Rensselaer Union, Volume 3, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 August 1871 — General News Summary. [ARTICLE]

General News Summary.

TIIE OLD WORLD. A Berlin dispatch of the 18th says the cholera had appeared in the neighborhood of Stettin. Tho disease continued its ravages at Konigsberg, where, on the 15th, there wero 70 new cases and 34 deaths, and on the 10th, 80 new cases and 27 deaths. At a banquet given in Dublin on the evening of the lltb, to the French deputation, tho Lord Mayor proposed the toast of “ The Queen,” which was received with storms of hisses, which lasted several minutes. An extensive fire occurred on the evening ot the 17th in Leicester, which is the piincipal wool-inanufacturingj center in England. Several persons were killed. Tho dead bodies were so burned as to be beyond identification. The Paris I'atrie of the 18th says Russia was making great military preparations. Prussia wa3 also filling up her cadres, perfecting her armaments and collecting enormous quantities of stores. The Patrie be liefes that the prepare ions of the latter power are aimed at Russia. The examination of witnesses in the court-martial at Versailles was concluded on the lfith, and the argument for the prosecution began on the 21st A London dispatch of the 20th announces that Garibaldi had almost recovered from his recent severe illness. A correspondent, writing from Constantinople, under date of July 24, states that there was a probability of a war between Egypt and Turkey, and that the personal relations of the Khedive of Egypt th« Sultan of Turkey were far from being friendly. A dispatch from London on the 19th says the famine in Persia is more terrible than previously reported. Twenty-seven thousand deaths had taken place in Ipsahan alone, from starvation. The condition of the province of Mozanderan was still worse. The rite crop was a complete failure, and the cattle plague, small pox, typhus fever and cholera prevailed. A dispatch was received in* London on the 19th, from Gumbiuncn, East Prussia, a town 06 miles east of Konigsberg, stating that the cholera had appeared in several districts on tips German side of the Russian frontier. The British Parliament was prorogued on the 21st. The potato blight has developed to an alarming extent in Ireland. It is feared that the crop is almost ruined. A London telegram of the 21st says : “ The applications for the new 5 per cent, funded loan of thn United States, sent in from London and' the Continent to Jay Cooke, McCulloch & Co., bonkers, of the Syndicate, in advanco of the opening of the books to-morrow, already amount to more than one quarter of the whole amount allotted to Europe. The bonds are active on the Stock Exchange, at premium.” The Russian Imperial fleet, with the Grand Duke Alexis, departed from Cionstadt on the 21st, for New York. A Berlin dispatch of the 22d says the cholera was spreading at Konigsberg, and bad appeared at Qantzig and Stettin. The south of Prussia was still free from the disease. A London telegram of the 22d says: “ Subscriptions to the new loan to-day ex ir ceeded the whole amount offered. The books will be closed to-morrow instead of Thursday, as has been advertised.” Tfle Italian Government has taken the most stringent precautionary measures against the cholera. The Mayonof Montreal has ordered the strongest measures regarding’city cleansing, in view of tho approach of cholera. Lime and other disinfectants are supplied gratuitously to the inhabitants. In the court-martial at Versailles the argument for tho prosecution was coneluded on the 23d, and the counsel for the prisoners commenced to sum up. Ferro attempted to read a printed defense, in which he declares he looks to the future rehabilitation of France for vengeance. lIS was called to order by the court, and not permitted to proceed. Private advices received in New York on the 23d report that the famine and pestilence in Persia had destroyed over 300,000 lives, and that, from the appearances, 1,000,000 must perish. There seemed no way of arresting the destruction. ' In her speech to the British Parliament' on the 21st the Qusen says : "With a special satisfaction t refer on th* present occ .sion to our relations with the Unite! Stales. BytheTroity or Waa.lngion modes of settlement have been fixed for several qnesttons which nvc long rcinalno t In dispute. My communications tiffin the American (invoroment not b -lng without promise ofadvanta.e to other countries. the President has concurred with me In the application or that principle of amlc ble reference which is proclaims i by the Treaty of Parle, which 1 rejoco t > have tho opportunity of recommending hy example, and wc have ulso agreed on the adoption of certain mice for gnldlng the maratime conduct of neutrals which may, I trust, ere long, obtain general recognition, and form a valuable addition to tho code of International law. I place fall reliance upon the disposition of th* Americans to carry-forward with cordiality and zeal he subsidiary ai rangomente which have bt en determined on for tho execution of the treatv. I shall apprise the Parllamoht'of Canada that the provisions which reqnlro Its consent are In my view highly conducive to tho Interests ot the Bo minion. On these provisions, however, that Parliament will pass Independent and final judgment.” The great boat race between England and Canada, for the championship of the world, came off at St. John, N. B, on the 23d. The boats started at 7:25, and led alternately for five At 7:33 tha ,Stl John was ahead; at 7:40 the St. John, was the only crew rowing, the Tyne crew having gone to shore in, consequence of I Renforth being taken with a fit. Tho St i John crew rowed over tho course, and are winners of the r.tce in 40 minutes and 11 seednds. Renforth died in an hour after the race. lie was the/hampion oarsman of the world. / II ha* been ojiujdly announced that tha

anniversary of the establishment of the republic will bo celebrated throughout France on September 3. It is reported that a compromise has been made in the matter of the prolongation of Thiers’ term of office, under which he is to receive the title of President, and hold the position until tho dissolution.of the present Assembly. A London dispatch of the 24th says: “ Fearful misery prevails in Southern Hungary. At Banat, one-third of the country is under water. In consequence of the bad administration, the dams were suffered to fall into ruin, and thus became flooded extensive tracts of land reclaimed during the reign of Marie Theresa, and made fruitful with grain fields. Added to this are unusual storms this season and the excessivo severity of the government in collecting arrears of taxes. Vineyards, grain fields, and trees, even, have been stripped of their leaves. The government is seizing for taxes the cattle of the peas* ants. Some villages owe an amount of arrears greater than the value of their whole property. Agriculture, trade, and industry in general arc mined, and a ,famine is impending.” THE NEW WORLD. Gold closed in New York on the 24th M 1185 r. The officers of the Staten Island Ferry Company wero taken before the Coroner on the morning of the 17th, and committed to the Tombs prison, the Coroner declining to accept bail, although bail iu any amount was offered. The prisoners were subsequently taken before the Supreme Court on a writ of habeas corpus. The Coroner’s refusal of bail was based on the advice of the District Attorney, who said it was against the rule to accept bail in cases of this kind. The statement lately made that Mrs. Mary Barney is the last surviving child of any of the signers of the Declaration of Independence is denied by the State Department. Four daughters of Elbridge Gerry, the eldest 81 years old, were living on the 4th of July last, and celebrated the day. The next State election will be held in California September 5. A jury was obtained on the 17th in the Vanderpool murder trial, at Hastings, Mich. The head chief of the Santa Clara Indians, in Southern Utah, died some weeks ago. Since then the tribe has commenced depredations in the settlements. It is reported that a general combination of Indians on the borders of Utah and Oregon has been formed for agressions in Utah. The physicians appointed to analyze the stomach of Henry Wharton, supposed to have been poisoned by his mother, “the Mrs. Wharton of Baltimore, report that they find no traces of poison or other substance which would furnish evidence to criminate any one. The Virginia Republicans, through their Central Committee, have determined to call a State Convention on September 27. There was heavy frost on Mount Washington on the morning of the 20th, the telegraph wires being covered to the size of a man’s arm, and broken twice near the Summit. The coroner’s jury in the Rittston mine disaster have returned -a verdict exonerating the State Inspector of Mines, and the owner of the mine in which the fire-damp occurred. Some excitement was occasioned in New York on the 19th by a report that a fatal case of Asiatic cholera had occurred in that city, but from evidence obtained the Coroner attributes the death to cholera morbus, caused by excessive drinking and eating unripe fruit. Secretary Boutwell announces that hereafter all private subscriptions to the loan will be made through tho Syndicate only, but the National Banks have the privilege of subscribing at the Treasury Department for the $50,000,000 reserved for their subscrip’ions. The Board of Inspectors appointed by Secretary Boutwell to inquire into the cause,of the Westfield explosion have m&do a report in which they say : “Th* explosion. In our opinion, was caused bp a defective sheet tn the lower side or the boiler. In which was a flaw, a portion of which, no doubt, existed at the time of constructing tho boiler, and could not be discovered by any Internal Inspection. We believe the explosion was produced by a pressure not much In excess of twenty-eeven pounds. Engineer Robinson was guilt- of a direct and willful violation of law In carrying more ateamtban the Inspector s certificate allowed ; Band as uperlntondent Bralstod bad tbe responsibility of employing all hands. Including cuglneers. It la bat right he should share tbe resiMinsiblllty of the explosion with the engineer, we have no donbt that Inspector Matthews did his duty conscientiously. We would * uggeat that no person be licensed for a position as engineer that cannot read and write, and. In order to secure strict conformity to the requirements of the Inspector’s certificate in reference to tho amount of working prees ,re allowed, the responsibility, we think, should be thrown entirely on the engineer in charge, and the carrying of steam in excess of that allowed by law he Bumcleut cause for the revocation of his license; and on each vessel propelled In whole or In pait hy el earn, carrying passenger*, there shonld be some one Individual held responsible as master, and not, as In the case over various ferries, one name appearing aa the master of all the boat*-of the company. Aa regard* the materials, and on the construction of marina boilers, we think ample provision has been made for the future In the atcamboat law approved February *B, urn.” Mr. Vanderbilt, President; Mr. Braisted, Superintendent, of the Staten Island Ferry Company, and the colored engineer, under arrest because of the Westfield explosion, were released under bail on the 17th—Mr. Vanderbilt being held in the sum of $20,000, and the others in SIO,OOO each. On August 5, Sorgeant Major Harrington, Third Cavalry, and private Charles .Whisker were by Apache Indians, near Camp Yefdi, Atfzonrf, and horribly mutilated. Tho strong, raided withlu eighteen miles of Prescott, capturing many cattle. The Constitutional' Convention of Nebraska adjourned on (he 19th tine die. The question of the adoption or rejection of the constitution is to be submitted to a vote un the third Tuesday in Septejn-

ber, and, If approved, the officers created under it are to bo elected tho first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Besides the question of a new constitution or not, there Is also to bo voted upon tho questions of compulsory education and reformatory schools; the question of tho right of counties and towns to vote bonds for internal improvements; the question of inhibition or license ns applied to counties and towns, and tho question of female suffrage. Minority representation was defeated in convention and will not be submitted. A Columbus, Ohio, dispatch of the 19th says Colonel McCooko, Di mocratic candidate for Governor, has been compelled, by ill-health, to suspend his canvass of the State. The meetings appointed for him will all be helcl, other speakers supplying his place. As soon as his health shall bo sufficiently restored he will resume speaking. The steamer R. E. Lee exploded her boiler near Fayetteville, N. C., on the 17th. Three colored boat-hands were killed and three wounded. A Louisville, Ky, t -dispateh of the 19th says official returns from all but six counties in the State, give Leslie, Democrat 124,326; Harlan, Republican, 87,891. An arrangement has been Concluded between the United States and Germany, to take effect on October 1 next which reduces the rate of international postage for prepaid letters, if exchanged between the two countries by closed mail, via England, from ten to seven cents for each rato of half an ounce or under. Unpaid letters so exchanged are to be charged with double prepaid rates, and insufficiently paid letters with postage for unpaid letters, after the deduction of the amount prepaid. A Louisville dispatch of the 21st says: “ Sufficient returns have been made to indicate, with certainty, the complexion of the Kentucky Legislature. It will stand as follows; House—B2 Democrats, 18 Republicans: Senate—3s Democrats, 3 Republicans.” A destructive fire at Williamsport, Pa., on the night of the 20th, destroyed stores, dwellings and other property, valued at $225,000, on which there was insurance to the amount of $135,000. Grasshoppers in vast numbers have recently appeared in several of the principal agricultural counties of Utah. The deposit of eggs threatens seriously crops of every kind next season. There is much alarm among gardeners. The Chairman of the Nebraska State Republican Central Committee has issued a call convening the Central Committee in Omaha on the 30th of August, lor the consideration of any business that may come before it. A few daYS age, while out gunning at Long Branch, 11. T. Helmbold shot himself in the mouth, inflicting a slight wound. It was reported that he had attempted suicide, but this he denies, stating that he was only blowing in the muzzle of the gun to see if it was loaded. Property to the estimated value of $1,00,; 000 was destroyed by fire at Ithaca, N. Y., on the night of the 22d. The preliminary examination of witnesses in the Buffenbarger poisoning case commenced at London, Ohio, on the 21st. Governor Potte, of Montana, writes under date of August 12, that the-people of Gallatin Valley were so frightened at the presence of ltrge bodies of Sioux Indians, that he feared they would abandon the crops and flee to places of safety. lie says the movements of tho Sioux points to a general Indian war on the settlement o , lie was organizing settlers and arming them. The greatest need was more troops, and the Governor hoped Sherman would send them. One of the provisions of the new Constitution of Nebraska is that the capital shall remain at Lincoln until 1880. The Wisconsin Democratic State Con vention met at Madison on the 22d. Hon. James R. Doolittle was nominated for Governor, receiving on the first ballot 123 votes to 31 scattering. John A. Rice, of Waukesha County, was nominated for Lieutenant Governor; Milton Montgomery for Secretary of State; Anton Klaus for Treasurer; Edward S. Bragg for Attorney General; L. F. Johnson for State Prison Commissioner; E D Parker for Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Jacob Bowden for Commissioner of Immigration.

A New York telegram of the 24th says direct intelligence, by steamer, from San Domingo, reports the country tranquil, no disturbances having occurred since the rout of Cabral, at San Juan. Tho financial situation was relieved by the receipt of the proceeds of the United States San Domingo loan. The friendly tone of the report of the United States Commission of Inquiry, which had been circulated through the country, was pleasing to tho people. Baez was preparing to celebrate the anniversary of the Dominican victory over the Spaniards. The official majority for Leslie, Democrat, for Governor of Kentucky, is seated at 87,153. On the 24th the people of West Virginia voted for and against a convention for remodeUing the State Constitution, hy the adoption of what Is known as the Fleck Amendment. The general impression's! Petersburg on the day of election was that the convention would be defeated by a smell majority.