Pike County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 43, Petersburg, Pike County, 5 March 1885 — Page 1

VOLUME XV. _ PETERSBURG, INDIANA, THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1885. NUMBER 43.

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NEWS IN BRIEF. Compiled from Various Sources. ‘ I

CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS,, In the Senate on the 23d the credentials of Mr. Jones, Senator-elect from Arkansas, * ere presented. The Des Moines River settlers' titles bill was passed. The Poet-office appropriation bill was passed, with several amenuments, avter an animated discussion. .In | the House the most of the session i was taken up in discussing the provisions of the naval appropriation bill In reference to the plan to build up the American navy. Many members took part. The committee's pi ans were severely criticised, and Mr..Randall defended the committee. The bill waS finally passed, several amendments having been added. 1A bill authorizing the President to negotiate for the purchase of the interest of th© Indians in the Oklahoma lands was introduced. No other business was concluded of general inteiest. In the Senate on the 24th a memorial from the Wisconsin Legislature, urging the placing of General Grant tm the retired list, was presented. Also a memorial from the Illinois Legislature urging an early settlement of the Oklahoma question. After debate the biil to authorize the President to negotiate for the Oklahoma lands >vas passed. The bill to provide for the settlement of claims of officers and enlisted men of the army for the loss of private property destroyed in the m lit ary service of the United states was passed, the time for the presentation of claims being limited to two rears...]....In the House Mr. Weller i of lo!wa) attacked the National banking system. In a ecnilct for precedence thje river and harbor bill vanquished the Appropr ations Committee, aud the former b 11 was considered in committee of the whole. The Speaker s ruling that the clause relating to the Hennepiu t anal - be stricken out was sustained by a vote of 109 to 95. A number of amendments as to how and where money appropriated for the improvement of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers were offered and adopted amid a good deal of confusion. The coimpittee rose and reported the bill to the House, and adjournment followed. In the Senate on the 2->fch the army appropriation bill was reported, the conferees ilaving agreed upon all differences except that relating to courts-martial in time of peace. There was a long discussion, but the matter finally went over after a stormy debate...In the House, after the passage of several bills under the special rules, the river and harbor bill was taken up. The amendment of the committee of the whole to strike out the clause relative to |Aie improvement of tiie Mississippi from the head passes to the O'xks River, with Captain Eads as advisory engineer, was not sustained, and altera vote the effect was to put this clause back In the bill. Mr. White (of Kentucky) In some random remarks, reflected on the President-elect in a manner which caused Mr. Gibson (of West Virginia) to use language so severe against the Kentuckian that a vote of censure was moved, but the motion w as tabled after some further debate. In the SSenate ou the 2(>th the regular annual naval appropriation biil was reported. Mr. Hoar introduced a Pacific Railroad funding bill, but said that he did not expect action at this, session ami his motive was to get the views of the public. The proposition to increase the number of annual clerks to Senate committees was voted down. The silver bill \va> readied. Mr. Sherman, in referring botli to the standard silver dollar and to gold, contented that it ^ as to the interests of alt elas.-es to maintain a circulation of both metals, but this must be done on a basis a cordiug as nearly as possible with their relative market values. After remarks by M.:8 s. Reck, llill and Coke sustaining the com age system, the del ate closed.In the House a further conference on the army appropriation bill was ordered. A motion to take the House bill with Senate amendments repealing the pre-emption, timber culture and desert lands laws tram the .’Speaker’s table, was lost.' Tlie sundry civil appropriation bill was taken up and there was a long debate on tjae clause providing for further aid to the New Orleans Exposition, sorno members who spoke favoring, and others opposing the appropriation. The matter went over. In the (Senate on the 2"th the naval appropriation bill was amended in one impoitant particular and passed. A number of private pension bills were passed. The Ii!li,.a,h?.rn.terest ,,f “ niece of the late President Tyler was unfavorably acted upon. The special river and harbor bill passed by the llousb -was only tea l the first time on account of object ion..........in the Mouse . Kejagan endeavoiei to take inter state commerce bill from the Mr. the Speaker s table, for the purpose of noneoncurrlhpr in the Senate amendments, but failed The sundry civil appropriation bill was passed, the Sew Orleaus Exposition appropriation being ameuded so that claims outside of Louisiana would be paid lirst. Under a suspension of the rules a bill reported !by Mr, Willis was passed appropriating ta,nw.,uuo to be expended for the continuation and completion of works designal e l in the last river and harbor bill The ,Post-office appropriation bill w as re: ported with Senate amendments, but the Kepublt -ans ia an endeavor to prevent action on a: contested elect!>n ease demanded separate votes, thus eonsum ug time until 5 p. m., alien the House adjourned un11 S p. m.; to consider the pension b:iU PERSONAL AND POLITICAL. The Legis ature of Minnesota has adopted the high license liquor law, making $500 the figur4- v ** As effort is being made by the various independent political organizations of the State of New York to form a general alii - a nee to support only “the best men” for office. The court-martial which tried General Swaim sentenced him to suspension for twelve years, and to forfeit one-half of his monthly pay every month for the same period. The finding was approved by the President. General Kicci, in charge of the Italian contingent to Suakim, sailed for that port) on the 26th. Judge Baxter decided at Louisville, Kv., that ex-Treasurer Breckenridge of the Knights of Honor must pay $111,495.18 in court (o-day. Miss Mary A. Fletcher, who died recently at Burlington, Vt, bequeathed most of her large fortune to charity. * General I4kw Wallace, the American Minister to Turkey, dined with the Sultan onthe 25th, and talked over the commercial .treaty.

MR. IHOLKT, ex-Jreasion Commissioner, gave his testimony at Washington before the investigating committee on the 25th. Gbnbkal Brackenbury visited the scene of the murder of Colonel Stewart on the Nile, and found his disabled st amer. Ex-Governor Cauchon of. Manitoba died at Winnipeg on the 25th. He was eminent as a lawyer, Journalist and statesman. President Arthur will escort Presi-dent-elect Cleveland from the Arlington Hotel to the Capitol on the occasion of th9 latter’s inauguration. It is thought that Edmund Yates of the l.ondon World will soon be released from pr>son on account of ill health. Tub Earl of Durham has brought auit • gainst his wife for divorce at Loudon, charging that she is insane. Francis E. Warrxn, of Wyoming, was nominated on the 35th by the President to be Governor of Wyoming Territory. A djtvohter has been born to the Princess Victoria, wife of Prince Louis of Battenberg, and granddaughter oKQueeu Victoria. Dr. Rogers, of Ann Arbor, Mich., brother of Randolph Rogers, the sculptor, now in Rome, has received notiee that Mr. Rogers recently made a will bequeathing his entire collection of casts, models, etc., to the University of Michigan. Secretary McCulloch sent is communication teethe House on the doth recommending th« appropriation of $35,000 for the revenue marine service to protect the seal fisheries in Alaska. On the 30th Representative Logan (Republican) of the Illinois Legislature died suddenly of heart disease in the capitol building. Tub President’s appointment of F. E. Warren as Governor of Wyoming;, give# satisfaction at Cheyenne. A Chicago pugilist named Jack Burne has challenged Paddy Ryan. Thb Governor of Illinois has ordered an election in Whiteside County, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Represen-tative-Lagan.

Jrstits Schwab, the New York Socialist, has been held (or trial in the sum of $2,500 on each charge. Admiral Courbet announces that he will take a stand at Shanghai to intercept vessels with rice cargoes. * Dr. Balacci, the alleged French nobleman, who tried to elope with Mrs. Grissari, a wealthy Spanish-Ameriean of Santa Fe, was arrested in Mexi co, and is wanted at Santa Fe on a charge of larceny. It is declared by United Ireland that if there are any demonstrations during the visit of the Prince of Wales to Dublin there will be counter demonstrations which will overshadow any that Earl Spencer may order. On the 20th Senator Sherman reported to the Senate an amendment to the sundry civil bill, which provides for the erection in the District of Columbia a statue to the memory of General Lafayette, to cost *00,000. ,

1 be Wasnington >t tr states that Senator Garland was tendered and has accepted the Attorney-Generalship under Cleveland. The Vice-President-elect arrived at Washington on the 27th, and was received formally by a number of political organizations and distinguished men at the National Capital. Lokd Salisbury's motion in the House of Lords to censure the British Govern - rnent was adopted, 180 to (18. A similar motion by Sir Stafford Northcote, in the Commons was rejected, 3)2 to 288. The House foreign affairs committee decided to submit a favorable report upon the resolution calling for retaliatory action for Germany’s restrictions upon American products. According to the Every Evening, a journal published at Wilmington, Del., Senator Bayard will tender his resignation to the Legislature, as he has accepted the State portfolio of Cleveland’s Cabinet. The Illinois Legislature took an informal ballot for United States Senator on the 27th, merely to maintain the record. Telegrams from Korti announce the are rival of General Buller’s forces at Gakdul. The Ohio Democratic members of the Legislature will attend the inauguration in a body. Mrs. Anna Parks, over one huudred years of age and born in -County Mayo, Ireland, was buried at Detroit, Mich., on the 27th. Annie Kennedy, twenty-two years of age, hanged herself at Detroit, Mich., on the 27th. The Prince of Wales will start on his tour April 2d. CRIMES AND CASUALTIES. Fred Becker, Treasurer of' Chippewa County, Wisconsin, is missing, and his accounts are short between $10,000 and $12, - 000. The Express Company’s loss in the recent terrible accident on the Virginia Midland Railroad is now placed at $250,000, mostly in money. Edward Vogely, book-keeper of the Butler (Pa.) Savings Bank, is a defaulter and has left town. The shortage is placed between $40,000 and $60,00). Wm. A. Montgomery, a banker of Gosport, Ind., committed suicide on the 24th. Ox the 24th Oliver W. Holmes, a four-teen-year-old boy, hanged himself at Lakewood, N. J. Ox the 24th the schooner F. J. Collins and cargo, valued at $70,000, burned off Ocean City, Md. e An octogenarian, Win. Haun, was murdered in his home, near Knoxville, Tenn., on the 24th. His son is charged with the crime. w Jcdson DrrsON, who has been collecting money on forged checks at Boston, was arrested on the 25th. Five children were severely if not fatally injured while coasting at Pittsburgh, Pa., on the 25th, their bob-sled running with great force into a passing wagon. ‘The Pittsburgh (Pa.) detective force have unearthed an organized gang of thieves, captured several of them and recovered money and valuables to the amount of $11,000. While practicing roller-skating in her room at Columbus, O., on the 25th, Miss Ollie Fredericks, a young society lady of that city, aged twenty-one, fell, her head striking the floor with such force as to fracture her skull. Her life is despaired of. Jose Gallegos, the Mexican who murdered so many people at Las Novias, N. M., was shot to death by a mob. On the 26th a terrible explosion occurred at the Royal School of Gunnery at Shoeburyness, Eng., while a number of artillery officers and scientists were testing a new patent fuse. Three men were killed outright and several fatally wounded. Among the latter were some of the most prominent officials of the Government Laboratory at Woolwich. Jut Watts, a colored murderer, knocked the jailer down at Nicholasville, Ky., and. was shot and killed by the jailer. Mose Caton, of Union City, Ky., on the 27th hanged his wife, whom he married four years ago. Wm. T. Comstock, a Justice of the Peace, shot Geo. P. Smith near Valentine, Neb., on the 27th. Chas. Deam, of Indianapolis, lnd., after brooding over real estate troubles, ended his career. _

M ISItLLA N KOI.S. The most severe snow of the season te., at Dayton, O., on the 24th. The trades unions of Toronto, Out., have ]>etitioned Parliament for prohibition of Chinese immigration. In both Houses of the British Parliament the Conservatives derided to support the vote of censure against the Government. On the 24th the propeller Michigan, which has been ice-bound in Lake Michigan, got loose and arrived within half a mile of Grand Haven. The cloak manufacturers of New York favor an advance in the duty on cloaks. Wf.t weather at New Orleans has caused a material falling off in the attendance at the Exposition. Minnesota proposes in future to resort to capital punishment for criminals convicted of murder in the first degree. At Pittsburgh, Pa., the ice-bound condition -of the rivers places a million and a half dollars’ worth of coal and craft in jeopardy. One of the belles of Warren, O., has caused a sensation by briuging a breach-of-promise suit against a young swell of that place. The Iowa brewers have commenced a case to test the Iowa law, claiming that in reference to transportation the State violates the Federal Constitution, i The Evangelical ministers of Portland, Ore., are alarmed at the great increase of divorces. The Minnesota Senate declined to pass the liquor high-license law. When the ice moves at Louisville, Ky., it is feared that a great deal of damage will be done. The east-bound lines from Chicago are again taking grain and provisions at the old cut rates. In the Electric Light Convention, in session at Chicago on the 25th, J. E. Morrison, of Baltimore, was elected President of the rssociation, with H. M. Cleveland, of Hartford, E. M. Barton, of Chicago, and J. H. Yarhro, of Nashville, as Vice-Presi-dents. W. N. Hovey, of Boston, was | elected Secretary,

The locomotive engineers of the Onion Pacific have made a satisfactory settlement of their differences with the officers of the road. Collections of internal revenue for the first seven months of the fiscal year were $05,341,347, against $69,962,679 for the same period for the previous fiscal year, a decrease of $1,621,332. There was an increase of $301,395 in the collections from fermented liquors; a decrease of $4,462,796 from spirits; a decrease of $185,685 from tobaccos, and a decrease of $274,446 from miscellaneous sources. The protracted cold weather has caused an oyster famine at Baltimore. ,■ At Yun Nan, China, several hundred Catholics are said to have been massacred recently. Geneva Anarchists advocated the forcible destruction of the existing state of society. Martial law has been declared in Bechuanaland, South Africa. The final sitting of the Congo Conference was held at Berlin on the 26th, with Bismarck in the chair. England refuses to recognize the French declaration making rice a contraband of

war. An organization known as the ‘‘Scouts’ Club” has been formed in Pennsylvania with the view of controlling the oil market from the “pointers” they get in the fields. The policy of the British Government in Egypt was severely criticised in the British House of Commons. An editor and a physician of the City of Mexico had a duel on the 26th. The latter was wounded fatally, it is thought. The Russian Government is urging Turkey on to assert her Suzerian rights in the Soudan, and to oppose the establishment of the Italian flag on the Red Sea. Civil, service examinations will be held in the Western States as follows: Cleveland, March 21st; Detroit, March 20th; Kansas City, March 24th; St. Paul, March 24th; Minneapolis, March 24th; Madison, Wis., March 28th. At all of these examinations applicants for departmental service in W ashington will be examined. For the month of January the excess of values of exports over imports of merchandise was $38,343,960. For seven months ended January 31, 188.1, $147,679,817. Twelve months ended January 31, 1881, $138,856,652. Total values imports of merchandise for twelve months wided January 31,1885, $617,166,928; for preceding twelve months, $684,405,635; decrease, $67,238,707. Total value of exports of merchandise for twelve months ended January 31, 1885, $755,923,580; pcevious twelve months, $78$,818,670; decrease, $32,895,090. A communication has been received at Korti from a nun taken prisoner when Khartoum fell into the hands of the Arabs, and who is now kept in captivity in the Mahdi’s camp at Omdurman. She confirms the statement that El Mahdi’s troops massacred the soldiers at the garrison and many peaceful citizens, and she states the number of persons slaughtered is fully 2,000. ' ", Cowboys stopped a Pacific express in Dakota on the 27th and made the conductor dance the “can-can” on the platform, varyiug the monotony by shooting at his feet. - The Evangelical Conference at Reading, Pa., at its session on the 28th, indorsed constitutional prohibition and opposed skating rinks. Bradstreet’s weekly review, based on telegrams from leading cominercial centers, shows more encouragement for the trade outlook in the early future than has been reported of late. Failures for the seven days, ended the 27th, numbered 270 as compared with 254 the previous week. The consolidation of the two oil exchanges at New York is Officially announced. Police are arresting and driving out Anarchists in various parts of Switzerland. French torpedo boats recently sank a Chinese frigate carrying twenty-six guns and 6J0 men, and a corvette carrying seven guns and 150 men. Great fears are entertained in shipping circles at New York for the safety of several Vessels overdue. The rebels near Suakim are said to be very active at present. Within the seven days ended the 27th wheat declined five cents a bushel in the Baltimore market. It is officially denied that France intends to occupy Tripoli. The sportmen’s tournament of the Northwest terminated at Davenport, la., c- •'>(> 27th.

LATE NEWS ITEMS. In the Senate on the 28th the conference committee’s report on the agricultural bill was agreed to. The substitute river and harbor bill was read the second time. Mr. Mitchell offered a preamble and resolution instructing the Committee on Finance to report a proper bill to provide for immediate suspension of the coinage of standard silver dollars. The Iowa land forfeiture bill was discussed, and a numher of bills passed to erect public buildings.....In the House the Post-office appropriation bill, as ameuded by the Senate, was considered. All were agreed to except the amendment relative to compensation to American steamships for carrying the mail, and a new conference committee was appointed. In committee of the whole the fortifications bill was considered, but the debate digressed and members spoke upon Mr. Cleveland’s letter on the silver dollar question. Mr. Horr (Republican) argued that ft was a letter full of sense. Mr-. Porsheimer discussed the matter, and maintained that the silver question was an economic one and not political. The fortifications bill was finally passed with amendments. The conference report on the army appropriation bill was agreed to. It is semi-officially denied that a crisis prevails in the British Cabinet. Ex-President Ha>es has given $6,000 toward lifting a church debt at Fremont, O. Alonzo Flack, I). D., of Hudson River Institute, at Hudson, N. Y., died on the 1st, aged eighty-two. Germany adds opposition to France's declaration making rice a contraband of war. 8. W. Perry, a prominent resident of Berea, O., was suffocated on the 1st with coal gas. The Italian Government has sent $1,000,000 to Massowah for the purchase of camels. * An attempt to blow up a dam near Newcastle, Pa., with dynamite caused a concussion that shook houses a mile away. The Italians will attack the Turks in the Soudai^if the Sultan’s troops interfere with General Ricci’s forces. The city of Albany, N. Y.^was visited by a most destructive conflagration.on the 1st, startiug in the freight houses of a railway company. A Paris newspaper says that the fall of Gladstone has been Germany’s political dream and Bismarck’s aim. John Miller, the assistant head waiter of the Arlington Hotel, Lynchburg, Va., murdered Royal^fatthews, the head waiter, with a carving-knife. Both colored. Twenty-three of the Anarchists arrested at Berne, Switzerland, are charged with a conspiracy to blow up the Federal palace.

DYNAMITE. Headquarters For the Dynamite Faction* S»l<! to Have Boon Established at Kansas City, With a Manufactory Near St, Louis. Kansas City, Mo., February 36.—A number of secret societies known to be iu sympathy with the English dynamiters have been known to exist hers for a long time, and no little anxiety has been ielt In consequence, liut so long as nothing more detinite was known than that a few Irish revolutionist bodies anti socialistic organizations existed, but little has been said and no steps takeu to avoid the presence of what promises to be a source of positive evil to the city.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS, however, have occasioned the liveliest concern. Detective Hcushaw, of New York, who came on here to look after Captain Phelan, and who has spent so me days investigating,now states that he has positive and authentic evidence that this city has been selected as the center of operations of the dynamite leagues and socialistic organizations throughout the United States; and that arrangements are at this time being perfected to manufacture dynamite and - INFERNAL MACHINES at the Crystal City Glass Works, on the Mississippi Kiver, just below St. Louis. These negotiations, he says, have been going on for some time between LEADING ST. LOUIS SOCIALISTS and dynamiters, and Dr. R. W. Sauer, of this city, a prominent local Socialist, who claims to have one of the latest and most efficient machines, which will be used as a model. THE LOCATION. Rumors have been current in Caronde-, let for a week past that arrangements were being perfected for the manufacture of dynamite and infernal machines in the southern part of the city, but all attempts to ferret out the matter proved unavailing. Those who would naturally be posted on such matters deny all knowledge of it and declare that there is not the faintest shadow of truth in the charge. However, this denial is but whit might be expected whether there is or is not such an institution in existence here. O’NEILL RYAN DENIES IT. “Perfect nonsense,” said O’Neill Ryan, of the firm of Campbell, Kern & Ryan, this city, and Vice-President of the American National League, as he read the dispatch with an expression of annoyance. “It’s my opinion that these things are gotten up by some people w’ho have an object in exciting in the minds of Americans distrust of everything Irish. Certainly we hold ourselves aloof from such things, at least. While it is possible" for a dynamite factory to exist at Crystal City without the knowledge of any one except those connected with it, yet I don’t believe the story.” «♦» DIRE DISASTER. A Sleighing Party of Twenty Persons Thrown Down a Twenty-Foot Embankment. Reading, Pa., February 26.-*-A sleighing party of twenty ladies and gentleman from this city had a sad experience while on their way home at an early hour this morning. While they were descending a steep hill near the Otney line the tongue of the sleigh broke, and the sleigh rushing on the horses’ heels , caused them to run away. The sleigh With its occupants was precipitated down a twenty-foot embankment, throwing some of the party into a creek. Several of the party were severely injured. s Among those iu the party were Misses Alice, Sue and Millie Hemmig, Annie and Emma Lutz, Emma Eisenhower and Ellie Fink, Mrs. Geo. K. Howman, Wm. Gerhart, G. A. Schleohter, Harry Fredericks, Samuel Gerhart, Frank Canfel, Paul Harine, Luther Auihan and John Hogan. These were all more or less injured, several being Tendered unconscious. Mrs. Howman was seriously injured about the head and face, and had her right arm badly sprained. Miss Millie Hemmig was found after a long, search unconscious in a large heap of snow. She was carried to a hotel near by, and medical aid summoned. She rallied shortly after, but became insensible again at intervals. She was taken home to-day, and it is feared she is suffering from concussion of the brain, and may die. The four horses which were attached to the sleigh were fouud a mile away, tom completely ont of their harness.

BASE INGRATITUDE, A Stepfather Imprisoned In Ills Own t'ellav and Reported Dead That Others Might Enjoy His Property. Pittsburgh, Pa., February 27.—Io 1871, William Henry Jackson Moore, a bachelor living'on a farm in Washington County, married a widow named Mrs. Wallace, and took to live with them her eighteen-year-old daughter. In 1873 Mrs. Wallace died, and shortly alter the step-daughter married a worthless fellow named Slavin. After bullying and Illtreating Moore for some time, the two finally persuaded him to make a will in their favor. A few nights after this, while lying in bed, Moore was seized, bound and gagged and thrown into a cellar previously prepared lor the purpose, and where he has since been confined, his meals being conveyed to him through a small wicket in the door. About two weeks ago, in the absence of his relatives from the house, Moore managed to escape from the cellar, and ransacking the house, found 9100, with which he procured suitable clothing and went to Wheeling, where he found that his designing relatives had given out that he had died in Michigan while visiting relatives there, and had defrauded him out of his property. Mr. Moore came to Pittsburgh, and having established his identity, Is engaged in seeking legal advice in order to recover the property now In the hands ot his stepson. Judge. Poland’s Opinion. Washington, D. C., February 27.— Judge Poland of Vermont, who was a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and assisted Lyman Trumbull m drafting the law under which the Senators are elected in the several States is quite decided In the opinion that the death of Representative Logan of the Illinois Legislature leaves the joint convention with an actual membership of 203, and that consequently the 102 Democratic members of the two Houses will constitute a quorum for the election of a United States Senator. Death Invades the Illinois Legislature. Springfield, III., February 28.—A% noon* to-day Judge Robert Logan, of Whitesides, a Republican member f the House, dropped at the bead of the House stairs as he was on his wav to the chamber. The elevator was not running, and he attempted to walk up the long stairway. Logan j>ad been ailing all the session with heart disease, and could not stand excitement of any kind. When he dropped on the House floor opposite to the main entrance of the chamber, he was picked up by friends and carried into an ante-room, and five minutes later be was pronounced dead. Thts gives the Demoprats one majority on joint ballot.

CLEARLY DEFINED Mr. Cleveland, in Replying to tno Silver Coinage Advocates, Helloes His rositlon On the Question, Favoringa Suspention o( the Coinage of standard Hollars. Albany, N. Y., February 23.—The following is the reply of President-elect Cleveland to the silver coinage advocates in Congress: -

Albany, N. Y., February 24, im To Hon. A. J. 1rarnrr and others members of the Forty-Eighth Congress: Gentlemen—The letter which I have had the honor to receive from you invites and, indeed, obliges me to give expression to some grave public necessities, although in advance of the moment when they would become the objects of my official care and* partial responsibility. Your solicitude that my judgment shall have been carefully aud deliberately formed is entirely just; and 1 accept the suggestion in the same friendly spirit in which it has been made. It is also fully justified by the nature of the financial crisis which, under the operation of the act of Congress of February 2£th, 1878, is now close at hand. By a compliance with the requirements of that law all the vaults of the Federal Treasury have been, and are heaped fall of silver coins, which are now worth les* than 11 hty-five per cent, of the gold dollar pre - scribed as the “unit of value" in tec ion 14 of tr e act of February l.th, isn>; and which, with the silver cer iti< ate* repres nt ug such coin, are re eivabie for all ?>ubli • dues. Bern; thus re eivab e, wh ie also constantly lucre *>iug in quantity at the late of $28,000,000 ayea**,B has foil wed. of necessity, tiat the flow of gold into the Treasury has been steadily diminished. Silver and s lver certificates have displaced and are now displacing gold; and the sum of gold in the Ft derail Treasury now available tor the pay mentof the gold obligators of the United Mates and for the redemption of the United States notes, called “Greenbacks," if not already encroached upon, is perilously near such encroachment. These are facts*which, as they do not admit of difference of opinion. call *<or no argument. They have been fbrwarned to us in the official reports of every Secretary of the Treasury from 1878 till new. They are plainly affirmed in the last December report of the Secretary of the Treasury to the Speaker of the present House of Representatives. They appear in the official documents of this Congress and in the records of the New York Clearing-house, of which the Treasury is a member, and through which the bulk of the receipts and payments of the Federal Government and of the country pass. These being the facts of our present condition, our danger and our duty to avert that danger would seem to be plain. 1 hope that you concur with me aud with the great majority of our fellow citizens in deeming it most desirable, at the present juncture, to maintain and continue in use the mass of our gold coin, as well as the mass of silver already coined. This is possible by a pres - ent suspension of the purchase and coinage of silver. I am not aware that by any other method it is possible. It is of momentous impoitan' e to prevent the two metals from partiug company; to prevent the Increasing displacement of gold by the >n.reusing coinage of silver; to prevent the disuse of gold in tie Customhouses of the Un t d States and in the daily business of ijjie people; to prevent the ultimate expulsion of gold by si ver. 8ueh a financial er sis a* these even s would certainly pre ip.ta'e, were it now to follow’ upon so long a period of eommere ial depression would involve the people of every city and every State in the Union in prolonged and disastrous trouble. The revival of business enterprise and prosperity, so ardently desired, and apparently so near, would \ e hopelessly postponed. Gobi would be withdrawn to its hoarding places, and an unprecedented contraction in the actual volume of our currency would speedily take place, and. saddest of all, in every workshop, mill, factory, store, aud on every railroad and farm, the wages of laborers, already depressed, would suffer still further depression by a scaling down of the purchasing power of every so-called dollar paid into the hand of toil. From these impending calamities it is surely a most patriotic and grateful duty of the representatives of the people to deliver them. I am, gentlemen, with sincere respect* your te flow-citizen, Grover Cleveland. DISASTROUS FIRE. Burning of the National Theater at Wash* ington—I.ester TVaHack’s Company Lose Everything—Lott a a #50,000 Stockholder in the Burned Building. Washington, P. C., February 27.— Fire which broke out between one and two o’clock this morning on E street, between Thirteenth aud Fourteenth, the Karnes of which were not extinguished until half past four, is still smouldering. The site upon whieh stood one of the largest theatres in the city is now a mass of ruins. AH of the front and side walls of the National Theatre, which also contained the famous billiard saloon of Miller & Jones, have fallen. The scene at this hour beggars description. W. W. Rapelo, owner of the theatre, estimated its value at $100,000, and says the insurance amounts to $40,000. The furniture, scenery and other properties Rapelo valued at $50,000. Lotta, the actress, owned $50,000 of the theatre stock. Miller & Jones estimate their loss at $20,00*), part of which is covered by insurance. The tailoring establishment and confectionery store uudemeath the billiardroom were also destroyed, but the losses do not exceed $1,500. Pester Wallaek’s company were playilig “Victor Purand” at the National, (food houses greeted them nightly. Newton Gotthold says that everything he had in the world was in the ruins, including the manuscript of his new play, “A Wayward Woman,” which was to have been produced next season. All the members of the company lost their wardrobe, properties and special scenery. The loss to the company exceeds $12,000. The origin of the fire is a mystery. Matthew Brady, the engineer and watchman had his sleeping quarters in the second story. When Officer Tenney, who turned in the alarm, returned to the scene of the fire he discovered Brady at the window of his room, andbarely saved his life by placing a ladder in position to enable him to escape. The flames caught on the back of the building of the Harris House, but beyond burning the cornices and window-frames, did but comparatively little damage. The entire loss by fire will probably not exceed $200,000. The Jackson House, Brache’s French Restaurant and Ecksteiu’s saloon, all east of the theater building, were considerably damaged by water.

Will Be Hanged March lath. jlARRisBiTiM.il, Pa., February 28.—At a meeting of the Pardon Board yesterday afternoon, the application for a commutation of the sentence in the case of Charles Briggs, of Philadelphia, was refused. Briggs will be hanged March 13th. A Too Free Use of the Kuife. Cincinnati, O., February 38.—Mrs. l>r. Beel lets furnished rooms at 17* Plum street, and for some time has had a lodger named Thos. Clark, who was behind in his rent. Stopping at the samo house is Mr. C. Van W. Fish, a young attorney from Cleveland. Mrs. Beel asked him to collect the rent from Clark, and whi>e the men wei'e tilting a dispute arose between Matt McCarthy, a friend of Clark) and Fish, which resulted in McCarthy cutting Fish, inflicting a dangerous wound. A young man named Knstace was also badly cut. Terrible Runaway Accident. Nkw Columbia, Pa., February 27.— George llahn and Augustus Stragle left this place in a double sleigh yesterday morning to drive through the country to buy up produce. At uoon intelligence was received that both were found dead about eight miles from here, the horses having run away and thrown them out. Their feet became entangled in the lines and they were dragged to death. Hahn had his neck and right arm broken, and 'was otherwise badly cat. He was forty years old, and leaves a wife and three children. Stragle had his head torn off. The blood discolored the snow for *00 feet.

FOREIGN NEWS.

The Latest Scheme in the Soudan—A Fate* ful Explosion—The Prince of Wales* Proposed Visit to Ireland—Switzerland Clean* in* Out tlie Anarchists. B.NGUSH MONEY AND YANKEE INGENUITY TO THE RESCUE. London, February 27.—The British Government is actively moving to construct a pipe line from Suakim, on the Red Sea, to Berber, on the Nile, for supplying General Graham’s army with water on its advance across the desert to join Wolseley. The War Office, after ong const deration, sanctioned the plan some time ago, and contracts for the pumping engines have been made irtth the house of Henry R. Worthington, of New York. A dozen or twenty engines will probably bt* required of from 150 to 200 horse power each. By the terms of the contract, au engine is to be shipped each week until its, terms are fulfilled. The Government has received advices that the first one was dispatched by the Adriatic last Saturday. AU the leading pipe manr ufacturers of the United States have submitted estimates for the line to' the Government, but so far uo orders have been placed here of abroad. The pipe will be four inches in diameter, the same size as the pipes through which oil is pnmped through Pennsylvania fields to the seaboard, a longer distance than the proposed water line. > . , The coutract for the pipe wiU amount to about §750,000 There is a strong feeling among officials that English manufacturers should have the work. It is a question with some engineers, however, if a portion at least of the contract is not placed in America; owing to the superior quality of the pipe made there. The plan meets with general approval among those who have studied the workin gs of the oil lines in America, The same general plan will be followed for the water line, and the engines will be duplicates of those in use there. With such a pipe in operation it would seem that the end of the Soudan difficulty, so far as the movement of reinforcements is concerned, would be reached. THE SCHOOL; OF GUNNERY EXPLOSION. London, February 27.—Among those who lost theit lives by the explosion of the fuse at the Royal School of Gunnery at Shoeburyness, yesterday afternoon are Colonel Fox, of Strangeways, commandant of the school, and Colonel Lyon, head of the Royal Laboratory,Woolwich. Both men had thelf legs torn from their bodies, and were otherwise mutilated. The exact number of killed or injured by the explosion has not been learned. People living in the vieiuity say the explosion was terrible. Buildiugs for several squares were shaken, and some had the windows completely blown out and were otherwise damaged by the concussion. For a time great excitement prevailed. People ran terror-stricken to the streets, and looked askance as they stared at their neighbors. At first it was thought the dynamiters were again at work, and had made an attempt to blow np the school. A large force of police were soon at the scene, and kept the streets clear of the crowds. When the facts were learned, people went on their way expressing regret at the horrible accident. The dead and wounded have been removed, and no one can be found who .will sneak with any degree of certaiuty as to the number killed or maimed. The buildings were more or less injured. Shoeburyness, February 28.—The explosion in the School of Gunnery Thursday was caused by a gunner using too much force in inserting a fuse into a new kind of shell, with which expo rimers were being made. The gunner’s head and arm Were blown off. Seventeen officers and men, who were witnessing the experiment when knocked down, but several of % them escaped even slight injury. The surgeons at first expected to save the lives of Commander Strangways and Colonel Lyon, each of whom bad both legs blown off, but the shocks ami the effects of the amputations subsequently found necessary, proved too much for their strength, and they expired soon after the surgeons had finished their work. The fuse which was being tested was the invention Of Cojonel Lyon, who had obtained permission to have the trials made at Shoebnryness rather than in the Woolwich arsenal, because of their hazardous nature. THE PRINCE’S VISIT TO IRELAND. London," February 28.—The programme agreed upon for the Prince of Wales’ visit to Ireland is as follows, subject, perhaps, to some slight alterations : The Prince and Princess expect to leave for Ireland on the 2d ot April; after staying at Dublin Castle for some time, they will visit the Earl of Kemnore at Kiilarney, and will make a tour of Southern Ireland, visiting places of interest. There will be a series of levees and State bails at the, castle during the l’riuee’s stay there. A military review in Pheenix Park is also projected. It is expected that festivities in honor of their royal highnesses will be arranged in the various cities, which they visit. WHOLESALE ARREST OF ANARCHISTS. Berne, February 27.—The whole of Switzerland was thrown into a state of semi-panic at six o’clock this morning by a well-planned raid on the" members of the Anarchist societies. Wholesale arrests were made in all sections of the country at the same moment. The plans of the police were so well laid and the secret of the intended descent so closely kept that nearly all the prisoners were taken from their beds. Ten arrests were made in Berne, and in other cities and towns where anarchial propaganda has taken root the numbers were in about the same proportion. What course the Government intends to pursue in the matter of punishment further than the usual expulsion has not been made public, but a firm determination to stamp oat Anarchism has evidently been reached.

A Young Desperado. Bloomington, III., February 27.— Martin O’Toole, a veritable Jesse James, fourteen years of age, whose mine} has become somewhat deranged by reading dime novels and other blood-curdling stories, was accused yesterday of the theft of a watch by a'farmer named Ellis, who met him on the street and attempted to arrest him, whereupon the youthful desperado wulrle-J around ami shot Ellis, infiictiug a serions wound. The weapon used was a pistol called a “Ranger.” The boy, alter being taken into custody, declared he was proud of the deed. Cau Only Trot far Glory. New York, February 28.—Robert Bonner, the owner of Maud S., has written to the President of the Plymouth County (Mass.) Agricultural Society, declining to allow the marc to trot at the society’s annual lair. He says he has declined all applications to exhibit Maud S. during the coming season,' excepting a conditional promise made to Colonel Edwards, President of the Cleveland Driving Park. “1 shall,” he says, “probably let her trot this season on the grounds of that association; but neither there or anywhere else, so long as she is owned by me, will she be allowed to trot for money.”

PRIGGISH CRITICISM.

Wherein Mr. Cleveland** Ideas Harmonize with Those of the Fathers of the Republic. - A silly Washington correspondent haying suggested that Mr. Cleveland ought to let the Democrats in Congress know his “ideas, wishes and policies” for their guidance, the Tribune seizes on the opportunity to east the following slur on the President: Mr. Cleveland would do his, party great service if he would cause his ideas to be distinctly known anywhere. Indeed, he would do himself great service if he would acquire distinct ideas, wishes and policies. But he does not seem to have such things about him. or to know where to find them. This style of balderdash could be overlooked in Republican partisan organs while the election was pending, but it is not creditable to any respectable journal now. If Mr. Cleveland has so little statesmanship and genera! knowledge as the disappointed Republicans pretend, is it not surprising that his views of the duties of the Presidential office should harmonize so strikingly with those .of Washington, Madison, Jefferson and other fathers of the Republic? Mr, Cleveland recognizes the distinct character of the executive and legislativejbranches ofthe Government and the danger of the encroachment of the one on the independent functions of the other. He would neither sanction the use of the Presidential patronage to influence the action of Congress, nor an attempt on tHe* part of Congress to cos eree the Executive by threats of the rejection of nominations or of opposition to measures regarded as desirable by him. Washington. Madison and Jefferson drew the line -sharply between the executive and legislative functions, and were jealous of any undue interference of the one branch of the Government with the duties of the other. Mr. Cleveland believes that no person should hold a leading or political position in the Government who is not heartily in accord with the principles and policy of the Administration, but in subordinate offices, ^ the duties of which are simply clerical or ministerial, employes of the Government who are honest, capable and faithful should be treated like honest, faithful and capable employes of business firms or individuals. Washington held similar views when he said: “I shall not, while I have the honor to administer the Government, bring a man into any office of consequence, knowingly, whose politieal tenets are adverse to the measures which the General Government is pursuing, for this, iniuv opinion, would he a sort of political suicide.” But he recognized only merit as a passport for subordinate offices. Madison, while admitting that an Administration'must be served in all important positions of trust by its friends only, went so far as to declare that an indiscriminate removal of subordinate employes for any reason but the efficiency of the service ought to cause a President's impeachment. Jefferson, when he restored the New Haven Collector who had been unjustly, removed, said: “I shali correct the procedure and, that done, return with joy to that state of things where the. only question concerning a candidate shall be: ‘Is he honest, is he capable, is he faithful fo the Constitution?’ ” Singular that the President, if so incapable a statesman and so barren of ideas, should steer so directly in the wake of such men as Washington, Madison and Jefferson.—AT. Y. World. THE INDEPENDENT ELEMENT. I’lerelamrs Attitude Toward the Mugwump Contingent. President Cleveland is wise in his day and generation, and his wisdom is broader, deeper and more respectable than that which gauges its course, however shrewdly, to catch the cross winds of expediency. To a visiting delegation he recently expressed the opinion that “ it is wise to endeavor to retain the friends that came to onr support in the last campaign,” amt • also fo “secure further accessions of the same character in the North and West.” This declares a deference to the effective independent support in the last campaign which is its due. The character of that support Was one which we ought to be glad to gain, and which we should use all honorable and self-respectful means to retain. A few days after the election, when the choice of Governor Cleveland was assured beyond a reasonable doubt; the Post said: “Governor Cleveland has been: elected by a combination of the best elements of both parties and will come into his new responsibilities trader the happiest auspices. The men who have contributed most to his election are reasonable men, more anxious to secure an I honest and vigorous Administration for the country- than to provide easy and proiit able places for themselves. The Mugwumps have proved themselves a great deal more than an incident. They nave prepared for themselves an honorable niehe in the country’s political history, and wil| occupy ip” The credit; which we were then disposed to give them in onr profound] satisfaction over the result, we are not inclined to qualify in the slightest now. They have been considerate and disereet since the election as they were outspoken and brave before it. They have done noth

mg to lessen our belief m or respect for the sincerity of their declared motives, when they stood up and bore testimony to their love of country before party, and their confidence in unostentatious honesty rather than in the most brilliant and plausible demagogism that ever tempted the patriotism of a great people. The Independents as a body have asked nothing for themselves in the new official distribution that will naturally take place. They have taken a profound interest in the movements and rumors of movements that are to have an important bearing in shaping the personnel and policy of the incoming Administration. That they shonld take such an interest is both natural and proper. Perhaps we should expect them to be more anxious thau Democrats even, for to many the complete justification of their course in the recent campaign depends upon the moral and political success of President Cleveland's Administration. All this the new President keeps in view. He want* the aid and advice of alt who preferred him to his most formidable opponent, no matter what their nominal political affiliations may have beou He shows a disposition to lay the foundation of a policy that shall be Democratic, catholic, patriotic .and National. He wishes the Independents to remain his friends and to find in the party of which he is now the most conspicuous representative, the consideration and fellowship that have been denied them elsewhere. —Jiostan PoH,

IMPERTURBABLE.

Democrat* Wear!hr Their Laurel* with Difoitj and Forbearance. It has been a grievous disappointmentto our Republican friends to, find that the victors in the. late election still persist in wearing their laurels with becoming dignity aud torbearauce, and 0 that the disgraceful scramble for office which was so repeatedly and confidently predicted has not \pi—taken place. Why a party, after sttch a, signal victory over corruption, reckless ambition and unscrupulous misrepresentation, could act with such marked moderation and discuss National questions and the change of administration so temperately is something that those who have l>ecn so long fattening at the public crib can not get through- their ijftjtds. In their chagrin and surprise „jjiey even accuse the Democrats ofhidiiig beneath their good-natured importurbahilitVj some dark designs against the peace aud welfare of the “party of moral ideas,” and that some terrible revelations will be made after the fourth of March. We beg these timid people to posses » their souls in peace and not grow hysterical over creatures of their own imagination. No such thoughts trouble the Democratic mind. The only danger to the “party of moral ideas” from the return of the people to— power will be the bringing to light all unsavory documents bearing upon frauds, malfeasance in office, plots against the interests of the people and records of deals, rewards for party service by offices irrespective of j^theV qualifications. There is a geueral belief prevailing that in the pigeon-holes of the departments are to lie found countless documents of this kind, some of them involving even more than the- good name of men who have stood high in the councils of the Nation.- Should any of these escape the general destruction of compromising records, which wilt' undoubtedly signalize the lastpdays of the Republican regime, tliey might prove exceedingly inconvenient. The attitude of the Democrats, silica their great victory, has found iadmirers, however, among fair-minded Republic cans, one of whom has remarked: “It must be conceded that the Democratic party is bearing itself in victory with a decorous dignity and moderation that arc happily disappointing.” The reason for this is simple enough, being founded upon the Democratic interpretation of their triumph. They feel that the people. who had so long suffered from the selfish, partisan, spoil-grabbing methods of Government to which they have been so long subjected, hailed with delight the opportunity to rid themselves of such an incubus and to welcome a conservative party pledged to purify the Administration from corruption, to restore economy, to revive respect for law and to reduce taxation to the lowest limit consistent with due regard to the preservation of the faith of the Nation to its creditors aud pensioners. The Democratic party enters upon its high mission of lefortu in government with a due sense of its importance and of the expectations formed of it by the people who called it into power. The President-elect is deeply impresses! with the weight of responsibility placed on his shoulders, so forcibly set forth in the farewell letter of Mr. Tihleti. “Twenty years of continuous maladministration under the demoralizing influence of intestine war and of baa finances have infected the whole governmental system of the United States with the cancerous growth of false constructions and corrupt practices. Powerful classes have acquired pecuniary interests in official abuses, and the moral standards of the [ample have been impaired. To redress the.se evils is a work of great difficulty and labor, and can not be accomplished without the most energetic, efficient and personal action on the part of the chief executive of the republic.” The nation will find in President Cleveland just the man for this Herculean task aud in the Democratic party the means to correct the evils of Republican misrule—Albany Argus. FORECASTING THE FUTURE. The Failure of a Played-Out Politician En. thuslastically Predicted. Mr. Stephen B. Elkins has great hopes of Mr. James G. Blaine’s political future. In looking at the prospers looming up ahead he is able to detect in them much to encourage those who have associated their political fortunes with those of the plumed knight. He believes that Blaine wilt be nominated again. He is sure- that to-day there are among the population at large a greater number of persons hiiugering and thirsting, as it were, for his elevation toe. the Presidency thau can be shown to be hungering aud thirsting for the elevation of any other public man to that high'position. He is free to commit himself to the opinion which he is not afraid to announce in the most public manner, that when the next ReSnblican National Convention meets the emand for Blaine's nomination will lie of such an overwhelming character that in comparison with it the demand that influenced the last convention in his favor was as only a gentle summer breeze along side of a wild, sweeping and overpowering western cyclone. There are but^few people who can join Mr. Elkins in this hopeful view of what is yet in store for Mr. Blaine politically. To most political observers the Maine statesman appears to be a played out politician. Not that those who manage Republican nominations have not a natural preference for his style of methods, preferring like some epicures with their mutton, something that is tainted, bnt the experience of last year has taught them the danger of putting up a tattooed candidate. Mr. Elkins and his Star-Route coadjutors used their barrel with great success in manufacturing a spontaneous and overwhelming demand at Chicago for James G. Blaine, but when tno delegates of the party, if it may be supposed that in four years’ time the party will not be so demoralized as to need delegates, como to their National convention, they may be inclined to view it as a waste of money for Elkins and the other speculators to work tip an enthusiasm for a candidate who will be pretty sure to be beaten worse than he was at the last election.—Harrisburg JPatriot.

—A game of billiards in South America must be an interesting spectacle. The tables are eight feet by sixteen, and the balls weigh from thirteen to sixteen ounces. The cues are big clubs, weighing two or three pounds each. —Among other wonders revealed bv the microscope are four thousand muscles in a caterpillar and one thousand mirrors in the eye of the drone. There are spiders as small as a grain of sand.