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Before- takiii: SLUMP IN ALL STOCKS. BKCORD OF ONE YEAR A TWELVENIONTH WITH WILLIAM M'KINLEY PRESIDENT.- -Even His Political Enemies Are Forced to Acknowledge the Gratiliying Im­ provement in the Business Condition •of the Country. One Year of McKinley. Hon. William McKinley, of Ohio, has been President of the United States for •one year. The campaign that preceded •his election was, in some of its fea­ tures, the most notable in the history •of the country as a direct issue was made between.a sound currency, and a financial system which meant nothing less than a repudiation of the govern­ ment's obligations. It was the issue of liational honor against national dis­ honor and national triumph in such a way as to declare to the world that this was an honest government, one that meant to pay its debts in honest mon­ ey, worth dollar for dollar, one that could not and would not defnvud its creditors or repudiate any of its obliga­ tions to those who had trusted it and who had come to its aid in its hour of need. But the victory of the Republican candidate for President in that cam­ paign meant even more than this. For a number of years the bi%Viaess of the country had been in a depressed con­ dition. Account for it as you may, capital had grown timid, and insitead of seeking investment in industrial en­ terprises had hidden itself in the vaults or found a resting place in »uch Invest­ ments as could not be affected by the uncertainties that prevailed in the markets of the country. There was no contidence among business men. Mer­ chants instead of branching out and trying to increase their trade, were not only holding back, but were narrowing the limits of their operations, so that if disaster came upon them, their losses would be the minimum. A large num­ ber of the most important industries of the country were seriously crippled, and some of them seemed to be hope­ lessly wrecked. MilLs had stopped run­ ning, mines had been abandoned, and most of those factories that were do­ ing any work at all were operating on short time and with less than half the usual force. The army of the unem­ ployed had thousands upon thousands in its ranks, and seemed to be grow­ ing all the time. The treasury of the United States, in spite of repeated loans, was in a demoralised condition, showing larger and larger deficits ev^ ery month. The outlook, certainly, was not a cheerful one, and there weri< very few who could be convinced that with the inauguration of a Republican Presi­ dent, pledged to sound money and a wise tariff policy would come a com­ plete reversal of business conditions, that prosperity would follow close up­ on the heels of adversity, and that a general trade revival would begin at once. People pooh-poohed the idea, made fun of it, laughed at it, until the change for the better became so mark­ ed in all parts of the country--east, west, north and south--that they had to stop their jokes at its expense and- ad­ mit that a marvelous transformation had occurred. Carrying out the prom­ ises made to the people Congress was called together and a tariff bill passed, one that is by no means perfect, but one that has already put the treasury of the country into decent shape, check­ ed the monthly deficits and placed the receipts of the Government more than on a par with its expenditures. The country's business revival has hut begun. The record of the past year, remarkable though it was in nearly every branch of trade and commerce, is but an earnest of even a greater record for the second year of this administra­ tion. There have been very few pe­ riods iu the history of this country when the people were enjoying a larg­ er share of substantial prosperity than they are to-tfrry.^ In view of this and in view of the magnificent work done by this administration for the good of this land, it is now the solemn duty of the American people to stand by the man they have chosen as the chief executive of the. Government under which they live. Have faith in the President of the Uflited States. Be assured that he can bf; trusted to act with prudence and discretion, and at the same time, to xiphoid the honor of this, the greatest nation of the world.--Baltimore Ameri­ can. Exclusion, Not Protection. Those Democratic papers which never lose an opportunity tq attack the protective tariff have been justifying the action of the German government in excluding American apples and other fruits. They say that we are simply getting a dose of our own medicine. There is a great deal of difference be­ tween an act of exclusion and a pro­ tective tariff. Germany now taxes many imports. So does England. The right of a nation to tax imports is riot denied in our contentions with Ger­ many. If Germany wants to place a duty on imported apples, we cannot ob­ ject. But that-duty must be general; that is, it must be applied to the im­ ports from all countries, unless there is an equivalent rendered under re­ ciprocity or. favored nation customs; As we understand it, Germany does so levy duties on imports from America. What is objected to in the recent order is the fact that our fruits were ex­ cluded and not only excluded but branded as dangerous, that is affected with diseases or noxious insects. It does not require a large amount of explanation to show that there is a great and a vital difference between German exclusion^ and American pro­ tection. Should Be Bone by Friends. Experience proves that there is no Interruption of prosperity caused by revision of the tariff where those do It who are guided by the great protec­ tive principle that American-interests, whatever they are, must be paramount. • The Republican party has discussed and adopted a dozen changes in the tariff since 1800, and not one of them •caused the slightest diminution of con­ fidence or interfered in the smallest de­ gree with business progress. The con­ sideration of the McKinley bill was co­ incident with the highest tide of pros­ perity. Tlie preparation of the Diugley bill was accompanied by steady prog­ ress toward better times. It was only when the tariff was being tinkered with by those whose avowed purpose was to ^disregard American interests that paralysis fell-upon the business of the nation.--Poughkeepsie Eagle. Congress with the President. President McKinley lias so carried himself in the greatest crisis that lias come upon the country since the war for the Union as to call forth commen­ dation and support from members of all parties, and from every section of the country. It must be very gratifying to him to receive these testimonials, coming at a time when they signify much, not only to himself, but to all critics at home and abroad who have prophesied that the people and the President would in some way fail when tdie crucial test of patriotism came. It is very important to liavp. in times of great excitement a cool-headed and courageous man in the President's chair. It is more important to have that cool-headed and courageous man close­ ly in sympathy with the finer impulses and higher convictions of the people. The United States stands to-day with a man in the President's chair who has exhibited the judgnieiit, the courage, the adroitness of the statesman in grappling with a momentous issue, and who has behind him the Senate, and the House of Representatives, and the people of every State. Such a spectacle in these modern times is as rare as it is Impressive.--Chicago Inter Ocean. Subsidies Not Necessary. It will not be necessary to subsidize vessels to build up our merchant ma­ rine. A discriminating duty, so grad­ uated as to time that it will give op­ portunity to build American ships to carry our prodsuehs, will effect the de­ sired change without cost to the peo­ ple. And when we take into consider­ ation the beneficial results that must come to American industries and work- ingmen from our building this commer­ cial marine, more than ever is borne upon us tihe necessity and policy of prompt and sufficient action by Con­ gress which will set the shipyards and machine shops in operation to carry out the grand plan of American ships for American products.--Tacoma Led­ ger. New Kind of Argument. A Democratic paper comx>lains that "Great Britain, France arid Germany are responding to American tariff re­ strictions on their goods by setting up their textile plants in America." This is supposed to work a hardship by in­ troducing foreign capital and labor, fj new kind of free trade argument, but not much worse than the others.--St. Louis Globe-Democrat. Will Bring Order Out of Chaos. To our Democratic free trade friend* we say: Peace! Be sit ill! Possess your souls in patience! and whether you de­ sire it or not, the policies of the Repub­ lican /party will rectify matters, and bring order out of chaos iu Which four years of Democratic misrule left the country.--St. Louis Star-Sayings. May Put Up the Bars. President McKinley has the author­ ity to put up the bars so high that Ger­ man manufactures and products can be kept out of this country entirely. He is quite likely to use that power if Ger­ many persists in its policy of reprisal. --Syracuse Post. Maintain the Level. There is a possible level above which wages cannot be forced, and it is the province of a protective tariff to pre­ vent this level from being a low one.-- American Craftsman. Awful Robbery. Sheep that solid for 50 cents a head under the Wilson bill now sell for $4 per head. "The robber tariff!"--Spring­ field (Mo.) Republican. Bingley Tariff Tonic. After taking. The expiration of the charter of a toll road company is held, in Virginia Can­ on Toll-Road Company vs. people, Viv­ ian (Col.), 37 L. R. A. 711, to make the road a public way--at least if the cor­ poration had onlv an easement therein and did not own the fee. A note to this case is on the subject of the right to take tolls without a franchise. PASSED IN A HURRY. DEFENSE FUND VOTED WITH- OUT WASTE OF TIME. Senate and House Unanimous to a Man in Favor of the $50,000,000 Emer­ gency • Bill -- Montgomery Now at Havana--Sheriff Martin Acquitted. With a Whoop. On Tuesday the House by a unanimous Vote appropriated $50,000,000 to be used by the President for national defense. Wednesday the Senate, also by a unani­ mous vote and without debate, passed the House bill within the length of time con­ sumed in reading it and calling the roll. In other words, the Senate in fifteen min­ utes authorized the President to expend $50,000,000 if uecessary to defend the honor of the natiou,- The unity of the American people may be a surprise and a revelation to those unfamiliar with American character, -says a Washington correspondent. In some quarters' there has been a beiief that the enmities of sec­ tional strife and the bitterness of our po­ litical contests had divided the people beyond the possibility of reunion. But suddenly the nation finds its peace endan­ gered ami its honor menaced from with­ out, and lo, in a breath, as it were, every- local dissension has vanished and the peo­ ple are united in.a common purpose. For two days at least the United States Con­ gress contained neither Republicans, Democrats nor Populists, but Americans only. - 1 In a spirit of patriotism, \yith eloquent words ringing in their eats, every member of the House of Representatives respond­ ed to the President's first call to meet the Spanish situation by casting a vote for a bill placing in President Mclvinley's hands $50,000,000 to be expended at his discretion for the national defense. Party lines were swept away and with a unani­ mous voice Congress voted its confidence in the administration. Many members who were paired with absent colleagues took 'the responsibility of breaking their pairs| an unprecedented thing in legisla­ tive annals, in order that they might go on record in support of this vast appro­ priation to maintain the dignity and honor of the country. Speaker Reed, who as presiding officer seldom votes, except in case of a tie, had his name called and vot­ ed in his capacity as a Representative. The 'scene of enthusiasm which greeted CRUISER MONTGOMERY the announcement of the vote--yeas, 311; nays, none--has seldom been paralleled in the House. On Wednesday the Senate distanced the House when it came to prompt action. All the traditional conservatism of that body was thrown to the winds. It took less than thirty minutes' time and no speeches to pass the bill in the Senate, while the House gave up more than three hours to debate* The blind chaplain had hardly concluded the usual morning invocation when Senator Hale, erstwhile the "con­ servative" of tiie Senate on the Cuban question, the friend of the late Minister de Lome, made the report from the Com­ mittee on Appropriations and added that the committee had unanimously agreed to the fifty millions. The Senator asked for an immediate vote and, as is the custom in the Senate, called for the yeas and 'nays. There was no objection and the fa­ miliar nasal sound of the voice of the Senate clerk rang out announcing a roll call. Not a dissent was raised. The venerable Sen if tors sat about with grave faces. The most distinguished au­ dience that has assembled in the Senate gallery this session looked down upon the impressive act of legislation, so unusual in the Senate. It. is sale to assert that never before had that body appropriated money at the rate of $2,000,000 a minute with such unanimity. The result was an­ nounced--70 votes in the affirmative. No dissenting vote. No Senators present and not voting. The remaining Senators that compose the body were accounted for by the traditional respect for pairs which characterizes the Senate. No applause greeted the announcement. The House on Tuesday applauded, roared, hissed or laughed by turns. Not a sign of approval or disapproval was raised in the Senate, for the rule forbids it. At 3:40 o'clock Wednesday afternoon the emergency ap­ propriation bill was signed by President McKinley and became a law. When it conies to facilitating business and making no noise about it. the Senate stands without a peer in the estimation of parliamentarians. Three minutes af­ ter it had given its assent so unostenta­ tiously to a war measure the Senate sounded four bells and closed the doors, in order to work out the problem of an unconfirmed postmaster in the sworn se­ crecy of its own councils. MINERS MAY STRIKE. Trouble Brewing in Kanawha and New River Coal Districts. From present indications there will be a general strike of the 2,000 coal miners in the Wanawha and New River districts of West Virginia April I. The Chesa­ peake and Ohio Coal Asosciation, com­ posed of the various operators along the river, had a meeting at Charleston and .considered a statement made to them some time ago by Fred Dileher of the ex­ ecutive board of the United Mine Work­ ers. Mr. Dileher stated again to the op­ erators that unless they signed the Chi­ cago agreement and complied with the agreement of the United Mine Workers' organization that he would order a gen­ eral strike April 1. It is generally understood that five op­ erators will not accede to the demand of the organization. Prominent State offi­ cials conferred with the operators, but failed to secure even a promise of arbitra-" tiori. The miners ask. for an advance of iO cents a ton. At present the miners are receiving 30 cents a ton for soft coal and 2% cents per bushel for hard coal, scrcen- ed>. ' ' . - i rrrr--, ; * 1 1 BOMBAY NATIVES RIOT. Resist Sanitary Measures and Murder Several Europeans. Serious native riots in opposition to the sanitary measures taken to check the spread of the bubonic plague have occur­ red in Bombay. A plague inspector and three English soldiers have been stoned to death by the mob, and other Europeans injured. Many rioters have been killed and wounded. The more ignorant iiatives have always resented the measures to stamp out the plague. The trouble began when a search­ ing party visited the native quarter to ascertain if there were any deaths from the plague iu the houses of low-caste Hin­ doos and Mohammedans. The intrusion was resented, and in a surprisingly short time a mob collected which vented its fury upon all Europeans in sight. The police tired a volley into the mob, killing six natives and wounding many others. Bus­ iness was suspended^ and all available troops and artillery were called out. During the rioting the European officers and police were severely mauled. Several civilian Europeans in the streets were beaten and stabbed, some of them dan­ gerously. A large number of .plague am­ bulances were seized and burned. At­ tempts were made'to set tire to the hos­ pitals. but these were checked. The Jam- setjee hospital was the scene -of an espe­ cially violent assault, during which one English surgeon was badly injured. Suc­ cessive rifle volleys alone saved the build­ ing from destruction. The number of riot­ ers killed iu these late assaults is un^ known, but is believed to have been great. British blue jackets have also been lauded to assist iii preserving order. CRUISER AT HAVANA. Montgomery Anchors in the Barbor Near the Wreck. The Fern has sailed from Havana for Key West, apd will return with supplies for the starving recohcentrados. She will deliver these supplies at several ports along the northern coast of Cuba. The Montgomery entered port at Havana and anchored in front of La Machina, near the wreck of the Maine, and facing the Spanish cruiser Vizcaya. Captain Con­ verse of the Montgomery, his officers and crew si>ent several hours 011 deck looking at the w recked American battleship. They all said that they had never before seen such complete destruction. There is much comment over the extraordinary precau­ tions taken by Captain Converse of the Montgomery. The Spanish officials con­ sider them to be "unexplaiuable." The AND HER COMMANDER. fact is that a double guard is posted at various points on the cruiser, and every boat that approaches her is stopped. If persons in the boat do not immediately give the countersign they are compelled to turn back. SHERIFF MARTIN ACQUITTED. Neither Be Nor Bis Deputies Are Found Guilty of Murder. At Wilkesbarre, Pa., the jury in the case of Sheriff Martin and his deputies, charged with shooting striking miners at Lattimer Sept. 10, has returned a ver­ dict. Long before the time for court to convene there was a big crowd waiting to gain admittance to the court room, and when the doors were thrown open there was a wild rush, but only a limited num­ ber were admitted. Judge Woodward did not take his seat 011 the bench until five minutes after 10 o'clock a. m., the jury coming in a few minutes later. When the jury was polled each juror answered not guilty as his name was called. There was an attempt at applause, but it was quick­ ly suppressed by the judge. When the jurymen retired the previone? evening they took only one ballot and it was unanimous for acquittal. It is said the jury was prepared for a verdict be­ fore leaving the box. After the jury had been thanked and discharged by Judge Woodward District Attorney Martin ask­ ed that the defendants be required to con­ tinue their bail bond, as there are still seventeen indictments for murder hang­ ing over them and thirty-eight for feloni­ ously wounding. The bond was continued as requested. CAN'T BUY IN BRITAIN. United States and fpain Must Seek Warships Elsewhere. What appears to be an effectual check to the efforts of the United States to ob­ tain warships from English firms has been given by the unexpected action of the British Government in notifying the ship builders that they must not give options to the United States 011 vessels under con­ struction or make contracts with this country for building new ones without ob­ taining permission from the admiralty office in London. This is not to be taken as an act of un­ friendliness 011 the part of Great Britain, as it applies equally to Spanish endeav­ ors to buy ships from the Armstrongs, Thorn.vcroft and other English concerns. It is regarded in Washington as an indica­ tion that Great Britain has already de­ cided to assert her neutrality between Spain arid the United States, and that she does not intend to take any chances of becoming involved in another expensive international episode like that of the Ala­ bama. BRYAN GIVES APPROVAL. Heartily Indorses the $50,000,000 Ap­ propriation by Congress. William J. Bryan, who passed through Atlanta, Ga„ en route to Macon, where he was to deliver an address, speaking of the Cannon appropriation bill, said: "I am very glad that the House unani­ mously passed the measure. It might have been better to have made it $100,- 000,000, to show the world that Congress and the American people, regardless of political differences, are ready to support the administration in the protection of our honor. The appropriation need not mean war. I11 fact, such prompt liberality may lessen the probability of war. Iji the face of danger our people should stand as one man for the nation's defense." ILLINOIS INCIDENTS. SOBER OR STARTLING, FAITH- FULLY RECORDED. Report of Auditor of Public Accounts oh Loan Associations-Hind Man's Narrow Escape -- Acquitted Capt. Hedley--Boy Shot While Hunting. Loan Association Figures. , The sixth annual report of the auditor of public accounts at Springfield on the condition of building and loan and home­ stead associations has just been issued. The business of GS2 associations for 1897 is compared with that of 718 for 1890. The receipts in 1S97 aggregated $43,049,- 001.98; in 1890, $40,135,382.92. Install­ ments received in 1S97 amounted to $14,- 230,837.57, against $10,084.04 in 1890. Loans paid and matured in 1897, $10. 050,081.95; 1890, $10,421,214.89. The total assets of associations have decreas­ ed from $80,10(i,574.44 in ,1890 to $73,- 399,192.00 in 1897. Siiice Dec. 1, 1890, seven associations have surrendered their charters or have been dissolved; three have changed their names; one has renew­ ed its corporate life; seven have gone into the hands of receivers and twenty-six have retired from business or gone into liquidation. The auditor calls attention in connection with the decrease of about $0,800,000 in assets to the fact that asso­ ciations representing assets amounting to about $4,000,000 in . the report for 1890 are not included in this year's report, hav­ ing gone info voluntary liquidation. The auditor attributes the heavy withdrawal and decrease in business partly to loss of confidence due to the failure of two large associations in Chicago and shortages dis­ covered in a few smaller associations in other parts of the State, partly to finan­ cial excitement over the political cam­ paign of 1890 and partly to general busi­ ness depression. He holds that these in­ stitutions deserve confidence and calls at­ tention to the larg^ disbursements on shares and profits, amounting during the last three years to over $05,000,000, which was distributed among the class least able to bear losses occasioned by business de­ pression. Try to Kidnap Hired Man. Two men entered the house of John Schuckmann, a young farmer residing four miles southeast of Carlyle, and made a bold attempt to ransack the place and kidnap the hired man, John Perry. The marauders entered the room occupied by Schuckmann, gagged him and chloroform­ ed his wife. They then appropriated a pocketbook containing $24 and proceeded toward the room occupied by Perry. Be­ fore the pair could use the chloroform he arose, grabbed a revolver and fired at one of the intruders as he made0 his exit through the door. The man groaned and staggered from the porch. His companion attacked Perry, wrenched the revolver from his hand and cut him 011 the arm. Both men succeeded in making their es­ cape. Bwight Bank Failure. The failure of Metzger & Co. of Dwight is by far greater than was at first thought. The firm, aside from doing an extensive banking business in Dwight, owned ele­ vators at Dwight, Nevada, Campus and Blackstoue. The heaviest losers will be the farmers who had sold their grain to the firm and had deposited money in the bank. Sheriff Heed of Livingston County levied on everything and is now in pos­ session of the firm's property. Murder at a Bonce. Elzy Gilcrease, Tom Scantlin, Dave Easton and John VTliitehurst went to the house of Fred Inike, a COR! miner at Ath­ ens, with the avowed intention of break­ ing up a dance, which was '>eing held there. A general .fight resulted, in which George Rakestntw was shot aVl killed and John Wjneland was probably fatally wounovu. Gilcrease and Scantlin were held by the coroner's jury and M ere lodged In jail. Capt. Hedley Is Acquitted. Capt. Fenwiek Y. Hedley, editor of the Bunker Hill Gazette, who June 12, 1897, shot and killed Mayor John R. Richards, has been pronounced not guilty of man­ slaughter at Carlinville. On the first ballot the jury stood seven for acquittal and five for conviction, agreeing upon a verdict five hours after receiving instructions. Fatal Hunt Near Shirland. A hunting tragedy took place near Shir- laud in which Robert Avery, an 18-year- old lad, was instautlt killed, walking into the range of a gun which his uncle, Webb Fay of Rockford, was tiring. The charge entered part of the boy's head, tearing off the top and death resulted immedi­ ately. Lnetfjert to Make Sausage at Joliet. Adol'ph L. Luetgert 011 his arrival at Joliet was placed iu charge of a factory to supply the penitentiary with sausage. The factory has just been completed and was in need of a foreman. Brief State Happenings. To stop a headache which had afflicted him for but a few hours, Clinton T. Jones, IS years old, of Arlington Heights, sent a bullet through his brain, ending his life. CrazC^oy jealousy, C. W. Wood mur­ dered MrRv Irene Breider and afterward sent a bullet through his own brain at Ottawa. Wood is a traveling salesman, while his victim is the wife of Henry Brei­ der, janitor of the Argyle flats in Chicago. Auditor McCtillough has tabulated tbc expenses of the special session of the Fortieth General Assembly, divided as follows: Postage, $10,200; members' sal­ aries, $81,500; mileage,'$5,843.20; em­ ployes, $30,258; incidental, $5,100. Total, $138,899.20. John Boner, a wealthy retired citizen of Rockford, sold a piece of property for $7,000, but his wife declined to sign the deed. He became angry and said he would kill himself if she persisted in her refusal, but she would not yield. Late in the night Boner .went to his barn =nd blew his brains out with a revolver. Judge Shirley at Jacksonville heard the motion for a change of venue in the Dra­ per-case and granted it, deciding 011 Jer­ sey County as the place. The defense petitioned against Cass, Scott and Greene as contiguous counties and likely to be prejudiced. Buffalo Bill's agents have succeeded in interesting a large number of residents of Kewanee and vicinity in Cody, Wyo., and the Big Horn basin. The result is that thirty families have departed to make their homes in that country. A new town( is to be started by this colony and will be named Kewanee. A. L. Hord has been appointed postmas ter at Greenville, L. M. Smith at Ivnox ville and Fred W. Morrison at Berwyn. E. H. Kicker, president of the Ricker National Nursery Company at Elgin, who was indicted for embezzling and lay in jail a edit pie of weeks, is again free. When the case canie up Ricker's attorney tried to have the indictment quashed on the ground that"J he grand jury was composed of twenty-four instead of twenty-three, members. Judge Brown overruled the motion, insisted on the trial proceed-- ing without Secretary Straw; the principal witness for the State, who was absent on account1 of illness. . The State thereupon entered a nolle prosequi. •.'.« Chicago has 600 churches. The State Board of Masonic grand ex­ aminers held a school of instruction at Freeport. At Sycamore, County Clerk Kinsloe has issued warrants fqr $1,058 bounty for dead sparrows. The silver wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Meliarry was celebrated at their home in Tolono. At PCsotum seventy-eight wagon loads of grain had to stand over night recently, waiting a chance to unload. By a decision handed down in the fourth district appellate court McKendree Col­ lege of Mount Vernon comes into $14,000. Brakcman Albert Jennings of Wauke­ sha was kilted in a freight wreck on tha Wisconsin Central Railroad at Franklin Park. • - Col. T. G. Eawler has assumed charge of the Rockford postoffico, relieving John D. Waterman, who had held the office eight years. Robert E. Bradshaw, one of the earli­ est pioneers of Rockford, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Dr. L. Tibbetts, aged 93 years. ' » W. W. Myers, assistant superintendent of the Belvidero gas works, was suffocat­ ed while making repairs at the gas plant'. -Myers came from Chicago three years ago. Two hundred Chicago sweatshop keep ers adopted resolutions decrying the sweatshop system and declaring that after Oct. 1 they would take no more work into their homes. A Thirty-fifth street trolley car which ran into an open switch and was derailed in Chicago the-other evening struck Mrs. Jennie Bruley, broke both her legs and wrenched her back. Dr. Chayles R. Barnes, head professor of botany at the University of Wisconsin, has accepted a call from the University of Chicago to fill the newly created chair of plant physiology after Oct. 1. The sheriff took possession of the jewel­ ry store of William R. Abbott & Co. at Decatur, on claims amounting to $3,500. It is one of the oldest jewelry firms in central Illinois, with a stock worth $10,- 000. The Independent Order Mutual Aid, in biennial session at Springfield, elected the following officers: President, T. J. Sco- field, Chicago; treasurer, b\ S. Mosher, Sandwich; secretary, Alexander McLean, Macomb. The war at Elgin between the express and railroad companies and the purchas­ ing agents became acute when the rail­ roads refused to sell monthly tickets to agents and took up two that had been pur­ chased in Chicago. The following fourth-class postmasters have been appointed in Illinois: Amity, Austin Richey; Broughton, Charles W. Allen; Calvin, W. N. Lance; Kaneville, J. W. Dauberman; Ivaskaskia, Helena Walter; McKeen, Frank Dow. Company E, Fifth regiment, Illinois National Guard, of Hillshoro, has been ordered to drill three times each week. Within a short time new Ivrag-Jorgenson rifles will be furnished to replace the Springfield rifles now in the armory. Nine students took the bar examination at Ottawa. Almost an equal number of candidates were rejected under that pro­ vision of the rule which requires three years of uninterrupted study iii a recog­ nized law school or au attorney's office. William Wilder pleaded guilty to the murder of Charles Anderson in the Cir­ cuit Court at Galcsburg. He stabbed An­ derson in a saloon last fall, killing him instantly. Wilder was given a sentence of twenty-five years in the penitentiary. The corner stone of the new temple for the congregation Anshai Emeth at Peoria was laid with elaborate ceremonies. Hen­ ry Ulluinnn, president of the society, pre­ sided, and addresses were made by I. J. Leviuson and Rabbi Thurner of Daven­ port. W. A. Dodson, a watchmaker, employed by Lyon Bros., 250 Madison street, Chi­ cago, committed suicide by plunging through a plate glass window in the third et.or.v of his employers' establishment. Ill health is supposed to have affeetcd Dod- son's mind. George Funk died at his home west of Ottawa, after a long illness, the indirect result of an injury received by the explo­ sion of a shotgun more than two years ago. He was a1 State employe, having charge of a lock west of the city limits 011 the I. & M. canal. The State Board of Arbitration has re­ organized for the ensuing year by the elec­ tion of Horace R. Calef of Monticello.as chairman. The present board consists of Horace K.jCalef of Montieello, chairman; Daniel J. Iveefe of Chicago and W. S. Forma n of East St. Louis. Ilarker Mullen has designed an "entire­ ly new form of steam engine, and will erect a factory in Sycamore this spring. The Business Men's Association will pur­ chase necessary machinery as a bonus. The engine is of the variety known as the oscillating. Its main point iS that it re­ ceives steam direct from the dome, as the engine has no steam chest, thus securing the first energy of the steam. James N. Pace, a Baptist minister, who was robbed of a pocketbook 011 the steam­ er John S. Hopkins several days ago at Cave-in-Rock, led a 1110b against the boat when it arrived at that place the other night. The 1110b declared their intention of hanging all the roustabouts. John Ad- kins, an Evansville, Ind., negro, after be­ ing shot several times, leaped into the river and was drowucd. The board of directors of the Illinois State Farmers' institute has concluded its work at Springfield. The offices' of secretary anil treasurer were combined and amalgamated with the office of super­ intendent. The election of officers result­ ed as follows: President, A. V. Moore of Polo; vice-president, G. A. Wilmarth of Seneca; secretary and superintendent, Charles F. Mills of Springfield; executive committee, C. H. Dalton of Dalton Sta­ tion, G. A. Wilmarth of Seneca. Noble King of Champaign, L. A. Beale of Mount Vernon and A. V. Moore of Polo. In an effort to overpower Dr. Francis Brooks of Chicago, who is said to be suf­ fering from a mental derangement as a result of excessive sftidy and literary work, two policemen say they were com­ pelled to shoot the physician, who was threatening them with a butcher knife. Sam T. Brush, general manager of the St. Louis and Big Muddy Coal Company of Carterville, has closed a contract with his miners for a scale of prices for one year, beginning April 1. He will pay 30 cents per ton, or 0 cents per ton less than was allotted for that district by the Springfield scale. The glucose trust may close its im­ mense plant in Peoria, and the Rockford house may be started at the same time. The reason for this, it is said, is that there is not enough business to keep all the houses running. Mrs. William N.* Sharp of Oak Park was found dead iu a bathroom iu her apartments. The door and window of the bathroom were closed and gas was escap- iug from a rubber tube connected with a single fixture on the wall. Mrs. Sharp was sittiug, fully dressed, iu si/>hair. with­ in a few feet of the tube, anu had appar­ ently been dead several hours when found. A coroner's jury decided that her death was accidental. DECLINE INSECURITIES ALMOST 1 CAUSES A PANIC. Increasing Faith in War Rumors Has Marked Effect in Wall Street--Some Losses Are Heavy--Supreme Conrt Decision Favors Western Roads. Millions Are Lost. One billion dollars would not cover the paper losses on Wall street Monday morn­ ing. Millions were Actually lost. It was the most serious slump since the panic consequent upon Cleveland's Venezuela message. The elimination of margin deals was completed and the loss sustained by many bona fide holders of securities was very heavy. London prepared the street for some­ thing extraordinary. The foreigners ex­ hibited their apprehension of the Ameri­ can-Spanish imbroglio by.quoting Ameri­ can values from % to 2*4 off. London, started the ball rolling as soon as the mar­ ket opened, and London by reason of the- difference in time sets the pace for New. York, New York Central with its $100,~ 000,(.100 of capital was quoted at $3.37% a share lower than the close of Saturday, St. Paul, another favorite with the Eng­ lishmen, Was off about the same amount,, on it s $77,000,000 stock, making a paper loss on these two stocks of oyer $500,- 000,000, so that when Sugar and the hun­ dred other securities with billions of cap­ ital are considered, it may be that, the actual .loss would not fall far short of $500,000,000. These terrifying declines persuaded brokers to send communications to their clients reading: "Get out of this market immediately. There will be a smash." This somber prediction was fulfilled at the start. Directly the gong sounded American.Sugar certificates dropped from 120% to 121%. Manhattan Elevated sunk from 102vs to 98, Northwestern from 120 to 118%, St. Paul from 92% to S9%, West­ ern Union from S6 to 84, Burlington from 93% to 90%, Rock Island from 85% to 83%, Jersey Central from 10<2% to 08. Nothing, indeed, was exempted from the merciless pressure to be rid of stocks. The acute apprehension seized even those who had bought securities outright. A not in­ considerable part of this conservative ele­ ment liquidated. Wall street could see nothing but threatening clouds on the hor­ izon; speculators and investors felt that something of a very grave nature would soon transpire relative to the Cuban affair. Grcttcral X^co* THE Spanish Government recently intimated a desire for the recall of Gen. Loo, and suggested that a merchant ship instead of a man-of-war be employed to convey the relief supplies to the recoucentrados at Matanzas and Sa- gua le Grande, but was met with such a firm and emphatic negative from Presi­ dent McKinley that the subject was drop­ ped. The incident occurred some days ago. but nothing was known about it in Washington outside the White House and the Department of State until it leaked out at Madrid and was cabled over. The action of the Spanish Government seems to have been prompted by the widely pub­ lished and frequently denied report that Gen. Lee had informed the Secretary of State that the destruction of the Maine was due to external causes and was the result of a conspiracy: but the President does not consider that the Spaniards have any good reason to object to him, and Gen. Woodfovd was instructed to advise them to that effect. He was also instruct­ ed to inform them that the President has complete confidence in Gen. Lee's integ­ rity and discretion, and intends to retain him at Havana as long as his services are necessary. There have been two other at­ tempts by the Spanish Government to se­ cure a change in the American consulate there--once when Gen. Williams took prompt action concerning the Crew of the filibuster steamer Competitor and again since Lee has been ip office. > The reasons for objecting to the use of a gunboat to carry the relief supplies are not so clear, but there are two explana­ tions. One is that it gave the relief move­ ment an official character, and was equiv­ alent to intervention. It is supposed that the Spanish Government fears that tlyj distribution of food and medicine by offi­ cial agencies of the United States among its subjects may be construed as interfer­ ence in its domestic affairs. On this point it is exceedingly sensitive. The use of a merchant vessel would partially relieve the transaction of its official character,, but President McKinley is not disposed to split hairs while the people of Cuba are dying of starvation and the men-of-war will go. It is suspectcd also that the Spaniards fear that some of the supplies may reach the insurgents, which may pos­ sibly occur, as they are iu great need of medicines. WESTERN ROADS WIN. Supreme Court Becides Maximum Freight Law Is Invalid. The United States Supreme Court ren­ dered an opinion in the Nebraska maxi­ mum freight rate case declaring the law unconstitutional. Justice Harlan wrote the opinion; he holds the Nebraska law to be contrary to the constitution in that it authorizes the taking of property with­ out due process of law and is therefore invalid. This case was instituted to test the validity of a law passed by the Ne­ braska Legislature iii ,1893, prescribing the maximum rates for the transportation of freight by railroads within the State. The act applies specifically to freight whose transit begins and ends iu the State, and there was uo effort in its en­ actment to control interstate freight. It affected all the railroads in the State and the railroad companies instituted the pro­ ceedings which were terminated by this opinion by filing a bill in the Nebraska , Circuit Court soon after the law was. en­ acted. The object of the bill was to se­ cure an order restraining the State ofll- •tials from putting the la\v into force.