The Portland daily press., 1875-03-26
History of Seven Days.
The news for the week ending Wednesday
Might, March 24th.
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.

THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
A New York despatch says that Senator
Cameron and others who are going to Mexico
during vacations have in view the annexation
by purchase of the northern states OF Mexico,
embracing 100000 square miles OF territory and
a million and a half of population.
The government saves $21,975 per annum by
the consolidation of internal revenue districts
in Massachusetts.
George Emerson alias Col. G. T. Fenton has
been arrested for issuing circulars to soldiers of
the late war, asserting that the bounty bill had
passed and asking claimants to send forward
proofs of service and a small fee.
The reciprocity treaty with the Sandwich
Islands has been ratified by a vote 81 to r. All
articles of Uuited States production are 20 be
admitted free, and the greater part of Hawai-
ian products are admitted to this country the
same. One section provides that the Hawaiian
government shall not lease any part to any 9TH
er government.
Two Alabama claims cases of parties be-
longing in Maine have been considered the
past week and awards made. One of these
awards was made to G. and E. j. Peters and
A. f. Drinkwater of Ellsworth for loss sus-
tanned as part owners of the brig Dunkirk de-
stroyed Oct 1862 The other was awarded to
j. S. Cooper mate of the ship John A. Parks
destroyed March 1868. In case of Alabama
claims claimant who shipped goods on board
the steamer Ariel which was seized by the
Alabama and released on bond part of
which bond claimant paid court decides that
he cannot recover.
81. M Atkinson of Nevada has been appoin-
ted Commissioner of pensions and J. w. Ba-
ker confirmed as Assayer General of Minneso-
ia.
CONGRESS.
The Senate still continues in special session.
Thursday little was done beyond the confrma-
ton of several officers. Friday the resolution
of Mr.. Boutwell, authorizing the appointment
of special committee to inquire into the sew
eral branches of the civil service with view
to the reorganization of the same was passed.
The appointments of several judges in terrific
ries were confirmed. Saturday, the Republi-
cans called up the resolution approving of the
action heretofore taken by the President of the
United States in protecting Louisiana from do
nestle violence, and expressing the opinion
that he should continue to recognize in that
state the existing state government. This led
to long debate.
THE BEECHER TRIAL.
The past week has been most important
one in Mr.. Beecher's defence. Assistant pas
tor Halliday and Bessie Turner have been wit
nesses on the stand, and the testimony of the
latter has been extremely important as show
ing the infamy of Mr.. Tilton. The ''ideal
home" as described by Bessie was the home of
a ravisher, man who locked his wife up in
for kad &c
and who introduced into his house loose
women and vulgar men. Bessie's cross exami-
nation has developed some discrepancy be-
tween her testimony now and that given before
the church committee Judge Fullerton rs
putting her through severe. test, and it is not
surprising that she becomes involved OCCASION
ally in some contradictions.
CRIMES AND CASUALTIES
The Sturtcvant furniture establishment in
Boston was burned Thursday; loss $4,000.
Nearly whole square in New Orleans, on
Deland street, was burned Thursday. Two per-
sons were burned to death; loss 100000.
A fire in East Jaffrey, N. H., Sunday, de-
stroyed the Granite State Hotel, the bank block
and dwelling house; loss $4,000
Charles Lands, known as 'the father of
Vineland," shot Mr.. Carruth. editor of paper
in Vineland, N. j., Friday, for remarks made
in the paper.
A fearfully destructive tornado passed over
Augusta, Georgia, Saturday, laying waste
houses and trees, and killing people and stock.
The Baptist church was demolished, and three
persons killed and twenty-five wounded. The
whole country about was desolated. The Cath
Ollie church at Aiken. S. c., was completely de-
molished. At Camak several houses were
blown down. Residences and out-houses on
plantations were overthrow, and many per-
sons killed. The storm was fearfully destruct-
i've, surprising in extent and violence anything
of the kind in that section for years.
During fit of insanity, resulting from do
nestle trouble, Mrs. Mary Colby of Coventry,
r. l., drowned herself and child in we'll.
A Raleigh, N. O., special says terrific wind
swept over that region Saturday. Several per-
sons were killed and others injured Many
houses were blown down and trees over a large
area torn up by the roots. In New Hope coun
ty,, where the damage was greatest, the farm
ing interests are greatly injured.
A little child of Jonathan Emerson of Con-
cord, N. H., was scalded to death Tuesday by
falling into a pail of hot water.
Chas E. Witham of Northwood, N. H., who
has served three years in the state prison, and
is now held to await trial for an assault, impli-
Gates his brothers and their wives in large
number of burglaries in Massachusetts and
New Hampshire.
The latest reports of the Southern tornado
say that the destruction of property is immense
and the list of killed and wounded appalling.
The devastated district embraces eight coun-
ties in Georgia and three in South Carolina.
Houses were demolished in moment, and
great trees snapped like pipe stems. The path
of the tornado was about 900 yards wide, and it
travelled with fearful velocity from north to
south.
A brutal murder took place in. East Boston
Monday night. The body of Mrs. Mary Bing-
ham, a widow about thirty years old, was found
in the cellar of her mothers residence on Web
ster street. Robbery appears to have been the
motive Tor the crime. The murderer is I'M
known The body of the victim was found
with feet lying towards the stairs and
face upturned, the features fearfully bruised
and distorted, and presenting a sickening an
pearance. The mouth was filled with gravel
packed in SO solid that the use of a knife was
required to remove it. In the wind pipe was
found large stone, which was with difficulty
dislodged. There were several cuts on the back
of the head, with one or two in front and under
the chin. There was also several bruises upon
the head and face, and upon the neck were
marks as if some person had attempted to
strangle her during the scuffie which must have
occurred. if she was murdered.
A shocking tragedy occurred at Lowell, Tues
day afternoon Charles j. Low, man of dis
sipated habits, son of Elder G. w. Low of
Fredonia, N. T., called on his wife who was
employed as a domestic in BOARDING bouse.
shot her and then shot himself. He is dead
AID her injaries are thought to be fatal.