davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31
TELEGRAPHY BY SIGN WAVES.
Discoveries of Two Volunteer Signal -CoRD-
Ofacers Make It Possible.

Washington, October sG.-One point m
the annual report of Gen. Greely has es.
aped public attention owing to its dis
association with the late war. 1t relates
to the discoveries Of two young physicists,
Prof. A. G. Crehore and Lieut.. Col Geo.
y. Squier, volunteer officers who have
lately pursued under the direction of the
chief signal officer of the army, certain
scientific Investigations that promise to
work q revolution in methods of ocean
telegraphy. Gen. Greeley expresses his
belief that these dicoveries and inventions
have assumed such form and phase as
to be of the greatest value to the COM
merciaI world.
The discoveries outline the true scien-
titic methods of telegraphy known as the
sign wave system. Gen. Greeley says he
has no hesitation in expressing b is opin-
ion that the sign wave system which also
admits of easy duplexing, will, within IL
year or two increase very materially the
working capacity Of every cable to which
it is applied.
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31
Weather Observation.

The agricultural department weather
bureau for yesterday, Oct. 80, taken at
5 p. M, meridian time, the observa-
tion for each section being given in this
order: Temperature, direction Of wind
state of weather:
Boston, 4s degrees, S, cldy; New York.
80 degrees, NV, cloudy; Washington, 81
degrees, NV. cldy; Albany, AZ degrees, S,
cloudy; buffalo. 46 degrees, W,
cloudy; Detroit, 40 degrees, SW. cloudy
Chicago, 40 degrees. N, cloudy; st.
Paul, 81 degrees, W, clear; Huron,
Oak, SO degrees, Sc, clear; Bismarck, 40
degrees, SIC, cloudy; jacksonville, 81
degrees, NV, clear.
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31
RAILROAD PRESIDENT CHARGED
WITH FORGERY.

Wiscasset, October ga sensational
turn has been given to the tangled affairs
of the Somerset & Moosehead railroad
company. There has been filed at the
Lincoln county court a writ in a suit for
damages in which Zelotes d. Lancaster,
president of the road. is charged with
forgery on repeated occasions. The plain
tiff is Timothy r. Atkinson of Boston,
who was the chief engineer of the con-
struction of the extension of the S. & M.
road north of Hartland, the work on
which was done several years ago.
Mr. Atkinson sues President Lancaster
as principal and r. L. Rundlett as tr u.s.
tee. He asks for damages in the sum of
$4,000. 1t is claimed that Capt. Rundlett
holds certain property belonging to Lam
caster and therefore it is that the Wiscas
set citizen appears in the suit.
Atkinson charges that Lancaster
signed his name to certain documents
certifying that two miles of the railroad
extension had been constructed which
were not.
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31
BIG STORMS IN EUROPE.
Brown Block

London, October 30-During severe
storm last night small area, about half
"A mile square, around Denmark Hill,
CAmberwell, London, was visited by a
vsritable cyclone. Cabs were overturned,
wipdows,s doors lamp-posts, trees and
chimneys blown down and a number of
houses unroofed. Many persons were in
jured BY flying debris, which did inn
mense damage to property.
Mentone, France, October 5O.-This dis
triot was visited by terrific hail storm
this afternoon which is continuing this
evening. The .stones are of immense
size. The olive and lemon crops have
been completely destroyed
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31
MAINE BOYS ARE OFF.
Mississippi Sailed From Boston at Seven
Sunday Morning.

Boston, October 30.-The transport Mis-
sissippi with four batteries of the First
Maine heavy artillery at O'Clock this
morning for New York, en- route for Sa-
vannah and probably Havana. The bat
teries arrived from Augusta late yester-
day afternoon and went Immediately on
board the transport, but owing to the
thick weather, it was decided to wait
until morning before proceeding to sea.
The big transport warped out .of her
dock ashortly after sunrise this morn
ing and without any ceremony proceeded
quietly down the harbor and out into the
bay. The weather at the time was rainy
and thick, but the Mississippi made good
time down the harbor .and will probably
reach New York tomorrow noon. The
Mississippi, owing to her great size will
probably take the outside route running
some 4O miles south of Nantucket in
order to turn the slightship3.o of the shoals
before heading for New York.
DEPARTURE FOR HAVANA.
Washington, October 30-No definite
determination has been reached as to the
date when the troops now at Savannah
will be sent to Cuba. A prominent ad-
minis tration official said tonight that the
departure of Gen. Lees corps would be
dependent to a certain extent uDon the
movements of the Spanish forces in
evacuating the island. The American
troops he said, might sail this week and
they might not sail for month. 1t is
the intention of the administration, how
ever, to land Gen. Lees corps in Cuba
before the first of January That date
has been fixed definitely as the time for
the final evacuation of the island by the
Span iards.
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee came to Washing
ton last night, but his business was
purely private,
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31
DEWEY TO MAYOR WARWICK.

Philadelphia, October 30.-Mayor War
wick today received the following cable
gram from Admiral Dewey in response to
one extending to him Philadelphia's coz
gratulations of the oity's jubilee and re-
gretting his inability to take part in it
along with tho other beores of the war.
The cablegram reads:
Manila, October 90.
Charles +. Warwick, Mayor, Philadel-
phia. @ 4fs,5.
The officers and men of the squadron
under my command join me in thanking
you for your kind message, and We con-
gratulate you and the city of Philadel-
phia on the success of the great celebra-
tion.
George Dewey, Rear Admiral.
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31
STAR ROUTE CONTRACTS.
Assistant Postmaster General shaiien-
berger Says Present System of Bidding
il Discroditable to Government.

Washington, October 30.-The immense
work of transporting the mails through
out the United States Is dealt with in the
annual report of Second Assistant Post
master General William .Shalenberger,
which was made public today. The main
feature of the report is q vigorous
arraignment of the existing star route
methods Mr.. Shalenberger refers to the
present system Of speculative bidding for
star routes as .discreditable to the gov
ernment.
He says the bidders cut little under
the old contract ssprices and risk being
able to sub-let at profit. Competition
results in the greater part of these con-
tracts being awarded at ery.low. .ratas,
the accepted bidders or their agents
often using deceit and Misrepresentation
in securing sub-oontracts from poor and
ignorant men as principals and sureties.
"Then there are the unEcrupulous con-
tractors, it is added, "who fail to pay
their carriers which causes hundreds of
claims against theIcontra ctors to be filed
in this Office and necessitates voluminous
correspondence to get the claims ad-
justed. Again there will be bidder.
who in his inexpsrienoe and eagerness
will make his bids at rates lower than
those for which he can secure sub-con-
tracts. There follows general failure to
perform the service awarded him and the
department ia put to the trouble and
expense of arranging temporary service
and re-letting the contracts
The conclusion drawn is that the profit
of contractors must be considerable and
if the departments could deal directly with
the men who do the work, the total
amount by the government being put
into the service without any margin to
speculative middlemen, it would un-
doubtedly produce better mail service. 1t
is conceded that exclusion Of speculative
bidders would increase the cost to the
government and recent examinations at
the request of Congress indicate that the
additional cost would be $1,5OO,00O
which, however, would go into effect
gradually. The belief Is expressed that a
considerable larger sum for faster trans
portation would be we'll expended if it
resulted in improved equipments as many
of the horses and vehicles now use In
carrying the mails present such dilapi-
tated nd disreputable appearance as to
be a strong argument in condemnation Of
the present system.
Legislation is recommend ed reqiring
all such bidders to reside on or con-
tiguous to the routes covered or formally
agree to SO reside and personally super
wise the service and authorize refusal to
accept bids deemed excessive.
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31
TEACH THE TRAMP A TRADE.
Comm issioner Hammond's Views on ths
Tramp Nuisance and His Remedy.

Bangor, October a9.-"What shall we
do with the tramps?" was the chief ques-
tion debated at the meeting of the county
commissioners of Maine in Alfred this
week, from which Commissioners Ham
mond, Whitten and Leavitt of Penobscot
county have just returned.
Commissioner Hammond addressed the
meeting on the above subject, and sug-
gested that if any progress was to be
made in getting rid of the vagabonds and
idlers from all over the country who
infest Maine at nearly all seasons, the
laws must be made more stringent. He
said that at present these nuisances are
simply sent to Jail for terms varying
from 80 to 12G days. and in nine cases out
OF ten this is just what they want. In
Jail they have enough of something to
eat, and generally no work to do. They
manage in some way to get tobacco, and
something to read. and thus they are a
good deal better off than they ever are
outside prison walls.
This, of course, is great burden upon
the taxpayers, he said, as well as an en-
couragement to crime and laziness, and
Commissioner Hammond, who is just,
but not a severe man, wants something
done to put an end to such conditions.
he suggested that all tramps under a
certain age-any who would be classed as
young men, should be sent to the state
prison and kept there long enough to
learn a trade. Then, when they were
turned loose upon the world, they would
have the means of getting living. Of
oourse. it would take time to accomplish
such reform, if it were fsasible, and
tine other commissioners. while unani-
nous in the opinion that something must
be done to Keep the tramps away. were
uncertain as to just how or when the
state prison trade learning plan could be
put into operation. The matter may be
brought to the attention of the next leg
iSlature.
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31
WINTHROP.

Winthrop, October 2S.-Ths funeral OF
DR.. G. P. Snow was held at the Congre'
gational.. church today at O'Clock. The
masonic order, of which the deceased was
ID member, were in attendance in body,
together with Trinity lodge of Augusta.
The High school pupils attended In
memory of him who had done SO muoh
for the school. The Winthrop Military
band led the procession. The service was
conducted by Rev. Mr.. Bradley. pastor
of the Universalist church of this town.
The stores were closed in the afternoon
and the High school flag was at nau
mast
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31

section of camp sites without chair
man and the quartermaster's depart
ment without disbursing officer.
DIR. O'Reilly, upon whom the chair
manship of the two commissions will be
devoiyed, will be appointed to Gen.
Wade's staff as head quartermastsr.
The impression is general here among
the Americans that the recall of Coils.
Lee and Hecker at this particular juno
true, is highly significant.
WANTS OF PORTO RICO.
San Juan de Porto Rico, October 3d.
The principal theatre of the city was
taxed to its utmost capacity this after.
noon on the occasion of public meeting
of delegates from the chief towns Of the
island to consider and draft resolutions
regarding the necessities Of the island for
the use of the special commissions who
will be selected to represent Porto Rico
at;Washington, when the time comes for
settling the administrative system. The
assembly was fairly representative and all,
though the proceedings gave undue pro1n-l
inence to unimportant details. there was
abundant evidence of intelligent renec-
tion on the part Of the delegates and q,
not to tolerate partisan
politics at this crisis in the islands
affairs.
Carefully prepared reports were SUBJ
mitted by the political, official and eco-
nomioa1 committees. The meeting re.
ceived with enthusiasm the resolutions
demanding territorial rights, the cessa~
ton of the present military rule and the
Installation of regular civil government.
Other resolutions were adopted asking
an eight-hour day for the ]aboring man
and severely denounoing the present COZ
rupt system ofsregistering deeds of land.
1t was obvious that the delegates pro- 8
ceeded upon the assumption that the
United States would grant Porto Rio0
territorial rights.
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31
MADAME sCALCHI NOT DIVORCED

Bangor, October 29.-The younger
Count LolIi, as Nine. Scalchi's son is
called. is quoted as telling several per-
sons while in Bangor this week that there
was no truth in the story in the New
York papers to the effect that his mother
had secured divorce in Italy from his
father, Count Lolli. He admitted that
there had been an strangement, but not
that the separation would be permanent.
AS for the allege divorce, he declared
that there was no such thing as divorce
in Italy, under either the civil or the
church laws. IT, $50 @r
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31
THE LONDON MARKET.

London, October 3O.-The market ias'
wesk stood the strain of the various au-
verse circumstances, remarkably wen'
finishing with a more cheerful tone ro-
oarding the flu ture. British consols were
firm and rose 3-S of a point. The eho'r'
American department. felt the influences
of general selling, but owing to New
York's constant support it closed wlon d
decided improvement in all active seeuri-
ties.
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31
AUGUSTA MAN DROPS DEAD.

Boston, Oct. 30.-A man supposed to
be John Blake of Augusta, Me-, vet
eran of Co. c., 2Sth Mass. volunteers.
died suddenly today OF hemorrhage
while walking on Washington street.
Papers found in his pocket showed him
to be in receipt of pension, but there
was nothing in them to Indicate the
whereabouts or existence of relatives or
or friends
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31
P Eek GETS HIS EXTRA FLOOR
SPACE.

Chicago, October 3o.-Director of ex-
hibits j. H. MoGibbon, received yester-
day from General Commissioner Peck, at
Paris, "a telegram stating that he hadlbeen
allotted $4,000 square feet of additional
floor space for the United States exhib-
itors and had secured every special con-
cession demanded. The telegram was
also sent as contradiction to a number
of reports which have recently caused
considerable misunderstanding. The floor
space for American exhibitors at present
amounts to 10000 square feet.
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31
A CARD.

We guarantee every bottle of Cham
berlain's Collie, Cholera and Diarrhoea
Remedy and will refund the money to
any one who is not satisfied after using
it. 1t is the most successful medicine in
the world for bowel complaints, both for
children and adults. For sale by D. w.
Hessltine & Co., 3s7 Congress ST., Ed
ward W. Stevens, 107 Portland ST., King
S. Raymond, Cumberland Mills, VIM. OK
nard, 921 Congress ST., II. T. S. Goold,
CONGRESS- Square Hotel.
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31
LINER lex CLUB OF BOSTON.

Boston, October 3O-The Limerick
club, composed of natives Of the town
of Limerick, Me-, held its annual meet
ing at G. A. R. hall, Arlington, last ev-
ening. The affair was informal. but very
enjoyable. The programme included q
banquet, followed by an entertainment,
consisting of reading by Mrs. M. A.
Roberts. music by Post So orchestra, and
dancing.
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31
TO THE PUBLIC.

Knowing Chamberlain's Cough Rem
edy to be a medicine of great worth and
merit and especially valuable for coughs,
colds. Group and whooping cough, we
will hereafter warrant every bottle
bought of US, and will refund the money
to anyone who is not satisfied after using
two-thirds of 25 or so cent bottle. ID:
w. Heseltine. 387 Congress ST., Edward
w. Stevens, 107 Portland St., King ).
Raymond, Cumberland Mills, VIM. Ok
nard, 921 Congress ST., II. P. s. Goold,
Congress Square Hotel.
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31
NARROW ESCAPE FROM DROWNING

Southwest Harbor, October 30.-George
Norwood and William Mason, living here,
were returning ..home from Seal Harbor
last night when their boat was upset.
The crew of the steamer Sedgw1ok at
Northeast Harbor, heard their cries and
went to their assistance, succeeding IN
bringing them here in an unconscious
condition. They had been In the water
more than an hour and it was with grof
difficulty that they were resusol5ated.
The body of one of the Colts boys, who
was drowned q week ago Saturday, was
picked up yesterday at Weaver's ledge.
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31
DEATH OF THoMAs.o. sPILLANE..

Lewiston, October 31.-Thomas q
Spillans, Esq. ex-memberl of the Maine
legislature, died here this morning Of
heart disease. Mr.. SpiHane was gradu-
ate of Bowdoin college. He served two
years in the Lewiston city government.
the last year as president of the common
coJ1ncil
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31
THE WEATHER..

Boston, Oct. 3O.-Forecast for Boston
and vicinity Monday; clearing weather;
cooler Monday night; west to northwest
winds.
Washington, Oct. 30.-Forecast for
New England; Showers, brisk soatherly
shifting to rorthwestly winds.
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31
TWO MORE BODIES FOUND.

Toledo, Ohio, October 80. Two bodies
were taken from the ruins of the Union
elevator fire today. One is Thought to be
that of Bert Wainwright, who is still
unaccounted for. A total of lS dead is
the result of this fire which occurred
September 20.
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31
T EXPECTED IN LEXINGTON.

Lexington. KY, October 3o.-The was
Investigating committee-is is expected to ar<
rive in Lexington from sChickamauga to-
morrow. The programme of the commits
tee for the commission for the day is not
definitely known here. 1t is thought.
however, that it will not remain hers
more than one day. leaving for Cincinna--
ii probably tomorrow night.
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31

from the Spanish main, by the discovery
in the hand bags of two passengers Oh d
number of explosive cartridges contain
ing dynamite.
The discovery was made Ey the CUSTOM
officials and the passengers were arfesteo
on the supposition that they are apar-
chists. The police, who. fear that oDners
belonging to the gang have escaped are
making strict search
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31
BANK OF SPAIN.

Madrid, October 3o.-The Bank of
Spain report for the week ending yester-
day, shows the following conditions:
Gold in hand increase, 27s, 600 pesstas
silver In hand increase, /, 100000 pesetas
notes in circulation increase, l,4se, ooe
pssetea
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31

Paris, October a9.-The court of Cassa-
tion has decided to grant a revision of the
Dreyfus case, accepting the conclusions of
NJ. Bard. the reporter in the case, and
will institute a supplementary inquiry.
The court, however, has declined to order
the release of Dreyfus.
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31
THE COURTS VOTE.

London, October 3l.-The Paris oorres-
pondeut of the Daily News says the de-
cision of the court of cessation on oatur-
day was given by vote OF nine agaihst
four.
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31
SOMETHING KEPT BACK.
Parisians Believe all Not fold In
Dreyfy Case.
COURTS DECISION HAS BEEN GEN
ERALLY APPROVED.

Decision Has Delayed Solution of the
Cabinet Crisis-De Freycinet Hesitat-
ing to Acceptthe Portfolio of Minister
of War.
Paris. October 30.-Nowhere is there
any sign of agitation today. The city IS
quiet. The anti-Semite papers vainly en-
deavor by abusing the judges of the court
of cessation, to lash the public into a
hostile demonstration, but the people
sesm rather inclined to resent the culpa-
bility or imbecility of the high officers of
the general staff who allowed themselves
to become the prey Of unscrupulous
forgers.
This refers especially to the officers
deputed to investigate the Dreyfus
affair.
1t is believed even now that important
facts are being concealed in order to
shield the headquarters staff.
Most Of the Paris papers approve Of the
decision of the court of cessation, al
though the Gaulois and Eclair declare
that even now revision is by no means
certain. The Liberte bows to the decision
but does not think it will end the agita-
ton.
The Figaro announces that Comte Es-
terha4y has been deprived of his men,
bership in the legion Of honor.
The Dreyfus decision seems to have de-
layed solution of the cabinet crisis M.
DeFreyoinet is again hesitating to accept
the portfolio of minister of war on the
ground that, in view Of the role the
Protestants have played in the Dreyfus
case, 1t would be inadvisable for two
Prouestants, himself and II. Ribot to hold
the por 5folio of war and justice.
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31

ALL IN HANDS OF COURT.
Can Summon Any Witnesses and See
Any Documents In Dreyfus Case.
Paris, October sc. by Saturdays decis-
ion the court of cessation obtains the
most absolute control over the Dreyfus
case. 1t can demand and examine any
documents watever. including the Dossier,
of any Case bearing upon the Dreyfus
matter and can examine under oath any
witS4zs however high.his position.
In short, if the court makes sincere
use of its powers, the truth will have
much better chance Of being discovered
than would have been the case had it
merly ordered revision before another
court martial, whose members might have
been actuated by desire to shield the
general staff.
Having concluded it's inquiry it can
preserve q new Dossier to either civil
or a military court for the final decision.
Its proceedings will not be public and
there can therefore be no objection to
communication to it Of the alleged secret
dossier, If this is still in existence, while
the numerous generals who have ex-
pressed their belief in the guilt of Drey-
fus will now be called upon to explain
the grounds of their conviction.
Although the liberation of Dreyfus has
not Eeen ordered, the court can order him
brought to Francs at any moment and
will probably do SO at an early stage OF
the inquiry.
The court refrain ed from ordering his
release on Saturday because 1t would
have been presumption of his innocence.
NJ. Paul de Roulede of the Patriotic
league, turned the patriotic manifestation
at LIE Bouget today in memory of the
soldiers who fell there in the Franco
Prussian war of 1870 into revolutionary
demonstration against the decision OF
the court of cessation. He delivered q
violent anti-Dreyfus speech.
M. Marcel Habert, member OF the
chamber of deputies. followed with still
more infiammatory harrangue. There
were, however, no disorders. AS Presl-
dent Faure left the Grand Opera house
tonight about II O'Clock he was greeted
with prolonged shouts of 'Vive parmee,"
and "a bas Ia Juifs"
Comte Esterhszy, it is reported. has
written to several generals demanding
money under threats of exposure.
The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31
A CURIOUS DILEMMA.

London, October 31.-The Paris CORES
pondent of the Times, pointing out that a
curious dilemma has now developed in
the Dreyfus affair, says: ''If the secret
dossier Is now communicated to the court
OF cessation it IS conceivable that it may
incriminate Dreyfus but it will certain
ly convict Gen. Mercier, the minister of
war at the time of the conviction Of
Dreyfus, of a criminal violation of law in
communicating to the court marti al doc
uments that were not communicated to
Dreyfus and his counsel.
1T is said that it was in order to
shield Gen. Mercier who acted thus, ow-
ing to his weakness Or his ignorance, that
a II subsequent ministers of war have
adopted an obstinate attitude.
"If, on the other hand, there has never
been secret dossier. the whole case rests
on the bordereau AMI must fall to the
ground. How then, since Lieut.. Col.
Henri's admission of forgery. could the
generals have declared Dreyfus guilty?
"The allegation that the dossier, If
there be one, contains letter from Nm :
peror William to Col. Schwarzkoppen,
ldermsn military attache at Parls)' Is
utterly improbable in view OF the hin-
psrer's character and habits, he couia
never have written to military a1 :
taohe,n