The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume], December 21, 1877, Image 1

About The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880

Image provided by: Louisiana State University; Baton Rouge, LA

                
THE NEW ORLEANS DAILY D
OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA AND OF THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS.
VOL. Ill-NO. 3. NEW ORLEANS, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1877. PRICE, FIVE CENTS.
A TERRIBLE DISASTER.
BZ'1"16t@N OF A BOlLER IN A CROWED
MANUFACTORY.
;' .s Destruction of the Building and
All Therein-Two Hundred and Fifty
Lives Reported Lout.
Lw yoax, Dec. 20. 5:30 v. m.-About 5 o'clock
boiler under the sidewalk of Greenflold &
manufacturing confectioners, No. 5r
' oa street. expl ded. The shock throw
onebu 'ding, a four-story, burying every
h beneath it, and crushing a team of horses
ruck standing in front or the buildini.
e two hundred girls were employed in the
isimeet besides a number o! men and
ot these were preparing to leave
th ng, and some had already left, but
e ortion of them were still In the
hill the time the explosion occurred, and
t writing the loss of life, though unknown,
I5UP055 to bei1jerge.
T le extending and the entire block will
lielF be destroyed.
Later.
6 p. m.-The fire on Barclay street now seems
be under control. It is rumored that over
=r4 hundred persons were in the building at
Sthee time of the explosion, and that not over ity
tut out, and they were more or less wounded by
suing tim er. etc.
le New York Horror-Tardy Arrival of
the Firemen-Exoitement Throughout
he City.
N1w Your. Dec. se.-At 5:10 o'clock this even
a terrible report shook the vicinity of Bar
out and College Place. The streets in the
vi were croWded at the time by all classes,
fromthir daily employment. Short
ines, steam and smoke rushed from
thbasement of Greenfield & Strauss' candy
ttatry, No. 55 Barclay street.
Se eone which followed the explosion was
ase tat baltles descripttion. Thousands of
flying in all directions, uttering shrieks
r. ursued by jets of flame, burst
f m the windows of the ill-fated building,
Smillion horrors to the cries of the un
who were pent up in the death trap.
e e soare had somewhat subsided it
hal s red that the boiler In the establish
bursted. The concussion knocked
",el persons who were within one
yards of the spot, and wounded and
ethers who were nearer.
The Wildest Excitement Prevailed
rom the upper windows of the burning
,numerous girls working In the estab
were yelling and screaming hyster
efor help ut there was no way or means
seemed to be along delay in the arrival
of t remen, and the flames extended to the
tippr foors, and a more horrifying scene is
ed tnessed. One younggirl, with long
r held her hands beseechingly out of the
story window apd screamed for help until
efl1 from the window and was buried in the
ns cauldron below.
WAh now nearly fifteen minutes since the
alarm having been hromptly sound
the fire engines and hook and ladder
eompanies had not arrived.
The Girls Were now Rendered Frantic
tad oneAiri Jumped from a second story win
!pow. wile three jumped into the burning build
s M were soon out of their misery. While
o were screaming and jumping from the
, to offoers br ke the fall of one and
ta~ saved loer life, although she met with
serious injuriee.
T fre patrol and engines now began to
and soon had streams of water on the
muildig. A bout half past 5 o'clock the whole
iron ront of the building curled up
Like so Much Paper
d feil right across the street with a fearful
destrikingthe houses on the opposite side.
t was rumored that over one hundred and
pespmn girls and boys, were em
l.lQ 1n the bding and tbat only about one
aescaped. Afeeling of the greatest
overspread the great crowd which had
egeated, being attracted by the great light
m by the flames.
veral alarms were sounded for assistance,
fire had communicated to the surround
ing buildings, and at the same time ambulances
ere sent for. Engine Company No.29 was the
rat to arrive, and then followed No.o.
A Rescue.
after the latter engine arrived a woman
Ssreaming for help in the third story of
relaly street side of the building, which has
art also on College Place. James McGowan
was recently awarded the Bennett medal
o s ife at fires, at once rushed to her
a was soon on top of the adjoining
and, although the feat was at the risk
e, he succeeded in fighting the flames
semoke, reached the woman and passed her
to below. He just had time to jump out of
md-story window, when the western wall
o but McGowan escaped with a few bruises.
At this time
Amother Horrifying Scene
esued that melted the hearts of the bystanders.
soyabout thirteen years of age was seen
oldn on to the burnin shelving until he
fated and amid groans from the crowd fell
tames,
e fire had now extended to the adjoining
dings, and the heat was so intense from
b rning molasses and sweetmeats that it was
th ¶reat difficulty that the firemen could
At~e tie of the explosIon a man employed
b ms Epress Company was with the ship
olerk and two laborers loading one of the
argae express trucks. The men were blown
t ternity, the horses killed and the wagon
d ight scattered into fragments.
the opposite side of Barclay street was a
store whe large quantities of petroleum were
stored, an the flames extended so quickly that
it was all the firemen could do to prevent the
es from crossing the street.
y Minutes after the fire broke out the in
rio of the building had fallen in and buried
oeneath its ruins those who had fled to the roof,
as the bodies of those who had been
A Hundred Rumors.
lled the air, and it was reported that several
Srmen had been buried, but the report could
notbe confirmed. In the meantime the bodies
recovered, together with the wounded and
malmed, were carried to the Noake Hotel, in
reenwich street, and to Ball & Ruckel's drug
store, where the ambulance force were busy
ang out others to the hospital.
e evening the excitement throughout
the city was intense, and iarge crowds congre
sated around the bulletin boards, and eager
frends swarmed into the police stations seek
Sf m oones.
't this hour. 10 p. m.. it is lipossible to state
the number of killed and wounded, but it is
supposed the loss of life will exceed 100. and it
may be several day before the full extent of
the calamity can be known.
UMInight Report--Removing the Debris
and Searching for the Dead.
New You=. Dec. 20, 12 p. m.-Up to this hour,
pddnight, thirty-three killed and wounded have
been carried away from the ruins. No estimate
can be made of those buried under the debris,
but it is believed by some that the number is
not very large, as but few persons were in
utring for missing relatives and friends.
ers ink the number buried under the walls
e large, and that inquiry is not made for them.
use many of the employes had no regular
ine and consequent) no friends or relatives
-lie on the lookout for them.
A large number of men are now at work re
mvng the debris and searching for the dead,
t It must be three or four hours before they
4an socomnlish much in the recovery of bodies,
sth buillings were massive five and six story
es, and the dead are supposed to be at
She betm of the ruins,
at this hour reports vary widely as to the
Sof persons who were engaged in the
n destroyed, and the number of killed
and wounded. It was at first reported that there
were 501) employee, and onyaotft er
known to have escaped uhrmkn h
killed and wounded as high as 25o.
Later reports brought the number of em
yes down to 250, and the killed and wounded
borbood of the on p
e unumer of employee at m1 to 200, and the
was hours before anyth in could be done in
e way of removing the in os as the firemen
leaitonthe had all they dcould do to co Hdnfine
flmsto the five but b edHad
d prevvailed, it is thought wenwould have
at list ontoo t
eofrtts pof te mnandote
to thn neg perlte strut
nor ý e
others were seriously wounded while fighting
the fiery element.
Among those burned, besides the immense
buildings belonging to the confectionery firm,
were a live-story paper warehouse, a large to
bacco store a fruit store and a saloon. These
were completely destroyed, and several houses
adjoining, together with their contents, badly
damaged. The five-story building occupied by
the Grocers' Bank corner of College Place and
Barclay street. had the upper floors destroyed
by fire and the lower floors wore greatly dam
aged by water.
The total loss, in money, Is estimated at
*200,e0e. The insurance is said to be large, but
the figures not yet ascertained. The fire is the
most aupalling calamity that has happened in
this vicinity since the Brooklyn Theatre holo
caust, in which so many people met sudden
deaths.
Stll Fighting the Fire.
NEW YORK , Dec. 21. 2 a. m.-At this hour a
large force of men are still fighting against
fire, smoke and water in their efforts to reach
the bodies supposed to be buried under the
ruins, and about twelve engines are still throw
ing water on the piles to cool off the immense
mass and allow its removal.
The explosion shook the lower part of the
city dike an earthquake, and broke all the glass
and put out all the lights in the immediate
neighborhood. Toe Iron front of the confec
tionery on Barclay street fell across the street,
smashing in doors and windows, killed a horse
and demolished a wagon, breaking the legs of
the driver, but doing no other serious damage.
All sorts of rumors are still flying around as
to the number of killed and wounded. It is
said that a number wounded, able to go home,
did so, and their names were not taken; also
that a number of wounded were taken Into
houses down town without the knowledge of
the authorities. There was also a number of
wounded taken to the hotels and drug stores in
the neighborhood, in addition to the wounded
taken to the hospital. The body of a young
man, in his shirt sleeves, was carried off about
1 a. m., but no bodies have been discovered
since.
It will be hours before the men can reach the
bodies supoosed to have been on the first floor
and in the basement of the confectionery store.
Men on the opposite side of the street at the
time of the explosion say there were but few
escaped from the burning building through
the main entrance on Barclay street, as the
front of the building fell out at once, and the
flames burst forth immediately and there must
have been a large number of 6odies burled in
the ruins, unless escape was made through the
rear of the building or over the roofs.
At least twelve or fifteen persons were seen to
escape over the roof, but few were seen to escape
otherwise, although many. or nearly all, may
have done so without its bei ng known, as but
few persons were at the rear side to notice the
fleeing inmates, who might have escaped by
the rear entrance on Greenwich street or Col
lege Place without being noticed
Although there were a large nu*sr otLeople
near the building at the time, but few cot ld give
definite Information concerning the calamity.
Various stories are told as to the cause of the
explosIon. One was that the engineer was
negligent; another, that a capable engineer was
dismissed because he would not work at re
duced wages, and an incompetent man hired at
a smaller salary; and, still another, that the
beller was unsound, and that an unusual quan
tity of steam was used for holiday work. Noth
ing reliable is known as yet.
At this hour, 2:45 a. m., a large force of fire
men and workmen are still engaged at, the
ruins, and it is thought that nothing new will
be known until late in the morning.
CAPITAL NOTES.
Qualicautonu Necessary to secure a Sur
geon's Position in the Russian Army.
WASHnMNTON. Dec. 20.-Numerous letters hav
Ingbeen addressed to the Minister of the United
States at St. Petersburg. asking for information
as to what qnalifications are necessary to en
able an applicant to obtain the position of sur
Seon in the imperial army of Russia, Mr. Baker
in his dispatch of the 21st to the Department of
State. gives the to lowing rules for admission :
The law of Russia, which It Is understood has
not been relaxed during the present war. Is that
an applicant for the post of surgeon in the Rus
sian army shall be a graduate of some medi
cal school In Russia; that he shall he able to
pass a severe examination before a board of the
medical staff of the army: that he shall speak
and write the Russian language, and that in
receiving his commission he shall swear alle
giance to the Empire of Russia, to the exclusion
of any other allegiance or eitizenship.
Under thesecircum-tances it will be perceived
that no citizen of the United States who has not
received a medical education in Russia Is eligi
ble to the positl n of surgeon in the Russian
army. Some medical men have applied for
temporary posts as volunteer surgeons, and
their services have been gratefully accepted.
either by the Russian authorities or by the
societies of the Red Cross. The pay of surgeons
in such positions is, however, very low, and they
may be considered as rendered almost wholly
in a spirit of philanthropy, and there is little
hope, except under extraordinary circum
stances, that a surgeon so serving will be ulti
mately invited to accept a commission in the
Imperial Russian army.
The Credit Mobiler Suit-A Re-argu
ment Ordered.
WAsHINGTON, Dec. 20.-In the case of the
Credit Mobiller suit, in which the Supreme
Court was equally divided on the demurrer
to the bill, appeal having been taken. a re-argu
ment of the case has been ordered. The casting
vote after such re-argument will be with the
newly appointed Judge (Harlan). and should
the demurrer be overruled the effect would be
to make the members of the Credit Mobilier
liable to the government for such amount as
could be proven to have been improperly used
in building the Union Pacific Railroad.
The Pacific Railroad Case.
WASnINGToN, Dec. 20.-The arpiments of
counsel, on behalf of the Pacific Railroad, were
concluded to-day before the Secretary of the
Interior and Attorney General. The discussion
was confined to the Ipro rate question, as that
was the specific matter referred to in Senator
Chaffee's resolution. Gen. Devens and Mr.
Schurz will report the law and the facts to the
President, so that he can comply with the reso
lution at the reassembling of Congress.
MARINE NEWS.
NEW YrRa, Dec. 20.-Arrived at Sandy Hook:
Steamers Columbus, from Havana; Farraday
and Bothnia, from Liverpool.
NEW YObK, Dec. 20.-Arrived: State of Georgia,
from Glasgow; Farraday from London; Both
nia. from Liverpool. Sailed: P. Cloud, for Rot
terdam; Gilbert, for Hamburg; City of Brus
sels, for Liverpool.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 20.-Sailed: Indiana, for
Liverpool.
QUEENSTOWN. Dec. 20.-Arrived: Nova Sotia,
from Baltimore. Sailed: England, for New
York.
LIVERPOOL, Dec. 20 -Arrived: Ohio, from
Philadelphia. Sal'ed: Adriatic for bew York:
Atlas. for Boston; Polynesian, for Baltimore.
LONDnoN, Dec. 2o.-Arrived: Denmark, from
New York. Sailed: Holland, for New York.
POET EADS, Dec. 20.-Arrived: British steamer
Ascupart. at 8 a. m. - master, 20 days from
Hull. to E. J. Forstall's Sons British steamer
City of Bristol, at 5:30 a. m., Fulton master 19
days from Liverpool, to A. K. Miller & Co. Sailed
yesterday: Steamships Vanguard and Algiers.
barks Riegina and Oxford. Sailed to-day: Steam.
ships Liddesdale and Consett. Wind E. S. E.,
strong. Weather thick and hazy.
SOUTHWEsT PASS, Dec. 20.-Arrived: Norwe
gian ship Clara, Eit en master. 53 days from
London in hallast, to master; Austrian ship Er
minla, J. Martinolieb master. 8 days from St.
Th.)mas, in ballast, to E. Tarrabochia ; Austrian
bark Ergo. Nicalih master. 52 days from Mar
seilels in ballast, to master. No departures.
Wind k. S. E., strong. Weather thick and hazy.
Sherry.
[N. Y. Bun.]
The lovers of sherry will, probably, be glad
to learn, on the authority of the Madrid
Epoca, that Xeres produces, on an average,
20,000 botas of wine per annum, and exports
65,000 botas. Thus, ,000 botas of this wine
are imitations and adulterations. Real
sherry is, in fact, scarcely to be got at al
since, out of 20,1 botas, over 15,000 are used
for making the I station.
By reference to the advertisement of the
grand oratorio of "Elijah" to be given Satur
days venyag, it wlIl be besae.igerved eai
b i r*~t kan at.
DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.
CAME OF SENATOR PATTERSON
PROBABLE END OF THE MATTER.
The Resolution to Report the Evidence
Referred to the Committee on
Federal Relations.
COLUMBIA, 8. C., Dec. 20.-The State Senate
yesterday referred to the Committee on Fed
eral Relations the concurrent resolution re
quiring the joint investigating committee to
report the evidence in their possession upon
which Indictments have been found saginst
John J. Patterson, to the end, that it might be
forwarded to the Senate of the United States.
It is not likely that the Committee on Federal
Relations will report during the present ses
Fion, if ever, and it is generally conceded that
this troublesome matter has now been settled
finally, if Indirectly.
The Steamship HuntsvWe Burned at Sea
No Lives Lost.
NEw YORK. Doc. 20.-The steamship Hunts
ville, Capt. Faireloth, from Savannah December
16 for New York, was burned at sea December
19. No lives were lost. The crew were pluked
up by the pilot boat Washington No. 22. and
brought to this city.
Capt. Faireloth makes the following state
ment:
Left Savannah for New York December 16, at
3:30 p. m.; Tuesday. the 18th, at s a. in., sighted
C pea Hatteras, and bore went. wind northeast,
with a chopping sea; Wednesday, the 19th, at
noon. latitude 35.eo, longitude 74.35, at 5:25 p. in.,
bore northwest; at 9:45 p. in., Li tie Egg harbor,
bore northwest half west, distance ten miles.
All at. once the alarm of fire was given. I
started the steam and deck pumps Immediate
ly, and stopped the main engine. In about
seven minutes fire came from the after part of
the hold and drove the department from the on
gine room. I was compelled to keep the steam
pumps at work on midship part of the vessel
while lowering the boats, as the flames came
through the deck and deck-house. In about
forty minutes from the time of the alarm of
fire, all hands abandoned the vessel. The crew
was nicked up by pilot boat Washington No. 22,
at midnight, on the 19th. The steamship Hunts
ville was 1101 tons register; built at New York
in 1857, and hailed from the latter port.
The Coal Combination-Adva nee in Prlce.
New YOR., Dec. 20.-The new combination of
coal managers has, as was anticipated at the
start, resulted In an averase advance of fifty
cents per ton on all grades, and should the
committee appointed at Tuesday's meeting of
coal presidents agree upon the distribution of
tonnage another advance of fifty cents will im
mediatef y follow.
Coal dealers throughout the country look for
ward to this report with no inc insiderable soli
citude, as it will, in their estimation, definitely
settle the question as to whetheror not the com
bination is to stand, and will also enable them
to prepare for the winter's trade.
The stand taken by Judge Packer, in relation
to the combination, has not been generally un
derstood. Although ante-'onistlc to the com
pact he nevertheless says that the Lehigh Valley
eailroad. as a common carrier, is bound to
abide by the decision of the coal operators who
use it for transportation. If they restrict their
tonnage it is their business, not his, the road
having nothing whatever to do with the com
bination. _______
"Patient Persuasion" Has Induced Sit
ting Bull to Return.
CHICAnO, Dec. 20.-A dispatch from Helena.
Montana, dated December 19, says that Father
Geum had arrived at the Manes river, and had
sent a messenger to inform the military com
mander at Benton that Sitting Bull had crossed
the Ani and was camped in the Bear Paw
mountains, with a large force of Sioux and Nez
Perces.
Thomas Todd has arrived at Fort Benton.
and confirms the above report. He also states
that the Indians are burning the prairies south
of the Bear Paw mountains.
Other parties report Sitting Bull on Miles'
battle ground, and that he has been joined by
Lone Deer's band, of seventy-five lodges.
Aetivity in the British Navy Yards.
CHICAGo, Dec. 20.-The 7rjibune's speel says:
Later orders to the British navy yard show
unwonted haste in the preparation o war
ships and transport ships for s.'a. The Ad
miralty have ordered the iron clads Monarch.
Nelson and Northampton, thiec of the finest
ships in tee navy. into commission at the
earliest possible moment; also, that the guns
for tee Inflexible, now being specially made.
be hastened. ______
Excise Matters-Liquor Dealers' Protest.
Nsw YORx, Dec. 20.-The mass meeting of
liquor dealers to denounce the action of the
Excise and Police Commissioners in their
wholesale raids on the liquor dealers, held to
night, at Tammany Hall, was not as large as
exece, aspeece weremd by lAugustu
epce.SeceweemdYelwSchell, Assistant District Attorney Yeliows, Ed
ward Cooper and Henry Clansen. Jr. After
which resolutions were passed, setting forth
their grievances, and appealing to the Legisla
ture at the approaching session to put end to
such things, by passing a just law regulating
the questions of excise and license.
Sherldan Won't Speak.
CHICAGO, Dec. 20.-Glen. Sheridan having been
invited to address the Veterans' Association of
this city, replies: "I assure you that I feel the
3ompliment intended. but prefer to adhere to a
determination, long since made, not to attempt
to lecture or make any public address, other
than the spontaneous utterings at army meet
ings, during my active life,"
Life Insurance-Another Conviction.
NEw YORK. Dec. 20.-The jury in the case of
Thos. S. Lambert, president of the Americ~an
Popular Life Insurance Company, who has been
on trial for some days for perjury and general
malfeasance in office, returned a verdict of
guilty this evening. The court then adjourned,
without sentencing the prisoner, until next
Wednesday morning.
Refused Admission to the Bar.
ANN~pous, Dec. 20.-Charley Taylor, the col
ored lawyer from Massachusetts, who was ad
mitted to the bar of the United States Court in
Baltimore recently, was yesterday Jefused ad
mission to the bar of the Court of Appeals of
Maryland, in this city.
An Escaped Murderer Recaptured.
BALTIMORE, Dec. 20.-Wm, Jngsey, alias Nel
son, who was convicted of murder at the No
vember session of the Circuit Court of Ply
mouth, Noith Carolina, and sentenced to be
hung there on January 5. 187, but escaped
from jail, was arrested here this afternoon.
Remonetizarion flubs.
CHICAoo, Dec. 20.-Remoretization clubs are
being organized in every ward in this city.
Sentence Commuted.
IlAnanauno, Va., Dec. 20.-The Governor of
Virginia has commuted the sentence of Louisa
Lawson and Silas Morris, sentenced to be
hanged to-morrow for the murder of David G.
Lawson, to imprisonment for life.
The New-York Posteilce-Jey satisfled.
NEW YORK, Dec. 20.-Postmaster General Key
again inspected the postoffice to-day and ex
pressed satisfaction with the manner in which
the various departments are conducted.
Trial of the New York Police Commission
ers.
NEW YORK Dec. 20.-The trial of Police Com
missioners krhardt, Wheeler and Nichols. for
neglect of duty, commenced to-day before
Mayor Ely. ______
A Biahopric in Doubt.
NEW YORK. Dec.. 20.-Rev. Dr. Geo. F. Sey
mour, Dean of the General Theological Semi
nary of New York has not decided whether he
will accept or decline the Bishopric of Spring
field, to which he was elected yesterday. It is
considered probable, however, that he will ac
cept.
Fire-Loss St6,00e.
NEW YORK, Dec. 2o.-A fire in the extensive
desk manufactory of Kehr. Kelner & Co., on
Goerick street this morning, caused a lose of
126,000. Fully insured.
Mere Menties.
Cmesoo, Dec. 20.-The baby show has opened
at the Tabernacle with a large attendance and
fine prospects.______
Friday in the South Atlantic States: Rising fol
lowed by falling barometer; northeast winds;
cloudy weather will prevail.
For the Eastern Gulf States, stationary or
falling barometer; northeast to southeastwinds.
cloudy and nossibly rainy weather, with slight
changes in temperature.
For the Western Gulf States, southerly winds.
warmer and Iartly cloudy weather, occasional
rains and stationary or rising barometer.
WAR NOTES.
EN..Lt SND's ATTITUDE-DAILY MEET
INGS OF THE BRITISH CABINET.
England To Be Put in Readiness for War
Excitement in the Stock Market
Press Comments.
COeWAuo, Dec. 20.-A cable speoial to the Tri
lbeue, dated London. December 20. says:
Meotings of the British Cabinetareheld daily,
and the settled impression is that preparations
for war are intended.
At Woolwich and other arsenals orders have
been received to stop the discharge of men, and
to take back those discharged under previous
orders,
While war may not be intended, there is ab
solutely no doubt whatever that England Is to
be put In readiness therefor should that be
necessary.
The London stock market yesterday opened
very excited, with a sudden fall in English se
curities, showing the prevalent feeling.
The Daily Nwys says editorially that the hast
ening of the meeting of Parliament is for war
preparations.
The Time's says money is to be asked to in
crease the army to a strength of not less than
200,0;) men.
The Jaifp Telegraph asks if England is to wait
for leave to defend the safeguards of her com
merce and the dictates of her national honor.
Other papers adopt nearly the same tone.
pointing to the belief that some important step
ha already been taken by the cabinet, either in
the form of a protest to Russia against another
campaign, or orders to the British fleet to go to
Gainipali. _______
Russian and Servian Successes.
LONDON, Dec. 20.-Gen. Gourko has taken Ber
kohatz, on the direct route to Sophia, and the
Servians have carried a strongly fortfled osi
tion at Mialor, advancing to the siege of Nisch
and Widdin.
Muleiman Retreats and the Russians Ad
vance.
Suleiman Pasha is in full retreat and the Rus
sians have advanced to Ahmeddi.
England Cannot Mediate.
LONDON, Dec. 21.-The British government
has declared that it is unable to mediate, owing
to the views of the other Powers.
Impossible for the Russians to Cross the
Balkans.
LONDON. Dec. 21.-A dispatch from Bucharest
says that it will be impossible for the Russians
to cross the Balkans, as they are covered with
two feet of snow.
Roumania Congratulated.
LONDON. Dec. 21.-The Emperor William has
congratulated houmania on the prowess of her
troops.
England Grows Inquisitive.
LONDON. Dec. 21.-A dispatch from St. Peters
burg says England has inquired of Russia as to
what are her intentions after she has crossed
the Balkans.
FOREIGN NEWS.
ENGLAND.
The Times on the Eastern Question-For.
ther Acquisitions in Ezypt Advocated.
LoNDox, Dec. 20.-The Times 13 its leading
article throws out strong indications of the
writer's belief that Parliament will be asked to
vote money for the purchase of a further inter
est of some kind in Egypt. [NoTE.-There are
two purchases possible, namely: The Khedive's
remaining interest in the Suez Canal, and the
Porte's suzereignty over Egypt.j 'he Times
urges that there is no change in the situation of
the belligerents since Lord Derby's speech to
the deputation representing the Society for the
Protection of British Interests and other politi
cal societies, which presented a memorial for
active interference in favor of Turkey. and says
that all the arguments against interference then
remain good now.
The supremacy of Great Britian is not en
dingered. At the same time there are Interests
not threatened by the progress of the war ex
cept so far as the cohesion of the whose dtto
man empire is threatened, which might be
more strongly protected than they are by acts
not in any degree savoring of the character of
war.
We are not going to allow our interests to be
bound up with the maintaining of the Ottoman
empire in its integrity or independence.
It will be found when Parliament meets that
the communications the Ministers will have to
make in both houses are not inspired by
that terror which now disturbs the mental
vision and distracts the judgment of so many.
FRANCE.
Attempted Assassination.
PAals, Dec. 20.-An attempt has been made to
murder the Archbishop of Rheims.
ITALY.
Reported Death of the Queen.
LONDON, Dec. 20.-A corresnondent in Rome
telegraphs that the Countess Miraflare, wife of
King Victor Emanuel, is reported dead in
Turin. The King starts thither to-day.
CANADA.
The Canal strike Ended.
MONTREAL. Dec. 20.-The strike on the Lochine
canal terminated this morning upon the con
tractors having acceded to the men's demands,
and paying them one dollar per day.
Getting In An English Hospital.
It isn't easy to get into a British Hospital,
as will be seen from the following advertise
ment in the London Tines: "To the benevo
lent and to the governors and subscribers to
the Royal Hospital for Incurables: A lady
earnestly solicits help in behal of William
Cross, aged 60, who has been six years a can
didate for election. His non-success has
been entirely due to his lonely and friend
less condition. He suffers severely from
heart disease and a most painful and perma
nent affection of his eyes, which renders him
nearly blind. He has, as yet, only 107 votes,
but has promises for the next election which
will raise the number to 171. Unless 229 ad
ditional votes can be obtained by the 30th of
November his name must be erased from the
list of candidates and his votes will be use
less, as, according to the new rules of the in
stitution, no person can remain a candidate
unless he have polled 400 votes during ten
elections."
Girls and Boys as Scholars.
The female pupils in the Chicago schools
seem to be cleverer than the male pupils.
These are the figures given in the endeavor
to prove it: "Between 1850 and 1876 (both in
clusive) 773 graduated from our high school.
Of these, 35 per gent, or 288, were boys. The
35 per cent of the boys took only 28 per cent
of the prizes-boys taking nine prizes, girls
twenty-three. Between 1864 and 1876 (both in
clusive) 3173 girls and 18.51 boys entered the
high school. To the best was given each year
from fifty to sixty-four Foster medals; 508
were taken by girls and 162 by boys. That is,
every six girls on an average received a
medal, while the average for males was only
one medal to eleven boys. Between 1859 and
1869 the relative proportion of attendance at
the same school was one Soy to about one
and a half girls. To the very best was award
ed a scholarship in the Bryant & Stratton
Colleg One hundred and three girls and
fifty ys received during these seventeen
years the coveted scholarship."
&A Pruaslan military journal says that
a lar footing 1,788,0(0 muau
THE LAST ACCIDENT.
INVESTIGATION AS TO THE CAUME OF
TUE LESMIE TAYLOR EXPLOSION.
A New Question Presented-Who Pays
the Damages.
The Supervising luspector of Steamboats, (Ito.
L. Norton, Esq., on Wednesday ordered an in
vestigation into the causes which led to the ex.
plosion of the "donkey" or "nigger" boiler of the
Leesie Taylor, and on yesterday the
BOARD OF LOCAL INSPECTORS
met for the purpose of hearing evidence.
Wm. Applegate, assistant boiler inspector, was
deputized to act in the place of J. A. Moffitt, who
was injured by the explosion, and will be called
as a witness.
G. McOan being called and sworn, testified to
being a machinist employed by D. C. Mo.
Can, foundryman, and had been at work on the
Lessie Taylor nearly a week; was waiting until
the inspection was completed for orders from the
first engineer about more work.
He was standing just aft of the main boilers
when the explosion took place. He was paying
little attention to the donkey boiler, still he re
membered hearing several orders given by the
first engineer relating to it, such as "How is
your water? Open your due caps and doors,"
etc.; also heard them opened.
Did not see the steam gauge of the donkey
boiler, but was watehing the government gauge
on the main boilers then under cold water pres
sure, which, at the time of the explosion, showed
between 180 and 2C0 pounds pressure.
The exploded boiler had been in use for various
purposes during the week he was employed on
board the boat muperintendiog repairs to the ma
chinery, and had heard no complaint about it;
considered it at atl times in
OCARGE OF THE ENGINEER
on watch. He was positive that while the inspec
tion was going on that the first engineer was
looking out for and giving all orders relating to
the donkey boiler, and consider it his duty
whether under inspection or not.
The next witness was John Hennessey, an en.
gineer and blacksmith by trade, who testified
that he was employed as second engineer on
board the Lessie Taylor. At ur on on the day of
the explosion, not being familiar with the bo"ere
and maobinery of that boat he merely acted in
the capacity of "prsing the word" from the in
spector and engineer, as directed by them. He
saw the inspector and first engineer looking in
the fire-dc irs as the explosion tfok place. He
stood alongside of the forward end of the bat
tery of boilers, and starboard side.
He knew nothing about the donkey boiler. but
stated that the first engineer was attending to it
and giving all neoessery orders; considered the
engineer the proper person to superintend the
steam employed and used to get a pressure on
the main boilers for inspecdon; consider the
piece of iron shown me here (a part of the boiler)
very thin.
Win. MoGreery, first engineer of the steam
boat Frank Pargoud, was called and sworn for
the purpose of ascertaining the custom and the
relations existing between the engineer of the
boat under inspection and the inspector. He
testified that he considered the donkey boiler
UNDER HIS CHARGE,
and when absent in charge of the second en
gineer under all cdrcumstances, whether inspect
ing or not. He also stated that in ease of acci
dent or dissatet to the donkey boiler, he would
be culpable if it was caused through neglect.
The sample of boiler iron here sbown has the
appearance of being heated; has been good iron,
but is not now.
Besides inquiring into the cause of the explo
sion and the lose of lire, it will be observed that
the testimony so far shows that where the hydro
static pressure in given to boilers of steam vessels
the force or power need in obtaining that pres
sure, the controlling powe r or authority over
that force is brought in. This is done doubtless
from the fact that the question has arisen as to
who is responsible for the damages sustained by
the owners of the boat, the government or the
ofilcers of the boat. If the former, the govern
ment will, of course, be held liable.
It has been claimed that pending an inspection
OF HYDROSTATIC TEST
the boat's machinery entire is under the control
of the government inspectors, while, on the
other hand, somi of the ovidence Inclines to the
belief that it is under the control of the boat's
officers.
The explosion of the Lessie Taylor in the first
instance, in this district at least, where the
question has arisen, and, as the damages to the
boat will be from $5000 to $10,000, the case, inde
pendent of the evidence, will be carried to the
United States District Court.
THE DEMOCRAT.
IN. O. Bee.f
We tender our confrere, the DEMOCRAT, our
sincere congratulations upon the occasion of
the second anniversary of its foundation.
Since it has come into existence the DEMO
CRAT has passed through many trying expe
riences, but it has finally surmounted all
obstacles and is now securely seated upon a
solid basis that assures it of long life. An en
ergetic champion of the Democratic party, it
has largely contributed to the success of the
electoral campaign of 1876, and since the ad
vent of our new government, the independence
and talent of its editorial columns have every
day increased its popularity throughout the
State. We wish it a continuation of the pros
perity which is shown by the appearance of
its columns.
BOTH JUDGE AND JURY.
Meandalous Conduct of Humphreys, of the
District Supreme Court.
[New York World.l
WASHINGTON, Dec. i6.--Judge Humphreys,
of the Supreme Court of the District, who has
disgraced himself on frequent occasions and
who delivered the recent extraordinary decis
ion remanding Patterson, of South Carolina to
the Senate, instead of to the State authoritles,
who had collected evidence of his bribery, has
given the citizens of the District fresh cause
for disgust. The most terrible crimes com
mitted in the District of Columbia are the
frequent assaults by colored brutes on the
persons of white women, usually young
girls. The last Grand .Jury indicted one John
Kt. Kelly for committing such an assault on
Amelia Mayer, a little lame white girl. The
facts were clear, although the defense man
aged to get in some evidence of a doubtful
character as to the girl's visiting Kelly's room
after the alleged occurrence. The following
is a report of what occurred in the court
room:
Judge Humphreys said that he would rule
that there had been no rape. District Attor
ney Wells asked that the case go to the jury.
Judge Humphreys remarked that it was un
necessary, for he would direct the jury to find
a verdict of guilty of assault ant battery. Mr.
Wells protested against the ruling of the
court, and said that the prisoner was guilty
of assault with intent to commit a rape or not
guilty, and he would ask to enter a noile
pros. Judge Humphreys said he would not
consent to do this, and he instructed the jury
to find a verdict of assault and battery. The
jury was about to retire when the court
asked: "Why are you going to retire?" "We
wish to consult," answered the foreman. Judge
Humphreys insisted on a verdict in accordance
with his directions, saying : "You have now no
responsibility In the matter. I take the re
sponsibilIty upon myself. You find a verdict
assault, as I have directed." The foreman
replied : " Then we will have to say, 'By di
rection of the ocourt."'. '"Yes," said Judge
Eumphreys, `you can say that." The fore
of the juyreturned the fo1Iowing °e
"Gltgamulý by dlrct hio
was so reaordud.
Judge Humphreys said he might be right or
wrong, and inquired what was the statute
governing the case of assault and battery.
District Attorney Wells answered, "six
months in jail." The court replied: "Well,
I will give him two years in the common jail,
and you can carry it up and see if I am
right." The court then adjouned.
Judge Humphreys was investigated by a
special committee of the House, of which Mr.
Warren, of Massachusetts, was chairman,
and was proved to be utterly unfit for his du
ties mainly on account of the use of liquor
while on he bench, but there was not enough
evidence on which to base proceedings for his
impeachment. He frequently has whisky
sent in to him from neighboring saloons
while on the bench, and is often in a maudlin
condition. The present Congress has taken
no steps to get rid of him.
AFTER UECFAS.
The Dusiness First in order with Coe
wresm Alter the Holidays. /
INew York Times.l
WASnINooT Dec. 16.-Mr. Matthews' con
current resolution, declaring the right of the
Government to pay the bonds in silver, will
come up in the Senate, as unfinished business.
on the 10th of January, when that body will
reassemble, the pending question being on the
amendmentof Mr. Conkling, to make it a joint
resolution, so that it must be approved
by the President to become a law. Should
it pass as a concurrent resolution it will not
require approval by the President. It Is not
likely that the debate upon this resolution
will be resumed immediately upon the reas
sembling of the Senate. Probably a bare
quorum only will be present on the 10th of
January, and the body will adjourn until the
following Monday, as quite a number of Sen
ators do not propose to return to the city until
thatday.
On Tuesday, the 15th of January, Mr.
Voorhees will be entitled to the floor to speak
upon the resolution submitted by him on
Thursday last, declaring that it is of the high
est importance that the financial credit of the
government be maintained, and in order to do
so, the government itself, in all its depart
ments, should, in good faith, keep all its oon
tracts and obligations entered Into with its
own citizens.
On Wednesday, the 16th of January, Mr.
Cockrell will submit resolutions of respect to
the memory of the late Senator Bogy, upon
which there will be eulogistic remarks by sIr
or eight Senators; and on Thursday, the next
day, Mr. McDonald will submit resolutions
of respect to the memory of the late Senator
Morton upon which a large number of Sena
tors will speak. So the financial debate will
probably not be resumed before Monday,
January 21.
Since the beginning of the regular session
of Congress, the deficiency appropriationand
Paris Exposition bills, which were continued
from the special session have become laws.
Besides these two, several bills of less Import
ance were passed among them that for the
relief of the suderers b the wreck of the
United States steamer uron; relating to
reservoirs to promote the navigation of the
Mississippi river, and half a dozen or more of
a private nature. The post route bill passed
both Houses, but the Senate having adjourn
ed yesterday before the House concurred in
its amendments, it could not be signed by the
Vice President. It will be signed, however,
as soon as Congress reassembles and sent to
the President for approval.
BLAINE AND CONKLING.
A Complete Reeeaelfatlon of the Two
seaators.
[N. Y. Tribune.]
WAsmnroToN, Dec. 16.-The reconciliation
of Senators Blaine and Conkling seems to be
complete. The latter responded cordially In
the last executive session to all advances of
the former; and yesterday they appeared In
conversation in open session. As they stood
talking before the clerk's desk, Senator David
Davis came up and, putting an arm around
each, stood there for several minutes, and un
til everybody on the floor and In the galleries
had noticed the unusual and friendly meet
ing. ________
Hayes and Cerbin.
[Raleigh News.]
Gen. Butler's opponent for the South Caro
lina senatorship was D. T. Corbin, the most
malignant of all the carpet-baggers who lately
held high carnival in the South, a man of
whom it is said that he has drawn more tears
and pangs from the people of South Carolina
than all others put together. There was no
law to seat Corbin; he ad no constituency
his claims were unsupported by the faintest
shadow of right. Yet, Gen. Butler stated
in a public speech at Columbia, 8. C.,
several days ago, that President Hayes, per
sonally and through his friends, a
to influence the Senate In Corbin's behalf.
Gen. Butler went on to say: "I make this re
mark with some regret, because, in all that
he was doing, or assuming to do, to help the
South and the country, I felt bound to sustain
him, although his position was procured by
questionable means, and I was grdte willing
that he should atone for the crimes of his
party by a virtuous and constitutional ad
ministration of the laws. But when the
supreme moment came, and its issue was
made squarely and sharply between the
enemies of constitutional liberty in South
Carolina and its friends, he threw his weight
in favor of the enemies of his country."
Revision of the Tarlff.
[Cincinnati Enquirer.]
WARHINGTON Dec. 17.-The Ways and
Means Committee will meet January 4, and
hold daily sessions thereafter, in order to
have prepared as soon as the recess is over a
bill for revision of the tariff. The committee
is not inclined to favor Sherman's proposition
to restore the duty on tea and coffee. A ma
jority favor a reduction of the tax on whisky
and tobacco, and will incorporate it as a fea
ture of the tariff bill to be prepared. A strong
effort will be made to have stamps on checks
abolished, but it will probably fall, because
such stamps are not considered as onerous on
the masses of the people as would be a duty
on tea and ooffee; and if the former act was
resealed, the duty on the latter would have to
be restored to keep up the revenue.
Indian £epreuentatieu,
[New York Herald.l
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.-The House Commit
tee on Indian Affairs has substantiallyagreed
to report a bill, on the reassembling of Con
gress, allowing five Indian tribes in the In
dian Territory to be represented by a dele
gate in the House. The business before Con
gress relating to the interests of the Indian
Territory, in the opinion of the sub-committee
to whom the subject was referred, is such as
to make it advisable that the Indian tribes
should have official representation. As it is
they can only be heard by attorneys, and the
custom has grown of calling every effort of
their friends a steal or a job. The committee,
therefore, concludes that justice to the Terri
tory as well as the credit of Congress de
mands the admission of an Indian delegate.
The Silver Dollar.
The Ohicago Tribune says that the silver
dollar was abolished so secretly that Gen.
Grant, though he signed the law, did not
know It for eight months afterward, when he
wrote to a friend expressing his regret that
the coinage of the silver dollar was not pro
greestng to his satisfaction. It is also eahi
that two years and a half after the of
the act, Gen. Hayes did not know its
in all his secs uijhis ~s.g
ment of all our debts In t
T he 2 `Tun e thinks th at hat
~wfy nwn impoo~