The Portland daily press., 1869-08-17
NEW YORK.
HEAVY ROBBERY.


New York, Aug. 16.-The Office of the
Washington Fire Insurance Co., 172 Broad
way, was robbed Friday night of box con-
tanning checks, bonds policies, &C., to the
amount of $127 900. The box was found this
morning on the door of house in 23d street,
with large portion of its contents. There are
missing $4,000 in Kings County bonds, $4,000
in government bonds, and 81 900 in gold.
THE LAST OF PRATT, THE TEXAN MURDERER.
The case of Pratt, the alleged Texas rioter,
was before Commissioner Osborne to-day
Gems. Mcdowell and Ingalls, had previously
had an interview with District Attorney Pierre
pont- in reference to the course to be pursued
in the event of an attempt at rescue. A vast
crowd had collected inside and outside the
United States courtroom. At noon Pratt was
brought in under guard of Co. b, LIST Regt. of
artillery. His council arrived shortly after
wards, and the case was promptly opened
District Attorney Pierrepont arguing for the
United States, but admitting that the only ev-
ldence against the prisoner was telegram
from the Governor of Texas, asking Governor
Hoffman to remand him to Texas. Deputy
Sheriff Crowley testifies to the arrest of Pratt.
Commissioner Osborne stated that he hal ex-
amined the case on its merits, and there was
not sufficient evidence to hold the prisoner
bad not the State court pursued the course it
had, he would have so decided before this
Both, the District Attorney and himself had
pursued the course they had, because they
deemed il right to maintain the laws of the
United States, and 1t was simply and purely,
because there were no facts sufficient to hold
him, that be should order his discharge. There
were loud cheers at the conclusion of the de-
cision, and the prisoner left the courtroom in
company with his friends, the military return
ing to fort Schuyler.
ARRIVAL OF DISTINGUISHED PARTY.
The United States steamer Tallapoosa, with
Secy Robson, Gen. Sherman and Admiral
Porter on board, arrived this afternoon.
Applications to the extent of $1,000 900 have
been sent to the Treasury department. to de-
posit gold in the New York office and receive
therefor drafts on the San francisco Office
1t is expected that the government will assent
to the requests.
COMPETITION AMONG RAILROADS.
Rumor says the war between the railroads
on freight from the West, will eliminate this
week. Erie is reported to have made contracts
to Chicago and intermediate points on Satur-
day, as low as IL cents per hundred. About
900 fully loaded goods cars left the Erie depot
Saturday and Sunday, and ten extra trains
were put ON to accommodate shippers. 1t was
known that contract was made in Buffalo
Saturday, with Erie Co., to transport 1,Co0,-
coo bushels at IL IL cents per bushel. These
cheap rates are having ruinous effect upon
the Erie canal and many boats are laid up
One OF the Albany tug boat lines have hauled
off for want of business The New York Gem
trail is also carrying heavy freight; extra trains
are running day and night
PROTEST AGAINST THE COMBINATION OF COAL
DEALERS.
BUFFALO,. N. Y, Aug. 16--Ata citizens
meeting held tonight the draft of an act to
protect the public against combinations, and
conspiracies to enhance the value of coal or
support coal monopolies, and recommends
ton that the next legislature pass the same
was adopted. The act pr ovides that individu-
ais so offending be convicted and punished as
for misdemeanor, and any corporation or rail-
road company, SO conspiring, to forfeit their
charter.