New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-19
TOPICS IN LEADING CITIES.
SAN FRANCISCO.
VISITING KNIGHTS-FlRST YOSEMITE ROE
BERY-UNPUNISHED CRIME.

iBr TELEGRAPH TO TIE rRrsUYnl
SAN Francisco, Aug. 15.-The city has been
alive all the week with preparations for tho con.
clsve Of the Knights Tenplar. Many command.
cries have not yet arrived, but it is expected all
will be on the ground tomorrow night The num-
ber of visitors will be larger than the most sanguine
anticipated. 1t is estimated that 10000 Knights
will march in the street parade on Monday and
that the PROCESSION will be tke 6nest display seen
here since the demonstration IN honor of General
Grant four years ago. Thursday night the ex-
ercisss of the week opened with ball at the
Pavilion, which was well attended. Ono sensi-
BILE move. due to The Chronicles suggestion. 10
that of tho display of California fruit. 1t will be
made in tho Pavilion. As the fruit season is at its
height the exhibition will be one OF the best ad-
vertisements the State could have. There Is also
open mineral exposition of the Pacific coast,
gotten up by the State mneralozst, which is well
worth visit. The streets have been lavishiy
decorated along the line Of the parade and even the
unsavory Chinese quarters werc cleaned aud fumi-
gated last night The haunts Of the Mongolians
were visited to-day by many of the Knights. There
was performance given at the leading Chinese
theatre to which only white persons were admitted.
The star Monaghan actor, supported by good
company aud an ear-splitting orchestra, furnished
the entertainment. The visiting Knights will have
good opportunity to see the best parts OF the
State. as excursions have been planned to the
chief resorts within hundred miles OF the city az
very low rates.
The robbery OF the Yosemite stage In the early
part of the week, just as 1t was entering the VAL
Icy, was an unfortunate event. The highwaymen
selected, with poetic inspiration, that point a. the
scene Of their operations and dcearedabout 81 .5OOin
money and iewelry from the seven passengers.
Tney are thought TO bs Mono County horse-thieves
and officers on their track. On the day follow
ing the robbery the stage was upset near the valley
and several passengers were badly hurt. The sim
gular feature of these occurrences is that this II
the hrst robbery ever known on the stage line into
the valley, and this is the first serious accident TO
a coach.
EaIly every week presents curiosity in crimi.
nal law or court procedure. Gray. the former
clerk of the Harbor Commissioner, Who stole
State funds and falsfed his books, is
not yet brought to trial, although tho case
against him is as plain as MONDAY. He was
released on $4,000 bail, although the expert who
has lust entered into the examination Of his books
hows he stole four times the amount Of the bail.
Gray says that he has proof that prominent officials
we're in league with him and that his thefts were
only small part of the stealings Of huge ring.
The constant delays in his and the smallness OK
the bond required lend color to these charges An
other polite embezzler is James Dodds late County
Clerk Of Oakland. He now enters plea of in
sanity, saying he was crazed by speculation
In mining stocks and did not know his own money
from the public funds. There seems to be little
chance of reaching these roguos while the officials
are In the power Of corrupt rings run by " bosses"
who have gained their influence in groggeries.
Tho Democratic municipal officers in their short
terms Of service have made the worst record known
for years Although there was evidence of bribery
in many city offices. the Grand Jury which reported
this week passed over the chief offenders and in
dicted half-dozen beggarly deputies who are to be
the scapogoats for the sins of their superiors.
There is talk of appointing new Grand Jury to
investigate the body which has Just failed so shame
fully to perform its duties
Workmen are preparing the foundations for
wall around the lot of Senator Fair On Nvb Hill.
This bears out the rumor that the Nevada Silver
Senator intends to build on his return from Europe
and settle down with a matrimonial venture.
A valuable present made to the State this
week by d. O. Mills statue representing Ctl I'M
bus at tho Court of Ferdinand and Isabella. It's
of the finest Italian marble and will be placed In
the rotunda of the Capitol at Sacramento. The cost
of tho statue IS estimated at $4,000
The theatres are doing poor business. In spite
of the crowds of visitors. But retail dealers arc
enioyirg the BOOM" The jew ellcrs display very
handsome work in quartz and gold calculated to
catch the eye of Eastern tourists.
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