27 May 1879
Page 1
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Newspaper
Philadelphia Times
Location
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
May 27, 1879
Page
1
A special dispatch from Washington reports the Senate and House face a tense caucus over the army and legislative bills. Democrats reportedly may delay major political provisions, seek extensions with conditions, and adjourn until winter, while Republicans resist surrendering key spending and election provisions. Senate debates on coin exchange and troop transport reform follow with limited action and mounting friction.
Special dispatch from Washington reports Secretary Schurz proposing a timber reform bill. The plan would sell timber lands without land, fund foresters at 2500 dollars annually, and adopt a German forest supervision system. Senators Booth Grover Slater Hill Belford Daggett Maginnis discussed land sales, conservation, and settlers needs amid concerns over cost and practicality.
In Scranton Bellevue area 11 year old Joseph Casey spilled burning benzine while filling a lamp, caught fire after a match was applied, and fled burning through streets for a quarter mile. Rescued by Calpin and others, he sustained severe burns to the left side, face, head and arm but is expected to recover barring internal injuries.
Panama May 17 private sources say Chilean ships used a blockade to justify shelling Pisagua and Matendo. A boat near land fired on by Chilean forces killed and wounded, with shells hitting the English Consulate and killing women and children. The action is described as reprisals for earlier injuries. The Chilean Times reports a missing cutter Julieta with English Vice Consul aboard, while searches fail to locate her after 26 days.
A large blaze at a storage warehouse at Bridge and State streets destroyed hundreds of cotton bales. Leased by John J. Richards and owned by J. Stewart, the building suffered severe damage with four alarms, water poured through roof apertures, and top floors ruined. The stock loss is listed at $300,000 with insurers, while the building valued at $30,000 was fully insured. Firefighters faced dense packing of bales near windows, and several firms reported bales stored on upper floors. No definitive cause, and Richards is away.
George Francis Train agent Sylvester F Wilson alias Sylvanus Wilson, a Camden County Jail ex inmate and partner in a female walking contest, is jailed in New York on libel and child protection charges. The Society to Protect Children from Cruelty alleges he employed girls under sixteen and criminally assaulted two girls. Bail set at 1000 dollars after preliminary hearing. Wilson claimed ties to Philadelphia ministers, but refused to share addresses. Powell, treasurer of the Ladies' Athletic Association, also charged. Powell has a Camden family.
Special Dispatch to The Tres. Woopsury NJ May 26 morning session in Gloucester County Court featured one witness for good character and six rebuttal witnesses for bad character against Tighe charged with Burk's murder. Coroner evidence ruled out. State argues for first degree murder as defense shows the prisoner unsettled. verdict anticipated tomorrow.
Special Dispatch reports bitter reactions from Republicans to the army board findings in Fitz John Porter’s case. The two thousand pages of testimony and maps have been printed. The President will not approve the board findings and sent the documents to the Judge Advocate General for re‑examination over several months.
In Washington on May 26 the Senate in executive session confirmed a number of army officers. With the judiciary committee removing any bar to promotions on the calendar, rapid action on hundreds of promotions is expected.
Harrisburg May 26 Speaker Long announced a committee to travel to San Francisco to receive General Grant. Members listed include Souder Bailey E W Davis Hewit Flinn Fulmer Gantz Yarger Gaus Gillespie David Emery Hoyer Magill A B Campbell and J W Stevens.
The British India Steam Navigation Company's steamer Ava collided with another vessel near Calcutta and sank. Sixty six crew members and four passengers were drowned. The Ava, an iron screw steamer of 2600 tons, was built at Dumbarton in 1873.
Harrisburg session extends past 11 to read and debate appropriations. Bills cut or capped include 170000 for Norristown State Lunatic Hospital, 200000 for normal schools, 90000 for soldiers' orphan schools, and 100000 for geological survey. Net reductions exceed 350000 over two years. Riot bill dropped and oil tax debate continues. Stationery inquiry shows savings of about 20000 versus last year.
Saratoga May 26 The opening session reports 13 seminaries 534 students 53 professors 161 graduates and $4 415 177 15 in property. officers discuss colored seminaries merger of German schools and extending Board of Church Erection to all states. Delegates chosen to correspondents bodies. publication on prayer meeting topics rejected. Madison Wisconsin chosen for next assembly. The Assembly condemns theater and opera attendance and Sunday secular reading, and upholds 1875 baptism stance amid heated debate before adjourning.
A committee report read before the African Methodist Episcopal Church adjournment urged sympathy for Southern oppressions but acknowledged black troops’ sacrifices. It recommended that Southern blacks decide to stay or leave the South based on their interests, while seeking federal protection. Rev. John Given spoke on the North and South, and the report was adopted unanimously.
An agent of the Society to Protect Children from Cruelty found five year old Patrick Brady, living by dancing jigs and standing on his head for pennies around Fifth and Chestnut. His mother, repeatedly jailed for cruelty, abandoned him. he was later sent to St. John's Orphan Asylum after resisting capture.
MARSHALL Texas May 26 While William Wilkinson spoke to Mrs Angell about marrying her daughter Mrs Angell objected Her son stepped from behind and fired a shotgun at Wilkinson Wilkinson wrested the gun away and fatally wounded Angell in the stomach The boy drew a pistol and shot Wilkinson in the wrist
United States District Attorney files a bill of discovery against Samuel J. Tilden in the income tax dispute. The document lists 1,406 items and 472 interrogatories for Tilden to answer or decline. A subpoena to answer will be issued by Commissioner Shields tomorrow.
A great crowd witnessed a perfect battalion drill guard mount and dress parade at the Permanent Exhibition building. Gov Hoyt and many dignitaries attended with 15000 visitors. evening supper and dancing extended to midnight after a day of displays by the State Fencibles.
Arbitration between carpet weavers and manufacturers in Iron's Hall approved a June 9 price scale. Nine-tenths of hand loom weavers favor it though only a dozen large mills back it. Wages rise from 75 cents to 1.25 dollars weekly. various per yard rates for pieces are listed. Some manufacturers pledge support for workers if others resist. The plan awaits endorsement from remaining mills.
Paris May 26 The sub committee of the Darien Canal Congress reports that the Nicaragua route with locks is possible though the level canal course favored by Lt Wyse and Mr Reclus remains best with certain changes. The Nicaragua plan costs about £284000000 while the Wyse Reclus scheme is estimated at £42000000. A grand banquet followed with Rear Admiral Ammen toasting France and Prof Lawrence Smith of Kentucky delivering the U S speech thanking participants.
In New York on May 26 the Attorney General's suit seeking a receiver and dissolution of the Philadelphia and New York Steam Navigation Company was before the Supreme Court Chambers. The case was briefly argued and a decision reserved.
London May 26 Lord Cranbrook secretary for India stated in the House of Lords that a telegram from Major Cavagnari confirms he signed a treaty with the Ameer of Afghanistan that day.
Special Dispatch reports that Senator Thurman will accept the Democratic nomination for Ohio Governor without conditions and that he is responsible for the statement. Secretary Sherman says he would not seek the nomination unless drafted by the convention, noting he is not a candidate but leaving room for a potential run if nominated.
The remains of William Lloyd Garrison were moved to Roxbury Massachusetts at ten o'clock this evening. The funeral is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at Roxbury with the funeral service to follow.
Heavy rain postponed Louisville races to today. Two suspects arrested at Kiev. Bombs revolvers daggers and forged passes found. Miller & Gross candy makers of Washington burned out, loss $20,000. building worth $10,000. Oriental Powder near Brighton Indiana magazine with 90,000 kegs of powder struck by lightning and consumed. Derby betting: Cardagan 375 to 100 against, Charibert 11 to 2, Victor Chief 4 to 2, Falmouth 10 to 1, Caxtonian 100 to 6. Notice filed in Supreme Court by Andrew J. Dunnell vs New York Elevated Railroad to foreclose $2,500,000 mortgage. Supreme Court affirms Third National Bank v Andrew G. Miller decision. Baseball scores from Albany Providence Washington Rochester. In New York General Sessions Court Dan W. Macer pleads insanity for April killing of his daughter. lunatic asylum.
At yesterday's meeting the agent reported the month's census, Major Phipps gave the income, the Board of Visitors reported relief cases, the appropriate committee valued manufactures, another committee valued distributed vegetables, and the outwards committee reviewed their actions. The insane committee reported an outdoor physician refused to certify a wounded soldier unless prepaid, causing the soldier’s relatives to pawn their bed. Mr. Nead moved that Speen investigate Dr Boothby of the Seventh district outdoor relief for alleged fee exacting in the case of Lewis Kessler and report at the next board meeting.
United States District Judge Butler in West Chester presides over a counterfeit case involving Bradford who claims his counterfeit coin came from a poker game at 931 Race street. The defense argues poker for money is common, while the judge challenges whether a person who plays cards for money can have a good character. Jury deliberations proceed with three poker players suspected of influencing the verdict. Charles H. Leitenberger is convicted of counterfeiting. his brother Lewis is charged after a sting at Callowhill street wharf.
Reported to police and Tar Times, two cases show victims handed cash to buy certificates. John Claphanson jailed after taking $400 from Robert Ford and fleeing toward Pittsburg. Max Indig jailed after taking $100 from Mark Alexander, then claiming a mistaken double payment.
George F. Bensell, a well known Germantown artist, died at his Allen's Lane home after a long illness. Born about forty two years ago, he studied under J K Lambdin and at the Academy of Fine Arts, producing early works like Hagar and Ishmael and a Deluge. His shift to landscapes yielded selling pictures, though critics found his color crude and his larger works ambitious but underdeveloped.
Frederick Billings of Vermont elected to lead the Northern Pacific Railroad Company succeeding Wright who resigns due to eye trouble. Billings, the largest stockholder with about 8.5 million dollars in stock, has chaired the executive committee and pushed for rapid completion. Wright retires after leaving over six hundred miles of track laid and no debt. expected net profits this year range from 750 thousand to one million dollars. Friends say no other railroad can match the road’s record and prospects.
William Rusk charged with stabbing David McCool at a party at the hall on Fourth and George Streets was not tried yesterday. Judge Haro postponed the case since counsel James H. Heverin was in U S District Court and Friday is a holiday with Saturday the term's end, the trial likely extending beyond the interim.
A city council committee on Police and Fire Alarm Telegraph discussed a resolution to study and report possible improvements. The proposal calls for a special committee to examine current conditions and propose a more efficient fire alarm system.
Inbound and outbound routes listed include Queenstown Parthia from Boston, Moville Sardinian from Montreal, Bremen Glenberrie from Philadelphia, Glasgow State of Nevada from New York, Barcelona Anatolia from Philadelphia, and New York Erin from Liverpool. Details on context and purpose not provided.
London reports General Sir Garnet Wolseley has been appointed supreme military and civil commander of Natal and adjacent districts as Britain plans a rapid, but cautious, campaign. Parliament notes aim for a speedy honorable peace and will not seek new territory. Invasion plans reportedly shift toward fortified posts and a longer, two campaign war.
About 300 excursionists aboard the Creedmoor cutter, part of a Southwark Yacht Club regatta, feared sinking on the return voyage. The tug drove the boat to Billingsport, N J, where passengers leaped ashore as water poured in through the seams. castaways were later ferried to Camden via rail connections.
A Riverton, Kentucky dispatch reports Elva Underwood shot in a corn field and dying, his father George Underwood killed by ambush, and Jesse Underwood vowing revenge. Farmers flee fields as more bloodshed is feared. Nearby Breathitt County reports Andrew Carpenter shot in his yard, seen as a precursor to further violence.
A proposal from Illinois was discussed at the SHicksite Friends Yearly Meeting in New York on May 26. It urged a central conference of delegates from seven Yearly Meetings to deliberate on methods to advance the society’s testimonies and interests, an idea new to the independent Meetings. Sentiment diverged. the question was referred to a committee.
Murfreesboro Tennessee May 26 After the arrest of a robbers gang and the confessions of John Hall and Barret Smith that they were together at Major Pugh’s killing, Governor Marks arrived and delivered a strong speech urging the people to join in an honest, earnest effort to uphold and enforce the law.
A meeting of bishops at the Cardinal's house in New York discussed the debt of Archbishop Purcell of Cincinnati. A circulating rumor says a schema from bankers would distribute the indebtedness among dioceses by wealth and population, with each contributing its apportioned amount.
Citizens committee meets President Gowen of the Reading to press for a new railroad to connect with the main stem. A proposal is sent to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company asking construction of a line to West Chester. The town agrees to subsidize part of the cost, but no final decision exists.
From Sr Petersnura May 27 the Yakutsk governor reports Professor Nordenskjold's Arctic expedition intends to sail Vega to Europe via Behring Straits and the Suez Canal. Irkutsk dispatch confirms Vega's arrival at Behring's Straits.
Indications for today show rising barometer and cooler air, followed by a slight warm trend. Winds shift from northeast to southeast and skies remain generally clear with light rains observed in Virginia.
Carl Anderson, a German sailor, was arrested by a U S Deputy Marshal yesterday for desertion. Thomas Madison was committed by Magistrate List yesterday for picking the pocket of Mrs. Stella Tracy of 11 Shoemaker's Lane Germantown. Henry Nestor 21 was crushed in a clay hopper at his father's pottery Eighteenth and Cayuga streets yesterday. Margaret Dolan 40 died suddenly at the House of Correction yesterday and George Gibson was found dead in a haylot behind 806 Callowhill Street.
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