Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, August 19, 1877, Page 3

* gomnething which he knew nothing about THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE: SUNDAY. AUGUST 19, 1877—-SIXTEEN PAGES. CITY FINANCES. Investigation of the Anonymous Charges Against Ald. Rosenberg. The “ West Side Alderman” Fails to Put In an Appearance. No Testimony to Substantiate the Allegations. ‘Three of the members of the Committee to tarestigate-the charges against Ald. Rosenberg znd the Finance Committec—Ald. Stewart, Beidler. 201 Linscubarth—met yesterday after- noon in the Council Chamber to carry out the provisions of the resolution of Ald, McAuley, whereby they werc appointed. There were also present City Treasurer Larrabee and Mr. Adolph Loch, who were virtually charged in the com- qaunteation from “ West Sige Alderman,” pub- jishcd in THE Teiscne, with “being in” with. ‘Ald. Rosenberg in his nefarious schemes, etc.; ‘lg. Pearsons, Throop, and Rosenberg, himself, ‘ofthe Finance Committee; Ald, Gilbert, Mayor Heath, Comptroller Farwell, Mr. G. Schneider, President of the Bank of Illinois, and Mr. Geste-. qed, representing the Staats-Zeitung, in which wer several anti-Rosenberg comrounications, rallas local and editorial articles, have ap- from time to time. Ald. Stewart was ground with the original communication from the mythical Alderman, and the extract from Toe Tnistne in which it appeared in connec- tion with interviews with Ald. Rosenberg and Mr. Larrabee, while Mr. Gestefeld was intrench- edbebind a pile of Staats-Zeitungs, ready for the inquisition to commence. The proceedings were rather informally opened by Mayor Heath asking who the prose- cating witvess was. ‘Ald. Stewart said he didn’t mor, but be was going to find out if possible. The resolution did not require a prosccuting Wwituess, but sim~- ply an investization Into the charges. He had taken pains to ascertaiu the name of the author of the letter, but so. far his investizations had been m vain. . Mr. George Schneider was sworn and testified that be bad no idea who the author of the letter was, being unable to identify the handaritingz. He nerer had. any deal- ings with avy of the Finance Committee, and knew nothing about their buy- ing city certificates at adiscount, nor about their policy of kecping money in the Treasury. ‘Ald. Pearsons—Suppose any of the Finance “Committee was to come in to your office and ask you to buy certificates, world you think that improper? Mr. Schneider—No, sir, if they come in their official capacity. We have subscribed to the popular loan, and always paid par, but never purchased apy city certificates in the way spoken of. ‘Mir. Gesteield, of the Staats-Zeitung, was also sworn. He didn’t know who tbe author of the communication signed “ West-Side Alderman ” was. HE ENEW OF NOTHING to substantiate the charges, except that he had heard it stated at his office that Loeb & Co. had been in the habit of buying city certificates at figures as low as 80 and 95 for Schueider’s bank. He knew nothing about Mr. Larrabee’s, or Ald. Rosenberz’s, or the Finance Committee’s con- nection with any ring. He alluded to the letter in big paper signed J. J. Berguer, which bad been taken asa bosa fide communication, but ‘when they came to maavap the said Bergner, be could not be foynd. This he resretted as much as anybody. He desired it to be borne in mind that his journal had not charged Ald. Rosenberg with being in aricg. It had criti- cised nis policy, as a member of the Finance Committec, as being more in favor of provid- ing for the city certificates than of going ahead with public improvements, but the paper bad never brought these charges of dishonesty and of connection with a ring. They emanated from the communication in Tae Tarpcxz and that of Berrner in the Staata-Zeitung, and not from the editorial or local articles of the latter. ‘Ald. Rocenberg—Didn’t yon meet me on the morning of the 9th of Ausust and tell me, “ You'll catch hell in the morning?” Mr. Gestefeld—I told you in the afternoon that you would catch it in the morving. ‘Ald. Rosenberg—You told me that in the morning. Mr. Gestefeld—You are mistaken. I can prove positively that that letter wasn’t received until Thursday afternoon about 4 o’clock. “Ald. Rogenbderg—It looks to me as if you had received it that moran and knew about it, for when I met you, you sald “ You'll catch more b--] to-merrow.”” ¥ Mr. Gestefeld maintained that he knew noth- ing about the letter that morning; that hie di pot mect the Aldcrman uutil the afternoo that pe could not have allude that morni afternvon; and that his remark had uo refer- ence 1¢ the comsaunication, but to an article he purposed writing which was to be a further entfcism of the Alderman’s policy as a member of the Committee. ~ : Ald. Pearsons submitted a communication from some Jaborers, which appeared in the Staats-Zeitung, and asked Mr. Gestefeld to read it. The communication urged the building of the Court-House, complimented tbe paper for thepart it hadtaken in advocating the same improvement, and closed with this question: © But why don’t you give that Jew, Rosenberg, more h—I2” At this there was considerable laughter, Ald. Rosenberg enjoying it, apparently, as much as the rest, But contending that it all showed the animus of the Staate-Zeilung, and that that pa- per had indulged in the anonymous-communica- tion business for the PURPOSE OF INJURING BD. Mr. Locb was then put on the stand and eworn. He testitied that he nad never bougat acy scrip of Ald. Rosenberg or Mr. Larrabee; that he never was a partner of Ald. Roscaberg; thet he had bought a limited amount of city certificates in 1874 or 1575, issued by the city for payments which were due and couldn't be made, and would have bought more, of them but he couldn't et any; that be had ‘bought some for "the National Bank of Illinois, but atterwards refused to buy any, and told the partics want- ing them to go to the bank; that be had paid as high as 95 and 973¢ tor them; but that, during Mayor ’s “Administration, he had not bought any. 2 Mr. Gestefeld—Bow long ago was it that you nese t mm up in your window, “ City Certiti- ushe?* . Locb—That was in 1St4 or 1875. Mr. stefeld—Never in 1816! Mr. Locb—No, sir. aa Gestefeld—Are you related tu Ald. Rosen- Mr. Loct—No, sir. ‘ Mr. Gestefeid—You do his brokerage busi- ” ness, don’t you? Mr. Loeb—Some of it. _Mr. Gestefela—Are you interested in the National Bauk of [linois? Lr. Loeb—Yes, sir. . Mr. Farwell was next eworn and testified that be never saw any city certificates signed by Ald. Rosenberg, except as a member of the Finauce Commitee. Hehadnever known of any ring in the business, On the contrary, the Committee had urged him to draw out the money as fast a8 possible, and that nad been his eudeavor. He fad becn asked avout canceling aloan of $22,- 300 water-bonds, and advised that it be done for the interest of the city: Accouvts had deen Kept of the Treasurer's funds atthe Tnterna- Honal Bank during the terms of Massrs. O'Hara and Brings, so rust this wasn’t any oew thing. rt; he knew nothing to bear out the CS. Just here Ald. Rosenberg and Mr. Gestefeld had another dintorue in reference to the same Matter alluded to above, ALD. ROSENBERG INSISTING that Gestefeld told him that ‘Thursday moroing that he wouldeatch more h—l the next day, and that he (Rosenbers) had even gone home and told his wife about it that afternoon. Mr. Ges- tefeld as stubboruly maintained that the com- munication referred to was uot sven by the ed- itor of the Stants-Zeitung or by himself until lave Thursday afternoon, and that what he said to the Alderman’ related to an article be proposed to write, and in | which he intenced to *trake him over again.” To this Ald. Rosenberg responded that the only article ®hich appeared against him the next morning Was this very communication. Mr. Gestefcld szain disclaimed any knowledxe of the letter Butil late Thursday afternoon. City Treasurer” Larrabee was sworn, and testitied that Ald. Rosenberg had never asked him to deposit in the International Bank. His deposits were in the Union National, the Corn xchange, and the International, as evenly. di- Vided as possible. There wasno favoritism about atall, To be sure, Ald. Rosenberg had asked 1, before he assumed his duties as Treasurer, 1 sinmply as a question for information, if he intended to keep the City Treasury Weposits’ in the International, in order that he (Rosenberg) » might prepare for the withdrawal of the funds i in case ‘the Treasurer decided to keep his de- voelts in another bank. Ald, Rosenberg was then sworn and interro- ‘your friends. gated as to. the charges in the letter, and flatly sented! that there was the least bit of truth in Ald. Pearsons was also sworn. In the course of his testimony he defined Ald. Rosenbera’s policy, as a member of the Finance Cemmittee, tobe in favor of the payment of all debts as fast as possible, thus Stopping interest. He considered that ‘nobody had rendered tne city such invalusbie afd in the matter of disposing of the popular Joan, and attending to financial matters generally, a5 Ald. Rosenberg. Maror Heath knew of no disposing of city certificates at ratcs like 60 or 75, as alleged in the letter, nor of any commissions being paid for the negotiation of loans. Ald. Throop, beiug sworn. sald be knew of no ting in the Finance Committee, and vouched for thehonesty of Ald. Roscnberg. The Commit- we had worked in the interest of tho city, and not in its own. There were no other witnesses, although there ‘was general regret at the Committec’s inability to tind “West Side Alderman” avd the man Berencr. The testimony, therefore, being all in, the Committee deliberated a few moments and came to the conclusion that they would re- port to the Council that there was no foundation for the charges, and thatthe conduct of Ald. Rosenberg, City-Treasurer Larrabee, and the oiber frac of a dionuce Committee, was@ bs far as al e evi coliect went to show. eruiense ‘they cout THE GROWLER. {Communications to this department must be limited to two pages of note-paper in Jength, written on one side, and accompanied by the nameg aud addresses of the authors.—Ep. Growren.] ee POT-HOOKS. the Editor of the Grovcter, Gatesnurc, Aug. 16.—Will’ you inform me, if convenient, throws your paper, of tiie name of a system of *‘short-hand writing,” one that can be readily learned? SUBSCHIBER. Graham, Munson, or Pitman. To the Editor of the Growler, Cmcaco, Auc. 1X.—Wilt you please inform me, through the columne of your valuable paper. if the Eng! th Which we speak is or can be correctly calleda language, or is it only a dialect or tongue, and how it ranks with the French, Spavisb, ‘alian, and. German, and if the Irish is a lunguaze, or ever was one; is it not now caifedone of tle dead languases? BLM. 7M. Strictly speaking, you are correct. It is. ~ —— WANTS GATES, To the Editor of the Growler. Cutcaso, Aus, 17.—I think gates onght to be Placed across the roadway ut either cnd of the bridzes, to be opened and closed at a given siznal. Nothius now prevents a ranaway team from Plunging into the river if the bndze happens to be Open atthe time. Street-cars might take a dive at night, too, Life is short sad correspordingly sweet, and it avolld he very unpleasant to feel List oue had been yauked ont of existence through the neglect of some honoruble Board to adont a sim- ple means which would have prevented it. What do you timk? ‘Nuns. ‘he objection raised by the city authorities is that such gates would be liable to be broken. This might be obviated by erecting a commo- Gious gate at each end of the bridge proper, to turn with it, and thereby secure it from acci- dent. ABOUT DEAF MUTES. To the Rattor of the Growler. Cmeaco, Anz. 18.—The Jacksonville Deaf and Dumb Institute is trying to cestroy what little chance denf-mute children in the city and county have of being educated. It attempts to override the feclinzs of parents and guardians for their own unfortunate deaf children here. It always has been tne bitter opponent of a deaf-mute schoo} in Chicago and Coox County. and all for selfish and political reasons. Parents haye some rights in this country, and it is expectod that the connty and city officers’ will loox after them. Parents don't exbect their children will be herded as animals ‘bot educated, andwhere there is the large number that there 1s'in Chicazo and Cook County, they have a juet aad equitable right to ask that this in- struction shall be near home, and not 200 miles away among strangers. That. person is devoid of manly instincts wlio would wish to tear these deaf children from their parents under ‘these circum- stance: Pangnt oF a Dear-Mcte Curry. It would be a great convenience to every man to haye an asylum for his afflicted next door to hishouse. But, as that is not practicable, it should be placed so as to benefit the greatest number. Why not in Jacksonville? A FREE ADVERTISEMENT. To the Editor of the Growler, Cmicaso, Anz. 18.—We, the members of the Great Western Lizht Guard Band, in behalf of our friends and patrons beg leave throagh the columns of your valuable paper to correct 4 rumor to the effect that the above orgunization have or are about to disband for the ostentstions purpose of combining wi others to form an organization, already dudced the Chicago Orchestra. ** Rumor,” and divers articles zppenr- ing in the daily papers of this city Aug. 12, assume that the greater portion of the Great Western Light Guard Baad, and the whole of 3iessrs. Hand S Freiters's otcpestsa (consisting of ali the eminent talent, etc.), would constitate the Chicazo As members of the Great Western Light Band, we ask, in justice to our friends and the public in ‘general,’ that they be apprised of the fact that since the formation of this orches- trait ba& never enjoyed a more peaceful and fourisbing cund:tion than at the present time. And we urust that tne public-epirlted citizens of Chicago have too much confidence in our tine- honored organization for a momeut to euspect that the withdrawal of three or foar of our members would pe allowed to affect onr standing even mowentrily, as the vacant seats will soon be oc- capied by other centlemen of superior ability. Meuuens of THE G. W. L. GB. Consider the correction mage, and send copies of the paper (with terms for jurtber notices) to FOR SHAME, BROWN! To the Editor of the Gronler. Csrcaco, Ang. 17.—Cannot you **growl enough to reach the con=ciences of many res dle persons, who indorse irre=ponsiole parti enaole them to obtain credit and position to w! they are not entiticd? A case recently bronzht to ray notice illustrates the injustice often uninten- tionally inflicted. A wortny widow Inds, owait ‘a house on West Madison street, near Centre ave- nue, was applied to by abeat to rent it.for one eer from the 1st of last May. He gave (fay) Mr. rown as reference. Mr. Rrown is a thorcugniy reliable and responsible business man, and a that the peat was responsible, and ‘that if he (Brown! owned a bouse, would not for a moment hesitate to let the beat have ft, If Sr. Drown was not acquainted witht the best's circumstances and ability to pay, he ought to have raid so. If ue bad informed kimeclf of the facts he would have found that the tenaut had been a deatl-beat for the past two Fears, and uot able or willing to pay the milk- man. The lady rented the house, owtaming one month's rent in advance, which is all she has had for four months, and alf of that was expended in repairing and papering the house. The logs will not be fess thin S290. Can Mr, Drown explain wherein be 18 any different from a, fr bunko stecrer "t 2 JEW. “Brown” is certainly criminally liable to out- raed Iaw and down-trampled justice. He should at least pay the milkman or marry the widow. 2 air. perinit me to in- oh com 3 on board Emrcaco, Aus. 19. oo quire of wha: carihly use are the telez fanfea as at proscut conducted? I was on The Joln Sherman Tues . upon oeini formed we would not leave tntil late, atid possi until morning, 1 naturally hastened to the tele- graph ofice, thinking through ia agency to relieve She'anxicty of my relatives. I teleSraphed af 8:25 p. m., and was informed it would reach Chicazo Pad be delivered in thgee-quarters of an tour, bot upon reaching home | asceriatued it was not de- livered nntil 11 o'cluck,—too late to do much yuod. Now it reacned tae office, corucr of Lasalle and Warhington streets, at 3:33 p.m. Why was It wered sooner? The result of this negli- not del go mot know what otber. term to use) 1s, bne person walied the dock in great anxiety until Ree ares the telegraph office was closed, su they Could not telegraph him, and another Dereon is se~ Hously if not dangerously ill through not recewing, iteooner, Now, liad itreached herein. say. an honr,‘and is not that ample Ume!—it would have raved all that. How long should it take a telegram from St. Joe fo react Chicago and be delivered? Should not te company. sfter bein paid its rez~ hilar charzes, be responeible for the result of each nogligence? ‘A SUBSCHIBEL, You dou’t say how far from the ollice the ad- dress of the message was, and we can’t fix a proper time for delivery. Besides, the night the Sherman was stuck at St. Joe the wires were burdened with Trrsuse war specials, which, by international agreement, take preference over everything. HAVE WE COME TO ‘THIS? To the Editor of the Grouter. Cmeaoo, Auge 18-—‘There is one. stain upon the character of Chicago that we do not rememberto have seen noticed in’ any public way, and it has often been a wonder why public ention has not been called to the fact, Itis thie, that all alonz the public streets and about vacant lots great fat treells are allowed to spring ap. grow, scatter their secd, and rot. I had occasion to visit several of the cities of Michigan a few years sinco, and we wero etrack with the cleanly look of the whole surface of the places. Nota weed was to be scen, and the contrast between these citics and Chicago a8 20 Kk tithas been a wonder ve c bese a are allowed tere, , Would it a od «thing to use en Tat the liberal wealthy. citizens have offered te employ for three months in removing these ends from our sider atts OD nacta of ots t0 76: san order requiring 1 = Blove the ‘weeds from their premises? It would seem that thts conld be ordered as a sanitary meas- ure. It is certain that it wonld be a vast improve- ment to the appearance of thecity. ‘I'he attention of the public in their evening.rides fs called to the extent to which the weeds of the city are a blem- ish. J. W. Wavenor. In the outskirts of the city there is a rank and luxuriant growth of the weeds the corre- sponcent speaks of, but harmless and not un- healthy. There is no more necessity for rook ing them out than for a frog to havo a night- shirt.” They add to the beauty of our suburban surroundings, andconspire with the lakefbreezes and cool beer to make Chicago famous as a summer-resort. ’ HE KICKS. To the Naitor of the Growler. Cnicaco, Aug, 18.—Your little ‘dig’ at tele- §raph operators the ather day for disregard of punctuation sounds (if you will pardon the simile) like Satan reproving sin, Newspaper dis- patches are generaity so verucious that an opera tor has his breath often taken away vy the small modienm of truth in them, andhe hesitates avout inverting a comma or semicolon lest he innocently add to thelr general unreliability; for you must know that, above and herond all things, an opera- tor foves tho truth,—pure, simple, anvarnished. He hates lie as the proverbint feline abhors the cali saponaccons mixture. His punctuatiug is in about the same style of development as editors’ and correspondents’ caligraphy. A ‘*special”? imme- diately after and speaking of the cause of the great fire was transmitted begit 2 **An obscene woman while oat walk: ete, Subgequent. investizalion showed the reporter had intended to write’ *sAn obscure woman while ont milkin Ibelfeve. telegraphers will agree to punctuate if legible copy 18 furnished them. Own. West's speech, which was furnished the opera- tor in print, came into ThE TRIBUNE ollice em- bellished with two commas anda period, all in the wrong place. A FEASIBLE SCHEME, To the Editor of The Growl Cnicaco, Aug. 18.—\e can hardly look Into a newspaper but we see some mention made of the rush into the citics of men from the country, and the general disliks manifested for farm labor by the ‘rising ceneration. After speaking of these things they frequently advise young people gencre ally to stay away froin the city and. be contented with the farm.” This is all very good, bat they go on to advise men ont of employntent in the city to gctinto the country. Very good advice no donot, but few realize how utterly impossible for many to follow that advice. Many"poor men with whom T have been in contact in this city would glad.y leave if they had money enough to get out with, One great reason of our strikes and riots was a surplus of mien In the cites. Hf there were no more nen in a city than were required to do the work there would be few idie bands, und you know the old eaying, **Satan finds work for idle hanis to do.” Now, i have an idea to snggest, Cannot sone method be devised of furnishing free transporta- tion to the deserving poor who desire to’ go into the country to liye —not transportation to the pez- sons alone, but also for thei: effects? What little the poor have they value a3 highly as do their wealthier neighbors their goods and chuttele. Tf they were obliged to diepose of them they would realize little or nothing, and would be obliged to replace with new, which they conld ll afford. If no other arrangement could be made with the railroad companies, I am convinced that it would psy the city and the community generally to raise the money by. taxation, or by appropriation by Legislature, or in some other way, and pay the railroad companies the regular rates of transporia- tion ani freight. To be sure it would cost a con- siderable amount of money, bat I am not snre bat itwonld be money saved in theend. Our riot cost us, in subduing it and in the cessation of trade, upwards of $100,C00, and this is compsra- tively lirtie beside the losses saxtained in Pitts- burg and elsewhere. If all these losses of the Government, the people generally, and the rail- roads, conld be summed up and the aame amount of money been laid out in transporting tuese poor families out into the country, what an amount of happiness might have been caused, and it would have hada tendency to prevent these etrikes and riots, by taking away some of the surplus help to equalize the supply and the demand. Whata happy condition of the affairs of labor if the de- maid equals the supply! Bat, in regard to the cost of this, Ithink when the railroad companies saw what beneficial results must follow this free transportation acheme that they would also fevor it,and, if they did not give it free, they would make great redactions. It would be a good plan to putit into the power of the Mayor of his city to issue passee, und to appoint committees to investizate into the circumstances and characters of those ap- plying for passes. to prevent dishonest persons taking advantage of a free pasy syetem to gratify their traveling propensities and inclinations. ‘The passes should be issued only to thore who are wor- thy, and only good to go out of cities into the country, not out of one city into another, and only good for 100 miles, or any distance agreed upon. I would Ike to ece what some one else has to say on this subject. [hope to live to sec the day when | this scheme will be in active operation, as I believe that it would be the means of doing away with 2 greavdeal of enffering tn our large cities. Nothing should be left undone that will be likely to amelio- rate the condition of the poor, and what can be done Jet it be done quickly. for.many are predict- ing a hacd winter for all and especially hard for the destitute. Scninsen Sonstcu-Hanp. That something should be done to help unem- ployed men into the country where tney may be of some use to themselves and to mankind gen- erally, is generally admitted. Are there not enough responsible and interested men in Chi- cago to establish some sort of a bureau having this object fn view? INDIANS. Chief Joseph Still on the Move—Gen. How- ard Supposed to-Be on His 9frail—Army Orders. Sant Lake, Utah, Aug. 18—Nothing has been heard from the Nez Perces Indians since they crossed the Montana staze road going cast, on the afternoon of the 16th. Some thirty miles couth from Pleasant Valley Station the telegraph line is broken, no doubt cut by Indi- ‘There is no stage running on the section ans. of road where the Indlans crossed. Nothing further is heard from Gen. Howard. Thiriy- five Shoshone Indiays left their agency this morning for Fort Hall, en route to assist How- ard. News at army headquarters in this city was very meagre yesterday. The latest advices from Chief Joseph, of the Nez Perces, wore that he and his band were moving east, going” through northwestern Wyoming. It is supposed that they are going north through Montana and = up ___ the Yellowstone River, and will probably get into the British Possessions and join forces with Sitting Bull. ‘This seems to be the latest move on the part of the Nez Perces, and it will havea tendency to complicate matters unless Gen. Howard overtakes the escaping savazes. Thecamp on the Lake Front will after this morning bea thing of the past. Peace is fully restored to Chicago, and this morning at 10 O'clock the boys in blue depart via the North- westera Railroad, a8 the following order will ‘The comnantes of the Fonrth and Ninth Regl- ments of infantry. with the rezimental band of the Jatter, now in city, under the command of Col. John H. Kinz, will’ return, withont delay, to their station, Omaha Barracks, Nebraska. Capt. Calvin De Witt. Assistant Surgeon, United States army, will retara with the command to its station. = . The Quartermaster's Department will farnish the neceseary transportation, ‘By command of Lieut. -Geu. Sheridan. R.C. Daw, 4 nt Adjutant General. The following order in regard to the LOCATION OF TRHOOPS in the Department of the Platte was promul- gated yesterday by Aajt.-Gen. Drum: 1. That portion of the Second Regiment of Cavalry serving in the Nepartment of the Platte is herebs transferred to the Department of Dakota, in which, at the request of the Department Com: mander, it titi he assizned to duty as follows: ‘The headquarters and five companics to the new post at the confinence of the Little Horn with the Sig Horn River, in Montana Tercitory. ‘Thrae companics to the new post ai the month of Tongue River, Montana Territory. The march to theit destination will commence not later than the 10th of September next, and will befmadc as follows: ‘The two companies at Camps Stambaugh and Brown .will march down on the west side of the Big Hera to the new pst above designated on that river, where they will take post. The two companies at Fort Fred Steele will march by the sbortest and most practicable route to Cantonment Reno, where they will await the arrival of the regimental commander. ‘The headquarters and -four companies at Fort Sanders will march by the shortest and most prac- ticable route to Cantonment Keno. From that point the regimental commander, wita all the companics ordered to concentrate at that place, will continne the march, via the old C. F. Smith road, 10 the new post on the Big Horn. On his arrival at the crossing of Tongue River, he will derignate three of the companies with him to Proceed to, and take. post at, the new post at the month of that stream. ‘The transportation for the movement will be limited to three slz-mule wagons for each company aud twofor the remmental headquarters. This amount of transportation «twenty-six wagons and ihe requisite number of mules) will be transferred from the Department of the Platte to the Depart- ment of Dakots. . Should it’ be found absolutely necessary, by reason of the companies taking “with them thelr annual sapply of clothing, to increase the above allowance. what- ever increase 1s farnished for that purpose inst be returneg to the Department of the Platte. 2. Tie Commanding General Department of the Platte will take immediate steps to replace the troops herein withdrawn from Forts Sanders and Fred Steele, and Camps Stamoaugh and Brown. By command of-Lient.-Gen. Sheridan: B,C. Dav. Assistant Adintant General. TOWN OF LAKE. indignant Taxpayers Confer with the Town Officers, It Appears that the Sinking Fund Has Been Misappropriated. A Bonded Indebtedzess at a Heaty Rate of In- terest-—Extravagaat Salaries. A mecting of persons owning property in the Town of Lake was held yesterday morning in the office of W. D. Kerfoot, No. $6 Washington strect, Mr. John Wentworth in the chair. “Mr. Moriarty, ov behalf of the Committee appofot- ed to investigate.the condition of the Sinking Fund, reported substantially as follows: Attention is first directed to the Stuking Fund. The threo ordinances creating the water-loan debt require $63,346.04 to be annually levied for interest on the bonds and.a Sinking Fund, which has beendonce. The interest on the bonds is annually $27,900." In 1875 and’ 1876 large sums were Jevied by virtue of these ordinances, and the appropriation bills to pay the particular {interest on the wator debt, and no other inter- est, for the balance was for the Sinking Fund. In each of the three ordinances creating the water loans is the following: ‘‘It shall be the duty of the Trustees to invest the money be- longing to the Sinking Fund, in this ordinance provided for, in interest-bearing bonds of the United States or of the State of Mlinois, and to use the same for the purchase and retirement of the Town of Lake water bonds, herein provided for, and ‘said money shall be used in no other manner whatsocver.” Tho Town Accountant has a Sinking-Fund account brought down to Jan. 1, 1877, and his ficures sliow that the fund has received $52,846.04, and that, for other purposes than which it was created for, there has becn paid out of it $65,639.60. It thus ap- pears that the town uow owes the Sinking Fund $65,659.60, and that the Sinking Fund is over $12,009 worse than nothing. The taxpayers may estimate how lone at thts rate it will take for the Sinking Fund to Pay, the town debt. Already $40,000 of bonds, bearing 10 per cent. interest, have becorae due, but remain unpaid, because of the depletion of the Sinking Fund. ‘The fund appears to have been converted or ab- stracted to pay the large amount of interest an- nually incurred by the town on its town orders, certificates, etc.. Tae Appropriation bills of 1875 and 1976 show that the tax was levied for the particular interest and Sinking Fund speci- fied in the ordinances. The ordinances set forth that the money so levied shall not be used in any other manuer whatsoever. By what au- thority this Sinking Fund hss been appropriat. ed or borrowed for other pes and diverted from the purposes for which it was levied and collected does not appear. An Appropriation bill is only a disguise when such a power 1s ex- exercised by the Town Board, or any member thereof. ‘The books of the accountant if properly kent, ougat to show the tax collected apportioned to cach item of the Appropriation bfll, and cyery warrant charged to its proper fand, and a bai- ance struck at the end of éach fiscal year. But from the interest account it cannot be learned why the town the last year issucd the town warrants for $61,120.73 of interest money. The net indebtedness of the town is $169,899.81. The P {ng of eo much money for interest an- ually seems entirely inconsistent with proper financial management. The excessive taxation in Lake is due partly toa genera] extravagance and looseness in managing the town irs. The history of the water debt is well known. Last year the cash income from this source was less than the amount shared with Hyde Park for running expenses. The taxes of the Town ie rake are deemed in all respects needlessly igh. 3 Some bave suggested as a remedy that they deed their property to their minor heirs, and let, them redeem it from tax sales. when of age, if the property should be worth it. No doubt those in control of the Union Stock-Yard Com- pany could rescue the town from this ruinous taxation. It is said that three men control the town. Was it true that those in and about the Stock-Yards escaped with slicht taxation, and yet have-the chief benefits of the appropriations? ‘A person appeal upea the prominent men bay- ing charge of the interests of the Stock-Yards would, it was feared, be unavailing. Tho Vil- lage Board rejected the petition. and personal appeal. To ell thelr property is impossible, for others know that, by way of the Town of Lake is a very short way to the bankrupt court. Comment was not made on those legal reme- dies which exist as against individuals rather than 2s against officials. ‘The Chair thought it very strange that while money was so cheap the authorities of the Town of Lake had not taken up TRE TEN YER CENT BONDS and issned new ones at a lower rate of interest. ‘All the money needed could be procured at 5 or 6 per cent. Mr. Condit, Town Treasurer, said that the 10 per cent bonds, with the exception of $40,000, were special-assessment bonds. Mr. Veeder, Town Attorney, said that last year the Town was unable to take up the bonds due, and had to make an arrancement with the holders to continue them for snother . year. The great trouble was that both principal and interest had to be met before the tax levy came in. As a natural consequence the town Was alwars cight- cen montlis in arrears of interest. Furthermore the town had iailed to make a levy for the first year’s interest, and had been unable to collect a great deal of the taxes, which were tied up in the courts. Mr. Moses Wentworth contended that over $13,000 bad been collected and ought to have been devoted to the Sinking-Fund. Not a dollar of it was to be found in the Treabury.. He be- lieved the entire debt conld be fanded at 7 per cent, and Was not prepared to believe that the present Board of Trustecs bad ran their credit into the ground so that they had to pay 10 per cent. ‘Mr. Veeder owned that he could readily un- derstand that there was po moncy in the Treas- ury to the credit of the Sinking Fund, although he could not speak pesitively. He claimed that the debt originated with a former Board of Trustees, and that the present organization found the accounts in an awfully mixed state when ther took hold. The old Board had fat- tered the people by making emall tax-levies, and had issued town orders which were turning up Irom time to time, and which had to be paid. Mr. Wentworth was willing to admit that the existing Town Board had much improved the system of keeping accounts. Tho + INTEREST ON THE WALER BONDS ought to be paid out of a special assessment, and not from the General Fund. ‘Mr. Cond:t said that the bonds were out, and, in order to keep the credit of the towa good, ther bad been compelled to take money from the General Fnnd to pay the interest. This was done by order of the Board, but not by ordi- nance. ‘Mr. Moses Wentworth said that the Town of Lake paid out $61,U00 per year tor interest, aud he thought they could save on this if they ran things properly. ‘The terms of the ordinance relating to the issue of water-bonds had been violated in making the tax-levy of 1877. Mr. Lord wanted a thorough investigation made. He was satisfied from the remarks of the Town-Attorney that tho assertions made were truc. He charged that he bad been mis- represented in a paper known as the Sun, pab- lished in the Town of Lake, and insinuated that the Board operated that periodical. dt they had no interest in it, why did they put $2,000 a year of the Town funds into it? The police force was too large, and the expenses of running the Board too heavy. ‘The appropriations might be cut down $35,000 this year, and he was ready to a the contract to run the town at that jure. In reply to the Chair, Mr. Condit owned that there wag not adollarin the Treasury to the eredit of the Sinking Fund. The Chair denounced the manner in which affairs bad been miemanaged. THE SINKING FUND HAD BEEN ROBBED of every cent ever put into it, and they had alco anticipated collections for it by $12,000. It was 8 baretaced violation of the Taw, and they bad ‘no more right to do it than they had to rob a bank orto rob the speaker personally, The taxpayers of the Town of Lake were being ground to the dustin order to keep a set of high-priced taxeaters in office. The people would not stand it, and the price of officehold- ing must come down. Mr. Lord. drew 3 comparison between the salaries paid to village Officials in Evanston and those paid in Lake. In tho “learned suburb the Trustees work gratis, the Attorncy rete $200a year, the Treasurer and Collector $10¢ each, and’ the Town Clerk $300. In. Lake, ‘Trustees get'$5'a day, the Attorney $2,500 per. anoum, the Treasurer 2 percent on collections, Collector, $1,800, Town Clerk, $1,509. The to- tal appropriation in Evanston last rear for all purposes Gneluding a $10,000 breakage at the, Water-Works):was $40,000, while in ke the. appropriation was $151,000. ‘A DESULTORY CONVERSATION followed about the salaries paig to engineers,— ‘a matter which the mecting found it impossible to agree about. It appeared, however, that it ‘was nothing unusual for aman to three salaried offices at one time. ‘Mr. Muirhead. a member of the Board of Trustees, thought that the money would be re- Stored when the taxes came in. He had not in- terfered with the office of the Treasurer, who had given bonds for the due nerformance of his duty. It was true that Mr. Foster received $1,900 ver yearas Civil Engineer, and had two clerks at salaries of $45 and 390 per month, re- spectively, the higher-priced youth being his ONE. Wentworth that b Mr. Wentworth announced that he had out to his farm to earn money to pay Mis se with, and recommended that the Committee be continued, with instructions to ascertain what Jegal remedy they had, Mr. Mehike aseumed the chair and Mr. Lord procecaed to denounce the manner in which the town affairs had been run. He contended that, they should hare ict the payment of intersst go, and should have kept up the Sinking Fund. THE HON. JOHN V. LEMOXNS asked the Treasurer which Board of ‘Crustecs received the money collected on the assessment. of 1875. Mr. Condit said the present Board re- seived A au atk Mr. Le Moyne said the case seemed very clear. In the Town of Lake, a3 in many other cor- porations, it was agreattemptation to use a Tund set apart lor one purpose, and devote it to another, trusting to resturiug It when the taxes came in. This be calicd 2 misappropriation and breach of trust, and thought it was as good a way to damage the credit of the town as the Trustees could well have devised. Mr. Condit understood that in the County Board, and all Town Boards of which he had any knowledge, it was customary -to borrow from one fund to mect the claims upon another. Mr. Le Moyne didn’t{know how they did these things in the County Board, and scarcely con- sidered that body as being very high authority. After some further talk between the tax- payers and the officeholders, Mr. Lord moved to continue the Committee, and that the Com- mittec inquire what Jezal rights the taxpayers had, and in what mauner the fuuds could be re- placed where they belonged. Mr. Le Moyne hoped the matter would be settled amicably, believing the best interests of the town would be subserved thereby. ‘The ex- penses would have tobecut down, and this could probably be done better if they worked together instead of fighting over it. Mr. Condit defended “his administratien, claiming that bis books would show what bad been done with every single dollar, and that he had done the best he could for the town under the conditions. He had found the finances in bad shaps, and had to straighten them out. Mr. Mack contended that the Town Treasurer had not fulfilled the promises made by him when seeking election, and held that the prinvi- pal reason for the difficulties in which they had gotten was the enormous salaries pafd. to town officers. He went over tho charges against the Sun, and declared that Mr. Goodall, proprietor, of that paper, had owned to him that the Board controlled the paper. This gave rise to a heap more of recrimination and explanation, finally stamped out by the previous question. The Committec was contin- ued, and the meeting adjourned subject to call. ‘THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES of the Town of Lake held an adjaurned meeting yesterday afternoon at the Town-Hall . Thera Were present. Muirhead, Condit, Montgomery, Murphy, and Shirley. Fifty-two saloon licenses were granted. * A petition was received from fhe hose com- panies asking compensation for their services. ‘The petition was not acted upon, but the Board accepted an invitation to be present at a mect- ing of the men, to be held at Englewood hose- house Friday evening, when the matter will be discussed. Petitions for bridges at the corner of Forty- third street and Shurtleff avenue and at the al- ley on Forty-third street, near Wenthworth ay- enue, were referred. ‘The following resolution was offered by Mr. Condit, and was adopted: Resolved, That no order forimprovements or for any work inrolring expense, to be paid by the Town of Lake, shall be given by any oficer of the town, untess such work or improvement shall first be or- dered by the Board of Trustecs, and the Clerkis directed to not{fy each member of the Board of ‘Trustees and the employes of the town in writing of this action of the Board. ‘The pay-rolls and a number of bills were or- dered to be vaid. ‘The proposition of Darlington Turmbolt to bald gasworks in the town was laidon the table. Tne Committee on Roads_and Bridges report- ca that the slough on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad grounds, from Mack street to State street, has been ordered filled. On the petition. to grade Ogden avenue, the Committee reported that the finances of the town would not ‘warrant the undertaking of the workat present. Adopted. Petitions for various other improvements were Jaid on the table, with the indorsement that the financial condition of the town would not war- rant making them. CASUALTIES. FATAL COLLISION. Spectat Dispatch to Tae Tribune. Lararetrs, Ind., Aug-15,.—Three men named George Foulk, William Bland, and Frank Cole, residing in Delphi, Ind., who had been thresh- ing in the vicinity of Battle Ground, and were returning home ina wagon, when crossing the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Railroad track about five miles north of this city, were struck by a north-bound passenzer train, the pilot ranning under the centre of the wagon, tearing it to atoms, throwing Foulk to one side, Bland to the other, and Cole lodging in the en- gine beneath the smoxe-stack, ‘The two former were killed instantly. Cole is still alive, but his skull is badly fractured and be will probably die. The team was uninjured. The crossing was on a curve in the woods. . PrrtssorG, Pa., Aug. 16—The express-train on the Southwest Branch of the Penasylvania Railroad collided with the pay-car train about one mile gouth of Uniontown at 5 o'clock this evening. Edward Ridley, engineer of the passenger-engine, was instantly killed, and George Maun, tireman, fatally injured. Several passengers were slightly injured. KILLED BY LIGHTNING. Omana, Neb., Aug. 18.—On Wednesday, near Genera, Fillmore County, this State, during the prevalence of a taunder-storm, William Bow- man, awell-known citizen, was instaptly killed by lightning while riding in his wagon. TUG EXPLOSION. Fortress Monnoz, Va., Aug. 18.—The steam tag Mat White blew uP on the James River this morning. The Captain, engineer, and one fire- man are missing. ACCUSATION AND DENIAL, ‘New Yors, Aug. 18.—Albert Fink, tne Com- missioner having charge of the apportionment of the west-bound freight from this city, sent 0 communication yesterday to the representatives of the trunk fines, stating that the Wabash Railway bad been found guilty of carrying freights below the schedule rates. Fink there- fore directed that no more freight should be sent by agents uf the trunk lines over the Wa- bash way until further notice. He also stated in his letter that it was reported that the > Canada Southern had been cutting rates, and, although he had not re received positive evi- dence to that effect, he feared the report was true. "New York, Aug. 18.—Wabash officiais here deny that they have violated the agreement a3 to freight rates. Sa JUDGE JOHN M. WILSON. To the Editor of The Tribune. Cxrcaco, Aus. 18.—A few days aol sawa communication in Taz TRtBunE proposing the name of exJudge John 3. Wilson for Probate Judze. Mr. Wilson, [ am informed, is not a candidate for that office, but will be one for County Judge, which office would suit iis tastes, talents, and lezal acquirements mi better than the Probate Judgeship. He would make a first-class County Judge. The old Judge is poor and dessrving. During the tine hs was on the Bench there. was no abler or juster Judge in the State. 4 the veople want an up- rigbt, incorruptible, and clear-headed Magis- trate, they could do no better than to elect John M. Wilson County Judge. Lex. ————s OBITUARY. Special Dispatch to The Tritume. Terre Havre, Ind., Aug. 18—Willlam L. Ryce, one of our heaviest dry-goods merchants, died last night at Grand Haven, Micb., where he had gone for the benefit of his health. He was ason of Lucius Ryce, and was the senor mem- ber of the firm of W. L. Ryce & Co. and Ryce & Walmsley. ‘Special Dtevatch to The Tribune. Broomnctox, Il., Aug. 18.~Mrs." Richard P. Morgan, ot. Bloomingt.m; one of the most estimable society women of this city, died this afternoon sftera long illness of rheum: She was a most accomplished anid woman, and an aunt of Sirs. Philo D. Beveridge} of Evanston. FINANCIAL, New Yore, Aug. 18—Emery, Ivey & Lee, ary. merchants, No. 359 Broadway, have failed. Liabilities, $200,000. 2 2 athe failure of Gamewell & Co., bailders of the fire-alarm telegraph, was announced yester- lav. ‘The failure of Spellman Brothers, laree deal- ers in notions, trimmings, etc. No. 369 Broad- war, is announced- BILLIARDS. The Absolute Lack of Public In- terest in the Game. Private Tables and the Hard Times Are Responsible. Billiard Tournaments Are an Amusement of the Past. ue Oh, carom me back,” was once the song of the billiard-ball in this city and in America, and the merry clink of the ivory spheres were to be heard every hour throughout the Jencth and breadth of the land, But now the yoica has growo weak and apologetic in its tone, the Green-covered ccb!cs 2tcumulate dust, and the very mice gnaw holes in the cushions. The cues are tipless and are handled mainly by nov- ices, women, and children, And where are the billiara artists, who used to advertise their approach with yellow posters on the walls and bulletin boards upon the strects,—where Is the little Frenchman, Garnier; where is the other Frenchman, Vignaux; the youthful Slosson, who pushed his wayinto fame by sheer. force, against overwhelming odds? Where are the Dion brothers, Cyrille and Jue, and Sexton, and Carr, and Ubassy, and all the rest, whose steady, strong nerves were once the pride and envy of three-quarters of the male popula- tont All gone to New York. a Where are the billiard-matches, to attend which a young man would hoard up his pennies until the required admission-fee was rcached, and then slip out of the back-door during busi- ness hours. and gain admissfan to the charmed Jocation by the alley-entrance, after adopt- ing all these precautions, be surprised to meet bis employer face to face? Where are the apol- ogies that would ensue,—the one for setting the example, and the other for followingit? Where is the father_and the son who stumbled against. esch other, and then entered into a conspiracy to “keep dark” before mothers and sisters, who were known to disapprove of billiards generally, and billiard matches par- ticularly? Where -is the money that changed hands s0 often that it did nobody any good, ex- cept the pool-vender and the deaker in fire- water? Gone, ali gone; but wherefore this great chauget Why are there twenty-one tables standing ready but mostly idle around the Court-House Square, where there were former) 175 or 180! Why are the prices irom 30 to ef cents a hour now, where they were once 60 cents? Why is this thusly? “HARD TIMES.” 8o says Mr. Bruuswick, the man who has made the game of billiards a life-study, and whose name is as familiar to the “ spieler ” as a house- hold word. {n 1871 there were fn Chicago about 150 pri- Yate billiard-tables, owned by wealthy gentle ‘men in this city. Then, cvery man who owned a table was regarded as somewhat “ fast,” and: the young man who spent an hour of an even- ing in a billiard-hall was cousidered almost as an outcast from soefety. A reliziously-inclined young lady at that time would cut the acquaint- ance of agentleman friend who became pus- sessed of a desire to while away an hour with a friend in a game of billiards, and the swain who could boast that he did not know the first. principles of the game stood high in the fair one’s favor, while it would be better for him that a millstone were encircled about his neck and that he were cast into the Healey Slough, than that he should confess himself an adept, although the same religiously-inclined female would not hesitate to engage him at whist or. euchre until midnight. Now there are hundreds of young ladics—and elderly ones, too—who un- detstand the game thorouchly in all its intri- cate points and geometrical system, which is considerable to say, for billiards is a scientific game. ‘This is doubtless another principal reason for the falling-off of interest in the game. A certain young man in this efty was passionately fond of billiards. He spent.the most of his evenings in a hall where the’game was played; his acquaint- tance was mostly confined to gentlemen who passed their leisure moments in punching the vories, and it was the height of his ambition to be honored with the acquaintance of a ‘pro- fessional.” His father was a pillar of the church, a thinking man, anda Christian. It grieved hig core to see his eldest son “going to the bad’? in this way, and he passed many a night in wakefulness, thinking how be might counteract the evil which was growing upon his offspring and leading him astray. He had an attractive home and luxuriant surroundings,— books, music, and company,—but the evenings of this wayward young man were all passed with JELBSS ASSOCIATES ima gilded palace, where clinked the polished ivory balls to the muste of clashing glasses and ‘a tuncless piano, thumped by fingers rendered nerveless by dissipation.. Finally the good deacon hit upon a plan which be pondered upon for sometime. He felt thatit was using Satan's weapons to drercome Satan, and setting a bad example: but something had to be done; it was a desperate chance, but he undertook it, and won. He arose early one morning. Tt was the day before Christmas. He diseuised hitnsclf in a suit of old clothes, and bent his steps toward the office of the most noted billard-table manu- facturer in the West; with trembling hands he, lifted the latch, looked np and down the street, and entered, hastily closing the door after him. Once inside he breathed cazicr. He wiped the cold perspiration from his brow,.and at once proceeded to business. “ What {s the price of the best table that you manufacture?” said he. “Six hundred dollars,” replied the manufac- turer. ‘Come in and Icok at our stock.” ‘The deacon entered the salesroom, selected a perfect gem in finish and varnish, chose the Tost expensive set of balls he could find, pick- ed out the most elaborate cue-rack, procured a full stock of cues, French chalk, brushes, a fan- ciful spread,—all complete, and ordered his purchases to be sent up to his mansion and set up during a portion of the day when be knew his son would be at his business. He thought that if his boy must play billiards, it would be vastly better for him to play in the sacred precincts of his home than to be absent among parties foreign to domestic bliss. He saw his nopeful puton his bat and overcoat after supper that night and go oat without a pang. In fact he rubbed his hands together in lee In anticipation of what a morrow woull frive forth. He could scarcely sleep that night thinking of the joyful surprise with which his beloved wouid gaze upon his Christmas present. He was not disappointed. After breakfast he asked his boy what he was intending todo that day, and received an unsatisfactory answer. Then he took him by the arm and led him into the large, square room directly in the rear of the back parlor, and there showed him one of the finest BILLIARD-TABLES IN TOWN. The son didnot cry or dance with joy, bat merely remarked: *-Father, I see the ‘point,’ but you haven’t get any counters, and I guess you intend to ave the bridge-game barred.” This talk was Greck to the old gentleman, and his ardor was rather cooled; but the coach- man was dispatched immediately, and the required counters and bridge were procured. JOUNNT INVITED HIS PRIENDS in and kept the table warm ali day, and far into the night. He was up bright and early the fol- Jowing morning and beat himself at a game before breakfast. His mother got very reasons, and his invalid sister stuffed cotton in herears. This continued fora month or more, and then suddenly ceased. The tips were off most of the cues, the boxes were empty of chalk, the bridxes were broken and spliced, and floslly laid away catirely; one-quarter of the counters were broken gone from the string: the cushions were heavy, damp, si dead, the balls were chipped, the cloth was torn in several places, and finally the table looked best when covered up entirely. But Johuny cared no more for billiards. He had played Lillards wich bis mother’s com- pany, and bad fallen in Jove. Hecarcd no more for the gentle rattle of the balla, but spent his evenings out more than ever, althouzh the arent on his father’s side didn’t complain, for he kuew be was not ata billiard-ball. Da; ter day his father saw the 3600 worth of pleas- ure standing idle, without paying a cent’s worth of interest. In fact, it seemed to interest no one in particular. Finally the old gentle- man fot into the . habit of | taking vpa cue and rolling the balls about. The more he practiced the more intercsted he became, and at last, finding it rather monotonous practicing atone, he roped the old lady fn, and now this aged couple play & pretty still game, and have taught their miuister and his wife to play. The Deacon says he doesn’t blame Johnny so much after all for liking the game, and uses all his arental influence to cet hm to play with him For bis own amusemeut. ‘The moral of this little Sunday-school story is that when a party feels that ne ig licensed and free todo what seemeth to him pleasing, he goon Wearies of that which once gave him great joy, and it soon becomes wholly uninteresting. . STATISTICAL. ‘Theré were in the neighborhood of forty bill- jard halls at one time in the business part of Chicago, while now there are but abont four regular halls in running operation. These are Bruvswick’s, prices 50 cents A Doty & Rblnes', 50 cones Want ae ceuis; and Brown’s, 30 cents. Then there are the halls connected with the hotels, which are probably the most patronized of any. The hard times really have had something to do with the falling off of what at one time did fair to become the nations! game of America. The nse of the game hasalways been extrava- gant, and it would take the income of a Croesus to keep it up a great while. Then, too, the introduction of tables into private houses has had a preat deal to do with bankrupt- ing the public halls Bur a few years since it was a very Fare thing to see a dwelling with a table in it, while now no house with any pretensions, scarcely, is without one, and in the construction of a new and elegant abode, a convenient room fs Salad off and fitted up expressly for bill- Bat the down-town business is ruined, prob- ably beyond recuperation. It is not the ex- pense alone, nor the hard times, but it is a lack of interest. The mind seeks othor and more novel recreation, and things which were onco prosy and tame are becoming more and more popular as the work of enlightenment and re- finement goeson in the land. Skating was once the rage, and was succeeded by dancing, which is already on the wane; in a few years more it will not .be considered st all fashionable to dance in company, and croquet willbe 2s old- fashioned as the game of cat's-cradie or Copen- hagenis now. But billiards isan exceedingly ticeame, requiring ingenuity and skill to play f successfully; and it isa game so suscep- tible‘of improvement that a person may learn new features in it every day of his life. Formerly billiards were charged -for by the game, the popular price being 25 cents. tables were a thizd larger than at present, and contained six pockets, one at each corner and one on each side. The chief aim of the vlayer was to get certain balls into these pockets and. tokeep certain others out. Then. the more fashionable of the billiard halls—or saloons, as they were then called—adopted ‘the four-pocket —_tabie. Tne string = con- taini 100 buttons, or counters, which constituted a game. Then the pockets were abol- ished entirely, and the carom table took lies cedence. The string was chapged to thirty-four points. As the players became more sinliful, the game was made more difficult by removing one of the red balls, and playing what is known asthe French carom game. The game was played tery quiky by the good bDilliardist, while it lasted from two to four times as lon: with the poor player. The former thus expen: ed double the amount for an hour’s recreation as. the latter, and it was so apparently unfair to him that he adopted the course of repeating his string in whole or in part. ‘This the poor play- er observed and immediately followed suit. Consequence, a loss to the proprietor, who set about devising a scheme to counteract the ten- dency, which resulted in thecharging of billiards by the honr, and which has now become univer- When a match-game took place three or four. years ago, 50 cents and $1 were charged as admission fees. Now it is more difficult’ to fill a hall at 25 cents ahead. There are two reasons for this, aside from tno hard times and lack of interest. When these. matches first began, they were played ina measure upon their merits; but in time betting was commenced, which grew {n force until the best seats were all occuvied by professional sports and gamblers, to the excl sion and discust of the more decent portion the spectators, who withdrew, leaving the ficld to the roughs; and-thus these matches pecame, toacertain extent, disreputable. These area few of the reasons why billiards me public places are so fast losing thelr popu- ty. . CRIME. : A PRECIOUS SWINDLER, Spectat Dispatch to The Tribune. New Yore, Aug. 18.—The Times says that, early in June, a person calling himself G. H. Boulton, and pretending to be a traveliog agent for Walker & Renwick, of this city, sole agents for Willfam Howlands & Son’s English var- nishes, was arrested at Little Rock, Ark., for swindling carriage-dealers ont of small sums of money. His plan was to visit carriage-makers to borrow money on the strength of drafts on the firm in New fork for the amounts loaned. His swindling operations had previously been carried on’ with, success in other cities. Investigation by a Little Rock detective showed that he had victimized a coumber of carriage-makers in Richmond, where he passed’ by the name of G. H. Boulton, and later in Columbus, O.. Cincisuati, Louisville, and New Orleans, where he was known ag G. C. Ralston, G. H. Boulton, A. 8.. Ler & .Hunt, and R. M. Seaton. The drafts given _by to bis victims were returned unhonored. He was not in any way connected with the firm upon whom they were drawn. Owing to a failure of the complainanta in Little Rock to prosecute the charges the fel- low escaped, and is azain playing his old game. Some time ago Mr. Renwick disposed of bis in- terest in the agency for Harland & Son’s var- nishes to Mr. John R. Walker, his part? ner, who conducts the business at No. 27 Pearl strect. Three drafts sicned L. B. Cole were presentett toMr. Walker during the past week. ‘They were all drawn on Walker & Renwick, showing that Cole no knowledge of the recent diseolution of part- nership. One for $15, presented on Thursday, was dated Decatur, and was drawn on the order of Wayne Bros., ecarriagemakers of thet lace. On Friday another order for a simi- lar amount in favor of George EI aign, Ill, was received, and yester for 375 to the order of Wiiliam Whitehall, of Danville, Ill, was presented. There is no doubt that Cole is the mar who was urrestes in Little Rock. Hfs handwriting corresponis ex- actly with that of Boulton, alias Lewis, etc. FORT WAYNE. 2 Forr Warne, Ind., Aug. 13.—To-day at ncon atramp entered the house of Conrad ‘Tin six miles from town, and stole a gold ring, and a pair of gold bracelets, and $15 in money. Being discovered by Mrs. Tinkey, he fired three shots at her, one of which passed through her cress. He then escaped with his spoils. ‘the woman was not injured. ‘Last night four hichwaymen threw a street; ear from the track. near the edge of the city, seized the driver, and triedtorob bim, but he succeeded in escaping from their clutches, and raised an alarm, whereupon the thieves made their escape. RUN DOWN. Axx Ansor, Mich., Aug. 18.—Charles Pards, the man who was. arrested in Ypsilanti last February and Icdged in jail here, aad who soon afterwards escaped, has just been recaptured and brought back to this city. He. states that on the night of his escape he ran all the way to Toledo, arriving there the next morning. Ho has since traveled all over the State, as appears from an accurate diary which he has kept, the entry of which is dated Augusta, and says. Captured and brought back to Ann Arbor.,| PARDONED. Spectal Dispatch to The ‘Tritade. SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Aug. 18.—The Governor to-day pardoned Willlam B. Royce, convicted of Jarceny at the October term, 1876, in the LaSalle County Circuft Court, and sentenced to the Penitentiary for three years. Royce took a farmer's horse, rode it thirty miles, and turned. itintos corntield. Tne neighbors acquainted with the facts asked for bis pardon on the ound that tbe offense was due to youthful indiscretion, and that there wss 20 felonious intent. REPORTED MEXICAN OUTRAGE. San Francisco, Aug. 18.—A San Diego dise patch gives srumor frooy San Rafael that the Elliott boys, recently captured by the Mexicans and confined at San Rafsel, were fired upon by a mob of Mexicans while going from dinner to jail wader guard, and one of them killed. The Teport is not fully credited, and parties fn San Diego preparing to go to the rescue of the sur- vivor and avenge the death of bis brother are cautioned that the news lacks confirmation. ATTEMPTED MURDER ANDSUICIDE New York, Aug. 13.—Thomas Harding, aged 45 years, shot bis housekeeper, Birs. Wood, aged 26, at his residence in One Hundred and Ni th his morning, and then pat a pistol Ainth street, tirpred twice. He died instantly, but Mrs. Wood’s wound, which is in the shoul- ht to be fatal. Harding is a aon Dut has not. lived with his wife for some time. The cause of the shooting is not known. AN AMAZONIAN FEAT. New York, Aug. 18.—During s quarrel this morning, Ann Kinnte threw Delia Fox out of a third-story window, breaking her leg and injur- ing her in! ly. oe ‘It transpires that the horse and , the latter ly smashed, found in tbe are, the E..W. Henderson on Canal street, were stolen from, Ae ‘T. Burrows, of No. 625 West Madison siree! 5