New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-12
TOPICS IN LEADING CITIES.
SAN FRANCISCO.
CONCLAvE EPREPARATIONs-CHI TOPICS
-KEARNEY's RETURN.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE. I

tBY TELEGRAPH TO TRIBUNs.i
SAN FRANCISCO. Aug 1.-The chief subject OF
interest here now Is the approaching coucave of
the Knights Templar, which begins on August 20
aud lasts one week 1t is expected that 5000
Knights will be present. The city Is already as
suming holiday garb Many of the large stores
arc being trimmed with flags and evergreens The
intention is to make the decoration general on
business streets and to give the Eastern visitors
rousing reception. The trophies for successful CON-
petitors in drills are now on exhibition and are
creditable specimens Of local workmanship in sill
yer and gold. The grizzly bear. the State coat Of
arms, and the historic placer miner figure on many
designs and give them distinctively Californian
look. Besides street parade and exercises at the
Mechanics Pavilion, the foundation of the new
statue of Garfield will be laid by the Knights with
imposing ceremonies. The statue the fund for
which was raised by popular subscI iption Will
stand In conspicuous position near place which
corresponds to the Mall in the New-YorK Central
Park.
The opium bribery case. which caused stir IN
the courts because of the wealth and political in
fuence of Harklns. the defendant has resulted in
the usual disagreement Of the jury. IL Commits
sioner Beirne prbed the circumstances sur
ronndIng the alleged loan were so suspicious that
nine men out of tsn would not have given him the
benefit of doubt but few men like these nine gee
on California iuses, which are largely composed OF
sympathizers with criminals. The courts arc
crowded with cases like this, and the jas are filled
with unhanssd murderers.
conviction of murder In the first degree, the
only one obtained for many months, was secured in
the of negro who brutally shot down his
white mistress who had abandoned him tor a man
Of her own color. The chances are that IL no bad
been white he would have escaped with long
term in the psnitentiary.
Excitement has been created in the Chinese
quarter by the decision Of the special court OF tho
Six Companies that women cannot be held IN slav.
cry in this country. The case was that of pretty
Chinese girl in disrsputable bouse who was mar
ried by respectable Chlnaman and taken to bis
house. An old bag who imported the girl tried TO
recover her chattel claiming that the gri still
owed her for her purchase in China and passage
money to this coun.ry. The court hold that the
girl was free to follow her own inclinations.
Several dispatches received recently from Vic
toria b. c., assert that the Chinese are smuggied
over the border. The Custom House agent there
claims that tho force of inspectors is insufficient to
guard against smugglers. The Chinese Vice-Con-
sui In this city. however declares the dispatches to
be fictitious or the invention of the agent at Vic
toria to incre ase the Custom House force and gee
places for his friends. He says that II the Chinese
can be smuggled the border 80 easily. why
not bring opium, which is much more valuable than
coolies and easier handled. and on which the duJy
now is $40 a pound.
Il WAS discovered this week that large quantities
of guns and ammunition bavo been regularly
shipped to China through this port. The shipments
have increased greatly since the recent troubles IN
Tonquin, and the steamer which sailed Thursday
carried 5000 rifles and 100000 cartridges from
Massac chusetts maDufactory besides quantity Of
duck for tents The goods were consigned to .
German in Shanghai 1t is evident China is in
earnest in war preparations.
Denis Kearney returned four days ago from his
Eastern trip. He had q bad cold aud looked dirty
and shabby He did net seem to have been I'M
pressed favorably by his reception In New-York,
but he believes firmly 10 the new scheme OF adjust
ing railroad rates on the wages of employees. He
has lost all his following here Only small crowd
gathered on Sunday at the Sand Lots.
The theatres have not done good business this
week, but the Madison Square Company, with fire.
quent changes Of programme, managed to play TO
full houses. Next week tue Union Square Company
will open In " The Bankers Daughter" with the
same cast as when here before. The place Of Sarah
Jewett, however, Is taken py Minuio Oon"aJ'
Osmond Tearles new venture in matrimony.
THE EXTENT OF OPIUM SMUGGLING AT SAN FRAN
CISCO.
tGENERAL PRESS DIsPATcHl
SAN Francisco, CAL, Aug 1l.-An official
of the United States Treasury Department states that
during the ast years over So, 100000 worth OK
opium has been smuggled into this port The ousi-
nes. has been systematically carried on oy q
ring of smuggers, assisted by prominent Goyernmene
officials been receiving 80 per cent OF tae
spoils, the smuggIers getting 20 per cent, ana
that In addition to their 80 per cene
from $50 to So 0O0 Itma notorious fact that many
men In this city, who reported wealthy, have made
their money through smuggling opium. The present
stock OF opium in the market Is large AZ
it is not than three months
supply, however, under the stimulus OF increased
duties the smuggling will be greater than ever "A "A
Treasury agent says that 81, 100000 worth can os
snnggled IN easily, and that unlsss the Goverpment
takes decided to suppress It. opium smuggng
will continue to DO gold mlne for some officials snd
their tools