Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 January 1905 — THE WEEKLY HISTORIAN [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE WEEKLY HISTORIAN

One Hundred Years Ago. The first benefit to the United States resulting from the Avar between England and Spain was the opening of the port of Havana to American vessels. Stocks had risen 3 and 4 per cent in London owing to France's overtures for peace. The exportation of corn was prohibited from the Swedish and Prussian ports. The contemplated siege of Gibraltar by the French and Spanish fleets was decided on positively. Bonaparte authorized the Pope to invite all the bishops and clergy, who formerly took the constitutional oath, to abjure its obligations. The Spanish Governor of Mexico sent to Spain for aid to suppress serious disturbances in that colony. English ships captured a Spanish vessel Avith $200,000 and a valuable cargo of indigo.

Seventy-five Years Ago. Wine duties in Prussia were reduced one-half, as the vintage had been scarce the previous year. A proclamation was issued by General Bolivar convoking a constituent congress at Bogota to form a constitution for Colombia. Raised printing for the blind was invented by Charles Barbier, a Frenchman. The term “Philistines” was applied by the Liberal party of Germany to the Conservatives. Methodism was introduced into Germany. General Guerrero resigned the presidency of Mexico- The new government settled under Bustamente, the former vice president. Fifty Years Ago. The French Chamber passed a law authorizing a loan of 500,000,000 francs. The cities of Brooklyn and Williamsburg, New York, were united under one municipal government and called Brooklyn. A special message from the President was read in Congress, explaining his reasons for vetoing the river and harbor bill. General Castilla defeated President Echenique and entered Lima in triumph. The English admiral Fanshawe was making vigorous efforts to stop the slave trade in Cuba. Prussia decided to open its coasting trade to England. Forty Years Ago. The Juarez government of Mexico offered a large bounty to volunteers from other countries who would enter its service. Hood, having been forced to evacuate Decatur, Ala., by General Stedman, who occupied the town, was being do t sely pressed on his retreat. At a mass meeting of -Chicago citizens a committee of thirty was named to devise methods of cleansing the Chicago river. > The trial by court martial of several persons arrested in Chicago for treason commenced at Cincinnati. Thirty Years Ago. Garibaldi refused the pension granted him by the Italian Parliament because of the low condition of the nation’s tinanees. A wage conference between anthracite operators and miners at Hazleton, Pn„ resulted in a disagreement and a coal strike was threatened. The Illinois Central Railroad Company refused to renew an agreement with the other roads entering Chicago, which had been in force a year, prohibiting the issuing of free passes. Geenral Sheridan assumed command of the Department of the Gulf at New Orleans and made plans to suppress the lawlessness in Louisiana, due to rival claimants to the State Government. The Pin Indians were reported to he on the warpath in Indian Territory, and Vlnita citizens believed the sacking of the town jyaa imminent. Alphonso XII. was proclaimed King of Spain.

Twenty Years Ago. Earthquake shocks were experienced in Austria, Spain, and other portions of Europe. A Pittsburg newspaper, after explaining who he was, quoted Andrew Carnegie as favoring socialism. Earthquake shocks were felt in Maryland, Virginia and New Hampshire. The Baltimore and Ohio Telegraph Company inaugurated a sweeping cut in tolls.