davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-22
BELL TELEPHONE LITIGATION.
1t is Ended-The Bell Patents Sustained by a
Majority of One,

IL Is Ended-Ihe Bell Patents Sustained by a
Majority of One,
WASHINGTON, March ia decision was
rendered in the United States supreme
court today in the celebrated tele phone
litigation, involving the validity of the
Bell patent. The decision of the court
is IN favor of the Bell Telephone com.
pany on all points and in all of the
cases.
The dissent of Justices Bradley, Field
and Harlan IN the ephone cases is
based upon the Drawbaugh claim. These
three justices are of the opinion that the
evidence overwhelmingly shows that
Drawbaugh was the first inventor of the
speaking telephone, although he was IN
conscious of it and was not aware of its
Importance.
Justice Bradley read an opinion dis
senting from the decision of the court.
Justices Field and Harlan also dissented
and Justices Gray and Lamar did not sit
in the case. The Bell patents are there.
fore sustained by majority of l, the
court standing 10 3.
Justice Blatchford, in reviewing the
charge of fraud and collision in tie pat
ent office by means of which Bell, it was
alleged, obtained surreptitious informa-
ton with regard to the inventions of
his rivals and then amended his own
specifications, held that there was not
the slightest evidence to support this
charge or to cast the least rejection
upon the integrity of Bell or his attor-
neys.
In considering the question of the al
legged anticipation of Bells Invention by
the telephone of Refs in Germany, the
court holds that Refs discovered means
of transmitting musical tones and moth
ing more. Bells patent being for the
process of at of transmitting speech
would have been just as valid even had
he used the apparatus of Refs in develop
ing it. The court holds that the appa-
ratus of Refs was not successful in trans
Knitting speech and that his invention
was not in any respect an anticipation
of the discovery which was made by Bell.
All the points are decided in favor of
Bell, including the points set up in the
claims of Refs, Vanderweyde, Mcdonald
and Drawbaugh.
The opinion of the court in the tele-
phone cases was prepared by Chief JUS
tice Waite, but owing to his indisposition
Justice Blatchford read it for him.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-22
SHOULD BE LEFT WHERE 1T is.

Congress has the Right to Control the Con-
structiOn of Bridges Across Navigable
Streams Wholly Within the State-NO Inves-
tigztion Needed.
WASHINGTON, March Ex-senator Vest
from the commerce committee to-day re-
ported back the resolution to inquire into
the right and expediency of congress as
Stunning control of the erection of bridges
over navigable rivers within state limits.
The report says there can be no ques-
ton as to the right of the national
legislature to absolutely control the
construction OF bridges across nav
igaole streams, nor is this power linn
tied or affected by the fact that such
streams are entirely within the limits of
the state. The report further says there
are great many navigable streams with
in the limits of respective state which
should be left to the control of
state governments. At the same time
congress should never surrender its DOW
er to control the erection of bridges over
such streams whenever that power could
be exercised. The committee is, there
fore, of the opinion that no legislation is
necessary on the subject and that the
question should be left where it now is.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-22

retary's letter was merely a confirmation
of the arithmetical calculations made by
the democratic members, and in no way
assumed TO declare that the expected re-
auctions would actually be effected.
At the evening session tonight the re-
publican members assumed the offensive
from the start with the proposition that
the democratic majority should furnish
reas IN for each of the changes proposed
Ia the tariff, in view of the fact that they
had not permitted the minority to par
ticipate in conferences which 1t was
said the majority had had with the manu-
featuring interests. The democrats re-
fused to comply with the request on the
ground that it WIS only part OF the
plan to delay action on the bill. From
this time on all was wrangling until the
adjournment, when salt, the second item
ia the bill, had been included in the free
list by party vote.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-22
CONROE REPENTS.
He is Sorry He Ordered the Strike and is Glad
Matters are All Right Again.

He is Sorry He Ordered the Strike and is Glad
Matters are All Right again,
CHICAGO, March 19.-Chairman Conroe
of the general grievance committee of
the Santa Fe system, the man who order
ed the big strike out west, arrived in the
city this morning. Mr.. Conroe ct once
had an interview with Chief Arthur, but
what passed between the two was not di-
vulged. Mr.. Arthur would lot talk on
that point, nor would the new arrival from
the wild west. II had a talk with
Chief Arthur and Chairman Conroe
for a few minutes" said Vice President
Smith, of the Santa Fe road. Chief
Arthur had very little to say. He simply
accompanied Mr.. Conroe. Conroe ex-
pressed himself as being very sorry that
the strike, If it can be called a strike, had
occurred, and glad matters were all right
again. Our relations are of the best
character. Nothing bat the best of feel
ing was shown in the short conference We
had -
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-22

light, clerk-hire. etc., of the larger O f5ces
is fixed within certain percentages of the
gross receipts, so that greater uniformity
of allowances will be required than under
the present law. Under the bill if
it becomes a law, the allowances of Wis
consin postoffices will undergo consider
able modification. Shsboygan will be cut
down 1913, Eau Claire will be reduced
$132; Chippewa Falls will come downS4o6:
Waukesha S26. Watertown on the basis
of present receipts, may be allowed S144
more. Madison may be given within
legal limits, S2,t6S more; La Crosse,
s2,249; Racine, S1.2O9; Oshkosh, $685..
Fond du Lac, $500; GAINESVILLE, S2,497
more than they are at present allowed.
The bill provides that at all offices at
which the gross receipt are $1,000 or
upwards. reasonable allowance may be
made for rent, light and fuel. The COM
pensation of the smaller, now fourth
class, postmasters is to be based on their
cancellations and is slightly increased.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-22
THE NEW EMPEROR's POLICY.

A Confused Diversity in the Proclamation
PrOgressistS think it Respects the Voice of
the People. Conservatives Think tt Mortal
Blow to the PrOgressists.
BERLIN, March 17.-Further discussion
of the proclamation shows confused di-
versity of its reading. The conservative
press refuses TO interpret the pas
sage on social legislation as dis
avowing Prince Bismark's social and
economic projects. The progressist
journals take the same passage as indi-
eating clearly profound divergence be-
tween the social politics of the chancellor
and the emperor. With reference to the
rights of the reichstsg, according to the
progressist press, the proclamation
marks the determination of the emper-
or to respect the voice Of the
people as expressed by their representa-
tives. The conservative and national lib
eral papers consider the tenor of the
proclamation mortal blow to the hopes
of the progressists, who expected posi-
tive declaration in favor of parliamen-
tary regime. Every one concurs in a
sympathetic criticism of the proclama-
ton.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-22
SWELLING THE DEATH RATE.

Six of the Injured Persons Die-Several More
Cannot Live.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla, March ia rep
resentative of the Times-Union sent
from Jacksonville, arrived at Way
cross, near the scene of the ac-
cident at 7:30 o'clock tonight, and fonnd
the town wild with excitement The
number of dead aggregates twenty-five,
about equally divided as to color. Nine
teen persons we're killed outright at the
wreck, and six died at Waycross during
the afternoon.
The wounded are being cared for in
Waycross and Black Shear. Several more
are expected to die.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-22
CHANDLER AND POOR 10.

Action Taken by the Indian Traders Commit
tee in Reference to the Chippewa Reserya-
ton
WASHINGTON, March - Sen. Chandler,
chairman of the committee on Indian
traders, has transmitted letter to the
secretary of the interior inclosing draft
of the resolution adopted by the commit
tee asking that the secretary's atte ntlon
be especially called to the testimony
showing that extensive numbering opera
tions are now being carried on upon
the Chippewa reservations under con-
tracts not yet approved by the
commissioner of Indian AFFAIRS,
by large gangs of lumbermen who are not
Indians, and suggesting to the secretary
the ACCESSIBILITY that orders should be
given by telegraph to stop Immediately
cutting down any more trees until farth-
or orders from the department. 1t ap-
pears from the evidence, says the SEN
ator, thas none of these timber contracts
have been approved by the COM
missioner, but have gone into
the operation nevertheless with the result
that the plan originally devised to have
been benefit has been perverted into
the system under which the greedy con-
tractors have rushed upon the reserva-
ton and denuded it of its timber. Sen.
ChaHdIer says, further, unless the testi-
mony taken can be shown to be errone-
Gus, there has been the grossest ma'ad
ministration on the part of the local
United States officials in charge of
the Chippewa reservation and suggests
that although the commissioner of In
dian affairs asserts his confidence in the
Indian agent in control of the reserva-
ton, James 7. Gregory, of Ashland, Wis,
the subject is evidently one requiring the
personal consideration of Secretary
Villas and such action as his knowledge
of localities ard possibly of parties, will
enable him to make prompt and
eff
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-22
THE ORDER PROMPTLY OBEYED.
The Men Make a Grand Rush For Reinstat
ment-Trains Moving as Usual

The Men Make Grand Rush For ReinState-
ment-Trains Moving as Usual
KANSAS CRY, March 19.-The Santa Fe
engineers are focking back to work to-
day by dozens and hundreds, Chief Ar
thurs order ending the strike having
caused panic among the strikers. All
passenger trains on the Santa Fe went
out on time this morning. At the freight
yards all is activity and the witch engines
are dartipg around making up trains as
rapidly as possible, and every effort is
being made to relieve the freight block
ade. No. passenger train which left at
10 e. NJ. went out with the regular engi-
neer in the cab. No. II which left at 1870
on the Southern Kansas went out on time
as well as No. at Ills. A steady rain
fell all the morning, and the depot was
deserted by all except those there on bus.
mess.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-22
APPROPRIATION LAW INVALID.
The Supreme Court Says the Railroads ma
BRING Intoxicating Liquors Into Iowa.

The Supreme Court Says the Railroads may
Bring Intoxicating Liquors Into Iowa.
WASHINGTON, March ia decision
was rendered in the supreme court to-day
in the case of Bowman Bros. VS.. the Chi
cago Il Northwestern railroad com pany.
which involves the validity of the
Iowa law forbidding the railroad com
pany to bring Intoxicating liquor
into that state unless such
company had been furnished with a GER
tifcate from the county auditor of the
county to which the liquor is to be trans
ported showing that the consignee is
legally authorized to sell it. The court
holds that the power to regulate or for
bid the sale of a commodity after it has
been brought into the state does not
carry with it the right and power to
prevent its Introduction by transporta
ton from another state. The section of
the Iowa statute of April 5, 1886, which
prohibits railroad companies from bring
ing liquor into the state, is therefore de-
clared to be invalid and the judgment of
the United States circuit court for the
northern district of Illinois is reversed,
the chief justice and Justices Gray end
Harlan dissenting.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-22

procession to escort the kaiser's remains
to the mausoleum then began to form.
Prince Bismarck and Gen. Won Moltke
were not present at the services in
the cathedral, nor did they take
part in the procession to the mausoleum.
Prince William arrived at noon. Along
side of him were the king of Saxony, the
king of Belgium and the king of Rou-
mania. Close by stood the grand duke of
Bs9en, Princes Albrecht and Henry, and
other princes of the house of Prussia;
prince imperial, of Austria; prince i'm
perial, of Russia; Grand Dukes Michael
and Nicholas, OF Russia; prince of Wales !;
crown prince of Italy; crown prince of
Denmark, and the crown prince of
Greece, all in the uniform of their respec-
tive countries. Behind them stood the
prince OF Bavaria, grand duke of Hesse.
and other notables and foreign represeu-
tatives, including Gen. BIllot, Of France,
and his suite. The cortege was of I'm
mense proportions, but the formation was
effected in an orderly manner in rigid &C
cordance with the official programme.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-22
LARRABEE'S FINGER IN THE PIE.
He Suggests to President Perkins That tn
Burlington Arbitrate-Perkins Replies.

He Suggests to President Perkins That the
Burlington Acknowledgements Replies.
Dies MONIES, Ia, March 19.-The cor
respondence between Governor Larrabee
and President Perkins, of the G. B. Dc @.
railway, was made public tonight. In
his letter under date of March 10th the
governor states that numerous complaints
have been made to him regarding the in
corruption of freight and passenger
transportation caused by the strike, and
that further delay in the adjustment of
the differences between the management
and striking employees would be mani
fest injustice to the state. He appeals
to the road to make every
effort possible to come to an
understanding with the strikers,
and suggests that it would be for the in
terest of the company, as it could be
held responsible for any and all damage
caused by the failure to furnish reason
able facilities for the transportion of
business. He suggests that the company
submit the case to arbitration.
President Perkins in his reply under
date of March 14th says he regrets the
course taken should have given any cause
for complaint, and says everything in
the power of the company had been
done to correct the evils result
ing from the sudden action of
the strikers. He says the company
would make good all damages where they
are able to. About SIS per cent. of the
places of old employees in Iowa have been
filled with new men. He says the COM
pany would not close its doors for the
return of SO many of the former EN-
ployes as it may have work for. Gov
Larrabee in reply to this letter simply
expressed delight at the prospect of a
speedy resumption of business.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-22
AN IMPORTANT DECISION
1t Involves the Question of Residence
Upon Homestead Entries Prior to
Making Final PrOOf-Sec. Villas De-
tends the Poor But Honest Settler
Stanford And Raymond of the Union
Pacific Stuff the Senate Committee.
DECISION BY Villas.
He Reverses the Decision of the Commissioner
General of the Land Office

He Reverses the Decision of the Commissioner
General of the Land Office.
WASHINGTON, March 1.-THE secretary
of the interior has rendered the follow
ing important decision involving the
question of residence upon homestead
entries prior to making final proof:
To the commissioner general of the
land ofice-Sir: l have considered the
appeal of Wm. A. Thorn pson from your
Office decision of July 9, 1886, rejecting
his final proof for the land therein men
toned. 1 think this man is entitled to
his patent. He made his declaratory
statement April 26, 1888, alleging settle
ment week before and shows he made it.
1t appears that he was absent during most
of the following summer; was on the
Sand from fall until the following spring;
absent again during the succeeding
summer; again upon the land from fall
until spring, and not absent six months
at any one time; that he applied the pro
ceeds of his labor during the two sea
sOns when he was absent to building
house and making improvements on the
land, now valued altogether at $500; that
he was poor man and his absence was
for the purpose of earning the means to
im prove his land, and that he devoted all
the fruits of his earnings with fidelity
30 that purpose. In the spring of the
third year he left again and remained
absent until the following January, his
p0rpose being to earn Sufficient money
to pay the government for the land. The
amount necessary was 5000, a consider
able sum for laborer to save from his
wages during year, in addition to the
necessary fees and expenses. He appears
TO have done it, and Notwithstanding
he was not personally present upon his
land during the last six months proceed
ing the com pletion of his entry, the fact
cannot deny his right. He made "a set
Element in person" on this land; he had
erected a dwelling thereon, he had i'm
proved the land, and he had inhabited it
IN good faith. When it is considered that
8his tract was situated many miles from
settlement generally; is very diffic alt of
access and yet he has persistently
chung to it for three years,
applying all the results of his
labor TO its improvement and its pur
chase, it is difficult to discern case
more worthy of being marked by good
faith. His "inhabitancy" of the land Is
not peached, after his residence was
once secured, by his going abroad to
procure means, TO bring back there to
improve it and obtain the title to it.
must reverse your decision and direct
n patent 10 be issued to the claimant.
VIM. f. Villas, Secretary.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-22
A TELEGRAPH CASE SETTLED.
The Western Union May Continue Operations
in Massachusetts But Must Pay the Arrear-
ages of Taxes

The Western Union May Continue Operations
in Massachusetts But Must Pay the Arrear-
ages Of Taxes.
WASHINGTON, March ia decision
was render by the supreme court IN the
case of the Western Union telegraph
company vs.. the attorney general of
Massachusetts. This was suit to en-
force the collection of tax levied by the
authorities of the state upon the telegraph
company and for the purpose of enioining
that company from the further
operation of its telegraph lines
within the limits of the state until the
tax had been paid. This court holds that
the taxes assessed against the company
are valid. The Judgment of the court
below "that the sum claimed by the
plaintiff to be due for taxes, $10,618, be
paid to the said state by the com
pany with the interest thereon" is
without error and SO much
of that judgment is affirmed.
That part of the decree of the circuit
court, however, which awards an ia
junction to restrain the company from
carrying on it's business in the state I'M
til the tax shall be paid, is reversed for
the reason that if congress had the
authority to cay that the company might
construct and operate its telegraph over
these post roads as we have repeatedly
held it had, the state can have no author
itv to saw that it shall not be DONE
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-22
ADULTERATED LARD.
Prof Wiley Testifies Before the Senate Com
mittee.

Prof Wiley Testifies Before the Senate Com
mittee.
WASHINGTON, March 1.-THE senate
committee on agriculture resumed the
lard hearing to-day. Prof. Wiley, chemist
of the department of agriculture appear
ed and gave the committee the result of
his niscroscopic examination of the var
ious sam pies of lard submitted to him.
He found cotton seed oil or sterine in
most of the samp plies, but had no reason TO
believe that any of the ingredients
therein contained were injurious to
the heath. At the laboratory he
had rendered the head, entrails, and
intestines of hog, and found them to
make a pure lard. He had found nearly
all lards examined free Of water. One
sam ole, however, manufactured by Fow-
Ter d Bros, of Chicago, branded "Choice
family lard" contained SCI per cent. of
water. Another sample of Workman i
Co.'S lard contained 17.40 per cent of
water. It was brand ed "Anchor lard.'
The chairman suggested that the brand
was very suitable ona.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-22
Union Pacific Road Seriously Troubled With
WaShOutS.

OMAHA, March 19.-The Union Pacific
road is seriously trouble with washouts
at two or three places along the line.
The worst difficulty occurred near Mer-
Ger, where the Platte river has risen to
high point, carrying away several
hundred feet of track When the
Roadbed bridge gave way freight train
was crossing, and the engine and three or
four cars were swept into the river. An
other stretch of track on the Republican
Valley branch between Valley and Gin
tar is reported gone, and all trains are
badly DELAYED.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-22
IN BADGERDOM.

J. L. Case. of Racine, has received an
offer of $4,000 for Pr alias, which he re-
fused.
A dozen packers and nailers in Free
mai touring mill, at La Crosse, strike
for more pay or shorter houcs.
Logs cut this season on streams tribu.
tary to Chequamegon Bay total $50, OOO,-
600 feet-20 to 25 per cent less than the
cut of last ear.
Mrs. Ellen Lucy, of Oshkosh, has just
celebrated the Tooth anniversary of her
birth. She has ten children and eighteen
grandchildren.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-22
WASHINGTON JOTTiNGS.

BARLEY Breen has allowed one-third of
the time fixed by law to elspse without
giving notice that be will contest Mr..
Seymour's seat.
Senator Palmer has introduc ed a bill
to pension Mrs. COzzens, of st. Louis,
mother of Phoebe Cozzens, the lawyer.
Mrs. Cozzens was an army nurse during
the war, and paid all her own expenses.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-22
Correspondence Between Gov. LARA
bee and Pres. Perkins Made Public.
SANTA FE STRIKE COLLAPSED.

The Men Requested to Return to Work-Dif-
ferenees TO be Adjusted.
KANSAS CITY, March 19-The Santa Fe
strike is over. The following official 10
tice was issued at O'Clock last evening:
KANSAS CITY, March Is, 1888.
To the Engineers and Firemen on the
Santa Fe System:
/ am advised by our grand chief to re-
quest OF you that you return to your re-
spective positions at once; further, that
I repair to Chicago and adjust all misun-
Outstanding. I. CoNNoR,
Chm General Grievance Committee.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-22
THE TARIFF BILL.

The Internal Revenue Section Passed Upon
Little Progress Made on the Bill
WASHINGTON, March 1.-THE ways and
means committee today passed upon the
remaining internal revenue sections of
the Mills bill and began consideration of
he tariff bill. The committee made little
trogress, not being able to pass beyond
The first paragraph of the free list relat-
ng to lumber. Secretary Fairchild's let
ter touching the computation made re-
speeding the effect of the bill on the
revenues was a subject of controversy.
The minority members held that the sec