Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-07-05
Straps aud fatts,

Bob Fitzsimmons, the we'll known
pugilist, was tried in Syracuse, New
York, this week for killing Con Rior-
dan in a prize fight some time ago.
The jury returned a verdict of not
guilty. Fitzsimmons and his friends
celebrated the verdict by getting on
big drunk.
"A New York Herald Berlin special
saws: "a member of the diplomatic
service has assured me that the reports
of preparations being on foot for an
outbreak of hostilities between Russia
and Japan are quite correct. He is OF
the opinion that secret treaty of alli-
ance has been concluded between
Great Britain and the japanese gov
ernment. My informant anticipated
serious complications in Europe, Asia
and Africa, owing to the inconsistent
policy pursued by the German govern
ment.
"A passenger train on the Southern
Pacific railroad, at Grants Pass, Ore
gon, was stopped with dynamite by
highwaymen last Monday night and
robbed. The robbers placed several
sticks of dynamite on the track. When
the engine run on the dynamite, the
stuff exploded and blew off the flanges
of the front truck wheels. This
speedily brought the train to halt.
The highwaymen then went through
the train, coach by coach, and took
the valuables of the passengers. How
much money they got is not known.
The train was in charge of the robbers
for nearly two hours; but nobody was
hurt.
The United States weather bureau,
in it's report of crop conditions for the
week ended July 1st, says: Cotton
has been injuriously affected by ex-
cessive rains over Northern Texas and
in Louisiana; but in Southern Texas
the conditions have been favorable.
The crop has also sustained injury
from excessive rains in lowlands in
Arkansas; but on higher grounds it is
reported as in excellent condition.
Mississippi, Georgia and Florida report
ed the crop growing finely; but in Ala
bama the plant is small and the crop
grassy, with bad stands. In the South
ern States the corn crop is now practi-
cally laid by in generally excellent
condition.
- The United States is engaged in
an interesting diplomatic squabble
with Spain over what is known as the
Mora claim. During revolution in
Cuba, Spain confscated an estate be-
longing to an American citizen named
Mora, and valued at something like
S2,5OO,OO0. The case was the subject
of diplomatic dispute for a number
of years, and finally Spain agreed to
pay S1,5O0,00O. The agreement was
never complied with, and lately the
diplomatic correspondence has been
renewed. Spain is in financial strait
on account of the insurrection in Cuba,
and being unable to raise the money,
is trying to gain time. 1t is possible
that the matter may lead to the neces-
sity of using force to make Spain pay
up.
Under order from the secretary of
the navy, Chief Constructor Hickborn
has undertaken the work of making
fire proof all parts Of naval vessels that
can be so benefited. The wood work
will be subject to fire proof veneer
ing by an electrical process, and fire
proof paper and canvass will also be
utilized. The necessity for this new
departure of the navy department was
shown to Secretary Herbert after the
battle of Yalu river. Nearly all the
Chinese ships caught fire and they
were not materially weakened, for that
reason, but other ships were compelled
to come to their assistance. Hereafter
all combustible material used in the
construction of United States naval
vessels will be made as nearly fire
proof as possible.
"A new Illinois law provides sys-
TEN of parole for persons convicted of
crime. The law is based upon the
theory that criminal may be reform
ed, and it makes it easier for him to
return to q respectable life. This is
the way it works. A man commits
crime short Of capital offense. He
goes to the penitentiary but the judge
fixes no penalty, no definite term of
years. The warden and prison COM
missioners watch his conduct and when
they think it safe they release him on
parole for six months. If he then
shows that he is able to earn an hon
est living and desires to become law
abiding citizen he receives an absolute
discharge. The system was first tried
in the Scottish prisons. Then it was
introduced into Ireland, and later in a
modified form into England, in all of
which countries it has worked satisfac-
torily. The Illinois experiment will
be watched with great interest.
Prof. Mark w. Harrington, chief
of the weather bureau at Washing
ton, has been relieved from duty,
owing to disagreement with Secreta-
ry Morton. His resignation was called
for on June 10Th, but he declined to
resign, and subsequently was removed
by the president to take effect July
lst. The relations between Secretary
Morton and Professor Harrington,
who yyas appointed from Michioan