The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-09-06

New YORK Sept Sat the meeting of the
Liberal Republican General Committee last
night, Mr.. Classy remarked that their pOliti-
cal situation was most critical one and IT was
deemed advisable to make no explanation as to
the continued iuaction of the committee, but
wait the advice of ADLER leaders before putting
forth their views. Gen. Cochrane favored issu-
ing call TO all hostile to the present admins
tration and the nomination of a Straigh t-for-
ward ticket
Contempt of Court.
VIM. H. Claws, said to be one of the seconds
in the Wall street dueling cases, was before
Judge Fancher in the Oyor and Terminer this
afternoon, for contempt in refusing to answer
the qaestions of the grand jury, notwithstand
ing the order of Judge DanielsOn, on the
ground that it weuld criminate hin: and others.
Judge Fancher ordered him to go to the grand
jury room and answer. His council answered:
He will decline to answer as he does here
Judge Fancher then ordered Claws to be COM
mtted for contempt.
Murder.
John Downing, arrested for the murder of
the sailor johnson. who died at the hospital
yesterday in Brooklyn, states that Johnson at
tackled him and bit the end of his nose off, and
in self defence Downing threw a stone at him,
but didn't know he hit him. 1t was from the
effects of this blow from the stone that John
son died.
Another Murder.
1t is now stated that the detectives believe
that Mrs. Hammil, whose body was found
burned and tied to bed with cords in a house
on 9th street, Brook Ign, last night, was mnr
dered for her money. deep cut was also
found in her arm. James and Sarah Merrigan,
at whose house the affair occurred, were ar
rested to-day.
Selling Up.
All the bondsmen of city treasurer Sprague
of Brooklyn, and of Rodman, except Mr.. Pat
ten, held final meeting to-day and gave their
notes to cover the defalcation of $148,G00 in
the city treasury by Rodman; Patten declines
and will be fined Shortly after the above pa
pers were paid over to the Comptroller, Sprague
sent his resignation to Mayor Powell and the
lauder hos Called spooi.i soo'ns or ~ a.
dermen for next Thursday to accept the reslg-
nation and fill the vacancy. Sprague's reslg-
nation gives no reason for resignng.
City suits.
Early this year Joseph f. Novano obtained a
msAldanus compelling Commissioner Van
Mort to give requisitiOn on the Comptroller
for $685. 900, the price of 1850 water meters de
| iiyered on contract with W m. Tweed in 1877.
| This was preliminary to applications for an in
| junction on the Comptroller, who refuses to
| paw. To-day another mandamus was granted
| 10 Novarra of a similar character on Mr.. Van
Mort for a requistion for the payment OF S416,-
$50, the price of a second lot of meters deliv
cred under the same contract A mandamus
on the Comptroller will be asked for W hen the
requisition is obtained
| Various Matters.
The New York produce exchange has ap-
| pointed a committee to confer with the Senate
Committee on Transportation.
| A slight fire occurred Thursday night at 1873
9th street, Williamsburg, and when the flames
! were eXtinguished the body of Margaret Ham,
mill was found burened with piece of bed cord
around her neck. The occupants of the APP
partment have been arrested.
| The name of Daniel Drew, the railroad mil
| lionare, has been added to the roll of pension
| ers of the war of 1872. Drew served as private
| soldier under Winfield Scott. The names of
| Thurlow Weed and Gov. Dix are also on the
rolls
for some days past an unknown man accused of
| being concerned in the counterfeiting of bonds
| of the Bnffalo and New York and the Erie
road. The police refuse to give his name OF
proofs of the alleged crime.
| 1t is now said that Rodman will be indicted
on Monday next. On learning this decision
Rodman denounced the leaders as men who
were seeking to crush him in order to save
themselves He says he has done nothing but
in obedience to orders.
While Henry Reamon of Stanton street. was
beating his wife this morning, VIM Goidchal,
aged IA a sou by former husband, drew pts.
tol and shot Reamon in the shoulder, inflict-
ing an ugly wound.
The Express learns by private letter from
Washington that the President has accepted
the resignation of Gov Cook of the District Of
Columbia aud rendered the office to IA gentle
man of high character and undoubted qualfca-
tions for the past.
James Yates is the name of the mysterious
| prisoner the police have been holding at their
headquarters nearly week. He is suspected
of being interested in the recent forgeries. He
will be examined partially tomorrow under a
writ of habeas corpus
Dominica Pasterello, an Italian boy eleven
years old, who was sold by his parents in Italy
to padrone in this city, was taken to the
Mayors office and delivered to the Commits
soner of Charities and Correction.
The last installment of the payment of the
Geneva award was deposited in the money Of
flee here at noon, and the certificates duly is
sued by United States Treasurer in the names
of the bankers representing the contracts for
the British government.