Wilmington daily commercial., 1876-10-07


another series of important conventions in
session here. A summary of all that has
been done in this direction during the sum-
mer would make valuable addition to the
Centennial record; it is very certain that 30
many and significant public meetings have
never beforeibeen held In such a period any
in American city, possibly never anywhere
in the world. In addition to various smaller
gatherings we have had this week the
Bankers Convention, the Librarians Con
vention, and the Women's Congress. Each
of these occasions was very complete. In
the first named convention there were dele
gates from nearly every State, and various
distinguished representatives from abroad.
Papers were read and discussions indulged
in relative to banking interests generally.
A feature of the proceedings was an ad-
dress by Mr. 1. d. Hayes of Detroit upon
Panics.n Mr.. Hayes skillfully outlined
the causes Of these crises in commercial af-
fairs and considered the various plans best
adapted to their prevention. The concur
rent opinion of the gentlemen concerned,
and they are men who have unusual oppor-
tunitles of forming sound judgment on the
question, was that the country is now en-
tering period OF long and undisturbed
prosperity.
The librarians had an important meet
ing This interest is now so large in the
United States that it is felt that much good
can be accomplished by the regular gather
ing of persons in charge of our great pub
lie collections of books, for the purpose Of
interchanging views upon literary needs, the
reading tastes of different classes, &c. as well
as upon the practical details of the work.
ing Of Libraries. The idea is an excellent
one and the present Convention cannot fail
TO bring forth good fruit. Some Of the sub
jects discussed were "a cooperative Index
to Public Libraries" "Bibliography as q
Science" ''rhe Preparation of Printed Ii
ties for the common use of Libraries" !"
"Systems of Medical Catalogues" and Gre
lations between Libraries and Readers "
These topics indicate the ground covered
and the nature Of the discussion following
the reading of the various papers. The
whole of the proceedings were, in fact, Of a
very valuable and entertaining kind, and l
have heard NUMBER of individual express
sions of qualification growing out of atten-
dance OF the meetings or the reading OF the
full reports which have been published.
The Women's Congress was fine sue
cess. 1t is not too much to say that it was
the most impressive demonstration ever
made by women in this city in favor of the
political, educational, and business rights
OF the Sex. The speeches we're all upon vi
tel tOpios e--S s-ere haadle1 sn stlpng anu
pointed manner. There was nothing wit
less or vague or unreasonable in the pro-
ceedings from first to last, and no fair
minded person can read them and not ad-
init that the strength of the general posi-
ton assumed that men and women should
be absolutely equal before the law, and in
the eye of custom and society is impregna-
BILE. Among the subjects discussed were
cart Education, "Philosophy of Womsns
Era" development of Character in
Schools, Industrial Education" and "In-
temperance. Mrs. Hicks, Mrs Julia Ward
Howe, Miss Abby May, Mrs. Lucretia Mott.
Mrs. Diaz, Mrs. Churchill, Mrs. Livermore,
and others, took prominent part in the
Congress. The evening sessions were
largely attended by men, who were atten-
tive listeners, and who applauded the many
good points made very heartily.
SERIOUS DISASTER AvERTED.
There has been another narrow escape
from a serious confagration on the Centen-
nial Grounds. A considerable part of Lau-
ber's restaurant was burned last evening,
and though the building is removed some
distance from other structures it is not easy
to see how some Of them avoided taking
fire, thus aiding in spreading destruction
through the grounds The restaurant is
entirely of frame, and sparks end pieces of
burning boards were blown in all directions.
Happily, the wind was not high, or there is
no saying what might have happened.
Lauber's place was partly burned earlier in
the season, but this last fire was more seri-
GUS than the other. 1t appeared last even
ing that the Centennial Fire Department is
very inefficient. The force ran about in
frightened manner, not knowing how to
get to work, or even how to find the plugs.
Outside assistance had to bs telegraphed
for, the men on the ground being able to
DO nothing This is a shock, for we have
been constantly told of the admirable dieci-
pline. &C., and have felt every confidence in
the Department. It makes one shudder to
think of what would be the consequences
Of fire in any of the Exhibition buildings
The guard also distinguished itself, in a
manner, last evening. Some Of the men,
bers took advantage Of Tie confusion to
appropriate cigars, wine, and portable prop
erty from the bcrnipg restaurant.
TIE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES CASE.
The very singular case OF Calhoun W.
Cleveland and Minister, has been the toUr
talk this week. Sarah Calhoun .borI,e5 0mJ
Messrs. Cleveland and Minste,r nhvsicisns
in good standing, with ser. .ous mslnractice
Her evidence, and tbs.It Of other Witnesses
for the prosecutl'.l, was very strong, and
there seemed r. be no doubt Of the guilt of
the l sccuseH. But at the last moment an
dstot WIS established; the District Attorney
Inew up the case without argument and
the Judge directed the jury to find YER
dict of mot guilty" SO complete re-
vulsion can hardly be instancsd i'll all our
court history. Somebody has lied tremen-
dously, and if Sarah Calhoun, or those who
put her on, are guilty OF perjury, stern
example should be made of them. II they
are really guilty in this wsy-and if the
dlibi is true, there can be no doubt of it
no punishment could be too severe for the
outrage put upon Doctors Cleveland and
Minister. The position of the accused par
ties has given intense interest to this case.
THE MAIN DUILDING PROPOSITION.
1t is now proposed to retain the Main
Building instead of Machienery Hall, after
the close of the Exposition, and holl it for
future Exhibition purposes, great popular
gatherings, &c. The project is.tc form
stock company for the purpose and the pre-
liminsry steps have been taken. difficult
ty in the way is to decide whether or no the
Centennial Commission has power to sell
the Building to allow it te remain per-
manently in the Park-that ground being a