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i.ncaster intelligencer.
THUBSDiLY KVKNINO. JUNE 30, 1MI.
Will the Gsllly Safer I
The Wew Yerk Journal of Commerce
inquires why the secretary of the treas
ury does net favor the public with the
result of the investigation made at his
instance into the dark places of his efT
partment under its previous manage
ment. The postmaster general nas ais ais
clesedthe wrongdoings in-his depart.
ment,andit was certainly information
te which the people are entitled from
him as a public servant. Mr. Windem
seems te act upon the idea that it is
enough for him te knew hew his de1
partment has been administered, and
that is none of the public's business hew,
by whom and te what extent the trea
sury has been plundered. Evidently this
view of his duty will net lie taken by the
country. It is net enough te knew that
a subordinate treasury official has been
dismissed, and that an assistant secreta
ry has been sent out of the country prob
ably in preparation for his dismissal.
It is net just te the implicated officers,
or te the people, that the causes of
their disgrace are net revealed.
Probably the accused men de net
complain; if they are guilty, they
have no reason te; and when we
see an assistant secretary suddenly sail
ing for Europe when charges of grievous
misconduct are made against him, we
are entitled te condemn him. An inno
cent man would confront his accusers
and demand a trial. Se would, it is
true, suclibeld rascals as Brady, though
knowing themselves guilty ; but no con
sciously innocent person would slink
away, unless indeed his silence was pur
chased that " ether hearts" might net
suffer.
The Journal of (jenuncrce, which is net
given te light accusations, plainly shows
its belief in the dishonesty of Secretary
Sherman, and it considers that Secretary
Windem's reticence is forced upon him
ieurulect liis predecessor. It declares
that if it was -'looking for the illegiti
mate use of money in any place that
place would be the treasury department,
and the time the four years of Mr. Shcr
man's administration."
That is a plain accusation ; but net
se plain, nor sis circumstantial, as ether
accusations that have been currently
made ter some time past against ex
Secretary Sherman's administration of
his department. The New Yerk Shu
some time age brought certain very dis
tinctly libelleus charges against him,
which he did net notice ; arid many people
and many papers have repeatedly de
clared their belief in his dishonesty. It
has never lieen denied that he has'
achieved great wealth in public office
without having any visible means of
support but his salary ; and the New
Yerk bank of the favored t syndicate in
placing the government leans is signifi
cantly known as Fert Sherman.
Secretary Window protects Secretary
Sherman's reputation, and Postmaster
General James ami the attorney general
seem te be preparing te expose ether men
whom Mr. Garfield has as much reason
tobe tender of, as of Sherman; whom
he does net love. These different ways
of treating substantially the same situa
tion cannot prevail in one administra
tion ; and if the treasury rascalities are
net te be exposed it may be reasonably
concluded that no great harm will come
te the posteffice thieves, who arc quite as
influential as Mr. Sherman, if he is a
senator. If we de net hear of a stepper
being put en the posteffice prosecutions,
we wilt leek te see the treasury abuses
uncorked : hut we rather think we
won't.
Lorely Ib Otsego.
And new it is proposed te put the pole
cat upon the list of preserved game.
Whoever would have thought that this
interesting creature "had a use for man
outside his hide V Yet a very excellent
one has been found for him in New
Yerk. We fear the enthusiasm which
induced a legislator of that state te claim
the unanimous passage of a bill forbid
ding the destruction of the skunk, was
a little tee exalted ; his discovery of the
beneficence of this despised animal te
the hlunun race is somewhat tee sudden
te be at once accepted. Like the comet,
it is a thing upon which judgement may
advantageously lie suspended for a while.
It apiH'ars that the hop-growers of Otsego
county think they have discovered that
the skunk destroys the large grub
which destroys their vines ; they
say he comes out at night and consumes
these insects by millions. A visiting
skunk is worth te the farmer, he de
clares, fifty dollars a season, and under
that conviction he is in a fever of excite
ment ever the possibility of skunk ex
tinction. If our Lancaster county farm
ers could find an animal that would de
stroy the tobacco grubs and worms they
would love the creature with an adora
tion of idolatry that would find a pleas
ant perfuine in his odor, though he
should lie a polecat. There is nothing
like the pocket te control the senses. But
if the Otsego farmers love the polecat se,
they hardly need a legislative enactment
te protect him. The hop interest will
suffice te put a skunk in every bole in
the county and te spread the enchanting
creature ever the whole country around.
We wonder, anyway, whether every
animal has net its use and whether we
would net be better off if we saved them
all. It is hard te sec the particular use
of a mesquite, but after finding one for
a skunk we de net despair of any ether
creature.
m sn m
Governer Heyt shows te best ad
vantage in his vetoes. It is supposed te
be hard for a public official te say " no "
te his political iriends,and our governor,
considering the manner of his election,
is entitled te all the mere praise for the
disapproval of se many of the ill-jointed
measures of a Legislature se largely con
trolled by his party friends. It is par
ticularly fortunate that the Legis
lature is adjourned and cannot
pass the vetoed bills ever his
disapproval of them. Like his veto of
the judiciary apportionment, his message
en the batch of measures killed yester
day, are based en geed law and common
When our esteemed fellow-citizen
sense
Abraham Peters, was se unexpectedly'
te himself chosen te the legislature, he
ceunselled "with his neighbor, the late
Mr. Buchanan, as te the discharge of his
duties. He was advised by that expe
rienced statesman te vote " no" in all
doubtful cases. It is a pretty geed guide
for a governor.
Tery Well Dhc
have i, for a ieng while ;
which is net, it is true, saying anything
very extravagant in praise of his mental
strength in view of the fact that his pre
decessors were Geary and Hartranft
miserable legacies of the war and its
froth of brainless soldiers. Gov. Heyt
has been showing a creditable degree of
independence lately, and a disposition te
fellow his sound convictions. His vetoes,
se far as we have observed them, have
been well founded. It is really surprising
hew many foolish acts get through the
legislature; and knowing hew little
legislation is really beneficial, it
is almost safe te applaud a veto
without reading, it The govern
or and his attorney general have been at
issue with the legislature en general
principles, and se have the people. The
shameless attempt of the legislators te
grab a sa)ary they never decently earned
has excited general disgust ; and the at
terney general could net have said any
thing mere in sympathy with public
feeling than te denounce the contempti
ble conduct of men who undertake te
make laws te enhance public morality
and decency, while exhibiting themselves
:i3 grasping unlimited railroad passes,
postage stamps, stationery and dollars
for their miserable serviced. Any kick
at that legislature or veto of its bills the
people will blindly approve.
MINOR TOPICS.
Whes Gov. Heyt puts his feet down
the weight of v-tecs is manifest.
The receipts from internal revenue yes
terday were $394,GGG.41, and from customs,
$721,843.80.
Secretary of the Navy Hunt has new
all his sons in office in one department or
ether.
The Italian press asserts that France is
auxieus te pick a quarrel with Italy, and
counsels patience, se that Italy may cheese
her own time for war.
Mr. Themas Adelphcs Tnoi.Lern has
been writing au article te preve that
Guide's se-called " Cenci Portrait " has
no connection with the unhappy Beatrice.
The Natien will hereafter be issued as
the weekly edition of the New Yerk Even
ing Pest, retaining its name and having
the same editorial management as hereto
fore, but its contents will in the main have
already appeared in the 2st.
The total amount of 5 p9r cent, coupon
bends received for continuance at 3 per
cent, te date, including the amount pre
sented at the Londen agency, is $94,500,
000, leaving but $24,500,000 yet te be
heard from before July 1.
The president says: " The st itcment
that I am net in full accord with James
and MacVeagh in regard te the stir route
investigation is absurdly false. The ru
mors about my asking MacVeagh te resign
are simply nonsense."
Mr. Depew must step down and out.
Fer example, the Pout seems te voice the
prevailing sentiment when it says : " It is
useless te disguise the fact that the pro
ceedings here mentioned have seriously
affected his candidacy. He can scarcely
afford te persist in burtheaing his political
associates or his party with the responsi respensi
bilty and odium which arc inseparable net
only from such practices actually proven
but even from the presumption of them
which an indictment found by a grand jury
implies."
Encouraged by the performance of an
impertinent postal agent in the Carniichael
case, a postmaster in Alabama has refused
te forward a postal card because it was
written in cipher and he " couldn't read
it " although the somewhat remarkable
postal law under which he claims te act
also forbids postmasters examining mail
matter from such motives of idle curiosity.
If it keeps ou, people who use postal cards
Mill have te write in cipher altogether, te
prevent their own and correspondents' busi
ucss from becoming the business of the
postal authorities.
PERSONAL.
Gen. Caxat.es, of the Mexican army, is
dead.
Edwin Beeth, with his sick and suffer
ing wife, has returned from, Europe.
Secretary Kirkwood declines te state
what action is contemplated in the case of
Commissioner French.
William H. Lew, proprietor of Lew's
opera house, at Providence, It. I., died
suddenly last evening.
At the commencement of Amherst
(Mass.) college degrees of LL. D. were
cjnferred en Hen. Wayne MacVeagh and
Geu. Francis A. Walker.
J. S. Kutan and wife are making pre
parations for their departure for Europe,
en a pleasure trip, where they expect te
remain about a year. They will take with
them Quay's two sons.
The commencement exercises of Muh
lenberg college attracted many strangers
te Allentown. Rev. William K. Frick.
of Philadelphia, yesterday addressed the
alumni, and last evening Hen. It. E.
Wright delivered the auuual address te
the literary societies.
At the Wiltshire sessions the Marquis
of Townshend was fined 500 and costs
and bound ever te keep the peace for
twelve months for horse whipping Lord
Edward Thymic Colonel Nepeau and
Mr. Francis Ellis, who abetted the assault
were fined 100 each. Lord Thynne had
abducted the Marquis of Townshend's
wife.
Matrimonial Insaranre.
Mcttrs. Editert of the Intelligencer.
Allew me te say a word in regard te the
paragraph in yesterday's paper headed,
" When Courts Disagree." If our court
required any precedent for their action in
granting a charter te provide pecuniary
aid te parties "contracting and eutering
into the marriage state," they had such
precedent iu the action of a judge or court
of much mere weighty authority, then the j
juJge named. The court presided ever by
LANCASTER DAILY 1NTKLUGENCER THURSDAY, JUNE 30; 1881
the experienced and learned Judge Pear
son, lately granted just such a charter. But
the constitution and act of 29th of April,
1879, clearly authorize charters of the kind
condemned in said article. It is manifest
) that such corporations maybe productive of
much geed, if honestly conducted. As
multitudes have experienced and knew
hew important and productive of domestic
comfort and happiness it is te have a few
hundred dollars when commencing house
keeping. And why the writer of the said
article or a iudee should compare a char.
tcr te aid parties when commencing mar
ried life with the se called speculative
.life insurance plans, must be unaccount
able te every reasonable mind. Wc
think, the opinion of the Prest te the con
trary, that there is abundant warrant
in the constitution and the Jaws for the
action in the premises of the Lancaster
county and the Dauphin county courts.
Attorney.
NOV HER OWJi CHILD.
Haw a Wealthy Brewer' Wife was De
ceived. A surprising revelation has been made
in St. Leuis, in connection with the litiga
tion ever the estate of Jeseph Uhrig, a
wealthy brewer who died in 1875, leaving
a fortune worth ever half a million dollars,
which included Uhrig's cave, a famous re
sort for beer drinkers, of which class St.
Leuis in its German population nas many
thousands. Jeseph Uhrig left his property
te his widow and two putative children,
August Uhrig and Mrs. Jesephine Lade
man. Thn former ran through most of his
property and died in 1879. His widow,
Jesephine Uhrig, set up a claim last week
te the whole of the estate, averring that
she was the sole heir. In the
hearing of this application it was
developed that August Uhrig was
net the wealthv brewer's son. but that
when he was a dav and a half old he was
substituted for a child just born te Mr.
Jeseph Uhrig, and that the deception was
practiced te bring back te reason the
brewer's wife, who had become delirious,
and was unconscious of the death of her
child at its birth. While Mrs. Uhrig was
still delirious, although conscious enough
te miss her child, Jeseph Uhrig, accom
panied by his sister, Mrs. Mary Ann
Klaussmann, aud the Kev. Father Fisher,
went te St. Vincent's orphan asylum,
where they found a boy child a day and a
half old, just the age of the oue thatdied.
Ou the representation of Father Fisher
the child was surrendered te Mr. Uhrig,
en his premiso te adept it and treat it iu
every respect as his own. Ne inquiries
were made as te the parents of the
child, and Mrs.. Uhrig's name was
net given at the asylum, full confi
dence being felt by all parties in Father
Fichcr's judgment and representations.
Ne deed of adoption was ever made, but
the child was takcu te Mr. Uhrig's house
and passed off as the one that had died.
Many years later Mrs. Uhrig was made
acquainted with these facts, and she de
clined te hear any particulars, and would
never talk about it. The child grew up as
the son of Jeseph Uhrig , and. he was se
characterized in the will of Mr. Uluig.
Mrs. Jesephine Uhrig admits that she
knew her husband was net really Mr.
Uhrig's son, for, being his cousin, she held
out agaiust marrying him until she was
told that he was net a bleed relative. She
always believed, however, that August
was legally an adopted child.
The Tornado' Track.
In the Rockingham counties, Va., there
has been six inches of hail, lying en the
ground for twenty-four hours aud a tor
nado overturned houses in its track, de
stroying whole fields of wheat aud corn,
tearing up gardens, root and branch, and
fences for miles. A large amount of
valuable timber was destroyed. A woman
and two children made a narrow escape
from their house, it being carried off a
few moments after they left, one child be
ing badly injured.
Twe successive heavy storms of rain and
wind passed ever a portion of Franklin
county from the west between 11 and 1
o'clock yesterday. Trees were uprooted,
fences damaged, and considerable corn' and
wheat iniured. The southern extension of
Hevscr's naner mills, just at the north
western edge of Chambersburg, was blown
flat te the ground. The structure destroy
ed was three steri3s high, 13j feet long
and nearly 50 feet wide. It has net been
occupied recently for manufacturing pur
poses, but a number of workmen had left
it only a short time before the dis
aster. Carrie MUh. aged 9 years, a
daughter of Jeremiah Mish. living four
miles west of Chambersburg, was struck
by lightning and seriously injured. Her
fathers' house in which she was wash
ing dishes at the time, was struck in the
rear and in front, the electricity passing
down the sneuting, melting it in the rear
of the building.
At Lewiston a baggage truck: was car
ried about fifty yards and dashed te pieces
by a storm.
In some sections of Indiana and as far
as Elkhart, along the Hue of the Lake
Shere railroad, the less by storm is believed
te be extensive. The conductor en a Lake
Shere train brought a rumor that a large
bearding house in Elkhart was blown
down with a great less of life, but he knew
nothing definite. It is reported that the
Episcopal church in Austin, just outside
Chicago, en the Northwestern railroad,
was blown down.
A severe storm swept ever Pittsburgh
yesterday. On Gazzam s hill, eh the side
of which are located some fifty shauties.
the family of Jehn Parker, colored, had
scarcely left their house when it came
dewu with-a crash, destroying its contents.
Mrs. Parker had a large piece tern out of
her arm by a fragment of hying timber,
and three of her children were severely
bruised. A horse and wagon were raised
from the ground en Soho street aud
dashed agaiust a stone wall, the driver
(Matt Byerly) being seriously iniured. A
portion of Hussey, Howe & Ce.'s mill
was unroofed. At Beaver Falls the bridge
works, steell works and
were damaged.
novelty shops
STATE ITEMS.
Mr. Geerge W. Childs will give his
aunual dinner te the newsboys of Phila
delphia at Belmont Mansion at neon en
the Fourth of July.
Themas iiliricu, aged be years, was
struck by a passenger train en the track of
the Lehigh aud Susquehanna railroad near
Allentown, sustaining injuries from the
effects of which he died.
James Murrow, of Philadelphia, a well
known citizen and past grand master of
Masens of Pennsylvania, died yesterday of
a mahgnaut form of cholera, which in its
development, lasting scarcely eight hours,
betrayed all the symptoms of the most
contagious and fatal type of Asiatic
cholera. Dr. DaCesta says the symptoms
were these et cueiera tneugn he never
knew an isolated case of that maladv.
A Broken Cistern.
A reservoir en Price's Hill, in the ex
treme western part of Cinciunati. burst at
eleven o'clock last night, and the water
ran with such force as te move the whole
structure, which is of iron, about two hun
dred feet from its position. It was an iron
tank, forty feet high, with a diameter of
one hundred feet. It was full except ei?ht
feet, and had net yet been used. Several
neuses in the vicinity were washed from
their foundations, and ether serious dam
a-ie was done, roughly estimated at $150,-
pie net thickly inhabited, and there was
000. ertunatery, tue water escapeu in a
no less of life.
VETOES.
Get. Heyt Pata Hi Feet Down.
The governor's veto message en the bill
conferring en husbands, wives and
fathers the right of possession of the bodies
of their deceased husbands, wives and
children was filed yesterday and it is of a
very interesting character. It is as fol fel
lows :
Executive Department, Office of
the Governer, June 28, 1881. I hereby
file in the office of the secretary of the
commonwealth senate bill 274 entitled,
"An act conferring neon husbands; wives
and fathers the right of possession of the
bodies of their deceased husbands, wives
and children," with my objections thereto.
The act provides generally (section 1)
that the surviving husband, wife or father
o&eno family shall have possesien, custody
or control of the body or bodies of the de
ceased members of the family who have
been or may be hereafter interred te re
move them te ether places of burial, aud
specially (section 2 and 3) authorizes a
surviving husband, wife or father te de
mand of the officers of burial places the
body of a deceased wife, husband or child,
and in case of refusal of a permit of re
moval bv said officers te recover possession
of the body by writ of replevin or manda
mus ; but no such right is given te the
mother in any part of this bill ; and finally
its previsions are te apply te cities of the
the first class only.
The previsions of the act are vague re
tro active conflicting and local. By the
first section the possession of the body or
bodies of deceased members of "one
family" is given te certain surviving mem
bers, but the bill docs net specify the order
in which two surviving members shall
take or held. Taken in connection with
the second section, even when the term
one family" is restricted te the mere
limited sense, which any interpretation of
the sections will admit of this radical de
fect would be productive of numerous
conflicting claims.
The ambiguities and difficulties therein
arising are in marked contrast with the
rational principles ei tne present wen set
tled and public policy. "Se universalis
the right of sepulture that the common
law casts the duty of providing it and of
conveying te the grave the dead body de
cently covered, upon the person under
whose reef the death takes place. Sup
plementary te the rule of the common law
te secure te every person a decent burial,
our courts have decided : " That the right
te bury a corpse and preserve its remains,
iu the absence of auy testamentary dispo
sition, belongs exclusively te next of
kin,' " and " that the duty of the admin
istrator or executer terminates with the
burial of the deceased in .a manner suita
ble te his estate." (Wynkoop vs. Wyn Wyn Wyn
koep, C Wright 293.) Isee no necessity,
either of policy or sentiment, for disturb
ing these principles. It is rarely that auy
disputes have arisen uniicr mem, aim sun
mere rarely that the courts have been
asked te interfere. The decorously con
ducted case above referred te is the only
one et the kind, se Tar as 1 am aware, in
the reports of Pennsylvania.
The means provided te enforce the pur
poses of the act are open te grave objec ebjec objec
jectiens. In the official proceedings of a
writ of replevin it is net unreasonable te
anticipate unavoidable circumstances alike
shocking te enr respect for the dead and
detrimental te public propriety. Ner is
the alternative of mandamhs much mere
acceptable. And both remedies rcmove
snch controversies out of the courts of
equity, te which they properly belong,
in which they can be most decently tried.
It is scarcely necessary te point out the
obvious objection te the last proviso. It
the principles of the bill are proper or nec
essary,, they should be givcu general op
eration. The classification of the cities of
the commonwealth for municipal legisla
tion appropriate te each class, is probably
necessary and justified by the constitution
but for the purposes intended iu this bill,
no reason can be urged te justify such
classification.
It is repugnant te our traditions aud
feelings te acknowledge the right of prop
erty in man, even though he he dead, and
the law has, therefore, carefully and judi
ciously avoided the recognition of auy of
the slightest surroundings of a corpse, ex
cept such as is invariably Incident te mere
possession, for the purpose of decent sep
ulture, and its prevention by the next of
kin. But the rights of the dead are suf
ficiently protected, the duty of the living
sufficiently defined, and no controversies
of any moment have disturbed its greatest
and reverent performance. Instead of in
viting such unseemly contests the policy
of the law has been te strengthen, if pos
sible, the universal encouragement and
abhorrence with which they have been
met. After the last duties have been paid
by the patriarch, the next of kin or by so
ciety, the dead are no longer of this world,
and their mortal remains should be per
mitted te mingle with the dust, undis
turbed by the passions, and, as far as may
be, the interests of posterity.
Henry M. Heyt.
Mere Vetoes,
The following bills were also vetoed by
the governor :
Te repeal an act relating te the appoint
ment of sealers of weights aud measures ;
te repeal au act authorizing clerks of mar
kets te weigh butter ; for the collection of
uupaid taxes in cities or the fourth class ;
te enlarge the jurisdiction of the court of
common pleas in certain cases ; supple
ment te au act for the division of counties;
providing fdr and regulating the removal
of proceedings from orphans' court
of the county divided te the orphans'
court of the county erected; rcgu
lating the election of prothenotaries,
clerks of the several courts, registers of
wills and recorders of deeds iu counties
entitled te be constructed into separate
judicial districts, where one person is new
elected te fill all of said offices ; te provide
for the payment of laborers at regular in
tervals ; relative te the adoption of a city
cedo in cities of the third class ; for tlfe
protection of dairymen and te prevent de
ception in sales of butter and cheese ; pro
viding for fixing the compensation for
bearding piiseners in jaiis, where there is
a special law providing for the same ; te
regulate the holding of and te prevent
frauds iu the primary elections of the Dem
ocrats iu Westmoreland county.
In the bill relating te the Western pen
itentiary and making an appropriation
thereto, the item' of $9,530 Ter discount en
the state warrant is net approved, ou the
ground that there is no authority in the
constitution for borrowing money en ac
count of the state either by the state
treasurer or auy state agency without
the authority of law, but express
prohibition. On Representative Welsh's
bill te provide for the payment of
laborers at regular intervals the governor
has written a veto of considerable length.
He says that under it every empleycr,in case
of refusal or neglect te pay as specified,
would be liable te a penalty in addition te
the wages due "of five per centum of such
amount for every day such employer shall
refuse or neglect." Ne mischief exists
nor has any occasion yet arisen requiring
an enactment like this, which undertakes
te regulate in such detail the daily affairs
of our life. Iu vetoing the bill te repeal
the act authorizing clerks of markets te
weigh butter, etc., the governor says it
would be against public policy
te repeal the old act, which
has been in existence one hundred
aud six years. The only appropriation
bill en which no official action has been
taken is that appropriating $10,000 'te the
Milten school district, which will prob
ably be vetoed.
Cornelius A. Wheeler, colored, is in jail
at Eiizabethtewn, Essex county, N. Y.,
for a criminal assault upon a eirl of 0
years.
LATS8T KKW8 BY MAIL.
The Democrats ia the New Yerk Legis
lature beat the stalwarts in a game of
baseball, played for a charity cause.
The Republican state convention of
Iowa, met at Des Moines yesterday and
nominated Mr Sherman for governor.
There were cemmeuccnicac exercises
yesterday at Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth,
Lafayette, Bates, Celby andether col
leges. A New Yerk yacht, with a pleasure
party of seven, mostly from Benjamin's
silk store, capsized near Bridgeport and
five were drowned.
Andrew, the 11-year-old son of Engineer
Hugh Kirkwood, of the Erie railway, re
siding at Pert Jervis, N. Y., was drowned
while bathing.
Stephen Kelly, employed by the gas
company at Newb-urg, N. Y., was suffo
cated by gas while cleaning out the naph
tha tank."
Daring a thunder storm the house of
Mr.. Lewe, at Edmonton, Ont., was struck
by lightning, and two brothers, sleeping
together, were struck. One was instantly
killed and the ether only slightly shocked.
Near Brick Church, en the D. L. & W.
railroad, Mary Cehn, a maid servant, and
her escort Wm. H. Wilkinson, an express
driver, in crossing the were struck and
killed.
A pelicemau found two young women
bathing iu Central Park lake. They had
selected a secluded spot for their bath,but
when the policeman detected them they
began screaming aud attracted a number
of iersens.
31 rs. Nelly Shephard, of New Yerk, was
out shopping, and when en Forty-second
street, near Sixth avenue, she was seized
by a man and choked, and her geld watch
and chain snatched from her breast. The
thief was caught.
The passenger train en the Southwestern
railroad, bound for Macen, was almost
completely wrecked near Geneva, the en
gine aloue remaining. It was caused by a
broken rail. Among the seriously injured
are J. O. Cook, of Columbus, Rev. Otis
Gazebroek, of Macen, and three ether
prominent citizens.
During the terrible storm of yesterday
morning a fire, supposed te have been
caused by lightning, destroyed a row of
the best business houses in the neighbor
ing city of Alexandria, Me. The pcople
were wild with excitement and sent te
Keokuk for aid, which was dispatched te
them in the form of an engine and a hose
reel. The less will amount te $32,000.
On Sunday the Alta chemical works, at
Clark's Landing, Alameda county, Cal.,
blew up. Owing te the peculiar character
of the powder the explosion made but lit lit
tle noise. Professer Monnier. manager of
the works, his son and Engineer Ander-
son were
il I badly burned, but no lives
were lest. About 1,81)0 pounds or com
pound went elf without a hiss or puff.
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.
Want te Knew.
Editors Intelligencer : I have read with
great interest the valuable paper written
by our distinguished townsman and nat
uralist, Dr. S. S. Rathveu, upon the char
acter and habits of the bat, printed in your
issue of Tuesday evening. One point te
which no allusion is made in the doctor's
centributian, though mentioned by his
correspondent, is as te the reason why
people invariably seek te protect their
heads upon the appearance of a bat at
close range. The general belief is enter
tained by people that if one or these night
flying animals should happen te alight en
the head of an unfortunate wight, it would
be impossible te loosen its held upon the
hair, and that it would be necessary te
shave the scalp te get rid of it. Then there
is another very prevalent impression that
bats carry noxious vermin concealed under
their wings, and that their malign habit
upon invading the precincts of the tidy
housewife is te deposit bed-bugs and
things around the premises. I don't knew
whether cither of these impressions is
correct. Will some one please rise and
explain ? Ignoramus.
Business Change.
Mr. Jehn II. Ilelmau, of the late firm of
Ueuder & Helman, has sold his interest in
said firm te Messrs. J. F. Bender, D. II.
Potts and Geerge Weber, who will here
after conduct the business under the firm
name of Bender, Helman & Ce., and con
tinue the manulacture of the Centennial
fan blower, iron fencing, &c, at the old
stand en Chestnut street.
Mr. D. II. Potts, who has been se well
known for the past eighteen years as a
telegraph operator, and who has held his
position under all the changes iu the pur
chase, sale and consolidation of the tele
graph lines, resigns his position and en
gages iu his new business in the hope that
out-deer exercise and fresh air may re
store his somewhat impaired health. His
many friends in this city and along the
telegraph lines unite in wishing him re
stored health and abundaut success iu bu
siness. Mr. Potts will continue in charge
of the telephone exchange.
'Lancaster Mtcnnerclier.
At a meeting of the Laucaster Mamner Mamner
cher, held last evening the following
named efficers were elected for the ensu
ing six months :
President Henry Schmidt.
Vice President Henry Rudy.
Treasurer Henry Gcrhart.
Secretary Geerge Pfeiffer.
Vice Sec Rebert Wetter.
Cor. Sec A. F. Oblender.
Music Cem. F. Hoefel, Gee,
Pfeiffer,
if
Rudy.
Librarian Jac. Wolfer.
Carrier of U. S. Flag Gee.
Carrier of Society Banner-
Berger.
L. Knapp.
Blight Vire.
Yesterday afternoon about 4 o'clock a
two-story frame shed, situated en North
Water street, above Walnut, and belong
ing te JJener Brethers, was set en fire by a
spark from a locomotive en the Quarry
ville railroad. The spark ledged in a shin
gle reef and burnt a small hole in it. Had
net the fire been discovered just when it
was a serious conflagration would have re
sulted, as the building was tilled with dry
yellow pine lumber, and stands in close
proximity te ether frame buildings and
large piles of lumber. Sener's private fire
brigade extinguished the flames, although
the Washington and ether companies
were promptly en the ground.
Discharged.
eavuia onenecK uctter Known as
"Shorty" of Middle street was te have
hada hearing before Alderman Dennelly
of the Seventh ward last evening, en a
charge of stealing $5 from Geerge II.
Herniafais. The prosecutor is from
Eiizabethtewn, and a few evenings age he
was in company with Miss Sherlock at a
house where she is a boarder. He claimed
she took the money and swore te it.
Last evening he failed te put in an appear
ance at the hearing, and after the woman
had been held for half an hour after the
time she was discharged.
Nexr anil Acress the County Lines.
Jeshua Beyer, a tax collector in East
Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, is
$700 short, and the county commissioners
have entered suit against him. He is a
brother of one of the commissioners.
On Tuesday Frank Weidcr, an employee
of Henry Schwcnk, of Upper Hanover,
Montgomery county, during the absence
of his employer aud family, broke open a
desk, stele from it $120 in geld and fled.
THE HIGH SCHOOLS.
THE COMMKNCKMKNT AT THK OMCKA
HOUSE.
A Gala lay Among tae FnpllsMrllllant
Musical ana Literary exercises.
The crowning event in the scholastic
year of Lancaster's public schools took
place in the opera house this morning,
when the twenty-ninth annual commence
ment of the boys' and girls' high schools
was observed. As is customary en these
occasions the hall was literally packed,
above and below, by parents, brothers,
sisters and loving friends of the gradu
ates. The floraldecerations of the stage
were very tasteful. There were large
stands filled with cactus in the foreground.
Upen a wire suspended directly across the
front of the stage hnug au immense floral
horse-shoe, and the inscription " Class of
'81," in floral design, was conspicuous
Heavy festoons of evergreen grace
fully drooped from the centre
of the arch te each side, .and
baskets of flowers depended from the
flies overhead. The effect of this beauti
ful scene was heightened and enlivened by
the great number of bouquets, baskets,
horse-shoes and ethei emblems visible
throughout the immense audience and in
tended as gifts for the graduates.
The graduating classes met at the high
school buildins and shortly before 8 o'clock
with their teachers at their head pro
ceeded in a body te the opera house, the
front portion of which bad been reserved
for the pupils of the public schools. The
exercises began promptly at. 8.
As the cuitain rolled up"disclesiug the
graduates seated iu semi-circular rows en
the rear of the stage, Keffer's orchestra
played a brilliant overture, "Enchant
ment,"(Hermann). J.I. Hartman, esq., an
nounced that in the absence of the honored
president of the school beard en account
of an accident he had been requested te
preside ou this occasion. After which
Rev. Dr. GreenWald offered a fitting and
impressive invocation. The pupils of the
girls' high school saug with fine effect the
selection, " Lift Thine Eyes," from Men
delssehn's "Elijah."
The first essay was by Miss Minnie E.
Raub. the subject of whose paper was,
"Sunshine and Shadow." All of Ged's
work, said the young lady, is filled with
sunshine, feeling the genial influence of
its ruddy light. The shadows that sweep
across our youth are mere April showers,
and if later en in life's journey rainy days
grew darker and mere frequent, we may
recollect that a kind previdence has pro
vided also the grateful sunshine. The
young lady filled her arduous position of
first speaker en the pregramme with a
high degree of credit, her essay being ex
cellent throughout and her delivery uu
embarrascd, yet withal modest. She was
handsomely remembered in the way of
flowers.
Essay " Independence of Character "
Miss Sallie E. McCormick. There is no
mere sublime virtue than moral inde
pendence ; it presupposes the highest
self-respect and esteem, which can only
rest upon real worth, for however much
the individual may deceive ethers he cannot
deceive himself. The young lady pointed
ent the manner in which independence of
character may be properly cultivated.
This was a very well written composition,
delivered in a manner distinguished for
the deliberation and entire self-possession
of the young essayist.
Address "Duty of the Citizen"
Christian L. Frantz. The study of the
fundamental law under which we live was
designated by the speaker as the basis of
geed citizenship. Oar minds can only
thus become imbued with a correct appre
ciation of the liberty we enjoy. This ora
tion was devoted in large measure te the
prevalence of political corruption, against
which the yeuug gentleman entered his
vigorous pretest. A manly effort that de
served the loud applause and abundant
floral gifts that rewarded it.
Address "Study of the Heavens." A.
L. Witmcr. This was a glowing eulogy
uoen the magnificence of the science of
astronomy, its tendency toward the puri
fying of the soul and exalting the moral
and intellectual condition of the student.
The address was thoroughly practical, aud
the young speaker displayed a familiarity
with his subject that was surprising. His
delivery was free from embarrassment and
he speke in a tone of voice that was au
dible in the remotest corner of the crowded
auditorium. Liberal and handsome floral
offerings rewarded the young orator.
Mr. Hartman's announcement at this
point of the prelamine that the reading
of the auuual report of the superintending
committee would be dispensed with, was
greeted with cordial applause. The docu
ment will be read at the next meeting of
the school beard.
Messrs. Spindler, McClain, Erisman and
Kelly sang " The Twe Reses" (Werner)
in admirably style and were warmly ap
plauded for the proficiency exhibited by
them.
Essay" Charity "Miss Alice Flera
Eaby. Aud new abidcth faith, hope and
charity, these three, but the greatest of
these is charity. "By charity," said the
young lady, "is net meant the mere giving
of alms, but the quality must be regarded
in a broader scope, " and the essayist's
'prayer was that when the Recording
Angel writes our names iu his book of
life, it may lie like that of Abou Ben Ad
hem, as one who loved his fellow-men.
This was a charming composition embody
ing many pure and refining thoughts and
distinguished by the sinccnty of its ut
terances. Applause loud and long and
-many pretty flowers testified the audi
ence's appreciation of this really creditable
effort.
Essay " Higher" Miss Lulu B. Leng.
The natural impulse of the human spirit
is te rise above present surroundings, and
the fair essayist seemed te think it a most
admirable trait, whether exhibited in the
physical, mental or moral spheres. Her
language was well chosen, and the mauy
pretty thoughts with which the composi
tion abounded were aptly expressed.
Many very elegant floral offerings were
laid at her feet.
Address "Unchauging Nature " Jehn
A. Hoever. The orator pointed out that
whilst in the busy domain of human action
change and improvement are continually
going en, time cannot change the face of
nature. A huudred years hence man will
be the same in all respects as at present.
A thoughtful production, well written and
just as well delivered. The applause was
generous and floral gifts plenty.-
Address" The Quality of Grit."
Win. G. Landes. The trait of character
designated in the title of this paper was
regarded bv the orator as the lever that
has raised its possessors te the glace of
success. The speakers analysis et tins
quality indicated his correct apprehension
of wliat constitutes the key of true great
ness. The matter of this composition was
admirably adapted te the manner el its
delivery and evoked prolonged applause
and manv fine flowers.
Music " Gipsey's Bride, " from Bohe
mian Girl bv the hiirh schools. This
stirring chorus was rendered with great
spirit and accuracy, and was loudly ap
plauded. T?sav" Truth " Miss S. C. Ellmaker.
Truth is the greatest of all virtues, and no
man can be wholly virtuous unless tram
be the mainspring geverningall his action.
The essayist was severe in lier allusion te
the lies that constitute se large a factor
in the sphere of society, and her plea for
absolute truth in all the waits life was
earnest and effective. The young Lady's
reading was marked by a self possessed
modesty that gained and held the atten
tion of the audience, and at the finish wen
her a full supply of flowers and great ap
plause. Essay "Grains of Geld" Miss Annie
M.-Bitaer. There are scattered through
life's pathway many grains of geld, fore
most asMgg which is love. Kind words,
kind action these are grains of geld
that make enr lives glitter and glow with
the brightest light. A fine composition,
read in geed style and liberally rewarded'
with applause and flowers.
Address "Authers and Society" Clar
ence H. Clark. The influence of litera
ture en society was described as Most
potent, and the young orator aptly pointed
this fact by instances from the pages of
history, with which he evinced aa ancom--men
familiarity. He was loudly ap
plauded as he retired, and was eeatpU
mented with mauy handsome floral giftsl
Address" Government " Wm. . H.
Lindemntb. The divine origin of govern
ment was declared by the speaker, sad its
necessity found a warm ana competent
champion in this young gentleman. Nihil
ism and communism found no sympathy.
Representative democracy is the best gev.
eminent ever devised by man. A well
prepared composition delivered in a style
distinguished by its ease and grace. Flow
ers and aeplause followed this effort.
Music "Cradle Seng" (Taubert) by
the graduates. This wonderfully sweet
composition was exquisitely rendered, be
ing in fact one of the musical gems of the
pregramme.
Essay "Self Reliance " Miss Alice
E. Friily. The principle of self-reliance
is one that has guided many a bark
through the sea of life, and the es
sayist, by appropriate illnstratien aad
simile, carried her convictions right te the
understanding of her hearers in a paper
that was net less distinguished by the
fluency and ease of its delivery than by its
really fine composition. Friends in the
audience signified their admiration by
many bandsome floral gifts.
Essay " Chivalry " Miss Frauccs
Kauffman. The world's male chivalry has
long perished, but women are knights
errant te the hist. The young lady's
eulogy of the female character was most
fervid, and at the same time ia excellent
taste. Many bouquets, baskets and ether
floral designs rewarded her.
Address "False Standards" Wm. M.
Herr. This composition comprised a well -worded
pretest agaiust the fatso concep
tions entertained by. a large clement of
society as te what constitutes true man
hood and nobility. At the outset of their
careers he sought te impress upon his com
panions the danger of setting up false
standards of life. The earnest manner of
delivery enlisted the sympathy and atten
tion of tbe audience and wen the young
orator a round of applause and an abun
dance of floral gifts.
Address " Force of Character " Cbas.
A. Miller. A geed uanie is rather te be
chosen than great riches. The great, ob
ject ei life should be the attainment of
cuaractcr, tne vaiue ei wuicii te a young
man's life cannot be fairly computed. A
geed production, well delivered and liber
ally rewarded with flowers and applause.
Music "The Menruer" Beys high
school. This composition was very finely
rendered by the male voices.
Essay " A Blade of Grass " Miss
Minnie I. Brown. The humblest plant
may teach man wisdom, and the growth
et the simple blade of grass conveys te
his apprehension, the forces of nature con
stantly at work under the hand of the
Master. Aud this teaches lessens that
man should wear close te 'his heart.
Among the many handsome floral gifts
presented te this lady was a large saw, the
the essayist being a member of a organi
zation designed by the letters "S. A. W."
Essay " Wayside Fountains " Miss
Ella E. Dubbs. The highway of lire is
dusty, the journey Ieng, but the grace of
our heavenly Father has opened fountains
by the wayside from which wemay obtain
blessing and refreshment as the fountain
from the rock followed and blessed the
children of Israel in their pilgrimage. In
this composition there was an abundance
of poetic feeling and pretty thought, and
at the fair essayist's conclusion she was
rewarded with prolonged and well de
served applause, and floral tributes rich
and numerous were laid at her feet.
Mr. Hartman announced that Miss
Hallie E Albert, a graduate, who was ou
tbe programme te read an essay en "The
Fading Leaf, " bad been excused, owing
te a sad bereavement in which she had the
sympathy of her teachers and classmates.
Address " Integrity ei Jrurpose "
Heward T. Hays. The yeuug gentleman
in language and with a vigor that permit
ted no doubts et the sincerity or his utter
ances, plead for such heucsty and integrity
in the commercial, social and political
transactions of men that when life has
passed away, there may be truthfully
raised above the grave of the dead the in
scription, " Here lies an honest man. A
finely written paper delivered in manly
fashieu and psefusely rewarded with floral
tekens.
Address "Voices of Nature" L. W.
Herting. The voice of nature is the voice
of Ged, and the speaker called the attention
of his auditors te the necessity of apply
ing the closest attention te the many
beautiful objects with which an all-wise
Creater has surrounded us for the purpose
of attesting His own greatness and good
ness. Many handsome lieuqucts and ether
floral tokens bespoke the kind favor of
the audience.
Music The Saw Mill (Gluck) by the
high schools. A line chorus, by many
competent judges regarded the very best
musical performance cf the morning.
Essay" What de They Read ?" Miss
Emma Fick. Many books are productive
only of harm, and the essayist urged the
importance of keeping a strict guard ever
the literature that is permitted te fall into
the hands of young people. The reading
of impure novels has proved the banc of
many young lives, and parents should see
that the books put into the hands of their
children should instruct as well as amuse,
and reading of the Bibie should early be
inculcated. A sensible little paper, care
fully written, attentively listened te and
amply rewarded.
Essay "The Influence of Habit"
Miss May E. Sutten. Habit exercises an
important influence upon the lives of all,
and it should be the aim and effort of the
young especially, te form correct princi
ples and habits, in order te assure a suc
cessful and honorable career. As the
yeunsr lady retired she was saluted with
loud applause and . presented with many
rare and beautiful floral emblems.
Essay "The Unkind Werd "Miss
Lilly A. Rese. One of the most vicious
habits is the utterance of unkind and
thoughtless words, and it should be the
purpose of our lives te avoid expressions
calculated te wound the hearts of sensitive
people. The young lady read with much
feeling and her composition was graced
with beautiful expression. She received
very many and elegant flowers.
Dialogue Tent scene from ' Julius
Ciesar " Quarrel of Brulua and Cumius,
with Bcnj. A. Spindler in the role of
tertus aud W. S.Adlcr as C'atsiua. The
dialogue, aside from being a pleasing inno
vation anil a departure from the monotony
of the pregramme, was rendered with no
small degree of spirit and elocutionary
effect. The applause was generous aad
prolonged and the young gentlemen were
net forgotten in the distribution of fle wars.
Music Medley Mixtures (arranged by
Keffer), Keffers's orchestra.
Essav " Purity" Miss K. Frances
Kreiden Purity of thought, of speech and
of conduct found an earnest advocate iu
this composition. It is delightful te con
template the beautiful, the true and the
geed, yet hew few are found worshiping
at their shrine. A pure composition, im
bued with actual sincerity and warmly
applauded at its termination. The es
sayist was the recipient of some bandsome
flowers.
Essay" The Importance of an Early
Observance of Religious Duty" Miss