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( THE MOHN’ISa NEWS. .
J ESTABLISHED 1850. IsCORPORATBD 1888. I
j J. H. ESTILL, President, \
BACKER'S EXAMINATION.
HE 13 HELD IN FIFTEEN THOUSAND
DOLLARS BAIL.
Judge Haraen’a Story of the Securities
Deposited for the Loan—A Wall
Street Practice—Backer’a Defense.
He Never Intended to Steal the Secu
rities—The Case to Await the Action
of Che Grand Jury.
New York, Aug. 14.—Abraham Backer,
the one time-millionaire and note broker,
whose failure for $4,000,000 a faw weeks
ago set Wall street in a flutter, after a
brief examination in the Tombs police
court to-day, was held to await the action
of the grand jury on a charge of grand
larceny.
The charge is brought by William Har
den,, judge of the city court of Savannah,
Ga., who came all the way to this oity to
institute the suit.
Justice O’Reilly fixed the bail for Backer
at $15,000. Frank Rothschild, a merchant
at 800 Cauai street, became security for
Backer’s appearance before the grand jury.
JUDGE HARDEN ADJOURNS HIS COURT.
Judge Harden adjourned his court in
Savannah so as to be present at the exami
nation.
Mr. Dyett of the firm of Townsend, Dyett
& Einstein, counselors for Backer, con
ducted the cross-examination of Judge
Harden. His story was substantially the
same as set fourth in the affidavit upon
which Backer’s arrast was made.
JUDGE HARDEN’S STORY.
Judge Harden’s story was that on March
14, 1891, he delivered to Backer his promis
sory note for SIO,OOO, which Backer was to
get discounted, aud deliver the proceeds to
him. Backer, as a condition of the nego
tiations, required that Harden should de
posit with him collateral security for the
payment of the debt at maturity. The
negotiation of this loan was made through
Mohr Bros, of Savannah.
A number of letters were then produced
which were written by Backer to Mohr
Bros., arranging for the discounting of the
note.
SECURITIES DEPOSITED.
The judge said tnat he deposited securi
ties of the Central Railroad aud Banking
Company of Georgia, amounting to a par
value of $9,700, and certificates represent
ing ninety shares of stook of the
Savannah Gas Light Company, with Back
er, upon an agreement that the securities be
held for the payment of the debt repre
sented by the note, and that the collateral
should accompany the note and be returned
to him upon the payment of the note.
RENEWALS OF THE NOTE.
Two renewals of the note were made, and
the negotiations were pending for a further
renewal when Backer & Cos. assigned for
the alleged benefit of his creditors.
When Judge Harden learned of the fail
ure he wrote to D. J. Sullivan, Backer’s
confidential clerk. He learned from him
and also from the Merchants’ Nati nl
Bank and the National Park Bank that
Backer did not use the Central railroad
debentures at all, nor the stock of the Sa
vannah Gas Light Company to secure the
discount of the note or the renewals of it.
THE COLLATERALS NOT DEPOSITED.
He did learn, though, that Backer had
secured the renewals of the note from the
tanks without depositing the collaterals.
These collaterals, when Backer assigned,
were transferred to the Merchants’ National
bank upon the loan gotten by Backer for his
own use and benefit.
Judge Harden said be had called on
Backer at his office last Wednesday to in
quire about bis securities, not v. filing to be
lieve that Backer would hypothecate them.
He then learned from Backer that he had
pledged them.
“I asked him bow long ago, and he re
ferred me to Sullivan,and there I learned for
a certainty that they had been hypothe
cated," said Judge Harden.
THE SECURITIES HYPOTHECATED.
Daniel Sullivan, Backer’s confidential
clerk, was placed on the stand, and swore
that the first record he had that the col
lateral had been hypothecated was July 18,
1891. There was no record to show that
they were ever taken out. He said that
Backer never used collaterals as security in
discounting a note.
BCKBKR’S DEFENSE.
Lawyer Dyett moved for a dismission on
tbo ground that no larceny had been
proved. The theory was, he said, that
Backer had, on fraudulent representations,
taken the note to be discounted and appro
priated to his own use the proceeds. The
lawyer cited a number of cases in substan
tiation of Backer’s position. The matter
w as between Harden and Backer. The lat
ter was pledged, and by rehypothecating
the collaterals did not commit larceny.
A WALL STREET PRACTICE.
"it is a common practice on Wall street,’
the attorney. * ’There was no evidence
to show that he desired to get the note dis
jointed. Backer,” he continued, “wrote
to Mohr Bros, (who wrote him a reply re-
Saniing the discounting of Harden’s note),
Lut he personally would make the loan,
provided Harden would give him his plain
note.”
Backer,” he said, “never intended to
■ 1 the securities. At the time such tiling
U 4 failure never entered his mind.”
backeh held in *15,000.
After a few remarks by Judge Harden’s
counsel, the case was closed and Banker was
e ‘ ,' Q $15,000, whioh was furnished, to
w ait the action the grand jury.
THB DREAM’S SEIZURES.
The Sis Fishing Boats to bo Returned
To-day.
W ST ! ORT ' M “” Au K- 14.-The six Ashing
j n , „ 8e by the dominion cruiser Dream
Jo “ ra now nt Indian Island, N. 8., half
„ lv e ,; um her °’ an< l Gapt. Pratt oilers to
thev 8n ? tb e owner * provided
signed Wai y e indemnity. One owner
It is thminh? , l be others refused.
Dream wdii ß dii bere that to-morrow the
the wharves ,- lVer all the boats, either at
thev were th ® fisbin K grounds,where
matter in a vfr?' . Tw s probably ends the
the se rare, lT tual acknowledgment that
been for th„ W * e a " wrong. Had it not
United States ?f 0t ? pt action taken by the
bare been sal i!, boats woulli undoubtedly
9Q 80ld a t auction week* ago.
DR. BAKER GUILTY.
A Bolemn Hush Fell Upon All When
It Was Pronounced.
Richmond, Va., Aug. 14.—The jury iu
the case of Dr. Baker, on trial at Abingdon,
\ a., charged with the killing of bis wife by
poisoning, this morning brought in a ver
dict of guilty of murder in the first degree.
A special to the Dispatch says: “The
town is all excitement to-day. The request
of the jury last eveuing for special instruc
tions as to the testimony of an accomplice
fell like a thunderbolt upon tee waiting
throng, which expected nothing worse for
the prisoner than a “hung jury." By this
significant occurrence almost every one be
oarne convinced that a conviction would be
reached. After the court was opened at 9
o’clock to-day there came a period of anx
ious, almost breathless waiting.
ENTRANCE OF THE JURY.
“Half an hour passed, then all eyes were
turned to the door and the jury entered.
Every one read the verdict In their counte
nances, and when the foreman announced
the fatal word "guilty,’’ no one was sur
prised, but a solemn bush fell upon the
throng. The prisoner was told to siaud up.
He arose with the utmost composure, aud
only the flushed aDd sad countenance be
trayed the great emotion which, whether
he be guilty or not, must have been ruging
in his breast.
READING OF THE VERDICT.
"He firmly gazed upon the faces of his
peers while the clerk read in a clear, dis
tinct voice: ’We, the jury, find John A. P.
Baker guilty of murder in the first degree.’
“In accordance with the motion of
James L. White, counsel for the defense,
the jury was polled, each auswering in his
turn: ‘This is my verdict.
“Mr. Blair,Tor the defense, then asked that
'hey be heard on some motions that they
wished to introduce, in one hour.
“Granting his request, the court wa3 ad
journed until 11:80 o’clock. When the
court reassembled a motion for anew trial
was overruled. Time was given the de
fendant’s counsel to file bills of exception
with a view of appeal to tho circuit court.
The court adjourned until to-morrow, when
a motion to arrest judgment wifi be made
and argued.”
LERDO NOT DESTROY<SD.
A Correspondent Says tho Reports
Are Greatly Exaggerated.
San Francisco, Cal., Aug. 14.—The
Chronicle's Yuma (Ari.) correspondent his
made a trip to the town of Lerdo, Mexico,
which was reported destroyed by an earth
quake July 30. He reports that the ac
couuts of the earthquake have been greatly
exaggerated. No houses have been ds
stroyod, and he failed to find the place
where the Colorado river was reported to be
pouring into a fissure iu the earth. There was
no trial wave in the gulf of California, and
the shock was hardly felt there. The state
ment, that bills disappeared is explained by
the fact that a portion of the sand bluff 100
feet high fell into the river.
THE RIVER’S ALLEGED DISAPPEARANCE.
The correspondent also investigated the
alleged disappearance of the river on the
day of the earthquake. He found that op
posite Lerdo is a large island. A month
ago the river flowed into the east channel
nearest to Lerdo. Then it began to change
Into the west channel. The oause was the
gradual eating awav of the sand bluff on
the mainland, which fell into the east
channel and blocked it up. This was
noticed three weeks before the earthquake.
THE BCHMERTZ FAILURE.
Eastern Creditors to File a BUI of Ex
ceptions to the Assignment.
Pittsburg, Pa., Aug. 14—It is now be
lieved that the total liabilities of William
E. Schmertz will reach $500,000. Execu
tions to the amount of $375,000 are now in
the hands of the sheriff and eastern credi
tors have claims of about SIOO,OOO. The
failure is attributed to a heavy decline in
Chartiers Valley gas Btock. It is said
Schmertz bought $300,000 worth at its
best, and that his holdings are
not worth more than $35,000 at tho present
time. There is an agreement to the effect
that tho eastern creditors of the firm of W.
E. Schmertz & Cos. have decided to inter
fere in the matter of Sohmertz’s assignment,
and that a bill reflecting somewhat upon
the method of assignment and questioning
some of the preferred claims will be filed iu
court within twenty-four hours.
BURIED IN A SEWER DITCH.
Caving Walla Kill One Man and Fatally
Injure Another.
Danville, Va., Aug. 14.—This after
noon while a force of hands were at work
in a sewer ditch on Spring street the walls
caved in and five men were buried
under the fall of earth. The
ditch was ten feet deep, and most
of the men wore buried out of sight.
A large crowd gathered and the excitement
was intense, as the groans of the men could
be neard underneath the dirt. Willing
hands went to the rescue, however, and the
men were soon dug out.
Ham Perkins was instantly killed and
Spencer Ewell fatally injured.
MUST REFUND 40 PER "'ENT.
Newspapers Pay a Rebate for Official
Advertising.
Harrisburg, Pa., Aug. 14.—Attorney
General Hensel has notified the following
Philadelphia newspapers, which have pub
lished the mercantile appraisers’ lists for
two years, that they must refund a rebate
of 40 per cent, paid an alleged agent of the
stathe for securing the advertisements: The
Press, Aorf/i American, Inquirer, German
Democrat , Bulletin and Telegraph. The
papeiß will be given until Sept. 1 in which
to return the money.
The Fair’s Board of Control.
Chicago, Aug. 14.—The national board
of control of the world s fair to-day passed
a resolution doubling its membership, The
resolution was to the effect that the alter
nate members be male active members
with all the powers enjoyed by the charter
members of the board.
Houk Nominated.
Nashville. Tenn., Aug. 14.—A Knox
ville (Tenn.) special says: The republican
congressional committee met there to-day
and canvassed the returns of Saturday’s
election. The official figures are: Houk
16,285, Woodruff 0,057. Houk’s majority
is 9,2118. __
Intruders Must Go.
Gainesville, Tex., Aug. U.—Reports
from the Ouickasaw nation say the Byed
party were victorious in Monday s election.
The result means that the intruders must
go- -
A Furniture Factory Burned.
Cincinnati, 0., Aug. 14.—Fire late this
afternoon completely destroyed the furni
ture factory of Stille & l uhlmelr at Wade
and Dalton streets, this city. Loss *60,000.
SAVANNAH, GA., SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1891.
TENNESSEE’S CONVICTS.
REMOVING THEM FROM THE
PRISON AT BRiCEVILLE.
Reported Violation of Mining Laws.
Tho Mine Filled With Stagnant,
Poisonous Air —Terrible Condition
of the fctookade, Whioh Was Inse
cure-Yesterday’s Action Will Sat
isfy Free Labor.
Washington, Aug. 14.—A Nashville
special to the New York Times says: The
state took a hand in moving the convicts
from the branch prison at Briceville to
day, when the state board of prison Inspec
tors issued orders for the immediate re
moval of all convicts, the lessees being
given the option of returning them to the
main prison here or taking them to some
other branch. This action was taken only
after the fullest investigation.
REPORTED VIOLATIONS OF MINING LAWS.
Home days ago a mine Inspector was sent
to Briceville and on his return he reported
numerous violations of tho miniug laws.
There is but one shaft to the mine and no
ventilation. The mine was filled with stag
nant, poisonous air, while the oouviots had
to wade through standing water reach
ing to their knees. Free and convict
labor worked indiscriminately together.
The roof was not adequately supported and
was a constant menace to life aud limb.
The stockade and buildings were incom
plete and insecure, and twenty-two men
had recently escaped, nine leaving in one
day. No provision for bathing had been
mude, and the men slept on boards and had
no bedding but two blankets. A horrible
stench tilled the mine and stockade.
U pon the reception of this report the in
spectors left for the scene and were not long
in ascertaining the truth of these state
ments.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL NOTIFIED.
Thoy then stated the facts to the at
torney general and inquired as to their
powers. He replied that they had ample
authority to order the summary removal
of the men, hence the order issued to-day.
Tho board also adopted a resolution that
hereafter oonvicts shall not lie placed or
kept by the lessees in any other thau the ac
customed places now established and op
erated as branch prisms without first
giving notice to the inspectors and obtain
ing their permission.
Briceville Is the scene of the recent trouble,
and these convicts were twice removed by
free labor. It is thought that to-day’s ac
tion will make free labor satisfied to fiave a
commission apDointed by the legislature for
the purpose of looking into the penitentiary
lease question and reporting to the next
legislature for action.
OATES AND THE ALLIANCE.
He Announces Kls Willingness to
“3ell the Cat."
Washington, Aug. 14. —Congressman
Oates of Alabama, who was the first demo
crat in oongress to oppose the allianoe,
waxes hotter and hotter against it.
He is quoted as saying: "It is true that the
alliances of two counties Iu my district—
Bullock and Busiell —passed resolutions
asking me to vacate my seat in the House.
Iu Barbour, Henry and Lee, three
other counties remesented by me, similar
resolutions were iniiodueed in the alliance
meetings, but were voted down. In the
first two counties there were only 12,000 to
14,000 white voters each and from 4,000 to
5,000 negroes. Of the relatively small num
ber of white man not over one-third are
members of the alliance.
“Yes, lam going back to my district, to
try to counteract the efforts that Kolb and
bis associates are making to turn the peo
ple away from demooraoy. Kolb, as you
know, tried to be governor, aud, failing in
this, endeavored to reach the Senate, which
he also missed. Now he is again reaching
after the governorship.
kolb’s artful scheme.
“He is working a rather artful scheme. As
state commissioner of agriculture he is
authorized to organize the tanners in the
state and deliver lectures. Under cover of
this office he converts the institutes in
schools for dlssemlna'ing alliance doc
trines, taking around with him men
who deliver nothing but political
addresses. In this way the people are
worked up iuto believing that their condi
tion is horrible. It is time that such pro
ceedings were denounced. It may be too
late to try to stem the tide if the democratic
leaders don't get out and defend their party
principles on the hustings. Somebody has
to bell the cat, and it appears to have fallen
to my lot."
THE CONFISCATED STBAME3.
The State Department Sends a Protest
to Salvador.
Washington, Aug. 14.—The state de
partment to-day received a telegram in re
lation to the Pacific mail steamer City of
Panama from United States Minister
Pacheco of Guatemala, in whioh he says:
“On the morning of Aug. 16 at Libertad,
Salvador, after Capt. White was served
with a notice of confiscation, he weighed
anchor aud arrived here safely the same
evening. All the passengers have landed
and the cargo is being discharged at San
Jose.”
OUR GOVERNMENT'S PROTEST.
The minister also says that he has tele
graphed the protest of this government
against the confiscation of the vessel by the
-Salvadorian government as per instructions
from the state department. The tenor of
the minister's dispatch seems to indioate
that the political refugees on board the
steamer have also landed safely at Guate
mala. The department still awaits the
minister’s report of his investigation into
the facts leading up to the vessel’s confisca
tion, and peudlug its receipt it is not ex
peoted that any further aotiou will be
taken, pirtlcularly as the vessel is now in
Guatemalan waters.
MAY SEND A NAVAL VESSEL.
The question of sending a naval vessel to
Central American waters to protect Ameri
can interests there is still being considered
by the naval department officers, but up to
the close of office hours to-day no orders had
been issued to any vessel to proceed there.
Official Agricultural Chemists.
Washington, Aug. 14.—Dr. L. T. N.
Lupton of Alabama was to-day elected
president of the Association of Official Ag
ricultural Chemists; Prof. 8. M. Babcock
of Wisconsin, vice-president and Dr. H. M.
Wiley of the United States agricultural de
partment, secretary.
This is one of the most important of the
scientifia bodies now holding meetings in
the city of \v ashiugton. The meeting is
largely attended.
Polk for President.
Washington, Aug. 14.—State Senator
Staples of North Carolina says of Col. Polk
of North Carolina, president of the national
farmers’ alliance: “Col. Polk is playing tor
high stakes. He is ambitious of neadiug
the third party ticket in 1892, and I predict
now that it that party should nominate a
candidate for the presidency Col. Polk wifi
be the man.”
JAMES H. LOWELL’S FUNERAL.
The Services In Appleton Ohapel Were
Simple but Impressive.
Boston, Mass., Aug. 14.— Simple but
impressive funeral services over the remains
of the lata James Russell Lowell wore held
in Appleton chape), Cambridge, at noon to
day. Tho chapel was crowded to overflow
ing, and many who desired to be present
were unable to do so. Seldom has there
been witnessed such a gathering of those
distinguished In literary ami other profes
sions as gathered to pay tho last tribute of
love and respect to the deceased author,
critic, poet and diplomatist. There wore
no services at Elmwood, the poet’s late
home.
HONORARY PALL-BEARERS.
The honorary pall-bearers were: Oliver
Wendell Holmes, Christopher I'. (’ranch,
John Holmes, a brother of I)r. Holmes,
Fruf. Charles Eliot Norton, Prof. Child, C.
F. Choato, George William Curtis, William
Dean Howells, Prof. John Bartlett and
President C. W. Eliot of Harvard Univer
sity.
The coffin was covered with black
broadcloth and bore a silver plate on which
was inscribed:
Died Aur. 12, 1891
James Russell Lowell.
Aged 72 years 5 mouths.
The body was not exposed to the view of
any one and was taken to Mount Auburn
immediately after the services at tho chapel,
followed by about fifteen carriages. There
were no services at the grave.
While the body was being conveyed to its
last resting place iu Mount Auburn, the
church bells throughout the city were tolled
and flags were displayed at half mast by
order of Mayor Alger.
CANADIAN CORRUPTION.
Startling Evidence Given Eefore an In
vestigating Committee.
Ottawa, Ont., Aug 14.— The senate rail
way committee met to-night aud startling
evidence was brought forth in connection
with the Baie Des Chaleurs railway scan
dal.
Contractor Armstrong, who had previ
ously refvsed to answer certain questions,
made a clean l reast of it. He
said that when the effort to re-or
ganize the oompany foiled, he set about
organizing a now syndicate, ns he hod
heavy claims against the i oaa. In New
York he held a lengthy conference with
Premier Morcier and other members of the
Quebec provincial government. In order
to complete the deal, be had got Ernest
I’acaud, editor of LLectncr, the Quebec
government organ, to act as agent butweau
himself and the Quebec government.
a subsidy of $175,000.
An arrangement was made by whioh the
government paid him in subsidies SI7S,(XX).
The witness, realizing that “half a loaf is
better than none,” as he expressed it, re
paid Pacaud SIIXI,OOO, His own share war
only $75,000. This statenc a 'created a ten
sstion.
The witness said Pacaud, when the deal
was on, complained at the delay of the
Quebec government in paying the money.
He showed the witness a list, of the names
of persons whose debts had to be liquidated.
Among the names appeared that of K. I.
Trate, M. P.
SOUTHERN LUMBERMEN.
New Orleans Chosen as tho Next
Place of Meeting.
St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 14.—The southern
lumbermen were called to order at 11:45
o’clock this morning, and the first business
done was the reconsideration of the price
. list question, the matter having been passed
upon yesterday by the adoption of a report
of the committee cn price list reducing the
scale of prices somewhat below that adopted
at Memphis last February.
THE MEMPHIS SCALE UNCHANGED.
The list was referred to the committee,
who later on reported, leaving the Memphis
scale unchanged, with tho exception of
raising the price of 4-iach flooring from sl3
to sl4 and 6-inch flooring from sl4 to sls.
The committee on grades reported recom
mending that no change be made in the
present schedules, and it was adopte 1.
Twelve new members were added to the
association
The reconsideration of the standard was
also had, and after a long debate, it was
decided to lay it over indefinitely.
The committee huvir.g charge of the
selection of the place for the next meeting
reported in favor of New Or'.eaus, and Feb.
18, 1892, as the time. The report was
adopted, after whioh tho convention ad
journed sine die.
INVESTMENT BROKERS MIS3ING.
The 6 her iff Fails to Find Assets to
Satisfy Attachments.
New York, Aug. 14.—The creditors of
Thonrns, Munger & Cos., investment brokers
at 173 Broadway, who managed the Ameri
can Trust Company at Fort Worth, Tex.,
are looking In vain to find the men. Those
who have called at the New York office
have been unable to gain auy definite
information. Dispatches were received
in this city yesterday from
Fort Worth inquiring whether Munger
is in New York. Both Munger and Thomas
looked principally after the Texas end of
the business while A. L. Eastman managed
the New York end. The American Trust
Company began to liquidate its business
several months ago, and about three weeks
since the sheriff received two attachments,
aggregating $15,000 agait s the company,
but found nothing here to levy on.
COLIMA’S ERUPTION.
It la ou a Scale of Magnitude Never Be
fore Observed.
St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 14.—A dispatch
from the City of Mexico says: “A telegram
received here yesterday from Colima states
that ashes from the volcano have ceased to
fall In that city, though the column of fire
is as yet the same a* it was yesterday. The
fall of ashes in some cases has attained a
depth of from three to six inches
on the housetops and in the
streets. The eruption is on a
scale of magnitude that has never before
been observed. Streams of lava, many
feet in width, are now courting down the
sides of the volcano, burning everything in
their course. It is stated that the governor
of Colima has appointed a commission to
make a scientific report upon the prosont
eruption.
No Trouble Feared In Samoa.
Washington, Aug. 14.—Dispatches bear
ing date of July 13 were received at the
state department yesterday from Consul
General Bewail, at Samoa. They say in
effect that, although Mataafa is still slightlv
restless, there is no anticipation of immedi
ate trouble.
Mississippi's New Judge.
Cape May Point, N. J., Aug. 14.—The
President to-day announced the appoint
ment of Henry C. Niles to be judge of
the Northern and Southern district of Mis
sissippi, vioe Judge Hill removed.
BALFOUR’S IRISH BILL.
IT3 FINAL SHAPE STILL REMAINS
UNKNOWN.
The Meat ura Not Thoroughly Indorsed.
Newspaper Criticism* as to Its Ac
ceptanca by the Liberal-Unionists a
Distortion of the Truth -Indorsed by
Only a Small Portion of the Minis
terial Groups.
(Copyright, 1691, hi/ the ,V. Y. .) elated Preet )
London, Aug. 14.— 1f Secretary Balfour
had not obtained the assent of the leading
members of the cabinet to his Irish local
government till before the announcement
of it, a rupture In the government and a
split in the party would have been inevita
ble. A draft of the bill hag never been be
fore a regularly constituted cabinet council.
A committee of the cabinet, consisting of
Secretary Balfour, Sir Goschen, Iwird Ashe
borne and Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, has for
eighteen months been working on the bill.
ITS PINAL SHAPE UNKNOWN.
Iu its final shape, in whioh it was re
ferred to and was approved by Lord Salis
bury, it remains unknown, further than
what has been said iu the recent public
utterances, to tho rest of tho ministers.
Apart from the objections to the principles
of the measure, this ignoring of the con
servative chiefs closely in touch with the
rank and file of the party, has added to tho
general discontent.
NOT THOROUGHLY INDORSED.
No unionist section whatever thoroughly
indorses Secretary Balfour’* outlined mea
sure. In the absolute absence of political
club life, it is difficult to reflect with exac
titude how far tho conservative members
will go iu opposition to Secretary Balfour's
policy. but judging from the temper re
vealed by the men in town, includiug the
holiday-belated officials, the party in bulk
will not accept tho bill.
NEWSPAPER CRITICISM.
The general newspaper criticism asserting
the acceptance of tho measure by the liberal
unionists is a distortion of the truth.
The Spectator, the leading unionist organ,
in its iasue to-morrow will put the position
of the liberal unionists straight iu denounc
ing the bill os u h jino rule measure iu dis
guise.
Tie National Observer, now obtaining a
front rank as a weekly exponent of tory
principles, attacks the minist y as becom
ing a mere liberal-unionist agency and adds
that Secretary Balfour's constructive legis
lation will conduce us little to the party
credit as to the national advantage.
INDORSED BY ONLY ONE FACTION.
Among the ministerial groups, only one,
the Goschon-Chamberlaiu sot, can be saiil
to cordially support the secretary. Strong
through force of character aud intellectual
superiority as this group is, it is likely to be
forced eventually to bow before tory preju
dices, aud present a bill emasculated to
suit the conservative ideas, or withdraw
it at the risk of disaffection
in the cabinet on the eve of the disjolutrin
of parliament. Tho genuine conservative
feeling toward the bill is summed up in the
emphatic declaration of the anti-Jacobins
that instead of containing any promise of
good, it is a voluntary and deplorable act
of destruction.
ENGLAND’S LABOR MARKS".
Sblpbuild'ng, Engineering and the
Iron Trades Disturbed.
Copyrighted, by the -V. i r Associated Press,
London, Aug. 14. —The report of the
labor department of the board of trade is
now watched with keen interest. In con
nection with the McKinley law the report
says: “The labor market is iu a disturbed
condition. Tlio demand has fallen off in
shipbuilding, engineering, and the iron
ana steel trades. In spite of tie
shrinkage of the trade in iron and
steel, prices have remained steedy. This is
due to the fact that raw materials have re
mained high wheu compared with other pe
riods of decreasing trade. Coal continues
to be maintained on a high level. Tuis is
partly due to the good wages paid colliers,
whose power of combining prevents the
lowering of wages, restricts the output and
thus maintains prices.
IN THE CUMBERLAND DISTRICT.
Owing to the depression in the iron trade
operations at n any of the principal iron
works in the Cumberland district have been
suspended for some t irue past, and the in
ability of workmen to procure employ meat
is causing the most acute dis
tress. Six thousand men have
been thrown cut of employment
by the stoppage of the works, and a large
number of them have earned nothing for a
year. Many families have struggled along,
hoping for better tiroes, but the hope of the
works again starting up has been abandoned
now, and the outlook for the coming winter
is of the gloomiest nature.
ON TH* VERGE OF STARVATION.
The families of the iron workers, men,
women and children, all show traces of the
privations they have suffered through the
enforced idleness of the bread win
ners, and it is an absolute fact that
hundreds of them aro od the verge
of starvation. Bo serious has the situation
become that the authorities have decided to
start public works to give employment to
the many idle men in the district, a id thus
avert the famine whioh is threatened.
DECREASE IN FREIGHT TRAFFIC.
The Pall Malt Gazette, in an artiole on
British trade to-day, gives as further evi
dence of the declining trade of the country
the great decrease in the freight traffic in
England and Scotland. The Gazette says
that enoh week of the present half
year has shown diminished receipts as
compared with those of the corresponding
period last year. The current week’s re
ceipts are the smallest of any week of the
half year, and show a decrease of 4,000
pounds oompared with the corresponding
week in 1890. The totsl decrease for six
weeks is 50,000 pounds.
A SAD ADVENTURE.
A Student at the American Coliege at
Rome Drowned.
{Copyright, 1891, by the S. Y. Associated Press )
London, Aug. 14.—Advices from Rome
give a detailed account of the sad adven
tures of a party of students from the Amer
ican college there while bathing at Porto
Bansio, at an old pier outside of the palace
of Nero. The water was very rough at the
time. Lucian Johnson of Baltimore;
Victor Brooker of Tell City, Ind.; James
Keeley of New York, Joseph Gallagher and
John Duffy of Philadelphia, John Bowen
of Chicago and Henry Duering of St L.uii
were bathing together. Suddenly they
were ali swept off by the current, but all
managed to gain the shore except Duering.
Johnson swam cut again, caught Duering
and held him up for five min
utes. He found Duering to have
lost his wits in his fright, and heard him
murmuring a prayer. Johnson was forced
to let go, and a sailor who had come to bis
assistance then held up Duering, relieving
Johns m. As quickly as possible the
students launched a boat and went to the
rescue, but just as they were nearing the
spot the sailor and Duering sank.
The latter was drowned, but the tailor
was rescued. Two dy afterward tbo
liody of I'tiering was buried, the funeral
being attended by all the student* in the col
lego.
LONDON GOSSIP.
Lord Coleridge on Oaths and Cardinal
Manning on Lotteries.
(Copyright, 1891, by thr .V. V. Associated Press.)
London, Aug. 14.—Lord C derldge, re
plying to a correspondent asking an opinion
on tho Bible passage “Swear not at all,”
and Christ’s words, “led. your words be
yea and nay,” says ho has no doubt of the
lawfulness of oaths on special occasions.
St. James expressly savs that they aro law
ful. God also swears by himself. Tba pre
cept of our lend is like giving a
clonk ns well ns a coat, or olTering bath
cheeks to be smitten. It is to be taken as a
statement of principle, not as au order to bo
obeyed literally, irrespective of circum
stances. The whole jurisprudence of Chris
tian nations for IDtHJ years has been based
on oaths.
CARDINAL HSimiilO ON LOTTERIES.
Cardinal Manning, in a lotter just made
public, deuounc?s the employment of lot
teries; and rattles at bazars for works of
charity or religion. Tho Lord’s work, he
says, ought to be done In tho I/ird’s own
way. Christians must not encourage Lower
motives.
ins SAUsßtinr o’nRtEN case.
In the Salisbury-O’Brien case an agree
ment has been signed by which Mr. O'Brien
promises to pay his debt, with costs, into the
oourt on Lord Salisbury undertaking to
facilitate an appeal to the House of Lords.
SPURGEON** I’KAb'tH.
He la Still Very Weak and His Progress
flow.
Copyright, 1891, bu the N. Y. Associated Press.
London, Aug. 14.—Dr. Spurgeon is able
to sit up for brief periods daily. His friends
now seriously hope that he will be able to
reoocupy his pulpit. His weuknoss is still
very great and his progress is
necessarily slow. The recurring
delirium has ceased. He himself says that
tho Lord’s people could not let him die;
that their prayers kept him alive, llis
physicians state that his disease retains its
hold—that it threatens to withstand every
remedy. The best prognostication at pres
ent is that it will be many months before he
will be able to preach.
RU3iIA’.4 KYEUKA3E.
Prices of Grain Advancing and Trans
portation Refused.
Bt. Petersburg, Aug. 14.—Anukasohas
been issued directing tho railroad officials
throughout the country to give precedence
over all other trains, passenger or freight,
to trains conveying grain supplies to dis
tressed provinces.
TRANSPORTATION Hit FUSED.
Bkrun, Aug. 14. —Ills rumored that the
Russian railway administration refuses to
give carriages for the trausportAtiou of
corn to the German frontier.
While it was believed to bo possible to
obtain large shipments of rye bef >ra Aug.
87, the trade here was consoled; but to-day’s
report that the Russian railway adminis
tration refused tr importation to the Ger
man frontierjsent prices up at a bound.
THE CHANCELLOR APPEALED TO.
At a meeting of Silesian millers to-day it
was decided to send a telegram to Chancel
lor von Caprivl begging him to abolish the
corn duties, saying that otherwise the Rus
sian ukase was likely to ruin the mill indus
try, and throw out of employment thous
ands of bands.
Tho \’ossische Zeitnnj demands a tempo
rary free duty for all provisions, aud for
tei, eolTee and petroleum, and urges the
abolition of the prohibition of Amorioan
foods, aud a reduction of freight rates. Ro
far the chancellor seems to be unmoved,
and tbe ministers support him.
WHEAT AND RYE ADVANCE.
St. Petersburg, Aug. 14.—The ukase
prohibit ng the exp >rtfof rye from Russia
is still affecting tne prices of grain here.
To-day rye advanced 2 roubles and wheat 1
rouble.
CORN ADVANCING IN AMSTERDAM.
Amsterdam, Aug. 14.—The corn market
here was muo'i excited to-iluy and prices
advanced. Rye for October delivery closed
at au advance of 27 guilders.
APPROVES THE UKASE.
St. Petersburg, Aug. 14.—The press of
this city approves tne usaso prohibiting the
exportation of rye. Report* from the prov
inces say that the failure of the winter sown
cereals m almost complete; that the prices
of cattle are decreasing and that the peas
ants aro selling their houses to procure P od
Tho bourse is agitated and prices are de
clining. .Speculators are busy froightiug
ships with cereals, even unloading other
cargoes, for the purpose of taking ad
vantage of the interval before the ukase
goes into operation.
TBE EMPEROR’S HEALTH.
The Alarming Reports Only the Work
of Speculators.
Berlin, Aug. 14.—Aside from the incon
venience of moving about with his log held
stiff by bandages, Emperor William is en
joying excellent health. Dr. Von Boetti
cber, secretary of the imperial home,
and a representative of the chan
cellor, v id ted Kiel and held
quite a lengthy conference with the
emperor. The fact that the emperor is able
to devote a great part of his time to the
business of the empire is i egarded as pretty
good evidence that the alarming reports
circulated in regard to his physical and
mental condition are unfounded, and
Is taken to confirm the state
ments that these rumors are the
work of speculators who are interested in
bringing about a depression m prices on the
bourse. Upon the conclusion of the em
peror’s conference with Herr von Boet
ticber he started on a trip to the sea on the
imperial yacht Hohenzollern. He wlil be
gone for a day.
PORTUGAL’S BRIGHT OUTLOOK.
Her Business Increasing and the
Crops the Largest in Years.
Lisbon, Aug. 14. —The coinage of silver
and the issue of small notes has vastly im
proved the monetary situation. The publio
freely acoept the notes, whioh commercial
companies and retailers demand should be
rapidly increased. Silver is scarce,
as it has replaced sovereigns in remittances
to England. The imports have greatly di
minished, owing to the ending of the im
portation of American wheat. Unfavor
able rates of exchange prevent the importa
tion of other goods. The business of home
manufacturers has greatly increased,
especially in cotton and woolen trades. The
wine, wheat and maize crops are the larg
est in many years.
The Holy Coat of Treves.
Rome, Aug. 14.—The pope has written to
the bishop of Trevee saying that the ex
hibition of the holy coat is laudable and
opportune and promising indulge ices to
pilgrims.
1 DAILY. $lO A YEAR. I
J 5 CENTS A COPY. V
( WEEKLY, 1.25 A YEAR. )
MRS. JAMES K. POLK DE4D
PEACEFULLY AND QUIETLY 333
PASSED AWAY.
Her Deithbed Surrounded by Lovingf
Friends and Relatives—ln Pull Poasos
slon of Her Mental Faculties to th
'Last —She Lived Eighteen Years
Beyond tbe Allotted Three Score
and Ten—Nashville’s Sympathy and
Reg ret
Nashville, Tknn., Aug. 14. Sur
rounded by a few loving friends and rela
tives, Mrs. James K. Polk, relict of the
oleveutb President of tbe United States, de
parted this life at 7:80 o’clock this morning,
peacefully and quietly, in the full possession
of her mental faculties.
Mrs. Polk had been in perfect health
until last Woiuesday evening, when, on re
turning from a short drive, she was taken
suddenly ill, from which she never rallied.
Had she lived until Sept. 4 next she would'
have lived eighteen years beyond the allot*
ted time of turee score and ten. Tbe cause
of her death was simply exhauition result
ing from old age.
Mrs. Polk was stricken down Wednesday!
evening at 7 o’clock. In a short lime sho
reacted and consciousness returned, and
from that time until her death she ap
parently sulfered no pain. Mrs. Polk waa
conscious of the approaching end, and only
a few moments before it came called udoiv
her surrounding family, and, placing hep
hand upon the head of each member, gave
her blessing.
NASHVILLE’S SORROW.
The bells throughout the city are mourn
fully tolling, and sympathy and regret aro
heard from the masses of people as they
saxe5 axe upon tbe bulletins announcing tho
emlse of the honored aud beloved lady—
who spent her years among tho people she
loved so well, and who respected her as one
of the noblest of her sex.
Of course, as yet, no arrangements hava
been derided upon for the interment.
A SKETCH OF MRH. POLK’S LIFE.
Rarah Childress Polk was born near
Murfreeesboro, Rutherford county, Tennes
see, Hept. 4, 1803. She was the daughter of
Joel ami Elisabeth Childrens. She was
educated nt tbo Moravian Institute an
Raloni, N. C. She was married to James
IC. Polk, the eleventh Presldont of the
United States, soon after leaving school.
At the time she married Mr. Polk he was a
member of the legislature, aud the follow
ing year he was elected to congress.
She had a long life in Washington, and
by her courteous manners won a high place
in society before she became mistress of the
white house. As mistress of the whlto house
she introduced quite a number of reforms.
One was the abolishing the custom of giv
ing refreshments to guests. She also for
n .do dancing as being out of keeping with
tlp> oharacter of the entertainments. Bub
ih spite of her reforms sho was extremely
nopular. All spoke well of her. An En
glish indy visiting Washington thus de
scribes the President’s wife:
“Mrs. Polk is a very handsome woman.
Her hair is very blaok, aud her dark eyes
and complexion remind me of Spanish
donnas. Rbo is well read and has much
talent for conversation, and is highly
popular.”
Mrs. Polk become a communicant of the
Presbyterian church in 1884, and main
tained her connection with that denomina
tion to tho end of her life. Bhe resided at)
Nashville iu the house known as the “Polk
House.” In front of the house is the tomb
of President Polk.
EDITOR JONEB’ FUNERAL.
All Souls’ Church Filled With Rela
tives, Friends and Associates.
New York, Aug. 14. —The funeral of ths
late George Jones, of the New York Times,
took place to-day from All Souls’ Church,
on Madison avenue. Rsv. Dr. It. Heber
Newton officiated. The edifice was filled
with relatives, friends and business associ
ates of the dead editor. Delegations were
present from all the departments of the
Times. As the funeral procession enteredi
the church Dr. Newton met it and pre
ceded it up the aisle. The floral decorations
were exceedingly beautiful, but simple.
The pall-bearers were George W. Childs,
Robert Bonner, Augustine Smith, Thomas
O. Acton, David M. Stone, John Booth
Boyd, Henry A. Morgan, J. H. Thompson,
Theodore L. Pevereiiy aud C-iarles R,
Miller.
LAID IN WOODLAWN CEMETERY.
After the services iu the church the re
mains were taken to the Grand Central
depot and thence to Woodlnwn cemetery.
Only a few of the most intimate friends of
the family accompanied the relatives and
the pall bearers to the place of burial.
An Engineer’s Mistake.
Calumet,Mioh., Aug. 14.—At No. 2 shaft
of the Tamarack mine, the engineer by mis
take pulled the cage with tifteon miners t®
the top of the shaft house. All were in
jured, but none fatally. The wire hoisting
oahle was broken, but no damage was dona
to the building or machinery, The oago
got jammed between the guide timbers op
else it would have dropped with its pas
sengers 3,000 feet to the bottom of tha
shaft.
A Wreck on the P. and R.
Ego Harbor, N. J., Aug. 14.—The ex<
press train on the Philadelphia and Read
ing railroad due here at 7p. m., from Phil
adelphia, ran into a nortn bound freights
train at this place this evening, and botis
trains were badly wrecked. A dozen or
more passengers on tba express were in
jured, some fatally. The wounded have
been removed to neighboring bouses and
physicians are in attendance upon them.
Dr. W. O. McCoy Dead.
Birmingham, Ala., Aug. 14.— Dr. W. C.
McCoy, presiding elder of the Decatur dis
trict, died in that city to-day. He was one
of the most distinguished ministers of the
Methodist church in this state, and was for
many years editor of the Alabama Chris
tian Advocate.
Purchases of Silver.
Washington, Aug. 14.—The offers of;
silver to the government to-day amounted
to 1,808,000 ounces, and the amount Dur
ebased was 519,500 ounces at .9000(3.99025.
The local purchases at the mints at tha
close of business Aug. 8, amounted to 447,-
000 ounces.
O’Brien Has Paid the Costs.
London, Aug. 14. William O’Brien,
having paid the costs of court in the action
for libel brought by him against Lord
Salisbury, in whioh action O’Brien was
non-suited, the action of the bankruptcy
court in declaring him insolvent because of
bis refusal to pay costs, has been annulled.
Assignment at Pensacola.
Pensacola, Fla., Aug. 14.—L Gugen*
heim, proprietor of the Red Store Shoe
Palace, to-day made an assignment to L. M.
Davis of this city for the benefit of his
creditors. His liabilities are SB,OOO and his
assets $2,500. Eastern firms are mainly m*
tereeted.
