ecutive is Immediately responsible to the
representatives of the people, n ministry
being forced to resign as soon as it has for
feited confidence. We need to engraft this
principle in our institutions IN some form
consistent with their general character.
Various methods could be devised, but it is
too early for the discussion of methods while
the importance of the principle is not yet
conceded. We know that it works we'll in
Great Britain and is the very life of the gov
ernment Everybody admits that the
English government is more directly and
promptly controlled by public opinion than
that of the United States, although the for
mer is monarchy and the latter republic.
Nobody can state any good reason why
our Executive might not as safely
be subjected to immediate popular
control as that of England. We are
familiar with all that can be said against
such a change. 1t will be contended that in
periods Of excitement the passions of the
people will overmaster their Judgment and
that q fixed term for the Executive is n
necessary barrier against sudden, unreason-
ing popular impulses. But such fits of
blind excitement are as likely to seize the
popular mind in the year of Presidential
election as in any other, and the fixed term
of Office presents q remedy when the people
have returned to their sober senses. Under
the English system the mistakes resulting
from popular frenzy can be speedily
remedied 1t will be objected that imme-
diate responsibility would make the Execu-
tive too dependent on Congress. The
answer is that they act in close concert
now when both belong to the same political
party, and that the fixed tenure of the Presi-
dent and his control of an exorbitant
patronage enables him to corrupt the
representatives of the people who ought
TO judge him. But when they belong
of the government is liable to be
destroyed by deadlock between the
departments, such as would have happened
in the time of Andrew Johnson if Congress
had not possessed two-thirds majority
against the President in both houses. 1t





plies the election of the President by Con-
gress. But this would be better than his
selection by the party wirepullers who con-
troll political caucuses and conventions.
direct election of the President by the
people sounds well in the mouth of DEM
agogues, but no such thing is possible in
practice The President is always selected
by some intermediate body, and for the last
forty years that intermediate body has been
a national convention in which not one voter
in twenty of either party was represented.
The people merely decide to which political
party they will belong, the President being
really chosen by an irresponsible convention
acting outside of the constitution, unknown
to the laws, and representing nobody but the
trading politicians. 1t is one of the mon
strosities of our executive system that the
Chief Magistrate of the country is selected
by the intriguing cabals and combinations
of an irresponsible minority.
Year: 1876

We print elsewhere suggestive despatch
from the New York EUenng Post This de-
spatch AYERS that Governor Tilden knows of
a letter from Mr.. Boutwell,, when Secretary
of the Treasury, addressed to Henry Clews,
(which affords ground for the impeachment
of General Grant" This letter, according
to the Post despatch, directed Clews to send
money into Pennsylvania to control the cleo
ton, promising to reimburse him with ''early
secret information of sales of gold" The
Post further says that the Governor, when
questioned, neither denied nor affirmed the
existence of the letter, and that Mr.. Dors-
heimer confirmed the rumor that such
document was in existence.


We think this story should receive the
immediate attention of those in authority
in the democratic party. The time has
passed when allegations so grave can be
passed by as mere newspaper rumors"
AS was seen in the Belknap case if the
President or the democratic committees had
read the HERALD they would have found a
clear and explicit statement of the very
matters which Belknap confessed a few





tonish the country as to the connection Of
Orville Grant with the Indian stores in the
Sioux country were printed in the HERALD
last summer. If they had been investigated
then by the President there would have been
an explosion long before this. For these
reasons, and to the end that there shall be
the most rigid investigation and reform in
the public service, we think it is incumbent
on Governor Tilden and Lieutenant Cover
nor Dorsheimer to come out and tell what
they know of this story. If true, it compels
the democratic majority of the House to
take graver responsibility than has yet de-
volved upon them-the responsibility of
asking President Grant and ex-Secretary
Boutwell, to appear before tho bar to answer
charges of impeachment.


Governor Tilden should speak. If the
story is true. then there should be severe
and swift punishment If it is untrue, then
the honor of the country demands denial
Year: 1876

Mr.. Killian, member of the Assembly from
this city, is one of those remarkable states
men who assume to work in the interest of
the people but only succeed in destroying
the measures upon which they bestow their
championship. Selling upon a public ne
cessity this astute statesman introduced
bill into the Assembly, which is now gener-
ally known as the "No Seat No Fare bill.
1t was not altogether what was needed by the
travelling public, but Killian declared his
intention of so amending it in Committee of
the Whole as to make it satisfactory to
our people, and it thus obtained q sup
port it would not otherwise have re-
ceivcd. Unfortunately, the Railroad Com
mittee to which it had been referred, re-
ported against it-a circumstance which in
itself is sufficient proof of the power of the
monopolies at Albany but the worst feature
in the case was the absence of Mr.. Killian.
who should have been in his place to take
care of his measure Yesterday he was also
absent. Such negligence on the part of
public servant, to say the least of it, is ex-
ceedingly reprehensible, and it will be very
difficult for Mr.. Killian to convince his con-
stituents and the people of New York
that his conduct was the result of
mere negligence His continued absence
from the Assembly gives rise to suspicion
that his championship of this measure was
in the interest of the railroads, and that the
bill was only introduced to deceive those
who desired its passage. The action yester-
day is further evidence of this, but the
scene which took place in the Assembly. by
which motion to reconsider was evaded,
was the most disgraceful episode in our leg
islative history. Mr.. Worth's parliamentary
trick was simply infamous. 1t was at once
an insult to the Speaker, to the Assembly
and to the people of New York For the
first time in the history of the State pri-
vate bereavement has been used to
defeat measure in the pub
lie interest, and in itself Worth's
conduct was so detestable that even the
lobby cannot fail to be ashamed of it. Under
the circumstances the only way to retrieve
the good name of the State is for the honest
men in the Assembly to unite upon Mr..
Bergh's bill and secure its passage. Is there
virtue enough among our Legislators in the
face of Mr. Worth's insult to the Speaker
and the House to condemn this wicked
trickery2 If there is it is only by the con-
sideration of Mr.. Berghs bill that it can be
shown. We have had enough of this infa-
nous legislative jugglery. Now let men,
bers repudiate it by the passage of an honest
bill or share the infamy.
Year: 1876

AMERICAN MEDIATION has found new
field, the commander of the United States
frigate Alaska having been instructed to
arbitrate between the warning Africans at
Cape Palmas. The Greboes and the Samoans
have been the latest subjects of American
diplomacy. and 1T is not impossible that
another naked nation or two may be found
willing to test the efficacy of the Three
Rules and abide by the principles of tho
Treaty of Washington.
Year: 1876

In THE CANAL FRAUD SUITS an applica-
tion has been made for struck jury. AS
the entire management of our canal system
and the long series of frauds committed by
the Canal Ring are to be inquired into on
this trial the necessity of securing an intel
ligent and capable jury is plain. This con-
sideration is a sufficient argument to secure
the order
Year: 1876

A MoNTENEGRIN PEACE Mission is the
latest device for deterring the practical solu-
ton of the Eastern question, but it is not
likely that it will have any important results.
The insurgents are too determined in their
hostility to Turkish rule to stop fighting, at
least until they are beaten in the field.
Year: 1876

THE DOMINION PARLIAMENT is once more
approaching the question of the political
status of the leaders in the Manitoba insur.
rection Riel, Lepine and ODonoghue. The
movement is begun apparently in behoof Of
O'Donoghue, whom it is doubtless the desire
of his friends to represent as the least
tainted of the trio. He has written letter
to member of the House of Commons, de-
claring himself guiltless of participation in
the murder of Scott and denying the exist
ence of an affinity with Fenianism among
the raiders of the Red River country. In
February an address was voted to the Queen
asking an amnesty to all the rebels, with the
condition of probationary punishment OF
Riel, Lepine and O'Donoghue for five years.
The new apparition of the question will
probably cause a fine tempest of debate
among the Dominion statesmen.
Year: 1876

Apropos Of the Congressional
nomination in this District, heWest
Liberty Enterprise remarks with
truth and reason that:


Our changes are too frequent for the
good Of the country, unless dishonesty
and inefhciency are shown to exist,
and this no one has dared 70 intimate e
in this case. The longer we retain
a good man in a position the more
efficient he becomes, and no change
should be made except for good and
sufficient reason. We say nominate
and elect Tufts for eur Representative
and reap the benefit to be derived
from the experience Of one term.
Year: 1876

for me any more"


Esther determined to keep the poor girl,
since she was so anxious to remain. She re-
ally liked her, and felt deep interest in her,
from the few circumstances she was able to
CLEAN from her in relation to her past life. 1t
seemed to her that Picciola must have been
born in better station than present appear.
ances would indicate and the very fact Of
her parents knowledge of the historical tale
from which her name had been derived, point
ed them out as having been people of some
education. The girl herself had nothing
coarse or common about her, either in manner
or appearance On the contrary, there was
degree of refinement which showed itself, IN
many ways, in her behaviour, really surpris-
ing in one taken from such inferior surround
ings as hers had been. Raymond described
the old woman, her grand dmother, as verlta-
BILE hag-dirty, repulsive looking, uncouth in
manner, and every way unprepossesslng and
Esther suggested that the relationship between
them might be only pretended one !; an idea
which seemed the more reasonable from the
circumstance of the woman being so ready to
barter away the child for a paltry sum of
money-though Raymond declared that the
class to which she belonged was so degraded,
that no conduct, however unnatural, surprised
him in any of its members, provided it result
ed in the qualification of their ruling passion,
avarice


81 suppose" he said to his wife, after she
had ex pressed to him her desire to keep PIC.
ciola, ''that had better 60 at once to the old
witch and close the bargain she was so anxious
to make with me from the first"


II wish you would" rejoined Esther; "snd
please make certain, Paul, that she will never
come near US, or try to hold any intercourse
with Picciola when she is once in our posses
sion."
Year: 1876

did not transmit the information in re-
gard to Hamburg to the President until
ne had ascertained the whole truth. The
Democratic party in South Carolina to-
day was divided as to whether it should
nominate candidate for governor, or
accFpt Governor Chamberlain and sup
port him when nominated by the Re-
publicans. His course has been apprOv-
ed by both parties, and it was fair to
presume that he was an honest man and
told the truth. He Patterson knew of
the ways that are dark and tricks that
are vain" that are Iesorted to in the
south by Democrats 10 carry elections,
ana mad no doubt IS to the truth of all
these statements. The other branch of
congress had been engaged all session
IN q wild hunt for Republican thieves,
and they had caught some. He was glad
OF 1t. He would be the last man to at.
tempt to protect Republican thieves,
and he hoped the Democrats would
catch them. The Republicans were all
willing to aid the Democrats In catching
Republican thieves and Democratic
murderers. He then spoke of the Ham,
burg trouble, and said he regretted to see
that many Of the most respectable men
OF that State were charged with being
implicated in that affair.


Before Senator Patterson concluded,
he yielded to motion for executive ses-
sion.


Senator Sherman, from the commit
tee on finance, reported, with amend
ments, the house concurrent resolution
in regard to the appointment OF coma
mission to inquire into the change
which has taken place in the relative
value Of gold and silver, the policy Of q
restoration Of double standard in the
country, etc. Placed on calendar.


The senate then went into executive
session, and soon after adjourned.
Year: 1876

OUR special and the letter Of our cor
respondent at Nashville are so full as 10
forbid any comments from US touch
ing the State convention and the work
before it. But We cannot refrain from
protesting against the base attempt to
defeat Governor Harris, to which cur
correspondent refers. We have already
had too much OF sec;ionaIism in our pol
itics, and we trust 10 the good sense Of
our party to prevent the introduction
Of 1t as q. part Of the party ma
chinery. Nationally we should know no
north, no south, no east nor west, and
30 politically the fancied geographical
divisions Of East, Middle and West
Tennessee should never be mentioned
for personal or selfish ends. Governor
Harris is the sblest statesman in Ten
neseee, the people desire his rervlces
and the convention should unanimously
recall b;m to public life.
Year: 1876

A NEGRO preacher, and editor Of the
Missionary Record, fittingly named
Cain, thus threatens the white people of
South Carolina In one of his editorials: !:


Remember that there are eighty thou
sand black men in this State who can
bear Winchester rifles, and know how
to use them, and that there are two hum
dred Thousand women who can light a
torch and use knife, AMI that there ere
one hundred Thousand boys and girls
who have not known the lash Of white
master. The negro in this country will
not always be docile-be will not always
be restrained by fesr-the rising genera
ton are SIS brave and daring ss are white
msn; already that spirit is taking deep
root in the minds OF thousands who have
nothing to lose IL the contest, and who
would rejoice in an opportunity to sacri-
fee their lives for their liberty.


We want Morton, Boutwell, and Lo-
gan, the "bloody-shirt" trio in the SEN
ate, to make note of this.
Year: 1876

The Nation expresses the situation when
it says: The Democrats had an excellent op-
portunity when the session began of securing
genuine economy in all branches of the SER
vice, but they have thrown it away by
blind and indiscriminate attack upon expen-
dituIes, like those for the salaries of West
Point officers, and the Consulates, and the
Signal Service, which are most necessary and
beneficial. We trust that the Democrats in
the Senate will not recede from the position
they have taken on this subject, or allow
themselves to be persuaded into believing
that the country, when it denounces the ex-
travagance OF paying barely sufficient salaries
to public servants, or of lighting the coasts to
protect the commerce of the country, or of
detailing few soldiers to make scientific OBJ
servations which annually prevent the de-
struction of millions of property.
Year: 1876

THE unwise parsimony of the Democratic
House shows itself in the reduction of the
appropriations for the continuance of work
on the State, War, and Navy buildings. The
speedy completion Of these buildings is neces-
sary to the safety of records now stored in
unsafe buildings rented at immense cost.
Year: 1876

GEN. HAYES was nominated and elected
to Congress while he was in the army.
After the election he wrote to friend in
Washington, who offered to entertain him
there, that his route to Washington would be
through Richmond, And he did not 90 until
he could proceed through the confederate
capital
Year: 1876

Mr.. BLAINE's health requires that he
should seek a change of climate and quiet,
and to that end he will return within a few
days to his residence in Maine in the most
quiet manner possible, and for a time give up
every kind of employment and refuse to see
yisitors
Year: 1876

The Democrats in the House have struck
blow at the purity of elections by the re-
peal of the laws in regard to the registration
of voters and the appointment of supervisors
of elections. They desire a return to the
Tweed practice of stufing the ballot boxes.
Year: 1876

THE Democratic House has distinguished
itself by greatly reducing the appropriations
for the signal service. This service annually
saves from destruction an immense amount
of property, and ship owners will not thank
the Confederate House for Gripping It.