smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1872

Postal telegraphy WAS brought before the
Senate, yesterday, by the Post Office Committee,
which reported the Hubbard bill in an amended
shape. T"is bill provides for the purchase OF
tie existing telegraph lines Of the country, and
r::c:r consolidation into Postal Telegraph
Company, which is to act as the agent Of the
Post Office in the transmission Of correspond
erce, and is to connect its lines NTH such Post
OEce as the Postmaster General may direct.
Il may extend it's wires in any other direction
It eees fit. Its rates are fixed by Law at g cent
d word, counting address and signature, for each
circuit of 250miles by day, OF 900 miles by night


Government messages have priority, and the
rates for them are fixed by the Postmaster
General Newspaper dispatches are cent cheap
Year: 1872

It is due to the public that the Committee now
investigating the Credit Mobilier scandals shall
no longer sit with closed doors. The charges
against the parties under suspicion we're made
and discussed in the most open manner, and
the public has a right to know, from day to day,
what transpires in the Investigation. The secret
sessions subserye no useful purpose. The gen.
tlemen, whose official conduct is under investi-
CATION, should demand it themselves az a matter
Of equity. A bulky report, no one knows in how
many volumes, printed after no one knows how
many months, cannot answer the purpose OF a
well-digested report each morning in the daily
papers. At present, the reports are
partly from hearsay and partly inn
agination. The reporters have no au-
thentic method OF finding ont what
transpires in the secret chamber. This is unjust
to the parties implicated as it may give rise to
suspicious against those who are really innocent,
and divert suspicion from those who are really
guilty. There has never been case OF alleged
corruption before, in the history OF the Govern
ment, which stands in such close relations to the
public. It has arisen in connection with the
building Of 3 great public highway with public
funds. The parties under suspicion are among
the most prominent officials in the National Ad-
ministration. The charges we're net made under
q bushel, but in the most public manner, and
the public has 4 clear right to know every word
Of the testimony, as it progresses from day to
dav Let the doors be opened.
Year: 1872

life. "For mercy's sake" cried Duryes, trying
to ward OF the blow. "don't kill mel" "Kiu
you'll" Simmons answered, "rd kill you
q dozen times il could!" The knife
descended over and over again. There
were few conyu1sions Of the limbs, aud then
Duryea was dead. "By j. he's dead" Sim
mons said coolly, and drew his knife away. He
arrested Simmons, and said, ''Give me the
knife" "An right" Simmons replied coolly,
''you can have it now. don't want it any
more" He had no further use for it, for he was
no longer emotiona1ly insane. The sudden euro
was effected by the fact that ho WAS an observing
man, and knew hanging WAS played out in New
York City. He had never been insane up to the
time Of this butchery, which lasted only two or
three minutes. His insanity commenced when
he found he had the advantage Of his helpless
victim, who was weaker than he, and it
ended when that victim breathed his last.
Els recovery WAS instantaneous. It always is,
and, upon recovering, he at once resumed his
usual manner OF life, as far Us his confinement
would allow him WAS rather particular in the
matter Of cigars, as he had always been; de-
sired that his style of living should not be in
terfered with during his temporary absence from
society, and was rather annoyed that the by
should see anything remarkable in it. He was
an observing man, and knew that hanging was
played out in New York City. It would appear,
indeed, that the public has very little business
to interfere with the pastimes Of these emotion
ally insane creatures, although it is to be pre-
sumed that they will pardon the very natural
curiosity OF the public to know who is to be the
next victim.


Meanwhile, it would be very interesting
study Of the diagnosis Of emotional insanity to
know whether the public, as whole, is liable to
have it, and whether paro1ysmal rage can spread
from Individual cases to the whole body polite.
II so, might not these emotionally insane mur-
derers wake up some fine morning and find the
whole public in such paro1ysmal rage as to
make certain the fact that hanging is not played
out in New York City2 One thing is morally
certain: The presence of murder is due to
the absence Of punishment. The people
have great forbearance, but they will
not always submit with patience
It is as sure as the shining OF the sun in the
heavens that, unless some agency checks this
torrent OF murder, terrible day OF 1etribution
is coming. When that time comes, TIE shall hear
no more Of emotional insanity. The gallows is
not only sure cure for it in the individual, but
it also prevents others from having it.
Year: 1872

: bill is pending before the Legislature OF
I:diana providing that, whenever an accused
person is acquitted upon the plea Of temporary
insanity, the Court shall commit him to lura~
tic asylum for the esme number OF years that he
would have been confined in the States Prison
had be been convicted. In cases OF murder, this
would be- for life. This Will, il it become the
law, put an end to that kind Of insanity which
lasts only JUS: long enough to commit murder.
Year: 1872

The New York Herald closes its narrative OF
the recent horrible murder OF Duryen, the lot
terry dealer, by Simmons, another lottery dealer,
with tho following paragraph: "He was very
retcent, and refused to sny anything IT ith regard
to the murder. He WAS apparently very cool,
and acted as Il nothing had happened. He was
an Intelligent man, and knew that hanging was
played ont in New York" There is world OF
truth and very pungent sarcasm contained in
these words Simmons well knew that he could
murder his victim and not be punished for it
with death. He knew that others had done it
before him. He knew that the Tonbs WAS
full OF murderers In various stages OF
legal technicalties, which promise &C.
quittal. So he finished his bloody,
brutal work with as much sang troid and satis-
faction as be would have finished his dinner.
When the murder was committed, and the mur-
dered man lay in the gutter, bleeding from four
teen stabs, he expressed himself as perfectly
oontented with the manner in which he had dono
the dreadful deed: In the Tombs, his only con-
Germ was that his cigars might not be Of his fa-
voTite brand. The blood Of his victim which
was upon his head was Of no account, but the
wealthy, genteel, and inofensiye ASSASSIN e1-
pressed some doubts as to whether his apart
ments would be furnished sumptuously enough
to suit him. The dead body OF his victim, hor-
ribly gashed and mutilated, as it was carried
past him in the jail, did not discomfort
him at all. II he had just committed
virtuous action he could not have manifested
more satisfaction, and it was matter OF e1-
treme surprise to him What the bystanders had
found to be excited over. The reason may be
found in the fact that he is an observing man,
and knows that hanging is played out in New
York City,


It will be matter of no surprise to any one
that the plea Of emotional insanity Is already
set up. This is the disease under which the
thirty other murderers in the Tombs are labor
ing, from the reAned Stokes down to the latest
brutal beast who has lived all his life in the
kennel. AL Of them are emotionally insane, and,
consequently, their thirty victims, murdered
with cause or without cause, in liquor or
out Of liquor, for money OF for revenge,
will probably aleep On until doomsday
without being avenged victims Of an emo
tional insanity which WAS only Of sufficient du-
ration to insure their deaths, and accommodate
the brutal instinct OF the murderers. Simmons
emotional insanity was Of d very peculiar kind.
His victim was man ot slight build; he himself
powerfully built man, and Of great muscular
strength. At the very first attack he gained the
advantage, threw Duryea down, and, holding
him down, beat him until he Was helpless and
begged for mercy. But Simmons WAS emotion
ally insane and drew his bowie knife, which, or
some other weapon, these enotionauy insane
Year: 1872

eral Grants Administration. It is true that
there we're some doubters. Among them was q
writer in the Nation, who explained the action
taken in that case by alleging that Mr. Fair
man, the Assistant Postmaster, who succeed
ed the retiring official, was the real choice OF
Simon Cameron, and vas also personal friend
OF General Grants. Certain Congressman, who
would have been seriously alarmed if they had
believed this to be practical Inauguration Of
the new Civil Service system, maintained
pretty confident air, and declared that
the rules would be enforced in
such cases as conformed to the preferences
Of the Administration, and in no others. The
Chicago Post Office is likely to prove that this
opinion WAS correct. There is no longer any
doubt that General Macarthur will be Colonel
eral Macarthur has ever lad any special expe-
rience in postal service. On the other hand,
there is no other Post Office in the country where
the rule OF promotion could have been applied
with so much Justice, and SO great promise OF
good results, as in the Chicago Post Office. It
is q fact well known to the Chicago public, and
presumably familiar to the postal authorities,
that n1r. Squires, the Assistant Postmaster in
this city, is one Of the most efficient officers in
the service, and has had practical control OF the
Chicago Post Office, one Of the most important


in the country, for several years. It is perhaps,


proper to ask why the rule of promotion, 80
rigidly inaugurated in the case of the Philadel-
phia vacancy, should be ignored in Chicago,
Year: 1872

In passing the Deficiency Appropriation bill,
yesterday, the House added an amendment for
bidding the Board Of Public Works Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia to involve the United States
in any further liabilities beyond the appropria-
tions Of the last session. One hundred thou
sand dollars was appropriated for the Vienna
Exposition, and the appointment WAS author
lied OF twelve American artisans to visit
the Exposition and study foreign industry.
With regard to the celebrated greeRback lock-
up perpetrated last year BY the Tenth National
Bank OF New York, the Banking Committee
reported that the Directors meant to create
q panic by what they did, and that
they succeeded so far as to pro-
duce tghtness OF the money market
throughout the country. They recommend no
action against the bank, but, to prevent ouch
financial corners in the FUTURE they offer bill
which imposes fine Of $4,000 upon any bank
offending hereafter in this way, forfeits it's
charter, and imprisons the guilty officers five
years. The Committee have been ordered to
ascertain whether any combinations are now in
existence for locking up coin or greenbacks, and
in Whist way they may be defeated and prevented
in future,
Year: 1872

Air. Haremeyer, the Mayor-elect Of New York
City, has indicated to rep orter some OF the
changes which he will suggest in his message
<or the Municipal Government to be established
under a new charter. Tho principal points
which he makes are, first, that the Mayor should
be vested with the power Of removal for cause
and, second, that the number Of Commissioners
a: the head OF the several Departments should
be reduced, and, in every case where it is practi-
cable, there should be but one head to a De-
pa-tment. No people have suffered 30 much as
she people Of New York from the Departmental
system Of Municipal Government, with its di7iB-
ION and shifting Of responsibility.
Year: 1872

The application of the rule of promotion to
the vacant Postmaster's Office in the CITY Of
Philadelphia led & good many people to believe
that the principles Of Civil Service Reform
would hencafcrth be rieid1v enforced by Gan-
Year: 1872

er than other matter, and there will be no inter-
ference with the present rates Of Press Associa~
tions if these are lover than tho statutory tariff
The Government reserves the right to annul the
franchise for CAUSE.
Year: 1872

The Pail Mall Gazette thinks that house
holders who are anxious to econOmize their
coal will do well to try plan suggested by
a correspondent of the Edinburgh Co,,rdnt
which, assuming it to prove effectual,
should at once practically reduce coal to a
third of its present price. Looking over
an old volume, he says he found the fol-
lowing valuable piece of information:
= BY expending one penny you can rem
der one ton of coal equal to three tons
Onepenny s worth of tar water will satu-
rate a tub of coal with treble its original
quantity of bitumen, the principal source
of their heat and light, and of course rem
der one tub of three times more value than
when it was unsaturated,
Year: 1872

NEVER MIND RIsrSo EARLY.-All
this talk about early rising is moon
shine. The habit of turning out OF
bed in the middle of the night suits
some people; let them enjoy IT, Bu,
il is only folly to lay down a general
rule upon the subject. Some men are
fit for nothing all day after they have
risen early in the morning, Their en-
ergies are Geadened, their imaginstions
are heavy, their spirits are depressed.
Ii is said you can work 30 well in the
morning, Some people can, but Others
can work best at night; others, in the
afternoon. Long trial and experience,
form the only conclusive tests on these
points. As for getting up early be
cause Professor Cannon has written
letters TO the papers proving the ne
oesslty Of il, let no one be goose enough
to do it. We all know the model ma d
Ieigbty-"I invariably riae at FIVE;
work three hours, take light break
fast-namely, cracker and pinch OF
salt--work FIVE hours more; never
drink anything but barley water; eat
no dinner, and go to bed al six in the
evening" If anybody finds that donk
eyfied aort of life suits him, by all
means let him continue it. But few
people would care to live to eighty on
those terms. Ifa man cannot get well
withered and crumblcd up on easier
terms than those, il is almost as we'll
that he should depart before he is a
nuisance to himselfand bore TO every
body else.
Year: 1872

EXPAND THE LUNGS There arc
many people who hardly FL their lung.
once in a year as full as they can hold
with pure air. In consequence they
become liable, Ike any other half-ex,
erciscd organ, to contract disease
This may be prevented by the follow
ing simple exercise: On rising from
bed in the morning, stand up straight
throw the head back, and inhale al
he ar you can; now breathe slowly
out, throwing your arms beh nd you
Repeat these long breaths few times
every morning, and you Will much d
minish your chance of having con
sumption.
Year: 1872

Wnen the writer was in Edinburgh,
the celebrated Dr. Guthrie called his at
tontion to the size OF Scotch people, and
to the fact that the average size of their
heads was greater than thst Of any 9th.
er nation in the world. not excepting the
English; and when asked how he ac-
counted for this. he replied ho thought it
WAS owing largely to their universal de"
votion - oatmeal.


Indeed, the writer obsel 'ed that the
national dish was found upon the table
at almost every meal, in the house of the
rich as we'll as the poor. In the morn.
ing came the mush. and in the evening
the traditional cake. about the size of
The crown of hat, and a little harder
than q sun.dried brick.


For further confirmation on this i'm.
portant question, let the writer add that
he has found great advantage to follow
the daily use of (hoaest) brown bread
and oatmeal in his family. A child
whose first teeth came through in q
starved condition. so that they began to
decay at once and cause much suffering,
is now blessed with fine set of second
cutters as any one could ask, while tho
general health of all is improved. In
fact, we all vote that we must daily
have our brown bread and its twjn.sister
dish of oatmeal.
Year: 1872

We have read story of q little boy


who when he wanted O new suit of
clothes. begged his mother to ask his
father If he might have it. The mother
suggested that the boy might ask for
himself. II would" said the boy. "but
don't feel well enough acquainted with
him." There is sharp reproof to the
father in the reply Of his son. Many
father keeps his children so at distance
from him that they never feel confiden-
TALLY acquainted with him. They feel
that he is sort OF monarch in the family.
They feel no familiarity with him. They
fear him and respect him. and even love
him some, for children cannot help loving
some everybody about them; but they
seldom get near enough to him to feel
intimate with him. They seldom go to
him with their little wants and trials
They approach him through the mother.
They have highway to her heart on
which they 60 in and out with perfect
freedom. In This keeping off plan. fathers
arc to Lame. Children should not be
held of. Let them come near. Let them
be as intimate with the father as with the
mother. Let their little hearts be freely
opened. II is wicked to freeze up tho
love fountains in the little ones hearts,
Fathers do them an injury by living with
them as strangers. This drives many
child away from home for the sympathy
his heat Graves, and often into improper
society. 1t nurses discomfort and mis-
trust, which many u child does not out
grow in lifetime. Open your hearts
and your arms, oh, fathers; be free with
your children; ask for their wants aud
rials; play with them; be fathers to
them truly, and they will not need a me-
diator between themselves and you.
Year: 1872

Why do we blush? What is the cause'
Can it be prevented Why do the
young blush more readily than the old


In the answer to these questions sci.
ence comes 10 our aid and informs us
that this sudden reddening of the face is
due TO a rush Of blood into the capillaries
Of the skin. The influence Of nervous
conditions is strikingly exhibited by this
phenomenon. the circulation of the blood.
or rather, the action Of the heart being
responsive to those emotions and pas
sions which have immediate relation to
the brain and nervous system.


There is q marked difference among
individuals in respect 10 blushing. One
who is very sensitive to praise or blame.
has large veneration, approbstiveness
and conscienciousness, bushes on tho
slightest occasion, while one with those
organs small will be comparatively indif.
lerent to either-will not be moved by
censure or by applause, by the powers
on earth or in heaven. A vivid con-
sciousness of ones poverty or ignorance.
or other impcrfection, tends to produce
feeling OF humility, and this causes one
TO blush. Large self.esteem, with intel
lect, culture and competence, gives as
surance, makes one feel always at home
wherever he may happen to be, and this
puts one above or beyond the disposition
to blush. The old saying that - guilty
conscience needs no Recuscr," is based
on the fact, that one under conviction
shows it in his face and young rogue.
when confronted with his wrong-doing.
will usually blush just in proportion TO
his sensitiveness and consciousness Of
guilt.


The tact that one can not overcome
his diffidcnce, and look friend or foo i'll
the face. is not necessarily an evidence
OF sin or wickedness, as some suppose.
On the contrary, it is often tho case that
the most innocent and virtuous are 30
bashful that it is next to impossible Tor
them 10 look even all inferior squarely
and steadily in the eye. He soon taltsrs
and assumes downcast look in keeping
with his modest and sensitive nature.
Sclf-confidence for the diflident may be
acquired. and though one would almost
sink in bis shoes the first timo when he
appears to speak before an audience, he
will, by practice. overcome his timidi.y
or platform fever," as it is called, and
when used to it, enjoys the slight agita-
ton as mental luxury. At first he will
be suffused with bushes, and his mind
will be somewhat bewildered; soon,
however, equilibrium takes place, and
Richard is himself again"


The temperament also has much TO do
with blushjng. A nervous, sanguine
temperament is much more susceptible
than the Emphatic or bilious. and a
blonde than the brunette. The African,
the Asiatie and the North American In
dian may feel blush, though. owing
TO the color of their skin, they may not
show il.
Year: 1872

SUNNY HoMEs.-Parents ought to ex.
erciss every effort TO make home bright.
Never frown on innocent enjoyment
among children. II is as natural to their
age as your armchair and slippers are to
yours: and it is just as proper toe. Let
children enjoy their innocent gaiety their
futWo may be dark enough to need the
memory of happy childhood to make it
endurable.
Year: 1872

1t is stated that potatoes become
watery from being covered with weight
of water, and that, moreover. the par
ticles are not able to expand and burst
into -four. | venture to challenge that
assertion. Potato flour is not so easily
compressed as all that. should like
to see the pot of water big enough to
prevent the potato flour from bursting
during the process of boiling. Very
little water indeed can enter the potato
during the process of cooking; and as
for it, weight, it is virtually imperative.
Potatoes boiled are almost as houry as
potatoes steamed, if the boiling has
been properly done, and they are better
favored. This is my argument for boil
ing--the potatoes are sweeter. Does
any one doubt it? then let him try a
draught of potato water, and doubt no
more. Where does the water pick up
that loathsome flavor? Assuredly from
the potatoes in the process of boiling.
And the potatoes must needs be better
for the loss; and they are. | thought
otherwise at one time, but am now fully
convinced that the best mode of cook.
ing potatoes is boiling them. This mode
of boiling is good: But one water-a lib
eral supply-with a handful of salt.
will finish them in style, without the
trouble of several changes.-D. T. f.,
in Gardener
Year: 1872

Keep tea IN c.ose chest or canister.


Cranberries will keep all winter in a
cellar


Butter that is made in September and
October is the best for winter use.


Keep coffee by tseli, as its odor af-
fects other articles.


Oranges and lemons keep best wrap
ped close in soft paper and laid in a
drawer.


Bread and cake should be kept in q
tin box or stone jar.


Lard should be hard and white; and
that which is taken from hog over q
year old is the best.


TO select nutmegs, pick them with a
pin. If they are good, the oil will in.
stantly spread around the puncture.


When a cask of molasses is bought
draw off few quarts, else the ferment.
alton produced by moving it will burst
the cask.


Salt Goldfish should be kept in dry
place, where the odor of it will not
affect the air of the house. Fish skin,
for clearing coffee, should be washed
dried, cut small, and put in a paper
bag.


Bar soap should be cut into pieces OF
convenient size, and left where it will
become dry. 1t is as we'll to keep it for
several weeks before using; it goes fast
when it is new.


Rich cheese feels soft under the pres
sure of the finger. That which is very
strong is neither good nor healthy. TO
keep one that is GU, tie it up in bag
that will not admit flies, and hang in a
cool dry place. If mold appear on it,
wipe it off with dry cloth.