davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1883-12-12
WONDERFUL BIDS OF ONE CENT.

Some of these contracts were for large amounts,
aud the estimates and prices of peculiar inter
est. One of the contracts calls for 1000 cubic
yards of rock excavation and the successful appI-
cant for the contract bid cent cubic yard while
other contractors bid So, 81 and S5 cubic yard.
The cent bid Of course took the contract But if
IT should turn out that there was little or no rock TO
excavate, and that the estimate was fraudulent, It
will be seen at that the bidders did not stand
On even ground. On another contract the estimate
calls for 400 cubic yards of rock excavation.
Mutt d Keanls got this contract on a bid of one
cent cubic yard for the rock In the con-
tract they bid on the estimate for three receiving
basins, three cents two thousand feet of timber tCO
cents fifty feet of culvert fifty cents or one cent
loot. After agreeing &c take ont the 1 400 cubic
yards of rock and furnish the receiving basins tim
Der, etc., for practically nothing, their bid for
sewer was 81 80 a lineal foot Then, if the esti-
mates are anything like correct, 81 90 must be an
excessive price for sewer. Otherwise how con Mutt
q Kearns escape heavy loss Oh their contract
What then is to be said of the price paid TO ]
heKlm & Son, $40 80, or the price paid Vincent
Clark, $l2 80, in addition to which Clark is paid
kl25 each for receiving basins. A careful examna-
tion OF the new sewer contracts reveals numerous
ktartling discrepancies Of the kind some con-
tractors being paid 500 per cent more than others
Tor doing the same work.
FEW MORE FIGURES ON STREET CONTRACTS
IN addition to the recent contracts for regulating
sna grading already published for purposes of com
sNri'on, the following given showing the wide
Sfa1ions in price paid for similar work, and also
New-York tribune., 1883-12-12
CRIMES AND C4SUALrIES-BY TELEGRAPH
MOD INTENT ON HANGING; y,

A MOD INTENT ON hANbl.r Nv,
WurFtING w. Va. Dec. H." Big Blll Kinney,
bnse trial for murder at West Union yesterday resulted m
AZ rrqsnt of the Jury, has been hanged 10y MOD WuEl
started for ClrksDurg, whcrea cousin vi hInnoJ -" J "
mansau ughter, to hang hun also
A MINISTER FALLS FROM A CHAIR -
AsRURY PARK, n. j., Dec. 1.-The heV; UeoIso
the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting AHsu
W., e from chair in his office yesterday HiterhoOD
% irving reach books On high shol anu was o."
Using REVENUE STAMPS TWICE
WuKEsBARRE, Penn, Dec. 1l.-Mlchhel NC ciiuEEun lE u
and William Kendrck, Of susquehanna Depot ana T. o III
@ % m Teat Bend have been held IN 500 10 appear AZ ho
oitJ states court at PittsbuTg for using liquor pacA"so'
tbs second time without destroying the stamps
FATAL FIGHTS-SIX MEN KILLED
FRANKFORT, KY, Dec. lin Lctcner SouIty, ~
roI,ae mountain district Friday last, David Iia .u
Wells fight which ended Ia DOth DehS
SatS1y wounded Fields sllhouso, on CunlDerlai
T ,ek W H. Fields shot four qlarreisome AMI drunken
men, killing two outright
A TRACK. WALKER KILLED.
IruACA N Y Dec, 1.-J0hn QUINN track
~ Tho tirneva ithaca and RAILROAD, was strle
w tr,i'ht tram Inst night at Covert amt instantly ke
hv o thv was hnrltd INTO heluhoou'
hUnirsd feet from the S, enc of the accdent
SHOT AND HUNG BY MOB.
VtcKsnIrRG Miss Dec. 1l.-Ihe negro mend VINO
assaulted glrl fifteen, the daughter Or Is
Inn of 1acks0n Friday, and who wus pursued sho anu
49, when by enTaged men repaired ~ MS hOuse aaV
yb ucar ClinOn took him TO the nearest tree swung nun
mn, nni did not until lie was pronounced dead
ACQUITTED OF MURDERING HER CHILD
WI KESBARRE, Dec. l.-ln the case or MaIy
charged murder of her child while at NORM
Mountain picking berries, the jury thls evening
rendered verdict OF not guilty.
New-York tribune., 1883-12-12
TIE NEW DIsTRGCT.ATTORNEY.

MIR. OLNEY PROMISES THOROUGH INVEs1IGATION.
District-Attorncy Peter b. Olney took the oath of
Office yesterday and was welcomed at the District
Attorneys Office by Mr.. Peckham who appeared 10
be glad to be relieved of the responsibilities Of the
postiol Mr.. Olnoy said to TRIBUNE reporter
:" am in full sympathy witt Mr.. Pcckham's ideas
as TO the management of the Office. My aim will be
TO make the Office efficient. shall learn its details,
and will then be able to soc if any changes are
needed As to the investigations that are going on,
hope that they will be thorough; and | shall try
TO pnnish wrong wherever IT Is found"
When asked what course he should pursue in re-
gard to the disclosures made in rHE TRIBUNE, Mr..
Olney said From whatever source information
comes it witbc used, and no favor shall be shown.
Neither will there be any persecution. 1t makcs.nO
difference what department is involved, if there if
anything wrong it must be- investigated and pun
ishcd The Distrct-AttOmcy can know no friend
ship that will interfere with the full discharge of
his duty"
New-York tribune., 1883-12-12
Mr.. ANTHONY AGAIN IN THE SENATE.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.I

WASHINGTON, Dec. Ex-senator Anthony
occupied his seat in the Senate for short time to-day,
long enough to be in and receive the congratn
Ons of his colleagues and friends upon his recovery
his late Illness The Senate had been engaged only few
minutes in the discharge Of the customary routine bus
OF the morning hour when the door leading to tho
private lobby opened and Senator Anthony leaning on
the OF Senator Airich and assisted by one of thu
deputy sergeans-aarms, seen TO make his way to
his DESK upon which large and handsome basket Of
flowers had been placed for him. He looked pale and
His features showed the traces OF his
sickness and 1t seemed cost him an fort tO rise when
upon the OF Senator Atrich 10 admit him his
seat he approached the Presidents chair take tho
oath All present rose An impressive silence ensued dur
ing the reading OF the formula Every In the Chamber
directed toward the little group and upon the
whose upifted hand, enacated aud trembling told the
story OF his sueringJ Returned TO his seat Mr..
Anthony slrrOun led by large number OF Senators
and friends eager u shake hands with him and TO we
him back his Old seat He soon rose, however,
and left the Senate Chamber.
New-York tribune., 1883-12-12
TIE BOSTON REFoRM rIcAEr WNs.
GENERAL MARTIN ELECTED MAYOR OVER HUGH
oBmEN-CHARACTER OF THE CONFLICT
IBY TELEGRAPH To THE TEIBUSE.l

GENERAL MARTIN ELECTED MAYOR OVER HUGH
oBRIEN-CHARACTER OF THE CONFLICT
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TEIBUSEl
BosTON, Dec. 1.-THE reform movement IN
Boston has rumphcd The city the past year has been
dsgraccd by one OF the most corrupt and most ncope
tent Governments that occupied the city Han II
contained number OF good I'm each branch, Dut the
majority were the cheap and tricky order Not few
of them we'd half Of the year at the expense OF the
cy using the names OF the reputable members to cover
MP their petty stcallngs.
General Augustus T.. Martin ia elected Mayor by ABOUT
800 majority Hugh OBrien. The chances are that
the Citizens ticket has been generally successful
The horse railway question entered largely into THIS
election There IL no railway fight In progress now ana
has not been time, but each corporation Jeai-
ously watches the other when the Citizens ticket Tor
Alderman was first published IL created great sur
among the Highland and South Boston managers VINO
did not propose 10 support ticket made up To suit the
Metropoltan Company. After vigorous protest had
been uttered some changes made. but the Orleh
ticket was supported by the South Boston and Highland
companies Boston voters are vrtuouay , al @ 'u 20 ,
pidy Indifferent by turns Unless prccchcnts ptsH IoI
not6ng next year the bummers may return 10 power
yirtoua and able City Council IA rarely retained norS
than years II the bunners 0DIaIm ~ III
of the newspapers and make war on the Suy nhlI
Directly there r. change, and 70 IL goes mat aDout
every two years the city II disgraccd by an ncnpeeh
and corrupt administration inc democrats a, la 2 sy
In inc majority but there enough dcccncy In tho com
uuny t0 turn the rscnls when their prirlces pc
camo VIGOROUSLY bad. The defeated candidate Ior
Mayor, Hugh OIren, has been III the CIy NViC @ H. 10
several years. and has been regarded a. decent capp
business man. but his affiliations the past l"o y'dS WV
not crcdablc, aud he has assumed the airs 9 ho NJ
among the cheaper grades OF DeihocIHS , ,ho
lin is wclknown leather and stands high Ill Tue
nm
New-York tribune., 1883-12-12
MORE UNBALANCED BIDS.
NO Greek TO THE EVIL SYSTEM.
Mr. THOMPSON CONTINUING TO DISREGARD
THE NEW LAW.

CONTRACTS AWARDED on UNBALANCED BIDS WIN
INA FEW WEEKS.
The frauds and abuses in city contracts are
further exposed to-day. 1t is shown that there
hoe been no change in the practice OF giving
ont contracts on unbalanced bids in the Pubic
Works Department. The alteration in the law
under which Commissioner Thompson admits
bis mower to reject such bids, has not checked
,be evil. Specimen contracts are given to-day
IN which it is shown that unbalanced bids OF
the worst kind have been accepted recently.
What losses will result to the city from these
contracts will not be known until they are COM
Melted 1t is shown that the prices paid on
having contracts, let on the same day for the
same kind of work, vary in an extraordinary
manner. Another contract with John Brady
;s given, in which the returns show that the
amount of excavation was nearly three times
as great as the estimate, and that Mr. Brady
consequently receives nearly three times the
amount for which he contracted to do the
work.
The exposure of the fraudulent contract
system continues to attract marked attention
from the people and the press.
New-York tribune., 1883-12-12
A GOOD OFFICER DISPLACED.
InyTrIrcRApu rD THE rRIBUNEl

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11.-The appointments
to-day of william Butler of South Carolina, as Librarian
of the House. I'm place OF W. H. smith, is fair example
OF what may be expected Of Democratic House IN tho
WAY OF turning out deserving and trained employees 10
make room party followers. Smith has the msfor-
tune of being negro; Butler is the brother OF less
man than Senator NJ. c. Butler.
Smiths competency and ability to I'LL the placs,
TO which he was appointed seventeen years ago
by Mr. MCPHERSON was admitted on all sides.
So valuable were services that the Democrats aites
r.mOvug him when they into power IN 1873, had
10 rcustatc other person could DC found
competent To perform the duties OF the Librarian satsfs-
folly smith the reputation of being the best In
formed and thoroughly equipped man IN the employ
OF the House
The place requires man who has special knowledge
of the laws and all the Government documents and this
smith possrsscd IN an degree. This Is proved by
his havin been nOmually put In charge Of the Drauch
library ut IL reduced salary Of course, but where ne WIZ
hr rcor1need to do the same work before. Mr. Buffers
incxprence prceulc- the possibility Of his dschargDg
The duties OF the Office satisfactorily.
New-York tribune., 1883-12-12
IN AID OF AMERICAN COMMERCE.
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11.-A bill intrOduc ed by
Representative Brcigh, Of fNewYork to-day Of special
interest to great number OF people IN that State. It
abolshcs all dues all canal boats loading with
coal in NeHYork and Pennsylvania and going through
the Erie Champlan, Oswego aud other canals into Cam
ada, aud returning loaded with lumber, grain
aud other merchandise; also on American tugs
and tow boats towing the same; also On
sailing vessels navigating Lakes Champlain.
Ontario and other frontier lakes going into Canada and
returning with cargOes also on the like vessels naNgat-
ing tue the Gulf Of Mexico, River Rio Graude,
etc.
The movement 10 the burdens and restrictions
upon American commerce be gathering strength
In the House. and something might be accomplished aS
tns it the extreme demands OF the
fIee-tr;de Democrats. Mr.. Dngley. Of Maine,
said to-day that he has hope or
getting "A fair bill. lie Is also anxious that some
legislation shall be had which will bring the Goyernment
into some relations with American commerce In addition
required by the collection OF revenue or the I'M
position OF fines and penalties We need "a Bureau or
commerce analogous to the BOarl of Trade OF Great
Britain" said Mr. Dngoy "A All that our GoyernlneBt
officers have do with commerce is to exact money
from and to hamper instead OF encouraging It.
New-York tribune., 1883-12-12
emitting TO vote at school meetings This s the
first adjudication upon the cOnstitutionalty Of the law
GONE TO TILE LURY.
JUDGE FoLLETT's CHARGE IN THE DWIGHT IN
sURANCE CASE.
fBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TNBUNE.l


TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
NORWICH, n. Y, Dec. 11.-This was the
twenythird day of proceedings in the Dwight insurance
case The courtroom was well filed with eager listeners,
whose interest in the seemed to increase rather than
to diminish by reason of its neartngts close.
The charge of Judge Foett was Of great length. He
briefly impressed upon the jury the importance OF the In
terest they had I'm charge and then reviewed the evil
dence generally He said that there not half dozen
cOnroverted questions Of fact the and pointed
the evidence which should govern the jury in their de-
csion, and the character Of the expert testimony In
discussing this branch Of the case the Judge expressed
surprise and dsapprObatOn OF the manner In which Two
prominent experts had confessed to having acted In
triple capacity during this trial. in the preparation OF the
questions, I'm formulating the answers, and by sugges
tOns and advice and consultations with the attorneys
during the trial. Such tended TO bring expert
testimony into dsrepute and caused II TO be looked upon
with great caution, IL not with absolute distrst He nad
before I'm the history OF his Judge Deen
cOgnzant OF such transaction. He hoped he never
would be again.
The our then referred to the questions OF fact to be
lished. Taking them up In detail, he gave the eyi-
dcnce which bears upon them, and the application 10
each. In regard to the questions to splitting blood ana
to fraud and suicide the Judge spoke at length ana DC
csvey, referring to the claims as made upon elmer sld
He concluded by giving the answers that should De ide
the other OF the gants, and the form OF the yerdct
"a whole; after which the cOnstabes were sworn anu
the jury placed in their keeping At late hour tohSht
the jury were still out.
New-York tribune., 1883-12-12
BEING TRIED F0R BURGLARY
A CASE WHICH INTERESTS EXPERT CRACksNEN
AND DETECTIVES.
lDY TrIEGRAPn TO THE TRIDCNEI

lDY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBCNEI
KINGSTON, y. Y, Dec. 11.-The trial OF
Charles Mahon the safe burglar who was arrested In
NewYork on November Ii for breaking open and robbDg
the safe Of Myron Dubose Of Eenviie in July last be-
gn I'm the Court Sessions here this morning. Mahon Is
indicted Jointly with John Moore Both were arrested AT
the same time. Il decided to try them separately
The courtroom has been crowded all day. and much III
tercst 1. manifested Robert Pnkerton and other leading
NcYork detectives in attendance, and it is SAID that
number of known crones OF the noted craftsmen
are here Most of the forenoon occupied In getting
,rv which 4, made up largely Of farmers and irultgroW
cr The DstrlcAttorney, in opening displayed yase
l Of burglars tools OF the latest aud most ingenious
patcrn which were found in the house OF the prisoners
whom cpturcd also the heavy safe door which had becn
entered ON tue night the crime The tools lifted the
bnirs drilled In the door. The main question Il on tie
Identity oi the prisoners both OF whom slrewd look
ING mr cwclry valued AT more than $1,000 was takeh
The .afc WAS opened in the most skllful manner kn0Wu
Ia he profession DubOse and hs clerk sw0re that lhcy
hlicyP Mahon 10 be the who was In the store tIe
evening preceding the burglary had crystal put III MS
watch and examined other lewclry Another wltnSss
identified the prisoner one OF two men ne saw IN Tue
woods near Elcuyillc on the morning OF tue DuIRhy'
some of the stolen cwclry Identified by DuDolse.
The case is likely occupy two days more mo uoSS
examinations by the defence were long ana severe
New-York tribune., 1883-12-12
GRATE-YARD ASSURANCE.
FALL RIVER PEOPLE MUCH INTERESTED - THE
GRAND JURY.
LEY TELEGRAPH TO Tie TRIEUNEl


TBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIGUNE.l
FALL RIVER, Mass. Dec. 11.-The discovery
Of graveyard Insurance frauds forms the general subject
OF discussion and conjecture is rife as to the prob
able action Of the Grand Jury regarding It, The Grand
Jury have now been in session longer than at any pre-
you term Of for years. and 1t Is believed now tna
the life insurance business conducted In this city, both
by INSCRIPTIONS agents and others, will be thoroughly
slftcd and a remedy devised to prevent the consunma
on Of any deceptive plans resOed to, TO mulct nsur
ance companies The investigation is being continued
and several cases ON which policies being paid show
signs OF fraud
Additional facts are gathered in the case OF Charles
Russell. man who was connected with the affair has
said that the corpse instead of being that OF Charles Rs
sell man thirty years nine months and thirteen days
old n the conin-pate inscription indicated, was fuy
sixty years old. He had sandy hair with gray tuft on
top The body appeared to have been picked and Inn
ported TO this city, as he expressed IT, and then
carried 10 the house on Orchardst supposedly IN sugar
harrcl where II was placed In the coffin one man eh-
poyed by the undertaken, when spoken to ABOUT the
ca.c. considered II significant coincidence thaI he hau
recently young men, who arc supposed 10 oe
connecfcd with the affair." making survey OF the Gene
ery ON lghaudavc; the implication being that grave
had been robbed Of its occupant TO subserve thcr p
pose Life insurance agents are discOmnted az the us
clare their total Ignorance OF such transactions, and state
thcy kept no record ui their business.
The Grand jury expected to report tomorrow ater
New-York tribune., 1883-12-12

MORROW.
lBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNEI
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-THE question of re-
organizing the Senate still cOnfronts the Republican
members OF that body. Senator Anthonys arrival has
hastened matters somewhat and 1t h therefore, probable
tDat the Republican called for Thursday morning
VIII take up the question and decide upon it without
further delay. Two candidates are mentioned now in
connection with the secretaryship-General Anson
u. McC0ok and Edward Mcpherson General
McCook Is warmly supported by the soldier
element and by many friends outside its
ranks IL Is conceded all sides nc would make an
eGent az well as popular officer. The friends OF Mr..
Mcpherson urge in his favor his long experience as Clerk
or the House and his almost Ideal fitness the position
Mr. Canady, OF North Carolina, who is a candidate for
SergeantatArms, counts among those who will advocate
his cause such men Senators sherman and HarrsOn
the former of whom Is not likely to forget Mr. Canadys
services four years in concentrating the opposition
TO Grant in North Carolina him. What the Senators
fayoring GOrham will do seems doubtful They will
probably bring forward their candidate and urge his
nomination upon the IL will then depend upon
the strength which the opposition to him will develop.
There are many Senators who feel friendly toward him
and who are willing TO forget the past On the other
and there are at least six who reported to
have declared their determination not TO for him
under any circumstances Senators Malone and Riddle
berger Is said will not insist upon GOrhams election,
but vote for the nominee Of the Republican caucus, who
ever he may be.
New-York tribune., 1883-12-12
TIE GROWN PRINCES JOURNEY.

BERLIN, Dec. 1.-THE North German Gazette,
edoraly commenting the visit OF the Crown Prince
10 Rome says that international courtesy required that
the Prince, IN passing twice through the Kingdom Of
Italy should visit tho sovereign thereof
just as natural the Prince being IN Rome that he should
visit the second sovereign, namely the Pope, who lives
at peace with Germany, since 1t might otherwise bccon
clu ted that there III feeling the imperial
family and the Pope IL concludes by saying that there
are special political motives Involved in either the
visit OF the Prince the King Of Italy the Pope.
The visit Of Herr GOssler, Minister Of Public In
strucon and Ecclesiastical As, TO Genoa for the pur-
pose O meeting the Crown Prince his return, has been
all at.n
New-York tribune., 1883-12-12
LoyGS1REEr on SoUTHERN POLITICS.

IBI IELENHAFH 10 IIb II'"'''''
WASHINGTON, Dec. 11.-General LohSStreet
was asked to-day what hc thought OF the cohloh Hh"
prospects Of the Republican party in Georgia " Inc ke
pblican marty in deorgia he replied we'll 80 far rs
can see there ia no Republican party In Georgia IL Is
a shadow without substance The voto OF tho kcpupn-
cans IN that state large enough for them aS DoV
to be called party The only time there IL any eVuohco
Of the existence a Republican party in Georgia Is wneh
there are offices to be filed. Then We hear something
about IT,"
How about the Republican party In the souh gener-
ally 3" he asked.
"Lookng over the entire field" replied GeIera LonE
street am strained 10 say, that In the Oth.r 5otu
crn States the Republican party Is no better Oh a % u
Georgia The only chance Of there eVor neIH SUI -
PARTY is 10 carry Virginia. Virginia was lost s S6r p
there IA going 10 he strong effort 10 carry IL III n ~
election Iit Is not carried them the last cnacc o he
Republicans in the South WILL In my OPhlOh' DC los'