Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 June 1893 — THE NEWS OF THE WEEK [ARTICLE]

THE NEWS OF THE WEEK

According to a London paper the NewTes--twnßtitirrArabic ism demand in the land of Moab. In one day a colporteur sold fifty, four copies—flour being --iterpurchasing power. When night came every receptable in the colporteur’s house was filled with flour and not a copy of the Scriptures remained dnsold. A max at Junction City, lowa, has written to the Department of Justice at Washington inquiring if the government pays a bounty on twins. He plaintively states that he is the unfortunate parent of three sets of simultaneous infants, an I naturally desires to come in for his share of relief if any has been provided by the powers that be. Unfortunately no such provision has been made,and as things look now the future is dark for the prolific pioneer. The New Jersey peach crop promises to be exceptionally large. The season has been very favorable. These reports are so different from those usually sent out at this season that they are viewed with distrust and by many with incredulity. The majority of people will hope that the brightest anticipations in this regard may be realized. Peaches are a luxtry that can not get too cheap to suit the rapacious appetites of the millions ’fcho must buy. Temperance agitation in Scotland, Ireland and Wales has resulted in prohibiting to a certain extent the sale of strong drink on Sunday, and has been quite effectual in curtailing the evil of Sunday drunkeness which formerly prevailed to an alarming extent. The Central Association of Reformers lately memorialized Mr. Gladstone in favor of similar laws for England, and have received a reply from the Prime Minister stating that the subject is now engaging the attention of the government.

They do say that some of the Egyptian fakirs who are selling relics and souvenirs from that ancient country, are not without guile. One is known to have worked off a large and heavy assortment of broken red sandstone, stolen from a hotel in process of erection on Fifty-seventh street, Chicago, as chips from the pyramid of Cheops, realizing various prices, according to the size, from 75 cents to 14 a chip. The Oriental swindler swears “by Allah!” that he chipped the rock from the pyramid himself.

The response to the special invitations sent to the various crowned heads of Europe by the World’s Fair directory, desiring their attendance at the big show, are not flattering to the management, as .they one and all plead other engagements, with the exception of the Sultan of Turkey, who refused to receive the cablegram of invitation at all, stating that it was not in accordance with the etiquette of his court to receive telegrams from persons with whom he had no acquaintance. It looks as though the Fair will have to pull through without “high digs,” excepting those already in this country. Superintendent of Immigration Herman Stump, of New York, with the approval of Secretary Carlisle, has ihade an important ruling with regard to the admission of idiotic immigrants when accompanied by' their parents, into the United States, denying their right to land on our shores. In support of his position he quotes from the act of Congress of March 5, 1891, which absolutely debars idiots, and holds] that the fact that the idiotic person may have ample fortune, or relatives who are able and willing to care for him, does not change the law in reference to such afflicted characters.

Johnny Walsii has suddenly become rich and famous on account of his honesty. Johnny found a set of diamond earrings of great value belonging to a Mrs. Johnson of New York, who offered $2,000 reward for their return. Johnny is only a little seven-year-old newsboy of New London, Conn., and is somewhat embarrassed by his newly acquired wealth and notoriety. He went to New York, accompanied by his parents, to receive the reward, which was paid to him at Tiffany’s. He was given a rousing reception on his return home, was elected as mascot for the base ball club, and altogether finds himself quite a hero, and no doubt believes that “honesty is the best policy." K A World's Fair correspondent writing to Harper’s Bazar, says, “Don't take the babies to the Fair.” This is about the most serious reflection on the intelligence of the American people that we have re- ,

cently seen. Does any one suppose tfcat any sane father 1 or mother would take a baby to the World’s Fair? There are lots of foolish people in this country, and a great number who are almost inseparable from their babies, but certainly not many who would be foolish enough to expose their tender offspring to the , dangers and weariness that would be inseparable from a* tour "of sight-seeing. The advice is- quite superfluous.

A singular person appeared on the streets at Zanesville, 0., the other day. He wore a beard that had not been cut for forty years. The hirsute appendage was seven feet in length and was kept in plaits and tied up so as to be carried about conveniently. The old man is as “Daddy” Sloane, and the occasion was the first time he had taken his whiskers to any city. The cause of the eccentricity was defeated ambi' tion in youth, Mr. Sloane having vowed that he would not cut his beard until elected to some small office. He now lives the life or a hermit near Zanesville, and his busines ip that city was to make arrangements for having a clay coffin, which he had moulded himself, burnt in a furnace. His beard is snowy white and so heavy as to bow him over, and is doubtless the longest in the world. There are cranks in all counties, and curious combinations can be congregated by a careful culling of their creeds. Vegetarians are nowadays ventilating their views in a way to attract considerable attention. A French vegetarian society is all torn up with internal dissensions. All are convinced that their temporal and eternal salvation depends on absolute abstinence from fish, flesh or fowl, but there their unanimity ends, and animosity toward each other begins and is carried to an extent equal in severity to their original abhorence of flesh, on which they are all agreed. One branch calls itself cerealite, and they subsist on cereals only; another believes that fruit is the only proper food for man, and govern their diet accordingly; and a third devotes its attention solely to tubers and roots. Each wing thinks that the welfare of the race depends on the immediate adoption of its views. In the meantime the market for choice'beef continues strong, and pork products have seldom been quoted at so high a figure.

The reigning families of Europe carries large policies of life insurance, and it is hinted that of late years this custom has increased to a notable extent, If such is the case it is doubtless an indication that crowned heads do not view the future with undoubted confidence, and that they possibly fear the influence of the progress of free thought and a tendency to more liberal government as likely to prove detrimental to the fortunes that have eonre to their families on account of their hereditary rights as ruling princes of the blood. Price Albert’s life was insured for nearly £1,000,000, and that sum was received by the Queen. The Queen’s own life-is very largely insured for the benefit principally of Princess Beatrice. All of the reigning families are known to be large customers of the insurance companies, the only sovereign who has no policy being the Czar of Russia, the companies regarding him as a dangerous risk. The policies upon Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria, have been canceled on account of the troubles in that country.

Maudlin sympathy for condemned murderers is not an uncommon culmination of a murder trial, and cases have occurred where the female portion of a community have gone to great lengths in exhibiting a sickly and sentimental devotion to the unfortunate man who had been condemned to die for his awful crime. Gushing maidens have-shed copious tears and soothed the pathway of the criminal with tender words and fragrant flowers, and in one or two instances in the United States of late years have gone to the length of marrying the object of their solicitude. This peculiar phase of the feminine character has been strikingly exhibited in the case of Carlyle Harris, executed at Sing Sing on the Bth. Harris, had he secured a pardon, was to have been married to a charming and devout young lady missionary, who frequently visited him in prison, and who firmly believed in his innocence and nobility of character. And now comes the further announcement that a married woman of Islip, L. 1., a Mrs. Broadway, entirely unknown to Harris, had allowed her sympathies to become so strongly enlisted in his behalf that she sickened and died on the Wednoauav following the death of Harris. Newsdealers who supplied the lady with papers testified that she gave way to uncontrollable grief when they brought her the papers containing the account of the execution.

Father McGlynn on his way to Rome to have an audience with the Pope. Three men were killed bv the caving in of a* tunnel near Denver, Thursday. There will be ten contests before the nouse. of Representatives nest winter. Ex-Secretary Foster’s liabilities may reach $1,000,000, with assets much less. , Large numbers ,oj Mohammedans -arc ■aid to be preparing to emigrate from Triliato America. Eleven persons in Seabrook, Mass., were poisoned by eating cheeso which con-, tained deadly poison. The Eastern coal sales agents have advanced the prices of coal 25 cents a ton on stove and 20 cents on egg. Henry Villiard has resigned the presidency of the North American Company. His successor is C. VV. Wetmore. Higher rates wlif-probably be resolved upon by the Western Union Fire Association, in session at Niagara Falls. It is allegedfeat dishonest gatekeepers are swindling, the World’s Fair on a large scale through faulty turn-stiles. Wheat in the Chicago pit sold for (u% cents, Thursday, but the market rallied several points, and closed at 63%. 3135 S John .T. Lamb, the absconding treasurer of the International Order of Machinists, was captured at Scranton, Pa., Thursday. The Plankinton Bank, of Milwaukee, after a prolonged run. was compelled to suspend, Thursday, and went ifito liquidation.

Chief of Police John D. McDonald, of N’apleton. Pa., was shot and mortally wounded by his brother-Harry, Saturdav night. Mrs. Marie Nevins Blaine, the divorced wile of James G. Blaine, Jr., and Dr. W. T. Bull, were married at New York, Tuesday. David R. Jenkins, of Wales, said to be one of the best authorities on tin plate in the world, is in Pittsburg penniless and demented. The Viking ship enroute from Norway to the World’s Fair, was sighted off the Newfoundland coast, Sunday. All on board were well. An enterprising Dundas, Minn., man, it is claimed, is buying young calves and selling them to Chicago restaurants as “pressed chicken.” It is reported that David S. Jordan has resigned the Presidency of Lcland Stanford, Jr., University, because of differences with Senator Stanford. The Infanta Eulalie attended the Decoration clay services at the Riverside park, New "iork, and placed a wreath of flowers upon the tomb of Gen. Grant. At Cincinnati the Victoria Cordage Company filed a deed of assignment to W. N. Bililuga. The liabilities are said to be $400,000 ond the assets may reach $500,000. The Illinois House of Representatives has passed the Democratic Congressional reapportionment bill, and it needs only the Governor’s signature to become a law. Mrs. Corey, the wife of Amos Corey, woodsman on 'the Upper Beaver Hill, N. Y., had a desperate struggle with a bear. After a battle she succeeded in killing the beast.- ; 1 ’■ : 1 ' • E. 11. Milburn, said to be a son of the Rev. \y. H. Milburn, the blind chaplain of the National House of Representatives, committed suicide at Chicago, Sunday, by cutting his throat. A route for a cable has been surveyed between Honolulu and Monterey, Bay Cal. The total length is 2,107 miles, and it is estimated that it will cost $1,200 a mile to make and lay the cable. Judge Stein, of Chicago, Monday, issued an injunction restraining the World’s Fair directors froir, closing the gates on Sunday. He holds that there is no valid reason why the Exposition should be closed on that day. Ed Dickerson, of Louisville, Ky., went to Columbus Durposely to whip his uncle, Scott Dickerson. Both men are horsemen. The fight was long and fierce, and after its conclusion Ed Dickerson was conveyed to the city hospital for repairs. Another trust has been or is about to be launched upoatho business world. It is known as the American flint bottle company and, with the title, has been incorporated under the laws of Wisconsin. The amount of incorporation is said to be $1,000,000. The object of the compact is to raise prices by combining. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian church, In session at Washington, have decided the case of Dr. Briggs, appealed from the New York Presbytery, which acquitted that divine, against Briggs, thus deciding that he is a heretic, by a vote of 383 for conviction to 116 against. k

Thursday at noon the bank of Ava, 111., was robbed of about $3,000 while the bank employes were at dinner. The robbers gained entranco by prying open a window. They then took the money out of tho safe, which was unlocked. The cashier was not awav twenty-five minutes. No trace of the robbers can be found. Robert P. Porter, superintendent of census, says: “A bureau of suppression of lies about the World’s Fair is needed as much as a bureau of publicity and promotion. I have licen in Chicago several days. There is no extortion. Everything is working smoothly and the crowds are well cared for.” A cousin of the notorious Dalton, who has been with the gang in several raids on Kansas banks, attempted to commit suicide at Topeka, Kan., by jumping in the Kaw river. He was rescued. He says that life as an outlaw has made him miserable for six years. Remorse, he claims, caused him to seek death. Miss Bertha Manchester was murdered at Fall River, Mass., Tuesday, in a mysterious manner, in many respects rivaling the murder of Mr. and Mrs. Borden intho same city, lost fall. A bloody ax was found in a wood-pile near a back fence, but ao other clue has been discovered. The woman was horribly mangled. A meeting of Gov. Foster’s creditors was held at Fostoria, 0., Tuesday.night. Resolutions of sympathy were adopted, after which it was agreed to accept 50 cents on the dollar in payment of all claims, leaving it entirely to the option of Mr. Foster whether ho shall pay more when he may become able to do so. Mr. Foster sent a statement saying he could pay 50 per cent. soon. The Benton Harbor & Southeastern' Railroad Company has fijed articles of association with the Secretary of State. The capital stock is $30,000, and Milton Mercer is president, Aaron Zook secretary, and

Hervey V. Mercer treasurer. The proposed road is thirty miles in length, and is to extent from Nappanec, in Elkhart county, through Elkhart and St. Joseph counties to a point on the Indiana and -Michigan State line, in the southeastern corner of Berrien county, Michigan. Dr. Thatcher Graves, who last year was convicted at Denver, of the murder el Mrs. Josephine Barnaby, of Providence, R. 1., is a free man for the first time in two years. Monday morning he appeared} in Judge‘Burris’ court, where his motion for a new trial has been pending for some weeks. Without any delay the court set the new trial for Jue 12, and fixed the doctor’s bail at $30,000. Judge Macon,the doctor’s attorney, signed the bond and the prisoner walked from the court room a free man. A decree that will prove of great interest to the slaughtering establishments of Kansas City, St. Louis and Chicago has just been issued by President Diaz, of Mexico— The decree forbids the shipment of slaughtered hogs into the City of Mexico. Hereafter all hogs for consumption must be brought in alive. This action was taken in view of the fact that in the case of alleged fresh pork shipped there from the United States and from points In Mexico it is not, al wavs possible to 40— clde whether or not the animal died of some disease or was in a healthy condition when slaughtered. The commission appointed last summer to treat with the Sioux in South Dakota, for a cession to the United States of their surplus lands, has submitted its report to Secretary Hoke Smith, together with the articles of agreement. All of the unallotted lands on the reservation are to be ceded to the Government in consideration of the sum of $600,000, of which SIOO,OOO is to be paid within sixty days after the ratification of the agreement by Congress. The remainder is payable at the pleasure of the Government after twenty-five years. The ceded lands, which are said to be of a high grade for agricultural purposes, are to be disposed of under existing land laws.