North Carolina Newspapers

7TT .. . t f K " i 7 THE DAILY CITIZEN TrirTT' Drllrered to Visitors in any part of II 1 1 1 1 M One Month .Vic. I I II II Two Weeks, r lew i!ac. aUL AmL. . DAILY CITIZEN BOARDING, WANTS, Iror Rent, and Lost Notices, three lines or less, 25 Cents for tut li insertion. VOLUME V. ASHEVILLE, N. C, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1889. NUMBER 201. FIFTY-FIRST CONGRESS. HtKKiKH ATTKNIIIKU THE A! (tKHBIJHiU VKSTKRIUV. All the Republican Caucus Nom inee F.lected In the House ICx cept Chaplain, Which is Uiveu to the Hlliicl Orator Milliurn. Washington, December 2. SKN TK. There wits no excitement attending the Fifty-first Congress oil the senate silk of thecnpitol. Public curiosity seemed to lit transferred largely to the house side. It was noticeable that while the senate galleries were prettv closely packed with spectators, ladies were not in the major ity at they usually arc. They had pre fcrred to witness the scenes in the house on such occasions. Several of the foreign delegates to the maritime and I'au-Ainerican conferences, and a number of ladies occupied seats in the diplomatic gallery. Sir Julian Paunce tote, the British minister, and Admiral KorzmekotF, of the Russian navy, were among those present. The usual friendly greetings were interchanged on the Hour between the members and the officers of the senate, and outside the sun was shining warm and bnghiinuclear, cloud less sky. Interest on the Moor was devoted large ly to the senators troni the new Slates. They had had seats assigned to them on the republican side of the chamber. Sen ator Casey, of North Dakota, look hi seat at the end of the second row against the north wall. Directly behind him sat the Washington senators, Allen and Squire, while I'ettigrcw and Moody, ol South Dakota, were in the fourth row nearer the center ol the room. Senator Pierce, of North Dakota, has an end seal in the fourth row, but he was not present to-day. On the democratic side are two seals so tar unussigucd. They will be oc cupied by the senators from .Montana when they shall have been chosen. Flowers adorned the desks "ol several nie'nbeis. Senator Mitchell's desk was covered by a large mound, on the face ol which was his name set in immortelles and surrounded by rowsuf roses. Other offerings were more modest, being merely bunches of roses, except in the case ol Senator Blackburn, who received a floral horseshoe. Senators Squire, Dawes, Hoar, Keuna, Furwcll, Stewart, 1'aync. iliscock and Chandler were also thus re membered by admiring friends; and Ilk desk of Vice-President Morton was like wise handsomely decorated. At noon Vice-President Mortonentcred the chamber, and Chaplain Kev. J. (',. Butler opened the proceedings with an in vocation for divine blessing, closing with the Lord's Prayer, in which Senator Kd niiinds joined audibly. The oath ol office was then adminis tered by the Vice-President to Scualoi Chandler, of New Hampshire, for his new term. The credentials of Nathan F. Dixon, senator-elect from the State of Rhode Island, were presented and read and the oath of office administered to him. The credentials of Messrs. Woody and I'ettigrcw, senators-elect from i he new State of South Dakota, were pre sented by Senators l'lalt and Spooner, and those of Messrs. Allen and Squire, 01 Washington, were presented by the Yicc 1'resident. The several credentials Inn ing been read, Mr. l'latt moved 1 hat the oath of office be administered to tne four new senators. The motion was agreed to, and the four new senators, c u h ol them escorted by a senator, proceeded to the clerk's desk, amid some applause li 0111 the galleries, and took the oath of office. Mr. Hoar offered a resolution provid ing 11 mode for assigning the senators from the States of Norl'i Dakota, Souih Dakota and Washington to their respect ive classes, in relation to the period at which their terms will expire, and moved its relercnce to the committee on privi leges and elections. He said that it had been the custom of the senate ever since the organization of the government to assign new senators to their respective classes as soon as they had taken the oath; but that now lor the firft time senators from three Slates catered sub stantially at the same lime. His icsolu tion, he said, proceeded on the theory that the senators from t.ic three Stales mentioned stood 011 an entire equality wilh relerence to their opportunity 10 be assigned to shorter or longer terms. The three States were all admitted under the same act ol coujrress. They were all ad milled by virtue of the proceedings that took place in them on the snmcdny. The fact that the proclamations evidencing Ihe admission of the two Dakotas pre ceded that of Washington by two days was due to the accident 01 the greater distance of the latter so that ihccvideucc ol proceedings had not reached the de partment of Stale at the same lime gave to tile two Manillas no just ill le to pri ori v. Mr. Vest inquired whether iheie was anything in the resolution in lelercnce to Montana. Mr. Hoar Nothing. I do not under stand that the senators Irom Molilalia .are here or arc likely to be here very soon. Mr. Vest That is very Hue. Vet I would suggest that provision be made tor an event which is very sure to happen and which we know must happen in ret erence to u State that is already a mem ber of the union by the President's pro clamation. But, of course, that matter can be considered by the committee on privileges and elections. Mr. Hoar The senators from the State of Montana will lose nothing by not being included in the resolution. The resolution was then relerred to the committee 011 privileges and elections. Resolutions were uttered uud agreed to lixiug the daily hour of meeting at noon, for tue appoinimcut ot a committee ol tw o to join a like committee on the purl of the house to wait on the President and to inform him that congress is ready to receive any communication he may choose to make, ( Messrs. Edmunds uud Harris being appointed ), and lor a con tinuance ol the select committee on the transportation anil sale of meat prod ucts. Mr. Aldrich offered a resolution, which was laid over, declaring tile committees 011 rules in the senate and house a joint select column lee to prepare and report a code ot joint rules lor conducting busi ness on the part ol the two houses. Mi. Aldrich also ottered u resolution, which was also laid over,forthenpoiut mcnl ol a select committee 01 nine sena tors, to be called the quadro-cenlcnnial -committee, to winch shall be relerred all 'mutters connected with the proposed eel cbrniion ol the lour hundredth anniver saiy of the discovery ot America. I he senate then, at 12.35, adjourned lilt to-morrow. HOUSE. As the hour of noon up proached the noise and contusion in creased upon the floor. The visitors who were aim ule to secure entrance into the galleries came upon the Hour beseeching the uiemtiers to give them orders to the various door keepers to accomplish the impossible task of obtaining them ac- i conimodations. 1 Magnificent floral designs were cairied ' here and there by pages, and the odor of; roses filled the air. A handsome, but ! unobtrusive basket graced the speaker's! desk. Two desks were necessary to sup- j port the iiiiinciise floral horse shoe and! floral chair, each bearing tile inscription 1 "Our Little Ciiant," sent to McCarty, of New York, by his admirers. Houk, of Tennessee, was the recipient ol a superb floral ship ot State. Before the hour of noon, the executive and dip lomatic galleries were filled. As llie hands of the clock pointed to the hour of 12 o'clock, the clerk called the house to order and proceeded to read the" roll of the members elect. The roll call showed the presence of 327 members, 3 absentees lieing, O'Neall, of Indiana Randall, of Pennsylvania and Whitthornc. of Ten nessee The clerk staled that he had not received the certificates of the election from the Sixth, Ninth and Twenty seventh districts of New York. More than a quorum having been disclosed nominations were in order, and Mr. Reed was placed in nomination bv Henderson, of Indiana. The mention of Heed's name was the signal for applause oil the re publican side which was relumed with interest by the democrats when Mc Creary, of Kc lucky, noniinoted Carlisle for the honorable position. Cannon, of Illinois; Mills, of Texas; Henderson, of Iowa, and Felix Campbell, were ap pointed tellers and the clerk proceeded lo call the roll. The vote resulted, Mr. Reed 100, Mr. Carlisle 15, Mr. Cummings, of New York, 11 Mr. Cowles, of North Caro lina, ) and Mr. Reed, having been de clared elected the speaker, was escorted to the chair by Mr. Mckinley and Mr. Carlisle amid applause, and the oath ol olfice was administered by Mr. Kelley, ol Pennsylvania. The names of Mr. Turner, Mr. Cummings and Mr. Payne from the Sixth. Ninth and Twenty-seventh districts of New York were not called, their cre dculails not having been received. During the roll call Mr. O'Neill, ol Pennsylvania, slated that his colleague. Mr. Randall was paired with Wilber, ol New York, and Mr. Mc.Miliin, of Tcn nesece, slated that his colleague, Mr. Whiithorne was detained at home by illness. Mr. Cummings received a round of np plause for his one vote ami had to endure good iiatuicd bantering of his friends. On assuming llie chair, Speaker Reed said : "Gentlemen of the House of Represen tatives, I thank you lor the high office which your voices have bestowed upon me. It would be impossible not to be moved by its dignities find honors. Yet you may" well imagine that I am at this moment more iinpre ssctl by its responsi bilities mid duties. Under our system ol government as it has been developed these responsibilities and duties are both political and parliamentary. So far as duties arc practical, 1 sincerely hope thai they may be performed with a proper sense ol what is due to all the people ol the whole country. So far as they are parliamentary, I hope with equal sincer ity that they may be performed witli proper sense of what is due to beith sides of the chamber. Applause. J To the end that 1 may be successful in carrying out youi wishes, I invoke the considerate judgment and cordial aid 01 all the members of Ibis house." Long and ceintiuued applause. ihc next step in the organization of the house was the swearing in of the members elect, and as they Kinged them selves in squads ot twenty at a time in the space 111 front of the clerk's desk, the oath was administered by the speaker. This duty having been performed, Mr. Carlisle presented a paper which lie said was the certificate ot the county court ol New York, stating the iiumlier of votes cast in the Ninth New York district, and lor whom they were cast. Although official credentia's had not been received, Mr. Carlisle asked that Mr. Cunimiiigs, the member elect Irom that district be allowed to quality. Mr. Sherman, of New York, made a similar request in behalf ol Mr. Payne, member elect Irom the Twenty-seventh district. Both requests were acceded to. and the gentlemen look the oath of olfice. Mr. Henderson, of Illinois, ottered a resolution lor the ejection of Kdward MePherson as clerk, A. 1. Holmes, ser geant at arms; C. A. Adams, door keeper; James L. Wheat, postmaster: and Rev. Ch.is. B. Ramsdcll, chaplain ol the house. Mr. Cheadle, of Indiana, olfeied an amendment striking out the name ol Chus. B. Ramsdcll, and inserting that ol Wm. II. Mill. inn. Mr. Carlisle ollcred an amendment, substituting llie names of present elective officers ol the house I with the exception 01 chaplain I lor the names conluiiicd in Mr. Henderson's resolution. The veas anil navs were demanded on .Mr. Cheadle 's amendment, but were re fused. On a standing vote the amend ment was rejected, 120 to 13, but on a vote by tellers, this result was adopted, 101 to 15. The republicans then attempted to secure a reconsideration of the vote by which yeas and navs were refused, but met with a dele.it, 151 to 158, so the amendment was adopted. Mr. Carlisle's amendment having been de-lea led on a viva voce vote. Mr. Lodge, ot Massachusetts, demanded a division on Hendersou's resolution as amended. That portion of the resolution for the election ol clerk, sergeant at arms, door kcccr, and postmaster, was adopted bv a viva voce vote, the vote then recurring on that portion ol the resolution which, amended, provides lor the election ol Rev. W. II. Milburn as chaplain, the yeas and nys were ordered. This por tion of the resolution was likewise adopted, yeas 100; nays loo. Messrs. Cheaelle, Lehlhach, and Moore, of New Hampshire, voting in the affirmative with the democrats. The newly elected clerk, doorkeeier, postmaster ami chaplain then appeared at the bar of the House and were quali fied. A resolution was adopted directing the clerk to inform the Senate that the House had organized and was ready to proceed to business. Messrs. McKinley, Cannon and Car lisle, were appointed a committee to in form the President to the same ellect. The drawing for seats by lot was the next business in ortler, and a resolution was adopted, the clfeet of which was to permit ex-Sneakers Banks. Randall and ! Carlisle, nnd Kelley, of I'ennsvlvaiiia, to I select their seats. The drawing having 1 been concluded, the sergeant nl arms np- peared at the bar ol ,the House and was qualified. Mr. Boyne, of Pennsylvania, offered a , resolution directing the 8eaker to ap ! point committees on rules, accounts, tn I rolled bills and mileage, each to consist j of the same number ol members as is pro vided Ivr by the rules oftlie Fiftieth Coil I gress to committee on rules, adopted. 1 The House then at .30 adjourned. DHIKKHATIC CAtClS. A Kltitriiiic Resolution oftlie li'm ocratlc Members or Congress. Washington. December 2. The house democratic caucus nut at ten o'clock this morning mid remained in session half an hour. All the- old officers were ic-iiomi-nated except Chaplain. No nomination was made for that office. The llolilng of the democratic caucus this morning necessitated the clearing of the tloor of the house and galleries against the general public who surged through the lower corridors until the pressure became so great that, in order to relieve it, ingress was permitted to the halls on the upper floor; and in a short time each closed gallery door was besieged by a crowd ot expectant specta tors. In the meantime the caucus was proceeding in a peifuiietiory manner to make nominations lor the various elec tive offices. All the old officers were elected with the exception of chaplain, no nomination being made for that olfice, although all democrats will vole for Mr Milburn, the blind chaplain of the last house. On niolion of Mr. Wikc, of Illinois, the following resolution was adopted without division : Resolved, That we, the democratic members of the house of representatives ol the Fifty-First Congress, at the begin ning of the lirsl session hereby sent! greetings to the people of the country with the assurance of our continued con fidence in, and devotion to, the princi ples of tariff reform as embraced in Presi dent Cleveland's mess ges to the last congress upon that subject, and in the plal loi 111 of principles adopted bv the last dcmoeralic national convention at St. Louis; and that we hail with delight the emphatic approval of these princi ple's by the ciq)lc as expressed at the polls in the recent elections. And we pledge them lo renew and continue in congress ihc contest for the reduction eii the war taxes so ably begun and prose cuted in former congresses by our reprc si ntalives and senators. The subjects next broached, were the election of permanent caucus officers, and the at tit tide of the party towards any pioposcd modification of the house rules; but it was deemed advisable in order to ae-e'oinniodate the public, by opening the galleries to postpone the determination of those questions; and accordingly, alter having been in session for hall an hour, the caucus adjourned until to morrow uighL. As the heavy gallery doors swung out ward on their lunges, there was a wild rush lor seats, and in a tew moments lliere was standing room only in the wide- portals. The executive gallerv was alone entirely empty ; and the gallery re served for the diploma lie corps had but a lew occupants. The picture, lor which the galleries formed a gigantic anil ap propriate frame, was extremely inter esting. On llie flrmr, membi-is mingled together chatting and laughing. Per sonal animosities seemed forgotten, unci political diflcrences buried, while jollity and good humor were the order of the day. But the spectator looked in vain for the genial face of Cox, the good ii.-itured presence of Townshend, the manly figure of Laird, and the studious eoiiiiieuaiicc of Nutting. The places which had known them so long, would know tlicin no more, forever. COST OK TIIKP!tTAI,HKItVKK A Dcltclciicv of 7,600,000 for the Year Intimates for ihijo-'qi. Washington, XovciiiIkt2!. Third As sistant Postniaster-Cieucrnl Hazel has submitted his report for the fiscal ycai ending June 30, 18KSI. The statement of the financial operations of the postal service shows that the total amount ol revenue collected during the year was .f.)li,14,s,(ii. Hie total ol actual and estimated ex'tenditurcs out oftlie appro priations is $62,!lH,lU8. In addition to the amounts payable out of appropria tions there was certified to the Secretary ol the Treasury for transportation of mails on t lie Pacific railroads the sum of $1 ,253,673. This amount is cr dited on the books eii the Treastir in account with the companies lor Govcrnine-nt aid m the construction ol tlieir lines. 1 he addition of this item would make the total cost of the service for the venr $ti.'t,- 7ol ,S71 , or ,?7.(iOI.Nf.( in excess ol the revenue. The revenue of the venr exceed ed that of the previous year ill the sum ol $:t,fi2.83(i, or (i ll per cent. The crease of expenelitures and liabilities was .$o.,SU2,tK", or 10. iR-rccnt. over those oftlie previous vear. For the vear ending lime 311. IKSKI, the revenue is estimated at $(io,GlS.S30 The appropriations tor the year amounted to .jiif,00,-,3. It is estimated that there will be a ileticiencv of $170,117 i" the appropriations lor pay ot postmas ters, ol $U23.30 for railroad transpor tation, and ot $211,0110 tor steamboat service. These items added to the apim printions make a total of $07, 727, Sill. Allowing tor tlie expenditure ol this en tire amount would ninke the deficiency ol revenue to be supplied from the general treasury Si.lO'.I.OfiO. For the vear ending lime .'II I, 1H01, the estimated amount ol revenue is placed at rj.o,i,41..l,ti. 1 he expenditures are esti mated at $72,;!.(!i!l, leaving a defi ciency to be supplied from the general treasury ol rj,7,02t),3lil. The statistics of' the special delivery system for ISS'.t show that 1.000,200 letters were delivered by SR-eial delivery messengers. This was an increase id nearly 12 per cent, over the iiumlier de livered dining the previous year. The amount paid for messenger service was S121,!IS(. 1 he amount ot fees realized for the service amounted to $lt0,f20 leaving a surplus to the government of ;ifs,u;i2. The munlicr of postage stamps, envel oies, letter-sheet enveloK's, and postal cards issued during the year was 2,818, 505,321, representing a total value of $52,921,78. The amount of postage collected on second-class matter was $1, 616,351, representing nearly 81,000tons of such. Major J. D. Roitem Dead, Lexington, Va., December 2. Major john D. Rogers, solicitor of the Chesa peake and Ohio railroad, son of General Asa Rogers, ex-auditor ot Virginia, a rel ative of General K. E. Lee, chief quarter master of General I). II. Hill's division ol the army of Northern Virginia C. S. A., died Sunday Irom injuries received in the railroad collision nt Scottsville, on the Chcsn)eakc and Ohio railroad in August last. He was buried in the Lee Memo rial Episcopal church to-day. llumlnit of a Ferry Boat. Bai.timokk, December 2. The new transfer terry boat Groton, recently purchased by the Baltimore nnd Ohiti Railroad Company was burned at sea Saturday night, while off Chincotngue light while being towed to this port. Loss $40,000, fully insured. Tugs res cued everybody on board. SCENES OF HORROR. THi; FIRE IN MINNKAPOI.lt M ATI' Ml) AY NIGHT. AppealH oftlie lTnforluiiate Men Cut oft In the tieveiitli Slorv of the Ituililluir From Any Means of lCscape-Tlie Dead. Minneapolis, Minn., December 1. 'our smoke-blackened nnd crumbling vails, lowering up above a steaming, smoking, smouldering mass of niachiu- , buck and building debris, is all that miming of the eight-story brick building 11 the corner id First avenue, houlli anil Fourth streets, in which, until to-day. had been printed three daily and one w-e-cklv ncwspaiKrs, and where was located the Minneapolis Tribune, besides numerous other offices. All day to-day a constantly changing and ever increasing crowd of sightseers thronged the streets, v.atchmg the tlorts ot the iiremen to sulKlue entirelv the flames which they had brought under control at about two o'clock this morn ing. The fire was a tierce one while it lasted, ami it was due to the cll'eetive work ol the department that the flames were kept from spreading to wooden buildings on adjacent lots. 1 he plan ot tile building was such as to make it well uigh impossible for any one w ho delayed alter the alarm had been ivcu to make his escape from the build ing. As there were no less than one liim- dii'd men at work 011 the uper storiesat the time the hrc broke oul.and the warn ing was late, as well as the means 01 egress limited, some loss ol life was a certainty. Several times there have been small tires in the building, but they were quickly extinguished, so that, although II realized the combustible nature ot the building, llie warning was less likely to be heeded. The building has been con sidered dangerous tor sometime, ilsloose construction permitting heavy machinery to jar the whole building. 1 here was but one lire escape, and it was at the end oftlie building where the fire raged liere'est. The single stairway was spiral, narrow and dark, and wound around the elevator shall. Three years ago the inadequate tire protection of the builel- g w, is considerably agitated, the mat r being taken up bv the trades and labor assembly and carried finally to the itv officials, an attempt being made to have the building properly 1 rotcctcd 01 condemned, but nothing came of it. Since that time no changes have been made in the building. Last night, a lew minutes after ten o'clock, when the alarm was sounded, it was not regarded seriously by the men at work, although many of them started down the stairs. No danger of serious icsults were thought of when the inch started out, and many of then jokingly speaking of il as a inlsc alarm. This Icehiig ol saletv resulted in the death ol a mi 111 her, anil narrow escape of the others. For some time the Union League club room, where the tire started, had not been used, and the fire's origin is a mys tery. This room is close to the elevator shaft, and in the attempts to put out the llamcs a window was broken open, bring ing in a draft of fresh air. The flames then shot across the hull and up the ele vator shall in u moment and cut oil the escape ol those who had been delayed. A lew broke through the stifling smoke and scorching flumes, but others sought es cape elsewhere. Being at the south end ot the building, while the only fire escape was at the nejrlh end, the printers found their way to the stairs, as well as down them, cut ofl. A number of them eii 111 bed out of the windows and clung to ihc window ledges, waiting for help, which in several cases came too late. Their pit eous cries tor help directed the firemen to them, and a number were saved. Others led oil' their narrow resting place, 01 dropped from the telegraph and tele phone wires, over which they had tried to escape, to their deaths on the frozen ground below. The sight uf the sufferings ol the burning, struggling men, brought liars to the eves of the bravest, and women prayed and strong men breath lessly watched Associated Press Opera tor igoc's brave attempt to escape. He had col clear ol the budding ami was gradually working his wny along thc ires to safety, while the silent, prayer ful crowd below anxiously and lielplesslv walehcil his brave attempt lo save to his wile and four little ones tlieir bread winner. But the wires cut his hands, auel his strength tailed, and a groan went up Irom ihc upturned fairs lar below linn when lie was seen to slip Irom his slight support anil fall to the roof ot the boiler house. .Men lilted him gently and slai'tcd with him to a drugstore, but 011 the way, alter a last, word of loving care lor Ins lainilv, he breathed his last Other liearl-rcnding scenes were wit nessed, hut 110 tighl tor lite could have been pluckier than this, and its fatal termi nation was a niattcrtoriiiiiversalregrel. sievcn bodies were toumf around the building last night, all of which have been identified. They were: Milton Picket, assistant city editor ol the Pioneer Press; J.-iincs P Igo, Associated Press night operator ; alter L. Miles, night agent and day operator of Assoe'iated Press; lidw ird Olsen, president of the university ol South Dakota, at Vermil lion; W. II. Milltuau, commercial editor ot the Tribune; Jerry Jenkins and Roliert McCutcheu. DlNtreMNliifCly Fatal Fire, Piiii.aiiki.I'HIA, December 2. The bnk erv of Gusiave Grass, 011 the cornel of Second and Huntingdon streets, was to tally destroyed bv tire about 3 o'clock tins morning. Mr. Gross escaped from the flumes half dressed, but his wife nnd four children were burned to death. Tlieir bodies have been found in the ruins. An olher lamia, consisting of a man (name not et learned I and Ins wile- and child occupied the rear portion oftlie house, and were rescued wilh difficulty by the firemen on ladders. They were removed to the Kpiseopal hospital and are said to he ill a precarious coittliuon. IlniiTllle Toliin-eo HaleH. Danvillk, Va.. December 2. Sales of leaf tobacco at auction at w arehouses in this market during the month of Novem- Iter amounted to 3.K2(i.8S pounds more than double the sales for Novemlx-r last year. For the first two months of the present tobacc 1 year the increase of leal lobaccei sola over the same permit last year is 3,7S,").S75, pound . The city council to-day agreed to ex empt from city taxation for ten years the capital and machinery of all new manufacturing enterprises employing ns much us 2,500 dollar capital. Howe Company Meetlnir. The annual meeting of Hose Com- j p.mv. No. 1, will ne hem nt tne .Mayor s limit this evening at 7 o clocK. slinrp. for the election of officers. Members will rcmcnilxrr that a tine of $1 will be as sessed against all absentees. JI. C. Faoc, Captain, JOHN ASTON DEAD, This well Known Vounit Man Quietly Pusses Awa. Surprise, mingled with sincere sorrow, passed through the 1 ity yesterday morn ing when it was whispered about that John Aston was dead. Who? John As ton? John Aston, whom everybody knew, and whom all who knew him loved? Everybody knew that John was somewhat feeble, but one who, with his high spirits and his lively cheerfulness, death might not claim for a long time to come. Yet it was true. Consumption in one of its most secret deceptive forms had laid hands upon him, and made its most un collected claim to its victim. TBe community, the every day friends and associates of John Aston, had their riefs. But who shall measure the unut terable agony of the parents who have thus thiice received ill their hearts the hafts aimed at tlieir children, and one Iter the other they have seen all their sons laid low. To offer human sympa thy were mockery of grief. To one Com forter alone mav they look. John tiillilaiiil Aston was born on Sep tember 25, 1853, in this city. He was ducated at Col. Stephen Lee's seheiol in this vicinity, and when attaining to man hood devoted himself to civil engineering. He was city engineer, and the surveyor f the large Vaiidcrbill property. He had fine literary tastes, and wrote with case, force and sprightlincss, a man of rent brightness of mind and geniality of temper, qualities that conduced so largely to his universal popularity, and the trong attachment of his friends. He died on Monday morning, Decem ber 2nd, and will be buried to-day, from the residence of his parents at 3 o'clock. PERSONAL JII-.SllON, Mr. P. S. Booues, who represents the Fayetteville Maniifuctiu ing Company, is it the Grand Central. Mr. Chas. A. Weller, of Knoxville, fenn., hotel purveyor for the Southern Mates, is .it the Battery Park. Judge Whitaker, of Raleigh, N. C, who is presiding over the superior court now in session here, is among the guests at the Battery Park. Mr. G. D. Ray, a well known merchant, of Burnesville, and M. C. Byrd are at the Grand Central. They came here to attend the railroad meeting, Among the recent arrivals at the Grand Central is Mr. J. F. Kimball, of Mechanicsburg, Ohio. lie has a very large stock farm at that place, and '.rr.ps nothing but fine imported stock. Mr. W. W. Avery, treasurer of the Asheville Furniture and Lumber Com pany, and Mr. F. W. Hubbard, president oftlie French Broad Lumber Company, arc spending a week ill Alamance, una bird limiting expedition. Mr. Chas. Price, of Salisbury, the district solicitor, has recently registered at the Battery Park. Other prominent guests at Battery Park are Mr. L. W. Bancroft, of Brooklyn, N. Y., Mr. Dwight I'. Dunn, of Worchestcr, Mass., and Mr. and Mrs. Henderson Banks, jr., of New York, Ilenullful and Fraicraiit. Mr. and Mrs. Diakc have sent us a rose "The Sunset" from their "Idlcwild" greenhouse, No. 3 Charlotte street, that is certainly one of the finest speci men of a rose tliat we have ever seen. Its color as its name indicates is that of a glorious autumnal sunset and its fra grance is only surpassed by its gorgeous color. Huperlor Court. The December term of Buncombe superior court, for civil causes, began yesterday, Judge Spier Whitaker pre siding. Judge V. courteously postponed the opening of his court, until the pro ceedings of the criminal court, Judge Moore, had liceii brought to .1 close. These are noted clswhcre. Scottish Patriotic Society. There will be a meeting oft his associa tion at the house of Mr. James Frank on Friday evening at half past 7 o'clock. All Scotchmen are cordially invited to attend. THE NAVIONAI. DEBT, Thanks From Citizens of Fayette ' ville for Courtesies. Washington, December 2. No opin ions of general interest were rendered in the supreme court of the United States to-day. The debt statement issued to-day shows a decrease in the debt during No vember of $.8(i), 072. 52; decrease since June 30, $211,565,675.73: total interest liearing debt, $851 .3O.O0O.54 ; total debt of all kinds, $1,617.372,10.35; debt less available credits, $10,500,081. 00.72; cash in treasury, $017. 22. 505, 22; legal tender notes outstanding, $36,681,016; certificates of deposit outstanding. $10.10,000; gold cer tificates outstanding, $1 23.K3.1 1 ) ; silver certificates outstanding, $270. 70.3S6; fractional currency, $6'.ll, 13.27. Secretary Tracy has received tlie follow ing letter from Major F. N. Ray and other citizens of l-'ayclteville, N. C: "Wilh profound appreciation of cour tesies extended by t lie national govern ment to our State in her centennial ecle- bration 011 the 20th. 21sl and 22nd of aiKXffi! that occasion as well as the pleasure f. i 01 an ny me promptness wun which ne forded our guests by the United States put the fire out by means of a fire ex Marine Band. Glorious as was our an-' tingtiisher. The fire probably orginated niversary in nil its appointments, there frmn (( m(Udl whi h h d r h would have been an incompleteness ol in spiration without the soul-stirring carelessly away by some guest niter strains of our national band It stimu-: having lighted his cigar, l.-ited our patriotism, elevuted our, .. thoughts, and united us as one iicoplc, j Tne Wea,her To-Day. proud of our great country with its ; Washington. December 2. Indica 'Star Spungled Banner,' and proud of its tionsfor North Cnroliuu. Fair; warmer; navy with its incomparable band." southerly winds. kaii.moaii rtn:i:Ti!.;. Mass Meellnic Called for Tuesday. December gth. It was soincwhat discouraging to see the small number of our townspeople who were willing to leave their several occupations for one hour yesterday to show their interest in the railroad project of which so iiinch has be-ensaid and writ ten, but this wasprobably, because every man in Asheville is already hilly convinced of the importance ol the movement, and of the feasibility of the suggestions ol Capt. Atkinson and others. However this may be, liosnilnlily should have iiiiluceil a better turn out in order to welcome the large and intelligent delegation from Leicester and Sandy Mush, who had rid dci so far to prove that they wished to keep informed of what was proposed to be done, The court room was about half tilled at 1 o'clock and the meeting organized by calling Mr. B. G. Gudger to the chair, and the representatives of the press ,'is secretaries. Capt. Natt Atkinson being called for gave one oftlie best railroad speeches eve ever heard, even from him, and no higher praise can be awarded it; and at its close presented the following pre amble and resolutions; Whereas, There exists great incon venience, expense and loss to the fanners of those sections of Buncombe county, not supplied with the advantages ol rail roads, and Whereas, Opportunities are now ollcr ed of having these sections provided foi in this respcel , and Whereas, The increased wealthofAslie ville ami tin -comity is such that we can well atlord the needed assistance with out additional burdens ill the way 01 taxation. Therefore, be it Resolved. That the chairman of this meeting issue a call for a mass nie'ctingol the jK'ople of this county to assemble at Asheville. on Tuscday, the loth day ol December, for the purpose of taking such action in regard to this matter, as its im portance demands, and Resolved, further. That the commis sioners of this county be requested to have a called meeting of their board 01 Wednesday. December 1 1, in order that the wishes of the people may be carried out in the way of a submission of tin proposition passed by said mass meet ing 10 the people of tiie county for tlicii endorsement at the ballot-box. These resolutions were enthusiastic-ill;, seconded and adopted, and the call o. the chairman for the mass meeting will be published hereafter. Mr. G. D. Ray, of Bunisvillc, then said a lew words, assuring the meeting of the intense inteiest lelt in bis county; and Col. Long, also, declared himself a life-long railroad man, and the meeting aeijourued. CRIMINAL t'OlRT. Verdlct Aicalust William F'ore Net Aside A New Trial tirauled. In pursuance of its adjournment 01; Saturday night, the court was convened at 9 o'clock yesterday, and the considci ation of atfidavils published in our Sun day's issue was taken up. The defense introduced a farther affi davit of R. L. Lee to the effect that D. S. Shook had said to him "I have beaten out Melvin Carter," referring to certain men who had been taken on the jury. Two of the jurymen, Mcssi's. Codec ami Shook were introduced by the Stale, and each asserted that he hail not been ques tioned as to his opinionsof the prisoner's guill, but had the question been asked be Would have replied that he had formed and expressed such an opinion. The counsel for the defendant insisted thai the usual question had not been askcil he-cause ot the assurance given them in private by D. L. Shook, and the court held ihat there was reason lo doubt that the delcndant had rcccivcel a fair and impartial trial, and therefore the verdict should be se-t asielc. Many witnesses were introduced to establish the character of the two jury men, and the evidence was thoroughly satisfactory to them both. We have also heaid many comments of approval of young Mr. Lunsford, the son of the slain man, who naturally assisted the solicitor inlhe prosecution; hisdemcanor was entirely tree of all that vindictive feeling which is so often seen in like cases. his deportment was quiet and dignified and his evident wish was only to secure a fair trial tor the State, and to vindicate his father's character. ODIIS AND r.NUH. The Woman's Guild, of Trinity Parish, will meet at the residene'e of Mr. Leices ter Chapman, on Haywood street, on Wednesday at 3.30 o'clock. Revenue receipts at the Asheville office for the month of November amounted to $7,176.70. We understand this is nearly double the sum received during the same month last year. Officer Hampton, a very active and energetic member of our police force, received a telegram from Andeisonville to-day. stating that a sorrel marc had been stolen from a party there. The mare was five years old and had a white spot on her neck. A small tire had started in the office of Diiiie-iv nun ,vsi,ni,iv ,inu no;; ne na ve become serious find it not Income spied at once by Mr. Loomis, the energetic i..i 1 .1 1 an,l active clerk there. He displayed : -lr'.ntra " the UNREDEEMED RELICS IN MAVOK Hl.tNTON'H FAWN. HltOKI.K'S SHOP. A ' liriolis Collect ion of "C'ollHt. teral' Curios! lies Remarkable Razors, I'e'iiilliir i-istols and Witcliine Wines. Who knew that the Mayor kept a regu lar pa wn-bi okcr's establishment ? But it is a fact. Stowed away in his office are many articles which have been left by llieir owrers as security for the fines im posed. It is a regular mate's I Mayor's) nest. The pledges were on exhibition yes lerday 1110: uing, and, as the tinieof some of the tickets had expired, n rare chance was alTorde il to secure goods dirt cheap. Col. Baird took the stand, and, as each article was drawn forth from its hiding place, described the scenes they had fig ured in, ami drew graphic and blood curdling pictures of tights and quarrels. Many may have noticed lhat our police men arc always clean shaven, with not a hair to spoil the manly beauty ot their laces. Cease to ask the reason whv. Nicy have over titty razors, which have been left there as mementos if drunken brawls. One razor has had a very peculiar history. It has been pledged and redeemed or bought fifteen different times at Mayor Wanton's .-ourt, and is now on its sixteenth round, having been dcposileel there by a darkey who lost his head through eating too much turkey on Thanksgiving, and tried to carve his fellow mortal's drumstick. A jcrtain fatality seems to pursnecveryone who has il in his possession, andeventhe most sober, industrious and peaceably disposed individual is seized with an in tense longing to cut and slash when once it is his. This curse, which it brings on us owner, h is made our police dub it "Old Mortality." It is an ordinary razor with a while handle, on which is a small red spot, which 110 amount of cleaning in remove nnd winch the superstitious ny is blood. But be that as il may, the policemen all regard it withawc, andeven lIic Colonel involuntarily shuddered ns he Ircw our allcntion to it and related its -ad history. Among either things was a pair of knacks which had been made out of a .eailen pipe. They belonged formerly to 1 man who hail become n crank in one particular, although sane in every other way. From con stant reding of the reports ot prize lights he had become imbued with the idea that he was a great pugilist himself, etne evening, while under the influence ot liquor, he saw his reflection in the win dow of Jacob's drug store and immedi ately squared off at it. Though drunk, He scciucd to realize that he was not really what he pretended to be, and con sequently he put on these knuckleis, and when he was lound by a policeman he was waltzing around the sidewalk, spar ring at his imaginary enemy Irom a safe dislnme and cry ing out, "c'iu'011. Don't be a-hic-coward. This 'crc's a tightiu' an' 110 runniu' match." There were pis Lois sans iiumlier. Most recalled only ordinary, everyday stories of drunken affrays. One was shown as a remarka ble case, where a pistol shot had, with out injuring any one, saved a man cither irom being hung, or ending his days bowed down will) remorse for the killing of a defenceless man, and loathed and de spised by llie members ofauy community 111 which he might settle. There was a nitelee some years ago in which this man, excited by liquor, had the drop on an innocent party and had his weapon cocked ready to fire when a shot lircd from the edge of the crtiwd, glanectl from some hard sub stance and loelged so firmly under the hammer as to prevent the trigger from being pulled. A policeman who ar rived on the scene at this juncture, ar rested the would-be murderer, and his pistol, religiously preserved with the bul let in its original position, forms one of the most interesting teaiurcs of the col lection. One dirk has a history which points back lo tile lime some years ago, when several murderers escaped Irom the city jail, and were followed by one of our prominent citizens, armed with a rifle. They siiceccded, however in gaining their liberty and all that remained the next morning was a broken jail and this dirk which was found near the scene and which one ot the criminals had dropped in his hasty tight. Some may remember the event as chronicled in some piqiers under llie striking head lines, "Bun combe's Boasted Bastile Busted." Two elegantly bound plush albums and a bible form rather a strange con trast to lliisjictcrogeiieous medley of pis tols and dirks. One of these albums might be classed under the head of an upright, while the other is of ordinary shape and contains the pictures of one white man, tour darkey s and the adver tising card of one of the most prominent business firms in the city. Music, as the Mayor says, has not been neglected by the police force, and they could very eas ily give a concert with the banjos and guitars which they have on hand. A lit tl" drawer, facetiously called the Colo- - .. .. . 1 mi s wine cellar, every clay receives a i contribution of rye liquor from some charitably disooseil individual who hnd Ucn out late the preceding night and ! "1..I i" to pay the Mayor . morning call. An umbrella and a leather duster completed the category, and all the collection had been passed in re view and examined. Mr. Robt. W. Carroll and his wife, together with Mr. Louis Carroll, are at Battery Park. They ha come here on account of sickness and intend to stay all the winter.