Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-01-29
TAPPING THE WIRES.

A Ere occurred at West Point, Ga, yes
terday morning, burning the Young Mems
Library Association rooms aud eight stores.
The losses are nearly all covered BY tnsur-
ance.
News from the TransTsal is to the effect
that the Beers have taken up position In
Drakenberg Pass, which is among the last
OF the steep accents leading TO the plateau.
The British troops, which are pursuing
them, are greatly fatigued, and the Boerf,
being mounted, can, in case o: defeat, re-
trest more rapidly than the British can
follow. a later dispatch states that General
Sir George COlleY's artillery opened fire
upon the Boers, aud his infantry advanced,
snd the Beers then retreated out Of range
Of his guns.
Nose Twiggs, one Of the DriscOll muir
derers, was hung at Wsynesboro Yesterday.
He made confession q short time before
bis death, in which ae stated that his
brother Frank, who was also convicted OF
the murder, was not even present. Frank
was therefore reprieved for three weeks.
a fire at Tallahassee yesterday morning
DESTROYED the car shops Of the Jacksonville,
Pensacola and Mobile Railroad. No in
surance. About fifty workmen are thrown
out Of employment.
In the United States House Of Represen-
tstives Yesterday, Mr. Speer, Of Georgia,
gave notice that he would call up the con-
tested election case Of Testes vs.. Martin, OF
North Carolina, and. after allowing two
hours debate upon the Republican side,
would demand the previous question. This
seemed to meet with the general approval
of the Republicans. Mr.. Cox, o. New
York, Chsirman Of the Committee on For
eign Affairs, reported back the resolution
calling on the Secretary of State for in
formation regarding the Halifax fishery
award Of s, sos, 600 paid by this govern
ment to Great Britain. Several other bills
Of minor importance were reported and act
ed upon. and, at 1870, the Rouse went into
committee Of the whole on the private cal
eudar. Several bills came up for considers
tion. but without faal action on any Of
them. the committee rose and the House
adjourned. In the Senate the credentials
Of various newly elected Senator'S were read
and flied. Bills for the establishment Of .
postal telegraph company to legaliEs the
collection OF taxes on account Of shares Of
stock in national banks, aud for the estab-
lisbment OF ar United States ocean mall ser
vice were introduced and referred. Mr.. Wal
lace introduced q Joint resolution proposing
an amendment to the Constitution, chang
ing the mode OF eleetlng the President and
Vice President OF the United States. The
regular order, the Indiana land in-severAlty
bill was then taken up, and finally, without
action thereon, the Senate adjourned.
The House Committee Of Commerce yes
terday, It is understood, determined to in
crease the appropriation for the improve
ment OF the Mississippi river to Sl,6OO 900,
Of which 81 600, 600 will be expended on the
lower and $500. 900 on the upper Mississippi.
Wm. P. Brown, Of City Point, Florida,
was drugged IN New York Thursday night
sad robbed Of nine hundred dollars and his
wsseh snd chain. Andrew McAleer, noted
criminal, was identified as the thief.
BIalne's bill for the establishment OF an
American ocean postal service, introduced
IN the Senate yesterday, provides that fol
all steamship lines composed Of American
steamships Of 1000 tons bGrthen, and first
class in every particular, the government
shall paw a subsidy Of thirty dollars PEI
nautical nile per annum for distance one
vvav for twelve round trips, and forty 1--WE
dollars per mile per annum for twenty foul
round trips. aud sixty dollars per mile pei
annum for forty-ei light round trips IN accord
ance with contracts made by the Postmaster
General. All the ships must be built in
American shipyards, Of American material
be commanded by American officers, and
their crews must be az least three-fourths OF
American citizens.
There was considerable falling of in The
attendance at the Jacksonville fair yester
day. and Thursday was the most pleasant
day Of the exhibition. The managers have
decided to close the fair al once, as 1t vii
be improbable to continue It longer. The
grand ball Thursday night was most enjoys'
bic. Yesterday the prizes in the grand milf
tary drill were awarded, aud there was 81
exciting rife contest.
The New York stock market opened
strong and generally higher Yesterday, and
though somewhat irregular during the day
closed strong, and ct but g fractional resc
ton from the highest figures reached
Transactions aggregated 42S, 600 shares.