The Portland daily press., 1877-09-28
THE PRESS.
History of Seven Days.
The News for the week ending Wednes-
day Night, Sept. 90.

NATIONAL CAPITAL.
A fire broke out in the model room of the
Patent Office building, Washington, Monday
forenoon. 1t ragged furiously in the land office
wing, and many valuable papers are destroyed
The fire was confined to the northe asst corner
of the building Chief clerk Lock wood Of in
terror department states the fire originated
from spontaneous combustion among a 1t of
new patented chemical materials stored in the
attic OF the building. The damage to the
building is variaby estimated at 100000 to
$5Oo,0OO, while that growing out of the des-
truction of models and other valuables is almost
incalculable. The superintendent estimates
the number of models destroyed at 60,O0O
Prominent builders, who have made hasty
examination of the outer walls of the struc-
ture, declare that they were badly cracked and
bulged, and it would be necessary to rebuild a
great portion tn ereof
The President has returned from his South
ern tour, and is now busy preparing papers to
submit to Congress at its extra session. His
reception in the South was very cordial.
Secretary Sherman emphatcally and indig-
nantly denies report which has been circu-
the Ohio clerks in the treasury department to
go home aud vote the coming election.
The Secretary of the Interior has decided
that the Ohio voters in the Interior Department
who have not exhausted their yearly leave will
be allowed to go home to vote, but cannot re
ceve pay during their absence.
Mr.. Randalps friends claim that letters re-
ceiyed within the last few days make it certain
that he will be elected Speaker upon the third
ballot Should this be done there is not much
doubt that the Craftsmanship of the committee
which will have charge of subsidy legislation
will be given to the South and the railroad in
terest. The newspaper organ of Congressman
Goode of Virginia now declares that he is in
favor of the Texas Pacific scheme. Hitherto
Mr.. Goodies friends have stoutly denied this l..
The admission now indicates the growing pow
er of the Texas Pacific job in the Speakership
contest
POLITICAL.
Gen. Mcclellan has written a letter accept
ing the Democratic nomination for Governor of
New Jersey.
The New Jersey Republicans have nominated
William Newell for governor. The resolutions
mildly endorse the Presidents Southern policy
demand specie payments at the earliest mo-
ment practicable; and oppose the use of public
funds for sectarian schools.
The Maryland Republican State Convention
was held Thursday. DR.. S E. Porter was
nominated for Comptroller. Resolutions ex-
pressing confidence in the President were
adopted.
CRIMES AND CASUALTIES
Schooner Ocean Wave, New Orleans for Gal
weston, toundered off Galveston on the 10th,
and all on board captain and seven men, were
lost.
Harris flour mill, Parmela & Co.'S wooden
mill, Scofield's saw mill and number of
smaller buildings at Lansing, Michigan, were
burned Tuesday. Loss 100000.
A general massacre of white residents of
Sitka by the Indians is feared.
The quests of a hotel at Parampo, N. j.,
were poisoned Friday by eating fish, but all
were saved by prompt medical attendance.
The sugar crop of Louisiana has been con-
siderably damaged by tornado.
Twenty tramps made descent upon the de-
pot at Warrenton Junction, Va, tuesday, and
robbed the building of everything portable.
They also attempted to board pay train near
Manassas but were driven off
Schooner Newton Booth from the Arctic
Ocean reports that of 70 men who left the aban-
doued whaling fleet last year, all except two
persisted.
A heavy gale swept the Nova Scotia coast
last week and many wrecks are reported.
Thirty houses and stores in Key West. N. j.
were burned last week. Loss 100000.
John S. Morton, one of the most prominent
citizens of Philadelphia, and President OF the
Philadelphia Railroad Company acknowl-
edges that he has overissued the capital
stock in that company to the amount of
10000 shares representing over a million dol
lars, and that fraud has been going on since
1870. He further states that he was drawn in
to the defalcation by others, whose names he
will not divnlge, and that he never pocketed
dollar of any of the transactions. Morton, who
is also President of the Permanent Exhibition,
has hitherto borne a very high reputation for
integrity, and these disclosures were surprise
to every one.
The yellow fever epidemic at Fernandina show !.
no signs of abating. The deaths average about
five daily and new cases are constantly appear
ing.
Tweed says he paid the following members of
the New York Senate to support the tax levy
of 1871:Wm. H. Graham, Messrs. Harpending,
Morris Winsow, Wood and Bowen. Money
was also paid for railroad bills that year. The
Transcript newspaper association was composed
OF Cornelius Corson, Peter B. Sweeney and
himself. They were in the New York Print
ing Company, and some % per cent. added to
their bills Th cir capital was 10000 each, and
their dividends ranged from $40, 900 to $100 900
each. There was fraud connected with the
casing of most of the drill rooms Witness
named some in particular. Too much rent was
paid and money paid to the members of the
board of supervisors to get leases. Witness got
share of anything he knew was going on.
Hi testimony before the legislative committee
was ia! q He refused to testify before the Sen
ate committee last spring. He now testified be-
cause he thought this committee could compel
him.
THE INDIANS.
A Helena, Montana, depatch says it is the
general opinion there that the Indian commits
sion which has gone to treat with Sitting Bull
will be failure, and that general revolt of
the Northera tribes will follow. The last re-
port Of Sturgis from Mussel Shell Valley is
dated September 18th, and is in substance as
follows: We kept close on the heels of the enc
my yesterday, making SS miles, killing five In
dams and wounding many more. So far we
have compelled them to drop over $50 head of
horses. BE reports his own horses much faded
but says: 81 am going ahead this morning and
propose to push them until thev drop their
whole herd or we DROP and think they will
abandon nearly their last horse" Today How
ard, with infantry and artillery, was north of
the Yellowstone below Clark's fork. The 10th
Infantry is moving to Mussel Shell via Bakers
battle field. He thinks the remnants OF the
Nez Perces will lie absorbed by hostile Sioux.
The Crows are fighting the Nez Perces, and
brought into the agency several hundred horses.
BRIEF MENTION.
Virginia officials have been unable to obtain
loan of 100000 of either of the banks in
Richmond or New York on account of the re-
pudiation of her bonds.--Lewis Y. Bogy, U
s. Senator from the state of Missouri, died last
week. The New York Central railroad has
leased the Canada Southern.--The auditor of