The Portland daily press., 1874-01-09

AsAChaCssACAt An thC GEOuuCc uAufket.
NEW YORK, Jan. 8-The excitement in the
produce. exchange, arising from the rapid adj
vance OF pork and lard, during the past month,
eliminated yesterday with the reported failure
OF several large packers and brokers to keep up
their margins Among the houses reported to
have failed on their margins are Knapp & Co.,
Charles II. Smith and Geo. McGrath. About
one-fifih of the contracts made in pork and
lard are simply speculative.
Honor to a VermOnter.
A letter from the commissioner at Vienna
announces that the Emperor of Austria has
created ThaddeuS Fairbanks of st. Johnsbury
VT, the inventor of Fairbanks scales, mem
Der of the imperial order of Francis Joseph
This is believed to be the only inst nee in
which this distinction has been conferred on an
American.
Meeting of Workin gmen.
A few hundred men assembled in groups at
Union Square this morning in consequence of
the call for a workngmen's mass meeting.-
After they had waited till about II o'clock for
more to arrive, report was received that a
large number of German workngmen had
gathered in Tompkin's Square and it was re-
solved to adjourn to that place. When they
reached here it was found that no meeting was
in progress and the only occupants of the
square were strong squad of policemen who
refused them admission at the entrance they
sought. The procession numbering five or six
hundred men was allowed to enter, however,
by gate on the opposite side of The square
The meeting was then Orga lized and addressed
by Mr.. Magnire, who portrayed the grievances
OF the workingmen and denounced the board of
assistant aldermen. He then read a series of
resolutions adopted by the ward organizations
of workingmen, demanding work for the un
employed, the enforcement of the eight hour
law, the abolition of the contract system under
the city governD ent, the reduction of house
ployed and its total suspension till the first of
May. Resolutions were adopted with cheers
and the meeting then adjourned till Tuesday
next, when grand dem onstration of working
men is predicted.
Bad for Brennan.
In the ex-Sheriff Bennan and Deputy Shields
case this afternoon arguments were heard and
Judge Daniels closed with the following brief
remarks aud sentence: There was no excuse for
the sheriff or deputy for having this man &c
net at large. The language of the commitment
was So unequivocal that the Court could resist
the inference that there was design by the
sheriff and his deputy not to execute their duty,
and the case was one Which called for punish
ment. Public officers must obey orders or our
courts will be powerless.
The Court then inflicted the highest penalty
allowed by statute, $3.50 fine and thirty DAYS
imprisonment in the County Jail.
Important Action of the Chamber Of Com
me- &c.
At the regular meeting of the Chamber of
Commerce a lengthy memorial was read for
presentation to Congress, protesting against the
bankrupt law 1t said the law was purely a
commercial one, and its repeal would be very
disastrous to the interests OF trade and would
be very detrimental to the interests of all classes
OF business men, whether debtors or creditors
The memorial requests Congress not to totally
repeal the present law, but retain it after max
ing some notifications The memorial was
adopted.
A series of resolutions against the present
revenue laws were presented by Jonathan Stur-
gis, in a lengthy speech. The sentiments EN-
bodied IN the resolutions were reiterated by
jackson A. Schultz He related several cases
OF honesta and prosperous merchants who have
| suffered from tie unjust system and arbitrary
manner in which it is enforced. The resolu
| tions were adopted and a committee appointed
| to present them to Congress.
The special committee ON collisions and
| the use of electric and other lights presented a
| report, urging the adoption by Congress of an
| electric light for the prevention of marine COL
lisions. The report was adopted and it was re-
solved to transmit it to Congress-.
The Case of Jay Cooke.
| In the case of the United States Government
| VS.. Jay Cooke & Co., to recover $1S,73O coupon
| bonds with interest, amounting in all to S25-
7SO.56, which were presented to the Assistant
Treasurer in this city by Jay Cooke & Co., and
| paid. The bonds were afterwards declared
| counterfeit and decision was given to the
| government A writ of error was taken out by
Jay Cooht O w. GO-udy. Judge woodward
heard the case and reserved bis decision.
| Tweed.
| 1t is stated that while Tweed was being tried
his friends raised $4,000 to buy up three mem
hers of the jury This amount was put into the
hands of a leading politician who never used il
| or tried to.
A Cotton Case.
In the case of the Eagle Manufacturing Co.
of Georgia. who sued Draper in the United
States Circuit Court to recover the value of GER
tain cotton alleged to have been seized during
the war, the jury to-day, under the direction Of
| Judge Shipman, rendered verdict for the
| plaintiffs for $691 400. The decision in this
case covers large number of similar claims
against the government which probably will bt
| settled without further litigation.
| Various Matters.
The proposed labor demonstration at Union
| Square this morning was decided failure.
Not more than 200 workmen appeared. Some
trouble in the up town districts during the day
! is deemed possible, and the authorities have
made preparations accordingly.
| Burglars made another trial on Staten Island
on Tuesday night, clearing out the house Of
| Henry L. Butler.
| This evening George P. Putnam called at the
police headquarters and stated that Mrs. Bodg