Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Marion County, 31 March 1884 — Page 10

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mal TJope, Mighty: Harry Rolling, serious: Ckarlf.s Gibson. slight. Dk. Artjilpr Boctillieu, n well known phv siciau, ann shattered, expected to die. Hknry Yakger, slight. •Tonx Griffith, fatal. 3!artin Rafferty, fatal. (\ L. Bartlino, serious. Lawton, slight. Donaldson, slight. Mike Hobe. slight. Adolpii Bauer' sligiit. Ca res Johnson, slight. Reid, slight. J. A. Leonard, slight. Jack Berryman, sligiit. W. McMinner, slight. Mary Smith, fatal. George Mille, serious. A man from Virginia, who refused to give name, serious. Newton Cobb, Manchester, 0., serious. PI RLIC OPINION. Comments of tlie Press the Riot ami Its Causes. Cincinnati News Journal. The attack on the county jail last night was nothing more than what might have been—indeed, was—expected. There is a limit to the forbearance of any community, and, although the law of the land, the best interests of society and good morals are not in sympathy with mob violence, it must be admitted that the people of this community have every reason to doubt the ability of existing methods for punishing crime to cope an ith the army of evil doers which seems to have taken possession of our city, and are, in a large degree, if not altogether, justifiable in their efforts to forcibly impress upon the minds of law-breakers that when it becomes necessary in the interest of law, and order, and life, and property the people can, and will, take the law in their own hands and mete out such punishment as the good of society shall demand, and mete it out, too, in the most complete and thorough manner. No community was ever more outraged and overrun by murderers, thieves, bunko steerers, and other kinds of law-breakers than this has been, and so long as juries and lawyers can be secured who will undertake t* shield such characters as are now in our jail awaiting to go through the form of a trial, nothing better than such verdict as we secured in the Bernor case need be expected. The whole community feels outraged over the way the criminal law’s have been administered of late in this city, and while every good citizen deplores the necessity for mob law. no one c.au help but admit that the written laws of the land seemed to have be come inoperative in this community through the power and influence of what are called the criminal classes, and that the temporary elevation of Judge Lynch to the bench seems necessary, and. therefore, justifiable. THE FURIES LOOSED. Cincinnati Commercial Gazette. The indignation meeting called at Music Hall, last night, in relation to criminal affairs in the city, was the occasion of the assemblage of an enormous crowd, and resulted in an uncontrollable excitement. Substantially the meeting adjourned to the jail, and it was soon apparent that there was such a mass of inflammable material that a most serious demonstration could not be avoided. An attack upon the jail followed, and the destructiveness of men wild with rage was speedily manifested. The hoarse shouting of thousands, the clatter of stones egainst the Avails, the breakage of windows and the ominous sound of hammers wore soon heard, and at this writing it is impossible to tell to what extent violence will be done. It is only certain that the innocent ay ill suffer with the guilty, and that those \\ T ho have thoughtlessly promoted the dreadful resort to lawlessness because the administration of the law has been abused, will regret their action when it is too late. We were very anxious for the passage of the Pruden Jjiav, reforming the jury system, in the hope that it would so far restore the confidence of the people that justice might be done according to law and this community escape the execution of the alarmingly distinct threats of mob A’iolence. The mockery of the Berner trial, following elosely the horrors of the Avondale murder, kindled the flame, and the organized force that seemed to have been disbanded Avhen Judge Pruilen’s bill became a Ihav gathered sudden strength and purpose when the outrageous verdict of the Berner jury was declared. The news of the escape of Berner from the officers was diffused through the mob at the court house, and deepened the exasperation. The furies seemed loosed, and in the bewilderment of passion and panic blood was shed that was not that of the murderers nor of the mob, but of men trying to do their duty. We are deeply sensible of the abundant reasons for public excitement concerning the outrage in the criminal business in this city, but we have to say. upon the solemn responsibility of citizenship, that the mob is a mistake, and a terrible ope: that all good citizens should discountenance it: that the awakened anxiety of the people for the reform so sorely needed might have found fit and effective expression within the forms of the law

Archbishop Kldcr’s Advice. At the lenten services in the Cathedral, last Tuesday evening, Archbishop Elder, in speaking of the Berner case and the threatened violence towards him, spoke in substance as follows: “From what I can hear and the reports of interviews in the papers, there is a manifestation to commit violence in this city, and to take the life of a person. Now, you should not agitate, or encourge such action, because it is certainly sinful In such times men make excuses to justify such deeds, but they are entirely wrong, because no one has the right to take the life of another except those duly authorized by law, or in time of war. when one country is at war with another. To kill a person in self-defense when in danger of being killed is imminent, then, and only then, is the taking of a life justified. “You should talk to your neighbor if you know that he desires to do violence, and try and hinder him from carrying out his ideas, for it is the duty of every good citizen to see that the law is respected. Moreover, violence would lx; no remedy, and you certainly cannot stop crime by committing new ones, and evils are not to be cured by one effort, but by something deeper. Acknowledge and fear God, and train your children to do likewise. “You should, therefore, do all in your power to preserve the peace, and the Almighty will give you the remedy to check crime. Teach your children the remedies. of t-lxe remedies I will speak to you more fully on next Sunday afternoon at vespers. These words I have spoke to you on violence are not mine, but Almighty God’s, and I speak them in His authority. Therefore do not resort to violence to right a wrong.” THE INDIGNATION MEETING. A Graphic Account of the Great Meeting in Music Hall. Cincinnati News-Journal, Yesterday. The indignation of the people over the verdict of the Berner jury boiled over last evening. A crowd, limited only by the capacity of Music Hall, assembled to express their disgust and indignation. A few minutes alter 8 o’clock there must have been 10,000 people in the hall. Thur temple, devoted to music and the drama, so often resonant with the uotes of operatic stars and the lusty cheering for the acts of famous tragedians, now trembled under the weight of thousands of honest citizens to give expression to outraged feelings in behalf of outraged justice. No dra matic festival, no opera festival, no convention, no meeting of any kind ever held in Music Hall ever numbered so many people. The crow and was mammoth, gigantean. It was awful in its pon derosity and terrific in significance. Sitting on the stage, filled with old and venerated citizens met to protest, and glancing out over the auditorium, the scene was one not to be forgotten in a life .time. In the main hall there was, indeed a sea of upturned faces. It required no second glance to discover not an empty seat. Looking over a dreary monotony of earnest faces below, and turning for change to the galleries above, the feeling of impending calamity is only intensified. The first gallery is but a repetition of the auditorium scene, and the second gallery a picture of the first. Not tmly are the seats filled, but men are pushing, frowding and jostling in the corridors. They crowded for place to lean against the gallery mils. Sturdy policemen fought them back lovrn stairs to keep them from filling the aisles

and cutting off a\’enues of escape in case of panic. Nevertheless, they extended a considerable distance down the aisles. A judge of human character, studying the faces before him, is surpised at the expression of rugged honesty and the stamp of manhood on nearly every brow. It is a remarkable, solemn, eager, earnest crowd, met for a purpose. There is not a smirk nor a smile on any face. There is an awful, impatient solemnity depicted in every feature. In expectancy the looker on seek for the face of some dive habitue, some corner loafer, or groveling, worthless idler, but lie looks in vain. Tin? mechanic, the day laborer, Vm* business man—every efomeut of respectability is there represented. Outside people .are already clamoring for admittance, and the esplanade in 1 roun of Music Hall is jammed with the disappointed crowd, who cannot juin their 10.000 fel-low-citizens on the inside. The. sages on the stage see that it needs but a spark to kindle a flame that wpuld grow into the most magnificent conflagration that Hamilton county has 6A*er known. They see that a word of encouragement, blind with indignation, a mob of determined men Avould sweep like a hurricane against the county jail, take the Avretched. cringing carcasses of the detestable assassins who murdered their benefactor, and leave tlie helpless, limpid clay hanging to the nearest suitable projection. The gray haired men on the stage become alarmed, and Avhispering to the chairman of the meeting, say: “We must be temperate and.law abiding in all respects. Let nothing be said that will give sanction to violence. Our meeting is but to protest that the requirements of the lawliave not been executed, and not to incite mob rule.” The chairman says lie will be temperate, and the speakers are cautioned likewise, and agree that it is best. Occasionally there is a rumble of impatience, and then a deathlike calm. Finally, when the meeting is called to order, there is a thunder of applause, and the chairman is introduced. In the long list of vice-presidents, when some honored name is mentioned, the applause is renewed. When the names of Eggleson and Hickenlooper are mentioned there is the clamor of thousands of \*oices and the stamping of innumerable feet. Dr. Kemper makes a learned, impressive, and solid speech. He takes care to impress his audience that th*y are met as Ihav abiding and honest citizens of Cincinnati. They do not propose to violate the IaAV, but they do propose to raise their A’oice in mighty protest when the perpetrators of the foulest crime that blots the fair name of the beloved Queen City do not meet the just ends that the law decrees. * They propose to create a sentiment that wfll correct the abuses and make it so that the ends of justice cannot be defeated and the gallows cheated of vile, villainous. and greedy assassins. The audience is intelligent. It sees the logic of his remarks, and the more brilliant passages are rewarded with a cyclone of cheers. Realizing still more the atrocity of young Berner's trial, and warmed by the burning invective of the speaker against those responsible for his escape from a richly-merited fate, some of the more excitable lose their heads. At some reference to the murderers now in jail, there is the cry:

“HANG THEM! HANG THEM ALL*” It is taken up aud echoed over and over again. The worthy chairman proceeds, and alludes to the jury, and again comes the cry, “Hang them, too! Lynch ’em!” Cool, forcible and clear, not allowing himself to be moved, talking good, sound sense, Dr. Kemper proceeds until someone in the back of the hall, with a strong, clear voice, interrupts him with: “I thought we came here to organize a vigilance committee. If so, let’s get to work.” There is then noise and confusion. There are shouts of “Yes, yes.” and a few feeble “noes.” The speaker proceeds again, and comes down to the lawyers who, by some hook or crook, got the murderer free in the face of repeated confessions. This statement meets with greater applause than all others, and there are cries of • Hang Tom Campbell!” When the Chair closes there is some difficulty in regaining order until he introduces General Ilickenlooper amid great demonstrations. 31 r. Hickenlooper Bpeaks clearly, and can be heard m every part of the hall. He alludes in scathing terms to our pernicious jury system, by which nearly any intelligent man can escape jury duty; of the law allowing citizen soldiery to offer that as an ex cuse, and the duty that every honest man owed his country in rendering service on the jury. His sentiments are all applauded, but the people are getting hungry for more pro nounced views. They want someone to help them to elect Judge Lynch. All they remure is a chief, a guiding hand, and the deed is done. Next Judge A G. W. Carter eomes forward. When he alludes to his service as prosecutor and on the bench, and how during one term ten murderers were convicted of murder in the second degree and one in the first and justice meted out to them all. there was another scene of excitement. A man in the north lower gallery, who is particular about having Tom Campbell hung, is dangling a rope with a noose over one end down into the auditorium. This suggestive and useful article inflames the audience all the more, and, perhaps, twenty five ropes are produced in different parts of the house. When the Judge, who waxes eloquent with his voice increasing in vigor as he grows enthusiastic, makes the suggestion that the jury be invited to hunt a home in another Stale, there is an awful, ominous roar. Like the rushing of mighty waters come the cries of “Don’t let ’em get away.” “Hang ’em up!” “Shoot them down on sight!” “Kill them like dogs!” Quiet is about restored, when a brawny, honest looking man, well up in front, says, in a loud, distinct tone that every man in the hall hears: “What about Tom Campbell?” In equally distinct tones, Judge Carter, with his white hair flowing back over his shoulders and his intellectual face beaming with animation, replies: “IF TOM CAMPBELL IS THE DISHONEST MAN, YOU THINK HE IS, LET Him GO, TOO 1 .” 3lusic Hall was then shaken from stem to stern. The roar that went up was deafening and appalling It seemed that it would raise the roof if such a tiling were possible. “Hang all the scoundrels.” was repeated a dozen times. “Gut the jail!” came from a hundred throats. Judge Carter closes, and the resolutions are ready. There are cries first for Eggleston, but "Uncle Ben” does not come forward. In a dis- | tinert voice the secretary reads the resolutions, I strongly aud in unmeasured terms denouncing \ the jury, and calling for another committee to draft further resolutions on the subject. Win R. Ogden, the young prof'ident of tkc Trades’ Assembly, and a splendid ott hand speaker, tries to get in an amendment that on the committee the legal fraternity be in the minority. The chair says that the suggestion can come in afterward, and the resolutions are passed with a hundred thousand huzzas. Ogden renews his motion, and will not be cried down The people shout “Let him speak! Let aim speak!" He renews his motion, and John H. Murray, a friend of Torn Campbell, appears on the stage and moves that it be laid on the table. This is met with showers of hisses, and someone says “Put him out!” The motion to lay on the table got about one vote, and Og den’s motion that, when the committee is appointed, lawyers do not constitute the majority, was carried with a boom and the result seemingly encored. The crowd seems anxious for more speaking, but the chairman sees that in their intemperate state, thirsting to avenge the murder of old man Kirk, further talk would only add fuel to the flame. He receives a motion to adjourn, and decides it carried, though there is a thunder of noes from every quarter of the hall. Just before the meet* ii>~ adjourns a man, who looks like Tom Campwearing a plug hat, walks out down the Cfnt*** aisle. Someone says that it is “the great criminal lawyer.” Every one in the house stands up, but the mistake is discovered. At twenty-five minutes to 10 o’clock the great meeting had adjourned. With such indiscribable quickness did the crowd leave that in less than five minutes the hall wss empty. When the reporter came out the only people in sight were a knotof men examining a hangman’s rope. The whole crowd had disappeared. The riot alarm ten minutes later showed where they had gone. It had been regarded as ominous in the hall when the expression on one side was heard, “Hang them,” and the reply came. “To night,” from the other side. The Resolutions. The following are the resolution unanimously adopted: “Whereas. A jury, composed of citizens of the county of Hamilton, having heard the testimony in the case of William Berner, who had been guilty of participation in the murder of Wm. 11. Kirk, which

THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 1881.

was one of the most atrocious and murders ever committed, and whose guilt 'v v 3. < ' clearly established. has returned a verdict of of manslaughter only: and “\\ hereas, We have assembled to give expressionsto our views concerning this transaction; therefore, “Resolved, That the law-abiding people of Hamillon county look with indignation and alarm upon the frequency with which the crime of homicide is committed in the county, and the immunity which iB afforded the red-handed murderers by the manner in which the laws are administered, • Resolved, That the recent conviction of William Berner of manslaughter in the face of the plain facts * which he had so frequently admitted, verbally and iu Avriting, and which was sufficiently proven by t>fe# testimony of witnesses independent of confessions, is an alarming event, and one which should command the attention of the people. "Resolved, That the jurors who acquitted Berner of murder in the first degree are unlit to live iu a civilized community, and that they should, one and all, receive the scorn and contempt of the citizens to such an extent that they will t>e glad to leave the county and seek homes elsewhere during the remainder of their unworthy lives. “Resolved, That we are opposed lo illegal methods of punishing crime, and that wo will exert ourselves to secure a more vigorous and speedy administration of the criminal laws, and call upon our fellow-cjti-zens to aid in this*endeavor by extrajudicial means to obtain security for life and property in our county. “Resolved, That we demand such change in the laws of the State as will secure a more speedy and effective administration of the criminal law, and to this end we request the president of this meeting to appoint *a committee of fifty persons, to consider and report at a future mass ffieeting of the people what changes in the statutes of the State will be necessary to promote this end, especially with reference to the jury system. IN MURDKHERS’ ROW. Talk with the Murderer* After the Friday Night Riot Had Quieted. Cincinnati News Journal. Atur the police had succeeded in clearing the corridors from the mob a News Journal repre sentative took a trip around among the cells and conversed with the various murderers. Palmer, Berner's accomplice, was terribly frightened and begged the policemen not to leave him. When he saw that danger Avas over he assumed a very bravado air and laughed at tlie manner in which he had bluffed the rioters. When asked what they said to him he talked as follows: “Hearing the terrible noise outside and the breaking glass. I was scared. Soon there was a big crash, and about twenty men came rushing up with a big plank, and said: ‘What's your name] Are you Palmer?' I answered, ‘No; my name is NVatson. lam from New York, and am in for petit larceny.’ Then they turned around to other cells, ‘Show us where Palmer is or we will hang you all.’ They then left my apartment.” Across from Palmer’s cell was Ingall. He said: “Heap of noise ’round yer, ain't thar, but I specs we's all right noAv, ain’t we?*’ The mob were at his cell, but said nothing to him. “I don’t know what I’d a said if they done ask me anything,” he added. The wretch of a Johnson had the narrowest escape of all. After leaving Palmer’s quarters they learned from somebody where Johnson's Avas. and, with a terrific shout, hurried over to it. With fearful force they drove their plank up against the iron door, and one more blow would have brought them into tlie assassin’s room. Then the police put in an appearance, and, overwhelming them, drove them down stairs. The close call had its effect upon the negro, for he wrapped himself up in his blanket and nothing could awaken him. Matches were thrown into the cell, but he moved not, refusing to talk. “Yes, they came to my cell,” said Billy McHugh, as he looked through the bars at a Ncays Journal reporter “They asked me who I was, and I told them my name A\-as McHugh. They knew me then, and asked if I wanted to get out. One said, ‘By God, if Berner only goes to the penitentiary, you ought to go free. You have suffered enough anyhow.’ I thanked them and told them I didn't want to get out that way. especially not now. It seems to me its a pretty good place to board in a time like this I guessed what the matter was as soon as 1 heard the noiso on the outside. I was not in the least afraid at any time, as I knew they didn’t want me. The fellows all said they knew me. They were looking for Berner* and wanted to know which was his cell.” The remainder of tlie gang had their stories to tell, but were undisturbed.

THE CRIME AND CRIMINAL. Killing of Captain Kirk by Palmer ami Rerner—The Latter’s Trial and Sentence. Cincinnati, March 29, —Last December, William H. Kirk, a horse trader, was brutually murdered in his stable, in this city, by two stable boys in his employ—William H. Berner and Joseph Palmer, the latter colored. Neither of them is twenty one years of age. They crushed Kirk's head with a hammer, and, taking his body to Cummiusville by night, threw it in 3iill creek, where it was discovered four days afterward. The object of the murder was robbery, but the small sum of 438 only was obtained. The boys were arrested, and confessed thir guilt. Berner was tried, the ease being concluded on Monday last, the jury finding him guilty of manslaughter. The verdict aroused the most intense indignation among the people, which was enhanced by a consideration of the fact that the jail contains twenty two other persons confined on charges of murder. Several overt demonstrations of the public feeling towards the jury were made, and have been published from day to day. A meeting to publicly remonstrate against the verdict was called for Turner’s Hall on Thursday night, but owing to some hitch in the arrangements the hall was not opened. This was followed yesterday by the announcement that an organization was being formed among the German residents, not only to hang Berner, but all other prisoners in jail charged with murder. Under these circumstances, and amid this feeling, Judge Matthews had Berner brought into court yesterday afternoon for sentence. The matter was kept exceedingly quiet, the prosecuting attorney and the officers of the court being the principal parties apprised of the intention of the court. It was thought best. 111 the interests of the prisoner and the good cider of the court, to have as few spectators present as possible, and to keep the prisoner outside the protecting walls of the jail just as few moments as were absolutely necessarySome twenty minutes before the usual hour of opening court, Berner was conducted through the judge’s private room and into the Criminal Court room. There were scarcely any persons present, save the officers of the court, one or two attorneys, and the reporters. Deputy Sheriff Mincbell opened court, and Berner was asked to stand up before the court. Judge Matthews proceeded to go through the usual form of telling the prisoner that he had been indicted for murder m the first degree, and, after a fair trial, had been found guilty of manslaughter. He was asked if he had anything to say why judgment should not be passed upon him. He made no answer whatsover. One of his counsel. 3fr. L. M. Hadden, stepped forward and asked the court to consider the extreme youth of the boy, his previous good character, etc. Judge Matthews said that the boy ought to regard himself ns extremely fortunate, for it was only through the utmost industry aud zeal, and the employment of the best legal talent in the county, that the jury liad been induced to be so merciful. The words of sentence were then passed, and he was ordered to the penitentiary at Columbus, at hard labor for twenty years, with the cost of the case added to the sentence. Berner received his sentence without any particular sign of emotion, and as soon as the court had finished permitted himself to be led by Crim mal Bailiff Moses through the judge’s room and back into the jail. The whole proceeding occu pied but a few moments, and very few persons knew what had transpired till they learned it from the officers o? the court. Changes in the L., N. A. & C. Louisville. Ky., March 29.—W. N. Marshall, southern division superintendent, and W. G Sala, northern division superintendent of the Louisville, New Albany A Chicago road, will resign April 12. It is the intention to place the entire line in charge of one superintendent of transportation. It is thought this will he an Eastern man. Death from Hydrophobia. Philadelphia, 3lareh 29.—A girl named Hannah Kennedy died near this city on Friday of hydrophobia. She was bitten by a dog last January. The wounds healed, hut she was seized with spasms on last Tuesday, and all efforts to save her life proved futile.

NATIONAL CAPITAL TOPICS. Serious Charges of Irregularity in (lie General Land Office. 'jthe-Civil-SerYiee Act Blocks tlie Enthusiasm of Democratic Employes of the (louse —The Danville Riot. THE DEMOCRATIC EMPLOYES. How a Powerful Campaign Organization Failed to Organize. Special to the Indianapolis Journal. Washington, March 20. —“For pure, unadulterated foolishness the meeting of Democratic employes at the Capitol the other night captured the bakery,” said a House employe to the Journal correspondent this morning. “Is that so?” I inquired. , Wherein was the foolishness?” “The meeting was called to organize an asso ciatiou to aid in the coming presidential campaign. As there are about 150 employes, an association that would take them all in could evidently accomplish much good. But no such association was organized.” “Why not?” “For the usual reason. The Democratic employes, like many of the Democratic congressmen, are afraid to do anything, for fear they will do something. At the first meeting a committee was appointed to report a plan of organization. That committee brought in two reports -*-the first, to select one employe from each State to act as an executive committee, and to accept no assistance from tho other employes. The other report Avas to enroll all employes in the organization, and to give every naan a chance to work.” “Os course, the last report was accepted?” “Not much. The report to have no genera organization was adopted by a large majority. Several States are represented by only one employe. These employes met and selected themselves as executive committeemen with great unanimity. Os the fifteen committeemen selected nine are from the solid South, and only two from Northern States that the Democracy have any show of carrying this fall. The executive committee are to report to the Democratic congressional committee for duty. As the larger portion of the executive committee represent only themselves, the congressional committee vrill no doubt wonder, why the sudden shrinkage iu tlie ranks of employes who are ready to report for duty? Os 150 employes fifteen only are on deck, the other 135 can go to the theaters.” “Why was not the minority report adopted when it was evidently the only sensible thing for the employes to do?” “Therein lies the foolishness. Some of the employes became possessed of the alleged idea that the organization was intended to boom someone for President of the United States, when the report itself declared in the strongest language against such intention. Congressman Cobb, of Indiana, is booming himself for President.. His committee clerk (I forget his name) can't sleep o' nights for fear the country will not appreciate Cobb's greatness. Cobb's man imagined that Foley, the Indiana member of the organization committee, Avanted to give McDonald a boom with the association. Hence the Cobb forces were against any association. Dobson, of Ohio, also on the committee, was put down as a Payne boomer. Hence the Morrison forces were against any association. Farrow, of South Carolina, thinks he is an orator, but he don't like a large audience. Hence he and the solid South were in favor of no association, no work, and a select audience. • Fields, of Texas, has a nice paying position, and was afraid that if an organization was formed the civil service laAv would come in somewhere and fire him out of bis soft snap. Hence tlie great Fields wanted no association.” * ‘Wliat are the employes going to do now?’’ “Nothing. The tempovstvy olmtrman was authorized to call another meeting. It will be held. The alleged orators will fire off their bazoos, and the back-boneless employes will re solve to do nothing. By the by, the temporary chairman, who is a daisy without a vote, is the original cause of all the racket. He isn’t a voter, but he has managed to catch a fat position under a Democratic C’angress which he wants to keep. He is now figuring to have non voters made eligible for membership on the executive committee, get on that committee, and then boom himself for a second term iu his present soft position. He will get left.” “Will the Democratic congressional committee recognize this emasculated association of Democratic employes?” “Not by a jug full. When there are 150 Democratic employes of the House tlie members of the congressional committee are not {polish enough to recognize fifteen men who represent only themsoh’es. Come around to the next meeting and see the fuq.”

THE DANVILLE RIOT. Testimouy iu Rebuttal Before the Senate Investigating Coinmitee. Washington, March 29.—The testimony before the Danville committee to-day was mostly confined to statements concerning the distribution of the Danville circular and its effect upon the election. One witness testified that a negro said just before the riot that this would be a bad day for the whites. The negroes were armed and fired over their should*:ls as they ran. Another witness swore that Jesse Kean i Democrat) threatened that colored people would be shot down like dogs and driven off like Indians if they didn’t vote with the Democrats. W. S. Jones, of Martinsville, Ya., first heard of th* Danville riots on .Sunday maiming, the day after its occurrence. Senator Sherman asked if the witness ever heard of the trouble in Danville before the day of the riot. The witness answered in the affirmative. He was on a train the Friday before the election and fell into conversation with a stranger, whose name he could not give. This man told the witness that he. was afraid of trouble in Danville, where he lived. • He had received a telegram that morning to return home, as trouble was anticipated. Three signals on the Star warehouse boll m Danville, so tile stranger said, would call together a hundred armed men J. C. Richard was recalled, lie was a “local historian” and was in Bath County gathering material for a book. Party feeling ran very high. He heard of the Danville riot on Saturday before noon (some hours before it occured). He picked up a circular without date which purported to be an account of the riot. Senator Vance objected to the description of the circular, which could not be produced, and the origin of which was unknown. He was overruled. The witness continuing, said the general substance of the circular was that “the black wave had struck Danville” and lour blacks and one white man had been killed. The witness read this some time between 7 o’clock in the morning and noon, lie picked it up in the depot, and went out and sat down and read it. He was sure it was before noon on Nov. 3. O. W. Swain (white, Democrat) was called: He lived in Danville; was a manufacturer of tobacco. The witness accompanied Barksdale, a Coalitionist, to hear Sims's speech. Barksdale said to tho witness; ‘Tfti if we haven’t

got you! We’ve got the white men of southwest Virginia, and have the negroes solid. We can turn them loose on you in five minutes.” Adjourned. Tin: PUBLIC LAM) OFFICE. Charges that It Has Appropriated .Western Property for Private Use. Washington, March 29—Menibers-elect of the New Mexico Legislature have sent to Representative Springer, to be presented to Congress, a memorial charging that millions of acres of land in New Mexico and Colorado have been converted to private use. The memorial Avas prepared by O. P. McMaius, a representa five in the Legislature of New Mexico. It will be presented to the House shortly, and it is thought a special commission will be asked for to investigate the charges. McMams says in the memorial: “I appeal to the record to sustain me in the charge I herewith prefer against the General Laud Office. 1 charge that Ihe General Land Office without authority of law has held in reserve, in the interests of private land claimants, some 4.000.000 of acres of public land in New Mexico and Colorado, that patents to large portions of said public land so held m re serve ha\ ? e been fraudulently obtained from the United States by private land claimants through corruption of said General Land Office, and I further charge that in numerous instances, and to a great extent on mineral land#, favored partie§, have unlawfully been permitted by the General Land Office to make homestead and pre-emption entries upon public lands held in reserve by said office, and to receive patents from the United States. Therefore, six specifications accompany the memorial. The first refers to private land claim No. 39. Pueblo county. Colorado; the second, to grant No. 17. Southern Colorado: the third, to Maxwell grant No 15. northern New Mexico: the fourth, toAnodeGato tract or claim No. 49. Colfax county, New Mexico, the fifth to Mora grant. Mora county, New Mexico, and the sixth to Sangrc de Cnsto grant, claim No. 14. iu northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. The names mentioned in connection with the matter are Jerome B. Chaffee, George M Chilcort, Stephen B. Elkins, Commissioner Williamson, ot the General Land Office, John T. Elkins, Thomas B. Calvin and Martin Andrew. REVELATIONS, Ex-Renator Dorsey Implicates Prominent Gentlemen with the Star-Route Frauds. Washington. March 29.— The Star says Mr. Springer has received a letter from ex-Senator Dorsey, in relation to the star route cases, in which he makes serious charges against men whose names have not heretofore been publicly connected with the frauds. He says it will not be convenient for him to appear before the committee before the middle of May, but whenever he appears he will make a clear statement of the matters spoken of in the letter. Mr. Springer say? as the statements in the letter would seriously affect some gentlemen who have heretofore escaped the stigma connected Avith the star-route frauds, he does not feel at liberty to make the letter public, preferring rather to let the matter be developed in testimony. Mr. Dorsey, however, will be asked to appear before the committee much sooner than the time designated in his letter. Tlie Kellogg Case. Washington, March 29.—The case of ex-Sen ator Kellogg was up before Judg Wylie to-day. who fixed the trial for April 21. Iu the meantime continued search will be made for Walsh, who is wanted to testify against Kellogg. Mr. Merrick, in referring to recently published letters of Walsh, stated that ho had never said to Walsh what was attributed to him, and was sure Ker had not. Tlie Attorney-general said Hliss was still in the case; the government had made no concessions to absent witnesses.

MINISTER SARGENT. He Refuses to Accept the Russian Mission, and Insists Upon Resigning. Washington. March 29.—0n receipt of Secretary Frelinghuysew’s telegram informing him of the complimentary manner of his transfer to St. Petersburg and the unanimous confirmation of the nomination by the United States Senate, Minister Sargent cabled the Secretary the warm expression of his gratitude for the approval of his course in the Lasker matter aud for the action of the President and Senate in conferring upon him the Russian mission, but added that he could not accept it. and wished to resign his post at Berlin. To-day. in response to a further telegram from Secretary Frelinghuysen, 3fr. Sargent telegraphs, repeating his assurances of gratitude, but adhering to his purpose, because of ill health and for other reasons, to be explained by letter. He adds that he to-day would turn over the legation to the Secretary of the Legation, taking a leave of absence, on the expiration of which he nil) formally announce to the German government his resignation. Kcifer- Hoy ii ton. Washington, March 29.— I The committee investigating the charge made by ex-Speaker Keifer against General Boynton expect to report to the House ou Tuesday next. Representative Hopkins has been designated to prepare the report. The committee Ims agreed upon its character, but refuses to give it to the public before it shall have been submitted to the House. It is understood the committee will pronounce General Boynton innocent of the charges made against him. Pension Attorneys Disbarred. Washington, March 29. —The Secretary of the Interior has disbarred from practice before the Interior Department the following named pension attorneys: J. Samuel, J. R Williams, Fairfield, 111.: Henry Etheinngton and David McWilliams, Monticello, 111., and F. E. Abbott, Worcester, Mass. Boycotting a Paper. Galveston. March 29 —The Trades and Labor Assembly, of Galveston, composed of eleven different organizations, aggregating 1,800 members, has entered upon a systematic canvass of the city for the purpose of endeavoring to induce people to withdraw all patropage from the Evening Print newspaper. The action is the outgrowth of the feeling engendered some weeks ago when the union type-setters in the Print office were superseded by non -union men. Merchants advertising in tile paper have been notified that a continuance of the favor will cause a loss of all trade controlled by members of the assembly. The aldermen have received warning that if they vote in the council to give the paper the contract fqr the city printing a reelection will be thwarted, and prospective candidates for public office have been given to understand they must cut loose from the Print or suffer the consequences. The Floods. Bismarck, March 29.—The gorge here gave way to-uight. The ice is now running heavy. Boats at 9 o'clock were 11 right. The prospects are they will come out safe. The river is still running well up toward 3landan, on the opposite side of the river, but the town is hot in danger. Vicksburg, 31arch 29.—Captain Cooper, of the government steamer Vidalia, from Rodney, Miss., reports having moved in the last few days, from Tensas parish, La., which is almost entirely overflowed, to Rodney, 1,100 head of stock, thirty-live families and their plunder, including chickens and dogs. He says the town of St. Joseph has 400 houses flooded. The l-'illey Faction Victorious. St. Louis, March 29.—The Republican primaries to-night, for the election# of delegates to the State convention to send delegates to the national convention, resulted in a sweeping victory for the Filley faction, they carrying twenty-five of the twenty-eight words in the city. The only satisfaction the silk-stockings have is in beating Filley himself as a delegate, bis own ward going against him.

SHOT DEAD IX HER PARLOR. Particulars of the Murder of Mrs. Thorpe at Jler Residence in New York. New York, March 20. —Mrs Laura M. Thorpe, shot early tins morning in the parlor of her house, on .West Tweuty-first street, died to-day. Her slayer, George S. Walsh, was taken into tho court-room, filled with Walsh's friends, but ho paid no attention to them, appearing like ono completely dazed. When informed of tlie charge against him lie merely said: “I don’t kuoAv anything about it/* Walsh being asked why lie .'hot the woman* answered that he was entirely ignorant of the affair The first intimation he had of this facta Avas when lie found himself in the station house. Ever since he lias been trying to clear his mind! of blame, but could not. His eyes and luce* showed that he had been on a protracted spree. He evaded a question as to his relations with the* dead woman. He had no previous difficulty* with Mrs. Thorpe, and had no reason■ for committing the act. His victim was* a friend, and he liked her. Walsh is well knewt* ou the west side of the city. At one time he wa? sexton of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, and after that conducted an undertaking business. He lost this by means of drinking habits acquired mainly in dabbling in local or ward politics. Since then Walsh has boon termed a* “sport.” Mrs. Thorpe’s ante-mortem statement is as follows: “Friday evening 1 felt; lonely, and was sitting in ray parlor, and remained there until about 10 or 10:30 this evening, Avhen the bell rang, and 1 Avent to the door. George Walsh stood at the door, and said lie wanted to come in. I said all right, come in. He then entered my parlor, and said he wanted to go to my bed room. I said not under the circumstances. He stood in tlie center of the parlor and said, ‘I am a man.’ pulled hs pistol out of his pocket and shot me.” A TERRIFIC EXPLOSION. Six Persons Instantly Killed by tlie Explosion of Nitro-Glycerine, Chester. Pa., March 29.—The nitro glycerine house of the Repaunochemical works at Thompson’s Point, N. J., opposite this city, exploded ati 10.30 tins morning, and it is supposed seven or eight men were killed, including I.aumont Dupont, vice-president of the company; W. N. Hill.. superintendent, and Mr. Norcross, compounder, of dynamite Their tug was immediately dispatched to this city for surgeons and returned with a number. Many houses in this 1 city were badly shattered by the explosion. The Uepauno works were among the largest dynamite manufacturing houses in. the country, "and were operated largely by the Duponts of Delaware. I.ATI'H —The explosion is supposed to have been caused by too much lieat gonerated by the nitric acid. Six occupants of the building were seen to rush for the door, and were jammed in a passage when tlie explosion occurred. Six were instantly killed, their bones broken and twisted, and tlieir heads crushed in a frightful manner. Their names are: Lamott Dupont. W. N. Hill, Edward Norcross, and George Norton and Lewis f.ay, employes; also, a visitor supposed to be from New York.

The New Eldorado. St. Paul. March 29—State Senator Griggs, who has just returned from the Coeur d’Alene region. says: “The yield of gold the coming season will be extraordinary. One miner who, a few weeks ago, was too poor to buy his own outfit, has taken $3,000 from a place six feet square. Another has sold a quarter of his claim of five acres for SIO,OOO. A miner at Rolp Durr has sent $1,200 of gold to the United States mint. He showed me three nuggets worth $167. Merchants at Spokane Fails have taken in $40,000 from the miners in exchange for supplies. A few of the placers are working, but on most of them from two to twenty feet of snow is melting rapidly. The miners who are working take out S4O a day per man. Men who jumped the Winows claim last fall while fighting the matter in the courts have taxen out SIB,OOO. There are 5,000 men in camp, and their claims can’t be bought; many sit, gun in hand, watching their claims. People are flocking into the mining region at the rate of one hundred a day. At Thompson's Falls oyer one hundred buildings have been erected in the last two weeks. I anticipate au influx of from 50,000 to 100,000 people.” The Festival Artists. New York. 3larch 29.—Word was received yesterday that tfie steamer Alaska, of the Guion line, has sailed from Liverpool for New York, having on board the Wagner festival artists. Materna, Winklemann ana Scgria. The vessel is due here on April 7. After the arrival of the artists Theodore Thomas will begin rehearsals. The Wagner festival will begin in Boston on April 14, and continuo until the 17th. Threo Wagner festival concerts will be given in this city at the Metropolitan Opera-house, beginning on Tuesday, April 22. MapleMui’.s ban Francisco Receipts. n San Francisco, March 29.— A careful estimate. made to night, puts the gross receipts of seventeen performances of Mapleson's Opera Company in this city at $203,000. Mapleson's net profits are $85,000 THE CHICAGO FAST MAIL. A Serious and Unanswerable Statement of the Objection* to It. M i tinea poll* Tribune. The real and the only objection to the present management of the fast mail is that it serves no useful purpose whatever to the people of iho Northwest. It does not get our New York and New England letter mail into the hands of our business men au hour earlier than formerly, while iu the case of the Chicago mail the new arrangement is an absolute detriment. Under the old system the Chicago mails leaving that city at 9 o’clock in the evening reached Minneapolis between 2 and 3 o’clock, and could he distributed in the business quarter before the close of business hours. Ou the present plan these same Chicago mails, being held over in idleness at Chicago from 9 o'clock at r.iglu until 9:HO in the morning, reqeh this city too late to be placed in the hands of our business men in time to receive attention on the same day. In other words, we arc no better in regard to New York and east ern mails, and wo arc practically eighteen hours worse off in regard to our Chicago mails which are, on the whole, more important, than any other. Anyone who cannot understand this proposition will have to excuse us from furnishing him both with arguments and brains to comprehend them. It is desirable that the fast mail should he continued, but only on condition that it can be made in fact a benefit, apd not an actual damage- All this could be accomplished by introducing a little business sense and energy into the transfer of the mails through Chicago otter the arrival of the Eastern train. Postmaster-general Gresham's suggestion that the Minneapolis train is delayed at Chicago for three hours after the arrival of the eastern fast mail simply because the latter “is liable to be delayed at times” would deserve to be ridiculed if it bad come from any less respectable source. All trains from the East are “liable to be dotained at times,” but railway companies have never been known to make up their time schedules on a basis of these hypothetical and occasional lapses. It would be entirely sufficient to hold the Minneapolis train to a later hour in the morning, whenever the eastern train should be tardy in its arrival, aud there is no reason to believe that these occasions would arise once a month. The simple fact of history is that the Postmaster-general started out with the intention of placing the fast mail on a business basis involving a delay at Chicago of about one hour and twenty minutes for the necessary transfer of iho mails, which would bring the train into Minneapolis at about, 2 o'clock. But in Chicago he was surrounded by the proprietors and managers of about all iho morning papers, and in the present sensitive political situation lie permitted himself to be bulldozed into making a concession which has simply rendered useless an enterprise for the inception of which he deserves much credit, but which, as at present perverted, promises to re fleet no glory upon anybody. We predict that? there will bo either a reform or a discontinuance inside of a mouth.