Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-05-22
FOREIGN NEWS.

bers already given of Duke d'Audifret Pas
ouier, without a portfolio; Genera! Cissey, Min
lister OF War; NJ. Washington, Minister OF
Education; Marquis dc Montaigpa, Minister of
Marine: M. Bodet, Minister of Finance.
At a subsequent meeting, however, the mem
bers of the Moderate Right objected to the re-
publican tendency of this programme. and NJ.
Waddington declined the portfolio of Educa-
ton, This action destroyed the proposed COM
| binatiou to couciliate both Centres and reopen
ed the crisis.
The president of he Assembly, Buffet, Duke
de Cazes and other members of the combiDa-
| ton atterward held a conference with President
MacMahon, the result OF which Is not yet
known.
LONDON, May %, 5a. ma Paris dispatch
to the Standard says: 1t is thought the combl-
patton made last night to complete the minis
try will be successful, and a ministry will prob.
| ably be promulgated, with DeCazes or Audeff-
ret Pasquicr at the head. Bonapartlsts and
Legitiulsts will be excluded.
The Gar left England, yesterday, on his re-
turn to Russia.
The Globe has a rumor that the British
frigates Narcissus and Eudymion are ashore at
at Bermuda.
PARIS, May 2l.-The duel between Prince
Metternich aud the Count of Montebellu took
place at Menden, near Versailles. The Couot
was wounded IN the arm and disabled.
Duke de Montpensier's son Louis died to-
day.
MADRID, May 2l.-A fight took place in the
province Of Tarragona to day between a force
of Republicans and body of Carlists, resulting
in the defeat Of the latter. The insurgents lost
sixty killed and many wounded. The casual
ties on the Republican side were five killed aud
ninety wounded.
A body of Carlists in Catalonia, numbering
200 men, have also been defeated by the IA.
tional troops, with the loss of 81 killed and IA
taken prisoners.
General Coucha has reoccupied the town Of
Orduna.
BERLIN, May 2l.-The Prussian Diet was
prorogued to-day without any formal cere-
monies.
MALICIOUS POISONING. Colonel John Will
lis, of this county, and several members of his
family were poisoned on last Thursday morning
by the admiuistratiou of strychnine lu SOM
molasses. The strychnine had been purchased
for the purpose of killing dogs, and had been
left by him ca the mautel in his chamber; there
being no young children 10 the house 10 be en-
dangered thereby. The molasses pitcher 10
which the s'rychuinc Was put had been eaten
from the night before with no Injurious effects
upon anybody, and no more molaSses had been
put 10 it for the morning meal. Remark was
made upon its peculiar taste at the breakfast
table, but nobody suspected poison. Very soon
after breakfast Col. Willis and one of his sons
experienced singular feelings, which soon de
veIoped 10 the case of the former, Into the mus
cular twitcliings and contractlons Incident to
strychDia poisoning. Col. Willis started down
the steps Of his front porch to describe his
symptoms to a physician who was 10 the house,
but overcome by the effects Of the strychnine, he
fell, striking his forehead upon the edge aud
corner of Que Of the steps which made a con.
siderable confusion. Such domestic remedies
as we're in the reach of DR.. Ernest, were prompt
iy administered, and Drs. Grymes and R;w at
once sent for, aud after a few hours the Colonel
was entirely relieved Of the effects Of the poi
SOD, except as to The wound iu his forehead re-
sultiug tberefrom. The molasses was called
for by the physicians. who discovered a whitish
powder floating on top of it, with az occasional
grain adherlng to the side of the pitcher,
which all believed to be strychnine. Some of
it was carefully got out CT the pitcher and ad-
mlnistered to a healthy chicken, which died
10 a short time, exhibiting ali the symptoms OF
poison by strychnIne. Two colored women
servants, Maria Washington and Betty Dade
we're arrested for the offence and committed to
Jail to await the action of the Grand jury
GordoasviM Gazette.
THE STEWART CONGRESSIONAL CONTEMPT
CASE "A most important case came up for ar
gument in the Suprrme Court of this Dlstrc
to-day, before all the judges. 1t is the case of
Joseph B. Stewart vs.. James g. Blaine, Speak
er of the House of Representatives, 10 which
Stewart sues Speaker Blaine, claiming one
huudred thousand dollars Oh the allegation that
under an order OF the House of Representatives
dated the Sd Of January, 1878, aud growing
out Of the refusal of Stewart to answer certain
questions asked by the Credit Mobilier inVes-
t~igating committee, the defendant had caused
the plaintiff to be seized, gave him into the
custody of q policeman, and forced him to a
prison. room in the capitol, and caused him to
be imprisoned there upon the charge Of con.
tempt of the authority Of the house OF Repre-
sentatives Of the Congress of the United States
and caused him to be kept there for thirty days.
The counsel for the defendant, the attorney
General and A. j. Bentley, esq.,, filled pleas
some time siuce, justifying the Imprisonment
on the warrant of an order of the House to
these pleas. The counsel for the plaintiff.
Judge Moore and Judge Paschall, denurred,
and the demurrer was certified, because of its
importance, to be heard before the general term
10 the first Instance. The case was argued by
Arthur j. Bentley for the Speaker Of the House
and Judges Moore aud Paschall for Mr.. Stew
art. The case was not decided Cor. Bait.
Sm.
DESTRUCTION oFFRUIT Trees BY BUGs.-
1t is stated that within the last two weeks a
species of black bug has appeared in countless
numbers in the peach orchards near Denton,
Caroline county, Md, and has done serious
damage 10 that locality. In one nursery the
grated stocks of SO, 200 trees were entirely
killed. The insect is even capable of destroy
ing large trees, as it thickIy covers the leaves
and prevents vegetation. None OF the ordina-
ry means of destroying insects seem to avail, as
this scourge is very tenacious of life, and a
liquid application that will kill the tree does
not affect it. 1t resembles the rose bug, and is
regarded by entomologists as a similar pest to