Decatur Democrat, Volume 25, Number 39, Decatur, Adams County, 30 December 1881 — Page 1

VOLUME XXV.

CHHINTMAS TIME. Tn a few days Christinas will be upon us. It comes in the midst of prosperity such as this country has never before known. The crops are abundant, prices high and markets steady. Manufacturers were never before so busy or crowded with orders. The currency of the country is gold and stable. The national debt is diminishing so fast that some economists are thinking that further dimunition should cease, Our railroads are loaded down almost beyond their capacity with freights, and are being extended with a rapidity beyond all precedent. Our exports exceed our imports and foreign gold is pouring into the land at the rate of millions every month. The financial credit of the United States was never higher in all the money centres of the world than it is now. We are at peace with all the world and the sky of the future is rosy with promise. Under such circumstances never before so fortnnatethecomingC'liristmas should be a most joyous time. Thankfulness and religious observances should be unusually hearty, because no secular occurences or celebrations will interfere with the sacred celebrations of the Savior’s birth this fall. The business aspects of Christmas were never better, and merchants who advertise are finding ready purchasers for all they have to sell. The stores are gayer and have hung their many colored banners farther on the outer wall than ever before. Christmas goods have never been finer or in greater profusion, and the crowds that already throng the streets and stores have no difficulty in being satisfied. They represent expectant families, and gioups of children to whom their gifts and congratulaions will come, more than gratifying an anxious expectancy Christmas above all others is the gracious sea-on in which to remember the poor. While the home circle is so bright and cheerful let us remember the dark and cheerless abodes of the poor. Let those of us who are able contribute from the store of good things something to rejoice the needy and soften their hard and bitter life. Poverty and suflering are on every hand. The old and the infirm, the sick and the sorrowful, too feeble to work, too honest to beg, yet with needs and necessities great and increasing. To these let us send charity with an open hand. Cast your bread up n the waters that it may return unto you saith the Savior whose na ivity at Bethlehem we celebrate next Sabbath morning. “Blessed are the poor for they shall inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.” Forget it not and open your heart believing in confidence that when you do good services unto the least of Christ’s children you do it unto him, and on that great and final day when we all must stand before the opening of the book of life we shall find that one smile brought to wan and suffering faces, or one ray of sunshine into hearts dark and numb with the cold chill of poverty will wipe away a multitude of sins. THE NEWS IN BRIEF. Every working man will vote for the new shops. giro Delmonico, the well known haterer, of New York, is dead. Only 144 of all who perished in the Ring theatre have been identified by their friends. The correct list of the deaths by the Ring theatre fire, at Vienna, is seven hundred and ninety-four. General Butler offers to purchase the entire Sprague estate, now in bankruptcy for $3,000,000. An old man who had actually starved to death was picked up by the New York police Saturday. The latest official list of the victims of the Vienna theatre fire estimates the number missing at 621. It is said that Governor Cullom, of Illinois, has asked the resignation of Brigadier General Torrence. A large boa in the zoological garden in Loudon swallowed a blanket and disgorged it in thirty-three days. The fund promoted by the lord mayor of London for the relief of distressed Irish ladies, amounts to £l,~ 300. England was visited by severe gales on Saturday and Sunday which did considerable damage to trees and houses. All the type and machinery of the United Ireland has been forwarded to London, where the uq»:r ’ B to be printed. Guiteau, the assassin, has had a plaster c»et taken of his head. He expressed himself well pleased with the result. , , . A general strike is apprehended among the Irish corstabulary in consequence of filling their ranks with new recruits. Joseph Carm, a half breed from Shawnee, was sentenced to the house of correction at Milwaukee, for selling liquor to Indians. John W. Bookwaiter, the late Democratic candidate for governor of Ohio, has decided to build extensive manufactories at Atlanta, Ga. Collector Clark, of Atlanta, reports that he has seized, since December 1, ten distilleries, 10,000 gallons of beer and mash, and made eleven arrests. O’Brien, son of Smith O’Brien, the agitator of '4B, was fired at but without result while returning from valuing his farms at Glandore, county Cork. The editor of the Havre Gazette ha* lieen sentenced to four weeks imprisonment for animadverting on the attitude of B’smark on the anti-semitic agitation. The commander of the Italian iron, clad Affitndatora, at Alexandria, Egvpt. lias been ordered to hold himself at the disposal of the Italian consul general there. The Emperor Francis Joseph is personally visiting the Vienna opera houses and theatres, and has ordered the adoption of measures for preventing danger from fire The fine span of carriage horses which belonged to President Garfield were presented after his death to Representative Updegraff, of,Ohio, at the request of Mrs. Garfield.

The Decatur Democrat.

TELEGRAPHIC. Detroit, December 20.—Fire in I West Bay City last night, burned the Shepard & Aplin block, Fisher & Harrington’s block and the Vidder block. The principal places destroyed were the Fisher oj era home,Phelps A Co’s, dry goods store, Weber’s hardware store, Bay county examiner’s office and records aiid Street's drug store. Aggregate loss, SBO,OOO. The largest losers are Fisher, bl<a>k. $20,000; Phelps & Co., dry goods, $33,000. Total insurance, $35,000. Bismarck, December 20.—A fire this morning totally destroyed the Northern Pacific round house and five engines. Loss, $55,000; fully inI sured. Boston, December 20.—The Herald says a party of New York and Boston capitalists have nearly completed arrangements for a new railway between Boston and New York. The entire distance from city to citv is 189 33-100 miles. The. entire cost is estimated al. $50,000,000, for which funds have been provided in stocks and bonds, and contracts are now being entered into for the completion of tile work on or before June 1, 1885. I The corporate name of the company is the New York A Boston Inland I railroad company. Express trains for through business will run in four hours, and express freights in eight hours. Cincinnati, December 20. — A Times special says that yesterday evening at New Castle, Pa., Samuel Alexander, an old man living at East Brook with his family, became involved in a family disturbance, in the course of which hesliot his son in the head and shot his wife in the arm, i and was about to fire again when the Ison, who had recovered from the | shock, seized an empty gun and i struck his father a stunning blow on | the top of the nead, felling him to the floor. The old man was alive last night, but physicians say he cannot recover. The mother and eon have been arrested and are in jail. Chicago, December 20.—The infant child of Mr. an 1 Mrs. Dewey, of Minnesota, who are stopping at the Gault house on their way to Washington, fell from a window of the fourth story to the court below and was instantly ki led. Louisville, December 20. — The ju y iu the ease of George M. Allsop, who murdered constable Harrison, in this county, last August, returned a verdict of guilty and fixed the sentence at imprisonment for life. Charleston, W. Va., December 20. —Captain William Vaudegrift, a noted ex-eou federate officer, was shot and killed last night, by Henry I<egg, during a quarrel. Legg is in jail. Baltimore, 0., December 20.—The four-year-old daughter of John Groves, during the temporary absence of its mother, set its clothing on fire while playing with matches. Mrs. Groves was brought in by the child’s screams and fought the fire as best she could, but the child was fatally burned and Mrs. Groves’ hands are in a painful condition. Elkhart, December 20.—A wreck occurred tliis morning on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern tailroad just west of this city, caused by one freight train running into the rear of another while at full speed and utterly demolishing several cars. No lives were lost. Chicago, December 21.—As the pay car of tlie Northwestern railroad was nearing the bridge across the nortli branch of the Chicago river near Fullerton avenue, in the extreme northwestern part of the eity, about noon, to day, the bridge swung open suddenly, and before the engine could stop it plunged with its tender into tfie filthy water, the pay car barely escaping by striking the bridge which had begun to swing back. The bridge was badly wrecked. J. M. Leavitt, the fireman on the engine, jumped and swam out. Engineer W. B. Wilcox was pulled out with his left leg cut off below the knee. The conductor wes crushed to death between the engine and tender and is Still under water. Philadelphia, December 21.— David Monat, whose trial for election irregularities was interrupted Monday by tbediscovery that on ■ of the jurors was merely personating a regularly subpoenaed juryman, pleaded guilty to-day and was sentenced to two years imprisonment and fined SI,OOO. Monat, who had been a member of the city’ council, pleaded hard for mercy. * He had served in the army, had been a prisoner of war, and bad never before been charged with any offense. He broke down completely, but recovered somewhat as his counsel made another earnest appeal to the court. Cincinnati, December 21.—Extensive arrangements are being made for a rrand encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic, to be held here January 17 and 18. Among the speakers engaged are ex-President Hayes, General Gibson, General Steedman, General Force, General Keifer and Private Dalzell. Ex-President Hayes will respond to the toast, “The rebels: we measure their value and sincerity as friends by their desperate valor as enemies.” The membership in Ohio ha« increased the past year from 1,500 toß,ooo. _ , Toledo, December 21.—The boilers in the flouring mill owned by A. A. Taylor, exploded this afternoon, instantly killing second engineer Lew s Mo: not and damaging tiie building and machinery to the extent of $5,00J, on which there is an insurance of $3,000. The cause of the explosion is unknown. The boilers were inspected two months since and were supposed to be in good condition. James Hanahan, a brick mason, was killed to-day by the •Caving in of a sewer in which he was a work. Cleveland, December 21.—A special to the Leader from Piqua says: This morning a German named Rheinhard Stelzer, who had been a hard drinker and confined in an insane asylum, but lately released supposed to be cured, shot his wife in tlie neck, , instantly killing her, and then shot himself four times with fatal result. New York, December 21.—Judge Blatchford to-day continued the injunction restraining Samuel J. Tilden from selling certain stocks in which it is claimed W. L. Wetmore had an interest. Columbus, December 21.—A passenger train on the Lake Erie& XV estern road was stoned near Findlay tonight, and a lady passenger fatally injured. New York, December 23. —Merchants generally report business largely of a holiday character. Merchandise is in moderate demand, and while some lines of trade are comparatively active, in others there is but little animation and light sales. No great activity is anticipated until spring trade fairly sets in. The dry goods trade is generally very quiet, the holiday trade, which has b en keeping the jobbers busy having dropped off. Prices are well tendency of grain has been

I downward. Wheat declined 3 cents ■ Ibis week, corn ILj cents, and prices fluctuated within these ranges, the market closing steady witli a slight exhibition of firmness. Lard and pork have been weak, the decline having been precipitated by the failure of a leading “bull” broker. Prices have somewhat recovered and the market closes firm at an advanec. In w’ool buying has been very moderate, holders having confidence in tlie future, and are firm as to prices. There are no features of special interest. In American pig iron a fair business has been done, and for better grades higher prices have been realized. Scotch pig has not sold largely, but prices are firm and the tendency is to an advance in prices, which may create a speculative movement. In manufactured iron there seems to no falling oft in demand, which hasfor a long time been very active, and prices are well sustained. The leather trade is generally very quiet, but a good demand is anticiqated soon. Dealers are not disposed to make much concession in prices. There is no material change in the lumber market. Produce trade is dull and prices steady, but there is a large amount of bulk butter and cheese in storage which will not be moved without loss. The bulk of this, however, is in the hands of strong firms who can stand tlie shrinkage. There is no trouble anticipated among dealers. Raw sugar is unchanged. Refiners are not doing much, and holders are firm at prices unchanged. At a sale of 8,000 half chests of green tea, Thursday, the bidding was not animated, and "an average decline of 1 cent per pound was established. Tlie market appears demoralized. Tn tlie coffee trade, there areno «pe cial features to note. The new’ crop is coming in fairly, and the product is estimated at least as large as last year. Large operators are keeping out of the market, and there is rather a despondent omlook. Failures of the last seven day throughout the country, 171, which is a very large number compared with the early part of the year. The southern states still furnish the largest quota of disasters. In that section the number is 158; in the eastern states, 24; western states. 42; middle states, 34; Pacific states, 9; New York city, 10. Detroit, December 23.—John F. Simpson, who has been on trial in this city for the past two weeks for the murder of his wife on the evening of July 30, was found guilty this forenoon. The eouple had previously had difficulties and separated and Simpson had threatened to kill her. Neither had borne a very good character. She charged him witli the offense in her dying moments, alleging that he laid in wait for her. Newark, N. J., December 23.—Another warrant for SB,IKK) has been discovered forged by City Auditor Palmer. Palmer writes that Frank B. Allen, a lawyer, had no connection with him in any of his wrong-doings. Palmer says: “Upon one occasion Frank B. Allen appearing at my office to collect a certain amount of damages, I secured his signature to tlie w arrant book in four places, in blank, upon the plea that I was called to my lunch, and that I would fill in the blanks on my return, and that in this ease I procured four signatures in the settlement of the case, whereas virtually but two w’ere required. Allen left for the treasurer’s office with his warrant to draw tlie money. I then filled in the two remaining spaces with another warrant fraudulently procured, upon which I drew the money and applied it to ray own use.” Chicago, December 26.—Small-pox seems to continue in the city at the same rate of mortality and increase as heretofore, tine of the chief causes is that the country towns send their ; cases to this city for the authorities to < care for. One man was discovered in the outskirts of the city who bad been taken with the disease while working on a farm in Dupage county. He had at once been hustled off on foot to Chicago. His face was a mass of blotches, and he was steering for the pest house. The disease has broken out at the county hospital, three cases being discovered .here. They were, of course, taken away, and all visiting at the hospital has been interdicted for the present. Two trains of immigrants by the Westphalia arrived to-day from N w York. The health officer learning of their approach, boarded the trains outside of the city, and finding no small-pox cases,! merely hustled the immigrants through the city to their western destinations. At Mt. Carmel, 111., several deaths from small-pox having occurred, the mayor ordered that services in all the churches be stopped One church refused to recognize the order and he'd a festival. The mayor thereupon telegraphed for advice to tlie state board of health, who instructed him to compel obedience to his order by force if necessary, and to call for the state militia to aid him in case the ordinary officers were powerless. They also instructed him to have every person who attended the festival vaccinated. Columbus, December 26.—The opera house, which was partially destroyed by fire ten days ago, reopened to a crowded house to-night. The repairs have been accomplished by two full sets of mechanics working day and niglit. New York, December 26. —Christmas holiday was observed to-day by an almost entire suspens'on of business. All government offices, national, state and municipal, were closed. The theatres were crowded at both the afternoon and evening performances. President Arthur remained at his home to day and received a large number of callers. Among those who called upon him were General Grant, ' Ex-Senator Conkling,John Jacob Astor, William M. Evarts, Jay Gould, Hugh J. Hastings, W. W. Hur'.but and Jesse Seligman and others. The president received many handsome floral designs. At Charlestown a child was killed by a toy pistol. In Atlanta, George Haines cut Jem Helbert in the shoulder twice with a hatchet. Bob Rattaro cut J. J. Awtrey in the shoulder. Floyd Hobbs shot George McHenry under the eye and in the side. Fred Mitchell shot, probably fatally, Henry Moore, in the head. News reached the city of the shooting of W. B Steele by James T, Davis, near Hawkinsville. At Montgomery, Ala., there were two probably fatal difficulties. J. W. Brand, a white man, shot Charles Payne (colored) through the lungs. The difficulty grew out of the neuro throwing stones at a boy. Pat Boyd shot C. H. Campbell for breaking a wash bowl over the head of Boyd’s wife, the latter a negro. Braud and , Boyd were arrested.

DECATUR, ADAMS COUNTY, INDIANA, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30,1881.

THE TRIAL OF GUITEAU. 1 WENTY-EIGHT day. Washington, D. C., Dec. 21. —The trial was resumed this morning. Dr. Hamilton, of New York, testified as to mental diseases and insanity. Scoville desired other experts excluded during the taking of this evidence —ruled against. Ou the whole this witness’ testimony bore against the theory of insanity and was fairly well sustained. Dr«. Worcester, of Salem, Mass., who refused to answer when upon the stand for tiie defence the hopothetical question pressed by Scoville, testified that in his opinion the prisoner was a sane man. After recess Dr. Worcester was recalled and the most searching cross examination failed to depreciate tlie value of his evidence. Two days of rest seemed to have given Guiteau fresli vigor, and he proved more troublesome than ever, abusing his council and sister who tried to pacify him. At the close of Dr. Worcester’s testimony court adjourned. TWENTY-NINTH DAY. Washington. D. C., Dec. 22.—This proved one of the most remarkably quiet days since the begining of the trial. Dr. Theodore Diamond, of Auburn, N. Y,, was the first witness called, and the taking of his testimony —pertaining to insanity, with a repetion of the hypothetical questions as propounded ye terday, occupied the court until recess. After recess, the cross-examination ofDr. Diamond was continued without incident. Shaw of New Jersey, was called at the request of Scoville. Witness was asked if he had not been indicted for perjury, and replied be had; a stormy dialogue ensued, Guiteau participating. Witness was finally permitted to explain. It arose through a misapprehension, and he was acquitted by the jury. Scoville gave notice to Shaw to defend liis character, as he had a witness to introduce whose testimony he (Shaw; would want to meet. Adjourned. During the greater part of the afternoon Guiteau was engaged in writing an article for publication, and apparently paid little heed to the progress of the trial. THIRTIETH day. Washington, D. C., Dec. 23.—Immediately upon the opening of court, after a harangue by Guiteau, Scoville withdrew from the management of the case, and court and counsel consenting, Charles Reed, ex-District Attorney, of Chicago, assumed control of the defense. This movement among counsel proved a veritable surprise, and its significance, if any, remains to be developed. « At this stage, the taking of further expert testimony was resumed. Dr. Spencer H. Taicott, superintendent of the asylum for the insane at Middletown, New York, testified substantially that in his judgment, Guiteau was sane on the 2nd of Julv. Witness did not believe i to be true that the prisoner acted under an insane delusion. Dr. Henry P. Stears, superintendent ■of the asylum for the insane at Hartford, Connecticut, testified that he had madp four examinations of the prisoner at the jail as directed. Witness detailed at great length the result of his examination and interview with Guiteau. Pending the cross-examination the court adjourned until to-morrow. THIRTY-FIRST DAY. Washington, D. C. Pec. 24.—The cross examination of Dr. Stearns was resumed and the examination progressed with frequent objections requiring the ruling of the court. The cross-examination did not in the least impair the value of the direct evidence, which was to the effect that the witness considered Guiteau sauet The prisoner proved very abusive and insulting during the examination of Dr. Stearns, and Corkhill suggested that if it be continued, the prisoner be removed to the dock. Judge Cox stated that the court had already considered the advisability of such a course; which statement evidently was not without its effect on the prisoner. Dr. Junius Strong, of Cleveland, was the next witness called. A sharp coloquy ensued between counsel, after which, Col. Reed proposed the hypothetical case of the defense and asked an opinion; witness made di, rect answer. Counsel insisted upon a categorical reply, failing to obtain which, witness was dismissed. Dr. Abrach M. Shaw, Superintendent of he Connecticut hospital for the insane, was the next witness, and testified in substance that he considered prisoner sane. Dr. Orpheus Evart, superintendent private insane asylum at College Hill, Ohio, was next called, whose testimony substantially agreed with that of Dr. Shaw. Mrs. Scoville was next sworn, and identified the letter written by her father in 1875, in which he said “Charles is crazy and should be in an asylum.” Court then adjourned till Tuesday, the 27 th. As tlie audience arose to leave Guiteau shouted: “As to-morrow is Christmas, I wish the court and jury and American people a happy Christmas. I’m happy, and I hope every one else will be.” CONGRESS. Washington, D. C., Dec.2l. SENATE.—The chair submitted communication from Secretary of War with report of Capt. Han well on Little Red River improvements and preceedings of Chicago board of trade

favoring Hennepen canal project, referred. Mr. Beck submitt?d resolutions demanding rate* of duties imposed by France aud Germany on manufacturies of the States when imparted to those countries. Debate ensue d con ducted by Messrs Beck and Hoar. ! Mr. Moxey moved amendment including Mexico—accepted. Resolution as modified adopted. Several bills werethew introduced alter which the Senate went into executive session, and when the doors were reopened the house Garfield memorial resolutions were received and concurred in. The resoluion for a clerk in '.he satiate document rooms were adopted. Adjourned until January sth. HOUSE—Mr. McKinley from the memorial committee reported a resolution calling a joint convention o the two houses of congress, on a date to be hereafter announced, to listen to an address on tlie life and character of James A. Garfield, by Hou. James G. Blaine. Adopted. The speaker announced theappointment of the committees of the house as follows: Waysand Means—Kelly, of Pennsylvania, chairman; Kasson, Dunnell, McKinley, Hubbell, Haskill, Russell, Evrett, Randall, McKee, Carlisle, Morrison, Spear of Georgia. Banking and Currency—Cra’o, of Massachusetts, chairman; Smith, of Illinois, Webber. Dingley, Moore, Cornell, Brown, Buckner, Hardenburgh, Flower, Ermentrout. Appropriations—Hiscock, of New York, chairman ; Robinson, Cannon, Burrows, Butterworth, Caswell, Ryan, O’Neil, Ketchum, Blackburn, Cox. Atkins, Forney, LeFevre, E’lis, of Louisiana. The senate bill was passed legalizing the election of the territorial legislature of New Mexico. After a series of short recesses, tlie house adjourned until January 5,1882 Mr. Watterson on the Guiteau Trial. Accident rather than curiosity drew me toward Judge Cox’s court rooms, where I spent this forenoon. The effect upon my mind amounted to a complete reversion of opinion and feeling. I had imagined the trial a farce: it is a tragedy. I had dismissed Guiteau from consideration as a muddy-mettled “knave and fool.” He impressed me to-day as a man of acute understanding, and, though a blundering, a truculent wit. I sat close to him; could see every glance of his eye, every phase of his expression, the slightest detail of poise and gesture. Tlie man is an excellent ao- | tor. He has a capital stage grimace and laughter. I dec are that there were times when he actually captivated me by his well-timed iuterposisitions and effective by play. I came away precisely as one who has witnessed a stirring act in an eccentric drama, wherein all the parts were well played, Guiteau, to begin with, could not have played his parts better. Os course he overdid it, because the mimic world and the real world could not be made to harmonize; but, as a mimic actor on a real stage, h- certainly cuts no mean figure, and will go down to history as absolutely sui generis—a sort of weird and wizened apothesis of dead beatism. All descriptions of his personal appearance are at fault, He is simply brazenly and shabbily and scantily genteel. His voice instead of being harsh and unnatural, is both trained and taking; not reasonant like the voice of Voorhees; not cultivated to tlie pitch of Wendell Philips, but a homely, a vulgar cross between the two witli a touch of Mulberry Sellers and a reminiscance of Rip Van Winkle. He is no more crazy than I am. He shot Garfield as the last desperate venture in a life of moral obliquity and personal discomfiture. All the other parts in this startling extravaganza are well impersonated. Judge Cox certainly presides with dignity, and, considering pros and eons, I can not see how he could have avoided this droll pageant. On the while, I think Corkhill leads the prosecution exceedingly well, and lias the ease thoroughly in hand. He thinks he is sure of a verdict, and I agree with him. It is impossible for anybody to see this exhibition and come away witbont being satisfied that, morallylegally, intellectually and sehtimeu, tally Guiteau deserves to be hanged, and will meet no other fate. A Sad History. One of the saddest stories ever written lias been enacted in the county of Platte, in Missouri. The foundation was laid iu a terrible crime at the Platte county’ fair last September, when Clay Snell, a young man of good family, stabbed and killed a young man named Nathan Andrews. Although public opinion ran high against Snell at the time, tlie strange and inexplicable events which have occurred of late have tended to crcue a sympathy for him. He is now in jail at Platte City awaiting trial on the charge of murder, and it is not intended here to speak of the merits or demerits of his case, but to recount the sad circumstances which have happened in his family since tlie crime was committed, and which has tended to change the current of public opinion in his favor. This is no more nor less than the death of the entire family of the Snells. Shortly after the murder Mrs. Lucy Ann Standiford, mother of Clay Snell, became very much excited over the murder and giew quite ill. Within a short time she died. Then Robert Snell became ill, from what is supposed to be the same cause, and, after a lingering sickness, during which time he talked constantly of the family trouble, he passed away, soon followed by Lis 6-month’s babe. John Snell, another brother, succumbed to the strain of family excitement, and, after a short illness, he also died. The past week Miss Nettie Snell, the last but one of the family of one blood, died; and now the news is to the effect that Thomas Standiford, tlie little 7-year-old half-brother of Clay Sne I, is not expected to live, thus leaving the prisoner the only survivor of this doubly unfortunate family—and he in jail awaiting trial on a charge of murder. He is said to have been so crushed with grief at the death of his mother that for some time he was not informed of the other deaths in bis family. He pleaded hard to be permitted to gaze upon the face of his mother before she was laid in her last resting place, saying: “Send 100 men to guard me, cover me with chains double-locked, but for God’s sake let me seethe last of my poorold mother.’’ This request, however, was not granted. A more sorrowful chapter of family history was never written.

HOLIDAY JOKES. Doctors live by pillage. The chiropodist first dates from William the Corncurer. President Arthur drives a handsome span of bay horses brought from New York. Authors are spoken of as living in attics, because so few are able to live on their first story. A woman who has four sons, all -sailors, compares herself with a year, because she has foui seasons. “Slang is the destroyer of conversation.” You bet it is, and the American people should sit down on it. Whenever a doctor visits a cemetery he sees the figure of patients on several monuments smiling at grief. Considering his connection with the morocco trade, it may be said that Cashier Baldwin played a regular skin game. Queen Victoria's children stand in great awe of their legal mamma. No wonder; she is so much great awe than they. Whatever you have to do, do it with your might. Many a lawyer has made his fortune by simply working with a will. The difference between a defaulter and a thief is very simple. One steals enough to hire good lawyers and the other don’t. “Always pay as you go,” said an old man to his nephew. ‘Bat, uncle, suppose I have nothing to pay with?” “Then don’t go.” “Gracious! wife,” said a father as he looked at his son William’s torn trousers, “get that little bill reseated.’ And she replied, “Sew I will.” “Ask no woman her age,” says a recent‘writer on social ethics. Os course not. Ask her next lady friend. She will never fail to give the information. A Troy poet makes “mementoes” rhyme with “my ten toes.” Such poetry should be V-toed. No matter how many “feet” a line may have, “ten toes” is too much. The editor who wrote that asso pair of corsets for hugging purposes felt as much like a keg of nails as a cheaper pair, now wears a wig. His wife never had a SSO pair of corsets. Another imposter has been exposed. He claimed to be a railroad brakeman out of work, but when he went out of the room he did not slam the door hard enough to make the chairs dance, and was ot course arrested. How to restore oil paintings—carry them back to the owner. Not satisfied with horses of every other color, the ruler of Tunis Mustapha Bey. One is a beer mug and the other is a mere bug. The conumdrum is of no importance. A nurse was telling about a man who had become so terribly worn out by dissipation that he could not k<*ep any food on his stomach, when one of her listeners asked: “What dees he live on then?” “Ou his relations, ma’am,” answered the nurse. “What shall I get you to remind you of me while 1 am away ?” asked a fashionable Austin young gentleman of his intended. “Do you want to get me something that will always make me think of you when I look at it?” “Yes, darling.” “Then buy me a monkey to play witli.” They were conversing, the other day, about a common friend, when Butterby said: “Poor fellow, he’s got the mumps.” “Sorry to hear it,” replied Quilty; “can’t he get anything forthem?” “Well’ no,” answered Butterby without a blush, “there's no market for them now.” What is that which has three feet but no legs, is ail body but uo limbs, has no toes on the feet, no head, moves a great deal but never uses its feet for that purpose, has one foot a$ each end and one IU the centre of the body; nev#r walks out, but goes with one foot where the head might be, dragging the other foot behind? Answer. A yardstick. A Rochester street car horse shot out with his heels the other day and hit the driver with one and the cashbox with the other, and an investigation showed that he had kicked six dollars into thedriver'sove, coat pocket. Such wonderful sagacity on the part of tlie horse caused the discharge of the driver. There is a well known storv of the ruin of a London luncheon shop, by a spiteful and envious rival. Th 6 latter hired a boy t° enter the successful shop exactly at the time when it was most crowded, and to lay on the counter before the eyes of all the wonder ing and horrified guests a dead cat, “That makes nine, ma’am," said .the, brazen faced urchin, as he deposited | his burden and left the shop. Brown was abusing Smith violently on the sidewalk one night. Jones, who heard it from an upper window, veiled to Smith, “Knock him down!” 1’1)6 next day Jones and Smith met. “Why didn’t you knock that man down?” asked Smith. “I hollered to you to do it.” “Yes,” said Smith, ‘‘and I would have hollered the same tliipg jf I had been up there.” A gilded youth, who had met with misfortune, entered a fourth-class restaurant. He there encountered a waiter whom he had formerly seen in the luxurious establishments which he himself had frequented. “What!” said the waiter, “do you dine here, sir?” “Well,” returned the other, gloomily, “you wait here,don’t you?” “It is true, sir,” replied the waiter, with conscious dignity, “but I do not eat here.” A sensational drama has recently been performed in the chief theatre of Moscow, the crowning situation of the piece being a combat in a rocky pass between a lion and an Arab chief. The lion scrambles up a steep ascent, and is about to spring from its summit upon his foe, when the man brings him down with a well-aimed shot. The part of the lion has been sustained most successfully by a trained gymnast named Alexeivitch, until about a fortnight ago, when that artist suddenly fell ill, and the man agement was compelled to intrust his role to sn active super, who undertook it at a tew hours’ notice. When th * time arrived for his debut, he bounded on the stage with admirable vigor, and scuttled up the cliff in irreproachable style. But when the Arab chief discharged his musket, the lion, utterly thrown of his guard by the report, stood erect on his hinder paws, crossed himself devoutly, and exclaiming, “Heaven help us!” hurriedly descended the cliff tail foremost, amid the jubilant shout* of the audience. A Wellington, New Zealand, dispatch reports earthquake shocks in the Canterbury district, which caused slight damage.

. PROPOSEED AM ENDMEN Which Abolishes the Electoral System iu trod need iu the House by General Tom Browue, of Indiana. General Tom Browne, of Indiana introduced a joint resolution in Congress proposing an amendment to the constitution, providing a method ol electing a president and vice-presi-dent, which will attract considerable attention and create discussion. It may be summed up as follows: First—lt abolishes electors, and provides for a direct vote in each state for president and vice-president. Second The eleetion to be held the same day in each state. Tli i rd—Each state to have an electoral vote equal to the number of its representatives and senators. Fourth —The electoral vote of each person voting for president and vicepresident to be ascertained (in each state) by multiplying the entire popular vote therein by th • whole number of the electoral votes in the state, and dividing the product of the aggregate popular vote of the state for all persons voted for, the quotient to be the number of electoral votes, and fraction thereof, to which such person shall be entitled; using for such fraction three decimals and no more. To illustrate—At the Presidential election in 1860, in the State of Pennsylvania, 476,442 votes were cast, as follows: Lincoln, 268,030; Douglas, 16,765; Breckinridge, 178,871; Bell, 12,776. Lincoln, under the present system, would have received the entire electoral vote, and tlie 207.000 votes recorded against him would go fir nothing. By the plan proposed, each candidate would have received electoral votes iu propartion to the popular vote given him. Mr. Lincoln would have had 15.1, Mr. Douglas, 0.95; Mr. Breckenridge, 10.13, and Mr. Bell, 9.72 electoral votes. Fifill—The vote to be canvassed in each State, certified and transmitted to the president of the Senate and Speaker of the House. The certificates to be opened in the presence of both houses, assembled for that purpose in the Hall of Representatives, by the president of the Senate; the votes to be counted in the two houses. Sixth —The vote to be counted as certified by the officers of the State, or iu the event of a contest in the State, and a decision thereon by its highest judicial tribunal, the decision to be final, and the vote to be counted in accordance therewith. Seventh —The person having the | highest number of electoral votes for President and Vice-president to he declared elected. Eighth—ls two persons receive the highest, and an equal number ot electoral votes for President, the election of one of the two is to be made by the House immediately. The same action is to be had by the Senate when there is a tie in the vicepresidential vote. Ninth—ln choosing the President by the House, each State is to have one vote. A quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member of members from two-thirds of the States, and a majority of all the States is necessary to a choice. If the House fail to elect a President before the 4th of March next following, the Vice-president is to become President, as in the ease of the death of the President. Tenth —The Vice-president, in case of a tie, is to be elected by the Senate two-thirds of the whole number of senators being a quorum fur that purpose, a majority of a quorum being necessary to a choice. This amendment differs from that reported favorably to the House in the Forty-fifth Congress by the select committee, in one very essential particular. It makes the certificate of the State, or the decision of its highest judicial tribunain case of a contest, as to the vote of a State for President or Vice- resident, as conclusive, and leaves the two houses nothing to do but to ccunt the votes as certified or adjudged. This amendment, the General claims, abolished the obsolete electoral system, and avoids all the difficult questions that have arisen and are likely to arise as to the eligibi ity of electors. It provides for a direct vote of the people, Without the Intervention of electors, hut still retains to each State a voice equal to the number of its senators and representatives. It gives to each candidate his equal proportion of the electoral vote in each State, aud it gives the minority a voice. It destroys the possibility of the pivotal States, for, as each vote counts Wherever give”, it leaves nothing to be gained by colonizing votes. Under the present system 5,000 fraudulent votes might control the vote of a whole Sta e; say New York, with its thirty-five electoral votes; while under the plan proposed 5,000 fraudulent votes in a State would give only a small fraction of one electoral vote, i By providing for an election by a plurality vote, it keeps presidential elections out of Congress. Guiteau Writes a Letter. By request. Guiteau wrote a letter to the New York Star reviewing the trial as far as it has progressed. He says he is well pleased with the jury and specially so with Judge Cox Whom he considers just the right man in the tight place. Guiteau says: “He Is able, conscientious, and careful, and is disposed to give a wide latitude to all parties. I think he believes in my idea of inspiration, as he is a high toned churchman, and is therefore disposed to do absolute justice to the Deity and myself. Without the Deity's pressure the president would never have been removed. This pressure inspired me to do the act, just as a highwayman compels a man to give him money, after placing a pistol at his victim’s head. Tlie victim may know that it is entirely wrong for "him to give money that his wife and children need, it but how can he keep it with a pistol at his head? The irresistable pressure to remove the president was upon me for thirty days and it never left me when awake. It haunted me day and night. At last an opportunity presented itself, and I shot him in the Baltimope & Potomac depot. I would not do it ag in for a million dollars. It was the most insane, iool-hardy act possible, and no one iu Ills right mind could have done it. But the pressure on me was so enormous that I would have done it if I had died the next minute. I hsd no power to prevent it. The president wa ssurround-

ed by his cabinet and personal friends, and two or three hundred people were in the depot. No one but a madman think of assaulting him under such circumstances. If I had not been instan’ly hurried away by the police, I would have been shot or hung in five minutes. The Lord protected me then, as He has on three other occasions since Jnly 2d when 1 have been assaulted. The gradual way the Deity removed the president

NUMBER'39.

lis an affirmation of my original in--1 spiratiou. I am well sulisti dw nh the Deity’s conduct of this case thus far aud I have no doubt but he will ’ continue to father the act to the end, aud that lhe public will, sooner or later, see the special providence in the act. X have an unusually bright juiy, > and I wish them to pass on my case. ' I judge they are honest, conscientious ‘ and careful, They listen with the ' greatest interest to the testimony and addresses, and no doubt they will give ' the case their most solemn attention aud dispose of it according to the facts and the law, and X presume the hightoned, conscientious press of the na- ‘ tion will acquiesce in their verdict. After giving hi already well known ' opinion of Corkhill, Hcoville and others, he continues: “In the interest of truth and justice I have had to 1 do a great deal of talking myself, but some people think my points are well made. 1 have no egotism, and only talk because the truth requires it. I am on trial fortruth, for justice, for vindication. I have no fears for tiiis world or the next. The Deity always has taken care of me, and I am well ' satisfied with His dealing with me since He inspired me to attempt the president’s removal. Had I been a good marksman, he would have gone at once, but it is far better in every way that the Deity let him go as he did", because it gave the Deity an opportunity to confirm the act. It also prepared the public for the change. I am highly pleased with Gen. Arthur. He has done splendidly in his new position. No one could have done better. He is high-toned, conscious, and keeps his secrets. I have been especially pleased with his conciliatory spirit and wisdom toward the opposition. It is exactly what I wished him to do—viz., unite the factions of the Republican party’ to the end that the nation may be happy and prosperous. Charles J. Guiteau. At a Yucatan Ball. The same dazzling array of beautiful, jewel-bedecked mestiza girls beamed upon this evening, as at the first dance, and soon all my friends were busy filling their books for the dances. There was no prescribed style of dress for the men; some wore their shirts outside, fluttering in the evening air, some wore them inside, and some of the more aristocratic even wore coats, but all wore their hats. Unobserved in a corner I was watching the strange costumes, when the sharp eye of the General espied me, from his chair of slate, beueatli his own portrait, draped in Mexican colors. “Hi, Senor Frederico, why are you not dancing?” “Senor General, I don’t know bow ?” “Yes, you do; you’ve got to dance, any way. " W'th that he approached me, and when I tried to dart through the crowd caught and led me sternly back. “Here,” beckoning to a lovely girl, “come, my darling, and dance with el senor estrangero,” The girl came aud stood in front of me, smiling. “That is my’ niece, the prettiest girl in the room and the best dancer in the canton. Take her, now, and may the Lord help you.” Then I explained that I never daneed; that a lame duck in a tenacre lot could waltz all around me. It wae of no use. He repeated: “There’s mv niece; look at her!” True enough, there she was waiting for me to take her out. Oh, she was a handsome girl', with regular features and shapely shoulders, and hung all around wsh gold ornaments. Now that girl couldn’t understand a word of my language, but she must have seen that I didn’t want to dance with her. But when the music struck up she merely smiled and said, “Vamanos!” Vamonos is “come along!” but I wouldn’t go. I commenced to explain : “Seniora'ca, yo no se this kind of a dance, you know; it’s all Greek to me; a Virginia reel, now. or a sailor’s hornpipe, for instance, but this for she advanced with fire in her eye, and seized me about the waist and said, in a decided manner, “Vamonos!” and I vamoused. Well, that young lady sailed all about me like a swan. While I hopped up and down, stepped on her skirt, and trod on her toes, she remained as serene as a summer sky, pulled me this way and that, whirled me round and round till I was giddy, and ended by slinging me into a seat, while the whole audience, who had remained thunderstruck with awe and amazement at my war dance, burst with loud cries of “Viva el Americano.” —[ Boston Herald. Delicacies Never Dreamed of. If ever a small but heroic, federations of philanthropical enthusiasts was fairly entitled to the gratitude of civilized mankind that body is the Zoological committee of the West pbalian Provincial Association. From its recently published report upon “Measures taken by the committee during the past year for the deveiopemeut of humanity’s comestible resources,” we gather that the associates have carried out a series of experiments in the eating line which are probably’ unprecedented in the annals of investigation. They have partaken of of stewed bear and badger, both roasted and hashed with sweet sauce, and found them delicious. Baked crane stuffed with chestnuts and plums they pronounce to be superior to any stubble goose that ever waddled o’er the lea. In their opinion frog spawn, which they recommended to epicures by the tempting designation of “batrachiau coviare,” is an absolutely first-class delicacy, infinitely superior inflavor to the roe of of the sturgeon.

The concluding paragraph of this amazing report is as follows: '“Dur ing the Munster exhibition of tortois. es, snakes, alligators, etc., a very venerable crocodile, aged about one hundred and fifty, breathed its last. Two days after its scally hide had l>een removed the meat round the roots of its tail presented so appetising an appearance that the chairman and secretary of the committee determined to prepare a piece of it, weighing four pounds in the manner of turtle soup. After simmering for three hours or so, a soup was served to them of such vigorous aspect and seductive power that all their guests called loudly for (plates, and in a few seconds the tureen was emptied. I A huge anaconda, belonging to John Robinson’s circus, at Cincinnati eseaped from his cage, ai.d is suppos ed to be crawling somewhere arounu the city. i Charles T. Deacon, inspector of cus- • toms at Philadelphia and representa- • tive of a number of insurance oom- • paniee, has been missing since th? I 10th inst. , , 1 A four legged fish is reported r roui t Kansas, *