Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 September 1887 — Page 3

PENNSYLVANIA DEMOCRATS.

The State Convention at Allentown—Text of the Platform Adopted. The Candidates for State Officers dominated with but Little Friction. The Pennsylvania Democratic State Convention assembled at Allentown, oh Wednesday, Aug. 31. Many distinguished Democrats were in attendance, including Congressman William L. Scott, ex-Gov. Cm tin, Samuel J. Randall, and William M. Singerly of the Philadelphia Record. Ex-Congressman George Post, of Susquehanna, was elected temporary Chairman by acclamation. In a short speech, in which he hastily reviewed the work of the party in the State, Chairman Post said that under President Cleveland the country had had an era of unexampled prosperity, and concluded as follows: In some quarters there is an evident attempt to convey the impression that President Cleveland is inimical to the wounded and decrepit veterans of the late war, and yet he has approved in the last two years more private pension bills than were signed by Republican Presidents in twelve years, and all pension legislation which was calculated to afford relief to crippled soldiers or the widows and orphans of deceased soldiers has been gladly approved by him. And the Pension Bureau, under Democratic supervision, is adjusting pension claims more speedily than ever before, and over fifteen thousand more pension certificates have been granted during the last two years of Democratic rule than were granted in the last twelve years ■of Republican control. Committees on Resolutions and on Permanent Organization were at once appointed. S. R. Peale, of Clinton County, was chosen permanent Chairman of the convention, and upon assuming the duties of the post spoke as follows: In years gone by the country has appealed to the Democratic party in time of public need, and we are again appealed to, and we are here to proclaim that this brood domain shall rot be overburdened and misruled. What if we have the land without the law of liberty to protect It? What if Guilford Miller had a home with- _ out the strong hand of the law to protect it in his possession ? He who is our Chief Magistrate when he declared that Guilford Miller’s home should be protected, did one of the most heroic things of the century. The Democratic party gave us the homes, and a Democratic President was here to protect them. When I contemplate that man—square, honest, and plain Grover Cleveland—then I feel that we can say that we have a President whose name is unstained and whose hands are clean. Who is there to accuse this administration with meddling in jobs? Noone. It is received and accepted by all the people as a clean, pure, brave, and strong administration, commanding the respect of the people and the love of the country. Except the rebel flags, the rebel rags, we have but one flag, and thank God that we love it and that it floats over a united, happy, and peaceful country. I have no language to express my contempt for the Republican orator who goes about with his worn-out cry of the ensanguined banner, and makes fresh appeals to sectional passions. He is like a boss pismire with the wing of a last year’s fly in his jaws—a disgusting spectacle. The Republican orator seeks to parade Blaine in the cloak of a Clay, but Clay had no pockets in his garments for stolen bonds, and had he found such, mark the contrast: he would have said burn them — the bonds, not the letters. But we must have laws as well as homes. We find now that the business interests are bending beneath the burden of undue and unequal taxation—a burden too heavy to be borne. There is being piled up in the treasury vaults millions of dollars out of the people’s pockets, and for what? Why is this vast sum collected? It is a useless and dangerous accumulation—a worse than useless tax upon the people. It cannot and will not be borne. There will be a reduction of this surplus. Will the Democratic party take the lead to stop this wasteful accumulation, or shall we leave it to our enemies to do? It must be abolished. If we do not abolish it the Republican party will take up the work. No matter as to the how just now; but anyhow, somehow, this burden must be removed. Chairman Scott, from the Committee on Resolutions, appeared on the platform and said that he was directed to report the resolutions of the committee to the convention. He was pleased to state that it was unanimously agreed on and the meeting had been most harmonious. The resolutions are as follows: 1. That we renew our allegiance to the nrinCiples and declarations of the platform adopted at Chicago in 1884, which Mr. Cleveland, the nominee of the party, heartily indorsed, declaring in his letter of acceptance: “I have carefully considered the platform adopted by the convention and cordially approve the same; so plain a statement of Democratic faith and the principles upon which that party appeals to the suffrages of the people needs no supplement or explanation.” To these principles he has faithfully adhered in all his nublic utterances. We further affirm the platform adopted by our State Convention of 1886, and in view of the existtag condition of the public treasury we demand with emphasis that the large surplus already in the treasury shall be used to pay the public debt, and that the current and necessary increase going on beyond the needs of government shall be immediately prevented by a wise and prudent reduction of internal taxation and of duties on imports in accordance with the foregoing declarations. 2. That we fully indorse the administration Of President Cleveland. Wise, sagacious, and patriotic, he has restored confidence to the business interests of the country in the Democratic party, has directed the financial affairs of the Government with apt ability, has strengthened the public credit, and thereby given us a period of great industrial and commercial prosperity. Apprehension in the minds of some that the advent of our party to the control of the Federal Government would be dangerous has been dispelled. Our people are more contented and well-to-do than in years, and more respected than ever by other nations. His period of administration has been pure, economical, and fearless, and meets the approval of all fairminded and conservative citizens. 3. We recognize the material benefits which this country has received from immigration. We Indorse the legislation of Congress against the importation of contract labor and to compel the return of paupers and criminals. We commend the national administration for its efforts to r gidly enforce these laws, and, while we are opposed to any illiberal restrictions, we favor such additional measures of regulation as may be found necessary. 4. We favor liberal pensions to deserving Union soldiers and sailors, and refer to the action of the present administration in adding to the pension rolls a larger number than was ever before placed thereon within a corresponding period, while at the same time protecting the Treasury from fraudulent claims, as proof of this fact 3. We point with pride to the fact that since the Democratic party has been in power in any branch of the Federal Government, not one acre of the public lands has been granted to corporations, nor has any land grant been revived or extended. , Ci 6. The failure of the State revenue bill, after it had been carefully perfected and nearly unanimously passed by both branches of the Legislature, was a crime against the majority of the commonwealth, whereby the people must pay a million dollars annually in taxation that should and would have been paid by the corporations, and the failure of the State administration to attempt any correction of the wrong-doing or exposure of the fraud or criminal neglect, condoned a crime against both authority and people, and confessed the supremacy of ring rule in Pennsylvania. 7. That we reaffirm our declaration in favor cf the passage of such legislation as will properly enforce the provisions of the State constitution, act 17, relative to corporations, to prevent improper discrimination, and, equalize taxation. 8. That we denounce the action of the last Republican Legislature in the defeat of the bill for the relief of the refiners of oil in the oil ■district of the State known as the Billingsley

bill, as being in the interest of monopoly and against the interest of the people of that large section of the State. 9. The Democratic party sympathizes with the oppressed of all nations and in all movements having for their object the attainment of the blessings of local self-government, such as are enjoyed by the people of this Union as the result of the enforcement of the Democratic policy. The granting of home rule to Ireland is due as the acknowledgment of a sacred inherent right, and the gallant struggle for the accomplishment of this long-delayed act of justice under the magnificent leadership of Gladstone and Parnell commends itself to the moral support of the American pet pie. It is our earnest wish that the efforts of these distinguished statesmen may soon be crowned with success. 10. We hold to the ancient doctrine of the party that the preservation of rights of the people demand that we should look with jealousy upon monopolies and restrict corporate power within its proper sphere. And we heartily approve the action of the national administration in reclaiming and throwing open to the people for settlement one hundred million acres of lands which, through artifice and fraud, were wrongfully held by corporations, having been forfeited to the people by failure to comply with the conditions of the grants. This, the most serious work of the convention, being thus disposed of with unexpected dispatch, the nomination of candidates for State offices was at once entered into. J. Ross Thompson was nominated on the first ballot for Judge of the Supreme Court, and Bernard J. McGrann was named by acclamation for State Treasurer. The convention then adjourned sine die.

The Tariff Reformers Pleased.

A special from Harrisburg to the Chicago Herald says: The result of the convention is rather more gratifying to the followers of Congressman Scott and Editor Singerly than to the Randallistic element in the party. The platform adopted is what the tariff reformers wanted, and means nothing else than an indorsement of the Congressmen who voted for a revision of the revenue, and is consequently a victory for Scott It is the first time since the late rebellion that the party in Pennsylvania has made a demand in its platform for a reduction of the duty on imports, and naturally binds the members of Congress to support an honest measure for the reduction of excessive tariff duties. Here is where Randall is in a hole. He cannot straddle the question any longer. He is no more a leader. W. L. Scott, who was the Chairman of the Committee on Resolutions, succeeded Randall, and as Pennsylvania is pledged for tariff reform the campaign this fall will be a lively one. The cry of free trade will be heard, but the supporters of revenue reform confidently expeot to poll a big vote. The candidates are strong, and the canvass will be a vigorous one. B. J. McGrann, the candidate for State Treasurer, is a close friend of Randall, and this fact invites the hearty co-operation of the Congressman. J. Ross Thompson, candidate for Supreme Judge, being a native of Congressman Scott’s county, means that the latter will take a hand in State politics. Altogether the work of the convention is regarded as good, let the results be what they may.

IOWA DEMOCRATS.

They Meet in Convention at Des Moines and Nominate Candidates for State Offices. A Series of Resolutions Asserting the Right of the People to Govern Themselves. And Denouncing the Tendency Toward Monopoly of the Present Dominant Party. [Des Moines special.] The lowa Democratic State Convention met here on Thursday, the Ist inst., and was called to order by Edward H. Hunter, Chairman of the State Committee, in the Grand Opera House. It was in every respect a representative gathering of the Democrats in the State, although it was easy to discern that the quota of young men in the delegations was larger than usual. Many of the older party workers had seats upon the stage, while the boxes which had been specially reserved for ladies were resplendent with beauty and fashion. After Rev. Mr. Van Antwerpt had pronounced a brief divine invocation, with true Episcopalian reserve and dignity, Senator W. W. Dodge, of Burlington, was introduced as the temporary Chairman. The Senator is a native of lowa, is young and handsome, but not specially brilliant as an orator. He made a fairly good speech, however. He arraigned the record of the Republican party in comparison with the administration of President Cleveland, giving the latter a most cordial indorsement, which brought from the convention loud and long-continued cheers. Protection was denounced, and tariff reform to a revenue basis demanded. Turning to State affairs; Senator Dodge addressed himself to the State prohibition law, characterizing it as a piece of infamous legislation, promoting perjury, fostering a system of spies and informers, and making possible the violation of the sacredness of the home by reckless and irresponsible constables. The legislative gerrymander of the legislative districts of the State, by which Republican counties are given the same representation as Democratic counties with four times as many population, was not overlooked, and when the speaker finally concluded his address and took up the gavel the delegates were in an enthusiastic state. Upon reassembling at two o’clock the Committee on Credentials reported every county fully represented. Cato Sells, of Blackhawk, another of the younger Democrats of the State, was the choice for permanent Chairman. His speech also was well received. It was noticeable, however, that his several complimentary allusions to President Cleveland were cheered to the echo, and when he asserted that Grover Cleveland would certainly be renominated and re-elected next year the convention was fairly carried off its feet. There was no favorable allusion to the President—and all mention of his name and administration was of the most complimentary kind—but what the delegations responded with liberal applause and cheers. No allusion to a second term was made except by bells, but the spirit of the convention was clearly for it. The sober business of the convent on began with the report of the Committee on Resolutions. Things had not been going any too smoothly in the committee-room. The delegates from the river counties opposed a definite plank on the liquor question. They wanted to declare for a stringent license law, but opposed a closer definition of the amount of license favored. They also opposed a local option feature. The rural districts wafited minimum fees of SSOO, with a local option feature attached. They had their way by a vote of 7 to 4, and when a contest was made in the convention by an effort to substitute the former view for that agreed upon, the verdict was still more rverwhelming. Then there were the friends of the railways upon the committee, who urgently opposed radi- • I

cal anti-monopoly utterances in the platform. These, too, were doomed to disappointment, as the granger element controlled, and the monopolists did not dare to carry their fight into open convention. The platform as adopted is as follows: L We commend the fidelity of President Cleveland in the obligations of his high trust and congratulate the country upon the economy, courage, honesty, and patriotism of his administration. We cordially approve the public land ix>licy of the President Unearned land grants to the extent of millions of acres have been restored to the public domain and reserved for actual settlers only, and the at- | tempts of cattle syndicates to inclose and appropriate large tracts of public lauds to their > owu uses have been defeated. A continuance of the Democratic administration is a guaranty that not another acre shall be granted to speculators or corporations. The civil service of the country has been placed upon a business basis, and Federal officials no longer neglect the duties of their office for the manipulation of party politics. The public debt has been steadily reduced, and we favor a continuance of the policy of applying surplus revenues to the payment of the debt as rapidly as possible. We commend the efficiency, liberality and im- j partiality of the pension department in the adjustment of claims under present laws, and we ■ favor such further legislation as will make generous provision for Union soldiers and sailors, surrounding the same with such safeguards and restrictions as will prevent abuse by any who are not entitled to the bounty of the government. 2. We call upon Congress for the immediate revision of our tariff laws to a revenue basis, to the end that every industry and every section may enjoy perfect equality under the law, and we favor the retention of the internal revenue tax on intoxicating liquors and tobacco, and protest against its proposed reduction for the purpose of continuing the present high tariff on the necessaries of life. 3. We are in favor of continuing the timehonored policy of the Democratic party of welcoming to our shores the liberty-loving people of all lands who come here to conform to our laws and institutions and become citizens of this country, but insist that stringent regulations be adopted and enforced to exclude pauper, vicious, and criminal classes. 4. The noble and manly efforts of Gladstone, Parnell and their associates in behalf of the cause of representative government for Ireland command our unqualified approval. 5. We commend the action of the Democratic members of the Twenty-first General Assembly in supporting the Cassett bill and the bill against the holding of lands by non-resident aliens, and we pledge our candidates to the support of these measures in the next Legislature. 6. The vigorous prosecution of faithless officials and tnose who have corrupted them now being conducted by Democratic prosecuting officers in New York and Chicago is a hopeful sign of a reform of public morals, and we believe the same measure of justice that is visited upon bribery of local boards should be visited upon the same offense when committed in State and National Legislatures. 7. We favor such legislation by Congress as will make all corporations for purposes of litigation residents and citizens of the State in which they do business. 8. We are opposed to all sumptuary legislation, and in favor of a repeal of the present prohibitory liquor law, and the substitution in its stead of a local option and carefully guarded license law, with a minimum license fee of $5.0, for better control of the liquor traffic. 9. We believe that railroad companies are public corporations, and therefore subject to public control. We demand such legislation by Congress and the State Legislature as will apply to State and interstate transportation of freights and passengers the principles of the Regan bill, viz.: All rates shall be reasonable and shall be made public. No discriminations against individuals or localities; no rebates or drawbacks; same charge for same service to all persons, and no higher charge for a less than for a greater service. Prohibition of pooling in every form. Equal facilities and opportunities to all shippers. We oppose the free transportation of any, and favor the cheap transportation of all. We believe that the first-class roads can profitably carry passengers at 2 cents per mile, and we demand a law restricting them to such a charge. We are opposed to special tribunals for the settlement of railroad questions, and especially to such tribunals having power to suspend the laws of the land. We therefore favor the abolition of all such tribunals, and believe that the ordinary courts of the country should be vested with full power to enforce the just obligations of the companies and to award adequate damages to persons injured by their violation. 10. Every citizen of the State is entitled to a vote, and his vote should be as effective as the vote of any other citizen. We denounce as in violation of this inherent right and as a practical disfranchisement of the majority of our people the infamous gerrymander made by the Republicans in the last General Assembly, by which a small minority of the people were vested with full control of the law-making power, and we pledge our best endeavors to restore representation according to population and the right of the majority to rule. We cordially invite the co-operation with us of all persons in accord with these principles in our endeavor to carry them into effect. 11. We favor such legislation as will grant to employes of corporations liberty to buy of whom they please. After the adoption of the platform nominations followed, and were quickly disposed of. Major T. J. Anderson was nominated on the first ballot by a decisive vote over ex-Senator Bestow. J. M. Elder, of Hancock, defeated Captain Jaqnith, of Wapello, for Lieutenant Governor on the first ballot. Charles S. Fogg, of Guthrie, likewise won the Supreme Judgeship nomination on the first ballot, Daniel I. Miller, of Lee, being his competitor. Professor H. W. Sawyer, of Fremont, was nominated for Superintendent of Schools by acclamation. The ticket is conceded to be not the strongest that could have been named, but the platform, which is deemed admirable in the issues it presents, will greatly help matters out. The convention adjourned in good spirits. The Democratic State Central Committee was organized by the selection of Ed H. Hunter, of Coming, as Chairman and C. D. Fullen, of Fairfield, Secretary. SKETCHES OF THE CANDIDATES. Thomas J. Anderson, the nominee for Governor, resides at Knoxville, Marion County. He was bom in Fulton County, Illinois, March 4, 1837, and is fourteen days older than President Cleveland. When 16 years old he came to lowa and located in Marion County, where he has since lived. He was a member of the Fortieth lowa Infantry during the war, served at the siege of Vicksburg, and attained the rank of captain. He studied in the schools at Oskaloosa, lowa, and subsequently studied law. In 1874 he ran on the AntiMonopoly ticket for. District Judge, and although he ran 1,100 vo es ahead of his ticket he was defeated. He is at present County Attorney. James M. Elder, democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor, has lived in Hancock County for twenty year->, and is a farmer and horticulturist and a director in the State Horticultural Society. He is also a lawyer and member of a flourishing legal fi rn at Garner. He is aboutso years of age. Prof. Hugh W. Sawyer, the nominee for Superintendent of Public Instruction, is a Tennessean by birth, and is 37 years of age. When the war broke out he* entered the service at the age of 14, as a drummerboy in the Forty-seventh Regiment, Indiana Volunteers. After the war he obtained an education in a Tennessee institution, and has for the last twelve years been at the head of the schools at Hamburg, lowa. Charles S. Fogg, the nomineee for Judge of the Supreme Court, is a resident of Stuart, Guthrie County. He is about 38 years of age. He studied law at the State University of lowa, and has practiced at Stuart for the last twelve yean.

THE BASE-BALL WORLD.

Progress of the Interesting Contest for the League Championship Flag. Detroit Still Ahead, and Her Chances Improving—Dissensions in the Chicago Club. [CHICAGO CORRESPONDENCE.] Chicago, through encountering unfavorable weather at Pittsburg and Boston, has made but little headway in the League pennant race upon its present trip East. Philadelphia has passed New York and is now ambitiously turning its eyes toward second Elace, which the champions bold. There as been much of the sensational during the past week in connection with affairs of the national game. Dispatches, which upon their face seem highly colored, announce that trouble occurred between Anson and Pfeffer during the last game of the series with New York last week, and that the great second baseman was heavily fined by his captain for what the latter believed to be intentional carelessness. The trouble, it is stated, began in the sixth inning, when the score was tied one to one and New Y’ork came to bat. Welch went out at first base by Clarkson to Anson. Gore popped up a little fly over Anson's head, and Ans went after it, while Clarkson and Pfeffer started to cover first. Pfeffer got there, but caught the ball awkwardly as it was thrown by Anson, and then stumbled at the bag so that Gore was safe. That made Anson angry. He criticised Pfeffer sharply. Pfeffer made some reply and Anson made it cost him $25. Then Pfeffer was angry. He didn’t say anything, but he showed that he didn’t like it as he went back to his position Tiernan, next at bat, drove the ball toward second. Pfeffer got it, touched the bag, retiring Gore, and then in trying to effect a double play threw fifteen feet over Anson’s head, letting Tieman to third. Ward’s hit that followed brought Tieman in, and then Connor flew out, ending th* inning. The first man to bat in the next inning was Connor and he bit an easy grounder to Pfeffer. Fritz got it easily enough, but for some reason, either to play smart or because he was angry and didn’t care, he deliberately bounced the ball once, and before he could recover it and handle it Connor was safe at first. “That’ll cost yoa a hundred,” said Anson, who was boiling over.

"When Pfeffer returned to theTlossemore House after the game, he wrote a letter to President Spalding, in which he declared that he would not play ball if the fine of $125 imposed by Anson was not remitted. He considers Anson’s action in fining him to be without excuse or reason, and declares that he will not pay the fine. President Spalding laughed over the matter when he received Pfeffer’s letter Monday, and said: “Fred is a little hot under the collar, and that is about all that ails him. I presume all of the boys feel testy and quick-tempered as the result of the bad weather they have encountered down East, but I venture to say that Anson and Pfeffer will be just as good friends as ever when the team reaches home. I have just sent Pfeffer the following dispatch: “Fred Pfeffer, Willard Hotel, Washington, D, C.: “Your letter received. The matter shall be Investigated, and if any injustice has been done you it shall be righted. Do not air your private affairs through the press, but play ball and win the pennant. A. G. Spalding. “Whatever may be the outcome of the misunderstanding between Pfeffer and Anson,” continued Mr. Spalding, “if indeed such exists, the club will go ahead and win the pennant just the same. We have had a little bad luck on this trip, but that will not prevent our catching Detroit in the race, and when we take the lead we will stay there. ” THE BACK. As to the race itself, there never was a prettier one, contested for League pennant than the one now being run by the five leading clubs, three from the East and two from the West. Detroit is still a neck ahead of Chicago, and right after Chicago is Philadelphia, with New York only a nose behind, and Boston at the Giants' heels. So far as the chances may be estimated by the figures, it is anybody’s race, though the game Boston is playing would not win in the Amateur League of Chicago. The pennant will go to Detroit or Chicago, New York or Philadelphia, and he is a smart man who can pick the winner. The clubs have now begun upon the last quarter of their long run, and at this juncture Detroit’s chances are brighter than they have been for a long time. The marked feature of the closing half of the League race is the phenomenal spurt of the Philadelphias. About the middle of July the Phillies struck their winning gait, and have kept it up ever since. Of thirty-seven games played since July 11 they have won twenty-eight and lost nine, taking in that time six from Detroit, eight from Indianapolis, four from Pittsburg, five from Washington, three from Chicago, and two from New York. This is a great record, and if Harry Wright’s men keep up their present boom they will soon be abreast of the leaders. NOTES. Arthur Irwin says the Phillies are going to win the pennant. Shreve is the twenty-third man that the Indianapolis Club has played this season. The Boston management lost SIO,OOO by the postponement of the Chicago-Boston games. Baldwin’s catcher in the Northwestern League last year was a full-blooded Cherokee Indian. The bat with which Williamson made his great hit in Boston was turned for him in Pittsburgh. Hickey Flynn’s arm is still in bad condition. The little fellow is at his home in Lawrence, Mass. Baldwin wants to pitch again for the Detroit*, but won’t be allowed to until the club returns home. Hornung is suffering from a spiked leg. He had a surgical operation performed on it last Tuesday. The ball Williamson hit over the center field fence in Boston has been donated to the public museum. Ferguson has played pitcher, second and third bases, center ana left fields for the Philadelphias this season. McCormick, of the Pittsburghs, stole his first base of the season on Tuesday, and he has played twenty-seven games* Baldwin and Burns will prqibably accompany the Chicagos to Sa’n Francisco this winter. Flint will spend, the winter in New Orleans.

INDIANA STATE NEWS.

—A Logansport special says: Recent developments have brought to the surface a new scheme to defraud and rob the farmers. The first move made by the sharper is to write his victim a letter stating that a distant relative in New York or Philadelphia has just died, leaving him a large sum of ready cash. The amount is usually placed at about $3,000. The farmer is urged to keep the matter strictly to himself, or at least divulge it to his intimate friends only, and he is urged to come to the city at the earliest possible moment, with as much as s*2so to pay legal expenses. If he does not become suspicious he follows the instructions and meets the agent who so graciously informs him of his good fortune at a hotel. The $3,000 in crisp, new bills is counted out to him and done up in a neat package. He pays the “legal expenses." and is given a package, the exact counterpart of the one containing the bills, which he is advised to send home by express. When he reaches home and anxiously tears open his package, to his surprise he finds a brick, waste paper, and saw-dust Several complaints have been made to the authorities by persons victimized in this way, but thus far no arrests have been made. —Alfred W. Scott has sent his resignation as Representative of Morgan County to the Governor. Mr. Scott proposes to make his home in Lincoln, Neb. If an extra session of the Legislature should be called two Senators and four Representatives would have to be elected to fill the vacancies caused by the resignations of Senators Sellers and Bailey, and Representatives Barnes, Gordon, Patton, and Scott. —One of the largest people’s mass meetings ever held in Fort Wayne took place at the Court-house recently to organize a stock company, composed of citizens, to pipe natural gas to the city from Hartford City, a distance of forty miles. It requires a capital of $400,000. One hundred thousand dollars were raised at once, and the entire sum will be subscribed. It is expected that pipe-laying will commence at once. —The Executive Committee of the Ninth District Veteran’s Association, whose reunion will be held at Crawfordsville, September 10 to 22, has chosen Capt. J. E. Southard, of Frankfort, us Commander of Camp H. S. Lane. His aids are: Adjutant, J. W. Aughe; Quartermaster, J. Q. W. Wilhite; Chief of Ordinance, H. H. Talbot; Commissary, J. H. Wasson; Surgeon, Dr. S. L. Ensminger. —A most strange thing has occurred on the farm of E. D. Higley, near Tocsin, on the Chicago and Atlantic Railway. A well had nearly gone dry—had only a few inches of water on the bottom. When Mr. Higley went as usual to draw water the other morning he found that the bottom had. dropped out of the well. There is now a deep black hole there, which has not yet been fathomed.

—By the fall of a portion of a heavy derrick at the bridge being erected over Silver Creek near New Albany, for the O. & M. Railroad extension to New Albany, Harry Connelly was struck over the heart by a piece of timber and died in an hour. Thomas Stanger was very badly injured, but will recover. Both men were employed by the contractor for the bridge piers. —Rushville is infested by a gang of small boys who, for the past few weeks, have set fire to seven barns in different parts of the town, all of which have burned to the ground. The last to burn was owned by M. C. Kerr. The authorities are making strong efforts to break up the gang, and it is believed the infamous practice will soon be stopped. —Jack Vanbibber, a young man residing near Evansville, attempted to jump on a log-wagon, but lost his hold and fell to the ground between the wheels. One of the hind wheels passed over him, inflicting internal injuries, crushing his skull, and breaking his right thigh. He died a few hours later, after suffering intense agony. —Henry Pletcher, a young man 23 years of age, of Elkhart, was blown to fractions by the explosion of fifty pounds of dynamite cartridges while blasting stumps on the farm of John Hill, near La Porte. Parts of his body were found eighty rods distant, hanging in the limbs of trees forty feet from the ground. —Two men named Darrow were overcome by damps while digging a well on the farm of Mr. McNamee, five miles east of Wabash. Before help arrived both men perished. The dead men were aged 30 and 40, respectively, and were brothers. Both resided in the vicinity and were well known. —The Sixth, Twenty, second, and Eighty-third Regiments, Indiana Volunteers, will hold their annual reunion at Columbus, Oct. C, 7, and 8. Several other regiments are expected to participate. AU old soldiers are cordially invited. —Sylvester Kirk, of Mount Vernon, a painter, fell from a scaffold recently, receiving what is believed to be fatal injuries. He fell a distance of over fifty feet. He leaves a large family, who were entirely dependent upon him for support. —Rev. Alexander Blackburn, for nine years pastor of the Baptist Church, at Lafayette, has received and accepted a call at Lowell, Mass. He will leave on November 1. His present salary is $1,800; his prospective salary, $2,500. —The remains of a mastodon were discovered on the Godfrey farm, four miles east of Montpelier, at a depth of five feet. This makes two mastodons and one mammoth (hairy elephant) found in that locality during the past four years. —E. W. Benjamin, a pioneer of Wabash County, and an old Mason, died recently in LaGro Township, aged 77.