The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume], December 21, 1882, Image 2

About The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885

Image provided by: Minnesota Historical Society; Saint Paul, MN

                
Northern Pacific Farmer.
GEO. A WHITNEY, Editor & Publisher.
WADENA. MINNESOTA.
Some of the rich Canadians whose
money made things boom in Manitoba
for a year or two want to get it back
again, but cannot, just at present.
The Washington correspondents were
confident that Gen. Pope and Gen Mac
kenzie would not be confirmed. They
conveyed the impression that a bitter
fight was impending, especially on the
nomination of Gen. Pope to be major
general, But it doesn't set the boys back
a bit to be informed that no sort ofoppo
sitiou whatever was made to either.
The London Echo mentions General
Sherman's recommendation that the
United States army be increased to 30,
000 men, and then sighs: "Happy land,
that finds 30,000 men enough for the pro
tection of half a continent, and that
consequently, spends its taxes in mak
ing such educational provision as alto
gether puts our English cities to shame!"
General trade throughout the country
is reported remarkably dull and failures
are on the increase. The clearinghouse
business has been greatly effected by
the dullness of speculation, owing to a
stringent money market. But there is
no general apprehension that this condi
tion of affairs will continue longer than
the winter months. People are more
cautious, however, than heretofore, and
it is this fact that may, as in times past,
prevent anything like a crash.
John B. Gough the great temperance
advocate, is again in good health and
spirits, fulfilling his winter appointments.
He is now in his 65th year, and this is
his 41st lecturing season. Up to the
close of last season, which was the 1st of
May, Mr. Gough has spoken 8,480 times
altogether. A reasonable average of his
hearers is 1,000, so that Gough has dur
ing the course of his platform career ad
dressed no less than the enormous num
ber of 8,500.000 people. He has traveled
44,SOO miles.
A bill has just passed the house of rep
resentatives that has been 105 years on
the docket. It was to refund the sum
of $3-5.000 expended by the state of Geor
gia for the common defense in the year
1777! It is seldom, if ever, that a claim
against the government gives up the
ghost. It may be knocked on the head
by one congress, and sleep for a dozen
vears,butitis sure to be revived again un
der more favorable circumstances. There
are hosts of old and suppose 1 fraudulent
claims that have been defeated over
and over again, now on the files and
likely to be called up at any moment.
Pensioners are notoriously long-lived
It appears from the report of the com
missioner of pensions that there are still
eighty-four surviving widows of revolu*
fcionary soldiers now on the pension rolls,
none however further west than Kansas.
New York, North Carolina,and Virginia
have ten each Tennessee, nine, Penn
sylvania and Georgia, seven each Ver
mont, five Maine, Ohio, and West Vir
ginia, four each South Carolina, New
Hampshire and Indiana, three apiece.
Kansas and Missouri, two each and
Massachusetts, Mississippi and Nebraska,
one apiece.
It is worthy of note, says the Philadel
phia Record, that the fine timber land
in Michigan is now worth §35 an acre.
Not so very long ago—less than twenty
years—almost any extent of magnificent
pine forest could have been bought in
Pennsylvania from $6 to $9 anacire. Now
there is hardly a pine tvee left standing.
The destruction of pine in Minnesota
and Wisconsin is going on at a rapid rate
and the pine lands have nearly all been
gobbled up by the mammoth specula
tors and lumbering firms. It is hardly
probable that lumber will ever be cheap
er than at present, and the prospect is
that it will be very much higher.
The annual report of the superintend
ent of the sea-coast Life-Saving Service
for the fiscal year indicates a degree of
perfection in its achievements which is
simply amazing. There were one hun
dred and ninety stations extended along
the whole Atlantic Coast and compassing
the dangerous points on the great lakes.
There were witnin the year two hundred"
and eighty-seven documented vessels
wrecked within the bounds of the super
vision of these stations. Of 2,268 persons
on board these vessels only twelve were
lost. About two-thirds of the property
involved in the. disasters was also saved.
The statistics offered show that since the
establishment of this service along the
whole coast the loss of life from marine
disasters has been reduced seventv-five
per cent., or from a loss of one persotiin
twenty-nine toe loss has been dimin
ished to one in one hundred and thir
teen.
The decision of the Supreme Court of
the United States, restoring the Arling
ton estate to the heirs of the late Gen
eral Robert E. Lee, was dissented from
by Ch ief Justice Waite and Justices Bi-ad
ley, Wood and Gray, nearly an equal
division of the Court. The opinion of
the majority was written by Mr. Jus
tice Miller of Iowa, and is a very able
and comprehensive document, going in
to fundamental principles that have
been at issue from the foundation of the
government* The estate was purchased
by the government in pursuance of a
special act of Congress, at a tax sale
but it is said tlmt tb© proceedings 68*
pecially in respect to the manner of
payment were not in conformity to the
laws of Virginia. The decision says that
the United States never acquired any
title to the Arlington estate. It will of
course, revert to the heirs who are dis
posed to sell it to the government at a
reasonable figure.
Death of a Millionaire.
Robert Staurt, a well known sugar re
finer of New York, who died last week left
an estate of $6,000,000. It was the custom of
the brothers composing the firm to devote so
many thousand dollars yearly to some form
of charity, whether the year's profits had
or
sma11-
I" 1852 they began
gifts of $14,000. In December, 1879, Alex
ander Staurt died at his old residence on
property at Chambers and Greenwich
wE Fp,to.
the time
of his death the
Drotliers had given away for various philan
thropic purposes a total of $1,391,000, From
tue death or his brother until 1882, Robert
lj. staurt bestowed upon religion, educa
tion and charity over $500,000 making the
total contributions of the two nearly $2,000,-
Uasc "Week's Failures.
adstreet's Journal furnishes the follow
ing: There wore 230 failures reported to
Bradstreet,s during the past week, seventeen
Iras than last week, and sixty-five more than
the corresponding week last year. There
were no very large failures compared with
the previous week. In the principal trades
as follows: Grocers, 43 general traders, 37
liquors, 17 clothing, 15 manufactures, 15:
millinery, 11,
Miscellaneous Matters.
The British possessions in Australia
cover 5,075,000 square miles, The popu
lation, white and colored* numbers 2,
835,954 bv fat the greater part being con
centrated in a few cities. The debt of
the colonies is already nearly $100,000,
000.
At a recent funeral in New Hampshire
or thereabouts, a doctor of divinity be
sought the Almighty "that our lives
may not be in a parabola, wandering
farther and farther from Thee, till they
are lost in the infinite darkness, but may
their orbits be in an eclipse, that we may
ever draw near to Thee."
The effort to enforce the new penal
Sunday code in New York reminds the
Buffalo Commercial Advertiser of the
sign board which for several years stood
at the entrance to tho Whirlpool Rapids
just below Niagara Falls. "The Whirl
pool will be closed on Sundays!" But the
Whirlpool whirled on all the same.
The Worcester and Nashua Railroad
have in daily service two veteran engines
which present a striking contrast to the
modern 40 ton locomotive, with its enor
mous boiler, heavy steam pressure, big
cylinders, and other improvements com
bined to furnish power and speed. The
veterans are the Worcester and Har
vard, the former having begun running
about 1849, and the latter in 1858. Both
were original wood burners, with the
cut-off and drop motion, but when
changed to coal burners the more mod
ern link motion was put on.
Thurlow Weed's death bed affidavit
does not seem to have settled the Mor
gan question, and Weed is as bitterly
denounced now as he was in the second
stage of the excitement. Morgan dis
appeared, but under what circumstances
will probably never be settled.
The Chicago Milwaukee & St. Paul
railroad company has raised the wages
of its freight train employes, with a view
to securing the best service possible and
retaining that permanently. The pay of
conductors has been increased from $70
to $75 a month, and brakemen, who
commence on $45, after three month's
service receive $50, after six months, $55
per month, with good prospects toacon
ductorship to all reliable men.
The value of old coins is wholly arbi
trary, and depends upon the desire of
some collector to possess them. 'There
is no market value for them, and if at any
sale no person has a particular desire
for any one, it has no more value than
for the metal it contains or its actual
circulating value as money. Some per
sons who are collecting coins for amuse
ment give extravagant prices for rare
specimens to complete a series. As an
instance the following circumstance
may be referred to: At a recent meeting
of the American Numismatic society, F.
C. Frothingham exhibited a collection of
American copper cents from 1793 to 1857.
This is said to be the finest collection in
the country, and was collected at a cost
of over $3,000. For the cent of 1804, $125
was paid, and for that of 1806, $100."
Victor Hugo has forwarded to the Re
lief Committee at Venice the sum of 500f,
for the benefit of the sufferers from the
recent Italian floods. "Let us oppose
human unity," he writes in a letter ac
companying the gift, "to the violence of
nature. Whenever the unknown power
breaks out and works evil let human
unity rise and do good. Against inunda
tions, against fires, against local catastro
phes, let us organize subscriptions all
the world over. With ten sous per head
millions can be realized. The sou of the
people will prove its might, and the fra
ternity of people will become the frater
nity of men.
A RAILROAD REVOLUTION.
The Omaha Railroad Swallowed by
the Northwestern—New Officers—
Vanderbilt in tbe Ring.
The anticipated revolution in the St. Paul
& Omaha railroad took place in New York
on Saturday last. Pres. H. H. Porter of the
Omaha tendered his resignation, land Mar
vin Hughitt, of the Northwestern was elect
ed in hi& place. In the directory, all hos
tile ami figurehead interests werejeremptor
ily retired. H. H. Porter, H. K. Bishop,
Benjamin Brewster, R. R. Cable, E. F.
Drake, Welles, Fische and Kountz gave
Eilt
lace to William H. and Cornelius Vander
and Augustus Schell, from New York,
Wheat, Keep and Marvin Hughitt
of the Northwestern and Messrs.
Sykes, Twombly and Spooner.
David Dows, a leading light in
the Rock Island, holds his grip, as do W.
D. Washburn, A. H. Wilder and R. P.
Flower. Mr. Sawyer still holds his seat on
the board, but he has been bounced from
the vice presidency to give place tb W. L.
Sykes, who has also been elected secretary
and treasurer.
The significance of these changes is that
Vanderbilt and the Northwestern were
forced to take, this step to protect their
own interests. In the recent fight they
were in chancery, and could make no de
fense nor take the aggressive, as is the poli
cy of the company when its interests are as
sailed. By securing the control of the Oma
ha they could control the traffic
of an immense area of territory, and have
a system in magnitude and effectiveness
second to none on the continent. By chis
acquisition the Northwestern controls about
the same mileage as the Milwaukee & St.
Paul, and will be able to pool {{"nes and
earnings on an equal basis.
Railroad officials do not beleive the change
will affect the public in any way. The
Omaha has, during the past few years, been
apparently a branch ot the NprthWestern
running to St. Paul and Minneapolis.
They knew it was coming some months
ago, As there was a general tendency that.
way.
Tbe Omaha company was organized June
1,1880, by the consolidation of tbe Chicago,
St. Paul & Minneapolis, the North Wiscon
sin, and the St. Paul (ft Sioux City railway
companies and their main lines and branch
es. The Sioux City & St. Paul road Was
purchased and added to the syfctem. The
entire length of road and bre nches is 1,250
miles. The branches are River Falls, Still
water, Menominee, North Wisconsin, Blue
Eatth, Sioux Falls, Black Hills, Rock Riv
er and Niobrara.
A Western Brakemaik
From the San Francisco Chronicle.
William Hoggatt, better known «m
"Omaha Bill," who was bnrned to death
in the caboose of one ofthe trains which
was wrecked by the collision on the
Central Pacific railroad, near Darisville
last Saturday, was in many respects a re
markable character. His parents are in
comfortable circumstances and reside in
the state of Ohio. At the nee of 16 years
"Bill" left hom,e, with his father's con
sent, and began his railroad life as a
brakeman. He afterward served as fire
man, engineer and conductor, but never
forsook the rail. He was 6 feet 5 inches
tall. And his strength was prodigious.
No man of equal physical powers ever
rode on the top of a box-car. He was
application he would be placed at work
again. His liberality was proverbial.
No railroad man in distress ever asked
for his aid in vain, and his death, at the
early age of 30 years, will be most keenly
felt by those whom he thus befriended.
He was in the caboose, getting his lights
ready for use when the collision oc
empioyea at aitterent times Dy almost
every company in the country,
and there is not ft railroad man
of any prominence to whom he
was not known as "Omaha," or who will
not regret, his tragic late. His habits
were peculiar, but his integrity was un-
5me
questioned. He never remained on any
more than six months at a time.
He would always give due notice of his
intention to "move on," and leave his
employers in an honorable manner. In
the course of a year or two he wonld
stride into the superintendent's office
again, with the remark, "Well, Mr.
here I am again. Any chance to catch
on?" The division superintendents all
over the union appreciated his worth,
and within six hours after making his
currea, ana it can De trutniuiiy uud
he diea while doing his duty.
Wendell Phillips, just passed 73 years,
is fond of Bacon's essays, and he has at
ways been a persistent reader of biog
graphy. ..
THE NEW STATE HOUSE.
A Full Description of the New
State Capitol of Minnesota
to be Occupied on the
1st of January.
A Building Which at the Very Moderate
Coat, Cannot Be Equalled in the United
States for Com modious Elegance.
THK HBW CAPITOL.
From an article containing a description
ofthe old state capitol, and of its burning on
the 1st of March, 1881, and of the present
structure on Wabasha street, St. Paul, to be
occupied by the state officers and the legis
lature next month, the following is extract
ed:
The visitor of to-day at the oapitol square
aeos nearly completed a very different structure
from tbe one heretofore described. On tho
site of the old legislative halls a new building,
massive and beautiful, has sprung into ex
istence. Everywhere it is still unfinished, but
approaehes completion so rapidly that it is
aBV to see how commodious and well adapted
it will be to its future uses. The foundation,
in the form of a Greek cross, each arm
of the croBS 150 feet in length, of
fine cut stone, is well laid and
easily supports the noble superstructure reared
upon it. As tho basement will be used for
offices, store rooms, etc., it was necessary that
tbe walls should be dry and frost proof.
This was accomplished by the building of an
a^rou wall of atone all around the building
and arching it tip to the bottom of the base
ment windows, thus rendering the foundation
walls perfectly dry and unaffected by the
moisture from the earth, and allowing
of sodding clear up to the building itself. The
basement, as well as every floor, wall and parti
tion in the structure, is protected with a fire
proof covering of slabs, made of ashes and
cement So profusely has this material been
sed that any one room
MIGHT HAVE A BON ITBE
of its own, cleaning out all of its own wood
work, without communicating the flames to any
other part of the building.
The walls are built of red brick with Dres
bach etone trimmings, the contrasting oolors
striking the eye as odd at first but improving
remarkably on further acquaintance. Difficult
as it is to finish off the roof of such a building
as the new capitol, the task seems to have been
successfully acomplished. The central square
observatory is not nearly so handsome as it will
be when surmounted by its dome. The pago
das on the corners, with tbe air and light flues,
sufficiently relieve what would otherwise
floors
Beem
an almost endless expanse of roof.
Entering the basement at the Wabasha street
doors, the visitor finds himself at once in the
rooms of the Historical society, which will oc
cupy all of the west and part of the south wing
basement These rooms are light and high,
and will be delightfully pleasant in the sum
mer. The north wing basement will be used
aa store rooms for the secretary of state. The
southeast corner will be fitted up with a bath
room, barber shop and general toilet closets.
All through the
of the basement rooms
are laid the wator and gas pipes in such a man
ner that they may be easily overhauled at any
time. Communication is bad with the ground
floor my means of three wide stairways.
ENTERING THE MAIN
WAT.T.
of the ground floor by the Wabasha
street entrance, the four rooms
comprising the governor's suite of
apartments are the first on the right These
rooms, with their high ceilings, wide windows
and tasteful finish, are very inviting. Each
office, both on this and the other floors, has its
fire-and-burglar-proof vault. The governor's
rooms are finished in mahogany and bird's
eye maple, the wainscoting, doors and door
frames being finished in handsome panels of
the contrasting woods. The memorial window
in the main apartment will occupy the large
space opening on the light and *air court of
this wing. On tbe left of tbe hallway are the
four rooms to be occupied by tbe auditor and
his corps of clerks. These rooms are finished
handsomely in brown ash, and furnished with
every convenience in the way of counters,
etc., for facilitating the doing of business. A
private passage-way connects these rooms
with those of the treasurer, as also another
passage way connects tbe offices of tbe governor
and attorney general. Passing through to the
east wing, on the right are the two rooms of
the insurance commissioner and the three
rooms of the adjutant general. On the left are
the two departments of the railway commis
sioner, and those of the superintendent of pub
lic instruction, who also has two rooms at his
disposal. Entering the hall from Exchange
street, on the immediate right.is the office of
the clerk of ,the su^reffie court, and on the left
the offices of the board of immigration and
the attorney general
PASSING THROUGH TO THE NORTH WING,
the first three rooms on the left are being
fitted for the treasurer. The two rooms im
mediately in their rear will be used by the
public examiner. On the right, the suite of
four large rooms
will
be occupied by the sec­
retary of state. These rooms are all wain
Iscoted and finished in brown ash, each suite
being liberally supplied with dressing closets,
lavatories, etc. The rooms of the secretary
condeet by An iron stairway with the store
rooms below.
Two large, broad stairways lead from the
ground to the second floor. Ascending these
iron stairways with their slate treads the foot
fall of the visitor is as quiet as though it fell
on velvet pile. In tbe Wab&sha wing of the
second and third stories, is situated the hand
somest room in tho hqnse,
THE SENATE CHAMBER.
This room is 41x58 feet in the clear, ex
clusive of the
gallery,
with
ber.
a
The
25-foot ceiling.
The woodwork throughout the apartment
Is
of yellow birch and birdseye maple. The
panelling about the room, as well as the design
and
finish of the gallery woodwork, in very
handsome. A large stained-glass skylight and
nine stained-glass windows in tbe gallery
furnish abundant light for day sessions. An
elegant 76-jet chandelier will be suspended
from
the middle of the skylight, while four
electric lights will swing from tbe corners
thetPof.
On thiH floor in the Tenth street wing is the
large assembly chamber, 47x86 feet, its higlit
corresponding •with that
of
the senate
cham­
woodwork, of gum wood and ma­
hogany, will be finished with a polish Very
nearly resembling that of oil, but deeper. The
ceiling, ribbed and divided into tinted squares,
gives a massive air to the {.room which is in no
Wajr detracted frrortl by tfa'a hoavy work oil the
gallery rails and speaker's desk. From the
ceiling will depend two fine chandeliers with
seventy-two burners each, and from the four
corners of the raised, tinted skylight will hang
electric lights. In the woodwork all through
the building it is noticeable that the designs
are taking and yet not so elaborate &s to resist
the attack of a dust brush. The rooms will be
clean as well as light.
In the Exchange street fting on this float is
the supreme dotirt room, and adjoining
it on the west are the five private rooms for the
judges. The private rooms are finished in
brown ash, while the court room has a panel
ing and finish of handsome cherry and Hun
garian ash. Opening out of the court room is
a convenient attorneys' room, a door from
each of these rooms opening on a private
passageway leading to the librarian's room and
the library room, which tako up nearly all the
space in the east wing of the second floor.
While the present uses of the library will de
mand only one tier of shelves around the
room, tbe wants of the future have not been
overlooked, as epace and light have been pro
vided for running two galleries around the
room when they are reouired: This room is
done in plain brown aslh
The main rooitt On the third iloot is the cau
cus room, 31x47, in the Exchange street wing.
Connecting with this room is a large committee
room to be used in the hot times usnalty
attending legislative caucuses. On the second
and third floors there are in all twenty com
mittee rooms, all light, convenient and finished
in brown ash. Connecting with senate and as
sembly chambers are the spacions cloak
rooms, lavatories, etc., all well appointed and
convenient
The halls throughout the building are wain
scoted and trimmed in oak, oiled and polished.
The hall floors are handsomely tiled, the tiles
being laid in fine cement There are 20,000
feet of this work in the halls. All the other
floors are laid in hard woods. The walls are
all hard-finished and many of them will be
tastefully tinted. Electric bell wires run from
every apartment connecting with the janitor's
room the basement. When the doiue is fin
ished it will rise
Bheer
200 feet
from the ground, giving visitors a
fine view of tbe city and country
ftDout, Tb© wronght-iron flag at&ff towering
nfty feet above the roof is placed just over the
Wabasha street entrance.
A HAPPY THOUGHT
was captured and made serviceable in the
planning of the engine and boiler rooms of
he building. From the northeast corner of
the
basement
Enances,
a tunnel runs off sixty feet to
the deep basement of the boiler house, taste
fully built, forty feet square, of red brick and
trimmed harmony with the main building.
The thirty-horse power engine in the basement
is now used to run two dynamo machines that
will supply electricity to the twentv-four
lamps scattered through the capitol. 6n the
ground floor are tbe two high-pressure boilers.
fifty-Bix inches in diameter by sixteen feet in
length. These, fitted with all the modern ap-
furnish an ample amount of steam to
larger building thoroughly in the
coldest weather. The radiators in the eanitol
are all placed just under the wiudows thus
correcting the cold current as it enters the
rooms. By this arrangement all the bad points
of steam heating are done awav with. There
will be no jar of maceinery, no smell, noljnoke
and no fine coal dust to distress the most deli
cate of the State's l$w makers.
VKNTmATION,
Of
oous^,
the great proWeln id all modern
buildings is that of ventilation, fir this in
stance the architect is satisfied that he has
been fortunate and hit just the proper method.
Various large air-supply shafts ran from the
top of the building to the basement. Con
nected with these are the fire, heat,
and oold proof boxes carrying fee
fresh air to every room in the
struoturei At each junction of these supply
ducts is placed a small steam ooil, creating a
draught and sending the fresh air coursing
through the registers of oaoh apartment. This
much for the supply. In the wall of eaoh
room a register conneots through foul-air
ducts with four large chimneyo running to
tbe top of the building and filled with steam
coils. Thus the foul air is heated aud rushes
upward and ont of the building. The traps in
tbe closetB are all connected with these foul
air shafts, and all odors are thus carried off
before being allowed to enter the rooms.
COMPLETE BUILDING.
Certainly Minnesota can congratulate her
self on having a handsome, con
venient and useful capitol building.
Tbe cost, $225,000, has been no small
thing, but sufficient room has been provided
for many years to come. In all the sixty-seven
rooms of the building there is not a dark oor
ner. All the finishing is appropriate and fine,
the furnishing as ordered will be in keeping
with the rest of the building, and the 500 men
now at work day and night give promise that
everything will be in readiness for tbe legis
lature some time before the time %et This
building cannot burn up, and earthquakes are
rare occurrences in this part of the country.
The edifice was commenced under the super
vision of Gov. Fiilsbury, who, when his term
expired, turned over the foundations partially
completed to Gov. Hubbard. The latter has
given to the work his personal direction
and is entitled to great oreait for the zeal and
energy with which it has been pushed. It is
largely the result of Gov. Hubbard's efforts
that the'building is so nearly completed
and that the senate and representative halls
will be ready for tbe legislature when it meets
next month. For weeks past work has been
going on day and night, from 200 to 500 men
being employed. At night the men have
worked by the light of several electric burners.
Minnesota'State Reform School.
D. W. Ingersoll, George L. Otis, W. P.
Murray, C. H. Pettitt, managers J. G.
Rheldaffer superintendent, and J. W.
Brower, assistant superintendent, have
transmitted their biennial report forthe two
years ending Nov. 30, 1882, to G^r. Hub'
bard and the State legislature. The report
states that no signal changes in the conduct
ofthe school are to be noted. Since tht
opening ofthe school, Jan. 15, 1868, there
have been 573 commitments to the school.
The new commitments for the past two years
were 106 discharged 97 escaped 3 died 1
on leave 1 present in the institution 123
The offenses for which the 106 were com
mitted are as follows: Larceny, 76 incor
rigibility, 10 assault and battery, 4 at
tempted robbery, 2, attempt to poison, 1
manslaughter in the fourth degree, 1.
The board ask for the following appro
priations:
Current expenses, 1883 $35,000
Current expenses, 1884 35,000
To cover loss by fire 7,500
Repairs and improvements, 1883 2,000
Repairs and improvements, 1884 2,000
To insure state property 2,0o0
Total $83,500
Circnlar to Minnesota School Officers.
Supt. Kiehle has issued the following cir
cular to school officers:
First—Concerning district treasurer's bond.
In a recent decision of the supreme court
(County oi Scott vs Ring), it is held that the
obligation of sureties upon official bonds
does not extend beyond the term for which
the officer is elected. This decision applies
to the bonds of school district treasurers.
Hence, upon re-eiection, tne treasurer must
give anew bond. The district clerk will see
that this important provision is thoroughly
complied with. County auditors will pi £ase
make careful inquiry that no certificate of
clerks be accepted through misunderstand
ing of the law.
Second—Election of district officers, (a).
The election must be by ballot, (b). The
election must be by a majority oi votes oi
those present. If twelve are present, and
though but ten vote, seven votes must be
cast tor the one elected.
[Signed] D. L. KIEHLE,
Superintendent Public Instruction.
Large Fire at Bine Earth Gity, Minn.
A disastrous fire occurred at Blue Earth
City, Faribault Co., early Wednesday morn
ing. Half a block of business building were
burned. The following pie the losses:
J. C. Pratt, buildings $2,500, goods $500
no insurence.
H. Heyerdahl, on goods $2,500 insured
$500 in Underwriters.
William McGinnis, building $400, s$pck
$100 no insurance.
Ericksverd & Hagen, dry goods loss un
known: insured $4,000, $2,000 in Hartford
and $2,000 in Continental.
C. A. Pinkam, less on stock and house
hold $500.
Heffron building, $3,000 no insurence.
R. A. Foster, building, $5000.
THE MARKETS.
ST.
PAUL.
FLOUR—Quotations: Patents, $6@0.75: clears,
$5@5.50 straights,$5.25@5.75 common brands,
$4@5 in bbls, 25c extra. Buckwheat flour. $8
per bbl. Rye flour, $4.25(34.50 per bbl.
Graham, $535.50 per bbl. Market auiet for the
week. Prices generally steady.
WHEAT—The market has been tending down
ward during the week, in following the lake ports,
but at the same time there was developed a feeling
of confluence that wheat was good property to buy,
that is at certain prices. The dealers made theii
bids at which they were willing to take hold,
which yet were below the views of sellers. Re
ceipts fell off some during the week, but at that there
was no increase in quotable valnes. Prices as they
run are at about the figures of a week ago, and
rather stead?. Receipts are liable to Increase a
little, as country roads are better. There is more
of a speculative feeling than there has been, owing
to the approach to What may be called bottom
prices. Aside from this, transactions hare been
limited, owing to small milling demand. Stocks on
storage in this market are liberal. Tuesday's quo
tations: No. 1 hard, 98c bid, $1 asked No. 1, 92c
bid, 94c asked No. 2 hard, 92&c bid, 94c asked:
No. 2. 85c bid, 89c asked. Sales Tuesday: 1 car
No. 2, 88c. The market closed steady.
Cobn—Only new corn is arriving, but hardly drj
enough for use. Prices, accordingly, have a wlda
range, according to the condition of grain. The
demand has been limited all the Week* and prices
have shown but little variation. Tuesday's matfest
qniet, closing rather weak in the absence of active
demand. Stocks generally light Closing figures:
No. 2 old, 60c bid new, Kansas, 58c asked Iowa,
46c bid, 48@50c asked.
OATS—The demand has been moderate all the
week, and stocks have been light on small
receipts. Spot deals have been limited,
but there was abetter attention given to futures.
The market was generally steady, closing at rather
firm figiirea, a shade higher than a week ago.
Buyers however taken hold only as they ate in
want and do not contract ahead of their actual
necessities. Tuesday's closing quotations: No. 2
mixed, 35c bid, 36c asked: December, 34&c bid,
36c asked Jannary, 34Joe bid February, 34c
bid May, 37c bid, 38c asked No. 3 mixed, 3oc
asked No. 2 white, 37c asked No. 3 white, 36c
asked.
*OKHBAPOU3.
MlLLSTUFFS—This market hag exfrfeMeticed seme
decine since a week age. The folio win? were yes
terday's closing quotations: Bran, $9©9.35 in
bulk: shorts, $10® 10.50 oarse corn meal,
$23.50®24 mixed feed—corn and oats—new
stock, No. 1. $23.50@24per ton.
WHEAT—The local maTket for this cereal has'
been unusually lifeless for the week, but there had
been some trading until yesterday, when there did
not seem enongh of animation left to even gasp.
Prices were nominally 98@99c for No. 1 hard
93i394c for No. 2 hard. The other grades at the
close had not enough life to eveil make a nominal
price. A few cars of condemned sold at prices
ranging along fcom 60@80c. No. 2 was offered at
86c with no bids. No. 1 hard was offered at 99c
with 98c bid. No. 2 hard was offered at 94c, 93c
bid. $1 was bid for January $1.02 bid tor Feb
ruary, and $1.10 was bid for May delivery. There
was nothing doinz in samples excepting in con
demned for shipment Millers were doing nothing
in buying.
COBN—There were no sales yesterday, and but
small demand. A few cars were offered yesterday,
and 52c was the outside bid for No. 2 new corn.
The for rejected remained nominal at 45@50c.
OATs—Closed with 35c the best bid that could
be obtained for Sbot No. 2: held at 30c.
CHICAGO MABKET.—Flour, quiet but steady.
Wheat, dull, prices a shade lower regular, 94%:
December 943(904%c January: 95%@95c Feb
uary:$1.0l@1.011e May No. 2 red winter, 94M
@94%c November Chicago spring, 77c re
jected, 61c. Corn, active but lower 5312'«'53®'o
cash, December and January 5212c February
54M(C May. Oats, irregular
37ii3361ac
MILWAUKEE Mabkkt.—Flour,
BQe. Cheeae, quiet.
cash
3738c December 36^s@36]2C January SGiSSG^c
February 363fc May. Bye firmer at 58c. Barley,
steady and unchanged. Butter quiet but steady:
creameries fair to fancy, 25@40c dairy do, 12^^
32c. Eggs, easier at 28c. Flax seed, stronger
at $1.15. Dressed hog*, good demand and
prices a shade higher $6.75(^7.25 Pork, active
but lower $17.25@17.30 cash $17.35«$17.373.i
January 817.50@17.72J4 February. Lard,active
but lower: $10.80 cash $tO.571s@10.6O Jan
uary $10.62*2® 10.65 February. Bulk meats,,
easier shoulders, $6.75 short ribs, $8.95 do
clear, $9.70 Whisky, firmer not quotable.. Call'
—Wheat declined V8*4c. Corn, stronger, except'
January, which declined Oats, firmer and:
unchanged, except December, which advanced
%c. Pork, dull and unchanged. Lard, not quot
ably changed. Receipts—Flour, 15,000 bbls wheat,.
85,000 bu corn,213,OOO bu oats, 85,000 bn rye
13,000 bn barley, 45,OOObu. Shipments—Flour.
26,000 bbls wheat, 32,000 bu corn, 135,000 bu
oats, 88,000 bu rye, 12,000 bu barley, 27,
OOO bu.
quiet and nomi­
nally steady. Wheat, steady No. 2 hard, $lj
No. 2 94,ac December, 94*ac January, 94
95c February, 95«$c: No. 3, 76c No. 4, 63.
Corn, lower No. 2, 53%c now, 4734c. Oats,
higher, No. 2, 37%c: white 38?4- Rye, steady and
a shade firmer No.l, 5GHie No.2, Barley,
firmer: No. 2, 73)£c: extra No. 3, 73ijc. Provis
ions, lower mess poife, $17.20 cash: $17.20 De
cember $17.35 January. Lard, prime steam
$10.50 cash and December 10.52Si January.
Bntter, steady creameries. 28@36c dairies, 20A
Ekks.
mate:
26C937O.
THE NEWS IN BRIEF.
EVENTS IN WASHINGTON.
The government method in vogue for
cleaning the brass parts of different
articles found in ordnance, fec., is
claimed to be the most effective known.
A mixture of one part common nitric acid and
one-half part sulphuric acid is made in a
stone jar, a pail of fresh water and a box of
sawdust being also provided ready at hand.
The articles to be cleaned are dipped in the
acid, then [removed into the water, after
which they are rubbed with the sawdust.
This operation immediately changes them
to a brilliant color. If the brass is greasy,
it is first dipped in a strong solution of
potash and soda in warm water, this appli
cation teuuir.g to cut the grease so that the
acid has power to act. This method has
the advantage of a greater degree of per
manency than others.
The origin of the fire last Saturday even
ing in the office of Mr. Merrick, the leading
counsel for the government the prosecu
tion of the star froute conspiracies, is still
involved in myaterv and has been the theme
of conversation in all quarters here to-day.
Mr. Merrick says he has no theo.y to ad
vance on the subject, but that a rigid inves
tigation would he instituted. Although he,
as well as his associate counsel has received
warning letters, he never entertained an idea
of being attacked by fire.
Postoffice discontinued: Ayer's drove,
Polk county, Iowa mail to Towner Lake.
Postoffice name changed Godfrey, Polk
county, Minn.-, to Maple Bay. Postoffice
site changed: Lake Harold, Meeker county,
Minn., one and one-half miles south. Post
masters commissioned: Alex 9. Stewart,
Minnekata, Dak., Aaron Y. Cupp, Eureka,
Iowa.
With a view to guarding as far as possibte
against such land frauds as those recently
reported from Dakota and other parts of
the west, the commissioner of the general
land office, with the approv il of secretary
Teller, has issued a circular letter to regis
ters and receivers of United States laud of
fices with regard to declaratory statements
of homestead and applicants.
Col. fJorbin, in addition to his failure in
his monumental fraud, the Garfield fair, a
threatened court martial for insulting a lady
and his responsibility for ruining two ex
pensive historical paintings, has tbe Lancas
ter, Pa.,Watchman after him for the alleged
embezzlement of several watch movements
donated by the Lancaster Manufacturing
company.
Rev. J. Hyatt Smith, M. C., believes in
the prayer test, as he prayed for the absence
of Objector Holman from the house to se
cure the passage of a pet bill, and the Indi
ana member was providentially (for Smith)
sick one day.
The heirs of the officers and crew of the
brig, General Armstrong, who last winter
were paid $70,000, are preparing to ask con
gress for the interest on the above amount
for the sixty-eight years in which the claim
was pending.
The senate committee on appropriations
have agreed to amend the Indian bill by in
serting $15,000 for the Devil's Lake Sioux,
$10,000 for the Turtle Mountain Chippewas,
and $15,000 for the Sioux at Lake Traverse.
The Indian appropriation bill reported to
the senate since its passage by the house is
increased in amount of $154,200. The ag
gregate amount appropriated by the hiii
as r^orted yesterday is $5,366,156.
IL is understood in the inner political cir
cles that if Dorsey does not send in his res
ignation when the national committee meets,
a motion will be made to proceed to the
election of anew secretary.
Post masters commissioned: J.J. Githrie,
Aurora, Minn.: Mrs. Anna M. Wafierius.
New Trier, Minn., F. M. Charles Worth,
Ledyard, Wis. A. Jackson, Megoun, Wis.
Discussion among members of the house
committee on coinage indicates that there
is no disposition to change the existing law
relative to the coinage of silver dollars.
It has been ascertained that the chairman
ofthe senate judiciary committee will call
on the president for a statement giving the
cause for Marshal Henry's removal.
O. P. Huntington is in Washington with
a strong lobby to save to the Union Pacific
the land grant of the old Texas Pacific, origi
nally granted to Tom Scott.
The commissioner of internal revenue has
gone to Illinois, where he expects to remain
until the latter part ©f January.
The amount of the agricultural appro
priationbill is $114,980, $30,000 less than the
appi'opriation last year.
The Washington monument haft reached
a height of 336 feet 6 inches.
NEWS OF THE RAILROADS.
George J. Rice, president of the Utica,
Ithaca & Ehnira railroad, was arrested in
New York on charge of an overissue of stock
and embezzlement. It is said there is a
discrepancy in his accounts of from $60,000
to $100,000. The prisoner lives near Elmira.
Rice ch nies all charges and says he will
prove his entire innocence when given an
opportunity.
St. Paul & Omaha earnings decreased $12,
000 the first week in December. The gross
earnings of the Northern Pacific for the
first week in December were $153,518 in
crease, $74,548.
THE CRIMINA KIWOUD.
John Cook, one of the Cook boys, was
recently ciptured at Moberly, Mo., after a
hard fight irith the officers. Nicholas Cook
is still alive, but is So badly wounded that
he could not be moved and may die. Rich
ard Cook was killed outright during the
pursuit. John will he taken to Waverly,
where he is wanted on a charge of stealing a
car load of hogs from Windom &Crampton.
Theresa Sturla was convicted of the shoot
ing of ytrtiQg Stiles, in the Chicago court,
and her punishment fiaed at one year in the
penitentiary. She is still cranky, but sane
enough to understand ihat the verdict might
have been worse. Still there is no sympathy
for Stiles, who deserved his fate. The girl
was convicted more on general principles
than on the specific charge.
Deputy Sheriff Pinneo, father of MissPin
neo, the well-known equestrienne, is after
one John P. Cozad, who fecently shot and
fatally wounded a man named Pierson in
Cozad Nebr. Cozad is the terror of fafo
banks everywhere, having broken several,
and is reputed to be worth $300,000. He
won $9,000 ^pom a Denver bank in three
deal*?
Patxick Slattefy.of Mount Pleasant, Iowa,
seems to have been profoundly impressed
with prohibition principles. Although re
puted to be a temperance young man, be
shot his stepmother and then committed
suiciiie, leaving a note for hia brother attri
buting the cause to intemperance.
At Cleveland, O., William Frazier, a
school teacher, goi into a quarrel with
John Hayes and Charles Luse, pupils. Be
ing thrown down by them he drew a bowie
knife and fatally stabbed both of them,
Hayes dying ten minutes later. Frazier
has ben arresetd.
Mrs. Mason, the alleged lecturess who
made a record in Minneapolis has come to
grief in Keokuk, Iowa, whefe&he has been
arrested lor obtaining a valuable dolman
under false pretenses.
No report has yet been heard of the
Northern Pacific express messenger, Mich
aels, Who skipped St. Paul one week ago
Monday with a package of $1,000.
One of Mrs. Labouchere's trunks was
stolen in New York before she sailed, and
$500 worth of clothing taken from it.
RECORD OF CASUA LTIES.
Graham's hall and A. C. Christie's honey
canning establishment in Sroithland, W ood
bury county, Iowa, were burned Saturday
morning. The hall was owned by a stock
company. Loss $18,000. A saloon in the
the lower part of the hall, occupied by
Dan Rolland, was gutted. Hollands loss,
$800. Christie's cannnig establish tnent con
tained considerable machinery and ten tons
of honey. All was destroyed. His loss is
$5,000 no insurance on any of the property.
The fire was incendiary.
The Hall block, situated at the corner of
St. Clair and Jefferson streets. Toledo, O.,
and tbe finest business block in the city,
was totally destroyed by hre Friday. The
building was occupied on the first noor by
numerous jobbing nouses and on the uppM
floor by law, insurance and railroad offices,
architects etc. The block was
1874 by the estate of tha late James C. Hall
at a cogt of nearly $290,00?
A St. John's special says diphtheria ia
raging to a frightful extent in the settle
ments ofthe Little Sands and Pleasant Val
ley, Murray Harbor district, Prince Ed
ward's Island. In one family the children
were attacked. One died, and while the
family and friends were burning it a second
one died, and before its burial a third had
fallen a victim to the disease.
Newport, Jackson county, Ark., was Sun
day morning visited by one of the most de
structive conflafrations ever known in the
state. The fire broke out at 1 a. and
laid waste sixty buildings, nearly all of
which Were occupied by business firms.
Eight brick stores are included in the ruins.
Loss is about $250,000, and insurance $150,
000.
By afire Thursday $50,000 worth ol prop
erty of the Manhattan Beach, (N. Y.,) rail
way was destroyed, a severe loss to Austin
Corbin, the principal owner. Ten locomo
tives,sixty cars, including sixteen Woodruff
drawing-room coaches and Mr. Corbin's
own private car were burned.
Dennis Sullivan and John Leary were fa
tally injured, Edward Gilroy had a thigh
fractured, Conducter Monahan received con
risons on the head and an Italian was dan
gerously injured by a collision on the New
York & New England railroad.
The stone chapel of Drury college at
Springfield Mo. the finest struclurein south
west Missouri, was burned Tuesday, Loss
$45,000 insurance $20,000.
GENERAL NEWS NOTES.
A sensational suit is in progress before the
United States circuit court at Pittsburg,
Where a half-breed girl is suing to establish
her c}aim to the very valuable estate ofthe
late Addison Mowry. 'the plaintiff alleges
that her mother, a Chippewa Indian squaw,
was married to Mowry near Saginaw, Mich.,
in 1851, and that she is the legitimate fruit
of the union. An old magistratete testified
that he married Mowry to an Indian woman
known as "Straight-back" at the time al
leged, and a certificate to that effect was
produced and identified.
At a meeting of the Unitarian club in
Boston last night Gov. Long presided, The
subject was dfscqssed of providing a struc
ture to cost $200,000 for the American Un
itarian association, the money to be raised
in Boston. Two hundred and fifty members
were present. The project was warmly fav
ored. A committee was appointed to con
fer with the management of the American
association and report a plan of action next
month, Henry P. Kidder promised $5,000
on the spot.
Postoffices established: Rindal, Norman
county, Minn. Star service discontinued:
Sauk Center to Grey Eagle, Minn., from
Dec. 31 Morris to Glenwood, Minn., from
Dec. 31. Postmaster commissioned- George
Addison, Tibbett, Iowa Earl J. Sickler,
Pioneer, Mich. F. H. Patterson, Kendall,
Minn.
An association New York is sending out
circulars to ex-soldiers, asking them to pro
test against revenue reduction, on thejground
that the revenue therefrom should bemused
for the payment of pensions, especially that
raised from tbe tax on whisky and tobacco.
At a meeting of rubber manufacturers in
New York, reeently, it .was decided to close
all the rubber boot and shoe factories in the
country Dec. 23 for a week, alter which only
half the amount, of goods formerly made
will be manufactured.
The season is now aproaching when
wealthy phlianthropists remember the poor
by spending a couple of thousand of dollars
on a charity ball that nets $800.
The socialists of New York city have
arranged to give Herr Most, recently
released from an English dungeon, a recep
tion when be reaches the city.
BRIEF FOREIGN NEWS.
Jenning's London Cable: Funds come
slowly to the new National league. The to
tal receipts have been £826, but £100 more
were gained by absorbing the funds of the
Home Rule league. The National league is
agitating no prevent emigration and to secure
the starting of public works to avoid coming
distress. The chief incident in the Huddy
trial, apart from its revelations of cold
blooded atrocity, affected the Ladies' league.
Instead of the funds going as represented to
the philanthropic support of evicted persons,
they have been spent upon prisoners charged
with murder and outrage. The bungling
way in which Marwood, the hangman, did
his work at the execution of Miles Joyce
will be another Iiish grievance.
London Special: The sultan's unhappy
condition continues, and his surroundings
aie still chaotic. Sedition is rife on every
side of him. The army is full of dissensions
and disaffection, the popular discontent is
loudly expressed, and affairs at Constanti
nople present the aspect whinh usually indi
cate tne approach of a violent transition.
The most extraordinary precautions against
assassination are taken at Yildiz Kiosk.
The changes in the British cabinet are uow
completed, the following named members
having taken tne oath before the queen in
council: Lord Derby, secretary of state for
colonies Lord Kimberly, secretary of state
for India Lord Hartington, secretary of
state for war Rt. Hon. Hugh Childers,
chancellor of the exchequer.
The Imports into France for the last elev
en months have increased 106,000,000 francs
as compared with the same period last year.
The increase is principally in manufactured
goods. Increase of exports during the same
period, 147 000,000 francs as compared with
the corresponding period last year.
Anti-nihilist associations are being formed
at St. Petersburg and tiiroughout Russia.
They are designed to be a sort of law-and-,
order organization, and will doubtless be
popular with the^imperialfamily.
PERSONAL PARAGRA I11IS.
Bismarck Herald: Mrs. Carruthers, a
lady well known to old settlers of Minneso
ta, is in destitute circumstances at Bill
ings, Mont. The life of Mrs. C. has been
one of thrilling adventures. She was capt
ured by the Sioux Indians in the Minnesota
massacre of 1862, but was rescued. After
ward she was married to a man by the
name of McNana, who is nov in the Mon
tana insane asylum.
D. G. Hale, has been acquitted at Omaha,
ofthe charge tha* while he was custodian of
the government building at Linceln with
making and presenting false vouchers to the
treasury department with intent to defraud
the government. The prosecution claimed
that he had got away with over $5,000.
A Japanese nobleman, Prince Arisugawa,
and four high government officials, reached
New York yesterday, and were met by the
Japanese consul at that city and the minis
ter to Washington. Last evening the dis
tinguished party were entertained by Gen.
Grant.
D. M. Bennett, the free-loving liberal who
gained considerable notoriety by his writ
ings and for being imprisoned for sending
obscene matter through the mail, died in
Chicago and was buried in Greenwood cem
etery on Sunday last.
Mahone wears an immense white sombrero
and an immaculate white shirt. He wears
no vest and has an enormous gold chain
wandering all over his shirt front'
U. S.Grant, jr., has sold his residence in
West Fifty-eighth street, NewYork, to D. G.
Ambler, for $52,000 cash and 15,000 acres of
land in Baker county, Florida.
Lieut. Harber reports th«t the explora
tions of his party on the Lena have not yet
resulted in the finding of Lieut. Chipp and
his ill-fated companions.
Col. F. D. Callender, a graduate of West
Point class in 1834, a gallant soldier of
three wars, died in Illinois Saturday.
George D. Perkins editor ofthe Sioux City
Journal has been appointed marshal of
Northern Iowa.
The Great Fire at Jamaica.
The fire which broke out iu the business
quarter of Kingston, Jamaica, Monday even
ing, was not extinguished until Wednesday.
The loss, which
was
WASHINGTON NEWS
Monday, Decemtoer'll.
Skhatb.—Bills
were introduced to re-ea-
tablish the court of Alabama claims and
declaring forfeited the lands of the Oregon
Central Railroad company.
By a vote of 16 to 31 the senate refused to
Indefinitely postpone the bankruptcy bill,
and by 84 to 80 substituted for the judiciary
committee bill the "Lowell bill," introduced
by Mr. Hoar.
By] a vote of 44 to 16 the Pendleton civil
service reform bill was taken ui. Mr. Pen
dleton agreed to have the bill laid aside that
the Fits John Porter bill might be taken
up, but Mr. Logan objected.
The president sent the following nomina
tions to the senate: John P. Baker, Illi
nois, to be major and paymaster Chandler
B. Watson, to be collector of customs of the
southern district of Oregon.
The]8enate in execution session confirmed
a large number of nominations, including
Gen. Pope and Col. McKenzie to be maj.
general and brigadier general respectively.
There waa no contest.
House.—Mr. Townsbend ©tiered a resolu
tion reciting that it is alleged certain exist
ing railway lines of transportation have en
tered into combination for the purpose of
preventing the construction of competing
lines into territories and thromm states,
thereby establishing monopllea In transpor
tation, and directing the committee on com
merce to report without delay a bill prohib
iting and punishing such combination.
Mr. Strait objected to present considera
tion and it waa referred to the committee on
commerce.
Bills and resolutions were introduced re
stricting the coinage of silver dollars and
proposing a constitutional amendment
providing for the election of presi
dent and members of congress.
The latter fixes the term of president at six
years and makes Jthe president ineligible for
a second term provides that he be elected
by direct vote t( the people and that tbe
term of representatives in congress be three
years in length.
Fuesday, Dee. lit.
SKNATB.—Senator Vest ia evidently in
earnest in his opposition to the proposed
lease of the ellowstone park to private
parties for hotel purposes, and he introduced
another resolution on the subject. It in
structed the committee on territories
to inquire what legislation is neces
sary for the protection of the
parr, preservation of game, and
if the area should be extended also, wheth
er contracts should be made by the secretary
of the interior leasing the park or any part
of it and giving exclua ive privileges ior the
erection of a hotel and telegraph lines and
running stages or other vehicles through it.
The resolution was agreed to and the refer
ence made as desired.
A bill was introduced by Mr. Peck pro
hibiting political assessment -'. Mr. Pendle
ton spoke on hte civil service reform bill,
making a partisan speech. He was replied
to by Messrs. Allison and Sherman in the
same spirit.
A
large number of amend­
ments to the bill were offered.
The senate confirmed the appointment of
Edward M. Cheney, United States attorney
for the northern districts ofFlorida. Regis
ters of land offices: Francis Atkinson, Indi
ana, at Helena, M. T. Charles Alexander,
Wisconsin, at Tucson, A.T. James P. Luse.
Indiana, at Deadwood, Dak. Postmasters:
H. G. Ankeny Corning, Iowa
C. F. Hendrix, Sauk Center, Minn.
Charles Mather, Hastings, Minn De'os Ja
cobus, Crookston. Minn: Maggie Bailey,
Canton, Dak. Charles A. Noycs, Lake Gen
eva, Wis. Benjamin F. Bryant, La Crosse,
Wis., Nathan Cole, Sheboygan, Wis.: Wil
lard Jones, Neenat, Wis.. Robert S. Me
Michael, Viroqua, Wis., David G.
James, Richland Center, Wis.
HOUSE.—A. resolution was adopted caiiing
on the president forthe statement of the ag
gregate amount expended for river and har
bor improvement since the foundation cf
the government. The congressional library
bill Was considered at great length. T^e
civil service reform eonfmittee reported
back the bill for the better regulation of the
civil service.
Wednesday, December 13.
SENATE.—Nearly the entire day was spent
in the consideration of the Pendleton civil
service bill. Several amendments were ac
cepted by Mr. Pendleton, nndwere adopted.
The bill in brief, provides for the appoint
ment of a permanent commission of five
members, who shall examine applicants for
office~with a view 'to their fiiness for the
desired position without regard to party af
affiliations.
Mr. Beck called np his resolution for an
investigationof political assessments, the qes
tion being on Edmund's motion to refer
Beck's resolution and the substitute offered
by Hale te the committee on judiciary.
After debate this was adopted.
The president sent the following nomina
tions to the senate. Rev. Charles C. Price,
Illinois, to be chaplain of the Ninth regi
ment of cavalry J.
V.
Eere
at first'put at £6,000,000,
is now estimated at £3,000,000. The fire,
which wa of incendiary origin, began in a
lumber yard, and a high w»nd prevailing,
gained great proportions. All the ware
houses, wharves and stores were consumed.
Four hundred stores in all were destroyed.
Building regarded as fire proof did not es
cape destruction, and nearly every one of
that class which the fire attaoked auccurubed
to the flames. The tire was attended with
•ome loss of life. live persons it is known,
were burned to death. A new law wilt be
passed, prohibiting the use of shingles here
ft» *.
Bancroft Davis, to be
judge of the court of claims Charles H.
Chamberlain, receiver of public moneys,
San Francisco P. B. Hunt, Kentucky, agent
forthe Indians ot Kiowa. Comanche and
Wichita agencies, Indian Territory also a
large number of minor postmasters.
Confirmations: Henry H. Morgan, Louis
iana, secretary of the legation of the United
States to Mexico George E. Waring, Jr.,
Rhode Island, member of the national board
of health Commodore Earl English, chief
of the bureau of equipment and recruiting
ofthe navy.
HOUSE.—The congregational library bill
was recommitted to the committee, with in
struction^ to Tejfott. a bill for the erection of
a library building on ground belonging to
the United States. The agricultural and
militarv acadcmvappropriation bills passed.
The Committee on appropriations oi the
house has made excellent progress with its
work so far. Ofthe eleven bills to be pushed
through, five have been reported and four
have passed the house. It is a remark able
fact that three of the bills—the consular and
diplomatic, the agricultural and the military
academy bills—passed without a single
amendment in the house.
TKursdoy, December 14.
SENATE.—There was a long debate on
Pendleton's civil service bill.
Senator Hoar expressed a belief that the
passage of this bill would mark an import
ant era in American politics, and would be
regarded in the future almost equal to a
new and better constitution.
Mr. Brown, of Georgia, denounced the bill
as a sham and a pretense, declaring it would
excite expectation and result in disappoint
ment. The cry for civil service reform in
volved practically a life tenure in office, and
this system was repugnant to our institutions,
as it tended to build up an aristocracy which
would do very well for England, but not for
us. He called the attention of
his democratic colleagues to
the folly of their support of the present meas
ure. They could not expect to carry the
next election with a law in force prohibits
ing removals. They would elect the next
resident if they behaved themselves, and
they were advocating a measure that
would compel him to keep all the republi
cans in office who had been ap
pointed for the past twenty years.
HOUSE—A resolution calling on the secre
tary ofthe interior for information regard
ing railroad land grants was adopted. The
house considered the post office appropria
tion bill ($43,048,620) the greater part ofthe
day.
The only new legislation in the bill is thai
relating to the reduction of postage on first
class mail matter from 8 to 2 cents per half
ounce, to take effect Jan. 1, 1884. Mr.
Bingham, as chairman of the post-office
committee delivered an able and exhaustive
argument favorable to this clause,
but was antagonized by Mr. Reagan of
Texas, formerly postmaster general ofthe
Southern Confederacy. The latter claimed
that the reduction asked for wonld decrease
the postal revenues npward of $8,000,000,
but he foun few supporters for his theory.
Friday, December IS.
Sxnaxs.—A resolution to print 42,000 cop
ies of the tariff commission's report was
adopted. A very important bill was passed
during the morning hour, which looks to
the settlement of a set of eases which have
been pending In congress since the beginning
of this century. They are known as the
ancient French claims. They are
claims of American eitizens for
spoliations by the French prior to the years
1800 and reports npou bills for their settle
ment have been made in every congress
since 1881. The amount involved is not
known, although it is estimated to be in the
vicinity of $30,00),000, computing interest.
The is so framed as not to be subjeet to a
gon,bill
rfntof order, since it makes no appropria
but simply sends the claims to the court
of claims.
The civil service reform bill waa debated
nitlioQt act
Houb*.—After a long discussion a motion
that Dr. J. H. McLean be sworn in as mem
ber of the old Second (now the Ninth) difr
trict of Missouri for the unexpiredtenn o?
the late Thomas Allen, was earned and
McLean took his seat.
A bill was reported removing the burdCTi.,
ofthe American merchant mwnne. Th-v
postoffice bill was considered at gre&t
length and an amendment adopted addin^,
$260,000
to the appropriation
ior
nell was adopted, instructing
star route
service. A resolution offered by Mr.
the.T^!,®°g
means committee to investigate
that internal revenue collectors on tne
northern frontier receive
large
fees from sales
of blanks, which are not turned mto the
treasury, and are in the pay of importers a
corporations.
Saturday, December lO.
81 *atk.
-After strenuous democratie objec­
tions, the senate by a vote of
30
to 26 took
up the Pendleton civil service reform bill.
Messrs. Ingalls and Voorhees spoke i"
opposition and Windom and Sherman
iw favor. Mr. Voorhees, in a short speech
pronnouced the bill a humbug, and said he
would
not vote for it.
Nevertheless,
for reform in the civil service, and
be was
he
naa
proposed a practical measure for tbat pur
pose at last session namely, an amendment
lo
the constitution of the United States, p*o
vMing that postmasters, revenue collectors,
iud«£,
marshals of the United
States,district
attorneys should be elected by the pe°P'®
He would not be hypocritical about
the sub­
ject. If the democratic party
should
come into power it ought to purify the
civil
service by making a thorough and radical
change of office-holders,
excepting
for
onlv
soldiers who had served their country an (J
been iniured in its service.
Senator Sherman said that he favored,
three provisions:
First:—Taking away 4ower to select em
ployes by favoritism, and the pass g^ofs
law that the admission to service shonld he
secured by competitive examinations open
to all.
Second—The prohibition of removals ex
cept for cause.
Third—The prohibition ot political asstss
ment without interfering with the right of
officials to contribute voluntarily for legiti
mate political purposes.
Removals without cause would be very
rarety made if tbe pressure of senators and
representatives
appointments in the ex­
ecutive departments were stopped, and
therefore he would vote again as he ha£
voted years ago,
for
a law prohibiting such
interference by members of congress. As
an executive
officcr
he had felt keenly such
interference.
HOUSK.—Nearly the entire day was devoted
to the postoffice bill, but no final action was
taken. Amendments providing special mail
facilities were rejected. A resolution was
offered for a recess from Dec. 22 to Jan.
3.
St. JPaal's Remarkable Growth Ins
1882.
The building statistics of St. Paul tht
capital of Minnesota for 1882, taken with &•
great deal of care and without exaggeration,
surprise even those who were best
aware of the wonderful growth
of the city. Tbe most gratifying increase
over 1881, though not absolutely the great
e3t, ia in the item of business buildings.
For 139 blocks built in 1881, with a frontager
of 6,251 feet, at a cost of $2,330,300,1882 has
a record of 804, with a frontage of
10,216 feet, cosiing $3,580,900. In
the item of residences, the increase
over last year is most remarkable. For
1,009 residences erected in 1881, casting
$1,885,400, 1882 counts 2,178, or more than
twice as many, costing $3,946,500. This is?
swollen by the capitol, the high school, the
opera house, aud other less important
structures, to nearly a million dollars, rais
ing the grand total for buildings of all class
es over 2,500 houses, costing nearly $8,500
COO.
ItAl LROAD WAR ENDED,
Restoration of Old Rates But the
Territorial Questions Not Yet De
tfiflpd.
On Wednesday evening Messr.s Mer
rill, Porter, Hughitt and Cable
telegraphed to their western
agents: "An agreement has been entered
into between the respective companies to
restore freight and passenger tariffs, Thurs
day, Dec. 14, between all points directly in
volved or affected by the rate war." Full
rates were accordingly restored on Thursday
morning for freight and passengers.
The conditions of cessation of hostilities
were merely restorations ot rates and agree
ments to maintain the established tariff
schedule. The compact will continue for
one year, and will be dated Jan. 1883. The
tariff will not be divided in a pooling ar
rangement, but each road will take what
business comes to it. To make the agreement
binding, a penalty of $500 will be imposed
for every instance of cutting or other breach
of contract. No rebates on shipments will
be allowed, and to allow them will be con
sidered the same as a cut. Whatever ques
tions of dispute arise will be decided by the
general managers jointly.
President Mitchell disclaimed any inten
tion of extending the troublesome Chippe
wa valley road and going further np into
the territory of the Omaha. With the
understanding that none of the lines con
templated extensions in its own or any
other road's territory, the whole subject was
dropped by common consent. No pledget
were required and (hus the great stickling
point in the efforts for peaoe was passed.
How National Banks are Or
ganized.
Any number of persons, not less than
five, may associate themselves together
for the purpose of banking, by compli
ance with the following conditions:
They must, under their hands and seals,
make a certificate which shall specify—
first, the plane where its business is to
be conducted third, the amount of its
capital stock (not less than $50,000) and
the number of its shares fourth the
number of its shareholders, and the
number of shares held by each fifth, the
time when such association shall com
mence business sixth, a declaration
that said certificate is made to enable
such persons to avail themselves of the
advantages ofthe banking act. This cer
tificate must be properly acknowledged
before some competent person, and
must, be sent to the comptroller of
the currency in the treasury
department to be recorded and kept by
liiin. When the law has been complied
with, the comptroller of the currency
gives them a certificate that they are
authorized to commence business. This
constitutes the association a corporation.
Every7 shareholder is made personally
liable for the debts of the association or
hank to the amount of the par value of
his stock. They must deposit with the
treasurer of the United Suites bonds to
an amount not less than one-third of the
capital stock paid in. The comptroller
then issues to the bank an amount of
bank notes equal to the amount of bond
deposited, less 10 per cent. The bonds
held by the treasurer as security must
be transferred to him in trust, thus giv
ing him entire control of them in case it
becomes necessary to sell them in order
to redeem the bills of any association
which may have failed to pay them on
demand.
A Plucky Soldier.
From the London Telegraph,
Private Ilinkson, a reserve man, and
belonging to the Royal Irish Brigade, at
tached to the Gordon Highlanders, bay
oneted seven men during thcharge oi
Tel-el-Kebir, and was afterward attacked
by three Egyptian officers. A bullet was
sent through his right cheek, and passed
out at his neck, but he succeeded in bav
oneting two. Before he killed the thir
another bullet struck him almost in the
same place, opening the first wound and
following a similar direction. While ly
ing on the ground he was fired at again
by an Arab, but was rescued by two men
of the army service corps, with only a
slight additional injury to one of his fin
ge rs. He suffered from lockjaw for three
days, and how he recovered is marvel
ous. It is thought he will receive a dis
tinguished conduct medal.
Here is a mesmeric tale that comes
from Oregon: A woman named Furnes,
a professional clairvoyant, became en
amored of a young banker at Portland,
and mesmerized him at one of her sit
tings. This done, she joined hands with
him, aud tliev were married by a minis
ter present, whom she mesmerized foi
i.. rpose.