27 Feb 1879
Page 1
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Newspaper
Philadelphia Times
Location
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Feb 27, 1879
Page
1
The legislature weighs Norristown Asylum funding as Patterson and team press for $2,000, the house approves a witness-led push. Judge Stanton resigns and Alfred d. Scranton favored for the vacancy with Palmer backing. Senate debates Reagan resolutions and a Philadelphia delegation advances annexation measures while state officials collate budget items and appointments.
London reports Prince Louis Napoleon will sail on the Danube to join British troops in South Africa as a volunteer. The government has chartered ships to move artillery and troops, with a £1,500,000 budget estimate for Zulu war expenses to be debated in Parliament. Zulus attacked Colonel Darnford’s column and Major Palleine was lost in the engagement.
In Washington on February 26 Senator Edmunds reported a judiciary committee bill to safeguard constitutional rights of citizens. It punishes intimidation to prevent peaceful assemblies or petitioning Congress, and prohibits harassment during candidate selection or voting. Offenders face fines, imprisonment, and disqualification from federal office.
In Bassett trial at Bripeceport Isaac Obedient testifies to a voyage on a schooner with Weinbecker and Bassett and missing contact with Weinbecker. Jailer Wells cites Bassett confession blaming Mrs Alexander for arranging killings for money. Bassett says he refused. He found Jack dead, helped place him in a barrel, and transported it to New Haven and Derby before abandoning the barrel.
Tremendous storms sweep the South of France causing widespread homelessness as villages inundate and houses collapse. Italy reports high seas flooding Venice with water thirty inches deep in San Marco Square and wrecks along the Genoa to Naples coast. The English steamer Silistria wrecked near Salerno with eighteen dead.
San Francisco reports the steamer Zealandia carried news from Brooks Island of an attack by natives on the Bourna. Master and owner Ingham, Isler the engineer, one European and two Chinese crewmen were killed. Natives seized all arms and dangerous to approach the island.
A Berlin dispatch to the Pall Mall Gazette says brisk official correspondence is in progress between Germany and Denmark. Prince Bismarck, replying to Alsatian Reichstag deputies, admitted the justice of their claim for extended self government and signaled that further concessions may follow.
A dispatch from Taylorsville reports the fire rekindled on the scene of yesterday’s blaze destroying six more buildings, totaling thirty three burned. Only four business houses remain, with $20,000 more loss, scant insurance, and many families left homeless and destitute.
Warrants issued by Justice Smith of Lansingburg target twenty three Troy Common Council members twenty Democrats and three Republicans for violating election laws by designating polling places where liquor is sold. Complainants are Greenbackers.
In the Senate bill to settle the state debt, obstructionists filibustered in the House of Delegates and no action was taken. The debate continued until about 11:30 tonight.
The House passed the census bill with amendments. It authorizes the President to appoint enumerators, faced with opposition from Republicans. A Chinese labor provision and reporting requirements for railroads and insurers were adopted. Sugar bill debates continue. The rush for Senate offices grows as Democrats face staffing needs. Hartranft to take Philadelphia Postmaster role March 1. Carlisle post office reshuffle replaces Ogilby with J L Meloy, prompting Senator Wallace’s withdrawal of support.
Coroner Gilbert held an inquest into Ferguson’s death from prussic acid at the county prison. Witnesses testified about his fear of Cherry Hill, visits by doctors, and uncertain attribution of the poison bottle. The jury returned a verdict of death by own action from prussic acid.
Special dispatch from Washington reports Colonel Donn Piatt, editor of the Capital, was knocked down and beaten in a Senate corridor by William Mc Garrahan, a claimant opposing the New Idria Mining Company. Piatt suffered facial injuries but is not thought seriously hurt. Mc Garrahan was unharmed. Bystanders separated them after a brief scuffle amid heated exchange over the Mc Garrahan claim.
Hugh Mellvain age sixty three, president of the Lumberman's Insurance Company, died at his West Philadelphia residence. Born in West Philadelphia, he helped found Swarthmore College and served on its building committee. A prominent Quaker with strong charity work, he represented the Twenty-seventh ward in Select Council and leaves a widow and nine children.
The steamship Zeal from Liverpool reached Balitmore amid reports of heavy gales on the voyage. Captain Count states two officers were lost overboard and that, on the 20th, the Konig Harold, a 450 ton bark, was seen sinking with twelve crew and officers rescued. The Konig Harold carried corn to Drogheda, Ireland, and its cargo is insured in United States Lloyds.
February 26 report from Baltimore states Thomas Lomax living near Belair struck his wife twice with a hammer, crushing her skull. He confessed and has not yet been arrested. William Hardigan fired four shots at his wife this afternoon, three hit, including the chest and left hand. bail to the chest not found, condition precarious, jealousy cited. Hardigan has been arrested.
President Judge Watson of Bucks County delivers a full opinion on the disputed Prothonotary case. He holds that a failure to elect did not create a vacancy and that incumbent Bar rett remains until a qualified successor is elected. The term duly qualified implies election, so no one is absolutely qualified without an actual vote. It is doubtful Republicans will seek Supreme Court review given the judge’s apparent impartial, solid reasoning.
Special Dispatch to Tan Times reports in Trenton that John L. Murphy publisher of the State Guest demanded the current printing as his share in a Republican caucus. He won five of forty seven votes and received only the current printing, worth far less than his claim. Murphy threatens to sell the Republican organ, the State Gazelle, after years of failed maneuvers since its 1792 founding.
Special Dispatch to Tax Times reports a boiler explosion at the Duffy farm one mile south of St. Joe Il. Porterfield aged thirty five was killed instantly while alone at the time of the blast. George Eisenman a local blacksmith became intoxicated and his clothes caught fire in his shop causing a blaze from which he was extricated in a dying condition.
London mourns Charles Peace a convicted burglar and murderer. He was hanged at Leeds for the Bannercross killing of Arthur Dyson on 20 November 1876. He confessed to another 1876 Manchester police murder. Habion, once sentenced to death, had his penalty commuted.
At a February 26 auction of Scranton coal 100000 tons sold. Chestnut 7000 tons $2.40 to $2.42. Grate 25000 tons $2.25 to $2.30. Steamboat 6000 tons $2.20 to $2.30. Egg 20000 tons $2.25 to $2.30. Stove 42000 tons $2.60 to $2.67. Decline seen in all grades except chestnut. February and January comparisons show price movements.
Executions totaling twenty thousand dollars were issued today against the pistol manufacturing company in Pirrston in favor of J. F. Lee the president. Officials allegedly confessed judgment in his favor risking losses to several outside creditors.
Morris Fitzgerald of College Point died after a pitchfork thrown by James Maher into a wagon struck him in the eye. The incident occurred yesterday with Fitzgerald passing by as the act took place. Authorities report the death follows the attack’s singular circumstances.
Advices from Cetinje report a convention for the cession of Gusinje and Plava to Montenegro has been signed at Scutari, removing the final pending territorial issue between Montenegro and Turkey.
Bogardas set a brisk pace at the fair grounds on February 26, breaking a thousand glass balls in sixty four minutes. Local spectators watched as the feat unfolded in a display of precision and speed amid the midwinter fair activities.
London February 26 A bark named in the report was wrecked off Corunna with the loss of thirty lives. The voyage's fate remains unclear as rescuers search the coast.
The President listened to delegations urging him to sign the Chinese bill yesterday and petitions from California and Oregon poured in. He nominated Walter S. Cox of Washington as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. Machinery news notes a Preston cotton mill fire in England with £39,000 loss and 100 workers laid off.
Special correspondence describes the dire crowded conditions in five to six story tenement houses on the Lower East Side. It portrays dark hallways, sunlight scarce rooms, close quarters, demoralization of children, beggars and thieves, and a diet deemed unhealthy yet endured. It notes many lodgers are former skilled workers, factory hands, or cigar makers, with no cheap countryside alternatives available.
WastingTon and New York dispatches note a sharp temperature drop overnight with figures from the Western Union Telegraph Company showing declines of twenty to forty seven degrees in twenty four hours. Cities listed include Indianapolis Louisville Nashville St Louis and others with readings dipping to extreme lows.
St Louis February 26 John F Cahill Mexican Consul reports telegram from City of Mexico that Minister of Public Works General Vincent Rivas Palascos has ordered erection of the International Exposition building to be held in 1580. Construction progresses rapidly with all building materials to be bought in the United States. International in character exhibits from the United States invited for prominent displays of goods wares and machinery.
A Shamokin dispatch reports Mineral Company's collieries reopened this morning on the old basis. The company vice president states no agreement has been reached with the miners.
The statue of Captain Cook was unveiled in Sydney on February 25 in front of about 20 000 people. The ceremony drew large crowds and featured the city’s officials and residents paying tribute to the explorer.
The push for a new Democratic city executive committee sparks party fury and debate. Leaders fear disaffection while proponents vow to reform a moribund party, dispatching wards to nominate and unite delegates for the national convention fight.
In the Court of Quarter Sessions Judges Peirce and Ludlow heard testimony on alleged frauds by election officers of the Tenth division Thirty first ward at the late election. Sydney T. Thomas inspector Boyd Feldon and Thomas Stewart were held in $2,000 each to answer for misdemeanor and conspiracy. witness William Moore testified to irregular counting and improper influence during the count.
Charles P. Stickney was rearrested for embezzling $20,000 from Manufacturers' Gas Co. on August 1, 1877. He pled not guilty at arraignment in the Special Court, bail set at $30,000, and he was jailed after failing to post. The surprise arrest was by Commonwealth authorities to test bail avoidance for upcoming sentence.
Paris February 26 report confirms the resignation of the Prefect of Police of Paris. M Regnault, Prefect of Charentefereur, is named his successor. In cabinet, Minister of the Interior De Marcere announced a defense in the Chamber tomorrow against attacks on police conduct. M Brisson named president of the budget committee.
The Dental College holds its sixteenth annual commencement at the Academy of Music this evening with addresses and music by Carl Lentz's Orchestra performing Wagner Gounod Offenbach and Verdi selections. Professor H. B. Howell M D will address the graduates. The spring lecture course runs from the first Monday in April to the end of June.
In St Petersnure on February 26 authorities deny a plague news report about Gelos on the streets. They announce a boatman here has a mild aliment and that forty eight of his associates have been isolated and their effects disinfected or burned.
Weston arrived at Oxford at 7.15 on Wednesday evening and was ninety three miles behind time leaving Weston traveling toward London while the timetable showed delays.
A Barnegat signal report details the schooner David E. Tolek going ashore near Barnegat in heavy seas. One captain’s wife died in the rigging, several crew were saved by breeches buoy and life-car efforts, while others perished or were gravely ill. Reports also note the Rival wreck at Ragged Neck and the Northern Star ashore at Warrell’s Point with crews at the station.
Speaker Randall telegrammed Philadelphia Ledger editor denying Williams letter claims that two Treasury appropriation warrants were illegal to aid Engraving and Printing Department for Samuel J. Randall. He asserts no truth to Williams’ statements and seeks a full contradiction published.
Manager T B Pugh began selling second series stats at Ditson s music store 922 Chestnut street. Thomas Carman and Frank Fellner, noted ticket speculators, crowded outside urging purchases. Ticket agent Charlers W Trumplaar swore affidavit. magistrate issued warrant. Both men held on $500 bail for maintaining a nuisance and peace bond for one year.
The Khedive's son Prince Hassan, commander of the army, publicly apologized to the English Consul for insults to Rivers Wilson, Minister of Finance, and Wilson expressed satisfaction. Paris reports England will support France if the Khedive abdicates. France allegedly knows the civil list pledged to the Khedive if he abdicates to his son.
Duval Savings Bank in Jacksonville was robbed at about two o'clock. A stranger spoke with President Abbott while a confederate entered by a side door and removed $3500 from a drawer. Chief Rawson arrested a suspect and found $80 on him. The prisoner confessed. Two more arrests were made.
Ships arriving at New York and other ports include Galileo from Rio Janeiro Alps from Aspinwall Atlas from Boston Queen from New York Joseph Pease from Boston Oder from New York for Bremen Elphinstone from New York Bulgarian from Boston and Erie from New York. The Bulgarian and Erie collided while docking and suffered damage. cattle head loss noted aboard Galileo during the voyage.
Germany's tariff commission on February 26 passed a resolution favoring a duty on raw iron of fifty pfennigs per hundred weight. The levy would apply to iron bands at one mark per hundred weight and to iron in bars at one and one-half marks per hundred weight.
Major A. M. Hutchins and Thomas McNatt were murdered and robbed of $1,700 in gold near InKA Mississippi yesterday. The assailants are unknown and fled the area.
Reuters dispatch from Constantinople reports Bulgarians at Demotica sacked the residence of the Greek Metropolitan where the Ottoman Governor resided. The incident underscores rising tensions in the region during February.
Special Dispatch to The Times reports J. Smith Fathey will be nominated as the successor to Judge Butler. The nomination will be sent to the Senate tomorrow morning.
Indications for to day show colder northerly to westerly winds, rising barometer, and clearing weather.
A music box valued at 70 dollars was stolen from 2027 Hubbs street yesterday. Mary Graff aged 55 died suddenly at 816 New Market street yesterday. The steamship Athens from Liverpool arrived yesterday. Frank Harris received a thirty day sentence for stealing shoes. Magistrate Pole held Ernest Block on receiving stolen goods charges. John Long barber 2651 Kensington avenue was committed for beating his invalid assistant John Warren. Adelaide E Murdoch will give a reading at Concert Hall tonight. Thieves robbed J Sondheimer's tin ware store at 965 North Second street and took 20 dollars worth of cutlery and 150 dollars in shoes from 067. Pennsylvania Railroad earnings on east lines rose by 141332 dollars for January. John Neville former clerk for A J Green and Co faced embezzlement charges of 57.50 and was held to answer.
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