smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1873

house party feel that they can confide. Inc
Presidents of the Boards of Aldermen and AS
sistant Aldermen can only be removed by
vote of three-ffths of all the members; ana
the gentlemen who hold those offices now, ana
with whom the managers have OF course
made their arrangements, cannot be re"
moved at all. under any pretext, until the
end of the term for which they were elected
Alderman and Assistant AldeTman respectively.
No amount Of jobbery and corruption, there
fore. no crime however infamous, can deprive
these two favOrtes of the right to preside over
city legislation and fill the city offices. They
might both be caught in the act OF house
breaking, and yet the Common Council could
not expel them, nor could any power strip
them of their high prerogative. They might
call the Mayor to meeting in the TOmbs
(for the time and place Of such meeting is to
be fixed by the majority and then and there
appoint themselves to any offices which chanccd
to be yacant-the offices, perhaps of Controller
and Chamberlain.


It seems hardly possible that the Senate
should pass such compound OF rascallty and
folly as this Charter; but we are not sangrline
of the triumph of reason at Albany.
Year: 1873

who disbelieve in it should be directed to re-
placing il with something better, instead OF
attempting to rescue individual criminals
from the rope. We cannot afford TO keep up
an idle gallows, any moro than to retain
dead letter law on the statute books.


We need prompt and efficient punishment
of our criminals and that, we fear, we shall
never obtain under tho regimen of strangula-
ton. Had it not been that 80 many minds
revoltcd against the legal killing OF Foster,
he might long ago have been shut up for life,
using his youth and strength in the service OF
the State. If it were not for the death penalty,
does any one imagine that Nixon, the brutal
murderer of Phyfcr would not have been pun
ished before this with lifelong imprisonment
If it were not for the tragic interest which
their possible fate gives them, the inmates OF
Mmderers' Row would long since have passed
away from the recollection of the ciyilly liy-
ing, instead of remaining as they are, objects
of poisonous interest to society.


1t does not appear a sufficient answer to
this 10 say as strong and elaborate article
in The Nation of this week says, that
sentence of imprisonment for life cannot be
carried ont that the same influences which
now work for a cOmmutatlon would III that
case work for pardon. If the death penalty
were abolished, it would be necessary at the same
time to take from the Governor his present
unrestrained prerogatiye of pardon. This Is
in itself a solecism of civil governmental
confession of the failure of Judicial processes
Every good purpose now subserved by IL
could be better secured by vesting in our
highest courts the function of reviewing
sentence upon the discovery of facts which
invalidatc it. But until this is done, until the
disgrace of the gallows is removed from our
municipal life, there is no legal or logical po-
sition which the conscientious opponents OF
capital punishment can assume. except to de-
mand the prompt trial and unhinching execu-
ton of every man found guilty of the crime
of murder.
Year: 1873

Under this title there appeared, day or
two ago, in The Philadelphia Press, which,


without offense, may be described as the lead
ing journal Of that city, an article to which
we are tempted, by inclination as well as
sense of professional courtesy, to respond.
It's aim was TO call truce to the unseemly
pickering between the two communities which,
time out of mind, and never so much as
lately, has disfgured journalism. 1t is written
in manly. straightforward, and genial
tone, and no one can read the frank
avowals and earnest appeals without
fully realizing the force of both. We cor
daily concur in the dissuasion. That neigh
boring and, in some sense, rival communities
should have their occasional fling at each
other is the most natural thing in the world.
But this is very different from the chronic
elimination that has been INDUCED in. 1t does
no good, gTatifes no honest craving, and, in
the end, works infinite harm. Let 1t, in the
name of peace aud good-followship. DO given
Year: 1873

This is the seventy-fOurth day of the present
session of the Legislature, and yet there is no
charter for this city. 1t seems that even the
Senate Committee, which reported the present
msshapen affair, does not favor it as presented
1t was necessary that something be given the
Senate to consider; and this poor substitute
is the only one within reach. The Custom
house leaders have wasted time and patience
in their dogged endeavOr to foist their Ring
Charter on the city; but they are as far off
as ever from their final achievement, if we
may Judge from appearances at Albany. Is
there not manliness enough in the little junta
which controls the Custom-hOuse wing of the
Republican party to acknowledge the difficult
ties of the situation, and so give us a Peoples
Charter
Year: 1873

The first of a course of lectures by Prof.
Agassiz at the Museum Of Comparative &C.
ology will be found to lay broad foundations
for comprehensive review of natural history.
The Professor, returning to the lecture desk
after the lapse of several years, brings with
him all his opposition to the current form of
the Darwinian hypothesis, and limits with
emphatic precision the affinities of man to the
division of the vertebrates. He speaks rather
slightiDgly of the popular knowledge of
geological science, and thinks he would have
less to explain if be were addressing Greek
audience in the days of Aristotle-sO poorly is
natural history taught in the schools. We
hope by spreading the knowledge thus offered
before the broad field of a newspaper audi
ence to supply, to some iextent, such deficiency
i'll popular education.
Year: 1873

Taken altogether, the police proceedings
against the Bank of England forgers have
been carried to triumphant close. Our dis
patches and local reports show that nearly if
not all the plunder has been traced and
secured and so this famous case is likely to
terminate without serious loss.
Year: 1873

Considering the doubtful aspect of the Cald-
well election case, the wsest thing to do is,
first, to take vote on his expulsion. We may
suppose that he will not be put out of the
Senate unless he goes out as an expelled MEM
Der. TO declare his seat vacant, a majority
OF Senators think, is doubtfully legal act ;
but majority may possibly be found to de-
clare him unfit to sit in the Senate.
Year: 1873

From our Harrisburg correspondence it ap-
pears that Senator McClure's Reform bill is
not likely to become law at this session Of
the Pennsylvania Legislature. The PROPOSE
ton to provide honest elections in PhIladel-
phia alarms the Ring. The bill will be de-
feated in the House, it is said, though it may
pass the Senate. This is dreary outlook for
those who have hoped that the brutal frauds
of last year would stir up enough popular in
dignation to compel the enactment of some
such law as that drafted by Col. Mcclure. No
matter; that reform is bound to come, and
the Philadelphia Ring will not always bear
rule. But, if an election law is not passed, we
may hope that the Legislature will pass some
general laws which will preclude the necessity
for solemnly enacting statutes which belong
to the legislation of county boards and city
councils.
Year: 1873

The motion made in the British Parliament
yesterday, by one of the Conservative leaders,
in regard to the rules laid down by the Treaty
of Washington, was probably only designed
TO annoy the ministry. AS it characterized the
Interpretation of the rules made by the arbi-
traitors as oppressive and impracticable, it was
at least an unjust reflection upon the impair
tiality of the arbitratOrs.
Year: 1873

There seems to be very large mouse in
"the mear' in the surprising unanimity with
which the New-Jersey Legislature passed the
bill for a General Railroad Law. The sudden
conversion of the champions of monopoly has
awakened suspicion that there may be some
defect in the bill, and it is now thought that
the main object desired. namely, a competing
line across the State, cannot be accomplished
without further legislation. In his recent
decision in the famous Stanhope case Vice
Chancellor DOdd held that the Pennsylvania
Central Railroad Company, as the representa-
tive of the Camden and AmbOy monopoly,
hold the exclusive franchise to build and
operate road across the State, and that no
other corporation can infringe upon that right
save by special act of the Legislature. 1t is
feared that the General Law, just passed, is
not specific enough on this point, and is there
fore nearly worthless. To end all doubt on
the subject supplement to the act on Cor
porations has been introduced IN the Assembly,
declaring that no franchise conferred by any
law heretofore passed or to be hereafter
passed shall be held to be exclusive without
express words 10 that effect This will place
the matter beyond question and ought to be
passed Immediately. The action Of the Senate
upon it will show whether they arc acting in
good faith or not Let it be pus to the test
without delay.
Year: 1873

Mr.. VIM. NJ Tweed announces, through his
counsel that he denies that the Senate has
any control over him, because he has never
been sworn in. Well, does he deny that the
Senate has some control Of the seat of the
member for the IVth District If he does not
occupy it, why should n'tit be declared vacant
We do not say that this should be done, be-
cause we incline to the belief that the seat
should instead be made vacant to some pur-
pose by the expulsion of the criminal who was
elected to it. But in any case this cow
ardly Senate ought to stop lodging the
whole question. Mr. Tweed says if they
meddle with him somebody will get hurt. We
very much fear that somebody has been making
arrangements with him since, and that the
matter is going to be smoothed over and al
lowed to pass, just as it has already passed
for year and half.
Year: 1873

The story of the Erie coup d<tat was retold,
yesterday, by two of the principal Witnesses
Jay Gould and Archdale 0Dougherty. The
details of the fight are not novel, but they
have curious interest. When we get through
the investigation, though we may not be able
to decide as to the relative claims of those
who have been so loud to demand the honor
of being the Ring-breaker, we hope to find
out what the campaign cOst-which is much
more to the purpose. Meantime, what is to
be done with those railroad officers who ap-
propriate sixty thousand dollars for Winters
legislative expenses at Albany as coolly as an
extra thousand for axle-grease for the loco
motives?
Year: 1873

AprOpOs Of the punishment of the young
rufians who practically boarded three street
cars the other night, we print to-day
striking summary of similar events which
have lately disgraced the city. The array
imperfect though it must necessarily be-
shows how much brutality and violence our
ong-suilering citizens will endure be-
fore making serious complaint. The
police force is demoralized and the car
companies make no pretense Of protecting
their passengers. Certain lines. notably those
of the Third and FOurth-aves., are notoriOusy
dangerous and to be avoided as the toughest
class of people naturally seek those cars which
are most crowded. The Superintendent of
Police must see the necessity of hunting out
and bringing to punishment the rascals who
inlest street travel and the managers of the
lines can do much toward correcting
the evil complained of by encouraging
their Cwn employees to be sharp with
the rufliaas who now plunder passengers with
impunity. 1t is a hard case that 80 many Of
these conductors and drivers should be apt to
insult and worry patrons of the road, and yet
have no word of remonstrance or blow Of
defense when highwaymen assault the pasSen-
gers. But bullics are always towards.
Year: 1873

The murder of well-knOwn and estimable
citizen of Brooklyn adds another ghaStly
tragedy to the daily increasing list. Mr. Good
rich was foully murdered in his own house
under circumstances which Immediately recall
the Nathan tragedy That mysterious alalr
has not yet been explained satisfactorily. WIZ
the so-called detective force be able to follow
up the slender clue left them in this case ana
find the muTdercrf
Year: 1873

Our japanese friends may have = new iorelgn
difficulty. IL is not likely that China VIII
readily yield the great island OF Formosa' TO
which the japanese lay claim. That part oil
the island which faces the main land Is set
tied and governed by Chinese, and is included
in one of the provinces of the Empire. The
rest of FormOsa is settled by wild and in
hospitable race, suspected of canniballsm, aud
not specially desirable as subjects.


Perhaps nobody who knew anything OF the
character of the buildings destroyed by the
great fire on the Jersey shore, yesterday, will
be surprised by the disaster. The vast struc-
lures which line the wharves from the White
Star Docks to the Erie Railroad Depot and
shops are highly infammabe; they might
have been nearly fre-prOOf. When they are
rebuilt let us hope that due regard to safety
will make them so.
Year: 1873

Some weeks since family consisting
of husband, wife and six children ar
rived in this city from Ohio. As their
baggage and household effects were de-
layed in transit, they could not proceed
on their journey, and so put up at ho-
tel till they should arrive. Day after day
they waited, and still the goods did not
come. Meantime the funds ran low,
and they could no longer afford to
board, so small room was hired on
Farnham street, and the family moved
into it. 1t was not over ten feet square
and yet these eight persons lived, ate,
and slept there. The ages Of the child
ren were from eight to seventeen. The
suffering of the family eliminated
in the death of n member of the little
banda bright girl of twelve years
She was taken sick on Friday, and died
on Sunday. So reduced had these peo-
Pile become that they had not a single
dollar LEFT to purchase the necessaries of
life. The father is carpenter by trade,
but could not get work. These facts
coming to the knowledge of the First
Baptist Society, they have taken charge
of the suffering family. The rail road
are still endeavoring to trace
the lost goods.-Omdhd Republican.
Year: 1873

NJ. Houseau says: The mule is sup
posed to be able to count as far as five,
at least, and this is considered to be es-
tablished by the following observation.
There is 4 short branch line of omnibus
es in New Orleans, where each mule
makes the journey five times successive
ly before being changed. The veteri-
nary surgeon of these animals called at
tention to the fact that at the end OF
each of the first four journeyes they are
silent, but as they approach the end OF
the fifth they neigh. But this is not
satisfactory. The end of the fifth trip
may be marked by separations for
feeding the animals, which they hear
or smell at distance, and these may
have produced responsive neighs. Serb
uprs
Year: 1873

The Liverpool Globes correspondent
at Gibraltar writes:


There is little vessel in this port


whose recent history is even more mys-


terious than that of the Murilla, and


perhaps similarly tragieal to that of the


Northfleet. The Mary Celeste, an


American brigantine, was fallen in with


by British vessel some four hundred
miles east of the Azores, and brought


by her to Gibralter on December 18th.
When discovered she was under fore
mast staysail and jib, and under this
hight canvass she had been pursuing her
way for ten days without soul on
board, the last entry on the ships log
being on November 9th. No other pa
pers were found on board-manifest,
bills of landing, every document which
could have thrown any light upon the
history of the derellet had been remov-
ed-and up TO the present time, although
the inquiry is still going on, not the
slightest clue has been traced to account
for the desertion of the vessel, and even
conjecture is at fault. The cargo, con-
sisted of barrels of spirits, is untouched
with the exception of one eask which
had started. There are no signs of the
vessel having suffered from bad wealth
er in any single respect, the most mi
mute examination having failed to de-
tect any injury above the water or be-
low it. A harmonium in the captains
cabin and the music books We're all in
their places untouched by salt water
A little phial of oil was still standing
by a sewing machine, and a reel of cot
ton and a thimble had not yet rolled of
the table. Nor had the cabin been plum
dered, for its contents, belonging toa
lady and child. were of considerable
value. A sword was i'm its scabbard,
rusty, and with marks of blood having
been wiped off. There are marks like
sharp cuts on the topgallant rail and on
both sides of the vessels bows, which
appears to have been done on purpose
Whether this points to any act of vio-
lence, and with what motive committed
why the vessel was left under sail, or
in apparent absence of either plunder
or peril, why she was ever deserted at
all-is still an absolute mystery, for up
to the present moment no trace has
been found of the lady or child, Of the
captain or any one of the crew. sr.
Year: 1873

New YORK, March Il. - Governor


Dix has written letter to Rev. DIR.


Tying, declining to interpose executive


authority i'm the case of Foster, under


Avery Putnam, and stating the circum-


stances and considerations on which his


decision is founded. A large part of


the letter is devoted to a review of the


facts of the murder and the efforts


made to obtain from the higher courts,


including that of the last resort, re-


versal of the decision of the lower


courts. The Governor says the evi-


dence demonstrates the murder to have


been premeditated; that the weapon


used was murderous one, a fact which


Foster, having been a street car conduc-


tor, well knew when he deliberately


chose it as the means of accomplishing
his purpose. The question presented to


me, says the Governor, is, whether l


shall interpose the executive authority
of the State and commute the penalty
of death, which the law awards to muir
der, for Imprisonment for life. In sup
port of the application it is urged that
the verdict was accompanied with a
Recommendation to mercy, and that it is
the duty of the executive to consider
the one as part of the other.


This verdict and accompanying re-
commendation, together with the state
ments and affidavits of large majori-
ty of the jurors declaring that some of
their number did not believe Foster in
tended to kill Putnam; that they
thought imprisonment for life as
great punishment as he deserved, |
and that they would not have agreed to
render verdict of murder i'm the first
degree if they had not been assured by
one of their associates, who professed
to have knowledge of law, that YER
dict coupled with recommendation
would secure Communication of the SEN
tence, the Governor states, have been
source of great anxiety to him in COM
ing to a right decision; but to admit
the precedent of admitting after-reve-
latiOns of secret consultations of the
jury room for the purpose of annulling
q verdict rendered as true under the So
lemnity of an oath, would be perilous
IN any condition of society, and in the
present defiant reign of crime such a
precedent would be fraught with in
finite danger to public order. With a
firm conviction that there was no error
in the ruling of the Judge at the trial,
md that the evidence freely warranted
The jury in rendering verdict of mur-
Ter in the first degree, there is nothl ng
n the case which can justly commend
t to executive clemency, and he cannot
nterpose to mitigate the punishment.
If he did disregard the evidence and
Judgment of the courts the inevitable
effect would be to impair the force of
judicial decisions and break down the
barriers which the law has set up for
he protection of life.


So far as depends on me, the supre-
macy of law will be inflexibly main
aimed. Every man who strikes MUIR
lerous blow at the life of his fellow
must be made to feel his own is in GER
ain peril. II we cannot by firmness of
purpose attain this end, we may soon be
orced to acknowledge the dishearten-
ng truth that there is nothing so cheap
,r so i'll protected as human life.
Year: 1873

What is the reason candle won't
burn any longer after it gets to the mid
die? Because it burns shorter.


A Washington belle can speak five
different languages, but couldn't bake a
loaf of bread to save her life.
Year: 1873

Punch thinks that if yQqgg
lady wants to keep her hanls free from
chap, all Sic has to DO is to dress IN the
present fashion. and .et it be known that
she has no money. Chaps, especially if
they be sensible chaps, viii then let her
hand alone very severely.
Year: 1873

gast received: a oar load Of Reiff's
celebrated Philadelphia Mince Meat,
which we can safely recommend as
being unsurpassed in quality put mp
In all styles Of packages. We have
used it for the last two seasons, and
know it to he Of extra quality. We
can supply the trade during the sea-
son on the most liberal terms. Try 1t.


We also have a very large stock Of
everything in our line. All goods
new and fresh.


efls6 SPICER a. RYAN.
Year: 1873

When I was boy, said Beecher in
one of his Friday night lectures, | used
to suffer more with the toothache i'll any
one hour than 1 did in having the tooth
out. and l have no doubt have suffered
more from the toothache than l should
if / had been put to the rack and killed
by the torture. I have no doubt there
are persons here who suffer more every
month than they would by public ex-
ecution. There is something very dread
full to contemplate in hanging, tis true,
but 1 think the small, petty suffering
which people go through with every
week until their brows become CORFU,
gated with care is far greater torture.
Life for the most part Is stale. Take
any active drink, and let it be drawn
awhile. it throws out all its fixed all
and it is not sour-it does not become
actually corrupt for some time, but to
the taste it is flat and stale, and there's
a great deal of life that is simply stale.
How much of your life do you think is
positively radiant How many are able
to 90 on with their duties in secular
affairs in such a way that they are brave
and quiet and trustful and happy? Men
feel every way backward and forward,
like a porcupine that rolls himself up
and has sharp quilts every way. Men
pray that they may have trust in God
in great things, but do they pray
for trust in the things Of everyday
life
Year: 1873

In the National Agricultural Congress
of the United States at Indianapolis,
the Committee on Agricultural Colleges
reported for adoption a resolution ap-
proving and endorsing the efforts now
being made to secure additional aid
from Congress for colleges established
under the land grant of 1862.


An adverse minority report being Of
fered the report was tabled.


The Committee on Miscellaneous
Business reported a series of resolutions
declaring the efforts of any class to IN
crease or decrease the value of labor, or
the product of labor, as pernicious in
their influence and against the interests
of farmers that tire eight-hour law is
unwise, unjust, and disturbing ele-
ment in the business of the whole coun
try. and ought to be repealed.


The resolutions were rejected by q
large majority.


A lengthy report from the Committee
on Transportation was referred back for
modification, and the Congress then adj
journed.