Pike County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 30, Petersburg, Pike County, 9 December 1886 — Page 1

PIKE COUNTY DEMOCRAT ^PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY. I TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION i Jr one year. . „ Jrelx month*. .*■ 5 »three rnonthe..,,.. I INVARIABLY IN ADVANCSADTERTISINO RATES I 19H"®8'-OBeInsertloa....,.. Si oo Wh additional Insertion.50 •rs^M^10" advertisements 8 J5’ twelve months. :*|JS for*2 ad™M^.nt MvortlwmcnU be Pike J. L. MOUNT, Proprietor. OFFICIAL PAFFft OF THE COUNTY. OFFICE, over 0. E. MONT CO MERY' 3 Store, Main Street. VOLUME XVII. PETERSBURG, INDIANA, THURSDAY. DECEMBER 9, 1886. NUMBER 30. PIKE COUNTY DEMOCRAT JOB WORK OF ALL KINDS Weatly Executed, REASONABLE BATES. NOTICE! Persons rerelvinir a copy of this paper with this notice crossed in leail pencil are notlBed that the Umc of their subscription has expired.

rr.orKssioNAt cards. r 4 A. J. nONITCDnt. ? *-*• poasr. POSEY A HONEYCUTT. ATTORNEYS AT LAW Potnrnbttrg, lad. HS^^ruflSk. Offl0* OV8ri'rank* *•r- *tca*w*0». A. H. TATLOIV tJ/ RICHARDSON & TAYLOR, Attorneys at Law PETERSBURG, IND. Prompt Attention Riven to all business. A Notary Public constantly In the oIBce. Offloo In Carpenter Building, 8th anti Main. w*. *. TOWNSKNI). MART KLbKNlStb TOWNSEND & FLEENER, Attorneys at Law, PETERSBURG, IND. Will practice in all the courts. Office, over Cus I rank’s store. Special attention jlvon to Collections, Itrohate Business, lluvlnr anil selling 1 .amis, Examining ’.t itles apt! Furnish, lag Abstracts. K. A. SLY. J. W. WILSON, ELY & WILSON, Attorneys at Law, PETERSBURG, IND. UA"Of!it>n in the Hank lluiUlltlg."tt T. & & K SMITIL (successors to Doyle & Thompson) Attorneys at Laiw, Keal Estate, Loan & Insnrance Ajrts. Adtee, second flocr Han't Building, inters burg, i nil The b"«t Fire ami Mfe Insurance Companies represented. Money to loan on Hist mortgages at seven and eight per cent. Prompt attention to collections, and all business intrusted to us. rIl kimeTm. d„ Physician and Surgeon PETERSBURG. IND. Office, over Barrett A Sups store; resilience on Scvouth Street, throesquaressouth -of Main. ..Calls promptly attended to, day or night.

1. R. ADAMS. C. n. VL'l.LINW1DKB. ADAMS & FULLIN WIDER, Ph^sicsans & Surgeons PETERSBURG, IND. _OWcc over Adams A Son's Office (jours day and night. drug store. J. B. DUNCAN. Physician and Surgeon PETERSBURG, - IND. Dillco op 11 rat floor Carpenter Building. ^ C. B. BLACKWELL, Nl. D.f ECIsKOTIO Physician and Surgeon, I>ftlcc, M;iln street, between 6tli and 7th opposite Model Drug Store. PETKKSBUBG, : INDIANA. Will practice Medicine, Surgery an 1 Obstetvies in town und country, and will visit any part i f tiie o >untrv in consultation. Chronic diseases s.lei coslally treated. 0. K. Shaving Saloon, J. E. TURNER. Proprietor. PETERSBURG, - IND. Parties wishing work done at their residences will leave ordori at the shop, in Dr. Adams' new budding, rear of Adams A Sou a drugstore. HOTELS. UNCO HOTEL, I’ETERSBURU, IND. The only first-class hotel in town. I New throughout, and flrst-clasi accommodations in every respect. GEORGE QUIMBY, Proprietor HYATT HOIJSEi i Washington. lad. Centrally Located, and Accommodation. First-class. HENRY HYATT, Prcpiletor. CITY HOTEL, Vndor new manat emoni. JOSEPH LORY, Prop. . Cor. 8th and Main i ts , opp. Court-house. Petersburg, Ind. The City Hotel is centrally located, first class in all its appointments and t ie best and cheapest hotel in the city. Sherwood House, Undor New Management. BISSELL & TOWNSEND, Prop’rs. First and Locust Stroctti, Bvansvllie, : > Indiana. RATES, 852 PER DAY. Sample Rooms for Commsriilal Min.

When at Washington Stop at the MEREDITH HOUSE. .1 First-Olass in All Respects. Mrs. Laura Harris and Ai.uiom Hokrall Proprietors. Geo. k. Hoskktkk, Jkssk J Morgan, Late of Clm lnnatl. Cate of Washington,Ind. HOTEL ENGLISH, ROSSETER & MORGAN. Lessees. Indianapolis, Ind. Uouse Elegant. Table. 8ervloe and Genera Keep .Superior. Location best In the city— on the Circle. m.'e" ' —— ■ ■ ■ —p— MISCELLANEOUS. PHOTO OALLIJRY^ OSCAR HAMMOND, Prop’r. Pictures Copied or Enlarged. AU kinds of work done prompt!./ and at reaaonable rates. Call and examine his worn. Gallery to Rlsert'e new building, over the Post-oflce, Pe tersburg, Ind. Great Reduction in the price of SADDLES, IABH1SS, ETC, ETC. The nubile H hereby in formed thst 1 will sell my largo stock of Saddles and Harness, and everything k<d>t by me lower than over sold In this place before. If you want anything :e ray line, don't fall to oall on mo as am I oter Inf special bargains. FIRED REU98, pWWBSWWfc • JWWANA*

NE WS IN BRIEF. Compiled from Yarlous Sources, PERSONAL AND POLITICAL. General B. F. Butler has bee n sued for *16,000 of money which was in his hands os treasurer of the National Borne for Disabled soldiers, and which, it Is nUPgdd, ho has never accounted for. The Navy Department issued an order on the 8d detaching Ensign John J. ftoapp, Fifteenth lighthouse district at Bt. Louis, and ordoring him to prepare for sea service. The will of James Gordon, a wealthy retired Cincinnati merohant who died recently, which was probated on the 9d, bequeaths $5,000 to the Home of the Friendless, and a liko sum to the Colored Orphan asylum at Cincinnati. Express Mbssexgbr Fotuerinoham’s bail was fixed by Judge Normile at St Louis at *30,000. The late H. M. Boxie by will leaves all his property to his wife. Messes. Morrison and Carlisle have decided to push a tariff bill in the next Congress. Mrs. Geo. M. Rice, sister of “Doc” Wilson, denies his story that he is a son of Millionaire Moen. Judgment was rendered at Boston on the 3d against Ben Butler in favor of the Soldiers’ Home for over 116,000. He will appeal. Comptroller Durham has decided that Mr. Cox, late Minister to Turkey, is entitled to the salary as Minister and Congressman up to the time of his le-election to Congress. Two Republican officials ware arrested in Orange County, Ind., on the 3d, oharged with using money at the last election. Wm. Knapp, af Groveton, Ind., applied to the Government for back pay as a soldier, and is now looked up as a deserter during the war. The board of directors oi.’ the Sedalla, (Mo.) University refusod to accept the resignation of Rev. Mr. Edmonson, president of the faculty. The Secretary of War, by direction of the President, has ordered Lieutenant A. W. Greely to take charge of the Signal Office during the temporary absence of General Hazen, the chief signal officer. Representative James, of New York, has secured the indorsement of various prison reform associations and philanthropic organizations for his bill to establish a National penitentiary and will endeavor to secure its passage this winter. The President's rheumatio leg was worse again on the 3d, so that he was coniiuod to the private apartments of the White House, and did not icceive visitors. He suffered severe pains in the tendons running from the calf of the leg up underneath the knee, and has so far been unable to find any remedy that would quite meet his case.

Ciiablottk Smith wants to be chief of police of Washington. On" the 4th Michael J. Hess, a laborer, jumped oft the Brooklyn bridge and won a wager of twenty-five dollars. Ho escaped without apparent injury. Ok the 6th the iocond session of the Forty-ninth Congress convened. The late President Arthur’s will was fllod for probate in New York on the 4th. With the exception of s, few minor bequests, his estate is left to his .two children. Phesidext Cleveland was no better on the 4th, and continued to deny himself to callers, remaining in his room. His attack is mainly confined to his knees, and is quite severe. On the 4th Mrs. Louise Parker and Mr. Eugene Oudin, who take the parts respectively of the hero and heroine in tho opera of “Josephine Sold by Her Sisters” with the McCaull Opera Company, were married in Detroit, Mich. The official canvass of Michigan, just completed, shows that 880,880 votos were cast for Governor at the late election, of which Luce (Rep.) reoeivod 181,474; Yaple (Fusion), 174,043; Dickie (Pro.) 95,179; scattering, 190. Luce’s plurality, 7,483. Oscak Wilde is aesthetic no longer, and has discarded “smalls.” Since his marriage he has grown positively fat. Ok the 4th Henry Groves, Congressmanelect from Perry County, Ind., was thrown from his carriage and was so severely injured that his recovery is very much in doubt. Hon. Abeam S. Hewitt indorses Morrison’s Tariff bill, and says he will again vote for its consideration in Congress. The report of United States Treasurer Jordan statos that the recoipts of the United States Treasury for the year were 813,749,039 greater and the expenditures 817,748,796 less than last year—increase in net receipts, 830,493,835. On the 5th Rev. H. R. Haweis astonished his audience in St. Bride’s Church London, by hurling a succession of heresies at them from the pulpit. CRIMES AND CASUALTIES. On the 3d the Cass Drug Company’s store, of Eau Claire, Wls., was burned. Loss, 890,000; insurance, 833,000.' Dr. Day, who had an office on the second floor of the building, loses 83,000; insurapoe, 81,900. The fire started from the furnace. On the 3d Patrick Riley, William McCarthy, Hugh McGinty and Henry Neihauser wero terribly burned in the converting department of the Edgar Thompson Steel Works at Braddocks, Pa., by the accidental lowering of the converter. Riley and McCarthy may die, but the others will recover. The Dotroit Pipe Foundry works were burned on the 3d, with a loss of 8100,000. The Tumors of Chicago protest against the prospective execution of the condemned Anarchists.

JAMES «. OTHATTUN, Ki lawyer OI JUO. Holly, N. J., committed suicide on the Sd. Several arrests have been made at Hew York tor attempts to tamper with the Moguade jury. ^ Two residents of Brussels, Belgium, have been charged with the recent robbery ot the mail-car on the Ostend express. Mrs. Elizabeth Worden died at St. Joseph, Mo., on the 8d, from the offeots of an overdose of morphine, taken to allay pain. Arnold’s flouring mill at St. Cloud, Minn., was wrecked and burned by an explosion on the night of the 2d. Loss, *60,000; insurance, *15,000. Bus Krause, the night miller, was badly burned, and will probably die. Twenty thousand bushels of wheat were burned. On the 4th BylvesterF. Martin, a fugitive counterfeiter from Kansas, was captured in Indiana. On the night of the 3d burglars robbed and burned the residence of E. M. Hulse atNccnah, Wis., destroying *5,000 worth of property to secure fifty dollars. Firs destroyed Hersog’n opera-house at Washington, D. O., better known as Lincoln Hall, on the 8th. Early on the morning of the 4th, a terrible fight occurred near Chillleothe, be» tween four policemen and a party ot bank robbers, in which two of the burglars and three of the officers were shot. The robbers esoaped for the time being. Thomas H. Harry, of Humboldt, Nev., blew out the gas in a Jersey City (N. J.) . hotel room on retiring, and when found on the morning of the 4th, was thought to be beyond recovery.' On the 4th three dwelling houses located over the Fairmount colliery at Cork Lane near Pitteton, Pa.,went down with w crash, the ground beneath them giving way. The inmates barely esoaped with their Uves. On the 4th the spring and axle department of Singer, Nimlck & Ca’s steel works at Pittsburgh, Pa., was totally destroyed by fire. Lota, 100,000; fuUy.ooverod by taimm

Os Hie night of the 5th Are destroyed the power-house of the Btr Louis Cable railroad, together with a large number of cars. Os the night of the 4th the steamer Charles Morgan burned to the water's edge at Cincinnati. The boat Was Valued at 150,0001 insurance hot khowh. Incendiarism is su$phcted. 13s the night of the 5th Jacob Naglcy, a Whitley County (Ind.) farmer, was badly injured in a battle with a house-breaker. MISCELLANEOUS. Dr in so the first four months of the present fiscal year the total receipts from international revenue were »29,465,441, tt decrease of 11,108,343, as compared With the receipts during the corresponding period of Inst year, Ban f'lUNcisco customs officers oh the 2d seised 120,000 Worth of opium on the steamer Rio Janeiro, recently arrived front China. The drug was found in the coal bunkers. There is an epidemic of diphtheria at Wilkinsonburg, an eastern suburb of Pittsburgh, Pa. Over two hundred cases have been reported, many of them quite serious. The cause of the trouble soems to bo a defective system of drainage. Debate on the Military bill occupied the German Reichstag on the 3d. Tue sale of a million acres of land in Old Mexico by St. Louis parties to an Eastern syndicate has just been consummated. The Dublin Corporation adopted resolutions on the 3d, condemnatory of the policy of the government. The San Francisco mining boom continues unabated, the excitement permeating all classes. Bevoral failures are reported. A British Cabinet council on the 3d discussed the advisability of further prosecutions in Ireland. Memphis, Tcnn., is considering a proposition to enlarge and extend its water supply. An iron tower 440 feet high is to be built at London to commemorate the Queen’s jubilee. The French Ministry has resigned on account of an adverse vote in the Chamber of Deputies. The convention at Philadelphia laid out a plan for celebrating the centennial oi the signing of the Federal Constitution. Tns Amalgamated Association has decided not to be present at the Trades’ Union convention at Columbus, O., next year. A 8tort printed in New York that the Standard Oil Company had purchased the Caspian oil fields is pronounced false by all interested. Tu* W. C. T. U. of St. Louis adopted a resolution at a meeting on tho 3d, expressing mortification that Mrs. Whitney, wife of the Secretafy of the Navy, gave a dinner which was attended by Mrs. Cleveland and other ladies, and whoroat all drank wine.

Tub Comptroller of the Currency has authorised the First National Bank of Shreveport, La., to begin business with a capital of *800,000. Reports from Albany, N. Y., are to the effect that thirteen grain-laden boats en route for tidewater are froson in tho canal between that point and Little Falls. The receipts of the recent grand opera season in St. Louis by tho American Opera Company aggregated *25,000. A profound sensation has been created in Peru by the publication of a pamphlet referring to occurrences within the walls of the Merced monastery. During the present month the commissions of sixty presidential post-masters will expire. Dubuin advices intimate that tho Irish executive is preparing for a determined struggle against tho Irish National League. Reports from Belgrade aro to the effect that the Bulgarian regency will make overtures to King Milan to induce him to become a candidate for the Bulgarian throne. The Porte has sent a note to the Powers asking advice on tho solution of the Bulgarian difficulty. The note betrays an entente between the Porte and Russia. Monterey (Mexico) advices state that a bloody civil war is among the probabilities for our sister republic. TnE Cunard steamor Umbria refused to reoelve the British mall for New York, at Liverpool, when it sailed on the 4th. On the 5th a fight occurred between tho police and participants in a National League meeting atFinhalla, Ireland. On the 6th the American Opera Company, Theodore Thomas, president, ceased to exist. Its successor is the National Opera Company, Theodore Thomas, first vicepresident. A government circular has beon issuod to the police throughout Ireland forbidding them to assist in any manner in the inforoement of evictions. CONDENSED TELEGRAMS. In the Senate on the 6th the reports of the heads of departments wore presented and ordered printed. The oath of office was administered to Senator Williams, of California. Several bills were introduced and referred. The President’s message was received and read.In tho House Mr. 8. S. Cox was sworn in; Henry W. Rusk, of Maryland, and Henry Bacon, of Now Tork, also qualified. Tho President’s messago was read and ordered printed. A committee was appointed to attond the funeral of the late Congressman Price, of Wisconsin.

Eleven jurors had been secured for the trial of “Boodler” McQuade, of Now York, up to the evening of tho 6th. Tue fortress of Ghat In the Sahara desert was recently captured by Tuareks and one hundred of the garrison wore massacred. Gro-A^llex succeeds Win. A. Stono as United Hthtes Attorney for the Western district of Itonnsvlvana. Jr doe Hkkt\\\tc'u, of Dussoldorf, Germany. was kiUotf'iu a duel on'tho 6th with Captain Baron Ardcune, adjutant to tho Prussian War Minister. Thomas H. Harhv, who blew out tho gas in Taylor's Hotel in Jersoy City, N. J., on the Sd, died on the flth. A conference of British colonies has been called to meet in London soon to consider the question of military defense of Great Brituin. and other matters. James A. Wales, cartoon artist of Punt and The Judge, died at New York from an overdose of bromide of potash. The Porto has Informed the Powers that the Sultan assents to the candidacy of Prince Nicholas of Miugrelia for the Bulgarian throne. Wm.-H. Maktin, proprietor of a jewelry store at Philadelphia, was shot and instantly killed on the 6th by Oscar Wober. Willie Arnold, the twelve-year-old Bon of a wealthy resident of Roading, Pa., is missing, and is thought to have been kidnaped. Mbs. Lcct Madison, mother of Fanny Lillian Madison, Cluvcriua’ victim, has written to Governor Lee of Virginia, begging him to lot the law take its course. A paknellite member has declared that they will not permit tho consideration of any business in the Commons until Dillon’s case is considered. Senator Vest, of Missouri, Is to see the President about Colonel Benton’s case as soon as Mr. Cleveland’s health will permit tho reception of visitors. Bishop Baoshaw of tho Catholic diocese of Nottingham, England, recommends Catholics to resist payment of church tithes as an unjust Protostant tax. The will of Ann Wain Ryoras, leaving a legacy of 670,000 in trust to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to found an inflrmary for sick animals, was admitted to probate at Philadelphia on the 6th. General Kavlhars will he promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General in reoogalUon <4 W» Mi'vloMtfB Bulgaria,

PRESIDENT CLEVELAND’S Last Message to the Ferty-Nlflth ©dngresd. IntftMlIn* Synopsis of a Lengthy and Carefully Prepared Document—The Various Public Interests Passed In Review. ■Washington, Bee. ft.—President Cleveland’! tnessaac,bpons with the usual survey of foreign relations, uhfi brie-third bt the document is devoted to discussion and review bf this important topic, GUr OovUrbment; no says, has consistently maintained Its relations of friendship toward all other powers, and a neighborly interest toward those whose possessions are contiguous to our Own; Few questims hare arisen during the past year with other governments and none of those are beyond the reach of settlement in friendly council. The cruel treatment of inoffensive Chinese in the far West is alluded to, and in speaking of a remedy he says the paramount duty of maintaining public order and defending the interests of our own people may require the adoption of measures of restriction, but they should not tolerate the oppression of individuals of a special race. Disctlsslhg the fisheries question, sd long a subject of anxious difference between the United States and Croat Britain, the President says the questions involved are of get-at Consequence, and from time to time, for nearly three-quarters of a century, have given rise to earnest international discussions, hot unaccompanied by irritation. Temporary arrangements by treaties have served to allay friction which, however, has revived as each treaty was terminated. While desirous that friendly relations should exist between the people of the United States and Canada, the action of Canadian officials during the past season towards our fishermen has been such, the President thinks, as to threaten their continuance; and although disappointed in his efforts to secure a satisfactory settlement of the question, negotiations are still pending with reasonable hope that before the close of the present session of Congress the announcement may be made that an acceptable conclusion has been reached. Alluding to our relations with Hawaii, the President recommends an extension for seven years of the reciprocity treaty of 1875. He urgently renews his recommendation of legislation to carry into effect the American reciprocity treaty of January, 1883, and proposes to lntiate negotiations with Mexico for a new and enlarged treaty of commerce and legislation. Referring to the Cutting case, he says the Incident has disclosed a claim of jurisdiction by Mexico novel In our history, whereby an offense committed any where by a foreign penal in the place of its commission, and of which a Mexican is the object, may, if the offender be found In Mexico, be there tried and punished in conformity with Mexican laws. This jurisdiction was sustained by the courts of Mexico and approved by the executive branch of that Government upon the authority of a Mexican statute. The Appellate Court, in releasing Mr. Cutting, decided that abandonment of the complaint bv theMexioan citizen aggrieved by the alleged crime (a libelous publication), removed the basis of further prosecution, rind also declared Justice to have boon satisfied by the enforcement of a small part of the original sentence. The admission of such a pretense, the President argues, would be attended with serious results, invasive of the jurisdiction of this Government, and highly dangerous to our citizens in foreign lands; therefore, he has denied it, and protested against its attempted exeroise as unwarranted by the principles of law and international usages, A sovereign has jurisdiction of offenses, which take effect Tn his territory, although concocted or commenced outside of it, but the right is denied of any foreign sovereign to punish a citizen of the United States for an offense consummated on our soil in violation of our laws, even though the offense be against a subject or citizen of such foreign sovereign. The Mexican statute in question makes the claim broadly, and the principle, if conceded, would make a dual responsibility In the citizen and lead to inextricable discussion destructive of that certainty in the law which is an essential of liberty. When citizens of the United States voluntarily go to a foreign country they must abide by Hie laws there in force and must not be protected by their own government from the consequence of an offense against those laws committed in such foreign country, but watchful cure and interest of this Government over its citizens are not relinquished because they have gone abroad, and, if charged with crime committed in the foreign land, a fair and open trial, conducted with decent regard for justice and humanity, will be demanded for them. With less than that tho Government will not he content when the life or liberty of its citizens is at stake. What other degree to which extra-territorial criminal jurisdiction may have been formerly allowed by consent mid reciprocal agreement among certain of the European States, no such doctrine or practice was ever known to the laws of this country, nor to that from which our Institutions have been mainly ris rived. In the case of Mexico, there are reasons espe eially strong for perfect harmony in the mutual exercise of Jurisdiction. Nature has made u» Irrevocably neighbors, and wisdom and kind feeling should make us friends. The overflow of capital and enterprise from the United States is a potent factor in assisting the development of the recourccs of Mexico and in building up the prosperity of both countries. To assist this good work all grounds of apprehension for the security of person and property should be removed, and tho President trusts that in the interests of good neighborhood tho statute referred to will be so modified as to eliminate the present possibilities of danger to the peace of the two countries. The President recommends the placing of the consular system on a better footing, and reitevntes tho necessity of some modo of inspection and report of the manner In which the consulates ore conducted. He trusts the subject of an International copyright will receive the attention it deserves by Congress. He recommends that provision be made for the immediate discharge from custody of peri sons committed for extradition where the President is of opinion that a surrender should not be made, and renews his recommendation of last year that legislation concerning cltization and naturalization be revised. We have, he says, treaties with many States providing for the renunciation of cltization by naturalized aliens, but no statute is found to give effect to such engagements, nor any which provides a needed control or a bureau tor registration of naturalized citizens. Reaching domestic affairs, the first subject discussed Is the tariff, and to this the President devotes a great deal of space, arguing that the necessity for a reduction of the tariff is more urgent than ever. "The income of the Government," he says, "by its increased volume and thorough economics in Its collection. Is now more than ever in excess of the public necessities. The application of the surplus to the payment of suoh portion of the publio debt as is now at our o ption subject to extinguishment, if continued at the rato which has lately prevailed, would retire that class of indebtedness within less than one year from this date. Thus a continuance of our present revenue system would soon result tn the receipt of an annual income much greater than necessary to meet Government expenses, with no Indebtedness upon which it could be annlled. We should he

then confronted with a vast quantity of money. of the people, hourded the circulating medium < In the treasury when it should he in their hands, or we should he drawn into wasteful public extravagance, with all the corrupting National demoralisation which follows in Its track. But it is not the simple existence of this surplus and its threatened attendant evils which furnish the strongest argument against our present scale of Federal taxations sits worst phase is the exaction of such a surplus through a perversion of the relations between the people and their government, and a dangerous departure from the rules which limit the right of Federal taxation. Good government, and especially the government of which every American citisen boasts, has for its objects the protection ol every person withln its care in the greatest liberty consistent with the good order of so . . —- —-*--» -tty in ciety and his perfect security in the ei ment of his earnings, with the least possible diminution for publio needs. When more of the people's substance is exacted through the forms of taxation than is necessary to meot the just obligations of the Government and the expense of Its economical administration, such exaction becomes ruthless extortion and a violation of the fundemental principles of a free Government. The indirect manner in which these exactions are made has a tendency to conceal their true character and extent, but we have arrived at a stage of supefluous revenue which has aroused the people to a realisation of the tact that the for the sup them as 610 10 a realisation or me met e amount raised professedly upport of the Government is paid by absolutely, if added to the price of things which supply their daily wants, as if it '' ‘ “ ted pet' - ■ - -. was paid at Used periods into the hand of the ' jatherer. Those who toil for daily wa taxgatherer. 'hose who toil for dally wages to understand that oapital, though sometii are beginning vaunting its importance and clamoring fori protection and favi ivor of the Government, is dull and sluggish till, touched by the magical hand of labor, it springs into activity, furnishing an oo- ‘ rFeders' dug i eusion for Federal taxation und gaining the value which enables it to bear its burden, and is thoughtfully im whether, under these circumstances, and considering the tributes he pays In the treasury as plies his daily wants, he receives his fair he suppll •hare of advantages. There is also a suspicion abroad that the surplus of our revenues indicates abnormal and exceptional business profits which, under the large, long altn our citizens whoso fortunes, rivaling thewea of the most favored in anti-democratic nations, are not a natural growth in a steady, tions, are not a natural growl plain and Industrious republic. Our farmers, too, and those engaged directly and indirectly In -supplying the produots of agriculture, see that day by day, and as often M the daily wants of their household repur,

elgn markets with the competition of nations whioh, by allowing a freer exchange of productions than we permit, enable their people , ,te sell for price* which distress the American farmer. As every patriotic citizen rejoices in the constantly increasing greatness of our people in American citizenship, and in the glory of our National achievements and progress, the sentiment prevails that the leading-strings useful to a nation in its infancy may bo well to a great extent discarded in the present stage of American ingenuity, courage und fearless self-reliancei and for the privilege of indulging this sentiment With trlie American enthusiasm, our citizens are quite willing to forego an idle surplus in the public treasury. And all the people know that the average Federal taxation- upon imports is ^o-day, in time of peace, but little less; while upon some articles of necessary consumption it is actually more, than was imposed by the grievous burden willingly borne at a timo when the Government needed millions to maintain by war the' safety and integrity of the Union. It has been the policy Of the Government to collect the principal part of its revenues by & tax upon imports and no change in this policy is desirable. But the present condition of affaire constrains our people to demand that by^a revision of our revenue laws the receipts of_ Government shall be reduced to the necessary expense of its economical administration, and this demand should be recognized and obeyed by the people's representatives in the legislative branch of the government: In readjusting the burdens of Federal taxation, a sound public policy requires that such of our citizens as have built up large and important industries under the present conditions should not be suddenly* and to their injury, deprived of advantages to Which they have adapted their business; but if tbe public good requires, it they should be content with such consideration as shall deal fairly and cautiously with their interests, while the just demand of the people tor relief from needless taxation is honestly answered. A reasonable and timely submission to such a demand should certainly be possible without disastrous shock to any interests and a cheerful concession sometimes averts abrupt and heedless action, often the outgrowth of impatience and delayed justice. Due regard should be also accorded in any proposed readjustment of the tariff to the interests of American labor, so far as they are involved, We congratulate ourselves that there is among us no laboring class, fixed within unyielding bounds, and doomed under conditions to the inexorable fate of daily toil. We recognize in labor a chief factor in the wealth of the Republic; and we treat those who have it in their keeping as citizens entitled to careful regard and thoughtful attention. This regard und attention should be awarded them, not only because labor is the capital of our workingmen, justly entitled to Its share of Government favor, hut for the further and not loss important reason that tho laboring mad, surrounded by his family in his humble home, as a consumer, is vitally interested in all that cheapens the cost of living and enables him to bring within his domestic circle additional comforts and advantages. This relation of the workingman to the revenue laws ot the country.and the manner in which it palpably influences tho question of wages, should not be forgotten in the justifiable prominence given to the proper maintenance of the supply and protection of well-paid labor. And these considerations suggest such an arrangement of government revenues as shall reduce the expense of living while it does not curtail the opportunity for work nor reduce the compensation of American labor, or injuriously affect its condition and tho dignified place it holds in the estimation of our people. But our farmers and agriculturists—those who from the soil produce the things consumed by all—are perhaps more directly and plainly concerned than any other of our citizens in a just and careful system of Federal taxation. Those acutuaily engaged and more remotely connected with this kind of work number nearly ona half of our population. None labor harder and more continuously than they. No enactments limit their hours of toil and no interposition of the Government enhances to any great extent the value of their products. And yet, for many of tho necessaries and comforts ot life which the most scrupulous economy enable them to bring into their homes, and for their implements of husbandry, they are obliged to pay a price largely increased by an unnatural profit which, by the action of the Government, is given to tho more favored manufacturer. I recommend that, keeping in view all these considerations, the increasing and unnecessary surplus of National income annually accumulating be released to the people by an amendment to our revenue laws which shall cheapen the price of the necessaries of life and give freer entrance to such imported materials as by American labor may be manufactured into marketable commodities. Nothing can be accomplished, however, in the direction of this much-needed reform unless the subject is apfiroaehed in a patriotic spirit of devotion to the nterests of the entire country and with a willingness to yield something for the public good. While on the subject of tariff and revenue the President especially directs the attention of Congress to the recommendations ot the Secretary of the Treasury touching the simplification and amendment of laws relating to the collection of the revenues. Less space is devoted to the silver question this year than last, but his opposition to compulsory coinage Is no loss pronounced. The difference in the bullion price of the standard dollar —cents—when first coined, and its bullion value—"Scents—on the 30th of last November, certainly docs not indicate, the President says, that compulsory coinage by the Government enhances the priee of that commodity or secures uniformity in its value. He has seen no reason to change the views expressed a year ago on the subject of compulsory coinage, and again urges its suspension on all the grounds contained in his former recomendation, reinforced by the significant increase of our gold exportations during the last year, and for the further reasons, that the more this currency is distributed among the people, the greater becomes our duty to protect it from disaster; that we now have an abundance for all our needs, and that there seems but little propriety in building vaults to store such currency when the only pretense for its coinage is the necessity of its use by tho people as a circulating medium. The attention of Congress is called to the great number of sutts in New York growing out of conflicting views by importers and collectors asTo the interpretation of our complex and indefinite revenue laws, and an amendment is recommended by which the present condition of this litigation should be relieved by a law permitting the appointment ot an additional Federal judge in New York where these oases have accumulated. Of coast defenses and fortifications, the President says the defenseless condition of our sea coast and lake frontier is perfectly palpable, and the work laid out by the board on fortification is delayed in default of Congressional action. The absolute necessity of our preparation for effectual resistance against armored ships and steel guns, which may threaten our sea coast cities, is so apparent that he hopes effective steps will be taken in that direction at once. The condition of our navy, as shown by the secretary of that department, should challenge the earnest attention of Congress. The production in the, United States of armor and gun steel is a question whioh it seems necessary to settle at an early day, if the armored war vessels are to be completed with thoso materials of home manufacture. In the event that the present invitation of tho department for bids to furnish such ot this material as is now authorized shall fail . to induce domestio manufacturers to undertake the large expenditures required to prepare for this new manufacture, and no other steps are taken by Congress at its coming session, the Secretary contemplates with dissatisfaction the necessity of obtaining abroad the armor and the gun steel for the authorized ships. It would seem desirable, the President adds, that the wants of tho army und navy In this regard should be reasonably met and, by uniting their contracts such inducements might be of fered as would result in securing the domestication of these important interests. Postal servioc affairs show marked and gratifying improvement during the past year, tho Increase of revenue gaining in a ratio over the increase of cost, demonstrating the sufficiency of the present cheap rates of postage ultimately to sustain the servloe. The differences with certain ocean steamship companies were terminated by the acquiescence of all in the polioy of the Government, thus affording a service generally adequate to the needs of the lnter-oc’-snic mail business. The question ot establishing ocean postal service to Brazil and the Argentine Kepublio Is commended to the consideration of Congress, and the suggestion Is offered that, as distinguished from a grant or subsidy for the mere benefit of any line whatever, the outlay that may be required to secure additional necessary and proper service, should be regarded as within the limit of legitimate compensation for such service. Tho President indorses the recommendation of the Attorney-General for the erection of a penitentiary for the confinement of prisoners convicted in the United States courts. He considers it a matter ot very great importance, whioh should at onoe reoeive Congressional aotion. More than one of these Institutions might be erected, and, by employing tho prisoners In the manufacture ot articles needed tor use by the Government, quite a large peonniary boneflt might be derived In partial return for expenditures. He indorses the recommendation of the Attorney-General for a change In the Federal Judicial system, to obviate the delays necessarily attending the present condition of affairs In our courts. Ot Indian affairs he says the present system of agencies standing alone Is inadequate for the accomplishment of an object which has become pressing in Its importance—the more rapid transition from tribal organization to oitlzenshtp of such portions of the Indiuns as are capable of olvtllzed life, and hence the necessity for the supplemental agency, n commission of six Intelligent peri sons—three from the army—charged with tho management of suoh matters of detail as onn not, with the present organization, be properly and successfully eonducMQ. The time is rtpe, the President tells Congress, for the work of such an agency. The President recommends the repeal ot the Pre-emption and,Timber-Culture acts, and that the homestead laws be so amended as to better seoure compliance with their requirements of residence. Improvement and cultivation tor five years from date of entry, without commutation years from date of entry, without commutation

Referring to the satisfactory exhibit of the operations of the Pension Bureau (hiring the last fiscal year, and to pension matters generallyi the President says the usefulness und the justice of atijf system for the distribution of pensions depends Upon the equality and uniformity of its operation, and as long a* we adhere to the principle of granting pensions for service and disabilty as the result of the service, the allowance of pensions should be restricted to cases presenting these features. "Every patriotic heart," he says, “responds to a tender consideration for those who, having served their country long and well, are reduced to destitution and dependence, not as an incident of their service, but with advancing age or misfortune. We are all tempted by the contemplation of such a condition to supply relief, ahd are ofteh Impatient of the limitations of public duty. Yielding to no one in the desire to indulge this feeling of consideration, I can not rid myself of the conviction that If these ek-soldiers are to be relieved, they and their cause are entitled to the benefit of an enactment Under which relief should be claimed as a right, and that such relief may be granted under the sanction, not the invasion, of it; dor should such worthy objects of oare, all equally entitled, be remitted to the unequal operation of sympathy, or the tender mercies of sochd and political influence with their unjust discrimination. Of the Pacific railroad debt extension proposition, he says, that in considering the plan suggested by the Secretary of the Interior and Indorsed by the board of Government directors, tho sole matters which should be taken into account are: "The situation of the Government os a creditor and the surest way to secure tho payment of tne principal ana interest nr» ite ftoht ’’

Of inter-State commerce, he says that by a recent decision of the Supreme Court of the United States it has been adjudged that the laws of the several States are inoperative to regulate rates of transportation upon railroads, if such regulation interferes with the rate of carriage from one State into another. This important Held of control and regulation having been left thus unoccupied, the expediency or Federal action upon the subject is worthy of Consideration. Of the relations of labor to capital,, the President thinks that when these differences between employer and employed reach such a stage as to result in the interruption of commerce between the States, the application of arbitration by the General Government might bo regarded as entirely within its constitutional Eowcrs, and he thinks we might reasonably ope that such arbitrators, if carefully selected, and it entitled to the confidence of the parties to be affected, would be voluntarily called to the settlement of controversies of less extent and not necessarily within the domain of Federal regulation. The President recommends, as a plain duty on the part of the Government, the payment of a million and a quarter dollars still due to the Freedman's Savings Bank depositors. Civil-Service ref orm is the last Important topio discussed in the message. The continued operation of the Civil-Service law, he asserts, has added the most convincing proof of its necessity and usefulness. Every publlo officer who has a just Idea of his duty to the people testifies to the value of this reform. Its staunchest friends are found among those who understand it best, and its warmest supporters are those who are restrained and protected by its requirements. The meaning of such restraint and protection is not appreciated by those who want places under the Government, regardless of merit and efficiency, nor by those who insist that the selection for such places should rest upon a proper credential showing active partisan work. They mean to public officers, if not, their lives the only opportunity afforded them to attend the public business, and they mean to the good of the country the better performance of the vvoxk of their Government. It is exceedingly strange, the President thinks, that the scope and nature of this reform are so little understood, and that so many things not included within its plan are called by its name. When cavii yields more fully to examination, the system will have large additions to the number of its friends. Our Civil-Service reform, the President says, may be imperfect in some of its details; it maybe misunderstood and opposed, it may not always be faithfully upplled; its designs may ' M thro ^ - sometimes miscarry through mistake or wilful intent; It may sometimes tremble under the assaults of its enemy or languish under the misguided zeal of impracticable friends; but if the people of this country ever submit to tho banishment of Its underlying principle from the operation of their Government, they will abandon the surest guarantee of the safety and success of American institutions.” I In conclusion, he invokes for this reform tho cheerful and ungrudging support of Congress, urges an increase of the salaries of the Commissioners. and expresses the hope that such reasonable appropriations may be made as will enable them to increase the usefulness of tho cause they have in charge.

Opening Scenes In the Senate and House ot * Representatives. Washington, Dee. 6.—The scenes usually incident to the assembling of Congress at the beginning of a session were early inaugurated at the capitol this morning. By ten o’clock people began to flock into the galleries of the House, the favorite resort whenever there are general and uniform proceedings of interest in Congress. At 11 a. m. the galleries were half full and as the intervening hour to the opening wore away they were filled to overflowing. Membors flocked into the hall of the House of Representatives very slowly, and stood around with their arms akimbo, explaining to friends and correspondents how they ••mado it,” or ,‘got left,” in the recent campaign and election. The stories were interesting, and at times thrilling, os the narratives branched off into “boodle,”violence and romance. But good humor abounded. Those who were defeated declared that thoy were glad to retire from publio life, and those "“noelected were thanking friends for ther congratulations. The Senate Chamber presented a somber appearance, with its heavy crepe drapery about the gallery railings in memory of the late Senator Pike and ex-President Arthur. A mucht smaller crowd of visitors lingered there than in the House, where the bluster and amusement occurred. Only one committee has been in session this morning, besides the House committee on appropriations, and that was the joint conference on the Inter-State Commerce bill. The conferees hope to get their bill ready to report by the middle of the week. They adjourned at half-past eleven o’clock to Wednesday morning, when the only point of importance not determined will be settled—that of court jurisdiction. If it is ascertained that suits against inter-State roads can be brought in State courts, they will be given jurisdiction; otherwise only Federal courts will have jurisdiction. Chairman Curtin will have a meeting of his committee on the Southwestern railroad strike to-morrow, when some formal plan for drawing up their rejWW will bo agreed upon.

Committeemen nt Work. Washington, Dec. 6.—The sub-commit-tee of the House committee on appropriations having in charge the Sundry Civil bill, has completed the measure. It appropriates $19,008,840, which is $12, 533,000 less than the estimates, $3,653,000 less than the appropriation for the current year, and $3,045,000 less than the appropriations made by the bill as reported to the House at the last session. Fourteen members of the committee were present at this morning’s meeting. Another meeting will be held this afternoon, and further progress made in the preparation of the Sundry-Civil bill. It is likely that the Government printing office will be without an appropriation for some time yet, although Public Printer Benedict has appeared before the committee on appropriations^omd urged action on an emergency appropriation. Thcdelay is owing to the Secretary Sf the Treasury not having transmitted his estimates on the subiect to the committee. Canlballsm In Hajrtl. Washington, Dec. 6—The Haytian Minister is absent in Mexico. There is no representative for that government here now, and for that reason there is no possibility of obtaining any official confirmation or criticism of the horrible exposure made by the World of the faot that cannibalism still exists in the country. Mr. Edmund C. Steedman, banker, said that he knew the story to be true. In fact, the whole truth had not been told. Mr. Steedman said that during a visit to Hayti, not very long ago, he heard these horrible stories of cannibalism among the natives. Personal observation and investigation oonviuoed him of their truth. Work Began on the New United States Cruisers. Philadelphia, Deo. 6.—Work will be begun to-day at Cramp’s 8hip Yards on the new United States oruisers. A large force of workmen will be employed all

THE NAVY. Important Features of Secretary Whitney's Report. The Department's Experience In Building Cruisers—How Money lias Been _ Used—Resume of the Past Year’s Operations. Washington, Dec, 4.—The annual report of the Secretary of the Navy for the year 1888 was made public to-day, and from it the following extracts, bearing on subjects of general interest, are made. The report has the following on the subject of the ADDITIONAL NEW CRUISERS 1 The experience of the department In its first attempt at the creation of modern vessels of war has been such as to excite the greatest concern and disappointment. An examination of the facts with reference to them demonstrated that an entirely new departure was necessary in undertaking further similar construction. The one characteristic which an unarmored cruiser must possess is great speed. This is determined by the function which she is expected to perform in modern warfare. She is a “commerce destroyer.” She must be able to escape from ironclads and outrun, so as to overhaul.'' merchantmen. If slower than ironclads she could not keep the sea, and if slower than merchantmen she might as well stay in port. This division of ships by the functions'' which they are expected to perform ig^ffie’ofthe things which has come about of- recent years. When it became impossible to concentrate in one ship both the greatest speed, strongest armament, and the highest defensive power, without reaching a tonnag^msplaceinent wholly out of the question, the division into classes, according to the functions whioh they were expected to perform, came about. Unarmed cruisers have become a distinct class, and the characteristic absolutely indispensable to this class is very great speed. When the Dolphin, Boston, Atlanta and Chicago were projected, and the contracts for their construction entered into, it was well known what speed ought to be attained and what weight and character of machinery per ton of displacement was necessary to obtain it. Commercial vessels had at that time attained speeds ranging between sixteen and nineteen knots, and cruisers were being built in other countries, or had already been built, attaining the same speed.

been completed, and having had trial trips. It is possible to compare them In their results with similar vessels built contemporaneously elsewhere. The Dolphin, of 1,500 tons displacement, can be compared with the Alacrity and Surprise, English dispatch vessels of 1,400 tons each, and the Milan, a French dispatch vessel of 1,550 tons, all built contemporaneously. The Dolphin was designed for 2,300 indicated horsepower, the Alacrity and Surprise each 3,000 and the Milan 3,900. The highest mean horse-power developed upon trial was. in the case of tho Dolphin, less than 2,300, of the Alacrity, 3,173; of the Surprise, 3,079; of the Milan, 4,132. Tho highest speed of the Dolphin, resulting from several trials, was 15.11 knots, running light; of the Alacrity, 17.95 knots; of the Surprise, 17.8 knots; of the Milan, 13.4 knots. - The Atlanta, the sister ship to the Boston, can be compared with the Esmeralda, the Giovanni Bausan and the Mersey. All three were built in England; the Esmeralda for Chili, the Giovanni Bausan for Italy and the Mersey for the English Government. The Atlanta is of 8,000 tons displacement; the Esmeralda, 2,920; the Giovanni Bausan, 3,06$, and the Mersey, 3,550. The Atlanta was designed to attain an indicated horse-power of 3,500, the Esmeralda and the Giovanni Bausan each 5,500, and the Mersey 6,000. The trials had of the Atlanta indicate that her engines will develop less than 3,500 horse-power, while the Esmeralda developed 6,000, the Giovanni Bausan 6,680, and the Mersey 6,626. The maximum speed of the Atlanta will be less than 15 knots, while that of the Esmeralda was 18.28 knots, the Giovanni Bausan 17.3 knots; the Mersey 17.5 knots. These facts are stated without any intention of locating responsibility or blame upon any person. It is impossible to ascertain where it should be placed. But they indicate a simple abandonment on the part of the department of any attempt to reach the conditions which should have been attained and the failure on the part of the contractor to reach the limited results expected by the department. In considering the matter of constructing the additional vessels authorized by Congress in March, 1885, it was decided by the department to exhaust every effort to avail Itself of the" most advanced thought and knowledge attained by our own and other countries upon the subject. The machinery of naval vessels is entirely different in character from that of merchant ships; and as no modern war vessels have been for many years built in this country tS5r our Government, up to the time of those just referred to, it seems probable, on comparing results attained by the department In its first effort with thoso reached in other countries, that important advances had been made elsewhere in the methods of attaining great speed and power which it had become necessary for u« to utilize. For twenty years the principal market l»r modern war vessels has been England. Russia, Germany, Italy, Chill, Brazil, Japan have all procured in the English market war vessels reckoned among the best in-their respective fleets. Great efforts havebeen made in most of these countries to develop ship construction at home, but not without first availing of the latest products attainable elsewhere as a basis upon which to build their own subsequent improvements and developments. TUB NEW ARMOR-CtADS. Congress, at its recent session, authorized the construction of two iron-olads of about 6,000 tons each. The subject has been referred to the bureaus of construction, steam engineering, equipment and recruiting and ordnance to take the necessary steps to prepare plans for the letting. The department has also deemed it wise to offer to all approved naval architects and ship builders an opportunity to compete with the work of the department in the design Jor these new ships, and the sum of 315,000 has been offered as compensation for any accepted design for either of the vessels, the working drawings to be the subject of subsequent agreement. There are many distinguished architects who, of late years, have had much greater experience in new work than the liberality of our government has made it possible tor our own tc enjoy, and ja starting upon the creation of a new navy the department has no embarrassment in desiring to avail of the best talent anywhere to be found in placing the new work upon a par with the best ol other countries, from which point it is entirely safe to predict that the ingenuity and talent ol our own countrymen will suffice to keefcps in the front rank i’or future wqrk. No time will thus be lost, even if no deslgni are submitted or accepted, for the process ol preparing neccessary plans is going on simultaneously in tho department

THB ARHUR AMD OU»a run THE MONITORS AND THE ARMOR CLADS. Congress also authorised the President, in his discretion, to direct the completion of tht double-turreted monitors, and made provlsiot with reference to the armor as follows: That the armor used in constructing sail armored vessels and tor completing said mon itors shall he of the best obtainable quality and of domestic manufacture, provided con traots for furnishing the same in a reasonable time, at a reasonable price, and of the requires: quality oan be made with responsible parties Such armor shall he accepted only after passing such tests as shall be prescribed by tht Secretary of the Navy and inserted in the con tracts. In constrain? the statute for the purpose o ascertaining what, within the view of Congress should be construed a “reasonable time," i was deemed to necessarily imply such a time ai would be required to perfect in this country ai additional plant adequate to the creation of thi product desired, inasmuch as modern armor either of steel or compound, able to stand thi tests which would be prescribed, has not, up t< the present time, been made in the Unitei States, and tor a fair competition in its manu faoture a “reasonable time" would be the timi necessary to be taken by a manufacturer to pro vide himself with the necessary plant to produo the artiole required. A shorter time wouh necessarily preolude the possibility of obtain lgg the same in the United States. No stee manufacturer in the United States, with hi present plant, would enter into a contract to de liver armor guaranteed to stand the tests, basei upon the tests of armor in use abroad, which th< bureau of ordnance would prescribe. ESTIMATES, APPROPRIATIONS AND EXPEND! TURKS. The amount of the appropriations applicabk to the current expenses of the navy for the fla cal year ending June 30,1883, was $14,030,103.83 as follows: Appropriations for the year.*13,SW,TW «

navy and pay ot tee marine corps on hand July 1,1885. 2,542,858 82 Deduct sum belonging to the naval asylum.t 59,867 00 Also sum due general account of advances. 2,022,992 65 416,132.968 0 2,082,859 65 Sums applicable as above stated.. .414,050,106 62 Drawn from the Treasury, deducting sums refunded, during the' fiscal year. 12,273,696 88 Balance undrawn June 30, 1886.4 1,776,476 76 In the hands of the disbursing onicer June 30, as reported by the fourth auditor. 963,170 57 Amount available July 1, 1886.4 2,739,047 33 Drawn from the Treasury between July 1 and October 31. for the payment of liabilities of the year 1886. 1,050,115 39 Balance available November i, 1686.....?...^.4 1,689,532 03 OCCURRENCES OE THE TEAR. In the ship-building policy of other naval powers and the designs of war vessels recently laid down great value has been given to the importance of high speed and to the gradual development of the type known as the protected cruiser. In some cases the maximum speed guaranteed is as great as twenty knots, while a speed of nearly nineteen knots has been attained by several vessels already in service. Aside from the development in the type of cruisers already noted, a most prominent feature noticeable in the conduct of naval affairs is the great attention paid to the study of naval warfare by means of the squadron of evolutions. In this practical school, tactics, gunnery, the use of torpedoes and torpedo-boats are taught, and the officers thus gain an experience in handling vessels of high speed and „ the use of modern weapons and appliances of < war, in which so great and rapid changes are constantly being made, under circumstances which so closely resemble those of actual warfare. As a result of the maneuvers of the French and English squadrons of evolution, it has been demonstrated that the type of torpedo boat (100 to 110 feet in length) hitherto accepted as capable of efficient service upon the open sea Is too small for such work, and that its role in jrar must be restricted to operations along the coast or harbors. An increase of size has consequently been demanded, and torpedo-boats intended for a service extending beyond the limits ot the coast line are built of lengths varying from 130 to 150 feet and in displacement from 90 to 150 tons. (A still larger boat has been built for the Japanese Government; length, 166 feet.) The department in July last appointed a board to examine and report upon the adaptability of the Stiletto, n boat built by HerreshoS Brothers, of Bristol, R. I., for service as a tor-pedo-boat. The board reported that the Stiletto embodied the qualities which a modern torpedo-boat should possess, although they suggested certain improvements for future boats. The steam trials of the Stiletto were exceedingly satisfactory, and when the small type (but 90 feet in length) of the boat is considered they compare most favorably wfth those of boats built abroad. On July 2, with twelve‘men on board and about a ton of coal—displacement about 28 tons — this boat made four runs over the measured mile in a rough sea and fresh wind. The average speed was 22.12 knots. On July 30 six runs were made with twelve men on board and the same amount of coal. The average speed was 22.89 knots. The same day the boat made a run ot 59 knots at an average speed of 19.62 knots. On the 7th a run to Block Island and back was made in a rough sea, and an average speed of 16.2 knots for the run was obtained. Experiments have been recently made which indicate that for vessels at anchor or under way at low speed, and in smooth water, protection against torpedoes may be found in the use of the torpedo-net, now being generally adopted for armored vessels. The development of the torpedo is, however, receiving constant attention and expenditure ot money for its improvement, and it must be reckoned as one of the most formidable weapons, oflonsive and defensive, ot naval warfare.

Exciting; Times on the San Francisco Stock Exchange. Bait Francisco, Dec. 3.—Those whohoped the morning would prove brighter than last night’s close were disappointed. From an early hour the approaches to the two exchanges were crammed with an excited crowd, eager_ to learn the news of the first call, and which to them would bring either happiness or dismay. They had not long to wait for the San Francisco Stock Exchange met promptly at halfpast nine o’clock and at a few moments later Consolidated Virginia rang out at WO, quickly followed by a drop to $19; Best & Belcher, which closed last night at $23, opened this morning at $31, and in a few. minutes went to $20. The bears are making a savage onslaught on these two stocks, but the opinion of the street is that the bulls are too strong, and that the boars Witl go down in disaster. The middle stocks show an improvement, the bears devoting less attention to them. Savage, which closed at $15.75 last night, opened at $16, and further improved to $17. Choltar gained 75 cents, going to $6.50, and Potosi jumped from $6S7}{ to $9, and then to $10.87X. Ophir was the only North end stock which showed an improvement, opening at $35.50, with a further jump a few moments later to $36.50. Over $4,000,000 have been withdrawn from the city savings banks during the last ten days, every cent of which has gone into stocks. This shows that the laboring classes are taking a hand in the deal. Rossa and the Fenian Brotherhood. New York, Dec. 3.—O’Domovan Rossa has prepared an elaborate artiole which will appear in his paper to-morrow, in which he gives the why and wherefore of his leaving the Fenian Brotherhood. In this explanation he says ho res igned because the Brotherhood objected to his appointing Rocky Mountain O’Brien and John Murphy co-trustees with him as the treasurer of the “resources of civilisation.” Rossa thereupon wrote out his resignation as head center, and handed it to John Murphy, but immediately received it back again. On. November 23 the auditing committee of the Brotherhood brought Rossa in as “indebtod to the government in the sum of $366.63.” Rossa says that he had the money then to settle, “but as the celebration of the Manchester martyr day was that night, the settling up was put off till morning.” This procrastination was what compelled the Brotherhood to demand his resignation. Rossa's principal bone of contention with the Brotherhood is the following section of the constitution: The first duty of the Fenian Brotherhood is to perpetuate its own existence and to continue as a permanent organization, unchanged in name, until its object be fully attained, and that the foregoing can never be changed, nor can the Council of the F. B. ever allow an attack on Canada or any other territory on this side of the Atlantic, unless England be at war with America.”

Jackson’* Day. Columbus. O., Deo. a—Ex-Senator Thurman says the coming banquet of the Jackson Clnb, for which invitations have boon sent to leading Democrats all over the country, will not Jiave unusual political importance. It is customary for the club to have such a gathering every year on the anniversary of Jackson’s victory at New Orleans, January a This year it will be held January 7, because the 8th falls on Saturday, and the members are too good Democrats to carry their celebration over into Sunday morning. There will bo a good many eminent mon presont, and what they say will of course be regarded with interest as indicating the sentiment of the party leaders on the questions of the day. It Is a Work of ArtWashiicoton, Dec. 4.—Judge McCue, Solicitor of the Treasury, has given an opinion that the fac-simlle note painted on a block of wood and recently seixed by officers of the secret service in New York is a work of art, and not a counterfeit. He suggests, however, in order to avoid any . possible complication which might arise from the 'Circulation of paintings of this kind, that the artist who painted the note in question be requested to refrain from painting any more, and to employ Us taj,