Pittsburg dispatch. (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, January 25, 1890, Image 1

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    A.t tXio IBranelx Offices of Tlio
Dlspatoli
For to-morrow'g issue up to 9 o'clock p. M,
For list of branch offices in the various dis
tricts see THIKD PAGK.
FORTY-FOURTH TEAR.
DISGRACE
DEATH
The Fate of the Cashier of the
New York Postofiice.
A BULLET IN THE HEAD
That
is Considered Almost Sure to
End His Lite.
A SHORTAGE IN HIS ACCOUNTS,
The Discovery of Which Caused Him to
Commit Suicide.
FROM 27,000 TO $10,000 HISSING
The cashier of the New York City post
office, George H. Lounsberry, on the eve of
the discovery that he was a defaulter to the
amount of ?27,000 or more, made two at
tempts to kill himself. At first he tried to
asphyxiate himself, and the next day, yes
terday, shot himself in the head. He was a
hard drinker. He was appointed cashier by
ex-Postmaster General James, when the lat
ter was postmaster at New York.
tErKCIAI. TELEQHAM TO THE DISPATCH. 1
New Yokk, January 24. George H.
Lounsberry, who was appointed cashier of
the New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, by
ex-Postmaster General Thomas L. James,
when the latter was city postmaster, at
tempted to kill himself, at 7:55
o'clock to-night, at his home in
Hackensack, N. J., by shooting him
self in the head. Lounsberry knew
at the time that he shot himself that Post
master Cornelius Yancott had discovered
that $24,000 in cash that ought to have been
in Lounsberry's safe in the postofiice build
ing was missing, and that the postmaster
had determined to remove htm if he did not
forward his resignation before nightfall.
cause or SUSPICIONS.
The investigation that revealed the short
age was precipitated by Lounsberry's fail
ure to keep his promise to be at the post
office this morning, and turn over
his official effects to his temporary
successor. Postmaster Yancott sent
him word about a week ago
that he had determined to make a change in
the head of the cashier's department, and
was pleased to learn that the cashier was
apparently willing to have the change ef
fected amicably.
It was an open secret at the department
that Postmaster YanCott distrusted Lonns
berry. One reason for this, although Post
master YanCott is silent about it, was that
Lonnsberry was a very hard drinker.
A SCHEMES TOR THE OFPICE.
Besides, the postmaster had learned that
Lonnsberry was credited with having
schemed to secure the postmastership while
Postmaster Pearson was lying on, bis
death bed. Lonnsberry was also a direct
rival of Postmaster Van Cott for the place,
after Postmaster Pearson's death. He as
serted, so it was said to-day, that he had
the backing oi Editor Arkell. The cashier
never went near Postmaster Yan Cott after
ward. It was decided on Wednesday, in consul
tation between Lonnsberry and Appoint
ment Clerk "Wood, that the cashier should
hand in his resignation to-morrow night
He was at the postofiice on Thursday, when
he complained that his eyes troubled him.
He had had the grip. He made no com
plaint against the postmaster's decision to
remove him.
LOUNSBEEBY'S LAST ACCOUNT.
Postmaster Yan Cott, when he assumed
his office, ordered that daily reports of the
receipts and expenditures be made to him
by Lounsberry, and before leaving the office
for the day, Lounsberry turned in his daily
cash balance sheet. .It was as follows:
Cash balance. New York Postofiice, January 23.
Da.
To balance on hand brought t orward.SlB3,358 07
Sale of postage stamps 17,52185
Collections on postage account 20 00
Box rent. 16 00
Total $190,918 92
CB.
By disbursements ...$ 53 00
Balance on deposit at sub-treasury... 113,143 S7
Advances 15,013 25
Cash on hand, including ES56 07 sub
ject to checks 27,708 70
Total- 190,918 93
This showed that there oughtto have been
over 527,000 in the safe when Lounsberry
locked it.
THE SHOETAGE DISCOVERED.
Assistant Cashiers E. H. Leech and
Thomas J. Moran and Appointment Clerk
Wood were waiting for Lounsberry, when
the Cashier's office was opened, early this
uiuruiuj;. it ueu noon came ana no news
had been received of the cause of Louns
berry's absence, it was decided to open the
Bare, and Mr. Leech unlocked it. All three
of the employes started when they saw only
a small pile of bills and loose silver in the
compartment of the safe where the cash on
hand was always kept They connted the
money quickly, and found nearly $24,000
missing.
Clerk Wood hurried to Auditor Thomas
A. Jarkines, and told him what had been
discovered, and then ran to a neighboring
restaurant and told Postmaster Vancott
who was at dinner. The postmaster ordered
Wood to go to Hackensack at once and
bring Lounsberry to New York.
EXCITEMENT AT HIS HOME.
Mr. Wood got to Lounsherry's residence
at 2 o'clock. Everybody in the house was
in a state of intense excitement when Clerk
Wood entered. Lounsberry came down
stairs, seeming crated with mental strain.
Clerk Wood had no knowledge, then, that
the cashier had tried to asphyxiate himself
a few hours before. Wood told him, after
the cashier had calmed down a lit
tle, that Postmaster Vancott wanted
him to give np his office that afternoon.
Lounsberry said in an unsteady voice that
he was perfectly willing to do so, and that
he relied upon the boys in the office to see
that his interests were protected.
Mr. Wood then made several unsuccess
ful efforts to get Lounsberry to explain the
shortage of his euh. All that Lonnsberry
would say was that the money was In an
inner vault that Mr. Leech could not open
because he did not know the combination.
CAUGHT IN A ME.
Mr. "Wood knew that this statement was
untrue, because he had Been Leech open
all the compartments of the safe.
Clerk "Wood left the house and
took the first train back to town,
reaching Postmaster Yancott's office at 5
o'clock. Postmaster Vancott immediately
sent Chief Postofiice Inspector Wheeler and
Inspectors Hartshorn and Morris to Hack
ensack. Chief Inspector Wheeler called at Louns
berry's house two minutes after the train got
to Hackensack, which was 725. A man met
him at the door and told him
that Mr. Lounsberry was very sick,
and asked him to go for a doctor.
The inspector refused to do so, told who he
was, and at once went up stairs to Louns
berry's room. He found the cashier lying
on the bed, unconscious. There was a bul
let hole in his right temple.
A SENSATIONAL SCENE.
. Mrs. Lounsberry was at the bedside, al
most distracted, and the cashier's children
were all about, crying. One ot the attend
ants told Inspector Wheeler that the cashier
had shot himself at 6:55 o'clock; that he
was alone when he did it, and that none of
the family had suspected his intention to
kill himself.
The news of Lounsberry's attempt to kill
himself was a shock to Postmaster Yancott,
and to all of the cashier's associates in the
office. At 8 o'clock the postmaster assigned
Clerk Wood to take the cashiership tempo
rarily, in order to save delay in the sale of
pastage stamps, which are supplied from
the cashier's department.
Postmaster Yan Cott said later in the
evening that it would be impossible for him
to discover the exact extent of the shortage
until to-morrow. A complete investigation
will be made at once.
THE SAFE LOCKED AND SEALED.
It is impossible to tell at present when
the defalcation took place, or where the
money has gone. As soon as the news that
Lounsberry had shot himself reached the
postofiice his safe was closed and sealed,
and it will remain so until his bondsmen
are on hand to go over the accounts with
the postmaster and the auditor.
The shortage maybe any where from 520,
000 to 540,000. It cannot well be more than
the latter figure. Whether the default
is a recent one or not cannot be
known until a complete examination
of the records is made. The last time his
accounts were examined, on Dece mber 31,
the whole amount that his reports and the
checking accounts called for was on hand.
He could, however, have easily carried over
a deficit by borrowing the funds for the
day.
WHO STANDS THE LOSS.
Postmaster Yan Cott it responsible for
the loss, and Lounsberry's bondsmen are
responsible to him. The bondsmen are:
T. P. Hoffman, orEoseville, N. J., 520,000;
Edgar Washburn,Catskill,N.Y.,S151000Iand
John Noonan, Sew York City. All are
justified doubly for the amounts.
Lounsberry was 36 years of age, and be
sides his salary as cashier of the postofiice,
had an income of $5,000 per year from his
feed store in Hackensack.
DETAILS OF THE DEED.
Onlr One Chance In a Thousand for His
Life Two Attempt! Blade, the First
One Being Discovered In Time
to Frustrate It.
'SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO TEE DISPATCH.!
Hackensack, N. J., January 24.
Lounsberry shot himself at 730 o'clock
this evening, in the bedroom of his
residence, on Main street. He was
around town during part of the
day, seemingly cheerful .and nothing
was known of his business trouble until an
evening paper reached Hackensack. Shortly
alter this Dr. Chas. F.Adams was hurriedly
summoned, and found Mr. Lounsberry with
a bullethole in his right temple, he having
escaped the vigilance of his family and shot
himself.
The weapon was a Smith & Wesson 22
caliber, and was held so close to the head
that the powder burned a gash about an
inch long, the bullet entering about an
inch back of the right eye and went
into the brain. The doctor probed for
it, but could not find the missile. The
direction of the bullet was perpendicular
to,jhe surface. Dr. Adams says he cannot
live, though there is one cnance in a
thousand. Bev. Dr. Holley, of Christ
Church, has been with the dying man since
8 o'clock.
It is supposed that LouuBberry was under
influence of stimulants when he sent the
ball into his brain. He attempted to kill
himself early this morning with gas,
shut himself in the room, turned
on the gas, and when found
by his daughter Georgie, a girl of 16, was
unconscious, bnt was resuscitated without
medical aid, and no one outside of the
family was aware of the occurrence. He
subsequently went about town, and while
out procured the weapon with which he in
flicted the fatal wound.
A WBEOK ROMANCE.
The Identity of an Englishman Fonnd on a
booth Pacific Island Believed to be
Established Relatives Ask.
Ing Abont Him.
IEPECIAL TELEQUAX TO THE DISPATCH. 1
Portland, Me., January 24. Some
time ago a local paper published particulars
of the experience of the crew of the bark
Tewksbnry L. Sweat, as related by Captain
William Gooding. The story told of the
shipwreck and miraculous escape of the
crew, their thrilling adventures among the
savages of Pozeat Island in the South Pa
cific ocean, the assistance rendered by a
white man whom they found living among
the natives, their voyagaof over 1,000 miles
in canoes and a boat belonging to the Amer
ican Board of Missions stationed at Buk,
and their ultimate return to civilization on
the missionary ship Morning Star.
The story, was copied by papers in Liver
pool and London, and has thus resulted, it
appears, in clearing np a mvstery which
concerns a well-connected family in London.
Two letters were received In this city to-day,
from London, containing inquiries relative
to the white man among the savages, whose
name was given as Charles Iron. One of
these letters is to the ship owners, and is
from Lancelot C. Irons, who states that he
has reasons for believing the Charles men
tioned is his brother, who was last heard of
in 1878, when he was reported captured and
murdered by New Guinea savages, near a
bay situated in the neighborhood ot Jones'
Straits. He says his brother was acquainted
with the ways of the natives, and that his
foil name was Charles Frederick Irons.
Captain Gooding was the recipient of the
other letter, and the description is more
minute. Mr. Gooding is convinced the
man in question is indeed the long lost
brother. Captain Gooding will write the
anxious relatives at once. Ho says ho is
convinced Irons will willingly return to
civilization if means are afforded. Captain
Gooding feels very grateful to Irons for
services In preserving the lives of himself
and crew, and will do all in his power to aid
in the reunion.
EIDDLEBEEGEE DEAD.
The Ex-Senator From Virginia Dies at Ills
Ilome, Surrounded by His Family
Sketch of the Fnbllc Career
of Ihe Decerned.
Woodstock, Va., January 24. Ex-Senator
Eiddleberger died this morning at 2:30
o'clock, after a long illness. His death had
been expected for several days, and his
family was present when he died.
Harrison Holt Biddlebereer was born at
Edinburgh, Shenandoah county, Ya., Oc-
tober4, 1844. He had a common school
education, and then studied with a tutor at
home for two years. He was 17 years old
when the war began, and was for three years
in the Confederate army as lieutenant of in
fantry and captain of cavalry. After the
war he studied law and was admitted to the
bar, beginning his practice at Woodstock.
For two years he was Commonwealth's
Attorney for his county; he served four
years in the House of Deleiates, and for a
similar period in the State Senate. He was
a member of the Democratic State Commit
tee until 1875; a Presidental elector on the
Democratic ticket in 1876. and on the Eead
juster ticket in 1880. In 1883 he entered
the United States Senate as a Eeadjuster,
and his term of service ended in 1889. In
the meantime he had several contentions
with his colleague, General Mahone, and
during the last campaign he opposed Ma
hone. Since 1870 he had been editor of
three papers the Tenth Legion, the Shen
andoah Democrat and the Virginian.
NO USE FOR EEDS.
Hebrew Anarchists to be Boycotted br Their
Philadelphia Employers They Mnst
be Lnw-Abldlng If They
Want to Work.
tSrECUi TELEGRAM TQ TUB DISrATCS.l
Philadelphia, January 24. The He
brew anarchists of the city, who number up
ward of 1,000 newly arrived immigrants
from Bnssia, are to be boycotted by their
employers, the Hebrew manufacturers, un
less they recede in their crusade against law
and order. Ever since the disgraceful or
gies of the disciples of Herr Most, which
occurred in the hall at Second and Pine
streets, on the most solemn holiday in the
Hebrew calendar, the Day of Atonement,
the feeling against the atheistic foreigners
has been intense.
Unlike German or other anarchists, the
Hebrew dynamiters will work. To compel
them to either cive ud their indorsement of
the anarchistic principle or return to their
land of oppression their employers, who fear
that the fair name of Judaism is liable to
be dragged in the mire, are in earnest, and,
as it will be next to impossible for many of
them to secure employment from Gentiles.it
is claimed that they have been beaten be
fore the fight begun.
The men have held three meetings during
the present week. The sessions were con
ducted with the utmost secrecy. About 50
of the anarchists have signified their inten
tion of withdrawing from the brotherhood,
in preference to losing their positions. The
other men say that they will adhere to their
thoughts ntrainst society, religion and the
Government. Most of the men are in the
employ of clothing cutters. They will be
given ten days in which to change their
opinions or look for work elsewhere.
CLEVELAND TO THE TAILORS.
He Answers a Letter Calling for His Views
on the Tariff.
Chicago, January 24. A letter from ex
President Grover Cleveland was received to
day at the concluding session of the Customs
Cutters' National Convention. It is as fol
lows: (J. H. Hnntoon, Esq., President:
Deak Sib I thauk you for sending me your
address made at the convention of the Custom
Foreman Tallore' Association, and I have read
the same with interest The question of tariff
reform directly affects all the people in the
land In a substantial way, and they ought to bo
Interested In its discussion. I am afraid that a
great many of our fellow citizens are too aptto
regard this as a political question, intricate
and complex, affecting them in a remote way,
and one which may well enough be left for
politicians to wrangle over. This induces a
neglect of the subject on the part of a Treat
number of our people and willingness to blind
ly follow the party to which they happen to be
long in their actions upon it. It is a good sign
to see practical -men, such as belong to your
association, discussing the question for them
selves. If this is done Intelligently, and with
sincere intent to secure the truth, tariff re
formers, I think, have no need to fear the re
sult of such discussion.
Very truly yours,
Gbover Cleveland.
This letter was written in reply to one
from Mr. Hnntoon, the President of the
Cutters' Association, asking lor some state
ment on the tariff question, as it affected the
tailors. An exactly similar letter was sent
to President Harrison, but as yet no reply
has been received. After the letter bad
been read ihe convention extended its
thanks to Mr. Cleveland.
COULD NOT BE SETTLED.
A Desperate Attempt Made to Keep a filar
der Case Oat of Conrt.
St. Louis, January 21 The grand jury
to-day returned an indictment for murder in
the first degree against Paul McBride, son
of the well-known attorney James J. Mc
Bride. On the evening of October 15, 1889,
young McBride shot and killed Frank
Loftus, an ex-fireman in the city's employ.
A bitter fight has been made in the case,
McBride's father haunting the Four Courts
in an effort to compromise the matter,
while Lottus' friends have raised a fund to
prosecute the case.
HAS A DEFAULTEE ALREADY.
The New Government nr Brazil Is Projrresi
Ine Very Rnpldly.
Buenos Ayees, January 24. News
from Bio Janeiro states that a defalcation
of 90,000 pesos has been discovered in the
Telegraph Department, of which Baron de
Capinema was chief. The baron had been
arrested and lodged in prison.
It is asserted by the cashier of the depart
ment that De Capanema disposed of the
money and that he was assisted by others,
against whom warrants of arrest have been
issued.
HI? 1 FY of Congress; the handsome and lov
ltutxV A ing bachelors and wealthy and ten
der widowers that attract Washington girls,
are described by Miss Grundy, Jr., In TO-JIOE-sow;s
20-page Dispatch.
PITTSBURG, SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 1890 TWELVE
WILL NOT SAT DIE.
The Opposition to Mr. Thompson, jof
MctTeesport, Determined to
DROP ONLY IN THE LAST DITCH.
The Season Why Key. Dr. Flood Got So
Tery Hot Under the Collar.
HE DIDN'T LIKE TO BE SCOOPED.
Senator Quay Overwhelmed by a Great Sash of Office
Beckers. A determined fight is being kept up
against the nomination of W. E. Thompson
as postmaster at McKeesport A delegation
of friends ot Mr. Harrison, a defeated can
didate, will carry the war to the Senate
against Mr. Thompson's confirmation.
Bev. Dr. Flood's indignant denial of his
withdrawal as a Congressional candidate is
explained. The Little Washington post
office fight waxes warmer.
fPEOH A STAFF COBBESPOXDEXT.
Washington, January 24. The nomi
nation by the President and Congressman
Bay of William Emory Thompson to be
postmaster at McKeesport has not by any
means settled the fight over that office. On
the contrary, it has increased the bitterness
of the struggle, and the whole subject will,
no doubt, figure prominently in the politics
of that Congressional district. v
To-day a large delegation came here from
McKeesport It was headed by W. E. Har
rison, one of the defeated candidates, and
among his supporters were Messrs. J. W.
Bailie, O. S. Weddell, P. C. Jones, A. Ins
keep.A. B. Campbell and W. O. Soles. The
object of their visit was, of course, to pro
test against the appointment of Mr. Thomp
son. They propose to do all they can to
prevent him from drawing the postmaster's
salary at McKeesport. They called on the
Postmaster General to-day, but they all ab
solutely refuse to tell what they did or said
during their visit
AGREED ON ONE THING.
On one thing the delegation is agreed,
however, and that is to carry the fight to the
bitter end. They will endeavor to have tho
nomination, and, failing in that, will do all
they can to defeat his confirmation by the
Senate. If they have come armed with
charges against the nominee, they will
neither say so nor tell their nature.' They
are conducting a quiet but very determined
campaign.
Congressman Bay, in speaking of the
matter to-day, said: "The affair is out of
my hands now, and I am glad of it None
of the members of Mr. Harrison's delega
tion, now in town, have been to see me or to
tell me what they propose doing. I do not
know what charges could be preferred
against Mr. Thompson, for I consider him a
very estimable man and one who will make
a good postmaster."
SOBBY HE SPOKE SO SOON.
Senator Quay now regrets that he permit
ted the announcement to get out that he in
tended to leave for the South at 4:30 o'clock
Sunday morning, and that he did not let
the impression go forth that he would go a
day or two earlier. He has been over
whelmed with office seekers and ttseir friends
at his committee room, and since 7 o'clock
this morning the door bell at his residence
has been jingling constantly. s This evening
the street in front of his house was blocked'
with the cabs and carriages of those who
want a- last word in regard to offices and
politics, but the Senator and Mrs. Quay
being out at dinner they were disappointed
and had to be content with the always kindly
attentions afforded by the Senator's son
Dick, who, however, is yet so weak from his
recent illness as to be scarcely able to en
dure the strain.
WOEKING IN EAENEST.
Among the earliest callers this morning
were the McKeesport delegation, who are
determined to yet compass the defeat of Mr.
Thompson, but it cannot be discovered that
the Senator gave them much encourage
ment to expect any great service from him.
The Senator saw the President and Secre
tary Windom to-day in regard to tho Pitts
burg Surveyorship, but neither he nor they
were ready this evening to give any in
formation in regard to that vexing problem.
The Senator and his son will, as already
announced, leave for Florida Sunday morn
ing, at 4:30, accompanied only by Mr. Dan
Sooy, of Atlantic City, a jolly companion
and a noted fisherman who has fished and
hunted with the Senator for the last ten
years. The party viil leave the cars at
Jacksonville, and take boat for Indian
river. After fishing there lor a time they
will cross the peninsula and spend a short
time in the neighborhood of Tampa and
Funta Bassa, and thence will go to Kev
West. The time of their return is no't
fixed. LlOHTNEE.
.AGAINST MR. BLAINE'S EELATITB.
A Delegation From Little Washington Calls
on Postmaster General Wanamnker.
FBOM A STAFF COBBESrOXBEXT.
Washington, January 21 The contest
over the Washington, Pa., postofiice is
warming up. It will be remembered that
Congressman Bay recommended Mr. Under
wood lor the place, and the appointment
would have been made without any trouble,
had not Secretary of State Blaine stepped in
with a candidate. Mr. Blaine has two rela
tives in Pennyslvania named Ewing. One
of them lives in Pittsburg and the other, his
brother, at Washington. Mr. Blaine wants
one of these to get a Government appoint
ment, and for the Pittsburg Ewing has
picked out the Surveyorship. If he can't
get that he wants the Washington Ewing to
be made postmaster at that place.
Washington is somewhat stirred np over
the affair, and to-day three of the prominent
Washington county people came here n sop.
port ot the application of Mr. Underwood.
The delegation was composed of Messrs.
E. F. Acheson, A. S. Eagleson and J. B.
Kennedy. They called on Mr. Wanamaker
and presented written as well as oral in
dorsements of their candidate.
WANTED BI A PITTSBURG HAN.
The Reason Why Controller Lacey Ban
Against a Knag.
tmOM A STAFF COBKZSFOJtDEKT.l
Washington, January 24. When
Controller of the Currency Lacey brought
his recommendation oi Mr. George A.
Shepard for Bank Examiner to the notice of
Secretary Windom, yesterday, he ran
plump'against the, to Mr. Shepard, startling
information that a warm personal friend of
the Secretary had asked the position for a
friend of his in Pittsburg. Mr. Lacey ex
plained all that had been done in the mat
ter of Shepard'a candidacy, his strong
indorsements, etc., and suggested that the
application had gone too far to be recalled.
After pondering over the case for a little
while, the Secretary pleasantly agreed with
Mr. Lacey, and said he wonld inform his
friend of the situation. Who the friend's
friend was who desired the appointment
couldn't be discovered.
What Mr. Reed Really Wants.
rrnoMA staff conBEsfoNDEirr.l
Washington, January 24. Mr. W. S.
Eeed, of-Fittburr, who has been rarionsly
quoied as being an applicant for the Sur
veyorship and the Pension Agency, filed
his papers to-day at the Treasury Depart
ment as an applicant for the position of a
special inspector of the Treasury Depart
ment. His indorsements-are very strong.
WHY HE GOT MAD.
Kev. Dr. Flood Didn't Caro to bs Scooped
oa News Aboat Himself Efforts to
Keep the Ex-Preacher
oa the Track.
ISrXCIAX, TELEOBAM TO THE DISPATCH.!
Washington, January 24. Mr. Arthur
L. Bates, of Meadville, has alleged that he
was misquoted in an interview in these tele
grams, in which he was represented as say
ing that Bev. Dr. Flood would not be a
candidate against Congressman Culbertson,
and as Dr. Flood's friends are denying that
Flood has retired from the field, it may be
well to say that Mr. Bates gave the infor
mation to the correspondent of The Dis
patch exactly as it was telegraphed and
printed. Mr. Bates spoke as though he had
personal information of what he was saying.
Since the return of Mr. Bates to Mead
ville he has written a letter to Congressman
Culbertson, in which he stated his assertion
in regard to Flood's retirement was abso
lutely true, and that the only reason the
doctor got mad about it was that he himself
desired to be the first to convey the news to
the public. He did not like to have his own
enterprising newspaper beaten on a good bit
of news about himself.
Mr. Culbertson's friends profess not to
carewbat Flood does, one way or the other,
as they believe they can carry the day
against him or anyone else. On the other
hand, a strong movement is evident among
the anti-Culbertson faction to induce Flood
to reconsider his withdrawal. In the event
of his refusal, they will probably bring out
some other strong candidate.
BTAND1NG BY THEIR MAN.
Dr.
Denny's Supporters Refuse to Consider
Tlirir Case Hopeless.
fFKOX A STAFF COBKISPOXDEKT.l
Washington, January 24 The Presi
dent has appointed all bnt one of the nine
supervisors of the census for Pennsylvania.
In the Ninth district, which includes Pitts
burg, the fight between the two candidates,
Mr. George Oliver and Dr. Denny, has not
yet been settled. Superintendent Porter
selected Mr. Oliver for the place and sent in
his nomination some time ago, but action
upon it has beendelayed by Senator Quay
and other friends of Dr. Denny. Yesterday
the Doctor and his friend, Dr. Donaldson,
appeared on the scene in person. On their
solicitation Congressmen Bay and Town,
send to-day called on the President in Dr.
Denny's behalf. In speaking to The Dis
patch correspondent of his visit Congress
man Townsend said:
"Mr. Bayne, Mr. Bay and myself all in
dorsed the application of Dr. Denny, and
when we did so he was the only candidate
for this place in the field. Now, since Su
perintendent Porter has seen fit to recom
mend the appointment of Mr. Oliver, we
thought it only fair to ourselves and every
one else concerned to let the President know
that we were n earnest in recommending
Dr. Denny, and that we desired him to get
the place. This situation we accordingly
explained to Mr. Harrison. He made no
promises, however, beyond saying that he
would look into the matter, and I don't
know what he will do about it"
ANXIOUS FOR HIS REWAED.
A Tariff Working-man Who Talked for Har
rison' Alter a Paying Job.
ITEO IT A STAFF COKBISrOXDEKT.l
Washington, January 24. State Li
brarian Delaney, of Harrisburg, and Senator
John Mylin, of Lancaster, are here, in com
pany with Mr. John Conkling, a former
workman in the Steelton Iron Works. Ever
since the election of Harrison, Mr. Conkling
has been a candidate for, the office of In
spector of Immigration. He is an ex-Presi-dent
of the Amalgamated Iron and Steel
Association, and at a Republican high tariff
workingman of ability and influence, he was
urged to take a hand in the campaign and
work among the labor organizations. He
abandoned a position in which he could
earn from $1,200 to 51,500 a year, and did
valiant work in the campaign.
As Librarian Delaney was instrumental
in inducing Mr. Conkling to abandon his
position, he has interested himself particu
larly in Mr. Coupling's behalf. Senator
Quay has been repeatedly to Secretary
Windom and the President, and has urged
Conkling's appointment in recognition of
the loyalty of tariff workingmen to the Re
publican party, as well as Mr. Conkling's
personal services, but without avail. There
is no objection to the man, but the case
can't be reached. Messrs. Delaney and
Mylin will make another effort to-morrow,
assisted by Senator Quay.
IT MUST WAIT ITS TUEN.
Tho Mew Castle Public Building Bill Not
Entirely Forgotten.
FROM A STAFF COBBESPONDKNT.J
Washington, January 24. Representa
tive, Townsend wishes to correct an errone
ous impression which has gained circula
tion in his district reflecting upon his good
faith in regard to the bill he recently in
troduced for the erection of a public build
ing at New Castle. "It is being charged,"
said he to-day, "that I have been seeking to
retard action on this bill, and in support of
the statement it is alleged that every other
public building bill which was referred to
the Committee on Public Buildings and
Grounds has been favorably reported, while
this one or New Castle has been un
touched. "As a matter of fact, Congressman Dar
lington, who is the Pennsylvania member
on the committee, assures me that not a sin
gle bill has yet been acted upon by the com
mittee. They are all in the hands oi sub
committees, which have not yet even re
ported upon them to the full committee.
As for the New Castle bill, it will receive
attention in its turn."
THE COLOR LINE IN TAB G. A. R.
Negro Delegntes Caose a Secession From
the Georgia Department.
Atjgtjsta.Ga., January 24. The Depart
ment Encampment oi the Grand Army of
the Bepublic was held in Augusta to-day,
at headquarters of Augusta Post No. 2,
Charleston, Savannah, Macon, Atlanta and
Tallapoosa Posts were represented. Colored
delegates from Beaufort and Savannah
claimed admission to the encampment from
the colored posts which they represented.
The Committee on Credentials submitted
majority and minority reports; the former
against and the latter in favor of seating the
colored delegates. The majority report
recommended the formation of a separate
encampment for colored posts.
The minority report was adopted by a vote
of 18 to 4, whereupon L. D. Crawford, Com
mander; II. Burns, Adjutant, and Philips
Hiedingsfeler, representing . F. S. Jones
Post No. S, of Macon, withdrew from the
encampment under instructions of their
posts. The Angusta Post gave a banquet to
the encampment to-night, to which the col
ored delegates were not invited.
rrjTTJ fatally of George Washington; sorae
Alli thitV; about the) patriot's English ances
tors; curio is fact as to the origin of the Stars
and Striped Bead The Sunday Dispatch,
PAGES.
SOME BED HOT BALLS
Sent Over the Home Plate of the
Champions of Reprobation.
THE BIG PRESBYTERIAN DEBATE
Drawing Hundreds of Interested Listeners
to the Argaments.
THE ELOQUENCE OF BOB INGEES0LL
Quoted by One Preacher as One Season for the Heed
of Revision.
Interest in the Presbyterian debate in
New York over the proposed revision of the
Westminster confession of faith increases.
Among the arguments advanced yesterday,
in favor of revision, was one that Colonel
Ingersoll's attack on it is well founded.
Able arguments were advanced on both
sides of the question.
.SPECIAL TELEOBAII TO TUB SISFATCS.
New Yoek January 24. The Presby
terian debate is attracting popular interest
An audience of over 1,000 persons was in
the Scotch Presbyterian Church in Four
teenth street, to-day, to listen. There were
two or three hundred women in the galler
ies, and more on the floor among the mem
bers of the Presbytery.
The debate was taken up by the Bev. Dr.
Briggs, whose books had been attacked by
previous speakers. He declared that the
proposed revision of the Westminster con
fession of faith did not exactly suit him,
but that it was a compromise upon which
every man who had originally voted in favor
of revision could now stand.
"Every good thing is a compromise," he
said. "The confession itself is lull ot com
promises, from beginning to end. I have
gone over the whole minutes ot the West
minster assembly, in the original manu
script, in London, and I know what I am
saying. I pity the man who does not know
how to compromise, or rather I pity his wife
and children. Laughter. The only place
for such a man is the wilderness.
INTEBESTED IN THE SIGHS.
"I have been much interested in this de
bate by the sighs and tears with which the
minority have enforced their arguments.
What are they erying about? Has anybody
proposed to interfere with their liberty of
belief? All we have proposed to do is to
blot out from the confession five things: Re
probation, the damnation of infants, the dam
nation of the heathen, the classification of
Roman Catholics as idolaters, the statement
that the Pope is anti-Christ Is all Calvin
ism contained in those five points? And, at
any rate, they may keep rieht on believing
them if they wish. The proposition
is not to tell them that they shall
not believe these things, but to say
that their brethren who do not believe
them shall not be compelled to see them
kept In the public confession of faith of the
church, and have to defend them or apolo
gize tor them before all the world. And
what do we propose to put into the conies
sion. Two things the general love of God
for all mankind, and the salvation of Jesus
Christ as provided for all mankind and to be
preached to every creature. Why should
they not be in the confession.
A CATSB FOE TEABS.
If there is any lamentation to be done, It
is because our fathers failed to put those
things into the confession that are so promi
nent in ther Blble'and so prominent in tbe
faith and teachings of the church to-day.
And then we want a new and simple
If the committee had not added that, I
would not have favored the adoption of
this repoit I confess that. It is the sav
ing clause for me. Dr. Hall says that the
39 articles of the English Church are Cal
vinistio. So tbey are. But those 39 ar
ticles do not contain one of the five things
that we propose to cut out of our confess
ion. "If the 39 articles are Calvinistic
without them, why will our confession not
remain Calvinistic after they are removed?"
The Bev. Dr. Shearer insisted that "the
Presbyterian Church does not now and
never did believe in the damnation of in
fants. They say the hand of God is with
them in this work of revision. We may
credit their sincerity, but we don't propose
to let them have a monopoly of this hand-df-God
business. There is a large amount of
free human agency in their work, and we
are not disposed to accept it as infallible."
NO HEEEST IMPOETED.
The Eev. Dr. George Alexander defended
the report of the committee, saying: "It
cannot be alleged that we are importing
heresy into the confession, for we have in
troduced nothing except the love of God
and salvation in Jesus Christ for all man
kind, and to be preached to every creature.
Nor have we sacrificed anything by ex
cisions. All we have done is to change
some statements, so as to preclude
the interpretation of the confession in such
a way as to give countenance to two errors
that none of us believe now or pretend to
believe. Shall we go on apologizing for
those clauses that, no matter what we
really believe they mean, nine-tenths of
all who read them tako to mean
the damnation of infants- and of
the heathen? Election includes non-election.
I believe in reprobation, or did until
I came here and heard the arguments in its
favor made by Dr. Paxton and Dr. Hall.
Since then I've been a good deal in the sit
uation of the man who went to a lecture on
'Christianity's Truth Proven,' and came
away saying: 'Nevertheless, I do believe
Christianity is true' "
HOT BALLS POE SOME.
The Bev. Wilton Merle Smith, the
youngest man yet to speak, delivered hot
balls across the home plate of the cham
pions of reprobation. He declared that
ever since he began to preach he had been
running across young men who were
kept ont of the church and out
of salvation by the doctrine of
reprobation. In Cleveland, one Sun
day evening, he found his congregation
much smaller than usual, and knew it was
on account of a lecture being given in the
onera house by Colonel Ingersoll. After
his own service ended he went to the opera
house and found it packed to the roof with
people who had paid $1 SO per head to hear
a "most blasphemous tirade against the
Bible."
Kev. Smith continued: "While I was
there the speaker pulled out a copy of the
confession, and for 40 minutes he spoke
against the doctrine ot reprobation as there
set out, and I have to acknowledge that the
arguments that he advanced in his racy and
attractive way were unanswerable by me. I
knew that many young men who were there
that night were confirmed in their skepti
cism by the use, in that way, that night, of
the doctrine mat we are now trying to get
out of the confession. In opposition to the
harm that it has done, what good has it ever
done?"
INGEESOLLISM IN IT.
The Bev. Dr. W. W. Page had evidently
been startled by the introduction of Inger
soll into the debate. He deprecated the
confession that any good Presbyterian had
found the Colonel's arguments unanswer
able. He said: "I have no doubt that if
Mr. Ingersoll had his way he would revise
the conicssion, and I'm not altogether cer
tain that Ingersoll has not had more than
any other influonce to do with brinzing
about the agitation- over this question ot
revision." .
"Cries of "Nol" "Take that backl"
, - - -- -
d$k
S. TO
OVsVttVtTS
?fv?"-
ViKilfcy
VtfX
,&
fc
n V .
"Ton don't mean thatl" arose alljover tbjA 7
elinrnli nnil it ma eovpral moments before f A. 4
the speaker could proceed. He said: "There
is nothing personal in this, so far as I am
concerned. There are many on my side, of
whom I cordially disapprove, and
there is nobody on the other
side, Bob Ingersoll excepted, for
whom I have not the highest regard. This
scheme of revision is only temporary. If
we consent to it tbey will use it as a basis
for further revision. Why, if we should
revise it down to the Apostles, T know some
men in this Presbytery who would want to
revise that; they would say: 'I believe in
the resurrection of the dead,' and would
want to cut out the rest
FEAB3 A DIVISION.
"There would be no objection to mere
changes in form and language, and nothing
more was proposed at first, but so much be
side has been developed by this debate that
I think it foreshadows a division in the
Church. This is not the age in which to at
tempt to revise the doctrines of a Church.
Why, Calvin could have swallowed a
thousand of the theologians of to-day,
and not have suffered from indigestion.
The nineteenth century has already brought
a revision of the Bible, and in my opinion
that has proved to be but a mass of non
sense. If the new creed of the English
Presbyterian Church is a specimen of the
work of to-day, good Lord, deliver us I"
The Bev. Dr. Hamilton, of the Scotch
Church, said: "lam in favor of the report
of the committee, with all my heart and
soul. I am so because I am a Calvinist, and
I want to have Calvinism pnt before the
world in its proper light; because I love the
confession and want to see it made as perfect
as it can be made."
some heabtt applause.
As Dr. Hamilton concluded, the Presby
tery, for the first time in two days, and
against strict rules, burst into hearty ap
plause. A resolution was passed that the
debate be continued from day to day, com
mencing on Monday, until all have spoken
who desire to, and that then the Presbytery
adjourn until Monday, February 3, when it
will begin to vote on the report on revision,
section by section, allowing amendments
and debate on them.
A CHANGE OF NAME.
ANOTHER TITLE CHOSEN BY THE NON
PARTISAN BAND.
A Fund Collected to Provide for the Ron
nlng Expenses Next Year's Meet
ing to be Held In PIttsbarg
Resolutions Adopted.
Cleveland, January 24. The newly
formed temperance organization, in session
here this morning, decided to change its
name from "The National Crusaders" to the
"National Non-Partisan Woman's Christian
Temperance Union." The new society has
in the three days of its existence held the
official names of "American Woman's
Christian Temperance League," "The
National Crusaders" and the "National
Non-Partisan Woman's Christian Temper
ance Union."
A motion to officially refute the claims of
the National Woman's Christian Temper
ance Union to non-partisanship was adopt
ed, and the Executive Committee ordered to
take the steps necessary to do so. The con
vention will continue until evening. At
the afternoon session Mrs. J. Ellen Foster,
of Iowa, introduced the question of finance.
She said that the Financial Secretary had
not a bank account of $10,000 to draw from,
and that the President and General Secre
tary must be paid for their services, and
"we mnst at once proceed to secure means
to raise the necessary funds."
A COLLECTION TAKEN.
Mrs. Foster made an able appeal for
funds, and in less than half an hour $2,500,
was pledged by the ladies present. This is
one-fourth of the estimated amount required
for the ensuing year. Mrs. Watson, of
Pittsburg, pledged 8100. Mrs. Weeks 8100.
Mrs. Campbell $50, and other ladies of the
Pennsylvania delegation subscribed similar
or smaller amounts. A series ot resolutions
.was adopted, from which the following is
taken:
We gladly recognize the fact that the non
partisan principles of Christian temperance
work are rapiuly gaining adherents throughout
the nation. We want all the strength of the
united Christian womanhood to be brought
against this combined power of the liquor
traffic '
We cordially Invito the anxillarvship of all
State and local organizations under our broad
binner of political freedom, where every
woman, wnatever her party preferences or in
dividual party work, may unite with as in ef
forts against the common enemy ot the home,
the State and the nation. We recognize, be
lieve in and are individually related to many
moral and political reforms of the age
which are the outgrowth of the goSDel of
Christ These reforms are directly, indirectly,
or remotely related to the temperance reform,
and their success will hasten the triumph of the
principles to which we are devoted; neverthe
less, we believe that oar work in this national
organization will be more effective if wholly
free trom any alliance with these movements
upon which our members widely differ in
opinion.
GEOWTH OP TEMPEEANCE.
We note with gratitude the growth of tem
perance conviction as shown in the number of
States in which tbe liquor traffic is under the
ban of the constitutional and statutory prohi
tlon, and the increased area from which the
saloon has been banished by local, statutes.
We also applaud tbe good efforts of all good
citizens who seek by vigorous enforcement of
existing laws to lessen the evils of the drink
curse.
That we approve the efforts being made in
Congress to so amend inter-State commerce
laws and revenue laws as to prohibit the im
portation of liquors Into States having pro
hibitory laws ana to subject tbe sale of revenue
stamps in such prohibitory States to tbe laws
of those States. Also, we commend the
appointment of a commission of inquiry by
Congress to investigate and give to the people
a full, accurate and authentic report of the
facts ascertained upon such Investigation of
the effect of the traffic in and use of intoxi
cating liquors.
BEOADEE EDUCATION.
We declare tbe fundamental Importance and
greatest need of the temperance reform to be
the broader education of the individual mind
and conscience in the religions, scientific and
economic truths relating to the effects of alco
hol, in order to secure tbe ultimate triumph of
this reform in tbe overthrow of the drinking
habits and customs ot the country
and the legal protection of the
home. We pledge our best efforts to
secure a thorough enforcement, both In letter
and spirit of tbe laws requiring scientific tem
nerance instruction in tbe publio schools in tbe
States where such laws have been enacted, and
to work to make such instruction compulsory
inaU other States where no provision exists.
It is more than probable that the conven
tion will be held in either Pittsburir or Alle
gheny City. Tho President, Mrs. Phinney.
and the General Secretary, Miss Duly, will
be each paid $100 per month. Miss I. G.
Shortledge, of Pennsylvania, will receive
$25 a month as Financial Secretary, and the
remaining officers will have their expenses
paid. As a badge the ladies will wear a
white ribbon until the annual convention in
November of this year.
RUMORS OF A BIG FAILURE
A Crash Involving SO.OUO.OOO Said to Havo
Occurred at Buenos Ayres.
Netv Yobk, January 24. A rumor was
to-day in circulation around Wall street
and among the varions commission houses
of a 6,000,000 failure in Buenos Ayres.
Nothing definite conld be learned, as the
various merchants engaged in the trade of
that country refused to say anything for
publication until tbey received more infor
mation from Buenos Ayres.
The same reticence was manifested at the
Loudon and Brazilian Bank, where the
rumor was not denied. They would not dis
close the names of the firm in this city, who
were directly interested, but said they were
awaiting a cablegram.
Transient Advertisements: '-i-1
- - - - - - w- -.... J
INCLUDING
r
LETS. FOR 811 r FTfi . FOR
TO - MORROW'S ISSUE
1
nded in at the main advertising
-- Dispatch, Fifth avenue, np to
THREE CENTS
&:
yr-rA
Kit
The Cause of Two Terrific and
Fatal Explosions.
AT LEAST THEEE KILLED,
While 0?er Thirty Were Injured More
or less Seriously.
SOME YERY PECULIAR FEATUBES.
One Woman's Life Saved bj the Prompt
Action of a Fireman.
A SUMBER OF BUILDINGS DESTE0IED
Columbus experienced her first natural
gas disaster last evening. A slight ex
plosion had occurred, and a great crowd
gathered around the scene. Then came as
other crash, which demolished the surround
ing; buildings and carried death and
injuries to those in the vicinity. Three
were killed at least, one is missing and 30
were injured,
Columbus, January 24. Af ew minutes
after 5 an alarm of fire from box 23, at tha
corner of High and Main streets, called the
fire department out The news spread that
there had been a natural gas explosion. Tha
brightness of the day had brought to the
streets thousands of shoppers and promena
ders, and the crowd rushed thoughtlessly to
the scene of the fire.
The explosion had occurred in a one-story
dwelling at the southwest corner of Wall
and Noble alleys, in the middle of the
square bounded by High and Front and
Main and Mound streets. Patrol No. 1
was on the scene, but no rope was stretched,
and the people crowded by hundreds into
the narrow alley and pushed up close to the
house.
NO "WARNING BECETVED.
The cries of the injured people could be
plainly heard. Moans and shrieks mingled
with the hoarse calls of the firemen, tbe
clanging of tbe alarm bells on the engines
and the murmuring of the crowd. A whis
per ran through the throng that a natural
gas main ran east and west through Noble
alley, but this was soon converted into a
rumor that the blaze was due to a gasoline
explosion in the house, and the people did
not receive the warning.
The fire was almost under control, the
people were standing round laughing and
talking, a lad was proudly holding a team
oi fire department horses in the alley, a
patrol Jwacon was standing idly near the
scene. The alley was crowded with lookers
on, many of whom were turning to go home.
A SECOND EXPLOSION.
At that moment a terrific explosion rent
the air. A sheet of flame burst from the
building at the northwest corner of the
Noble and Wall alleys, a great mass of
bricks, beams and stone that 30 seconds be
fore bad constituted a two-story brick build
ing were flying with terrific force through
the air, and then the quiet of death.
The scene that followed was terrible. The
people fled shrieking in ail directions, while
the alley was instantly covered with a mass
of debris, from which the moans of the
buried men came. There had been a mo
ment of quiet, then came the appalling ex
plosion. But for only a moment was it quiet
Pallid, trembling women tottered and ran
across the alley and streets moaning or
shrieking. Men with foreheads and should
ers drabbled with blood staggered from
among the debris. A woman enveloped in
a sheet of flame, bareheaded and frenzied,
ran shrieking from the house across the
alley.
SATED IN A BOUGH MANNEB.
A man dashed off his overcoat and ran to
throw it ronnd her. A fireman, who held
the nozzle of a hose, saw her danger and
turned the stream on her. It knocked her
down, but saved her life, extinguishing the
flames. She was lifted from tbe ground and
hurried into a neighboring house. Every
inch of clothing had been burned from her -down
to her waist Her name was Pet Mer
ritt An old man, venerable and with white
hair and heard, was dug from the ruins and
harried to a place where medical assistance
conld be given him. His frosty beard was
covered with blood and he seemed to ba in a
dvinz condition.
But saddest of all, a tearless mother with
her heart frozen by fear and grief staggered
from the ruins holding tight to her heart the
seemingly lifeless formot her 3-months-old
babe. And so on through the long sad list
of killed and wounded.
A LEAKING GAS MAIN.
The explosion, as near as can be ascer
tained, occurred in the cellar of the house
occupied by Michael Bowers and Mr. Mar
rot t. No natural gas pipes were ever
put into that house, bnt the cause
was a natural gas main in Noble
alley, which leaked. The ground was
frozen, and the gas, seeking its way out,
went by the easiest way, and of course en
tered the cellar. It has no scent, and its
presence could not be detected. It saturated
the buildings.
The force of the explosion in the Marrott
and Bowers house took a westerly and north
erly direction and scattered bricks and lum
ber and lathing for a distance oi 20 feet
The side of the Marrott was blown out and
the roof, freed of its support, fell over and
lay in an almost entire condition hanging
from the top of the house to the yard below. .
Tbe exploded vapor, after doing its terri
ble work on the south side ot Noble alley,
leaped over to the north side of the alley
and completely destroyed the house at 34
West Noble, occupied by Edward Otstot
and Mr. James. This house is similarly,
constructed with the one opposite, being a
y, story brick, with three rooms down and
two upstairs.
TEEBtBLE FOKCE.
Here the terrible force oi the exploded
gas was skown. Everything was blown to
chips. A force of workmen at work for a
week could not reduce the house to kindling
wood so thoroughly as did this
explosion in one short session. The
explosion was upward, as bricks, doors,
window sashes, lathing Biding, etc, were all
piled in a heap all about tbe building and
only a dozen feet from it The house shot
np and parted like a piece of fireworks,
falling back as do the sparks from a rocket
parted into myriads of pieces.
The great mystery was how the flames
passed from one cellar to the other without
having as much as disturbed a brick or
stone on the roadway. The work of getting
out the dead and caring for the wounded
was attended with great excitement.
So far as can be ascertained only three
were killed In the explosion, Frank Sey-
B
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