Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Marion County, 29 December 1883 — Page 1

THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL.

ESTABLISHED 1823.

WHEN INDICATIONS. Saturday Warmer, fair weather, southerly winds. THE COMMITTEE! AWARD CONSISTING OP A. L. WRIGHT, Os A. L. Wright & Cos., ■wholesale and retail dealers in Carpets and Wall Papers, 47 and 40 Bouth Meridian street; • THEO. PFAFFLIN, Os Theo. PfafHln & Cos., dealers in Pianos and Organs, 82 and 84 N. Pennsylvania st.; H. H. McGAFFEY, Manager for Fairbanks 4s Cos., manufacturers of Fairbanks' Standard Scales, 20 South Moridian street. Will begin, on January 11, 1884, the count of the shot and beans in the Glass Globes at the WHEN to determine who are entitled to our HOLIDAY PRESENTS. Very respectfully, Owen, Pixley & Cos. OBITUARY, Sadden Death of Brigadier-General Andrew A. Humphreys. Washington, Dec. 28.—Brigadier-general Andrew A. Humphreys died suddenly last night, of angina pectoris. The General had been complaining of lumbago a week or two jtasf, but was not seriously affected, and the day before his death was out for a short walk. He was out a short time last evening, and on his return was in the parlor with his family. About 9 o’clock the rest of the family retired, leaving him alone, apparently in perfect health. At half-past 9 o’clock a servant" went into the room to see about the fire, and saw the General sitting there, apparently perfectly well. At 11 o’clock he had not gone to his room, and the servant sent for him found him sitting in the chair dead. Lieutenant-general Sheridan issued an order this afternoon in regard to the death of General Humphreys which, after giving the military record of the deceased, says; *Tn discharge of military duties General Humphreys has displayed great zsal, intelligence and conspicuous gallantry. Those who served under him had the highest confidence in his capacity to commaud and the greatest admiration of his soldiery qualities. Officers of the engineer corps of the army will wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days.” In the early part of the war General Humphreys served on the staff of General McClellan, and was rapidly promoted for gallant and distinguished services. On July 8, lie rpeoivert hifl ponmission nq majorgeneral of volunteers. He was mustered out of volunteer service in August, 1866, and promoted to the rank of brigadier-gen-eral in the regular army. He was assigned to duty as chief engineer, which office lie filled until June 30, 1879, when he was relieved at his own request. His record in civil life was equally brilliant. He was a member of the American Philosophical Society, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences; also, an honorary member of the Royal Geological Institute, of Vienna, and of the Royal Institute of Science and Art, of Lombardy, Milan, Italy. John L. McFetridge. Special to the Indianapolis Journal. Madison, Dec. 29.—John 1,. McFetridge, jr., successor to the late Major John D. Simpson, editor of the Evening Star, died at 4 o’clock this morning of brain fever. He was about thirty-four years old and unmarried. Mr. McFetridge was a native of Madison, a son of one of the oldest citizens, aged about 34 years. He had been connected with the Star from the first, being city editor under Major J. D. Simpson, and upon his death, something more than a year ago, succeeding to the control of the paper. He has kept up the style of the Star as it was under Major Simpson, showing tiie influence of the latter upon him during their association. The deceased was connected with Simpson in the unfortunate affair that resulted in Howard’s death, shooting him in the hand, but after Simpson’s acquittal the case against him was dismissed. Howard's friends did not cen- ■ sure him greatly for the part he took in the affair. M J. Haden, San Francisco, Dec. 28.—M. J. Haden, a prominent merchant of Louisville, Ky., on a visit to the Pacific coast, died suddenly this afternoon. St. Louis and the Democratic Convention. St. Loots, Mo., Dec. 28. —The Democratic State central committee met here this afternoon. A letter was received and read proffering the Merchants’iExchange Hall for the use of the Democratic national convention, provided the national committee decide to hold the convention here. A sub-coinmit-fcee of seven was appointed to co-operate with the St, Louis citizens’ committee, on the matter of procuring and holding the national convention here. A circular on this subject will be sent to the national committee. A resolution was adopted urging the national committee to call the national convention prior to the Republican convention. Confessed Their Crimes. Cincinnati, Dec 28.—Wm. Bebrman, aged eighteen, and John Palmer, a negro, have been arrested for the murder of Win. Kirk. Late to-night both confessed. Belirman was first arrested, and told the story, saying that Palmer struck the fatal blow. Palmer is now (1 o’clock a. m.) telling his storv. They say the murder was done on Monday night, in Kirk’s stable, and the body was hauled away the same night. Neill, arrested yesterday, will be discharged. Denies the Charge San Francisco, Dec. 28. —C. S. Bonham, who was reported as having absconded from New York owing $200,000 to members of the Mining Stock Exchange, is in this citv on a lour with his bride. He denies having left in a surreptitious manner. He is now here on business witli his late partners, S. P. Warren & Go., brokers. He goes from here to New Mexico, thence to New York, when, he lays, all of his contracts will be promptly Vlled. "

INDEANAPOLIS. SATURDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 29, 1883—TWELVE PAGES.

THE NATIONAL CAPITAL. Mr. Morrison’s Pending Tariff Bill Reviewed at Length. Some of the Reasons Why It Met with Overwhelming Defeat at the Hands of All Parties. French Colony in the Supervising Architect’s Office Dismissed, Holiday Dullness Pervading Every Section of thj Capital—How Christmas Was Observed—Washington Notes. Mil. MORRISON’S TARIFF BILL. The Reasons Why It W 7 as Overwhelmingly Defeated In the House. Special to the Indianapolis Journal. Washington, Dee. 28.—Several interviews with Mr. Morrison have been published reI cently, in which he alluded to the tariff bill reported by him early in the first session of the Forty-fourth Congress as embodying his opinions on the tariff question, and which, ha says, was fully considered during that session and defeated during the second session in the effort made by the Democrats to prevent the Republicans from stealing the presidency. An examination of the record shows that Mr. Morrison’s bill was never considered, and that Mr. Morrison made no effort to have it considered. It was discussed in a general way upon several occasions, but has never beep taken up for consideration, and not a single line of it was ever formally read in the House. It was reported to the House by Mr. Morrison on April 12, 1876, and on his motion made the special order for that day two weeks. It was called up May 25, when Morrison and Burchell, of Illinois, made speeches, the former for, and the latter against it. May 29, it was again taken up for general debate, when speeches were made by Messrs. Kelley, and Chittenden, of New York, against it. Upon that occasion, Mr. Kasson asked Mr. Morrison whether he proposed to bring the house to a vote on the bill during that session, and Mr. Morrison replied that he did not expect to obtain a vote. Indeed, his reply to Mr. Kasson’s inquiry, :id his manner when pushed to make it, indicated that he was demoralized by the merciless exposure made of the glaring insistencies and defects of his bill, and was willing to allow it to be strangled. On Tune 2 the bill was discussed for the third and last time, at an evening session, appointed on motion of Mr. Kelley for general debate, Mr. Hunter, of Indiana, and Mr. Ketcham, of Pennsylvania, speaking against, and Mr. Milliken, of Kentucky, for it. Thus it will be seen that the bill was discussed in general debate upon three separate occasions, and that Mr. Morrison was supported by but one member during the five days’ discussion. After making his speech in defense of his measure, Mr. Morrison abandoned his work, and the bill actually died of inanition. During the second session, Mr. Woodsworth, of Ohio, made a speech on the tariff bill, pending the consideration of the diplomatic appropriation bill; but, except this, no notice whatever was taken of it. The fact is that the measure was regarded as so crude and incongruous that no one who had any inte’ligent conception of revenue questions could be induced to advocate it. Judge Kelley made a terrible analysis of the measure in a speech which spreads over a dozen or more pages of the Record, and yet Mr. Morrison never uttered a word in reply to Mr. Kelley or others who assailed his measure. So far from the failure of the bill being attributable to the contest over the electoral vote which occurred at the second session of the Forty-fourth Congress, it was doomed from the day its provisions were made kuown. The first session adjourned finally on August 22, three months before the presidential- election. of 1876, yet Mr, Morrison’s bill was only discussed in general debate for a few hours of each of the three days above indicated, and was practically abandoned two months prior to the close of the first session, and at no time was it considered in a manner that measures are given consideration upon which legislative bodies propose to act. The events connected with Mr. Morrison’s bill not only exposed the defective character of that measure, but exhibited the utter inability of its reputed author to manage a revenue measure in the House. CHRISTMAS AT THE CAPITAL. How the President, Matthew Arnold and Others Observed the Day. Special to the Indianapolis Journal. Washington, Dec. 28.—The entire week has seemed like a long Sunday in a Western town. Christmas day was like a real Sunday here. Dr. Bartlett’s church was among the first to have Christmas exercises. Monday evening, from 5:30 to 8 o’clock, an entertainment was given for the little ones. The fenture was a Christmas scene. It was the interior of an humble cottage, presenting the end of a room containing a huge fire-place. At the rear of the fire-place wa3 painted a log brightly burning. The picture was made realistic by lights being placed behind it. From the mautle-piece, children hung stockings. When the lights of the lecture-room of the church were turned down, and the great log in the fire-place was seemingly dispensing bright aud dancing flames, Santa Claus came down the chimney with his package of gifts. These were boxes of candies to the children of tiie Sunday-school. On Christmas day, I’resident Arlhur gave to the employes at tiie White House envelopes containing sls each. He was accom-

panied by Matthew Arnold when he attended church that day. I saw the foreigner aud his wife, as the two were being shown the Capitol by Senator Hawley. The party were in the Hall of Representatives, just after the adjournment of Congress for the holiday recess. Arnold is very tall, while his wife is among the smallest of women. He looks like an Englishman and acts like an Englishman. He has a way of squinting his eyes whenever he is engaged in looking intently upon an object. His hair is grayish, as are also his side-whiskers, rounded and not more than a haif-inch in length. lie is not heavy set. His clothing is stylish in cut, and worn with good taste. Arnold was first a poet. He took a prize at the university he attended before he was twenty-one years old. His success for the time being spoiled him. In later years, when he found that ho was not cutout for a poet, he became a prose writer. His middle life has been passed in the interest of education. Concerning religion, to which he has been paying attention for the past ten years, he says: "No one has discovered the nature of God to be personal or is entitled to assert that God has conscious intelligence.” For a man who had worked so hard in making up his committees, Mr. Morrison looked very fresh on Tuesday. He walked about his hotel in his easy, inoffensive way, and said he had not been outside all day. He must have been weary from long work, on Monday morning when his committees were announced, and felt like shutting himself up for the holidays. He had had Mr. Carlisle to assist him, but then Mr. Carlisle didn’t know much about it, and didn’t have much to say. Mr. Carlisle was so kind that he even remained all night in Mr. Morrison’s room during the three nights prior to the announcement of the committees. Mr. Morrison is one of those inoffensivelooking fellows that it won’t do to bet against. He was a groom to Kerr when the latter was entered in a speakership race. When the contest was over the country was surprised to learn that he was getting a big share of the prize. He was made chairman of the ways and means committee at the beginning of his second consecutive term in Congress. Prior to that he had been a comparatively insignificant member. It was said that Morrison was a compromise in place of Cox and Wood, of New York, who were wanting the place. An old member of Congress told me to-day that Morrison was not a compromise, but that he worked himself into the good graces of Mr. Kerr, secured the position and made up the committees as he has done for Mr. Carlisle. When Mr. Randall was made Speaker at the beginning of the Forty-fifth Congress he appointed Mr. Morrison to the chairmanship of the public lands committee, and gave him a membership on another committee. The gentleman from Illinois became indignant, and pouted like a school girl. He refused to go near the committee during the entire session of Congress, because he had formerly held the chairmanship of one more important. The majority of congressmen who are in the city remained in-doors on Christmas day. A few attended church. Those who went to the Catholic churches had to pay ten cents fora seat. It is a common practice here for Catholics to charge admission fees when Protestants visit their services. New Year’s day is the day of the President’s reception. On that occasion the chief magistrate stands in one of the parlors of the White House for three or four hours and shakes hands with foreign representatives, judges, congressmen, army and navy officials, cabinet members, “oldest inhabitants,” citizens and cranks. He has the consolation that he will be required to go through this ordeal but one more time after the coming New Y"ear. DISMISSED. The Frenchmen in the Supervising Architect's Office Removed. Special to the Indianapolis Journal. Washington, Dec. 28. —For some time the modeling-room of the Supervising Architect of the Treasury has been in full control of Frenchmen, whoso managed matters that no American could remain there. The French was the prevailing language used, except when it was desired to annoy those not of that nationality by insulting remarks. The foreman was a Frenchman, who kept a boarding-house and had for guests all of his countrymen who were serving under him. The matter having been brought to the attention of Supervising Architect Bell, that official, after a full examination of the charges made to-day dismissed the entire crowd. AMERICAN HOG PRODUCTS. Official Notice of the Decree Prohibiting Its Importation Into France. Washington, Dec. 28. —Secretary Frelinghuysen has received from Minister Morton, at Paris, a telegram stating that the withdrawal of the decree of the 27(h of November, which will be published to-morrow, limits the time of the admission of American pork products to January 20 at the ports of Havre, Bordeaux and Marseilles, instead of Nantes. Commissioner Loring says while Dr. Delmers's communication in the Chicago papers unfortunately has been accepted by public men abroad to prejudice the European market against American pork, that F. D. Curtis, one of the commissioners employed to investigate diseases of swine, reported to the Agricultural Department that no great amount of disease exists among Western hogs, He also says that the statements of Dr. Detmers in regard to feeding swine offal is wholly incorrect, and that great care is taken by breeders and feeders to secure healthy animals. Commissioner Loring accepts Curtis’s statement in full, and is confident that Detmers is greatly mistaken. n Lonner also says that in Detmers's reports to the Department of Agriculture in 1879extravacant statements were made in regard to JContiaued on Second Puge.J

TIIE KENNEDY-BONI) CASES. * Con tin uat imi of the Testimony for the Defense in the Former. Evidence Tending to Show a Conspiracy on the Part of Sheriff McCorkle Ruled Out by the Court. The Defense Rests in the Bond Case, and Miss Bond Takes the Stand. The Attorneys for the Accused Move to Withdraw the Jurors and Ask for a Continuance. THE KENNEDY TRIAL. Testimony Showing a Conspiracy Ruled Out by the Court. Specif, to the Indianapolis Journal. Sheleyville, Dec. 28.—1n the Kennedy trial, to-day, Mrs. E. Curson testified to seeing McCorkle enter Hardebeck’s saloon, from which he shortly emerged, dragging Kennedy by the collar. Her testimony fully corroborated that of previous witnesses as to the rough treatment to which Kennedy was subjected by McCorkle and the crowd. As to the shooting, she knew nothing. Mrs. Maggie Cravcraft said her husband, William Cravcraft, was at home the evening after the shooting, and that she saw no bruises or marks on him. Isaacs testified that Craycraft was held up in the saloon and pounded, and then laid away behind the bar. Henry Slusser testified that he was in front of Roth’s store, on the morning, and heard a conversation with McCorkle. Witness was asked to give the conversation. Objected to by the State and sustained by the court. Attorneys for defense then stated that they expected to prove by the witness a conspiracy on the part of McCorkle and others to raise a riot; that McCorkle said he had armed certain parties for that purpose and told them to “go in and give them hell; that he was with them.” Henry C. Smith testified that he was talking to Slusser at the time, and also heard McCorkle’s conversation. The court would not permit witness to state it. Elissa B. Wingate testifies as follows: "Was- near the saloon the day of the trouble; saw JtcCorkle talking to a number of boys who were standing by him. I was standing near and heard part of what McCorkle said. McCarkle seemed to be doing all the talking. Did net know the boys. I heard McCorkle ask tt - boyß “if they were all shaped.” He said, “I am well shaped,” and put his hand to his breast, also to his hip pocket and displayed a revolver. Then he said; "Boys, give them hell, now; you are well shaped and lam with you.” The boys then went into the saloon where the fighting was, and McCorkle soon followed. Fighting began after the boys went in. Mr. Wingate made a remark to Jesse Rhoades as they walked toward the square, “That that was a pretty way for a sheriff to act; it doesn’t look like he wants to keep the peace.” This was not permitted by the court to be given in evidence. Matthias Wright, jr., said he saw McCorkle drag the boy out of the saloon and across the street; heard the crowd yell, “Handcuff him,” &c. William Pond said he was standing near the saloon door of the saloon, and heard exSheriff Lee say to Mike Yearling: “Come on, Mike; them, we will give them enough of it.” John Curson said he saw McCorkle have defendant by the coat collar, dragging him across the street. When they got to the brick corner defendant said, "Let me go, and I will go home.” McCorule afterwards gave the boy a shove, and said, “ you, go home.” Kennedy was half crying. Heard the crowd yell, “Kill him,” “Takejiiro,” “Kill the .” William Haskett testified that he saw Ensminger and ex-Sheriff Lee, and heard some one say, “Kill him; kill the .” Saw a stick in the hand of Lee. Saw men excited, and men rushing like there was trouble among them. Mrs. Hatfield corroborated her husband to the effect that Kennedy took dinner at their house, three miles from town, the day of the shooting, and that he came to town between 12 and 1 o’clock. Isaacs testified that defendant came into the saloon in the morning and asked for liquor. Milton P. Barger testified as follows: “Was standing on Conrad’s corner at the time of the trouble. I saw Kennedy and McCorkle come out of tiie saloon and go across the ■street; when McCorkle let the boy loose near the brick corner, Kennedy went on and Lee stepped up and said to McCorkle: ‘Stay with him;’ saw McCorkle draw a revolver and start after Kennedy. The crowd pressed after, and I saw no more; heard the crowd yell, ‘Kill him;’ saw McCorkle jerk Kennedy a time or two as the}’ came out of the saloon and crossed the street. The crowd kept moving east until the shots were fired. Saw rocks thrown.” On cross-examination the witness said that after Kennedy was let loose the crowd followed close on him. McCorkle took Kennedy along pretty roughly, and shook him a time or two. When McCorkle pressed on, with a revolver in his hand, the crowd pressed after him, and I saw no more; McCorkle took his pistol from his hippocket. Jeff. Barger said: “I saw McCorkle and defendant come out of the saloon, and they were in sight untilthey reached the cast side of Harrison street; the crowd kept getting bigger all the time; saw McCorkle and de-

fendant further east on Broadway; defendant was running backwards, waving his hand and telling the crowd to stay back; McCorkle was right after defendant, also the crowd, rocks were flying and fighting was going on in every direction; the crowd was on each side of the defendant. At the time of the shooting the crowd yelled ‘Kill him! Take him!’ The crowd was advancing east up to the time of the shooting. Defendant was running backward, waving his hand to the mob and saying: ‘Keep back; let me alone.’ Saw something in the hands of McCorkle; it was an instrument; it was a slung-shot. McCorkle at the the time was leading forward, aud the crowd yelling, ‘Take him! kill him!’ ” The witness was asked to state to the court whether or not he received notice that there would be a riot that day, and if he entered into it, or tried to stop it, or was in the neighborhood, he would be shot? This was objected to by the attorneys for the State, and the objection was sustained by the court. The attorneys for the defense offered to prove that the witness was notified by a party who was a friend, and who was asked to participate in the riot, that if he took any part in quelling the riot he would be shot; also, that this friend said he would leave town that day; he, also, said, “if any blood was shed his hands would not be stained.” Samuel Doughett said he saw the mob surround Kennedy, and saw a revolver in the hand of McCorkle; saw McCorkle pushing or grabbing at the defendant as they crossed the street; Kennedy would say, “Let me alone.” When the shooting was done, the crowd was in the form of a hor3e-shoe around Kennedy; the crowd was on three sides; McCorkle was pushing on; ths crowd was yelling, “Take the 1” “Kill the !” Kennedy was backing and crying and saying, “Let me alone!” The crowd was only five or ten feet from defendant when he fired; the crowd pressed on him. The defendant said, "If you do not let me alone, I will make you,” aud fired. The crowd ran toward the boy. James Strickler was also a valuable witness for the defense, testifying very strongly in favor of Kennedy. THE BOND CASE. The Defense Rests Its Case, and Miss Bond Testifies on Rebuttal. Hillsboro, 111., Dec. 28.—The Bond trial opened at the usual time, and after some immaterial testimony by Miss Cora Hart and Miss lone Pettus regarding the kind of clothes worn by Miss Bond on the day of the outrage, George Pettus was put on the stand and testified that lie saw John C. Montgomery on the evening of the outrage on the road going home in a wagon with his wife and children, between sundown and dark. The witness was at the school-house witli others the next morning, and later in the day at Grove City. John Montgomery sent a message by him to Lee Pettus that a warrant was out for his arrest, and he had better come to Grove City. The witness was with Swick and Heinlin that night. Heard Heinlin say, "Tell Lee, if he knows anything abont the others, he had better give them away.” Lee said he didn’t know anything. Part of Swick’s and Heinlin’s testimony at a preliminary trial regarding the same questions asked Lee Pettus by them were then read by the court reporter at tiie request of the defense and the discrepancies between their evidence then and at this trial pointed out with a view to impeaching them. The defense then rested its case. Attorney Drennan then called witnesses in rebuttal, the first one being Emma Bond. While Mr. Bond went for his daughter the court-room rapidly filled and became very crowded. Mrs. John Montgomery, with tier baby, came in for the first time and took a seat by her husband. Miss Bond took the stand. In reply to questions she said she was at the house of Mrs. Pettus on the afternoon of the outrage; saw a wagon in the yard, both when she went there and when she left again for the school-house. She was then asked if she saw Lee Pettus or dementi at the time she left. Objection was made by the defense, and a long argument ensued, at the end of which the court overruled the objection, and the witness said: "I did not see them—none of them—that afternoon. Was within a few yards of the wagon in which dementi and Lee Pettus ciaim to have been during the afternoon.” The witness was then questioned in regard to parts of Charley Master’s testimony, which differed from the evidence he gave at the preliminary trial, and contradicted some of his testimony of last week relating to his whereabouts during the noon recess of the school. The witness also contradicted some of the statements of Mrs. Nelly Woodruff regarding the conversation between the witness and Woodruff, some time after the outrage. Recess. When the court reconvened, counsel for the defense were given three quarters of an hour for consultation, at the end of which Judge Thornton, of the defense, moved to withdraw the jurors and continue the case. Tiie court received the motion and ordered it filed. Judge Thornton submitted an affidavit, saying that he gave notice before the evidence was taken that he would introduce one particular witness. That witness not having arrived lie asked for a continuance. The witness’s name, he said, was Nellie Woodruff. This move is regarded as a bold one, and created much discussion, the general opinion seeming to be that Thornton feels that tiie jury is against his client and that he wants to prevent conviction. The motion will be argued this afternoon. After argument, the motion of the defense for a continuance was overruled, and the trial proceeded. Dr. J. G. Harvey testified that he had a talk with John C. Montgomery about tiie outrage of Miss Bond, at Blue Mound, in August, following that event. He asked him if lie could account for his whereabouts on tiie afternoon of June 29, and he said lie could all but about an hour and a half, and that was what hurt. W. U. Swick and Thomas McNeil testified that they passed Pettus’s house during the afternoon of June 29, and did not see anyone in the wagon. Tiie Southern Style. Brooksvillk, Fla., Dec. 28.—Two negroes, arrested for shooting two whites, were taken from jail aud shot dead.

PRICE FIVE CENTS.

LATEST OLD WORLD NEWS Bacninh Besieged by the French and Its Occupation Imminent. Troops Land on Inland of Hai-Nan, Opposite the Mouth of the Delta of the Ited River. Fenianism Not Considered by the Council of American Bishops. Orangemen Preparing an Immense Counter Demonstration to the Nationalists iu Ireland. FRANCE AND CHINA. The French Force* Reported to Have Landed on Hai-Nan Island. Paris, Dec. 28. —It is rumored on the Bourse that the French forces have landed upon the island of Hai-Nan, opposite tha mouth of the delta of the Red river and straits of Hai-Nan, through which all commerce via the gulf of Tonquin passess to Hong Kong. The rumor lacks confirmation. Bacniuh Besieged. Paris, Dec. 28.—A Canton dispatch says the Viceroy lias been ordered to send troops to the Tonquin frontier. It is rumored the French have besieged Bacninh, the occupy tion of which is imminent. Reinforcements. Marseilles, Dec. 28.—Dispatching reinforcements to Tonqnin will be hastened. Tha government has asked the French steamship companies for transports to send 2,000 troops immediately. America’s Suggestion. Vienna, Dec. 28.—1 tis asserted the Russian and American Governments have advised China to recall her troops from Bacninh, and leave the Black Flags to their fate. A Great Chinese Arsenal. London Telegraph. A correspondent of the Telegraph who has visited the great arsenal at Canton, now entirely under the control oi Chinamen, declares that it is turning out breech-loading rifles, artillery and machine guns of the best patterns and of excellent quality and finish. "One thing,” writes the correspondent, "was evident—namely, that Chinamen here knew enough to make their own weapons. As there are those who think that in the event of war China would be at a loss for breech-loading arms, it is as well to mention that at Canton, and Shanghai, too, I saw cases of machinery not yet put up quite sufficient to set another arsenal or two into working order; and that at Tientsin and Foochow arsenals there are, as well as at the two first-mentioned places, plenty of Chinamen who understand enough of the art of weapon-making to get all of this machinery into working order.” RUSSIAN PRISONS. luhuuian Treatment of Couvicteil Political Prisoners. London, Dec. 28.—Another harrowing tala of suffering comes from the Russian prisons. The victim is one Netshajeff, a Nihilist, who was sentenced in 1875 to twenty years’ penal servitude in the mines of Siberia. It transpires now that he was never deported to Siberia, but has served eleven years of his imprisonment in tiie fortress of Alexef Ravelin, which is built on one of the marshy islands io the river Neva, near St. Petersburg. He has succeeded in getting a letter smuggled from the fortress and published in the Will of the People. Tiie letter fully confirms the revelations of cruelty and inhumanity wtiich have recently been made by prisoners in the fortress of St. Peter and St. Paul and the Troubletskoi bastion, and some terrible details of suffering are given in addition. The dungeons in which the prisoners are confined are below the water level in the adjoining river and are bi.terly cold and damp in winter, while in summer malaria and scurvy are frightfully prevalent. Anew horror lias now been added to these gloomy vaults, as the men and women confined there are kept within their cells and the equally cheerless corridors from one year's end to another, outdoor exercise, which was formerly allowed for one hour in the twentyfour, having been entirely suspended since tiie assassination of tiie late Czar. Tiie prison officials practice tiie most shameless ex tortious upon tiie prisoners as long as their money lasts, and prisoners without money are fed on horseflesh and chained in tiie outer range of cells, where, between their battles with the water and the rats, they soon perish. BELLIGERENT ORANGEMEN. Twenty Thousand Men Will Oppose the Nationalist Meetings. Dublin, Dec. 28. —Arrangements have been made for special trains to convey 20,000 Orangemen to oppose the Nationalist meetings at Dromore, county Down, and Cootehiii, county Cavan. Placards, signed Lord Rossmore, have been posted in Monahan, tills morning, by Orangemen, opposed to the Nationalist meeting at Coothill. During a conference here of the national school-teachers, two stones were thrown through tiie windows of tiie lecture-hall, which stunned one delegate and slightly injured another, and just missed Robert ft Lyons, a member of Parliament. THE RATH ISON E TRAGEDY. The Terrible Deed Committed in a Fit of Jealousy. London, Dec. 28.—Information received from Hanover shows that Colonel Rathbone, of Albany, N.Y., killed his wife on Monday, and then attempted to kill himself. Colonel Rathbone was laboring under a fit of melancholia at the time, entered the bedchamber of his wife, and shot her dead, the ball entering the heart. He then stabbed himself. He is still living, hut there are no hopes entertained that he will survive his wounds. Colonel Rathbone, in recent years, has exhibited a spirit of jealousy which manifested itself whenever any gentleman, even a relative, has approached her. This trait has been growing on him, and had developed to such an extent that some of his friends liava considered him a monomaniac on the sub*