INCITED FIERY SOCIALISTS.
London the Scene of a Formidable Riot In
auguratedby "Sturdily Mechanics. "
London dispatch , Feb.Sth : The "starv
ing mechanics" at
held a meeting to-day
Trafalgar square , around the Nelson monu
ment , which resulted in a riot. The pro-
cecdings opened with 10,000 men present.
The police were present in large numbers.
Conspicuous among the leaders of the
multitude Burns whoran social
was , -ran as a
istic candidate in Nottingham in the recent
election. He ascended the pedestal c ! the
Nelson column for the purpose of deliver
ing a harangue. The police politely ordered
Lim to get down. This ho refused to do ,
appealing.to the crowd to resist "interfer
ence with the exercise of popular rights. "
The officers pushed their way through tho
excited and resisting mass of humanity
and by force removed Burns from the pe
destal. By this time the crowd had been
vastly augmented and the streets were
packed with surging mobs. The stir in tho
elevated spot where the Burns incident
took place was easily seen all over the area
covered by tho concourse , and the sight of
helmets and uniforms in the struggle was
accepted as visible prool that the fight had
commenced against the law. The intelli
gence was responded to with a fierce howl
and an attempted rush from all directions
to the point of interest.
Burns had now removed some distance
Irorn the position he attempted to occupy.
He became emboldened by the mob'and
made a desperate effort to recover the lost
.ground. Ife was effectively helped by the
mob , who brushed the oliicors aside , and
the orator was soon pressed up against the
monument. He quickly reascended the pe
destal , accompanied by a number of other
socialistic leaders. Burns waved ared , flag
to the assemblage as asignalof his triumph
over the authorities. lie was greeted with
deafening shouts. Burns now leisurely fin
ished his address.
He then read a fiercely-worded resolution.
It denounced the authors of the present
distress in England ; demanded that parlia
ment start public works to give employ
ment to the tens of thousands of deserv
ing men who were out of work through no
fault of their own , but because of bad gov
ernment ; declared it was the duty oE the
government to afford every facility for the
employment o ! British capital forthebenc-
lit of the British people and give British
enterprise advantage over foreignand as
serted that the time had arrived for par
liament to earnestly legislate for the relief
of the depression in English agricultural
industry.
/ A The resolution also demanded the imme
diate appointment of a imaister of com
merce and agriculture , and concluded with
a resolve that copies should be forwarded
to Gladstone , Salisbury , Parnell and the
board of public works.
The reading of the resolution was accom
panied w itli fierce comment and short ex
planatory speeches by various orators
who stood with Burns. Some of these
orators went so far as to warn the govern
ment that although thestarving mechanics
were now attempting to draw attention to
their needs by quiet and peaceful agitation
they were bound to get bread , and they
would get it by attacking baker shops next
if tho government did not come to their re
lief.
lief.Burns , in one of these speeches , de
nounced the present house of commons
as a body of landlords and capitalists , for
whom hanging was too good. He also de
clared that the people had assembled to
summon parliament to immediately re
lieve the distress of British workmen ; that
the people wanted the question settled at
once , peacefully if possible , "otherwise a
revolution was inevitable.
This aggravated the huge mass. The
police had reformed with increased force
and made another assault. They succeed
ed in forcing their way up to the pedeseal ,
and reached this point just as resolutions
which had already been offered and sec
onded , were about to be submitted to the
mob for approval. The officers at once
ordered the proceedings to be discontinued
on the pedestal , and commanded Burns
and his colleagues to come down. This
they refused to do , and the officers dragged
them down by force and drove them from
the pedestal"It was evident Burns ex
pected the application of violence to him
would precipitate a riot , and it was so ap
parent that tho officers immediately en
gaged in removing the orators feared an
attack , but the men comprising the mob
s- were not ; n a fighting hum or and contented
themselves Tor the time by hooting the
police and smothering them with foul dirt
and garbage. The officers behaved admir
ably under the abuse and showed 110 re
sentment.
After futile efforts to disperse the crowd
the streets were abandoned to the rioters ,
who. finding themselves no longer opposed ,
their ill-will well housed
vented - against peo
ple and clubs along the way by stoning
them. Stores were gutted , windows
smashed , goods carried off and general
wreck and ruin tool : possession of themob.
The establishment of Messrs. Pickctt. jew
elers , on Oxford street , was completely gut
ted by the rioters , who carried away jewel-
rv Valued at many thousands pounds.
Marshal > fc Snell , 'Groves , Peter Robinsons ,
and other large stores were wrecked by the
mob. Large quantities of jewelry , boots ,
clothing , etc. , which " were found in the
streets , were handed "to the police.
-t SHORT TARIFF PLEASURE.
Hie Free List Expected to Jlrlng About a
Jtitlcr Contest.
A "Washington special to the New Yorlc
Post says : Mr. Morrison's tariff bill will be
about fifteen printed pages in length of the
ordinary bill faize. This is a short tariff
bill. It is nearly completed except some-
minor details.
Columbus Delano of Ohio , who repre
sents the association of Western Wool
Growers , became convinced that the bill
will propose a reduction in rates on wool ,
and in anticipation of this he expects to
call a convention "of wool growers to meet
here to use their influence with congress to
prevent the adoption of such a recom
mendation. But there is pretty good rea
son to believe that Mr. Morrison proposes
no reduction in the rates on wool. Ib is.
\ however , almost or"-ain that this bill will
" " "
reduce the ratn' 'jpct wools , as
these come into u . . . .t ; ti ion with no wool
grown in this country. It is probable that
there will "be no opposition to this proposi
tion , which will be welcomed by the carpet
manufacturers of Philadelphia and Lowell.
A very bitter contest is expected over the
free list. It now teems probable that lum
ber and suit , and some metallic ores will be
put on it. It is expected that a large vqte
will be caf t for free lumber from , agricul
tural states , and western cattle growers
and packers will be in earnest in favor of
free salt.
The anual report of gross earnings of the
Illinois Central railroad company for 1SS5 ,
how , for the total lines owned , S10,9i2,923 ;
far the total leased lines , 81,678,336.
The eighteenth annual convention of the
New England Reform Leaguewas held In
Boston , Jan. 30th. Resolutions-were adopted
declaring all government robbery , trades nn-
ious repressive monopDlics , Knights ot Labor
tvranloos piracy , eilvcrites andj-oldites two
warris" sets of thieves , rum and Monnonism
'
eprese'ntaUves ol personal and religious liber
ty , and marriage of church .and state all hind
rances to progress.
WAR SHIPS.
An Exhaustive Report Submitted bytlie Select
Committee of the Senate.
Senator Hawley , chairman of the select
committee of the senate on ordnance and
war ships , has submitted the committee's
report. It gives an exhaustive account of
the examinations by the committee of the
principal works and yards in this country
and England , and of the information gained
from other sources , and as a result gives
the following conclusions : The United
States is metallurgically independent for all
purposes of warfare. For steel making tho
casting capacity is ample , but heavy forg
ing and the finishing of guns and arms will
require new and costly plants. The means
of building iron or steel ships are lacking.
As a partial check upon private builders ,
and as a resource in case of necessity , some
ships should be built in the nnvy yards ,
parts to be furnished by private foundries.
The ships in general should be built by
private contract , and private yards are
capable of doing the work. Guns should
be made of open hearth Hteel , forged , breech
loading , chambered , of calibres ranging
from five to sixteen inches/ lengths rang
ing from thirty to thirty-five cali
bres. Armor and projectiles should be
made of forged steel. Ships should be
constructed of etecl , but certain minor
classes jnay be a composite of steel and
wood. The government should establish
two factories for machine finishing and as
sembling guns. The weight of opinion
among army and navy experts and promi
nent manufacturers of heavy work in steel
decidedly indicates the Washington navy
yard and tho Watervliet arsenal as the
best sites for such factories. All needed
private capital is ready for cheerful co-op
eration with the government in whatever it
may require. Proposals for armor and
guns should require such quantities and ex
tend over such series of ye.ars as to justify
private persons in securing the best plant.
Payments should be made only for com
pleted work , and only the guaranteed bids
of persons having capital and experience
should be considered.
A BOOSTED WOJUAl RESPITED.
Mary Ellen Williams , sentenced to hang
Yorkville , S. C. , on the 12th , for poison
ing her husband and three children , has
been respited until March 19 , in conse
quence ol approaching maternity.
USGISLAXTTE yEWS JLD KOTSS ,
JL Record , of Proceedings in Roth Branches
of tlie U. S. Conaresf.
SENATE , Feb. 8. On motion o ! Logan ,
the senate took up and passed the bill
providing for the sale to the Chicago and
Great Western railroad company of what
is known as the Bridewell property , in
Chicago. Among bills introduced were the
following : By Senator Ingalls To amend
the present pension law , so that all honor
ably discharged officers of the army and
navy , who served in the war of the rebel
lion and were wounded or disabled , should
be entitled to pension , which shall In al
lowed from the date of discharge , and , thai
widows of euch officers bhall be entitled to
their husband's pension after their death
ns long as they remain unmarried. By
Senator Sherman Authorizing the presi
dent to invite all governments of Mexico ,
Central America , South America and Bra
zil to send delegates to meet in convention
at Washington upon such day as he may
appqint , during the present year , to con
sider such questions as relate to the best
mode of establishing upon a firm and last
ing basis peaceful and reciprocal commer
cial relations.
HOUSE , Feb. 8. The following bills , etc. ,
were introduced and referred : By Morri
son Calling on the secretary of the treas
ury for information relating to the amount
claimed in suits against collectors for
duties illegally exacted. By Springer To
enable the people of Dakota east of the
Missouri river to form a constitution and
state government. By Henderson A reso
lution requesting the secretary of the treas
ury to submit to the house his views as to
the limit of the cost now fixed by law of
public buildings now in conrse of construc
tion or authorized to be constructed , and
to state whether , in his judgment , the limits
now fixed are such as will enable the depart
ment to erect suitable buildings. By Law-
ler For the erection of a public building
on the Bridewell property at Chicago.
SENATE , Feb. 0. The chair laid before
the senate a message from the president
transmitting information relating to sur
veys of public lands in Nebraska. The
senate took up and , after a short debate ,
passed the bill to exlend the laws of the
United States over the unorganized terri
tory south of the state of Kansas and
known as "the public land strip. " Sena
tor Manderson reported favorably his bill
to increase the efficiency of the inftintry
branch of the army , known as the "three
battalion bill. " Senator Logan , from the
committee on military affairs , reported
favorably his bill to increase the efficiency
of the army , with some amendments there
to by the committee. Cameron called up
his bill to provide for the appointment of
an assistant secretary of the navy. Lo
gan submitted an amondment providing
for the appointment also of an assistant
secretary of war at § 4,000 per annum.
The amendment was ordered printed and
the bill went over.
HOUSE , Feb. 9. Morrison , from the com
mittee on ways and means , reported the
resolution calling on the secretary of the
treasury for information as to the sums of
money claimed in suits against collectors
of customs for duties illegally exacted on
imported merchandise , now pending in the
southern district of New York. Adopted.
Reports were made : By Miller , from the
banking and currency committee ' ! he sen
ate bill authorizing the receiver of any na
tional bank to use so much of the money
of trust as may be necessary to purchase
any property on which the bank may have
a legal claim. By Davis , from the commii-
tee on commerce Providing for the inves
tigation of the discovery of preventing yel
low fever by inoculation. By Warner , from
the committee on postoOices and post-
roaori To reduce the fee on money orders
for $5 or less from eight to live cents.
Placed on the house calendar.
SENATE , Feb. 10. The bill to allow dis
charged army officers one years' pay and
allowances , was reported adversely. The
following bills were reported favorably : By
Senator Manderson To provide for hold
ing at least one term of the United States
district and circuit courts for the district
of Nebraska in each year at the following
named places : Omaha , Lincoln , Nebraska
City , Hastings , Norfolk and Kearney. By
Senator Allison Authorizing the commis
sioner of the .general land office to readjust
the accounts of registers of the land offices
and icceivcrs of public moneys who served
as such from March 22 , 1S52 , to July 1 ,
1SC2 , and to audit and settle the military
bounty land warrant fees which they were
compelled by order of thegeneraljand office
to pay into the treasury , to audit and set
tle commissions on purchase money ,
charges made by them for guard service ,
transportation and depositing public
moneys due to them to ba refunded with in
terest at G per cent. It appropriates
1,000,000 for this purpose. Mr. Hoar
offered a resolution that the committee on
library consider and report at an early day
the expediency of theerection at the seat of
government of a statue or monument to
the late illustrious Gen. Wiafield Scott
Hancock.
HOUSE , Feb. 10. Mr. Blanchard offered'
a series of resolutions reciting that this
house has learned with profound sorrow ol
the great and irreparable loss which the
country has sustained in the death of that
great and good man , Maj. Gen. Winfield S.
Hancock ; that thisliouse. in common with
all his countrymen , mourn the death of
him whn was the stainless uoldi.-r for the
union in war and tho undaunted defender
of the constitution and of civil liberty in
peace , and at all times the stainless man
and incorruptible ; that as a mark of re
spect and affection for the exalted virtue
of this hero and patriot , this house do now
adjourn ; that the speaker of the house be
directed to transmit , to the widow of the
honored dead a copy of these resolutions
as an assurance of the heartfelt sympathy
of the house in this sorrowful bereavement ,
which is alike her's and the country's. The
resolutions were adopted and the house
adjourned.
SENATE , Feb. 11. Araon ? bills infcro
duced was one by Mitchell providing
for the repeal of all treaties , per
mitting the coming of Chinese to the
United States and prohibiting their
coming except in C.TSO of diplomatic and of
ficial personage. The bill to regulate the
promotion of Wesb Point graduates was
passed. Senator Dawes , from the commit
tee on Indian affairs , reported favorably
Van Wyck's bill authorizing the sscretary
i > f the'interior , with the consent of tho
Winncbago Indians in Nebraska , to caubB
to be surveyed and appraised in forty-acre
tracts about thirty-five thousand acres of
the Winnebago reservation and to sell the
same to settlers and allot the remainder of
the reservation , except that portion sold
to the Chicago , St. Paul , Minneapolis and
Omaha Railroad company , to the Indians
in several ty. After considerable debate the
bill was passed as reported from the com
mittee. Adjourned until Monday.
HOUSE , Feb. 11. Wellborne , from the
committee on Indian affairs , reported the
Indian appropriation bill and it was re
ferred to committee of the whole. Adams ,
of Illinois , on-behalf of the committee on
banking and currency , called up the bill to
enable national banking associations to
incrca&e their capital stock and to change
their names or locations. The bill was
passed. Rogers , from the committee on
judiciary , reported the bill conferring civil
jurisdiction on certain cases arising in In
dian Territory on United States courts
which exercise criminal jurisdiction over
the territory. Placed on the house calen
dar. The Fitz Joha Porter bill was dis
cussed without action , and the house ad
journed.
n SOTELDO GETSIX TROTTBLE.
Charges Against Htm Filed With the Senate
Committee otiForclyn Relations.
Charges have been filed with the senate
committee on foreign relations against Mr.
Sotcldo , who has for several years been
stationed in Washington as the accredited
diplomatic representative of Venezuela ,
that Mr. Soteldo , while negotiating as tho
representative of Venezuela with Secretary
Bayard for the conclusion of a treaty to
Bet aside the Venezuelan bond awards on
the charge of fraud , was simultaneously
trying , in a confidential correspondence
with a New York merchant in the Venezue
lan trade , to take advantage of the depre
ciation in the market value of the awards
on the bonds issued by the Venezuelan
government , and that the depreciation
was caused by his diplomatic actions. In
other words , Mr. Soteldo is charged with'
using his official position to depreciate tho <
value of his government's bonds now held
by citizens of the United States for the
purpose of buying them up at a nominal
price. Among the documentary evidence
filed with the committee is a letter marked
"strictljconfidential , " and bearing date of
April 27 last , addressed by the Venezuelan
minister to his New York correspondent ,
in which occurs this paragraph :
If you could secure the wholeone million ,
two hundred and fifty-three thousand ,
three hundred and Venezuelan awards at
40 percent , computing in this 40 percent
the 15 paid , or bay 25 per cent , I will en
gage to get tiie thing done at once.
A few days before the minister is charged
with having written these words :
About the one million two hundred and
fifty-three thousand dollars Venezuelan
fraudulent an anis pardon the plain talk
which I have contested and will , it seems
to me if they could be purchased by you ,
at a very reasonable figure , I would have
my government to protect you.
Further , the Venezuelan minister is
charged with using his official influence to
bring about a review of the award made on
these bonds by internat onal arbitration ,
which award was declared to be final , and
to review which contemplated longdelay , a
probable reversion of _ the decision , and a
consequent dcpres-ion of their market
value , during which they were to be bought
UD at nominal figures. The charges were
filed by Crammond Kennedy , an attorney
of New York , who , itis understood , intends
prosecuting them vigorously. A member
of the senate committee on foreign relations
is quoted as having said that he believed
these charges wjll result in not only the re
moval of the minister , but the withdrawal'
of the treaty now pending between this
country and Venezuela. It is understood
that large blocks of the bonds are held by
certain Chicago , Lafayette and Minneapo
lis parties.
.1 WIFE 3IURDERER HUXG.
dins. Herman was hanged at Buffalo , N.
ST. , on the 12th. The crime for which Her
man was executed was the killing of his
wife , whom he charged with infidelity.
Three days elapsed before the discovery of
the crime. Herman was a native of Prus
sia and 42 years old. He lived in Chicago
some time , but went to Buffalo nine years
ago.
In Huntingdon , Pa. , a few days ago an
unknown boy called at the residence of train
dispatcher Thomas Westbroolc , and informed
Mrs. Wcstbrook that her sister Lizzie , living
on Washington street , was dyinc : . Mrs. Wesf-
brookandher daughter hurried immediately
to the supposed sick sister. Finding them
selves duped , they returned horce , rnly to find
their residence broken into and robb d of ? 4-
503 , mostly in gold , the savings of a life time ,
and a large number of valuable papers. There
is no clue to the perpetrators of the robbery.
In an article entitled "An Epidemic De
lusion , " Dr. Foote's Health Monthly for Feb
ruary say : "Pasteur is not alone to blame 'or
fanning this unfortunate flame. For the sake
of sensation several newspapers have pub-
b'shed column after column of exaggerated
news and abused theories , and a few doctors
have taken advantage of the furore to abtain
some free advertising or notoriety. In several
of our cities it has been proposed , by men who
ought to know better , to establish hydropho
bia inoculation hospitals. Pasteas says it
would take three years to prepare such a hos
pital for patients , and we agree with him in
one thing at least that the institution in Paris
fs sufficient for the needs of Europe and the
United States. One Is certainly enough until
that one shall have proven that it has good
reason to exist that there is utility fn it and
necessity for it. "
A TERT BOLD , SAD
IP7io , In Order to Commit Robbery , liccomes
Reckless With Ills Shooting Irony.
One ol tne most sensational attempts at
robbery in the history of the city , saya a
Kansas City dispatch , occurred last night.
Shortly after 7 o'clock the sharp report of
a revolver rang out in the jewelry store of
Mr. S. S. Baker , 554 Main street. It was
quickly followed by another , and then a
bald-headed man , with a revolver in hia
hand , burst through the front door. As he
reached the sidewalk he steadied himself
for a moment and then fired through tho
store door at a second man who was in hot
pursuit. Then ho started on a run across
Main street toward Sixth , followed by cries
of "Stop thief ! Stop thief ! " As he ran up
the south sideof Sixthstrceta man started
to follow him. Quick as a flash the fleeing
man raised his revolver and fired , and tho
unfortunate pursuer fell bleeding on the
sidewalk with a bullet through his mouth.
The shooting was the result of a bold
attempt at a diamond robbery. Shortly
after 7 o'clock a well dressed man entered
Mr. Baker's store and asked Mr. R F.
Mohr , who has charge of the house in Mr.
Baker's absence , to be shown some
diamonds. Mr. Mohr not out a tray of
the precious stones , and the man began
to examine them. Suddenly ho picked up
a handful of the diamonds and commenced
to back toward the door. Mr. Mohr ran
out from behind the counter and the man
drew a revolver. Mr. Mohr caught hold of
him and the struggle beganin the course
of which the thief dropped the diamonds
on the floor. Sf r. Mohr was struck over
the head with the revolver several times ,
but he held on gamely. A. N. Ochler , a
clerk who was in the rear of the store ,
seized a 45-caIiber revolver and started to
help Mr. Mohr. The robber saw.
him coming and raised his revolver.
Ochler saw the motion and jerked
his head aside as the re
volver exploded. The bullet just grazed
his neck and crashed through a glass case
in the rear of the room. Then the robber
tore loose from ilr. Mohr and dashed
through the door , leaving his hat and a
white silk handkerchief behind him. As ho
reached the sidewalk Mr. Ochler fired at
him. Wheeling around he fired back into
the store at Mr. Mohr , who was following
him , and then dashed across the street.
At the corner of Sixth and Main streets he
met Mr. Charles H. Surrles and wantonly
shot him down.
As soon as word of the shooting was re
ceived at the Central police station , tho
men on duly were furnished with a descrip
tion of the thief and notified to keep a
sharp lookout. The detectives tracked
him through the alley to Seventh street ,
and found that he had been seen at Seventh
and Grand avenue , but there all trace was
lost. Chief Speers said last night that they
had a good description of the man and
they thought that his"capture would bo
effected. Up to a late hour this morning
he had not been heard of.
THEREJLIISS OF GARFIEZD.
tticlr Removal to a Sarcophagus of Un
doubted Durability.
Cleveland (0. ( ) dispatch : The bronze
casket containing the remains of the lats
President Garfield having shovn unmis
takable evidence of decay , it was decided
by the widow and family to have the re
mains transferred to one of .undoubted
durability. The new casket is a marvel of
beauty and workmanship. This morning
the undertaker , accompanied by James R.
Garfield and a half doz'en others , took the
casket to the cemetery , where the transfer
was made without incident. The casket
was not opened , but placed in the sar
cophagus , under direction of the under
taker. The outer cover was then hermetic
ally sealed , and the remains lost to mortal
view forever. The sarcophagus was then
returned to the vault , where it will remain
till the handsome monument which is to
be erected is completed.
The sarcophagus is a work of art. It is
of solid bronze metal and handsomely or
namented , and weighs 450 pounds. The
top is partially oval , and massive handles
run along the sides and ends. The entire
sarcophagus rests on four lion's feet , oneat
each corner , indicating strength. A hand
some tablet six by fifteen inches is placed
on top of the sarcophagus. On each sids
are lilies. Oak leaves and acorns orna
ment the projections in the center , while
lichen and calicanthus are intertwined , giv
ing a beautiful effect. The tablet was de
signed as symbolical of the dead nresidcnt ,
symbolizing his love of home l > lichens ,
love of mankind by calicanthus. hi purity
by the lily , and his courage by the oak.
The cost of the sarcophagus was $2,000.
The military guard will be continued about
the vault till next June.
An officer of the army in Salt Lake re
ceived a letter from a brother officer in
Arizona in a position to know , raying :
"Crawford was foully murdered by the
Mexicans. That is all there is to it. They
knew who it was they were killing , and had
been talking to them nearly half an hour
befotvsliootinz at him. "
THE MARKETS.
OMAHA.
WHEAT No. 2 G2
BAKLEY No. 2 48
RYE No. 2 44 @
CORN No. 2 mixed 22 @
OATS No. 2 214@ } 21
BUTTER Fancy creamery. . 25 @ 2G
BUTTER Choice roll 14 @ 1G
EGGS Fresh 1C @ 17
CHICKENS Dressed per Ib. . . 9 @ 10
TURKEYS Dressed perlb. . . . 8 @ W
DUCKS Dressed per Ib 9 @ 10
GEESE Dressed per Ib 8 @ 8
LEMONS Choice 400 @ 450
APPLES Choice 2 50 @ 3 00
ORANGES Mesina 2 00 @ i 00
BEANS Navys 1 25 @ 1 50
ONIONS Per bushel 75 @ 80
POTATOES Per bushel 45 @ 50
GREEN APPLES Per bbl. . . . 2 75 @ 3 24
WOOL Fine , per Ib 14 @ 1G
SEEDS Timothy 2 25 @ 2 50
SEEDS Blue Grass 130 @ 140
HAY Baled , per ton 500 @ G 50
HAY In bulk G 25 @ G 75
HOGS Mixed packing 3 50 @ 3 75
BEEVES Butchers.3 15 @ 3 50
NEW YORK.
WHEAT No. 2 red 92& @ 93
WHEAT Ungraded red 75 @ 90
CORN No. 2 f 51 © 51
OATS Mixed western 37 @ 3SV
PORK 10 50 @ll 00
LARD G 45 @ G 47
CHICAGO.
FLOUR Choice winter 440 @ 4 85
FLOUR Spring extra 3 70 @ 4 00
WHEAT Perbushel 79t' @ SO
CORN Per bushel 3GK © 37
OATS Per bushel 29K ® 30
PORK 10 77J4 10 80
LARD : G 12 @ G 25
lions Packing < tshipping. 4 10 @
CATTLE Stockers 2 40
SHEEP Western 2 25
ST. LOUIS.
WHEAT No. 2 red
CORN Perbushel 33Ji (
OATS Per bushel . . _
HOGS Mixed packing 4 00 @
CATTLE Stockers & feeders 275
SHEET Common to choice 2 50 @
KANSAS CITY.
WHEAT Pe'r bushel
CORN Per bushel % (
OATS Per bushel
CATTLE Exports 5 20
HOGS Good to choice 3 90
SHEEP Common to good. . 2 75 @
A DEFENSELESS CITY.
The Fortifications in New York
Bay Forts and Batteries.
Per Shovr Only Ho Possible Eesistanca
to an Iron-Glad.
Along tho Jfarrovrs.
If any European nation should declare
war on the United States to-morrow ,
says The New York Tribune , the people
of H"e\r York might naturally begin to
wonder what could be done to keep the
enemy from capturing this city. It
! would not encourage them to learn that
if they set to work immediately , and
spared neither men nor millions , the de
fenses in the harbor could not be put in
fair shape in six years. Possibly by us
ing the electric light , and keeping up
the labor by relief gangs night and day ,
I the task might be finished in about four
years. Eviilentljthat would not do
much good. Within two weeks after
war was declared probably a foreign
iron-clad would appear oft'Sandy Hook.
If any one of the American war vessels ,
which by that time doubtless would have
been collected here , should go out * to
give the enemy battle , a couple of fehots
from a twenty-inch gun would speedily
make a wreck of it. It is not likely ,
however , that the United States fleet
would venture outside Sandy Hook. It
would take up a position near the nar
rows , which is the true line of defense
for this city.
The hostile iron-clad , meanwhile , if
she were one of the best , like theDuillio ,
of Italy , for instance , would like about
a mile'east of Sandy Hook , and just to
give the Yankees a taste of what was to
be expected , might send a shot from a
twenty-inch smooth-bore toward Eort
Wadsworth , eleven miles away. Prob
ably at that distance the shot would do
little harm. It would not be possible to
aim with an } * accuracy on shipboard so
far off ; but ii by chance the shot should
strike the stonework of old Eort Rich
mond , which constitutes the lower part
of Eort Wadsworth , it would certainly
break it all up. There would be no re
ply to these attentions from the foe
from any point in the harbor. There is
no gun here that could begin to reach an
enemy eleven miles away. Presently
the iron-clad would steam slowly
into the lower bay , having no fear of the
fort which was begun long ago on the
point of Sandy Hook and never finished.
If the officers chose to go ashore and
examine the spot , they would lind the
outline of a fort larger than any other
fortification on the Ailantic coat. But
its parapets are entirely unfinished , and
are of stone , only ten or fifteen feet high.
At present the ground is used only for
testing ordnance , as the guns lying
about there testify.
Approaching the narrows the enemy
for a moment might be impressed by
the strong position of Fort Wadsworth.
The ship channel there is only three-
quarters of a mile wide , and with the
high hills rising on the west the whole
situation naturally offers excellent op
portunities for defense. The big fort ,
however , is antiquated and of little ac
count in its present condition. The
masonry in the water line was old Eort
Richmond. Without an armor of iron
over the stonework it would be only a
slaughter pen in a fight with a ship arm
ed with modern guns. Above is the
main fort with impressive outlines in
earthworks. But the parapets , which
are neatly sodded , are all too narrow ,
being only twenty to twenty-five feet
wide. In order to resist fire from high-
power guns they should be at least fifty
feet thick. Some of the work is of ma
sonry , which , although high tip , would
be easily damaged by mortar-boats.
The cost of covering stone-work with
iron plate thick enough to withstand
the heaviest guns is great , being about
825,000 per gun : that is , if the fort
mounted : i hundred guns the cost of
plating it would be S2.oOO.OGO. Plating
of this kind is preferred by foreign na
tions to earthworks. Other means of
lefense at Eort Wadsworth are the out
lying fortifications the batteries. The
North Cliff battery , lying north of the
main fort , is an earthwork of twelve
guns. Thence going to the south one
comes to Fort Richmond 011 the water
line , already described. Further down
is the South Cliff battery for twelve
guus : thence veering around toward the
west are Hudson battery and two mor
tar batteries. Fort Richmond would
hold a hundred guns , but it would be of
no use to put them there now. lu the
north and south cliff batteries the guns
are all unserviceable. Within the en
tire fortification there are comparatively
few cannon that could be used at all.
At present at Eort Wadsworth there are
only thirty-eight men of the 5th artil
lery , under Lieut. Col. Closson. This
"
is "not enough of a force to keep the
place in order , to say nothing of pro
tecting the property. It is only a
few years ago that some thieves stole
the brass work from a lot of gun-car
riages and the $10 locks from the mag
azines. Since then the officers have
been obliged to keep most of the gun-
mountings in their quarters as well as
the loose parts of the tackle ropes and
blocks. The stolen property has never
been replaced.
Across from Fort Richmond on the
water is Fort Lafayette. It is composed
of brickwork , stone , and old iron. In
its present condition it is absolutely
good for nothing but a store house , and
not very good for that , as the woodwork
inside was all burned out some time ago ,
but both Fort Richmond and Fort La
fayette might be made exceedingly use
ful as termini for a torpedo system. The
masonry should be protected by an iron
plate thirty inches thick , and then the
electric aparatus by which the torpedoes
could be exploded would be of safety
within.
Eort Hamilton , which rises on the
cast side of the narrow ? just above fort
Lafayette , is also an antiquated struct
ure. Its parapets are only twenty-live
feet thick and the main part of the fort
is of stone. It is a mere shell now , but
it could be plated with iron and made
substantial. At this point is the only
twenty-inch smooth-bore mounted in
this country. There are in addition
thirty fifteen-inch guns , smooth-bores ,
two eight-inch nile guus , and one elev
en-inch riile gun. All these pieces are
mounted in the water battery ( earth
works ) lying along the shore south of
the main fort. A'lower battery along
the water-line has no guns at all upon
it , but it could be made a strong point.
There is no cannon in the fort proper ,
except the morning and evening gun.
Its condition in this respect is like that
of Fort Wadsworth , except that at Fort
Wadsworth tho solitary gun in tho main
fort can not be tired. It is feared that
the recoil would knock it over into the
parade ground.
The present state of things in the for
tifications at the narrows would proba
bly not continue long after a declaration
of war ; but not a great deal could be
done to strengthen"them in two weeks
except to send more men there ; and the
men could really do nothing when once
they were there" . In approaching the
narrows , however , an enemy's iron-clad
would move cautiously , being on the
lookout for torpedoes , or during these
two weeks Gen. Abbott and the eugi-
neer corps , stationed at this portwould
have been busily at work placing explo
sives in the channel for some distance
below tho forts. It is a surprising fact
that there arc torpedoes at Eort Wads-
worth now , and it is supposed that Gen.
Abbott even now knows how these ex
plosives should be best placed in the har
bor. Of course the plan is a
secret ; but there are the torpe
does and the wire , and by the
time a hostile iron-clad was steaming
from Sandy Hook , Gen. Abbott would be
standing somewhere with his hand OH
the electrical apparatus ready to touch
oil"any number of submarine monsters.
As there is no place either at Fort Ham
ilton where this apparatus could be
placed in perfect security , owing to the
weakness of the fortifications , the enemy
by a few well-directed shots might knock
Gen. Abbott and all his electricity into
nowhere before he had a chance to ex
plode a single torpedo effectively. But
granting that Gen. Abbott could be kept
alive , with all his appurtenances unin
jured , the enemy would even then hardly
be badly scared. The iron-clad would
doubtless be attended lesser
by war-ves
sels which would precede her. If the
American men-of-war iiad not
- - disap
peared up the North river they might
show fight , for which pluck they would
presently find themselves blown into
atoms by hot shot from the iron-clad , OH
whose armor their little cannon ball. ?
would make only a scratch. The oppos
ing men-of-war having been thus dis
posed of , the enemy could easily afford
to send ahead a vessel or two to be blown
up and thus exhaust the torpedo system.
In some such manner a way would be
opened to let the dreaded iron-chid pass
the narrows. She would be fired at by
the few eleven-inch guns at both Fort
Wadsworth and Eort Hamilton , but if
they hit her at all the } would not do
much more than make a dent in the
monster's sides. It is doubtful , indeed ,
if the iron-clad would be hit at all. No
money is allowed by the govern * > icnt to
pay for fioatiug targets , and the v.onsc-
quence is that the oHicers and men in ,
the forts who have chargo of the ekvon-
inch riile guns have had no practice , and
would not be able , therefore , to aim or
fire with accuracy.
It is not believed by army men that
an iron-clad such as is thus supposed to
be coming up the bay would take the
trouble to reply to the peppery fire of
the forts. It would cost her anywhere
from $200 to $400 to fire a shot , and the
commander would not consider any of
the forts worth firing at unless it Vere
thought best to disable them entirely.
Yet it is possible that Fort Richmond
and Eort Lafayette would be knocked
down. It would take just about one
shot apiece to finish them , and the cost
would not be over $800. That would
effectively put an end to the project of
using them as termini for a. torpedo
sy.-tem.
When onco a mile past Fort Wads-
worth nobody on the irou-clad would need
to take the trouble to keep out of sight.
The officers might sit on ( Jock and smoke
in safety , for not .1 gun in the harbor
that could reach thoir VC-.M" ! could be
aimed at her , owing to their defwthv
carriages. At this point a small-boat
with a white Hag would probably put up
to the city to inform tho terrified mayor
and board of aldernnm that for two"or
three hundred millions ( in gold , not sil
ver , coin ) the city would not be bom
barded. If the authorities should hesi
tate a = hot from a twcnty-fotir-inch gun
would knock the city hall into gravel
and bring them to terms.
There 7nv fortifications on Governor's
island : but if an enemy could pass the
narrows these would be of little avail.
On the island , hovrever. are Eort Colum
bus and an open battery to the south.
Neither would be good for much , if any
thing , : : s a means of dcfen-e. On the
water's edge to tiie we-t is old Castl--
William , a mere shi-11 of stone. It is
absolutely ijrod for nothing except to
hold the saluting guns and the morning
and evening gun. Contrary to popular
opinion , the guns on top of the castle
arc not of painted wood , but are real
cannon. But they arc old and "wormy"
and explode easily , as several accidents
of late years have proved. No salutes
are fired at any of the other forts in the
harbor without special orders. Insig
nificant as the fortilications are , it will
be notified that they are the theat-r of
all the war-like exhibitions now indulged
in about the port. From Castle William
the official salutes thunder forth , and
there the morning and evening gun Ls
fired. This gallant act is performed by
a soldier designated as No.i in his com
pany , and at sundown and sunrise h ( ;
goes to the exposed spot west of the
castle , pulls a string , and boom ! the
sun can either rise or ' et as it happens
to wish. It should be remarked that
South battery on the inland at present is
famou > as baincrwhun- officers"mess
is situated : also the billiard-room is
there. . Also to 02 seen there are five
ten-inch guns. Between this battery
and Castle William is a mortar battery
near the water's edge : but there are nu
siege r.ms or mortars in it. In llw
main Fort Columbus , mounted in bar
bette , ten-inch ,
are twenty-five - guns
smooth-bore. The officc-rs' quarters are
inside. At present the following are all
the United States < roops stationed about
the fortifications in the bay :
Fort Wadsworth. about 40 men.
Port Hamilton , .ilxjut. 12.1 mi'ii.
At Governor's KlamI , about 120 men.
At the three posts 32 oilurre.
Total 312
TJte Boston Etarint'ithinks oflioaiiir
clergyman should never osculate with lirhU- ,
and doss not know "by what rhjht juni-tor >
kiss any woman but their wives anil chlhln-n ,
or soiuc other vcrv near relatives.
