American Notes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 47, 14 March 1890, Page 5

American Notes.

Thb Denver 2Vervs has just published a statement, sworn to before a notary public, by P. J. thendan, of the attempt made by the Times to inborn bim ac a witness before the Parnell Commission. Sheridan demanded from a man Darned Kirby, the agent sent over to America to deal with him, tbe sum of £20,000 for such evidence as would oblige Mr. Parnell and his colleagues to fly the country, or would place them in the felon's dock. This demand Kirby agreed to and it was first arranged that Sheridan should ba examined before a sabcommission in the States. Subsequently however, Sheridan, on being informed by Kirby that the Clan-na-Gael had determined on his (Sheridan s) assassination, consented to go to London, and appeared mo«t anxious on the point. 8o fully did he succeed in deceiving the Times, that Sir Henry James' concluding speech was protracted under the belief that he would yet anive in time for examination. Sheridan states that his object was to obtain from Kirby all the information he could get as to tbe m-thods by which the Times worked np its case — and also that he might sell his property at a high price to Kirby. He adds that all the time, he had nothing to reveal that conld be useful to the Time* or injurious to Mr. Parnell.

In many places throughout the United States a very significant ceremony has been recently performed. It was that of raising over the Catholic schools the fl ig of the Republic. The occasion was made, on tbe part of the patrons of the various schools, one for a firm and fervent expression of loyalty to the country and of a determinat.on to educate the children coDfided to their care in such sentiments. la some instances a double interest is attached to the event from the presentation of the flag to the particular schoo 1 . by me.i who had served in the army and bravely proved their title to rank as American patriots. Such cases formed a forcible declaration of Catholic loyalty.

Miss Corcoran, a young Irish-American, won, under the norn de plume of " Nellie Bly," is attached to the staff of the New York World, baa recently accomplished, in the marvellously short space of seventy-two d*ys and six hours, a journey, or\ which she was sent by her paper, around the world The route followed was Eastward through England, France, and the Suez canal to Hong Kong an 1 Japan, thence crossing the Pacific to San Francisco. Tbe journey is a remarkable one from several points of view — not the least remarkable being the energy and courage of the lady by whom it has been made.

Miss Katharine Drexel, a young lady of large fortune, and who for some time was a star in the firmament of fashion, but who recently entered the religious life with the end of devoting herself to the foundation and promotion of an Order for the education of Negroes and Indians, is fitting herself for her future duties by service as £. Sister of Mercy in the Mercy Hospital at Pittsburgh, Pa. Some of the most distressing and difficult cases in the institution have been confided to hex care.

The public schools, from a moral point of view, have received a heavy condemnation frcm Mr. BeDJamin Recce, a secularist himself, nevertheless, who contributes an article on the subject to tbe January number of the Popular Science Monthly. Mr. Recce shows that among the coloured population advancement in crime has kept pace with advancement in education, until the idea has been spread abroad that to educate a negro is to make a rascal of him. Sjmething of the same kind would also appear toohtain with respect to the general population, in wlich, with an increase of thirty per cent, criminals have increased by eighty-two per cent., and insane persons by 145 per cent. Nor is the increase to be laid to the charge of foreign immigration. It is chiefly found among the native born. To come, however, more to particulars, official statistics show that for the year 1886 the common schools furnished eighty-three per cent., and the colleges and academies over four per cent., cf the inmates of tbe New Yoik State prisons of Auburn and Smg ting. On the whole Mr. Recce's article affords incontrovertible proof of the moral deficiency of the secular system.

English capitalists, who have within the last few years made enormous investments in the country, are now suspected of a des gn to obtain possession of some of the principal newspapers. This intention, which would imply a design of influencing public affairs, is regarded with especial disfavour by patriotic Americans.

There are various ways in the United States, as there are in all countries, by which money changes bands. Tbe States, however, if they do not monopolise it, at least, eeem to conduct one particular system of change on a uniquely gigantic scale. The Boston Herald, fcr example, calculates the defalcations for the past twelve months, taken altogether, as amounting to 8,562.753 dols. ; a earn, it addf, " which would ba sufficient to meet the allowances of Qaeen Victoria and tbe English Eoyal family, and the Royal pensions for two years."

Dissatisfaction and uncertainty r.s to the'results of tht Cronin murder case have been aggrava'ed by the release of Konze, who was convicted of complicity in the murder and sentenced to imprisonment for three years. By this release the executive practically acknowledged that there was a miscarriage of justice. Doubt, therefore, is rationally increased as to tbe guilt of the other men convicted.

Some interest has been excited by the invitation given by Cardinal Lavigerie to America to aid in furnishing one thousand thoroughly disinterested and devoted men, who alone, his Eminence says, are needed to put an end to the slave trade, for which interior Africa is ravaged, and which is carried on by Arabs trading throngh Zanzibar. The Cardinal expresses a particular desire for the assistance of negroes who have themselves been emancipated.

A Sister of Mercy who had spent many years among the Mormons, bas recently published an article on her experiences there. The picture she gives of Mormonism is particularly uninviting. She describes nothing sensational, but , on the contrary, speaks only of what is dull and dispiriting. The system she considers unworthy of severe treatment and as destined to fall to pieces of its own accord. Among the more curious facts mentioned by her ii the conversion to the Catholic faith of several members of the late Brigbam Young's family. She also tells us that the cottage which had been originally occupied by that prophet is now the property of the Bisters of tbe Holy Cross, wbo have numerously attended schools in Utah.

Religious feeling is running rather high in Canada, where the passing of the Jesuits Compensation Bill is still a bone of i contention. The general elections of the Dominion are expected to be held thia year, and the probabilities are that a warm contest will take place. A proposal, meantime, made to ex lude the teaching of the French language frcm tbe schools in Ontario will produce due effects in tha elections to take place for that province, French-Canadians being much angered by the matter. On the wcole, a rather livelj time is looked for.