davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1898-04-07
THE SlNEWS OF WAR.
Treasury Department Doing Its Shar
 Toward the Nation,s Defense.

Treasury Department Doing Its Share
 Toward the Nations Defense.
 Washington. April 6.-"While the na- wy and the war departments have nec- essarily been much in evidence In the making of preparations for the possibly impending conflict between the United States and Spain," said Assistant Sec retary Vanderlip, "the treasury depart ment has not been behind in giving close attention to what is quite as es- sential as battleships-namely, the na- tional finances as they relate to war.
 "When war comes, new influences op- crate upon the public revenues. The first boom of cannon is a call for in creased resources, and is likely to be followed by a sharp decrease in ordi- nary receipts.
 Fortunately at no time since the civil war has the United States treasury occupied so strong a position as it does now, with the exception, possibly, of the surplus days of 1S85-1S9O. The cir culation statement of the treasury de- partment issued April f. shows that we have an enormous stock of gold in the country, almost $730, ,000 900. Of this amount the United States treasury holds 75000, 900 net gold. We are $75,- 000,000 above the traditional reserve
 maintained for the redemption of the United States notes and the notes of 1890. and the tendency is toward an increase at the rate of s200,000 a day. About 10 per cent of the customs re- ceipts are being paid in gold.
 Since the disaster to the Maine in
 Havana harbor banks throughout the whole country have quietly pursued a policy which, without disturbing busi- ness, has made them financially strong (not less important to the country's
 welfare than impregnable Notifications and coast defenses).
 Since Feb. 19, the week of the Maine disaster, the New York banks have re- duced their loan accounts by $50 900. 900. and at the same time they have in | creased their specie holdings by $25. .000,- JUL. The conrracrlon Tn the loan lten, represents to a considerable extent liq. uidation at the stock exchanges and the sale of sterling exchange collateral | but back of it all there has been ths strong tendescy to fortify against ths uncertainties of the future.
 What is true of New York banks is generally true of banks throughout the country. Their policy for six weeks has | been to prepare for strain, and it l would seem that they are well provided I for all contingencies.
 | Proposed Contingent Special Taxes. "We have been looking into the op. | eration of the internal revenue act in l force in 1866. It produced during that
Connecticut western news., 1898-04-07

fiscal year revenue to the amount or s310, ,000, 900. Of course it is not probabl, at all that there would be a return t1 the heavy taxation of those times. we would not have to make the effort now to raise $310,000,000 a year that was made in 1866. We have doubled in popu> lation since then and more than doubled in wealth.
 "The internal revenue schedules in force at this time subject to taxation distilled spirits, fermented liquors, to- bacco and snuff, oleomargarine. filled cheese, opium and playing cards. These items the last fiscal year produced $147,- 900, 900 in revenues. An addition of $1 barrel to the tax on beer would add S35, ,000 900 year to the public revenues. A slight increase in the tax on tobacco and a return to the system of special taxes and licenses in vogue a few years ago would contribute much to the rev. burdens of any one.
 "A stamp tax on bank checks and drafts, mortgages, deeds, receipts. etc. would not be greatly felt. The internal revenue receipts, amounting to S310, 900 in 1866, included S73, ,000, 900 in round figures from incomes. The balance was
  pations which included almost innumer- able items. But without the necessity of resorting to a great majority of these it is probable that the govern ment revenues, in addition to the aid from internal revenue sources, might be sufficiently augmented by small taxes on tea, coffee and spices. These items might easily be made to raise $35, ,000, ,000 per annum.
 '"The most available tax for immedi- ately increasing the revenue, however, would be a tax on beer. The govern ment machine in this line is so we'll or ganized that if an additional tax of S1 a barrel on beer were to be authorized this afternoon, tomorrow morning the government would begin to be in re- ceipt of the additional tax. It would mean simply the placing of two stamps on the barrels where one now is placed"
Connecticut western news., 1898-04-07

bons, who is a former sergeant or en- gineers and a government Inspector of torpedoes, believes the Maine's first ex- plosion was caused by what is tech nically called a ground mine, contain ing 800 pounds of gun cotton, several of which were manufactured for Spain. He has experimented with these mines largely at Portsmouth and says that, once laid, they retain their properties for 50 years.
 In addition Gibbons asserts that it Is absolutely impossible for them to ex- plode accidentally, as the electric cur rents for their explosion are formed only by the manipulation of a compli- cated keyboard especially devised to prevent accidents. Three keys are nec- essary, which are always kept in the possession of different officers, and even if an outsider obtained possession of them it would be impossible to manipu- late the keyboard without instructions. Gibbons further says the mines and their connecting cables are numbered, and he asserts he will be able to identi- fy them if any part is secured.
Connecticut western news., 1898-04-07
THE ILLINOIS FLOOD.
FRIGHTFUL LOSS OF LIFE BY BURST
 S4ss ING OF A LEvEE. ~

The Waters of the Swollen Ohio Com.
 plsteIy Inundate shawneetown-scores
 Were Drowned and Hundreds Rendered
 HomeIess-People Near Starvation.
 shawneetown, Ills, April e.-Twenty- three known dead, a posAbility that the list may reach 30. 1.5OO people in actual need of the necessaries of life, 700 people homeless and damage to the amount of $2O0,000 is the net result of the flood which swept through this place late Sunday afternoon. Not one of the bodies has been recovered, and it is not likely that there will be until the waters subside, which will be in ten days or a fortnight.
 There is no danger of further dam- age to the town, unless more storms should set In, and even then it is diff- cult to see how matters could be made worse than they now are. The entire town is buried under 10 to i5 feet of water, with the exception of the houses on the embankment Immediately front ing the Ohio river. All of these have water in the cellars or to the second story. The water has rapidly receded.
 The flood at the time the damage was caused and the people were drowned was not over three feet In depth. 1t rushed in with such violence, however, that people were caught waist deep In the stream and hurled together and smothered before they could rise.
 Wide Area Devastated.
 The entire country north, south and west of Shawneetown is covered with water and locomotion in all directions is almost impossible. In the township immediately north of here there was not sufficient dry ground yesterday for a single polling place, and there was. therefore, no election, and the officers will hold over for another term.
 Many instances of heroism were per- formed by the townspeople in rescuing their fellow citizens. Prominent among the leaders in this work was Lloyd Rowan, who with a skdrf saved 3a peo- pie by his own individual exertions Frank Robinson, Marshal Calllcot and William Vaughn all did heroic work with skiffs. Callicot Is the son of Washington Callicot and was within 90 feet of his father and mother when they were drowned. He made desperate ef- forts to reach them, but they were borne down by the flood and did not rise again.
Connecticut western news., 1898-04-07
New York ApproprIates sf. .ooo. 900.

Albany. April 1.-For the second time fin the history of the state of New York its governor has felt called upon to ask the legislature for an appropriation for war purposes. Governor Edwin D. Nor gan of New York city was the first, and his call came during the War of the Rebellion. Governor Frank s. Black of Troy is the second, and his necessity arose from the threatened war with Spain. Governor Morgan called for s3,- 500,000. and personally raised the great CT part immediately from his own pri- vate resources, for the need was im- perative. Governor Black. in special message, asked for but St000,000, and that as an emergency fund to obviate the expensive necessity for reconvening the legislature should the situation re- quire. The $1, ,000 900 was voted and the bill signed in one hour and twenty min utes from the time that the call came.
 This was practically the last act O. the legislature of 1898, as 1t shortly aft erward adjourned sine die.
Connecticut western news., 1898-04-07
Spanish Spy at Fort Monroe.

Fort MonrQe, Va, April 5.-There is a good deal of excitement here over the alleged discovery of the presence of a Spanish spy. Several nights ago the sentry at Fort Monroe whose post was nearest the newly arranged esplande for rapid fire and disappearing guns noticed man skulking along the grassy side of the slope. He challenged, but received no answer. The next night the same thing occurred, and the sen- try challenged and then fired. Blank cartridges were in use. but since the incident Captain Hoskins of the fort is authority for the statement that the guard is armed with ball cartridges and with orders to shoot.
 When Commodors-6chley was at the Hotel Chamberlin, a man of foreign appearance watched him closely. Friends of Commodore and Mrs. Sehley noticed the man several times. He is registered at the hotel, but has avoided all the guests.
Connecticut western news., 1898-04-07
peary,, Polar Expedition.

St. Johns, N. F., April 6.-captain John Bartlett, who will command the arctic steamer windward in the Peary polar expedition this summer, left for New York today to perfect arrange ments for the cruise. The Windward will sail from New York about the first week in July and will probably call at St. Johns on the way north.
Connecticut western news., 1898-04-07
Beautiful In Theory, but Impractical.

beauthui III iheoFy' put lmprhcticais
 London, April 5.-The Times says ed- itorially this morning:
 Tt is to be supposed that President Mckinley gave some encouragement to the idea of papal mediation, but found the country not likely to accept it. The truth is mediation and arbitration are very beautiful theoretically, but very difficult in practice, and the differences between Spain and the United States are too great and too substantial to be treated by that rose water method"
 The general drift of the editorials in the morning papers Is that, however de- sirable peace may be, there Is little hope left that the pope will succeed, as the insurgents are not likely to con- sent to an armistice. All the forecasts of President McKinley's message regard it as rather warlike.
Connecticut western news., 1898-04-07
ship For weIIman's Expedition.

Washington, April A-A cable dis patch from Christiania, Norway, reports that the steam whaler Fridtjof has been secured for the Wellman polar expedi- tion to Franz Josef Land instead of the Laura, previously engaged. The Fridt- jof is said by the agent of the Norwe- gian Lloyds to be the fastest and strongest ice steamer in Norwegian wa ters. She Is now being outfitted and will be ready to sail from Tromso for the arctics June 20 next.
Connecticut western news., 1898-04-07
SnnIn to Send More ShIps.

Washington, April 5.-A telegram was received late last night by President Mckinley from Minister woodford stat ing that the Spanish fleet was about to sail from Cadiz.
 For some time Spain has been en- gagged in forming at Cadiz a flying squadron and torpedo fotilla, to con- sist of the torpedo cruisers Donna Ma ria de Molena and Destructor. of the type of our Cushing; the torpedo de- stroyers osado, Proserpina and Audaz, and the torpedo boats Orion, Barcelo and Havana
Connecticut western news., 1898-04-07
Acfor Willard ImnroYlnR.

Chicago, April 6.-Mr. E. S. Willard, the actor, is rapidly recovering. The fever has almost left him, and his phy- sicians express the opinion that at the end of the week his temperature will be normal
Connecticut western news., 1898-04-07
If Was Just a Spanish BIun.

London, April 5.-The Paris corre- spondent of The Daily Mail says: T learn on excellent authority that the Spanish reply to President Mckinley is regarded as a move to gain time and to avoid replying directly co the Ameri- can ultimatum. Spain will now find the means of yielding, while saving her
Connecticut western news., 1898-04-07
New scbooIhouse Destroyed.

Utica, N. Y., April 6.-The new Utica Free academy, which 1t was expected would be occupied next fall, was de- stroycd by fire last night. Only the walls remain. The loss is estimated at s11O. 900; insurance one-half
Connecticut western news., 1898-04-07
ColwelI Is oyerworked.

London, April 6.-Lieutenant Com- mander Colwell, the United States na- val attache here, has been working day and night for six weeks and Is almost broken down. He will be obliged to leave London immediately to recuper-
Connecticut western news., 1898-04-07
Cutter Gresham En Route East.

Milwaukee. April 6.-The United States revenue cutter Gresham left Milwaukee for Cleveland en route to the Atlantic coast last evening. A great demonstra-i ton attended her departure.
Connecticut western news., 1898-04-07
Beauest to Wright Seminary.

Philadelphia, April 5.-The will of the late Charles B. Wright, former presl- dent of I.c Northern Pacific Railroad company. who died here recently, has been admitted to probate. The testator left a very large estate, and among the beauests is one of $5o,0oo to Anna Wright seminary, located at Tacoma
Connecticut western news., 1898-04-07

Chicago. April 4.-w. H. Harvey. more familiarity known as "Coin" Har- vey, is dangerously i'll at the Presbyte- rian hospital with appendicitis, and his family entertain grave fears for his re- coyery
Connecticut western news., 1898-04-07
NIora Minors Strike.

Altoona, Pa, April 6.-The Patton Coal company's miners at Patton, Cambria county, have struck because they were ordered to mine for 40 cents a car instead of 70 cents ton. Three hundred men are out.
Connecticut western news., 1898-04-07
Crazy King Otto Dying.

Munich, Bavaria, April 6.-The condi- tion of the insane King Otto of Bava- ria has suddenly become worse, and it is feared that he is dying.
Connecticut western news., 1898-04-07
ears ago, had lctt the freHbytcrlt hurch and would take orders in q piscopal church.
 Wednesday, April c.
 Herbert c. Nichols, who stole sibt 70 from Browning. King & Go. of ch lgo, was captured in New York aft e had hafiled pursuit for five yea nd five months.
 The purchase by the government ,ur steamships of the Morgan line [ uxiliary cruisers was concluded CIV York, and other vessels have bes by the naval board. State Engineer Adams testified at A any before the canal investigatir ,mmission. He said he was unable nd the memoranda on which his est g.s. Ala. I.,sxxs.NFaFRaYt4 xKFIVs V.s# As

Hanging in n conspicuous place In tho postoffioe lobby is plain, unassuming sheet of white paper bearing list of boxes upon which the rent remains un. paid. There is nothing particularly i'm. pressive about this sheet of paper, but there is attached to 1t small piece of manilla paper upon which appears tho following very caustio sentences: "No need to pay these rents. Your postmas- ter has advanced the amounts for you. His bank account is unlimited. So use his. That is what he is appointed for. 7 Paris lKy.) Reporter.
El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1898-11-02
The Negroes Strictly In Ii.

Messrs. Chas. Taylor and Godfrey
Andres, of the @. Fl. shops have been
selling tickets for some time past on q
rifle and bicycle, and the required
NUN Der having been sold the articles
were rallied of Monday night. The
dice were produced and each one hold
ing Il ticket WAS entitled to q "shake. -
The one throwing the highest numbe
was To- receive the bicycle and the one
throwing the next highest number was
TO receive the rifle. When the
smoke cleared away from the first
round il was discovered that n. r.
Albright, "a colored man, had the
highest number aud he was presented
with the bicycle. Next to the highest
were uostler Lewis and a colored man
by the name OF E5au Pruitte. In
settling the tie PruitJe shook the high
est number end was presented with
the rifle. The colored boys were &C
cused by the whites Of having dem
lucky rabbits feet" but the accusa-
tiou WAS vigorously denied by the col
ored vjctors.
El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1898-11-02
In Favor of the Fourth Man.

Some time ago the Ssdta Fe put sn
extra crew on the passenger runs north
and south out of san Marcial, making
four crews altogether aud reducing
the monthly compensation ,of the re-
gular crews one fourth. This action
on the part OF the company developed
an animated controversy in the b. of
L. F. and the b. OF l.
orders In San Msrcial and result
ed In the four engineer being TAX
en- off. Firemen were net
uuauim rus in the demand for the re-
moval of the fourth fireman ard no
decision could be arrived at. Said a
fireman IA regard to the matter yes
terday: "The b OF l.. E., YOU may
say. are co: in favor of the removal Of
the fourth fireman on the Santa Fe
passenger runs. IL is well enough
for three engineers to handle
the runs, but the work Is too
severe for three fremen. Out OF
as fremeu, there are IS in favor OF
retaining the forth man, a I'd is sife to
say that he will remain. Another
thing, we are asking for an increase of
ten per cent in our wages and with
that Increase we will make all the
money W. want with four men on thu
runs AS for myself, am satisfied at
present with the assistance rendered
by the additional help and think we
will ell be much better satisfied
El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1898-11-02
A Bio Cattle Deal.

OF :hs big cattle deal made few
days ago by tue w. j. Cox cattle COM
pany, aud mentioned il this column,
the tolioSing has been Clipped from an
exchaoge. All railroad officials at
this pnint viii, keep their eyes peeled
for the moving of these cattle, as there
will be a small fortune 10 the transac-
ton. Tne clipping re ads as follows:
Three IN IN arrived At the Windsor
hots!.ye- terday }" says the Denver News
''who -everal days ago closed a deal In
fifteen IN uutes Involving b, 600 head
OF cattle and an amount Of money
eQualiug nearly 100000.
tine men are w. j. Cox of FL Paso,
Texas. LIE Keyser of Denver, and A
Gonz lles of Mexico. The party bought
aud immense herd, or rather several
herds of cattle from n Mexican, and
the gentlemen are now In Denver
negotiating for the sale of a large num-
Der OF the animals. The probabilities
are that they will orgonize company
for the handling of the vast poss sessions
and tho ultimate will yield much
greater amounts than to ship TO the
United States.
Mr.. Gonzales admitted the nature OF
the visit aud told the details of the
transaction. I'VE did not take much
time 10 AXE the deal, be said. In
less than fifteen minutes after meeting
the oSner of the cattle We asked MS
price and snapped it up. We have
plenty of time To pay for our purchases
and cannot help but come out way
ahead on the deal We do not care to
take the people of Denver into our con-
idenee just yet as to our ultimate in
tentions. but besides this deal we have
others ON the tspis that may amount to
equally As much. L may add that the
cattle business never presented the
opening it does at present. Within q
year the demand will scarcely be sup
piled, and owners of herds will tind
themselves with an unprecedented in
GONE. Prices viii go out of sight and
we propose to g in on the ground
floor IL we can That's the extent OF
the Information connected with the
DEAL
Cattle in Mexico naturally iucreas-
ed in price since the demand became
greater with the war, aod the deal OF
Mr.. Gonzales involves far more cash
than would have been necessary
months ago. IL is believed that as
soon as the trade fairly opens in the
spring there will be room for fully
230, 900 cattle in Cuba, where none are
raised. The recent war there has
caused n scarcity OF beef aud Messrs.
Gouzales Cox and Keyser have no
fear of large market early in the
spring.
El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1898-11-02
Let Us Hope So.

a san Francisco special says: "a,
L. IL > r. traius will bs running into
San Francisco solid from Chicago be-
fore next September" says President
<. +. Ripley, of tn Santa Fe route,
who arrived here today after inspect
ing the San Joaquin Valley
road. The transfer OF the Val
ley road will probably be
made before January lst We
coutem plated building through Tej0n
Pass." said Mr.. Ripley, but it has
been suggested, as there is no local
business for any road in that district,
we would better buy the right to use
that much OF the Southern Pacific
track. We have not yet decided what
will D. for the best"
Mr.. Ridley said ia reference to the
supreme court decision against the
Joint traffic association: "As matter
of equity, | consider the decision an
outrage The treatment of railroads
by the U. = government is outrageous.
a railroad is either a private CORPORA
tion or 4 public corporation. III the
former it should be left alone: If the
latter then it should be protected, and
this the government does not do"
El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1898-11-02
A Painful Accident.

Yesterday afternoon, while Joe
Wood was running the boring machine
at the G.. 81. shops, the two inch bit
which he was using caught in the left
sleeve midway between the wrist and
the elbow and penetrating his arm to
the bone. With great effort
he succeeded in shifting the
belt and stopping the machine.
but not until his arm had been
painfully lscersted by the bit. He
was taken to the office of DIR. Turner,
the company physician, where the in
jured member was dressed Mr.. Wood
has been in the employ of the G. h.
for the past four months aud has prov
ed himself first-class workman.