Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-12-08
TELEGRAPHIC.
Condensed for Convenient and
Ready Reading.
WASHINGTON,

TEE grand jury has brought in seven
indictments against Capt. Howgate.
SECRETARY FoLGER has issued call for
800, 0,000,0 in extended bonds bearing %
per cent. interest, the date of redemptio n
being January %.
A MARBLE tablet has been placed in the
Baltimore and Potomoc depot at Wash
ington to mark the spot where President
Garfield was shot.
Two indictments have been found at
Washington in the star-route case-one
against Contractor Brott for bribing Off
cialss, and the other against Deputy Audi
tor Lilley for accepting bribe.
PRESIDENT ARTHUR's life is insured for
round hundred thousand dollars. The
companies would like to have Guiteau
hung, and are inclined to discourage the
prowlings of cranks.
SECRETARY FoLGER di8msssed from the
treasury department Private Secretary
Babcock, who has held the position since
Bristow's time, and appointed Frank
Sperry to the position. The latter has
served Judge Folger many years in the
same capacity.
1t has been ascertained that President
Arthur will recommend a reduction of
taxation which will necessarily reduce the
revenues by $15 ,000,0 per annum. In
accordance with the suggestion of Com
missioner Raum, the capital and deposits
of banks are to be exempted from present
exactions, leaving liquors and tobacco to
bear the brunt of the burden.
THE secretary of the navy reports the
equipment of sixty vessels during the
year. A coaling station was established
on one of the Samoan islands, at a cost of
$4,000. There are 1856 enlisted men in
the marine corps. The chief of the bu-
reau of ordnance says the most pressing
question Of naval armament is the manu-
tacture of suitable high-power cannon.
The speakership contest is said to de-
pend upon the caucus nominee of the
Pennsylvania delegation. The only i'm
portant corporate interest taking part in
the struggle is that which seeks the open
ing of Indian territory. 1t is alleged that
Secretary Blaine is the chieftain of the
band, and that Mr.. Kasson is his decided
preference, and will be urged upon the
Pennsylvanians, whose republican votes
will decide the struggle. Hiscock finds
New York unpledged, New Jersey hostile,
and NJ assachusetts divided.
THE alarm in regard to smallpox
caused Assistant Postmaster General II at
ton to issue an order that mail matter
liable to communicate contagious diseases
may be refused by any postmaster. An
other pest-house is to be erected at Spring
field, Mass. where seven new cases devol-
oped. The board of health at Evansville
has ordered the free vaccination of schol-
ars. In Chicago six deaths and nine new
cases were reported. A whole family has
been stricken near Fort Ablrcrombie, and
left their by nearest neighbors to die. A
child was attacked in a hotel at Fargo,
Dakota, and was at once sent to the pest
house.
THE impression prevails in Washington
that the insanity defense has been greatly
weakened by the appearance of Guiteau
on the stand in his own behalf His ready
perception of points, his clear memory as
to dates and events, and his cleverness in
keeping the insanity dodge constantly in
the foreground have served to dissipate
| the convictiou-in many minds that he was
sufficiently insane to be irresponsible. But
his worst troubles on that score are yet to
come. The prosecution has only begun
its cross-examination which, in the hands
of so able lawyer as Judge Porter, may
be expected to prove terrible ordeal for
the prisoner.