The Portland daily press., 1878-01-04
THE PRESS.
History of Seven Days.
The News for the week ending Wednes-
day Night, January ..
NATIONAL CAPITAL.

A"i AAnhoui OumuOuoro OuuIelut, IDSlneer-lu-
Chief Shock Capt LETTERS and Commander
Easily, to investigate and report upon a class of
vessels best adapted for service in the navy of
the United States. In connection with the
classification of ships of war the subject of
steam rams and torpedoes will be thoroughly
investigated.
The National Bank Note Redemption Agency
has prepared an analysis of the increase of its
business during the three fiscal years which it
has been in operation, and it appears the in
crease in both the second aud third years has
been almost entirely 10 the handling of notes.
New England banks increase the amounts to
$45, 900, 900 of bank notes each year. The re-
demption of Boston bank paper is increasing
constantly. Nearly 81 ,OOO 900 of it was handled
here last week.
1t will be recollected that abont year ago a
widow named Oliver brought suit against the
Hon. Simon Cameron for breach of marriage
promise. Nothing has been publicly known
concerning this suit until recently, 1t now ap-
pears, by statement in the Evening Star, that
it was abandoned in January or February last,
the widow having waived further proceedings.
in consideration of $1,000.
Mr.. Conkling's friends deny very positively
the insnuations that he conferred with Demo-
Gratis about having the Presidential election set
aside and new one ordered. They challenge
proof that he ever had any such conference,
and say that if any one protesting to have it as
serts that he is bound bv obligations of secrecy
not to divulge it, the Senator will promptly re-
lieve him from those obligations.
Official al uinaS from, Mav;oo sbor, sono. nm
preheDsion there that the United States may
commence hostilities, and disposition to make
some concessions calculated to secure the tran
guilty of the Rio Grande frontier. Among
other pacific measures is the introduction of
bill in the Mexican Congress to abolish the
IONA Libra, or belt of territory along the front
Ter into which goods are admitted free of duty.
This furnishes an opportunity for smuggling
large quantities of goods into the United States
and gives rise to much of the disorder along
the frontier. By establishing line of custom
houses in the mountain passes, the plains be-
tween the base Of the mountains and the river
can be jointly patroled by troops of the United
States and Mexico, which would render cattle
raidiug almost impossi ble The Mexican Con-
gress adjourned without taking any action ON
this bill, but its introduction is favorable sign
as the Mexican government has heretofore re-
fused to take any steps towards iemedying the
evil.
CRIMES AND CASUALTIES.
Geo. B. Bigelow, prominent Boston lawyer,
was arrested Saturday evening" charged with
embezzlng trust funds to the amount of $780,
600. He was released on 100000 bail.
A fire at st. John, N. B., Saturday, destroy ed
ten tenement buildings in the rear of Waterloo
street. Loss $4,000; insurance $4,000.
A shocking tragedy occurred at Farmville,
Va, last week. Colonel William Randolph
Berkeley, an eminent lawyer, was seated 10 his
Office conversing with Alfred WORTH bank
cashier when knock was heard at the door,
and Col. Berkely got up to answer it, Opening
the door shot was heard from without and the
Colonel fell back with ball in the temple
Immediately afterwards Capt. VIM. q. Ken
nedy entered the Office, and stepping behind
Col. Berkeley's desk placed pistol to his own
head and shot himself. 1t is stated that Ken
needy had made three previous attempts on his
own life, and for long Tina has been moody
and Respondent. Col. Berkely died instantly.
A fire at Burlington, Vt, Thursday de-
stroyed brick building owned by Walla, Taft
& Smith. Loss $4,000; insured $4,000. G. P.
Smiths feed store was damaged $500; in.
sured. w. E. Whitney's gun repair shop was
damaged $500; uninsured.
A horrible accident occurred at Morgan
township, Crawford county, Ia, last week.
Carl Mass and his wife locked their three chill
dern, aged respectively l, q aud years, in the
b,sI
They were shortly apprised by neighbor that
their house was burning, and when they reached
it was wrapped in flames and the children
were burned to death.
Several persons were bitten by mad dog in
Newburyport one day last week.
The cause Of the explosion in the New York
candy mandatory has not yet been ascer-
tanned,
TURCo-RUssIAN WAR.
A st. Petersburg special says that Russia
will probably consent to an armistice on the
basis of rectifcation Of the Armenian frontier,
the free passage of the Dardanelles, guaran-
tee of good administration in Bulgaria and the
independence of Roumania
A Constautinople despatch says Mukhtar
Pasha has been recalled.
At the request of Turkey England has under
taken to gain the consent of the Gear to an
armistice. AS yet Russia has returned no re-
ply, but it is probable she will intimate in pref
ty plain terms that if Turkey wants an armis-
tice she must ask her directly for it,
Prince Wrede. the Austrian diplomatic agent,
has informed the Servian government that
Austria decisively protests beforehand against
Saruia'S QYtapdipO har ait hory vii ra
or revolutionary, to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Servia has consequently given her formal as
surance that the strictest orders have been
issued to the commanders of the Drina corps
to refrain from hostilities in the direction of
Bosnia.
Bucharest special says that it is generally
believed there that Osmsn Pasha will be tried
by the military court for slaughtering the
wounded after the battle of July 80, the fight
before Grevtza redoubt September II, and sew
eral other minor engagements. Discoveries
made by the Russians since occupying Plevna,
information gained from Turkish officers and
above all the absence of Russian prisoners,
although several hundred were captured during
all engagements, leave unreasonable doubt that
the Turks are guilty of infamous deeds.
The North. German Gazette says: 'If Eng
land seeks to sound Russia respecting her will
ingness to make peace and the chances of sue
cess of direct application of the Porte to st.
Petersburg, credit may be awarded to Great
Britain for her mertorious intentions. In any
other case the theory of the Agence Russo,
that mediation unless solicited by both belliger-
ents becomes Intervention, may assert itself.
Regarding intervention, Russia in the fulfil
ment of her mission can scarcely be stopped,
even by the cleverest moves on the political
chess board.
Mukhtar Pasha has left Erzeroum. One &C
count states that he has been recalled to Con.
stsntinople Another that he has taken COM
mand of the small force in the field, with
which be will eudeayor to keep his communi-
cations open. Osmael Baki Pasha is in COM
nard of EFzeroum. The Russians have sns-
pended the concentration Of troops against that
place on account of snow. They were making
roads by tunnelling through the snow.
A special cable from London says the war
party in England is momentarily gaining in
influence and numbers. Rassophles are con-
stsntly using efforts towards the organization
of liberal associations and quite active in pass
inc rAsolufions in favor of neane lint thu orro