davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1878-09-26
senator conki,.g as saratoga.

1t is u proud position which Mr.. Conk-
ling holds ut the present moment IL IL
safe 10 assume that he will not impair II by
any political mistake during tho session OF
the Republican State Convention to-day.
The removal OF his friends from tho Gus
tom House proves 10 have been an impotont
display of political spite lie ia stronger
in the State Convention OF th,s year after
the decapitations than he VAS IN the State
Convention OF last year, when all the prn-
cipal offices we're held by his friends Tho
removals have apparently caused a political
reaction against the administration and in
favor OF the Senator. Cersa,a Il is that MIR.
Conkling has strong aud increasing hold
on the confidence. respect and admiration
of the republican party of his own State.
The Convention at Saratoga to-day will
run smoothly enough. The Hayes repub-
licans are unneryed by despair. They aro
too small u minority to oiier battle, and are
wisely deciding that discretion is tho better
part of valor. 1t is understood that Mr..
Conkling will make a speech to-day, and il
he does it will command wider attention,
both in this State and elsewhere, than any
political address which has been delivered
since the memorable debates which pre-
ceded the Inauguration of President Hayes.
A careful speech by Senator Conkling in
this interesting conjuncture will rank as an
event in national politics.
The New York herald., 1878-09-26
The billings Alibi.

Itmust, we presume, be the general impress
sion of readers who have followed the story
of the Billings trial that the testimony Of
the different members of the Washburne
family secures the acquittal of the prisoner.
It is directly sworn that he was in that
house at twenty minutes of nine by persons
who looked at their timepieces within n
few minutes Of his entrance; and it is shown
indirectly that at nine o'clock he had been
in the house twenty minutes. This was tes-
tilted by Mrs. Washburne. How did she
know he was there twenty minutes? She
worked at her sewing while he waited !;
she rememba arcd exactly what she
had done while he was there, and
when subsequently it became a point
of peculiar interest to know precisely how
long he was in the house she went over
the same work anj found that it consumed
twenty minutes to do 1t. Here is a char
acteristic and natural bit of time measure
ment done by q shrewd woman that will
probably stand against all assaults. The
testimony of the time when the shot was
fired, as produced by the witnesses for the
defence, place it at about the moment Bill
lincs entered this house. AS all the people
in the neighborhood regulated their clocks
and watches by the same standard there is
apparently no room for any discrepancy in
this respect upon which the. prosecution
could proceed with advantage.
The New York herald., 1878-09-26
The stnnnard Murder Mystery.

The preliminary investigation into the
murder of the il-fated Mary Stannard.
which has occupied so much of our space
during the past week, resulted yesterday
in the discharge of the Rev. Mr.. Hayden,
who had been accused of the crime.
The principal testimony against him
was that given by the half-sister
Of the deceased girl, but this was ruled out
by the presiding justice, and having been
stricken from the record there was really
nothing tending to criminate MIR. Hayden
except the blood stains on his knife. les
timony was introduced to show that these
cAme from cut in boys finger. 1t will
be seen from our report of the case that the
action of the justice in ruling out the sis
ters evidence and in declining to grant
time for the presentation of fresh testimony
was so distasteful to the counsel for
the State that he withdrew from the
case and it is not improbable that
we have not heard the last of the affair so
far as Mr.. Hayden is concerned. Alto
gether the circumstances Of the death OF
the unhappy girl are exceedingly singular.
That she was murdered there can be no
doubt. But who committed the crime!
Was it the work OF q tramp, as has been
suggested, or was it planned and executed
by some one who had powerful interest in
putting the unfortunate woman out of the
world? These are questions which it
seems impossible to answer. Unless some
thing now unforeseen occurs the murder Of
Mary Stannard will add anotAer to the
many mysteries of the time.
The New York herald., 1878-09-26
Next Year fu EurOus.

BY next spring, if the signs that now ap-
pear in tho East hold good. the British gov
ernment will be up to its ears in jaunty
little war with the Ameer of Cabul, and will
have its hands full of an Afghan war. II it
has now more Sepoys than it knows what to
do with in Asia it will not then, for there
will be occupation for them ALL and a labor
that all Of them may prove unequal to-
Suppose this little war had occurred Just
about the time of the signing Of the
Treaty OF San Stefano. In that case, at
least one element Of the bluster that was
then so plentiful of what England would do
with her enormous forces in India would
not have figured in the discussions Of her
military power. Austria's helplessness in
Bosnia and the readiness with which Eng
land may get her hands iull in India are
queer commentaries on what was said by
writer's in England Of the two main sources
from which the force to crush Rus
sia in the field was TO be drawn.
Afghanissan can keep one busy and
Bosnia the other Next year the
same relations will continue. They
count in India that they will be able to put
the Ameer in q tight corner before the bad
weather comes this season; but that is
counting without their Ameer. They will
not do it. Neither will Bosnia be pacifed
by next year, unless in the meantime the
Hungarans compel Austria to forego the
occupation. Both these will be on hand AZ
bits of leaven kept over to stir up peace
full world. 1t may then be worth Russia's
while to inquire how far she is bound by
the Treaty OF Berlin as to any point that is
disagrceablc to her. II seems to bind no
one that does not like it, and there are parts
OF it that she does not like. She may have
the argument all to herself, as she did when
she put "a pen through the Black Sea clauses
of the Paris Treaty.
The New York herald., 1878-09-26
Emigrmtion from Canada.

A correspondent who writes in o very
confident tone asserts that the alleged
large emigration from Canada through Port
Sarnia for the year ending June 30, 1878.
was no emigration at all. the people in
question not being bound for the United
States, but for the British Province of Mani
toba. This may be clever guess, but his
letter furnishes no proof that it is any
thing more than n guess. Instead of giving
his name he signs himself Duluth"
implying that he is resident of
that place How, then, can he
pronounce with SO much certainty
as to the destination of emigrants leaving
Port Sarnia? II he is correct the United
States Consul ut Port Sarnia Is a fool. The
Consul makes O detailed official report to
the Secretary OF State, at Washington, set
ting forth the statistics of Canadian emigra-
ton to the United States. If those people
were merely on their way from one province
in the Dominion to another province in the
Dominion the American Consul Is an in
sufferable blunderer, who ought to be dis
missed. IL was his business to ascertain
the destination OF the emigrants, and the fair
presumption is that he did SO until the con-
trary is proved. Duluth" offers no proofs,
but only an anonymous assertion. Which
is more likely to be correct-a responsible
public officer stationed at Port Sarnia, with
The New York herald., 1878-09-26
Who Was It2

Great doubts are almost as plentiful in
human history as great events. Who wrote
Homer's poems, and where was Homer at
the time? Who threw the last brick? Who
discovered Columbus? Who didn't dis
cover anmsthesia, and what was the color
of the rainbow when Noah got ashore? p
these are SO many topics as to which there
is such an abundance of evidence on all
sides that they are likely to remain
doubts forever There was at one
moment some reason to fear that the
number of the great mysteries would be
increased by the ever unanswered inquiry,
Who wrote the ''Open Verdict ?" There
was rational curiosity on this subject be-
cause as we know who are the authors of
nearly all the good plays, it would be aa
important addition to general knowledge to
know who was the author Of the worst play
ever presented to the public. So everybody
guessed in the liveliest way. There was o
general concurrence in some circles on the
name Of Richard Grant White because,
apparently. Of the mental shapelessness Of
the play and it's glib STYLE But
upon the consideration that the play
was construct by a person informed on
the topics it deals with, but inarticulate
with regard to them, that name was given
up. Gail Hamilton's name naturally oc-
Cured next. 1t was objected that she was
as little inarticulate on any conceivable sub
ject us even White himself, till some one
mentioned the Maine election, and conjec-
ture therefore rested there. Now the man
ager comes forward and gives us the solemn
assurance OF omebody else that it was not
written by Gail Hamilton. Must we then
believe that there is third writer in
America who could have done this thing
Alas we must, we must. But fortu-
nately literature is spared. It was
done by politician. This narrows
the circle in which we must guess.
Moreover by "a politician who is u gentle
man. See how the circle gets suddenly
smaller. But, it gets smaller STILL for he is
ga gentleman of this city," and is ''well
known" One or anoth er part of this de-
scription rules out thousands and tens of
thousands. Tammany does not come in.
Tammany men, besides, never have any
verdcts that are merely open. They are
Of the 'sdead open and shut" sort. Per-
haps -perhaps--and now that we remem-
ber that poem about crooked nose, another
about glass eye, one about false hair and
the fourth in regard to bad teeth-could it.
oh, could it have been the Mayor?
The New York herald., 1878-09-26
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC NOTES

Herrmann's programme at tho Aquarium last night
Was entirely changed.
samuel Coivine's Folly Company have opened At the
Olympic, ST. Louis. aud ihroo weeks SO TO California
signor Tomasi has been engaged as tho musical
director OF the Philips Brignou Opera Company fsr
next season.
Dr. Arthur Sullivan is writing oratorio for the
Worcester festival OF 1885, which promises TO be his
crownicg work.
~ salnt-Sacns has just com pleted opera entitled
"Etenne Marcel" II will be produced at Lyons the
course OF next season.
Mr.. Il. l.. Farjeon will return 10 this country in
October 10 lecture, under the managemen. OF his
brother, Mr. J. Farjeon.
Miss Bette Sloman, tho harpis, has resur ned from
hcr tour and will appear during the Ia
several musical entertainments.
Du Saul, under the management OF Fl. G. Hustled,
COOS out with a combination. They commence IN
Now Haven October 10 in "a Woman Of the People"
MISS Mathde Lennon, a young Boston artist OF
much reputc has made successful appearance In
London wnoro she went Tor the stady OF profes-
sion.
MISS Fanny Davenport has accepted large offer to
take tho cnt,ro company now playing At the Union
Square 10 Montreal and open the magnificent Academy
OF Music, the play to be "ohvia" OF course.
MBarnoy Macauey is playing h!s Messenger from
JARVIS Section" At Havcrly's tn sa,rc, Chicago and.
notwithstanding the fact that Joseph Jefferson 10 at
Mcyickors and Mccullough at Hoolcy's, he Is doing
we'll.
Tho Theatre Royal, Dsury lane. will open for the
autumn season September g Among the novel;
tics being arranged for we may mention new play
by Mr. w. G. Wills In which probably Miss Wallis viii
appear
'Oid Love Letters" and "Hurricanos' will be re-
trsd from tho Park Theatre next Monday night TO
make room for rev comedy caliod "Bouqusts and
Bombshcls" which will be produced on Tuesday. the
1s prox. Tho pioce has met with success In Ber-
lin aud Vienna and spoken OF highly. The transa-
tion and adaptation was made by Mr. }. W. shannon.
Mr George Clarke has part and will make his hrss
appearance this theatre In II. The piece Will be
we'll mounted and strongly cast.
Herr August Wilhomj, the celebrated volinis, will
make his first appsara tonight before an Ameri-
can audience at Stsinwsy Hail. He will be supported
by Nine. Julia Rive-king, tho pianist; Miss Kate l.
James ana carefully SOLICITED orchestra iod by Dr.
Damrosch. Tho concerts IN which Wthelmj Will play
under the manaq qement OF Nr. Maurice Strskosch,
who on the I'd Of October next, will celebrate his
thrt,eth anniversary as manager In Americx by q
concert In which all tho artists supporting The great
violinist Will appear.
Mr. Hermann Vein succeeds Mr. Henry Neville
IN the port OF Pierre torrance In "ProoI"
The number OF changes which the represents
tion Of this part has undergone Is really
remarkable FIRST came Mr.. Bandmann. then
Mr.. Charles Kelly, then Mr.. Henry Neville, now
Mr. Hermann Vezlu. AS each change has civsn the
part better actor than tho previous interpreter
may, # this sort OF thing goes on. look to see
Mr. Henry Lsviag in the part yet SO says 'rouch.
stone,n
The New York herald., 1878-09-26
PERSONAL INTELLIGENCE.

The present admin lstration seems to be o sort OF
political ambulance
senator Sargent and Congressman Page have ro-
newed their suits Tor libel against the San Francisco
Chronicle.
Bismarck is a sober, solemn like the late Sen
ator Morton Us he appeared when no approached the
Louisiana question.
Professor James f. Murdock has been appointed
head OF the department. OF eiocut,on Al the CBc,n.
natl College OF Music.
General sherman and Colonel Mccook, United
States Army, arrived at Yuma, Arizona, yesterday
ea route to San Francisco
Mr. Justice Miller OF the United s,ates Supreme
Court, paid visit TO the Posi- once building ycs.er.
day and was conducted through The different federal
court rooms ami Offices.
Whom Barnum IN England an enthusiastic nd-
mrer OF English eloqucnco said that " be would
spurgoon to America ho would make the greatest hit
oi his bfo. 'Psnawl" exclaimed the Snowman, ..5pur
goon would be a dead failure over there wo have
doz u preachers who nro moro eloquent than nc.n
Church collections are unknown In English cathe-
drAis The poorest working girl In Lendon may sauD
ter into Westminster Abbey aud listen 10 the cle-
qusncc OF Dean STANLEY but n tho Same sirl at
tho door ,f New York church she would DO ordered
away, whilo tho well dressed stranger would have TO
walt hall hour for a seat.
Dean Stanley left Newport, II. l., yesterday for
Hartford, wheacc he will go to New Haven, Phadsi-
phia and Washington, returning aiterward to Now
York. lie was accompanied BY Mr.. George Grove,
editor oil Mdcmliidn's Magazine; DR.. Gerald Harper
Mr. william Beach and W. B. Llwrcnce, the latter
gentlcmcn going az far as Hartford.
Bishop simpson. OF tho Methodist Church, has
been preaching In San Francisco, where he has
divided the hooors OF eioqueLce with Mr.. Beechcr.
Tho Call says :-"Both sentlomcn are famous pulpit
orators, and each in his way WORKS spell over
his Observation-Disclosures by his plcasantries aud The
cumulative iorco oil his rhetoric aud tho surprises OF
bm style; Bishop simpson by his unaffected p,ety
and the simple Ahgio-Saxon words with which he
builds up an argument and the intense oarnestncss
with which he eniorces IT, The groat prsachsr iron
Brookyn brought down the applause oi his listeners
Ia the Opera House becsusc OF the lbcraiity with
which he dealt with theological points, tho apostle Of
Mcthodsn swnycd his hearers yestcriay that tbey
broke into expressions OF approval not ~ be SUB
dued he told OF tho workings OF Chris,ianity.
There wcro many persons present who heari Bishop
s,mpsou more than quarter OF century ago. iof
he entered ministry Tar back as 1883, and he
has done honor TO his episcopal title since 1867"
The New York herald., 1878-09-26
Sir John M :. cd On q d.

1t is tie current understanding in
Canadian political circles that the Mac
kenzie Ministry is to resign within a
few days and leave clear field to Sir
John Macdonald and his victorious party.
1t is not unlikely that Mr.. Mackenzie will
yield to a strongly expressed public opinion
on this subject, and the general drift of
Canadian opinion seems to demand an
early resignation. But still it rests in the
discretion of the present Premier whether
he will resign before the meeting Of the
new Parliament. He can summon it
together as soon as the election returns
are all in if he should choose to do so, but
q special session for the mere purpose Of
laying down his power would be attended
with considerable expense without any cor
responding benefit. There is question
whether he will fill Offices with his party
friends previous to his resignation. He
strongly condemned Sir John Macdonald
for doing SO in 1874, and is therefore sup
posed to be precluded from following the
example. But politicians are seldom very
consistent in such matters, and Sir John
Macdonald could not complain with very
good grace if his own precedent were re-
torted upon him According to our corre-
spondent the understanding is that Mr..
Mackenzie will bestow the offices which he
has promised and leave the other places to
be filled by his successor.
Sir John Macdonald has q rather difficult
role to play when he meets the new Parlia-
ment after his accession to Office. His vic.
tory has been SO resplendent that he can
procure any legislation for which he asks,
bat he has taken such ultra ground on pro-
lection as a means of carrying the elections
that it may embarrass him to keep his elec-
tioneering promises. He is an able and
clear-headed man, and he should not be
ignorant that retaliatory tariff against the
United States may breed discomfort by en-
hancing the price Of the protected articles
to consumers. Several years must clapse
under high tariff before domestic compe-
tition can have any effect in cheapening
manufactured articles, and meanwhile there
may spring up reaction which will sweep
him out Of power and reverse his policy.
If he is shrewd he will merely play off pro-
lection as means of securing favorable
reciprocity treaty with the United States
The New York herald., 1878-09-26

opportunities to learn the facts, or name
less correspondent whose signature implies
that he lives several hundred miles from
that place and made no personal inquiries
on the spot3 II lie can establish his asser-
tion by evidence lot him do SO. and 1t VIII
then be the duty OF Secretary Evarts TO re-
move SO incompetent and unfalthini
Consul. But, meanwhilc, an official report
to tho government IL entitled TO more re-
spect than an anonymous communication
to newspaper.
The New York herald., 1878-09-26

IT SEEMS that nobody is responsible for the
horrible condition of the ferry slip at the foot
Of West Twenty-third street. The chief en-
gineer of the Dock Department admits that the
nuisance ut that point is terrible one, and
says 'it is likely we shall dredge out the slip
very soon if upon investigation find that it
is required for the purpose of health :" but lit
is primarily something with which have
nothing to do" This is all the comfort or con-
ISOLATION the inhabitants of that section need
erupct
The New York herald., 1878-09-26
JOHN PENN. r. Il. q

A cable despatch FROM London announces the death
OF John Pcon, H. X. s., the distinguished mechanical
engineer Ho wac born near London about 1870, 70
ceivcd a careful education n mechanical engineering
and devoted himself especially to the construcion
and perfection OF marine steam euginss. Ia which do
psrtmsnt he Tnado several remarkable Inventions, ~
also IN machinery and tools equisite ior sucn
CONSTRUCTION was one oiGho earliest members oil the
institution OF Civil and Mechanical Enriusors auu
founded the great engineering arm OF john Penn
son, Green wich, which built the engines oi iarge
proport,ou Of she British wouciad navy ~ we'll m
steam yachts Tor the soveregns OF England, 6ussa,
Austria, Turkey and Egypt
The New York herald., 1878-09-26
expect.

The LETTER elsewhere PRINTED from our
correspondent accompanying the Amazon
vey expedition gives, in addition to the sum-
mary of the work accomplished up to the begin
ming of last month, interesting account of
the upper Madeira country which will repay
perusal. A navigable channel for vessels draw
ing sixteen feet of water exists from the mouth
Of the Madeira to San Antonio. The railroad
enterprise at the latter point is getting along
we'll could be expected under the exceedingly
difficult circumstances.
The New York herald., 1878-09-26
JAafEs Il HosMER.

James b. Hosmcr, tho oldest ciiizcn Of Hartford,
Coan died yesterday morning, at the age OF ninety.
seven years he was during his long lie closely
identified with many business corporations and
bcncvoisnt Institutions He hvcd Tor nnssy-iouf
years under ono roof and was nsvor married He
was possessed OF ample MEANS which he used lbcr-
ally Tor benevolent obJsc,s. Among his rsccut ms
was ono OF sIOv Oo0 tho Hartford Theological SON.
mary The funeral il take place Fridav H. the
pinct y.sey en- III annivs rsary OF his birth.
The New York herald., 1878-09-26

The WEATHER.-Ihe storm centre has adj
vanccd rapidly and enlarged its very much
during the past twenty-four hours. Its in1u-
ence is beginning to be felt in the western sec.
tions of the Middle Atlantic States. The centre
of lowest pressure is over the lake regions and
shows tendency to move northeastward. The
pressure is high over the Middle and South At
lantic coast districts, but is gradually falling,
particularly in the northeastern sections. 1t is
very probable that the high will move
southeastwardly enough 10 let the advancing
depression travel through the st. Lawrence Val
ley districts 10 the ocean. In such case we
will experience some of the high winds
that prevail on its southeastern and west
crn margins. Rain has fallen in the
lake regions, the Missouri and Missis-
sippi valleys and Oh the Atlantic aud Gulf
coasts. The fall has been heaviest throughout
The lake districts. The winds have been from
brisk to high in the lake regions and the West.
Elsewhere they have been light. The tcmpera-
ture has risen decidedly in the Middle Atlantic
and New England States, generally in the cen
lra valley districts, and has fallen elsewhere.
The weather in New York and ts vicinity to-
day will he warm and partly cloudy, possibly
with brisk to high winds from the southwest
and light rains. Tomorrow il will be cloudy,
possibly with rain in the morning, followed by
clearing weather.
The New York herald., 1878-09-26

No CHANGE FOR THE BETTER has yet taken
place i'll the condition of DIR. Lindley, the heroic
physician who voluntarily went to the quaran-
tine hospital soon he arrived here from
the South. The public will be glad to hear,
however, that he is in no immediate danger
The New York herald., 1878-09-26

TIE HoBoKEN COMMON Council are epdeav-
orng to make it as comfortable and convc nient
as possible for the thieves and footpads of that
section. They have ordered the gas turned off
from large portion of the town.
The New York herald., 1878-09-26

CREEDMooR.-No foreign team put in ap-
pearance yesterday in the contest for tho
Centennial trophy, and it is fortunate for it
that it did not. The shooting was superb.
The record of the first day last year, which up
to that time was the best over made. was
beaten, and it is more than probable that the
shooting to day will not show any falling oil
An idea of the strength of tho present team may
be formed from the fact that the highest indi-
vidual score ever made on any range was mado
yesterday by Mr.. Sumner, of Boston-namcly,
Two hundred and twenty-onc points out of o
possible two hundred and twenty-five.
The New York herald., 1878-09-26

Mr.. Tilden and his friends might have in
1880. With the party split in two in his
own State he would be an impossible can
didate in any national convention not de-
termined upon suicidal nomination. The
defeat is mortifying to Mr.. Tilden, but
ruin
The New York herald., 1878-09-26

AN ADDITIONAL BATCH OF TESTIMONY tending
to establish an alibi was presented in the Bill
lings murder trial yesterday. The evidence is
now nearly all in, and the arguments of counsel
will be begun this week.