Newspaper Page Text
Slir tUccliln Chronidf & Constitutionalist.
010 SERIES—VOL ICII
NEW SERIES - VOL. LI
Ctjrom'cle and &mtfnd.
WEDNESDAY, - - JULY 25, 1877
A Cincinnati man owns a shekel 4.00 T
years old. He refused S2OO for it.
Baltimore ia an unhealthy place.
Last week 259 people died there, an un
precedented mortality.
■Tbbe Black’s article on the Electoral
Commiaaion sold eight editions of the
North American Review.
Somebody suggests that if Wade
Hampton be elected President in 1880,
Blaine will insist upon annexing Maine
to Canada.
There are 12,000 bouses to let in
Philadelphia. Families are doubling
np, so as not to be worse doubled up by
bard times.
The editor of the New York Sun has
dropped into poetry on Ben Hill, re
minding that gentlaman to draw it mild
on Hayes.
The Nashville American thinks Nez
Perce Joseph is to Qeueral Howard as
Aliitvde Joseph was to Mr. TftfefllP—
one too many for him.
Q i—■
If the Hussians in Asia are out of tal
low and other national articles of diet,
they may sustain life by eating Kurds,
when they can catch them.
Ip the “fonetio aistnm’’ be adopted, as
the Philological Convention suggests,
Josn Billinos will become the most
classical writer of the day.
A free-thinkino member of the Chi
cago Board of Education asserts, with
out contradiction, that 450,000 people
in that city do not go to church.
- i—i —
During the strike in the Tribune
office the editorial staff furnished three
compositors and the reporters seven.
Wiutelaw Reid acted as foreman.
-a ii -*— —-
Mb. Criwhhay, an iron master of
Wales, gave his daughter a wedding
present, the other day, of $2,500,000.
That’s a “dollar of the daddy” for you.
Mexican territory has been twice in
vaded recently by United States troops.
The Greasers would declare war but
they have not time to do so, between
change of rulers.
Exgehhivb rates of interest have well
nigh ruined the oountry. Suppose mo
neyed institutions and capitalists try the
virtue of low rates on good security. If
they do not, there will be a general
smash.
Home people think the Turks do not
progress. But the establishment of a
Constitution and reasonable liberty of
speeoh, not to speak of the purchase of
American rifles, Paris fashions and
Krupp cannon, wonld seem to argue
some progress.
Scouting the idea that Virginia Re
publicans were about to form an alliance
with Miss Van Lew, ex-postmistress of
Riohmond, the State cruelly declares
there hasn’t been a man found bold
euongh in Virginia in the last forty
years to make an allianoe with that lady.
Bam Bard has turned up mysteriously
in New Orleans at a Lake dinner with
tho Louisiana Returning Board rogues
and a number of Federal officials. He
ia thought to be an emissary of Presi
dent Hayes. If this be true, we are
sorry for the President.
The number of dentists in the United
Hiatus is about 12,000. They use up an
nually half a ton of pure gold, besides
four times as much cheaper material.
"Three millions of artificial teeth are
manufactured yearly. In this country
the proportion of persons having sound
teeth is only one in eighty.
We learn that the young son of Mrs.
Col. .Smith nee Ghkkley, will be named
simply Horace Greeley, the Smith pa
tronymic being dropped by general
oonsent. Why this insult to the daddy
and his name ? There are and have
been many illustrious Smiths, and it
is just as well that there should be only
one famous Greeley.
The Cincinnati Gazette says the only
candidate that has ever stumped the
oountry with a different speech for
every plaoe was Horace Greeley. He
knew what a power is the Associated
Press, and he had the intellectual re
sources to give at each plaoe anew
speech, so that the press would report
each deliverance all over the land.
The Chicago Inter-Ocean is fairly
flaHoergasted at the retirement of the
RepKtMican party from business in Mis
sissippi, and especially because the Ma
chine there endorsed the President as it
ceased to live. What appears peculiar
ly to gall the 1-0 is that the Republi
cans disbanded in the interests of peace.
What will the “ stalwart ” Radicals do
Vithout “ wah ?”
If there was do “bargain and dicker”
in Lonisiaua, why does Oeu. Hawley,
tu his Courant, squeal so lustily at the
wery threat of investigating Wells £
Cos. f A Massachusetts contemporary
motes this, and adds that nothing nerves
the average Democrat or the ordinary
spectator up to asking questions like a
little distress of the average Republican
at having them asked.
The population of Qreat Britain has,
eioee 1801, increased from 10,000,000 to
'28,000/100, and the London TSmes esti
mates that it will bo doubled in fifty
four years. How to feed it will be the
great difficulty, for a leading British ag
riculturist said in a recent speech: “It
appears to me, and it has been observed
by many of our leading men, that a
steady deterioration is going on in the
producing powers of this land.”
The Boston Traveller talks season
ably thus: “About this time of the year
the weary editor, worn out by his labors,
and feeling badly in need of rest and
recreation for a few months, is visited
by a deputation of the readers of his
■pfljHi'ar and influential journal, and
presented with a purse containing SI,OOO,
more or lee?, to pay the expenses of a
•trip to Europe ! Well, why not ? Doesn’t
it take as much brains te run a paper as
to preach one sermon a week ?”
We observe with pleasure that the Atlanta
Constitution speaks very kindly of Second
.Lieutenant Hrsbt Oi Flipps*. the aolored
officer who recently graduated with honor at
West Point. That officer certainly deserve*
the sympathy and good wishes of all true men
everywhere, for it required real heroism for
him to go through such a school as the Mili
tary Academy with such a high credit to him
self and his race. It may be doubted whether
any student ever encountered and overcame
greater difficulties. It is a hopeful sign of the
times to see him generously received by all
clames of citizens at his old home in Atlanta,
Go., and complimented by a leading paper
Mi,.- the Constitution. —National Republican.
Republican should havtf’waited
24 hftyrfr or so, and read the Constitu -
Ron’s metiale, entitled “Flippxb as a
Fraud.” The Washington and Atlanta
brethren have been victims of mis
placed confidence.
A CASE WITH A MORAL.
John B. Hays, charged with the
crime of mnrder, has had yet another
hearing in the Coarts—this time cot up
on the merits of the case, but upon a plea
of insanity filed by bis counsel. After a
lengthy trial the jury found in favor of
the plea, and the accused will be sent to
the State Lunatic Asylum, there to re
main nntil discharged by order of the
General Assembly. Most of oar local
readers are familiar with the history of
this case. Several years ago Hays, while
a watchman in the yard of the Charlotte,
Colombia and Augusta Railroad, com
mitted a homicide. He was arrested,
indicted for mnrder and placed in jail,
where he has since remained. From the
time of his arrest nntil now the case has
dragged its slow length along. The Conrt
competent to try*the offense with which
he was accused meets only twice a year.
A continuance postpones trial for six
months. A continuance was obtained,
we believe, more than once. Then came
the trial, and the jnrors failing to agree,
there was another delay of six months.
At the next trial the accused was con
victed of mnrder and sentenced to death.
His connsel carried the case to the Su
preme Conrt on a motion for anew trial
—still another delay of six or eight
months. When the case is called for the
third time it is discovered that protract
ed confinement and mental anxiety have
impaired the prisoner’s mind to such an
extent that he is insane, and, therefore,
mnstgo to theLnnatic Asylnm. Common
sense suggests that if be recovers his
reason while in that institution he shall
be brought back here and tried for the
offense charged against him. The
case has not been disposed of on its
merits. The issue whether Hays com
mitted murder of not is still undeter
mined, and the people of the county
may yet have to pay for several years
more of continuances, of mistrials and
now trials.
We express no opinion as to the gnilt
or innocence of the aoeused. Whether
innocent or guilty, he haa, as any other
man in his condition wonld have, our
profound sympathy. But the case has
a moral worthy of consideration. Is
there not something wrong, in a judicial
system, which makes such eases not
only possible bnt common? There is
nothing new in the general features of
the ease. Snch cases occur in every
county of the State. In fact, they are
almost unavoidable under the present
system. It is important to society and
to the tax payers that the man accused
of crime should have a speedy trial. The
long delays which now occur cost the citi
zens a great deal of money and often result
in the escape of criminals from punish
ment. We are informed that the ex
pense to the county of the present case
has been several thousands of dollars.
This is all wrong. Persons charged with
felonies should have as speedy a trial as
those accused of misdemeanors. Not
more than a month should elapse be
tween the commission of an offense and
the trial of the party accused. Contin
uances should be curtailed in number
and should not delay trial for more than
a month. In eaoh county or Senatorial
District of the State there should be a
Criminal Court, sitting once every
month and having exclusive jurisdiction
of all violations of tho penal laws. At
all events there should be such a Court
for the counties of Richmond, Falton
and Chatham, where population is dense,
and where felonies are frequent. We
oommend this matter to the considera
tion of the Constitutional Convention
with the hope that some action will be
taken to remedy one of the crying evils
of the present judicial system.
THE IIUMINESS OUTI.OOK.
Messrs. R. G. Dun & Cos. have issued
their regular quarterly circular. The
failures for the United States for the
first six mouths of three years are stated
as follows :
No. of failures. Liabilities.
First lialf of 1877 4,749 $ 99,606,000
First half cf 1776 4,600 I<-6,416,000
First half cf 1875 3,563 76,784,26
It is stated that the failures for the
first six mouths of 1876 were exception
ally large, and hence it is inferred that,
so far as the number is concerned, the
failures in the first six months of 1877
are larger than for auy previous similar
period. In the aggregate of liabilities
a decline is noticeable, though for the
first quarter the average indebtedness is
more than maintained, as will be seen
by the following interesting table :
1 First Quarter. Becouil Quarter.
I No. I | Aver- No. j I Aver
£ of Amount ageLi- of Amount ageLi-
Fail-! of 1 abili- Fall-f of | abili
lures J Liabilities | ties, urea (Liabilities ! ties
ISTs! 1,98*2 *43,176,953 *21,784 11,581 *33,667,3131*21,295
18761*2,806! 64,644,156] *23,038 !1,794| 43,771,273! 24,390
1877,2.869| 54,638,074 j 19,010 jl,Bßo| 45,068,097| 23 972
According to the oircular before us,
all the conditions seem to favor better
times, yet there appear to be fatal bar
riers to their return. These conditions
are briefly stated to be good crops, high
prices therefor ; small imports, abund
ant and cheap money ; a settled politi
cal condition, a sustained public credit
and the promise of another most abund
ant harvest. But the circular adds :
The experience of the past does not permit
the hope that all this will bring aronnd a pros
perous or satisfactory trade. Something more
is needed; bnt what the true remedy is none
has yet discovered. Numerous explanations
are, of course, at hand ; and it is eloquently
urged that the adoption of this or that policy
would restore confidence and prosperity, yet
the faet remains that, in the presence of all
favoring conditions, depression reigns, valnes
decline, and business is restricted and un
profitable. Judging from the state of busi
ness abroad, all this is not chargeable to the
peculiar disabilities under which this country
labors. Other nations, with a gold basis, a
low tariff, and not chargeable with either pub
lic or private extravagance, are suffering even
to a greater extent than the United States
with an absence of many of the advantages
and prospects which this nation enjoys.
Referring to the now generally re
ceived impress ton that years of economy
and liquidation must follow years of ex
pansion and extravagance, the Agency
attempts to illustrate the nature and ex
tent of this expansion by the rapid
growth in the creation of debt. The
figures given are probably open to criti
cisms, but, put in this shape, they are
very significant:
The figures most accessible show that the
National debt as compared with 61 millions in
1860. amounts to 2,360 millions in 1877; that the
States' debt amounts to 575 millions, the
municipal debt to 1.000 millions, the railway
debt 3.300 millions : the discounts and loans
of National and other banks to anothar 1,000
millions, and may be safely estimated at an
other 500 millions. Grouping all these roughly
together, the visible indebtedness, of whioh
some financial conception may be formed,
amounts to the vast sum of 97.375. 000.000.
The curious can calculate how far the interest
on this sum, if regularly paid, would absorb
the yearly product of the natural and other re
sources of the country.
The calculation which the curious are
here invited to make leads to the start
ling conclusion that the interest on this
debt, at six per oent., amounts to over
fojjr hundred and forty millions per
annum—3 sum larger than the surplus
cottoa and grain crops combined.
The Agency conelndee Us excellent re
view with the following in regard to the
Fall trade :
Meantime people must eat. drink and wear,
and in the aupply of these necessities s certain
extent of trade is secure. And this trade
ought not to be unsafe in sections of esuntry
mainly, dependent on agriculture, which in
clude the great West and Soath. where the
purchasing and debt paying power is not so
restricted as elsewhere. The chief difficulty is
that the number engaged in a trade thus limit
ed is so far in excess of its extent thst the
competition is destructive of profit. The evil
is one which will,, it is supposed, cure itself.
Unfortunately the principal process by which
this will be effected is that of failure, as the
voluntary withdrawals, especially from retail
trade, ate very rare. The failure statistics
are, therefore, likely to*show a continued large
number of casualtiee. but in this view may be
more significant of health than disease. If a
large proportion of traders who succumb could
be kept out of business, and be provided with
some other pursuit than that of helping to
divide a small trade among a large number,
failures would not be on nnmixed evil. But
the facilities which wholesale merchants them
selves afford for effecting settlements at fifty
cents on the dollar and less, and which the
national bank law enceurages, are hot unfre
frequently an effective premium to the great
est rascality, aud it is to be hoped that a busi
ness sentiment against compromises and in
favor of an amended bankrt pt law will be
gradually developed, and be effective toward
remedying existing evils.
The most encouraging feature of the
present time is the exoelient prospect of
the crops throughout the country. From
the extracts which are subjoined to this
circular, and whioh have been gleaned
in some thirty-five different leading busi
ness centres by the intelligent represent
atives of the Agency, it is evident that a
year of great abundance is vouchsafed to
the oountry. Local trade dependent on
that condition of things seems by these
reports to promise fairly, and the photo
graph which is thus presented of the
business of the oountry by Messrs.
Dun & Cos, is exceedingly complete and
interesting.
IN A QUANDARY.
The Republican party everywhere is
in a quandary, and it has been put'into
its unpleasant and phenomenal position
by President Hayes, as he moves in a
constitutional orbit, thereby recogniz
ing aud fulfilling the inevitable logic of
events. At present the clianoes for vic
tory in Ohio more particularly are all
one way for the Democracy, who come
to the front with marvelous aptitude,
just as the Radieal Machine disbauds iu
tho South. The boue of contention in
Ohio, as elsewhere, is the Southern
policy, so-oailed. Oue faction of the
Repnblioans contends that the policy
does not exist; another is unhappy
because its existence has made
havoc with the hitherto rampant
faction, whioh has ruled and well nigh
ruined the country. The editor of
Harper's Weekly, one of the most ob
servant as well as one of the most
trenchant <of writers, considers that the
party is in a condition of unhealthy dis
eontent. He calls attention to the faot
that the dissatisfaction in lowa is not
an isolated symptom of Republican un
rest. We are reminded again that
in New Hampshire the Republican
House tabled a resolution approving the
course of Mr. Hayes; that Conkling and
his entire following have uttered no
word of approval of that policy; that at
the Robeson banquet in New Jersey
“the feeling was not friendly” toward
Mr. Hayes; that the Camerons aud the
Chandlers aud the Butlers and the
Blaines, and the Mortons, and the
Wades, and the Garrisons, and the
Phillipses are “known to disapprove”
the political policy of Mr. Hayes, The
same critic says: “It is undeniable that
discontent and indignation may lead to
sullen inactivity, whioh may defeat the
Republicans in Ohio, Pennsylvania and
New York.” Wherefore the “party” is
between the devil and the deep sea. It
does not anywhere as a unit endorse the
policy or condemn it; it is split on finan
cial theories, especially upon its pet
plan of resumption in 1879, and hardly
knows itself upon the everlastißg negro
question. From these facts' it would
seem that the Democratic party has only
to preserve ordinary sagacity and union
in order to sweep the oountry. As the
enemy disintegrates we should beoome
the more oonoentrated, not only in the
South but throughout the Union.
TIIE HTATE DEBT.
We are glad to see that an effort is
being made in the Constitutional Con
vention to have snch action taken with
regard to the public debt as will im
prove the already good credit of Geor
gia and afford a reasonable prospect of
relieving the State in a few years of its
entire indebtedness. The recognized
valid debt of the State is fully nine mil
lions of dollars. The annual interest
on this sum, at seven per cent., is six
hundred and thirty thousand dollars.
For the next eight years the average
amount of principal falling due annual
ly will be about one hundred thousand
dollars. In round numbers the State
must pay out seven hundred and fifty
thousand dollars yearly on account of
the principal and interest of the public
debt. The State’s yearly receipts from
taxation and other sources will proba
bly reach one million two hundred thou
sand dollars. It will thus be seen that
considerably more than one-half of all
the State’s revenue is consumed in pro
viding for this bonded indebtedness.
If the debt could be gotten rid of, the
rate of taxation would be reduced one
half. If, in addition to this, the assets
of the State could be disposed of at a
fair valuation and the proceeds of the
sale judiciously invested, the interest
would pay the expenses of the govern
ment and free the people from all State
taxation. But there is danger of a
heavy inorease of taxation unless some
thing be done now to provide for
the payment of the debt as it falls due.
As we have said before, the amount
of principal maturing annually for the
next eight years will not average more
than one hundred thousand dollars. But
iu 1886 we will have to meet an issue of
four millions of dollars (with iuterest
for that year added, four and a half mil
liens). A few years later another pay
ment of two and a quarter millions will
have to be made. These large snms
cannot be provided for, jf no aetion is
taken until they become payable, ex
cept in one of two ways. The rate of
taxation will have to be increased five
fold, or, else, the bonds will have to be
taken up with now ones, and such a large
issue put upon the market at once would
depreciate the value and cause them to
be taken at a serious discount. Obvious
ly we should prepare for the evil day
before it arrives, and take the sting
from it by wise legislation. We are glad
to see that a delegate to the Convention
has proposed a measure which will great
ly strengthen the credit of the State
and rob the work of redemption of half
its difficulties. We allude to the ordi
dacce introduced last Tuesday by Hon.
J Aires R. Brown, of Cherokee. This
ordinance provides, first, that the State
shall never make default in the payment
of interest on the public debt. It says
the Legislature “shall levy a tax each
year for the payment of interest on the
bonded debt of the State.” Snch a
mandate as this cannot be evaded or dis
regarded. The bondholder will know
that in any event his coupons will be
paid, and this feeling of security will
greatly enhance the value of the State’s
obligations.
Bnt Mr. Brown's ordinance %lso pro
vides for the creation of s sinking fund
to be used in the payment of the prin
cipal of the debt. An annaal sinking
fund equal to seven per oent. of the
whole amount of the debt is to provided,
A fcrge proportion of this fund will come
from the rental of the Western and At
AUGUSTA, GA., WEDNESDAY MORNING. JULY 25, 1577.
lantic Railroad—the residue will be
raised by a slight increase of taxation,
we presume. This sinking fond, prop
erly administered, will decrease the debt
every year, and finally pay it off alto
gether. When the heavy issues mature
in 1886 and 1890 the State will not have
to increase taxes or issue new bonds;
the proceeds of the sinking fnnd will
wipe out every dollar of the indebted
ness. We have not seen the details of
the scheme, but we thick we have given
the general featnres. It oertainly com
mends itself to men who have paid at
tention to those very important matters,
debt and taxes. Tho sooner a State and
individuals get rid of debt the better it is
for them. The longer they postpone
the evil day by renewals the more oner
ous the burden will l ecome. The larger
the debt the higher the taxes. We must
free ourselves of both. Mr. Brown’s
ordinance is a movement in the right
direction and shonld enlist the attention
of the Convention. It is a matter in
which the people are deeply interested
—one whioh they cannot afford to have
neglected. The labor of earnest and
practical men, and, fortunately, there
are several snch among the delegates,
cannot fail to be productive of great
good.
TURKISH DEFENSES.
The author of the freshest book on
Turkey, Col. James Baker, has become
famous because his predictions as to the
Russian advance have been largely ful
filled by subsequent transactions. We
are told, for example, that last Janaary
he reckoned that Russia would bring
about 400,000 men into the campaign in
Europe; that 100,000 of those would be
held in reserve, and 100,000 more be em
ployed in masking fortresses, leaving
200,000 men—or, say, three armies of
70,000 each—to advance into Turkey.
“The plan of attack,” ho wrote in Jan
uary, “can only be assumed; but looking
at the line of the Balkan as & Jong for
tress, it is possible that the first Russian
army might unite with the Servians and
advance by Sofia, the second army .by
Rustchuk and Tirnova, and the third by
the Dobrudja, Varna and Shumla,” Ex
cepting that no army has yet come from
Sofia, the outline of the Russian inva
sion was eminently eorreot. We hear,
however, that another grand corps is
forming in Roumania and it may
be for this very purpose, advanc
ing on the Servian flank, but with
out active Servian 00-operation, so
long as Austria holds her present mena
cing position. In January Col. Baker
wrote as follows: “We may pass over
the line of the Danube, as the forces of
the Russians are so superior in number
to those of the Turks that it would be
impossible for the latter to prevent a
passage. It is true that the Turks have
numerous gunboats on the Danube, but
that advantage can in these days be
neutralized by the emproyment of tor
pedoes.” Since that writing, the Rus
sians have orossed the Danube, and
Col. Baker’s original suggestion con
cerning the paralyzing effect of torpe
does upon the Ottoman flotilla has been
literally fulfilled.
Col. Baker has not much faith in the
Balkans, as the best defensive line of the
Turks, and the comparative ease with
which they have been crossed by a fly
ing, expeditionary corps of Cossacks,
within a few days past, bears him out in
this view of their military inadequacy.
His plan of campaign is just that which
the Turks have apparently adopted, viz:
the waiting and retreating game; the re
tirement from the Danube and the
Balkans, except so far as blows could
be given in either field of operations, as
inoidents to the campaign proper. A
writer in the Chicago Tribune, who
seems unusually well informal on this
subject, dismisses the further unfolding
of Col. Baker’s plan as follows: The
Turks should leave about 40,000 men in
the almost impregnable fortified town
of Varna, which has communication
with Constantinople by the Black Sea,
of whioh the Turks have command. The
army thus stationed would threaten the
Russian base of supplies, and require at
least 70,000 Russians to hold it in check.
The main Turkish army he would have
retreat as occasion required, before the
advancing Russians, nntil the neighbor
hood of Adrianople was reached. By
this time the Russian force would be re
duced to its lowest point, and a battle
might be ventured upon with the beet
prospects of snccesß. In the campaign
of 1829 Russia started with the insuffi
cient force of 68,000 men, and had only
15,000 left when she reaohed Adrianople,
the remainder being required to mask
fortresses and keep open lines of com
munication. It is calculated that iu the
present campaign Russia cannot employ
more than 100,000 men south of the
Balkans, Turkey will also have the ad
vantage in point of railways which Rus
sia possesses on the north of the Dan
ube. The contest will then not be so
nnequal; and it may not be necessary
for the Turks to adopt the desperate
plan foreshadowed in the London News
of falling back even to Constantinople
in the hope of forcing British interven
tion. It is time observers of the war in
Europe should begin to realize that
Russia has a tremendous task before
her, and, unless she can succeed in out
flanking the Turks, the results may no):
be so entirely in her own hands as they
at present appear to b 6.
The “desperate plan” foreshadowed in
the London News is this : “The Turks,
after making as serious resistance as
possible to the Russian advance, will
draw off their forces, leaving small gar
risons in their fortresses, and retire be
fore the Russians until they reach the
outer defenses of Constantinople, thus
compelling them to assault the city and
provoke English interfpreppo. • The at
tempt to secure an ally by compulsion
of this sort is rather ignpble, but it is
not improbable that the Turks may
choose to force England into a rapture
with Russia rather than risk encounters
in the open field; and the necessary
slowness with which the Russians must
advanee, as they get farther and farther
from their base of supplies, wonld fa
cilitate the movement.”
If defeated at Adrianople, the Otto
man forces could fall back to the strong
est and best of their lines of defense,
about twenty miles from their capital.
There their last stand be trium
phant; but if it should prove futile,
England mqst %ct then or n qt ajt all.
.When the warriors of the Spltan shall
have become huddled under the walls of
Constantinople, if each should be their
evil fortune, the intervention of Austria
and England would mean either a peace
at Turkey’s expense, bnt the temporary
salvation of the dynasty of Othxan, or
it may mean, which is more probable,
a general European conflict. A few
weeks will tell the whole story. We can
patiently await events.
The Chicago Journal, seeing some
people wear half-mourning, wants to
know if this is because their friends are
half dead. We think it is rather because
the mourners are more than half over
their grief.
Tjjknew JiayLippsteamer “Carolina,”
in s trial of spqgd with the “flqrida,”
best her fifteen minutes in s race of
eighty miles. The ‘'Carolina” is there
fore the fastest boat that ever ran on
the Chesapeake,
CONDITION OF THE CROPS.
The Crop Prospect in Screven County.
[Correspondence Cf ronicle aruiCmstilutionaUst.]
Mobley’s Pond, July 15.— Up to the
first of June the crops in this county
were very poor by reason of the drouth
through the month of May. Since that
time good rains have fallen and brought
out the crops wonderfully. The corn is
as good as it was last year, and.more of
it has been planted. Wheat #nd oats
have been harvested, aud the‘yield is
good. Cotton planted on the ponds is
not as good as at the same time last
year, though on pine lands no difference
is perceptible. We have had a terrible
hail storm, which in some places out the
cotton to pieces. Whether the damage
was general or not I cannot say. The
crop has been looking better during the
past few days. I hope the Convention
will give us better laws, and that the
proceeds of our crops will be sufficient
to pay our debts. Screven.
THE CROPS.
Crop Prospects In McDowell .and Other
Counties iu North Carolina.
Editors Chronicle and Constitutionalist:
Marion, McDowell County, N. C.,
July 13.—The wheat crop of this mouu
tain country has never been better. The
corn crop is rooking well. Tobacco is
promising, and a large area planted.
Clover and other grasses are looking
well. Fruit is abundant. L. H. W.
THE CROP PROSPECT.
A Bad Report From Warren County.
[ Correspondence Chronicle and Constitutionalist. ]
Warren Cos., Ga., July 13.—The crisis
is now upon n3. No rain for two weeks.
Corn suffering, cotton very small aud I
fear we will have bumblebee cotton in
this section. Everything in the way of
crops looks gloomy. Very few blooms.
Warren.
KEOR44IA STATE HORTICULTURAL SO
CIETY.
Second Animal Section.
To the Fruit Growers and Horticultur
ists of Georgia:
The seoond annual session of the
Georgia State Horticultural Society will
will be held iu Macon, Ga., commencing
on Wednesday, August 1, 1877, and con
tinuing for two days. The objects of
this Society are the dissemination of the
knowledge of the science and art of hor
ticulture, and the encouragement of the
production of fruits and vegetables, both
for home consumption and for market.
The benefits to be derived from the la
bors of this Society are of the greatest
importance to every farmer of Georgia,
as by united action of its members the
fruit producing resources of the State
are encouraged and doveloped. Benefi
cial results are already perceptible from
the past work of the Society, in having
stimulated the fruit growing interests of
the State and increased a taste for hor
ticulture among the people. The annual
exhibitions of fruits, vegetables and
flowers, stimulate a generous emula
tion among the masses, and diffuse val
uable information from the concentrated
experience of the exhibitors. The com
ing session will be largely attended from
every section of the State; and promises
to be of great interest, from the fact that
the fruit crop is large, and the fruits
from the various sections of the State
will be brought into comparison. ,
All who are interested in promoting
tho fruit-producing interest of Georgia,
and the other objects of this Society,
aie cordially invited to attend the ap
proaching session. County societies are
especially invited to send as many dele
gates as possible. Bring fruits, vege
tables aud flowers for the exhibition,
and let it be practically demonstrated
that our State is wonderfully adapted to
a greater variety of Horticultural pro
duets than auy other section of this Con
tinent. Our climate gives us a monopo
ly of early market products in Northern
cities. Let ns unite and utilize these
natural advantages by combined inter
course and interchange of praetical
information. Ample provision is made
for the exhibition of all horticultural
products. Members of the Society will
be returned free by the various rail
roads of the State, except by the Atlanta
and West Point Railroad, by special ar
rangement. Members coming by the
Georgia, and Macon and Augusta Rail
roads, will please state to ticket agents
that they desire free return passes. All
other roads will recognize free return
certificates of the presiding officer to
members stating that they paid full fare
going, and attended tho Convention.
Arrangements will also bo made, as
far as possible, with hotels for a reduc
tion of rates. Stockholders must be
elected hy ballot. Shares of stcck $lO
each. Annual membership fee $2, which
entitles to all the rights and privileges
of the Society, except in questions of
finance. Packages of fruits intended
for exhibition may be addressed, freight
paid, to H, J. Peter, E?q-, Treasurer
Georgia State Horticultural Society,
Maeon, Ga. Complete lists of fruits in
tended for exhibition should be sent to
same address, with name and address of
contributor.
P. J. Berckmans, Augusta, Ga., Presi
dent; J. S. Newman, Atlanta, Ga., Sec
retary; H. J. Peter, Macon, Ga., Treas
urer.
Programme of Buninesfl.
First; day of session—Wednesday,
August Ist—House meeting—JO o'clock,
a. m , and 3 o’clock, p. m. Introducto
ry Exercises—Election of new members,
report of Secretary, report of Treasurer,
report of Executive Committee, reports
of standing committees, reports of
special committees, essays, followed by
discussions on fruits, as per catalogue
of the Society.
Second day—Thursday, August 2d.—
Election of officers, discussion iu regard
to time and place of next meeting, re
port of Committee on Legislative Meas
ures, report of Committee on Fruits,
Vegetables and Flowers on Exhibition,
discussions continued, resolutions, mis
cellaneous business, adjournment.
STATE AID, &c.
Editors Chronicle and Constitutionalist:
It seems to me that the tendency to
forbid by constitutional provision the
aid of the State, of the counties and of
municipalities to enterprises which may
be deempd advisable is founded in error,
and should, therefore, demand our se
rious consideration before it be engraft
ed upon our organic law. That States,
counties, cities and individuals have
largely abused the privilege of borrow
ing will be universally admitted. But
this is no reason why they should never
incur any other debt. The credit sys
tem, like other good things, is liable to
abuse, but should not for this alone be
abolished. It is to this system we owe
the extraordinary development of this
country. The magnificent works of in
ternal improvement which would never
have been constructed without it attest
its power for good as well as fof evil. Who
would bp willing to say to a man who had
just passed through bankruptcy, occa
sioned by an error of judgment, that he
must never borrow again, and conse
quently must debar himself forever
from the opportunity of repairing his
broken fortune.
There are works now needed which
cannot be done without aid from the
State, conoties and cities. If these can
not afford assistance at present let them
wait and lend their aid whenever they
can. There is a manifest propriety in
having public works which are to last
for ages done on credit, so that succes
sive generations may contribute towards
the payment of that which they enjoy.
Is there any good reason wby a State
House, for instance, should be paid for
by the'presept generation alone, when it
is to be equally nsefgl to those who fol
low us ? And yet there are many who
insist that the Constitution about to be
made for us must contain a positive
prohibition of bonds or evidences of in
debtedness being issued by the State,
the counties and cities.
Will any one now argue that the State
of Georgia did_ wrong in opening to com
merce and agriculture a large portion of
her domain by means of the Atlantic
and Western Railroad ? Although this
great work has given rise to fraudulent
practices and partisan intrigues, its
beneficial influence upon the prosperity
of the State cannot be overestimated.
If the opportunity should be presented
for the State to repeat the operation I
would like to know that there existed no
constitutional prohibition of it. Let
us, then, while we acknowledge ou in
discretions, throw aronnd onr authori
ties such restrictions and providential
conditions as may' be deemed sufficient
to prevent them in the future from an
abuse of the credit system. Ciyis.
There were 327 visitors to the Atlanta
Library last Saturday,
THE INDIAN WAR.
A DESPERATE BATTLE FOUGHT.
The Red Mea Cooteat the Day with (treat
Ktubboruoeas—But the Troops Are Victo
rious—Two Officers and Eleven Men Killed
and Twenty-Nine Wounded.
San Francisco, July .14.—A press dis
patch from Portland says the following
dispatch has just been reoeived from
General Howard:
Headquarters Department of Co
lumbia, Camp Williams, left bank, south
fork of Clear Water, near the month of
the Cottonwood, I, T l , July 12, via
Walla Walla, July 14.—8 y making a
forced march I struck the euemy at 1,
p. in., yesterday, about three hundred
strong, in a deep canon near the mouth
of Cottonwood, near the south fork of
the Clear Water. Opened fire at once
with a howitzer and succeeded in start
ing the Indians from their position.
Passing aronnd the transverse canon for
a mile aud a half, I began the battle in
good earnest, and, dismounting, formed
in a ravine and behind rocks. Barri
cades were well prepared forseven hours.
Every charge we made gained on them,
still at night our position was not a very
good one, as the enemy lay oontignous
to my communications and I was short
of rations. This morning, by determin
ed effort, we regained our spring of
water from some sharp shooters. This
afternoon I gave onr lines to the care of
Captain Perry, oommandingthe cavalry,
and Captain Miles’ battalion of infantry.
I drew out Captain Miller’s battalion of
artillery acting as infantry. Jnst as we
were ready to recommence offensive
work, Captain Jackson and the paok
train appeared insight beyond the In
dian point. Miller pushed out in skir
mish order, met the train aDd escorted
it successfully. They had hardly form
ed the junetiou with us when the artil
lery battalion, already beyond the
enemy’s flank, made a rapid movement.,
taking Gatling gnns and the howitzer
along. The Indians made a desperate
effort to flank Miller, but failed and then
gave way. Everything was pushed in pur
suit. We shelled them rapidly from
high bluffs as they escaped from the
left bank of the river, and followed
them. They are escaping in every di
rection as far as the river, and are now
across and going into camp, at 7:30, p.
m. The losses of the Indians appear to
be thirteen killed and quite a largo
number wounded. We have Captain
Bancroft and Lieut. Williams and ele
ven enlisted meu killed and twenty-nine
wounded. The camps were abandoned
in great haste, leaving much plunder.
The Indians fought as well as auy troops
I ever saw, and so did our army, not one
man failing in duty, I now believe that
I am in fine condition, just as soon as
Green appears from Boise, to make
thorough work with these Indians.
They are making for the Snake ooun
try, and I am for concentration at
Mt Idaho. The troops have never done
harder or more rapid campaigning, or
better fighting than this.
Washington, July 14. - Semi-official
reports say fifteen hnndred Indians are
with Sitting Bull in Canada. They in
tend coming South during the snmmer.
Tho following telegram was received to
night by Gen. Vinoent, Acting Adju
tant-General :
San Francisco, Cal , July 14.— Adju
tant-General of the Army, Washing
ton, D. C. : 1 hasten to send, for the
information of the Secretary aud the
President, the following important tele
gram from my Aid de Camp . whom I
had sent to Gen. Howard: “Field near
the, Mouth of Cottonwood Creek, 7, p.
m., July 12th, via Walla Walla, July
lith, Gen. McDowell, San Francisco :
I have been with Gen. Howard in the
battle of to-day, whioh he reports in
detail. I consider this a most impor
tant success. Joseph is in full flight
westward. There is nothing that can
surpass the vigor of Gen. Howard's
movements and action. Keeler, A. D.
0.” My aid is an officer of experience in
actual service, and his judgment is en
titled to consideration. I am, there
fore infinitely relieved and rejoiced to
hear of his reports of Howard's success,
which comes most opportunely, as the
reservation Indians had been supposed
wavering, if not disposed to join the
lioiitiles, because of Joseph’s first' suc
cess. 1 think his defeat will tend to
oause them to remain peaeeable, and
may make it unnecessary to act under
the President’s authority to call out
volunteers for temporary action. I will,
at least, defer aotion till I get Howard’s
report.
[Signed] McDowell,
Major-General.
Walla, Walla, July 14.—Under date
of July 13th, on the 10th instant Jo
seph and his band surprised a party of
thirty-one Chinamen, who were coming
down the Clear Water in canoes, and for
mere pastime and recreation inhumanly
killed the whole party, exoept one, who
managed to escape.
Boise City, July 18. —Howard has his
mounted artillery men on heavy horses
utterly upflt for mountain service. The
men will be afoot ip a fow (Jays, Fart
Boise is left without a garrison aud the
whole of southern Idaho without troops.
San Francisco, July 18.—A dispatch
from Walla Walla, Washington Terri
tory, says the Indians killed three men
and a girl on Cow creek. Old Salty, a
Spokone chief, says he believes fifty of
his warriors have gone to join Joseph’s
band. They are beyond hi§ control.
Col. Green, with his colump, lias reach
ed Little Salmon river from the South.
A messenger from Spaook Halla aud
Spokone Jerry, non-treaty Spokone
chiefs, anuauncp their flesife to re
main friendly and go op a reservation,
provided quo is set apart for them and
food furnished for the Winter.
DAflM> FLIGHT.
How the Cpnfeflprftte Prpsidepf Escape^
From the Capitftl and Where He E*peptpd
to (to.
[General James U. Wilson, in Philadelphia
Weekly Times J
On the first Sunday of April, 1865,
while seated in St. Paul’s Church, in
Richmond, Jefferson Davis received a
telegram from Lee, announcing the fall
of Petersburg, the partial destruction of
his army, and the immediate necessity
for flight. Although he could not have
been entirely unprepared for this intelli
gence, it appears that he did not receive
it with self-possession op (jignity ; but
with tremuloug anj nervous iiaste,' like
a weak man in the hour of ipisfortune,
he left the house of worship and hurried
home, where be apd his more resolute
wife spent the rest of the day in packing
their personal baggage. Those who are
acquainted with the character of Mrs.
Davis can readily imagine with what en
ergy and determination she must have
prepared her family for flight, and with
what rage and disappointment she resign
ed the sceptre she had wielded over the
social and fashionable life of “Richmond
on the James." They may be sure, too,
that althongh heartsick and disgusted,
there was nothing irresolute or vacillat
ing in her aptiqn§. At nightfall every
thing was in readiness; oven' the gold
then remaining in the Treasury, not ex
ceeding in all $40,000, was pacfcpd among
the baggage, and under poye* of dark
ness the president of the Confederacy,
accompanied by his family, and three
members of his Cabinet—Breckinridge,
Benjamin, and Regan—drove rapidly to
the train which had been prepared to
carry them from Richmond. This train,
it is Baid, was the one which had carried
provisions to Amelia Court Houpo for
Lee’s hard pressed and hungry army,
and having been ordered to Richmond
had supplies to that place,
where they were abandoned for a more
ignoble freight. Asa matter of course
the starving rebel soldiers suffered, but
Davis succeeded in reaching Danville in
safety, where be rapidly reooyered from
the fright he had sustained, and aston
ished nis followers by a proclamation as
bombaatio and empty as his fortunes
were straightened and desperate.
Jt is stated upon what appears to bo
good authority that Davis had, many
weeks before Lee’s catastrophe, made
“the most careful and exacting prepara
tions for his escape, discussing the mat
ter fully with bis Cabinet in profound
secrecy; and deciding that in order to
secure the escape of himself and his
principal officers, the Shenandoah should
be ordered to cruise off the coast of
Florida to take the fugitives on board ”
These orders were sent to the rebel
cruiser many days before Lee’s lines
were broken. It was thought that the
party might make an easy deliber
ate escape in the wgy agreed upon, as
the with the Florida
coast were at that time scarcely doubt
ful, and once 'on the swift sailing Shen
andoah, the most valuable remnant of
the Anglo-Confederate'navy, “they
might shop obtain an asylum on a for
eign shore.’’ When Davis and his com
panions left Richmond in pursuance of
this plan, they believed that Jjee could
avoid surrender only a short time longer.
A few days thereafter the news of this ex
pected calamity reached them, when they
turned their faoes again toward the
South. Breckiuridge, the Secretary of
War, was sent to oonfer with Johnston,
bnt found him only in time to assist in
drawing np the terms of his celebrated
capitulation to Sherman. The intel
ligence of this event caused the rebel
chieftain to renew his flight, but while
hurrying onward, some fatuity induced
him to change his plans and to adopt the
alternative of trying to push through
the Southwest toward the region whieh
he fondly believed to be yet under the
domination of Forrest, Taylor, and
Kirby Smith, aud within whieh he hoped
to revive the desperate fortunes of the
rebellion. He oonfided his hopes to
Breckiuridge, and when he reaohed
Abbeville, South Carolina, he called a
council of war to deliberate npon the
plans which he had oonoeived for re
generating what had now become in
fact “The Lost Cause.” This council
was composed of Generals Breckin
ridge, Bragg, and the commanders of
the cavalry force whieh was then escort
ing him. All united that it was hope
less to struggle longer, bnt they added
that they would not disband their men
till they had guarded their chieftain to
a place of safety. This was the last
eouncl of the Confederaey.
A CURIOUS WILL CASE.
How n New York Judge Decided It.
New York, July 16.—John D. Lewis,
head of the dry goods firm of Lewis,
Haviland & Cos., Churoh aud Chambers
street, while out riding in Central Park,
about a year ago, was thrown from, his
carriage and killed. He left a will be
queathing $15,000 to different parties,
and directed that the income of his es
tate, about $250,000 iu unencumbered
real estate, be paid to Miss Lizzie Bar
ton Taylor, until she was lawfully mar
ried. If she had any children the estate
was to go to them, and if not married or
without children when she died she was to
be buried iu the same grave with the testa
tor, and that the estate be expended in
decorating the grave. It was suspected
that Mr; Lewis had uegro blood in his
veins and the will was contested by
Henry Lewis and Mary Smith, brothers
and sister, and both with full negro
blood in their veins and claiming to be
half brother and half sister of the de
ceased. On trial it was proved that
Lewis was a son of a Virginia slave wo
man and Canadian mother, having fled
to Canada during the existence of slavery
in the United States. Judge Barrett
to day in a speeial term of the Supreme
Court gave his decision in the ease.
He sweeps away all provisions of the
will exoept that giving Miss Taylor the
inoome of the estate until she is law
fully married, and whether she has chil
dren or not the estate then goes to
Lewis and his sister.
THE 44REAT COUNCIL.
A €3real Event—Gathering of the Claus—His
torical— Opening Sermon—Heady for Work
—A Hearty Welcome—United Fellowship-
Uniformity—Church and People* Etc * Etc.
[The Christian at Work ]
Unquestionably the great event of the
year is the gathering of the Pan-Presby
terian Counoil in the grand old Protest
ant stronghold of Edinburgh, whieh
opened its session on Tuesday, July 3.
In addition to the 300 delegates in at
tendance, there are more than 5,000
visitors iu the oily, attracted there by
the great interest they feel in confessedly
the most significant religious event of
mc.deru times, and they are right royally
welcomed on every hand. The place
for the assembling of the Council has
been most happily chosen. The old
Gathered of St. Giles has for more than
a thousand years been a spot aonsecrate
to Christian worship, and it is spoken of
as far back as 1350 in connection with
memorable historic scenes. It was tho
parish church when sturdy John Knox,
who would rather be right than bishop,
was pastor of Edinburgh, aud its walls
have often resounded with his ftery elo
quence, and near by it ajl that ia mortal
of the great Reformer rests, awaiting the
awakening of the last trump.
Tlie Opeulnc Sermon.
The opening services were exceeding
ly appropriate and impressive, and the
sermon of Professor Flint, of the Edin
burg University, was in every respeot a
masterly one, Among the dozen or
more different Presbyterian organiza
tions composing the Council many dis
tinct interests were to be harmonized,
or at least not offended, and in this di
rection, too, it was a great suooess. The
discourse was founded on the closing
prayer of the Lord Jesus Christ for the
oneness of His church op earth, is con
tained in the closing verses of the 17th
chapter of the Gospel of St. John—
first for His disciples, and then for all
those who should believe on Him
through their word, that they t*fl might
bo one a He and the Farter are one, that
by this spiritual unity the world might
be convinced fif his divinity. The ser
mon was au eloquent exposition of the
spiritual basis oH which the separate
sects, not only of Presbyterianism, but
of all Christendom, oouid unite.
It was a strong and well-defined
plea for catholicity aud unity, on
the gronnd that humanity ia one,
whether on earth or in heaven. He
qrged, with St. Paul, that the whole
family in heaven and earth being named
after Christ, with onefaith, one baptism,
one hope, one Father, one Redeemer,
one Sanctifier, and one heayen tpid earth
as thp present and future residence of
the aninta, an there is no reason why all
differences between believers should not
cease, or that Christians everywhere
should not find it their duty to live as
brethren, in the unity of the Spirit and
in the bonds of peace. Thus united in
Christian fellowship and labor and pur
pose the Churoh would go forth as an
army With banners, conquering the world
for Christ, and transforming it into the
image of the heavenly and divine. Bnt
first the different sects of Christendom
must achieve a conquest of themselves,
and must imbibe more deeply of the
spirit of the Saviour’s last prayer for
His Church. Uniformity of worship
might not be possible nor desirable.
The Churoh, like governments, must ac
commodate itself to different peoples.
All governments cannot be alike, nor all
forms of Church order and worship be
Presbyterian. Bnt a friendly Christian
spirit onght to pervade both civil gov
ernments and religions denominations*
On Tuesday evening a hearty recep
tion of welcome was given the delegates
in the great hall of the Mnsoum of Sci
ence and Art. It was a moat brilliant
assemblage, not less than 5,000 being
present. The Lord Provost, Sir James
Falshaw, presided, and a number of elo
quent and stirring addresses were made,
among others by Rev. Dr. Wm. Snod
grass, of Canada; E)r. garret, of Hun
gary; Ejr. McCorih, of Princeton Col
lege, N. J.; Dr. Plnmer, of Columbia,
S. C.—who is the Nestor of the C rnneil,
being eighty seven years oj(j—and by
Dr. Monqd, qf Buria', whp, with
intense feeling of the'present oondition
of religious liberty in France.
Getting Dawn to WwH*
Wednesday marhing, July 4. the re
gular programme was taken up, and the
Rev. Dr. Philip Schaff, of New York, in
troduced the discussion on “The Har
mony of Reformed Confessions,” which,
after participation in by several mem
bers, was submitted to a committee. In
the afternoon “The Fnndamental Prin
ciples of Presbyterianism” were discuss
ed; “Presbyterianism in Relation to fhe
Wants and Tendencies of R® v "
Drs. Hodge, oi' and Stuart
Robinson; of Jiouisrille, taking promi
nent part- In the course of hiS remarks
Rev. Dr. 8. Iren tens Prime, of New
York, stated tj’ftt' thqre yfere 13,000
Presbyterian ipongregations ia the United
States, and that they subscribed abogt
$5,000,0*0 a year fqr the of jh®
church. Jn the evening fhnte was a
public meeting nt which reports were
made cm statistics, etc., of Freshyterian
Churches, and addresses delivered by
the representatives of various churches
on the Expansiveneas and Adaptation of
Presbyterianism, Its Simplicity and
Scriptural Character, and Its Friendly
Aspect Toward other Evangelical Chur
ches.
The Terf-
Long July lA The mile and
an eighth race, Hattie F. won; Cyril,
second ; Burgoo, third—time, 2:si.
The two' mile race, for colts and illiesof
1874, Bombast won; Frederick the Great,
second- Sear’s colt, third—time, 3:46,
The mile and three-quarter race, Rom
ney won; Jenifer, second; Kinggland,
third—time, 3:12. Derby won the stee
ple chase by a neck) Dead Head, second;
Cornet, third.
Milton Aikins, of Henry oonnty, died
t B the 3d inat. Aged, 76 yean.
*2 A YEAR—POSTAGE PAID
HACK OF TIIK BALKANS.
THE RUSSIANS CLOSING UP.
Caoateraatlon at Uoaatantinople—The Cltl
“ Formed Into an Army—The Saltan In
Favor of Peace, but Overruled 'by fbe
Young Turkey Parly Tightening the
Chain Around Huatchuk. .
London, July 18 —The Turks at Nik
opolis burnt tho stores and principal
buildings before retreating. The cor
respondent of the Times, at Bucharest,
sends the following: To-day (17th), the
Cossacks of Baron Kruderer are said to
have reached Lorn Palanka, advancing
toward Widdin from the Drobrudsoha.
The Russians are reported to have
marched south of Selestria, whioh will
be blockaded, thereby cutting the quad
rilateral in two and fully protecting
Rnssian communications on the Danube.
The director of the Ronmelin lines
has arrived at Adrianople to get all the
rolling stock back from Phillipolis and
farther on. The Manchester Guar
dian’s Vienna dispatch states that the
two Pashas who surrendered at Nikop
olis are the same who recently permit
ted two hundred and sixty pontoons to
pass Nikopolis for building the Sistova
bridge. Bribery is suspected. The
Times’ dispatch from Pera contains the
following unofficial order : It annonnees
that the Soltan has decided on the im
mediate formation of ten battalions of
auxiliaries, composed of the Mussulmen
and non-Mussulmen inhabitants of Con
stantinople for the reinforcement of the
Sof Roumelia. The Daily News’
tob, dated Vienna, Tuesday night,
announces that the Czar has arrived at
Frateshtis, five miles north of Giurgevo.
This indicates that the time has come
for commencing the investment of Rust
ehuk. No confirmation yet reoeived of
the report that Raouf Pasha had defeat
ed the Russians south of the Balkans.
He has, including the garrison of
Adrianople, hardly 10,000 men. A min
isterial crisis is said to be impending at
Constantinople. The Sultan is report
ed to be strongly inclined to make
peace, having already given Namyk
Pasha, at Shumla, personal in
structions on this subject. The Yonng
Turks oppose this policy. The Daily
New's Vienna correspondent estimates
the number of Russians south of the
Balkans at 22,000. Various special cor
respondents of the London papers, in
cluding that of the News at Turnu Ma
gurelli, who was an eye witness of the
operations, fully confirm the capture of
the Turkish garrison and artillery of
Nikopolis. The surrender seems to be
brought about from encircling Niko- t
polis with an overwhelming artillery*
fire,to which the Russian and Roumanian
batteries at Turnu Magurelli contri
buted. There wore three hours fight
ing ou the glacis. Tho Daily News’
Vienna special announces that the Turks
have abandoned their line of defense
from Chernuvoda to Kustendji.
Pesth, July 18—The passage of the
Balkans has produced most profound
oonsternatioh here. The Hungarian
journals energetically demand immediate
action of Austro-Hnogary against Rus
sia. The semi-official organs are loss
emphatic and urge delay until after the
first decisive battle.
Constantinople, July 18. Sofvet
Pasha, the ’.Turkish Foreign Minister,
has resigned. Aarif Pasba, who has
once already been Foreign Minister and
once ambassador to Vienna, succeeds
Sofvet Pasba.
[Note. — Sofvet Pasha has been long
believed to favor peace. ]
London, July 18.—Reuter’s telegram
company received the following dis
patches: Frzfivamu, July 10,— The Rus
sians continue to retreat in the direction
of Reerhudara and Alexandropol, Gen.
Melikoff is still at Yenikoi, four hours
to the north of the Turkish centre.
Twenty-three members of leading Kur
dish families, inhabiting Russian terri
tory, have been court raartialed and
hanged by order of Gen. Melikoff,
Constantinople, July 18.—Intelli
gence has been received from Adriano
ple tlmt Raonfj Pasha is encamped at
Slivnoi The Russians on the southern
side of the Balkans are at Kainkoi.
Their numbers are jiDknown, but they
are constantly receiving reinforcements
while Raouf Pasha is compelled by
numerical inferiority to remain on the
defensive until the arrival of buleiman,
Pasha, who is expected in five days.
Sofvet Pasha, who resigned the Minis
try of Foreign Affairs, has been ap
pointed Minister of Public Works. The
Ottoman authorities upon evacuating
Kustendji entrusted the town tq leading
Greek ecclesiastics. SiqoU anarohy arose
among the Bulgarians that General
Zimmerman, at the request of Mr. Har
ris, director of the railway, sent two
squadrons of Cossacks to occupy the
plaoe.
Vienna, July 18.—The PoJitk-ai Cor
respondence denies that any superior
Russian functionary has arrived or is
expected >n Vienna on a special mission
from the Czar. A dispatch to the same
paper reports that the Bosnian insur
gents have defeated the garrison of
Livno and are now besieging it in the
citadel of that town.
Cettinje, Jnly Is. The Prince of
Montenegro’s headquarters have been
transferred to Slivlje, near Nicsic. All
the Montengrins on furlough are order
ed to join their respective battalions to
morrow.
NATIONAL COTTON EXCHANGE.
AJpetiorf U While Sulphur Springe
—Fifty Uelegntee Present.
Greenbrier White Sulphur Springs,
July 18.—The first Biennial Convention
of the National Cotton Exchange of
America met at noon. The President,
John Phelps, of New Orleans, who pre
sided, briefly addressed the convention
in congratularv terms. A Committee on
Credentials was appointed, and reported
fifty delegates present from the Cotton
Exohangeß of New Orleans, New York,
Memphis, Mobile, Cincinnati, St. Louis,
Vicksburg, Charleston, Savannah and
Norfolk. The courtesy of the free use
of the Western Union Telegraph wires
was extended to the members lor family
and social messages and accepted with
thanks. A motion to invite Genls. Jos.
E. Johnston and Jubal A. Early and
Hon. Benjamin Hill to privileged SRats
met with decided opposition, oqt alter
some discussion, was adopted with only
two votes in the negative. No political
significances qttaches to, the discussion.
A similar courtesy was subsequently
extended to Col. Freyere, the Peruvian
Minister; Hon, John H. Reagan, of
Texas, and ex-Mayor Wickham, of New
York. The report of the Treasurer
shows that the receipts since last ses
sion were five thousand dollars,
expenditures, $3,600. Repose or other
officers were submitted and referred.
Upon the Vc assembling of the Con
vention the Committee on Allotment of
'Business reported, assigning various
topics to committees for consideration
and report. John Phelps, vi New Or
leans, was elected President for the en
suing term; Wm. P. Campbell, of New
York, was elected Vice-President, and
the following Executive Council; James
A. McCall, of Mobile; W. A. Goodwin,
of Memphis; W- W. Gordon, of Savan
nah; W. Jr- Trenholm, of Charleston, 8.
C.; D- C. Stone, of Galveston; W. B.
Reynolds, of Norfolk; J. F. Wheeless.of
Nashville. A committee was appointed
to consider the advisability of memorial
izing the United States Government to
enforce the clause of the charter of the
Direct Cable Company, forbidding the
amalganation of that Compaq with any
other, the same t>3ijjig been one of the
condition,* ym'whifth B^i<l company were
to lapd their cable on the shores of the
United States. The committee consists
of C. J. Sheppard and H. G- G eflke r, of
New Orleans; Jjqhh Nisbett, of Savafci
nah; Felix of Nw York, and M.
C. Humphreys, of St. Adjourned
uptil to-niorroW,
gge Meant a Hair t*ta.
(Prom the Baltimore American.\
Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, although gen
erally clear and incisive iu her remarks
gave utterance to an expression recently
which was decidedly vague, and has
given rise to several suggestions as to
its real meaning. She was addressing
an audience is Apndon, England, and
being biMW*upted, said, indignantly,
“Ip my country when a woman com
mences to speak you may hear a pin
drop.” Some have supposed she had
reference t* the female custom of at
tenuating to. carry a clothes pin between
the teeth, and at the same time hold a
conversation with neighbor on the
other aide of tha fence. Others have,
however, giwn her words a more pugna
cious Weaning, and suggested that she
meant you could hear the rolling pin
drop on the old man's head when his
wife found herself worsted in a verbal
argument. The male sex are curious to
know what she really did mean,' and it is
to be hoped she will explain the matter
satisfactorily.
THE RAILROAD STRIKE.
SERIOUS ASPECT OP THE MOVE
MENT.
The Governor of West Virginia Calls on the
President for Troops—The President Re
spends to the Call.
Baltimore, July 18, noon.—All quiet
along the whole line. The strikers have
stopped freights, at Keyser, Grafton,
Martinsburg and Wheeling, and are
waiting to see what will happen. The
military are waiting instructions. The
Governor of West Virginia and man
agers of the Baltimore and Ohio Road
are acting with great caution and
moderation to save the loss! of life
and property. There have been several
wounded but no fatalities. As the Vir
ginia militia are loath to fire upon the
strikers, a call upon the United States
troops is quite probable.
Wheeling, July 18.—The Governor
reports that the Legislature of 1875 did
not provide for the organization or en
rolling ol the military; that is no
organized force, except two volunteer
companies, in the State, and in order to
protect the lives of men and prevent
bloodshed .he was compelled to ask for
Federal troops. The rioters took forty
stand of arms from the volunteer com
panies to-day. The Governor was very
reluctant to call for Federal aid, but
deemed it necessary to do so to prevent
the destruction of lives and property.
The railroad officials are very reticent,
and no information can be obtained from
them.
Washington, July 18.— The strike on
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad having
assumed such a character and propor
tions in West Virginia that it could not
be promptly suppressed by the State au
thorities, Governor Matthews, of that
State, to-day made a formal application
to the President for troops to suppress
domestic violence, under article four
section four, of the Constitution. The
President has respondod favorably to
the application of Governor Matthews
and the War Department has ordered
General French, with the troops under
his command, about 250, at the arsenal
here and troops from Fort McHenry to
proceed to Martinamirg and other points
where necessary to suppress violence.
Baltimore, July 18. — Cars for the
transportation of the troops are now
ready in Washington und will proceed to
Martinsburg as soon as they can be put
on the train.
Wheeling, W. Va., July 18.—The
strike along the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad is growing more serious and
strikes are expeoted to take place also
on the Central Ohio and Chicago divis
ions.
Baltimore, July 18. —Up to three, p,
m,, no further violence occurred. The
strikers have full possession of tha road,
and no freight trains are allowed to.
move. At Martinsburg, at noon to-day,
they went into the workshops of the
company and ordered the men to stop
work, which they refused to do, when
the strikers retired.
Washington, July 18.— Troops from
the arsenal left at 10 o’clock to-uight for
West Virginia.
Baltimore, July 18.—Gen. Barry, i u
command at Fort McHenry, having re
ceived orders from Washington, this
afternoon, to forward troops to suppress
the disorder on the Baltimore and Ohio
Rftilroad, at Martinsburg and other
points, Batteries H and L, and a de
tachment of fourteen men from Light
Battery A, Second Artillery, were imme
diately ordered out, and left the fort
shortly after eight o’clock on a special
train. The entire foree sent from Fort.
McHenry numbers seventy-five men,
under command of Captain John I.
Rodgers, of Battery L, officered by
Lieutenants Crawford and Hoyle. Bat
tery H is officered by Captain James E.
Wilson and Lieutenants Taylor and
Curtis, and the detachment from Ligbt!.
Battery A is under oommuud of Lieu
tenant Niles. They are armed as in
fantry, and will join the troops from the
arsenal at Washington, and reach Mar
tinsburg early to-morrow morning. It
is said here tomight that the canal boat
strikers have been at Martinsburg with
the railroad strikers, since Monday af
ternoon.
| AUGUSTA AND KNOXVILLE RAILROAD.
Letter From Dr. H. K. Ctuey.
The following letter from Dr. H. R,
Casey to a gentleman in this city, in ref
erence to the Augusta and Knoxville
Railroad, will be of interest to those of
our readers who are interested in that
project:
A fflino, July 3, 1877.
Esteeiiexi Sir —Your letter just to
hand by to-day's mail. The letter to
me from Mr. Foley, to which you allude,
has in it food for thought. To build
the Augusta and Knoxville Railroad we
will have to go outside of the State, I
fear even to build that portion of it be
tween Augusta and Rabun Gap. How
important, then, to offer all the induce
ments along ita line that can be held
out to capitalists. I had mailed my
; answer to Mr. Foley’s letter before I re
ceived yours. But in answer to his in
quiry, “Have many inducements to offer
to emigrants along the line of this road?”
my reply was yes, all that they will
need.' Send them on, said I—farmers,
manufacturers, miners, pleasure seekers
or invalids—all can find just what they
desire. I am only surprised that Mr.
Foley should have put the query, for I
had given him years since all these dots,
but I suppose with the lapse of time he
has forgotten it. My heart is in this
road, for though it has another name it
is the same highway of commerce that
was mapped out and inaugurated by me
nine years siDce. I got in with the Chap -
man olique, but when I found I was in a
nest of bankrupts in morals as well as iu
fortune, I shook the dust from my feet
and walked out of tho concern. But I
never gave up the ship, and have and
will continue to work for the rood,
though I have been ignored by them,
who know that I was not only the pro
jector of the road, but that I had given
my time, influence, my means and the
little talent I have to the advance
ment of the project. I hnve been and
am still writing articles published in the
papers at this end of the line, and also
in the West. If Mr. Foley sends down
his operatives here I will see to it that
your plaoe shall command attention.
My honest opinion is if your people of Au
gusta will build the trunk road to Wil
ton’s Island, that will put he Knoxville
people to work on their end of the line;
North Carolina will come in and do
their work; then there will be no trouble
to get capitalists to take hold and finish
the road. The Elbert link thrown in,
graded, is a strong enduoement. This
is Augusta’s last chance; if she does not
exert herself and secure this important
trunk it will be lost to her forever. I
leave Sunday for Atlanta; will be pleased,
to hear from you on my return.
Respectfully, H. R. Casey.
"IT 18 BEST UPON KEFLECTION,”
What the Freoideat Maid te Hie Cabinet—The
Otnevhuidere* Alternative—Could Be Happy
With Either Denr Chnrmer Were T’other
Away.
Washington, July 18.—The President
is quoted : “ It is best upon reflection.”
These words were uttered in the Cabi
net, and are construed as foreshadowing
a zigzag policy. By the Cabinet’s meet
ing yesterday, the civil service or the
National Republican Committee must
lose the usefulness of 8. H. Elbert of
Colorado; Will. Cnmback, of Indiana-
C. J. Filley, of Missouri; A. B. Cornell’
ol New York; Thos. B. Keogb, of North
Carolina; Edward F. Noyes, of Ohio
and R, 0, McCormick, of Arizona. Too
gentlemen named have discretion which
Of tke two to ohoose.
Welia, Consul-General for Ohiua sails
in the August steamer.
The Second Infantry, g n route for the
Indian war, passed Wallace, Kansas.
Secretary Bchiiya denies having ordered
the, clerks be docked for sickness.—
Mr. Evarta says the efforts of the Ad
ministration were in the direction of re
storing harmony and peace throughout
the Union. Col. Stanley, of the Twen
ty-second Infantry, files charges affect
ing the veracity of Col. Hazen, of the
Sixth Infantry.
The Treasury will within a few days
call for thirty-five millions in bonds.
Appointments Gangers, Jesse C.
Banks, Fourth Virginia; D. D. Ban
croft, Second Georgia, and Charles W.
Cummings, Storekeeper and Ganger for
the District of South Carolina.
It can be stated on high official au
thority that before taking any farther
stops toward the recognition of the Diaz
Government the United States will await
the promised reparation for the actual
invasion and bloody conflict committed
by Mexican troops upon Texan soil.
A Western editor, who has beard that
Grant eats with a knife, indignantly
asks if a man is “expeoted to eat with
his fingers.”