The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-11-19
GENERAL SUMMARY.


The New York Tribune publishes long rec
ord of local viIlianies and crimes, which trans
pired within twenty-four hours. Among other
revelations is that of q young woman, Catha-
rine Chambers, who surrendered herself to the
officers of the law. She informed the officer
who had her in charge, that she was one of the
girls calling themselves The Chain Gang"
She stated that the object of the gang was to
throw vitriol on obnoxious persons, occasionally
stab a person by way of amusement. and COM
init other outrages. She told the officer that
short time since she killed a child Of hers by
stufing cotton in its nostrils. The Chain Gang
held nightly meetings, and were consulted by
various persons who desired them to act for
them. She said that she lived in Cow Bay,
Five Points, where the gang met. An officer
was dispatched to huut the place, and ascertain
If there was any truth in the statement of the
girl. -
The st. Paul Pioneer and Democrat of the
Sd inst claims to have heard from the Pembi.
ma region, and reports seuen hundred majority
tor Sibley, Democrat, for Governor, electing
him by two hundred and ninety majority. 1t
also claims three ma ority in the Senate, and
six in the House. The St. Paul Times says
there are not one hundred aud ninety legal
voters in the Pembina region. This does not
prove, however, that return may not be sent
thence, giving Sibley seven hundred majority,
or eleven hundred if necessary. Sibley will
undoubtedly get the certificate.
The case of Mrs. Caroline Woodman, whose
release from the Flushing, Long Island, Luna
tic Asylum, on writ Of habeas corpus, has
ared 30 much noise, appears to be prece dent
for a number of similar cases. Selah Squires,
Esq. has applied to the Supreme Court of New
7 ork, asking for writ, commanding the keep
er of that institution for the release of Miss
Annie Bassett Smith, detained there on account
of alleged 8" moral insanity" The suit is
brought at the instance of her brother The
lady has been an inmate of the Asylum for
seven years. The case is likely to prove both
interesting and romantic.
One day last week, merchant in Gardiner
offered to give barrel of -four to Rev. Charles
Blake, the Baptist minister in that city, provi.
ded the young ladies would haul it to him. To
this they consented, and, having obtained a
small pair of trucks, the -four was placed there
on, and about forty young ladies took hold of
the ropes and drew the barrel about half a
mile, up one of the steepest hills in Gardiner,
to the minister's house. The Gardiner Band,
seeing what was going on, headed the process
sion, and played some excellent music during
the haul. There was a large crowd TO witness
the proceedings, and a cabinet-mske brought
out very handsome rocking chair, which he
fastened to the barrel, and let it 60 as an add
tional present to the minister. Those Gardner
girls are full of spunk, and are not to be put
down or blufed off very easily.-Portland
Argus.
Rev. C. s. Stewart, of the U. s. Navy, hav.
ing been "honored" with three hours visit
with Louis Napoleon, writes home an account
OF 1t, in which he is highly eulogistic of his Ina.
perial Highness. He was surprised, among
other agreeable surprises, at his kindness of
heart" The New York Tribune, commenting
severely on this last specimen of toadyism, Just
ly observes that the Republicans butchered in
the streets of Paris, for daring to resist his
bloody usurpation and stand by Liberty and
the Constitution, never attained knowledge of
his kindness of heart"
A new way has been devised in Rhode Isl.
and for getting rid of troublesome tenants. A
landlord in Central Falls stuffed the chimney
of one of his houses with straw, to smoke the
tenant out. The tenant shortly after died, from
the effects of the smoking and fright.
Some inquiry has been made regarding the
definition and origin Of the term +" Broker
Webster has immortalized the class by stating
with great pertinacity that Broker is derived
from Broke" derivation no one will have
the hardihood to dispute.
Mr.. Mason has sent to the President his
resig nation OF Minister to France, to take effect
from the lst of January next but he will be
requested to remain 10 service until the arrival
OF Mr. Slidell, bis successor, who will go out
early in the sprinp
Mr.. Walsh writes to the Journal of Com.
n.erce that Salvini, who lately played Othello in
Paris to universal admiration, is the greatest
tragic actor of the present time.
Mr.. w. F. Richie has returned to his nos. &c
editor of the Richmond Enquirer. He ex
presses himself satisfied with the conduct of
the paper In his absence by Baker P. Lee, the
assistant editor, and he calls upon Governor
Wise to state his position on the Senatorial
question. He does not believe Mr.. Wise will
permit his name to be used in opposition to
Mr.. Hunter.
Gen. Pillow did not get vote in the Tennes.
see Legislature for United States Senator. The
vote was as follows A. o. P. Nicholson, So:
John Bell, 30; William B. Campbell, /.
Ex-Governor Shannon, of Ohio and Kansas.
was relieved iu st. Louis, recently, of a $3.50
watch, and pocket book with contents. $50 in
specie and bills.
Demoine City, the capital of Iowa. has pass.
ed an ordinance, in her corporate capacity.
for the issue of scrip" to circulate as MONEY
and have passed resolution authorizing the
Treasurer to pay three per cent. per month in.
terest till the lst of January, on all orders
drawn by the city prior to the first of October
last.
The N. Y. and Erie and Williamsport and Ell.
mira Railroad bridge, at Elmira is nearly under.
mined by the freshet. No trains can pass over
it. The New York and Erie Railroad track ia
greatly damaged. All the bridges upon the
various streams in this vicinity have been. car
ried away, and no trains are running in anv
direction. The water was now falling slowly. |
The rain storm in the western part of the State
was the heaviest known for many years. 1t WAS
very destructive. On the Central Railroad sev |
eral cuverts have been broken away while the
numerous breaks on the canals have oyerfowed
the roads.
An important decision has Just been given, |
by the highest court in New York, upon the |
right of railroad company to lay its track on |
public street. A citizen of Syracuse sued the |
Central Railroad Company for damages, for |
having laid its track in front Of his property. |
1t was contended, in opposition to his claim,
that as it was public street, and had been sur.
rendered to the public use by the owners ofthe |
adjoining property, the company had right to |
build railroad through it, inasmuch as this
was one mode by which the public made use of
it. The Supreme Court decided in favor of
the railroad company; but the Court ofAppeals
has reversed this decision, deciding that the
of land to the uses of the public as q