The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-12-27
NEW YORK.
A Wealthy New Yorker Attempts 10 Mar
der His WIFE,

der His Wife.
NEW YORK, Dec. 26. "A tragic event in bieh
life occurred this afternoon James e. John
son, aged %, resident Of West 23d street, New
York, and said to be son of a wealthy Broad
way stage proprietor, attempted to murder his
wife at the residence of her father R. Bene-
dict, 43 Monroe Place, Brooklyn. The couple
had been married about year, but for some
reason have been living apart for the past few
weeks The husband called on the wife this
afternoon, and it is alleged that he threatened
to shoot her and the babe at her breast She
ran down stairs and he fired, the ball entering
her shoulder and passing out below the breast.
The assailant was arrested and locked up. Mrs.
Johnson's wound is serious.
Success of the Elevated Railroad.
A banquet was given tonight at Delmonico's
by Cyrus W. Field in honor of the present and
prospective success of rapid transit by the ele-
waited railroad The gathering was very nota-
BILE, comprising Secretary Sherman, Gov Haw-
ley, Peter Cooper, David A. Wells, William
Cullen Bryant and large number Of gentle
men well known to literature, art and science.
The gathering was also notable from the repre-
sentation of capital at the tables, there being
over $500, 100000 represented by the gentlemen
present. After samptuous banquet was fully
discussed, President Cyrus W. Field delivered
an address on the occasion of the meeting, and
stated that the success of the railroad in its rap
id transit was success, scouting the welfare
of the whole city of New York. He educed
series OF facts to sustain this statement, and
sured his hearers that nothing would be left I'M
done to enable all citizens to indulge in quick
transportation. Toasts were announced and
responded to in an appropriate manner. The
banquet closed at II o'clock.
The Failure of Meter & Co.
The Sun says of the failure of Nettar & Co.,
in all cases the losses will fall upon firms
abupdantly able to stand them. The banks
with which the Meters rehypothecated their
securities were the First National ($110, 600, }
Third National (S70,0OO,l the Chemical and the
American Exchange. None of these ose<a
dollar, as the collateral was accepted with o
margin of about 10 per cent. in each case.
Most of the victims redeemed their securities
yesterday by paying the difference and interest.
Last evening only 10000 remained unredeem-
ed The governing committee of the Stock
Exchange were called together after business
hours to consider the Meter case, but failed u
| get quorum.
| A clause 10 the constitution makes "obvious
| fraud" ground for expulsion. and of this if is
| held the Meters have besn guilty. On legal
grounds it is said they could only be punished
| for breach of trust
| Personal.
| Secretary Sherman states that he will be ID
| town with headquarters at the Custom House
| till Saturday, when be will return to Washing.
| ton.
| A Decision.
| Judge Speer rendered decision today on q
demurrer raised by defendants to suit for $780,
| 600 damages sor libel. brought by Alonza Belle,
assistant Secretary of the Interior, vs.. the Sun
Publishing Co. The judge holds that the LAM
| guage of the complaint Is not libellous per Sc;
that to constitute cause of action plaintiff
must allege and prove special Damage by rea-
son of the words complained of and he has Aot
done SO. Judgment for defendants on demar-
| eer.
Various Matters.
The Brooklyn Daily Ledger. which was start
| ed Oct. 4th, closed publication today
There are no developments today in the Gaze
of Owen Murphy, who is believed to be in Can
ada. The Tammany general committee tonight
| expelled him from membership Mr.. Ely has
| asked the corporation counsel to declare how
the vacancy in the Excise Board shall be filed,
| and called the attention of Gov. Robinson ia
the subject, with view it is said to having
charges preferred against the remaining CON-
| missioners of Excise.