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This newspaper page contains 15 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Freeport Journal
Location
Freeport, Illinois, United States of America
Date
Jan 25, 1882
Page
2
The Freeport Journal notes the Guiteau trial nears conclusion and dedicates most space to ongoing reports, surrendering local news this week to provide readers with the latest courtroom updates and developments.
The Post Office Department traditionally changes war rants with a new Postmaster General’s portrait. Postmaster General Lowe orders a fine vignette of Benjamin Franklin placed on the warrants as a reform and replacement of the customary official portrait.
The Interior Department receives Governor Murray's message to the Territorial Legislature of Utah. He asserts that church sovereignty over state cannot align with the U S Constitution and laws. He argues church authority governs political power in Utah and its officers direct temporal affairs, with church sovereignty deemed supreme despite U S laws and courts to the contrary.
The Suwannee Times notes Atkins claims twelve hundred names on his petition from seventeen hundred Freeport voters, predicting reappointment. It recalls Richards backing Major Hawk’s nomination to Congress and Atkins opposing it, urging fairness in appointing Richards this time for Freeport, with local contentment implied.
A Freeport postmaster held twenty years in public office with a $60,000 salary faces a claim of improper reappointment after a bought claim. The text argues the sale cancels his title, alleging he received over $10,000 since the bargain, and that any further claim would be false pretence. It labels Atkins a "confidence operator" for the sale.
The Beacon accuses Sherwin of promising the Aurora post office to Knickerbocker in exchange for support, but Sherwin reappointed the old postmaster after election. Hawk reappointed Mt Carroll's long serving Tompkins amid district dissatisfaction. Freeport's Richards claims Hawk promised the post office to him, with editors pressing for appointments amid petitions.
Forreston Herald weighs in on local politics and post office matter. The paper backs Maj. Hawk as a fit patriotic Christian gentleman and criticizes Gen. Atkins while noting the Administration defers to Congress.
A medical letter to Congressman Springer details Mrs Mary Lincoln residing at 30 West Twenty sixth Street as suffering chronic spinal inflammation kidney disease and advancing cataracts. It notes progressive paralysis risk and blindness, requiring constant nurse and medical care. Senator Logan pushes for arrears pension of 15000 and increase of annual pension from 3000 to 5000.
An anonymous Harper’s Drawer piece recounts a Civil War anecdote about a colonel badly wounded who, after brain removal during surgery, mounts his horse to report to headquarters claiming he does not want his brains because he has just been breveted brigadier general. The tale satirically explains the colonel’s eccentricities and connects him to a Republican contemporary and an Illinois regiment.
The article reports Guiteau’s trial defense in detail with Scoville’s tirade defending insanity and attacking government figures, followed by Judge Porter’s blistering oration denouncing Guiteau as a beggar, hypocrite and murderer. It notes Guiteau’s dramatic courtroom readings, emotional displays, and the crowded Washington court.
In a heated session, Judge Porter rebuts defense claims of bias and asserts the government’s duty, while Guiteau and his counsel press for sympathy and exceptions. The court adjourns as readers and reporters speculate on whether the jury will reach a verdict or hang.
A large party of Dakotans in Washington join delegate Pettigrew in promoting two bills. One aims to create the Territory of North Dakota and the other seeks admission of the southern portion of the present Territory as a state, with all working in harmony to secure passage.
Sergeant John A. Mason of Battery B Second United States Artillery remains confined at the arsenal. The court martial convened by General Hancock in October has been suspended. Reports say the government may wait for public agitation to ease before trying him, despite General Sherman’s assertion he would ensure prosecution if Hancock does not act. Mason’s supporters insist his act was to avenge the President and that he is sane on that point.
Commissioner Dudley issues two rulings affecting widows and soldiers. If a captured soldier released in good health later contracts a disease he is presumed disabled in the line of duty. If a captured soldier is never heard from or death proof is unclear he is presumed dead on duty and his widow receives a pension.
The unusual shortage of cabbages is linked to a detectable hint of tobacco flavor in Connecticut cigars, highlighting an odd agricultural and manufacturing coincidence.
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