davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-12-23
THE PUBLIC LANDS
Figures O Interest from Commission
er Sparks Report.

Figures o. Interest from Commission
er Sparks Report.
Commissioner VIM. A. j. Sparks, of the
general land Office, in his annual report
places the sales, entries, and selections Of
public land during the last fiscal year at co.
113, 663. 81 acres and of Indian lands SS1, $780, u
acres, making a total OF &c. 1895, 513.5 IS acres,
being a decrease, as compared with the year
1884, Of &, 535, $50. IL acres, and an increase
over the year 1888 Of 1856, $50. IS acres.
The receipts from the disposals Of public
lands are 81, $3.50, ia. so; from sales Of Indian
lands, 1888, 4S3. SO; q total of SO, 6l9, 59S. 80,
being a decrease, as compared with the year
1884, Of 81, 159, $50. Oh, aud with>1SS3 Of 3d.
0S6, 1877. 33, to which is to be added IS, S21. sc
for certified copies Of records furnished by
the general land Office, making the total re-
ceipts for the year from all sources $685.
42O. 18.
The commissioner reports that the vast ma
chinery of the land department appears to
have been devoted to conveying the lands OF
the United States upon fraudulent entries
under strained constructions of the imperfect
land avs and Upon illegal claims under pub
lie and private grants. He also charges that
'depredations upon public timber are univer-
sal, fragrant and limitless," and declares that
Wise and speedy measures Should De adopted
for the preservation Of the forests. The
commissioner also recommends that the
Homestead law be so amended as to provide
that the public lands OF the United States,
other than mineral and reserved timber
lands, shall be disposed Of only under it's pro-
visions, and that these be strengthened to Sc
cure actual inhabitancy, improvement and
cultivation, as precedent conditions to the &C.
QUESTION of any rights there under, and abso-
lutely prohibiting and rendering nugatory
for any purpose whatever any sale or trans
fer Of the homestead privilege, or of any
title derived orto be derived Hereunder pri-
OF to the issue Of patent. The law should
provide for substantial and not merely pro
lorna proofs, and applications and proofs
should not be permitted to be made before
any other officer than the land officers of the
United States.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-12-23
ARMY AFFAIRS.
Resume Of the Annual Report of
Secretary EndicOtt.

Resume of the Annual Report of
Secretary Endicott.
In submitting his annual report to the
President Secretary Endicott states the ex-
penditures for the year ending June
80, 1856, at s45, $50, $50. 81. He estimates the
next fiscal year at s4s, 204, 1888, reduced
from a schedule presented to him which
called for nearly double the amount. At
last reports from the acknowledgement the
army consisted of 2,154 officers and "a, 7O5
enlisted men. He then gives in detail tie
operations of the troops on the frontier. Tie
Oklahoma country was freed from invaders
without bloodshed, and the effect has been to
restore quiet among the Indians Other slight
disturbances among the Indian tribes or Arl-
IONA and New Mexico were easily quelled by
the presence of troops. He commends to the
consideration of the President the policy OF
concentrating troops and putting large garri-
sons in the vicinity of large cities as a meas
ure of economy, the present railroad faclll'
ties being ample to transport them TO the
frontier speedily when needed.
The acting judge-advocate-general reports
2,32S courts-martial during the year and Oh
convictions for desertion.
Attention is called to the defenceless con-
dition of our s~eacoaSt and lake frontier. rs.
innate under this head have been restricted
to the sum required for the repair and modi-
fication of existing works and torpedoss for
harbor defense, but a short appropriation
does not allow the department to do more
than place in serviceable condition the heavy
guns and mortars in the harbors.
Mention is made of the Grant relics pre-
sented to the government by Mrs. Grant at
the request of Mr.. Vanderbilt. These are
now stored in the wal department., where
they will remain until Congress officially ac-
cepts the gift and directs what disposition
shall BE- made Of it.
In conclusion Mr.. Endicott asks that Con.
gress provide for all assistant secretary OF
war, rs there is no officer i'll the department.,
as..now organized, who can assist the secre-
tary in his duties and act in his absence.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-12-23

Torrance of their duties, and yet insist that
they shall rely, in confidential and important
places, upon the work Of those not only OPP
posed to them in political utilization, but so
stepped in partisan prejudice and rancor that
they have no loyalty to their chiefs n
no desire for their success. Civil service
reform does not exact this, nor does it
require that those in subordinate posi-
tons who fail in yielding their best service,or
who are incompetent, should be retained
simply because they are in place. The whln-
ing of a clerk discharged for incidence or in
competency, who, though he gained his place
by the worst possible operation of the spoils
system, suddenly discovers that he is entitled
to protection under the sanction Of civil ser
vice reform, represents an idea no less absurd
than the clamor of the applicant who claims
the vacant position as his compensation for
the most questionable party work.
discharge of the INDECENT or Incompetent
clerk, but it does prevent supplying his place
with the unfit party worker. Thus, in both
these phases, is seen benefit to the public SER
vice. And the people who desire good gov
eminent having secured this statute will not
r%elinquish its benefits without protest. Nor
are they unmindful Of the fact that its full
advantages can only be gained through the
complete good faith Of those having it's axe
CuGlOu LII CudI Se. t1uu ILLS Guey WILL 1hoIoo
upon.
I recommend that the salaries Of the
civil service commissioner be increased
to a sum more nearly COM
mensurate to their important duties.
SUCCESSION TO THE PRESIDENCY.
The present condition Of the law relating to
the succession to the presidency in the event
of the death, disability, or removal of both
the President and Vice-Ffesident is such asto
require immediate amendment. This sub
ject has repeatedly been considered by Con-
gress, but no result has been reached,
The recent lamentable death of the Vice
President, and vacancies at the same
time in all other offices the incumbents of
which might Immediately exercise the func-
lions of the presidential office, has caused
public anxiety and a just demand that a re-
currence OF such a condition OF affairs should
not be permitted.
In conclusion, I commend to the wise care
and thoughtful attention of Congress
the needs, the welfare, and the aspira-
tions of an intelligent and gener-
GUS nation. 10 subordinate these to the
narrow advantages of partisanship, or the
accomplishment Of selfish aims, is to violate
the peoples trust and betray the peoples in
terests. But an Individual sense of response
bility on the part of each of us. and a stern
determination to perform our duty well must
give US place among those who nave aided in
their day and generation to the glory and
prosperity of our beloved land.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
WASHINGTON, December 8, 1885.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-12-23
LAKE DISASTERS
A Years Record OF the Numcer OF
Vessels and Lives Lost,

The table of disasters to lake shipping DUR
ing the year Of 1885, just published, show
that sixty vessels were lost during the years
involving a loss of 81, DIG, 200. Of these,
twenty-five were steam and thirty-eight
sailing vessels. Twenty-Five went ashore and
grounded to pieces, nineteen were destroyed
BY fire, fourteen %foundered, four capsized,
and were broken up by seas, and one was
blown into s~plinters by the explosion OF her
Michigan, ten on Lake Huron, six on Lake SUI
perior. six on Lake Erie, and thirteen on Lake
Ontario. In these disasters seventy -four
lives were lost. The most notable disaster
was the wreck Of the Algoma at Isle Royal,
Lake Superior, on November 7, by which
forty-eight lives were lost.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-12-23

TALL SHANTER, the six-foot Navajo Indian
chief who called on the President the other
day, is handsome, wears high-heeled boots
and clothing of the latest fashionable cut and
has his hair put up in a French twist, giving
him a rather effeminate look. .
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-12-23

GENERAL GRANT and Bishop Simpson, OF
the Methodist Episcopal church, were first
| cousins. The bishops father and the gen
erals mother were brother and sister, Their
father and mother were Irish, from County
TYRONE.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-12-23

SAGAsrA, at present prime minister to the
Queen Regent of Spain, Christina, was at
the head Of Amadeo's cabinet in 1871 and
1872. lie afterward supported CASTELAR,,
and was directly connected with the events
which seated Alfonso on the throne
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-12-23

THE Penooscot tribe of Inlians IN Maine
have a representative in the State legislature
to look after their interests, but he is not ell.
titled to vote. The Indians number oJ0 and
do not desire full citizenship.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-12-23

A MAN in Stewart county, Ga, recently
found Oh his place a gOurd four feet six inches
long and about as broad. lie followed 1t
out, put rockers on it, and now it serves as a
cradle for his baby.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-12-23

DIR. ALBERT THOMPSON, a young Irish ply.
:fcian, has been presented with the Albert
medal for removing poison iii q case Of diph'
Leria by sucking il away.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-12-23

During tue last year WorK has becn III
progress upon forty-nine buildings, under the
direction of the supervising architect. Con-
gress at its last session authorized the erection
of, and made appropriation for, thirty-one
new buildings in various parts of the coun-
try, making, practically eighty on new n"iIa,
from $3.50 u to s1,5OO.OOO upon which pre-
paratory or active work of construction has
been prosecuted. The total expenditures
during the year upon new buildings, includ-
ing sites, aggregate 81 Ass, 7O9. 81; flor repairs
and preservation of public buildings, $175,-
004. SO; for heating apparatus and repairs to
salne elevators, vaults, safes, locks, storage
of silver dollars, etc, s109, 500. H..
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-12-23

UHul, WulCl upOu CFClJ SAAhSS VI Nh 100000.
i~stration inspires an immense army of claim
ants for office to lay siege to the patronage
of government, engrossing the tim OF the
public officers with their opportunities spread
inc abroad the contagiOn OF their
disappointment and filling this air with
tho tumult of their discomfort.
The allurements of an immense number OF
offices and places, exhibited to the voters OF
the land, and the promise of their bestowal in
recognition of partisan activity, debauch the
suffrage and rob political action of its
thoughtful and deliberative character: The
evil would increase with the multiplication
of offices consequent upon our extension,
and the mania for officc-holding,
growing from it's. indulgence, would
pcrvado our population so generally that
patriotic purpose, the support of principle,
the desire for the public good and sollci-
tude for the nations welfare would be
nearly banished from the activity of our
! party contests and cause them to degenerate
into ignoblc, selfish and disgracetul struggles
for the possession of office and public place.
Civil-service reform enforced by law came
| rone too soon to check the progress OF demon
aliZation. One o. it's effects, not enough re-
gardcd, is the freedom it brings to the polltl-
cal action of those conservative anu Soocf
mcn who, in fear of the confusion FISK
attending an arbitrary and sudden chan9e III
all the public officers with q change OF party
rule, cast their ballots against such a change.
Parties seem to be necessary, and will long
continue to exist; nor can it be now denied
that there are legitimate advantages, not
disconnected with Office holding, which follow
party supremacy. While partisanShip con-
tinues bitter and pronounced, and supplies
so much Of motive to sentiment and action,
it is not fair to hold public officials IN
charge of important public trusts re-
sponsible for the best results in the pei
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-11

Bathurst to the Lord Mayor announcing
the result of the battle, an incomplete list
OF the officers and nOblemen who were
killed and wounded, and few lines OF
local news make up the reading matter OF
the paper, all but one column of the fourth
page being devoted to advertisements.
THE FASHIONABLE WORLD HERE CON-
TINUES
under the social wet blanket which has
lain heavy upon it since the beginning Of
Lent. The social stagnation is considered
as unaccountable as the financial, but 1t
is probably produced by il. Even the
rich feel the hard times, and do not care
to waste what substance they have left in
riotous hOspitaities. The festivities Of
the past fortnight have been confined to
weddings, two or three of which were of
quite notable persons. Not few engage
ments have been announced, so that there
will be future weddings If nothing else
The engagement of Miss Madge Mclean
TO John Ward, Of Brooklyn, will be of in
terest to some of your readers, as the
young lady has. / believe, many friends
In Savannah. She is considered a lucky
girl, as Mr.. Ward Is what is popularly
termed rolling in wealth, and is a
good fellow besides. Although Miss Nc
Leans personal charms will be her only
dowry, the engagement is looked upon
with the utmost satisfaction by her future
husbands family, who evidently do not
believe that money should mate with
money.
John Matthews. the actor, Is prudent
person. Rather than be- buried at the eX-
pense of his friends, he has made a con-
tract with an undertaken to do all that is
needful for him when he dies, and has
deposited a sufficient sum to cover the
cost of a modest funeral. His precautions
viii have to be taken over again should
the undertaken die first.
The hotel business is said to be picking
up, which is a good sign for the future.
Full hotels always mean plenty of buyers
Of New York goods, and trade ought TO
soon show the effects OF their presence.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-11
RoBBING A MILLIoNAIRE.
The Thief First Cutting the Telephone
and Burglar Alarm Wires.

MILWAUKEE, May s.-A bold robbery
was committed at the residence Of Charles
Ray, the millionaire, on Prospect avenue,
this morning. An experienced cracks
man visited the house, cut all the tele-
phone, telegraph and burglar alarm wires,
and then cut his way through the rear
door. All the family plate was in
the vault, and could not be reached.
Alter searching the lower part Of
the house the masked robber visited the
servants quarters above, and awakened
two girls who We're In the room. He held
a revolver at their heads, and made them
90 down stairs and call Mrs. Ray, telling
her they we're sick. When Mrs. Ray
opened the door the burglar told her If she
uttered word he would blow her brains
out. She was ordered to call her husband
and did so. The burglar made the women
stand in line, under the penalty Of death
il they moved.
When Mr.. Ray came down he was
ordered to get all his cash and jewelry,
which he did, the burglar covering him
with a revolver. Jewelry and money
amounting to nearly $1,000 was handed
the robber, which he pocketed, and then
made Mr. Ray escort him to the front
door and let him out. Mr.. Ray afterward
raised an alarm, but the thief had taken
the O'Clock train for Chicago and
escaped. Policemen have gone to Chicago
in search Of him. No description Of him
can be given. except that he was OF
medium size and strongly built, and that
a large black mask covered his face.
While MIR. Ray was going through his
pockets to get his watch, jewelry and
money, little daughter, who was sleep
ing in the same room, quietly left her
bed, gathered her own jewelry from an
escritoire, and, returning 10 her bed,
placed 1t under her pillow. This was the
only jewelry In the house not locked up
that escaped. 1t is said that the loss Is
much heavier than reported. Mr.. Ray is
well known In Chicago, Were be has a
branch commission house. His residence
is "burglar proof" and the finest in Mil
Waukee
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-11
ALARMING DRAIN OF GOLD.
Secretary Manning Expected to Pay
Clearing House Balances In silver.

WASHINGTON, May 10.-The rapid
decrease In the amount Of the gold
owned by the government is beginning to
ATTRACT general attention here, and the
question as to what should be done is be-
coming a serious one. In view of the fact
that exchange is so near the starting
point, some fear is expressed that there
will be a flow Of gold nat of the country,
which would doubtless hasten the compl-
cations of the situation. The decrease OF
gold coin during the month of April
amounted to S6,000,0 900, while there was
corresponding increase in the
number Of the dppreciated silver
dollars that ara stored away in the Treas
ury vault. But il should he said that
year ago the gold reserve ran down to
lower point than now. Deducting all the
gold liabilities that were likely to be pre-
sented, there was at that time left bal
ance of free gold amounting to only $l04,-
100000. To meet the emergency that is
threatened it Is provided in the bank char
ter act that when the gold coin and bull
lion reserve falls below $100, 100000 the
Secretary of the Treasury shall suspend
the issue of gold certificates, and in ac-
cordance with this provision il is not i'm
probable that Mr.. Manning will soon be
compelled to resort to the powers con-
ferred in that act.
Those who have studied the subject are
at a loss to understand how the suspen-
sion of the issue of gold certificates is
going to increase the gold reserve. Last
year. when the gold reserve ran down 50
low, Secretary FOlger increased it by in
creasing the legal tender note payments
at the New York clearing house to at
least 80 per cent. Of each days balance,
but as this ratio of payments has been
maintained since, it is clear that other
means must be found to counteract the
present drain. Some are inclined to the
opinion that Secretary Manning may en-
deavor to protect himself by largely In
creasing the payments in standard dol
lars, and it is even hinted at the Treasury
that clearinghouse balances, as well as
other indebtedness, may be paid in great
part, if not entirely, with coin dollars,
and that too within a short time.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-11
MARRIED TO BANKER FISH
Members of SalIie Laing's Family Cor
rect Some Misstatementa.


rect Some Misstatements.
sANDUsKY, ONO, May THE follow
ing is the statement of Mr.. f. A. Layman,
editor of the EueHing JOalRal and brother
ln.law of Mrs. Laing, whose name figures
in the sensational reports Of that lady's
death:
"Regarding the cause and manner of
Mrs. Laing's death, l am prepared to de-
nounce the published statements as false
in great part If not in whole. The account
Is strictly true until it touches upon her
life subsequent to the death Of her first
husband, Mr.. Laing. At that poirt the
inaccuracies begin. Some months after
that event Mr.. James ID. Fish, at that time
known as a millionaire banker, began
paying her his addresses, which culmi-
mated in May, 1884, about the time he be-
came involved in his financial difficulties,
in a private marriage, which, in order TO
escape the nOtOriety that would ensue,
she stipulated should be kept secret until
such time as she was free again. These
troubles, which at first appeared tenn
pOrary, became more harassing as time
went by, and she still insisted upon her
original stipulation and did TO the hour
of her death, which was as sudden and
unexpected TO her friends as 1t was TO
herself. The issue of this marriage with
Mr.. Fish was daughter born Feb. %, at
Carlstadt, Nj, and which is now with
friends of Mr.. Fish, under bis care and
direction. The mother had almost recOv-
cred from the effects of childbirth when
she was attacked with an old stomach
trouble that was chronic IN her case, and
Yielding to a morbid appetite for certain
articles Of diet that had been expressly
forbidden, she ate inOrdnatelv, and died
within few hours on the night OF March
10. Her marriage to Mr.. Fish has been
known to her family since last summer,
but for the reasons stated already, which
we're satisfactory alike to her and to
them, it was never made public, and has
not been since her death, because of the
attendant circumstances and of her ex-
press request 10 that effect.
sin Justice 10 Mr.. Fish / would add
that he has been anxious from the first tG
make known the marriage and ahsOlyed
by the family from secrecy, will do so to-
day."
NEW YoRE, May 7.-At Ludlow street
jail to-day Mr.. Fish has given orders that
he would see no reporters. He consented,
however, TO write the following: "The
statement regarding Mrs. Laing is mostly
incorrect as to facts and dates. Mr.. lay
man, of the Sandusky (O.) EDening Jour
nal, is well informed as TO all the facts Ia
the case"
Beyond this Mr.. Fish refused to talk.
Mr.. Layman Is married TO sister Of the
deceased woman.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-11
soUDAN's CAMPAIGN.
The Withdrawal of the British Expected
to be Announced To-day.

to De Announced To-day.
LONDON, May 10.-Tigrane Pasha, Un-
der Foreign Secretary, and Mr.. West,
ProcuratOr General, are coming to Lon
don from Cairo to consult the British
Government in regard to the alteration Of
the Egyptian press laws. From London
they will so to Paris to consult with the
French Government.
Ychmi Pasha, special Turkish Envoy to
EG<isnd, failed to effect an arrangement
with England for the occupation OF Sou-
daa hy Turkey because he claimed the
right Of Turkey to garrison Cairo.
H. is reported that Osmaa Digna, with
a few followers. has arrived at Berber,
and that the Emir Ot Berber has gone to
Khartoum to solicit reinlOrcements to
oppose the British advancing from Su-
akin.
Adylces received at Cairo state that
rebels on An'ril u.
A dispatch from SuaBin says that an
alarming amount of sickness prevails
among the troops AZ Suakin, but the mill
tary censor iOrbds al mention of it in
the press dispatches.
A dispatch from DongOla says that the
anti-Mahdi, Obeid, has again encountered
aud defeated the followers of the original
Mahti.
WlrHREAWAL FROM THE soUDAN.
inc N56V Ne1rs expects that the Mar
mis- OF Harrington, Secretary for War,
VIII announce in be House OF Commons
tomorrow the definite withdrawal of the
British troops from the SOudan and the
Abandonment Of the expedition to khar-
tOum,