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ESTABLISHED 1830. (
, ||. e*TILL, Editor and Proprietor. I
GI \ AND FLORIDA.
>1 the TW OSTATKS TOLD
' |\ I* Alt AG RAPHB.
Ends a Murder in Pike
*" More of Kidnap|er Ogtetree’s
Mule Tltieves at \Vork in
County —Almost a Biot at
jack—<nill®.
(iiotcu.
,n:< ipal election occurs to-day.
M kiuson, living near Toccoa, is
- municipal election occur snext
pay roll of the Griffin factory is
k anl in the vicinity of l.ump
v_ l needed.
11r ' mpanv of t.rifliu netted
.y (T .■ r recent fair.'
: r— water mills in operation in
!c-pite the drought.
Th- Keptihl leans that W.T.
!■ the next Postmaster at At
■ >f the editors of the I.uinp
•. Molat 10 o'clock Saturday
It.ill ombination defeated a
Atlanta to the tuue of 24 to 4 in
<. r. gory has l*een selected to
>. t of ex-Gov. Herschel V.
; a- t>urne>t to death one day
It i Daniel's place, four or live
n the rear of the old Cotton
u . . t!rr><- milcn from At*
> ;!i two tenement- Monday.
. t. of Mernwether, says that
-• .’nl. and great grand, and
-•rand children, he lias one hun
~1-.| in I.umpkin county prof
• >.e one-eyed mule with three
to the be-1 of my recollection
> I 1..i- offered a reward of SIOO
i of William Averett, who is
,e murder of s all ie Averett in
ty in tie toiler.
-n. f ' oweta county. killed
>. k which aggreg ited a little
hundred pottn<ls. some of them
fie. n months old.
■ formerly of Augusta, hut
- nt --m Allendale.fell suddenly
- • i ped from the C. C. and A.
\ _ -ta Monday morning.
th- Mate V-. Alfred G. Inman,
. s’i. motion for anew trial was
I lay al lauis\itle, .lefferson
- fntv Judge ( arswell, and over
u nt occurred on the ltichmond and
Itadroad a few miles north of Tocoon
three men were painfully, hut it is
t seriously injured. A through
iele** >.|Ksi a hieal freight train,
is ll..well's home.6mile- from Macon,
urned to the ground, together with its
at* and all the out-buildings, a day or
> ago, while he was away from home It
.might tiiat thieve* -t.irled the lire.
•lac last week, w hile a son of Thomas
. of st,.art county, was playing with
the weajs >n was discharged', the ball
„ t in the -houlderof his little sister.
* usd is not dangerous.
: n. -AV . Cordon, a former citizen of
unty, has rv>turne<l to that county.
- f,.r -cvcral years twen practicing
Kichmomi. Va., l.ut pro|x(*es t„
w inter there for the benefit of his
>. ■ h has hceotM impaired.
- v . 1 ... -ays: “Georgia
... ittra. ting the Northern men
■ the 'tuff', and they are handing
u V.rih i.eorgia'for it. south
■ • while A anke..- make fortunes
lic.ral wealth of the South."
v Hannah, the depot agent for the
A irgiina and Georgia It ait
.ie at Ki-eve's station, whose skull
the explosion of a shotgun in
. -t sating at a mark, some ten
i from the effects of the wound.
r- election for Mayor and
ii year issf. A. Al. Helms wits
Ms r. The following were elect
l rst ward. J.J. Langford
- > K ght: s.s >nd ward. A. .1. Pierre
: iin r.l ward. G. At .Jones and
r.i.- i.i Gov. McDaniel that
■ fe. t of the East and West
Polk countv. an inexhaustible
or limestone, and that
r tin state to use a- much as
i. erection of the new capital,
i ail .juarryiug privileges will be
s- .a lay-since Key. AT. 11. Coojior,
was ..ailed by tin- Lull)km
preach for them one sail
or. Tlie ehureh at Cuthhert
Air. oojier'- time forced bun
il . *n Sunday last, at a con
i I npkin Baptist Ehureh, the
nd to Key. .1. 11. Corley, one
i: ,-t minister- in southwest
w • Trur CitUen says: “A
n a short turn- ago to get a j
i ; tru mt. lie failed tolling a
him. and when the question of
I to I the elerk that the dead
. - Hi Ins size, whereupon the ac- ;
s vie.ng gentleman doffed his hat,
n in and folded his
- t-reast. li was taken, and
el tnan to a T."
' isht when W. A. Griffin ami
six miles from Monroe, were
- s.r's house some unknown person
tin house, and after 'tearing
- t\ money, eloth. elothing, jew -
• . :..rew a chunk of tire in the middle
* Fortunately, however, the
.rn mueh and went out. The
w out artneri with a half dozen
t.iids. If the stolen property ran
o irraii!' w ill be issued for burglary
■ t.a former slave belonging to T.
Madison county, last Saturday
Mr. Head the sam of 41.700 cash anil
pay the balance next year for a
1 la it had bought from Mr.
Bi n h- this payment, males, wagons,
, implements, corn, oats and pro'ven
i'l< nt> on hand, ladt is not a town
oi. nor *lo,*s he lake much interest in
si: mg'. He is a small grain and corn
r. attending to hisown affairs and keep
. n his proper place.
ke count v gentleman knows the history
man who lias lately become so famous
rg>a and the neighboring territory of
as "rigletree. the child stealer."' lie
i- true name is Charles smith; that
r threo years ago he was sent to tile
- . g for ix tnouths by tin' late >quire
M.\ er for stealing money out of a ne
-e. Wo is known to be a givsl run
o< has recently show n, lor hi- was run
' il miles after he stole the money be
utd be caught.
t ' rkalile cedar troe is reported as
: ib the negro cemetery at
is. From appearances it
otst. I m a large pitcher at
> a negro'- grave alsiut ten years
'ursl the bottom out of the pitcher
• > n the earth. The pitcher still en
bott.on of the cedar, and is with
"o k. Ttw tree fills the pitcher com
■. an i ts a 1 >ut eight or ten feet high. It
ive grown from w ithin the pitcher, its
M 'er ham got there otlierw i~e.
V Uinta on the 22d of last August .1. It.
■ arpcnler. was working for Moses
the contractor, and while doing the
v assigned hun fell from a scaffold to the
<ad. a distance of twenty-two feet. The
nsis'ti*! m a fracture of'the left leg. ami
" Drake was railed in. The doctor
.-dnr.st the fracture and attended the injures!
iaa twit! he was out again. Since his re
vert Mr. Is c. who reside-on Hock street,
r-that hi'left leg is atsiut two inches
er than his right, and this he attribute's
*r. Drake'- want of -kill, lie therefore
>r damages. A non suit was entered,
.roeery two mih" lielow < irehard Hill,
s. ivuDtr, i Friday night. Joshua Mur-
harfe* Jones, two young bachelor
* rs of the neighborhood, had been throw -
- ra k-a-100 and got into a quarrel alioul
iws. At this junc
* !:s’rie* Martin, a lad of 111 or 17 years.
■ . and draw ing a pistol shot Jones, the
- ng clear through l>i< head, from which
. live minutes. A warrant was
I for Martin and sheriff Buzaev
; : pursuit of him, but at last accounts
•I Ucn caught, lie left on horse
1. • Martiu lio's are the sons of Wid-
M art in, living on her plant ati. >n near
: Church, efose to the line of I’ike
. .times was a hrotherof a well-known
r of that name.
- Lumpkin J .■/< rtaJcn! *ays: “There is
- if thieves between I-umpkin and Co
s who are working the cotton wagons.
instance* quite successfully. They
i! the mules if they get half a chance,
icy are constantly on the lookout to roll
who have sold cotton in ( oluinbus
ar> returning home. He describes the
s ingshabtly dressed and both wear
w hats. The theft was a l*>ld one, and
gis* was asleep w hen the thieves left,
us as to which direction they
ghi tills week while Mr. John !■'.
team was en mate to Columbus, and
• *r the night, tw o white men drove up
amp and stopped a* if they would stay
-'.d. After the negro driver of Mr. Ir
am had gone to sleep they hitched up
' IrvinV beat mules to their buggy and
IV hen the negro awoke he found an old
ft hv them that wasn't worth more
‘ as US.”
* - Sew A ork says: “A cripple who
- Albert Koasmore, of No. liio Wooster
'. and that he came from Atlanta, was
- '1 yesterday by Officer James T. King.
Ur.iadwav squad. Boosroore was
' •s i in brown plaid, but he had made him
- .ue *iy placing a bright blue woolen
• si. ■ts the crown of his derby hat. -V
'inp of linen was tied arouud his
‘ s ip. and into this a stick, on
* a* a calico American flag, wa*
Hound hi neck was a tape yard
r,, r a watch chain, and the watch was
'■■■prew.nted by a clothes peg. Over his sboul
•r' ue spotted a red plush Tap robe. His left
;•*. llirjist through a straw shield, on
• '>.vst be wrore a bouquet of ground pine.
S’leck jewelry and carter buckles adoru
' >• * ae. ktie and hat band. The officer ar
r'!*;d him on the complaint of storekeepers
Twelfth street and Broadway. He per
•<.!,- • lu en tering their stores and offering
,r|a begging circular, saying that at four
he was a helplea* cripple. Justice Tat
t*ii, at the Jeffersou Market Police Court,
••"ntted hint to have his sanity inquired
1 LOUD A.
Kvu. George B. Cam, formerly Adjutant -
Ife Siuamtitli 3ilwttiito
General of Florida under Gov. Harrison Reed,
•iiea in Philadelphia last Wednesday after
noon.
The immigration from Nassau to Kev West
is increasing.
In twenty-six barrels of oranges imported
at Key W eat from llavauna last Monday a
demijohn of rum was found concealed in each
barrel.
Frank E. Harris, formerly proprietor of the
Ocala Banner, will shortly begin the puhlica-
I! new P a l*r. to'be called the Semi-
Weekly £/,i<le, at Ocala.
Senator Geo. AV. Allen was the first to re
spond to the appeal for school liooks at Key
" e-t. He lias donated to the Douglass school
h Independent readers, 3 arithmetics and 4
geographies.
The Key West Xeirf says: “If a small village
bye Tampa can toast of two banks, Kev
Best, with over 10,000 population, should
boast of !ive_ or six. Money’ is worth here
from 12 to 15 per cent., and this large margin
should induce some capitalists to come here
and start a bank.”
Tlie Key AA est .AVirs says: “Judge Mitchell
ami State Attorney Sparkman, arrived on
the Hutchinson last Monday. Judge Mitch
ell say s he would not accept the nomination
for Governor under any circumstances, and
that he would not live in Tallahassee if the
>tate of Floyida were given him. He is a
Drew man. The Judge is a square and frank
man, and is popular with all classes here.”
The Key West -Vnrssavs: “The case against
the Spanish Consul here has been withdrawn.
From what we can learn, it seems very clear
that the Consul is trying to stir up a con diet
here. He wanted to go to jail so \li it he could
telegraph to his government that the Cubans
at Kev 'Vest had imprisoned him. A Spanish
war ship w ould have been sent here, anil there
1 - n<> telling what the result would have been.
If tins Consul does not behave liimself repre
sentation should be made to the State Depart
ment and have him recalled.”
The following exciting incident is narrated
by yesterdays Jacksonville Thui- Union :
“About 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon Justice
Bclissario was notified that a colored man by
the name of Jeff Jackson, had been seriously
if not fatally stablied, in Fiast Jacksonville,
by a negro (a notorious desperado) named
Lang Bradley. The Justice issued a warrant
for Bradley’s arrest, which was placed in the
hands of Deputy sheriff Stephens for execu
tion. On reaching East Jacksonville, the
Deputy Sheriff found over 100 excited negroes
running about in every direction, looking for
Bradley, declaring their determination to kill
him if they succeeded in finding him. After
some difficulty the Deputy Sheriff, who had
summoned several men to assist him in a sys
tematic search, finally saw Bradley walking in
the vicinity of the llogan Creek bridge, and or
dered him to surrender. This Bradley was
not disposed to do, and ran through three
null yards and was finally overtaken in the
marsh east of Wallace A Cashen’s mill. After
lieing arrested the crowd of negroes gathered
around Bradley and the Deputy Sheriff’, and
several shots were flred at the former, and, in
fact, this was kept up until Mr. Stephens
threatened to shoot the next person who pre
sented a pistol. Bradley was taken before
Justice Belissario and committed to jail to
await a hearing. The cause of the difficulty
i- unknown. It seems that Jackson was walk
ing along tlie street in front of Cauepa’s store
with a hoe on his shoulder, when Bradley
came along, and after a few word’s had passed
lietvvecn iliem Bradley took the hoe from
Jackson, dealing him a blow on the head with
it. knocking him down and cutting a frigid ml
gash. Bradlev then pulled out his knife, and
going up to Ids helpless victim, cut a gash
alHiut seven inches long, through which tlie
iiliv-ician inserted his hand inlo the man’s
buoy. The wound, il is feared, will prove
fatal.” ’
KUIX WROUGHT ItY KIKE.
One of Brunswick’s Business Blocks
Burned with Heavy Losses.
Brunswick, G v., Dec. 4.—A fire occurred
here at I o’clock this morning which ile
struyed the liaml-sonictwo-story brick build
ing of Moore A McCraery, on Newcastle
street. The total loss is about $15,000. Moore
A McCraery had $4,000 insurance on the build
ing, but nothing on their stock. They lose
heavily.
Colyer A Co.’s clothing house, on the
lir-t lioor, had $2,500 insurance and
probably lose Imt little. Harris A Smith,
attorney s. |..-t their entire library and office
furniture and had uoinsurance. G*. I!. Mabry,
attorney, had SOOO insurance on his library,
and with tlie salvage will lose very little,
sheriff.l. 1.. Beach lost his office furniture.
11. A. Kendrick, insurance agent, lost every
thing. The Board of Education lost every
thing. ineluding valuable records. The origin
of the fire is unknown.
N tsiivii.i.K, Dec. 4. —A S|ieoial dispatch re
ports that a fire at Lynchburg, Tenn., this
morning destroyed twenty-two houses, in
eluding the Sentinel office aiid several stores,
causing a loss of $35,n00. The insurance is
$15,000. Another special reports a fire at
Milan. Tenn., to-day, causing a loss of $lO,-
000. which is half insured.
iil att anoog a, Dec. 4.—A special front La
diga, Calhoun county, Ala., says that three
-tores, all there were in the town, were burned
last night. The railroad depot was also de
stroyed. The loss is about $75,000.
Brawn's Fight With Capital.
Losimix, Dec. 4.—The proprietors of the
cotton mills hi Lancashire have given notice
to their employes that a reduction of 5 per
cent, will lie"made in their wages. This
redaction will affect 90,000 weavers, who are
holding meetings fortlie purpose of organizing
a strike.
New Orleans, Dec. 4.—The strike of the
f.'cight handlers over their differences with
the employers were settled by arbitration to
day.
t hicago, Bee. 4.—A dispatch from Joliet,
111., says: “Notices were posted to-day in all
the departments of the Joliet Hulling Mills
that the mills will be shut down for an indeli
nite i>criod and the hands discharged on the
loth. The reasons for closing are not given.
A Keyenue Officer's Warm Reception.
Washington. Dec. 4.—The follow ing tele
gram was received from Deputy Collector
John W. Betts, dated at Helctgh, N'. C., Dec.
a. IsS:!: “While destroying the illicit dis--
tilleryof Renjamin Ellis, in Durham county,
IK'cember 1. I was attacked and shot at from
ambush twice. The first shot caused a slight
wound in my head. The second shot passed
over me as I "fell. 1 was compelled to leave by
a superior number, and while passing Ellis'
house was chased by live men. I destroyed
the still, but was unable to destroy the worm,
cap and seventeen stands of beer.’’ Revenue
agent Kellogg has been ordered to proceed to
tin* )s>int of di-turbance with an armed posse,
and complete the work of destroying the still
and lieer stands, and to pursue and arrest the
parties who tired upon the revenue officers.
Speer's Work in South Carolina.
C’oi.umbi a, Dec. 4.—ln the Mitchell election
cast* to-day, the arguments of tne counsel
were submitted. Mr. Melton opened for the
government, and was followed by Messrs.
Barnwell, Bryan and Youmans lor the de
fense. Mr, Speer closed for the government.
The argument occupied five hours. The jury
went out at .V o'clock.
Columbia, S. C., Dec. 4. 11 p. M.—This even
ing tlie jury came into court and reported
that they could not agree upon a verdict.
They were sent hack by Judge Bond.
• Railroad Smash Ups-
Lynchburg, Va, Dee. 4.—An Eastern
lioiind passenger train' on the Norfolk and
Western Railroad collided with a freight
train live miles east of here this morning. A
negro tramp stealing a ride was killed. En
gineer l'ond. of the passenger train, was
badly and probably fatally mangled. A
brakemajnand passenger whose names arejun
known. were slightly injured. Both trains
were behind time, but the immediate cause
of the accident was the failure of engineer
Rond to see a (lag signal to stop.
A Governor’ll Veto of No Avail.
H arrisburg, Pa., Dec. 4.—A message from
the Governor vetoing all of the appropriation
bill, except that jiortiou which relates to the
pay of employes, was presented to the Legis
lature at noon to-day. The Governor bases
Ins action on the ground that the business for
which the Legislature was called in extra
session hail not been attended to. lloth
lnuix's considered separately all tbe sections
vetoed, and passed them, anil then passed the
entire bill over the Governor’s bead. The
vote in the House was 163 to 25.
Frank James to be Tried in January.
Kansas City. Mo., Dec. 4.—This after
noon the trial of Frank James was set for
January 14, and his bail was lixed at |3,000.
It is stated that James will offer bonds in a
few days. The old indictment for tbe l-uie
Cut train roblierv was squashed and anew
our was returned of like tenor, setting forth
an additional description of certain jewelry
s'olen. The trial of Charles Ford, tt|K>n a
charge of comp icity in the same robbery,
was also set for January 14.
The Fraudulent Bills of Lading.
Fall River, Mass,, Dec. 4.—James Lohns
tem. of Dallas, Tex., a eotton buyer, who is
under arrest in that city charged by the
Texas Pacific Railroad managers with
forgery of bills of lading, on which he ob
tained advances of money, had sold cotton to
mills in this city, and had had money ad
vanced to him oii bills of lading. The broker
who sold the cotton here for Lohnstein has
gone South to Investigate matters.
James Nutt’s Trial.
I'xioNTOwN, Pa., Dec. 4.—The trial of James
Nutt for killing of N. L. Dukes last June will
commence to-morrow, and is ex|>ected to oc
cupy the remainder of the week. Senator
Voorhees, of Indiana, is the principal counsel
for the defense. The town is full of visitors,
hut there is no great excitement. Sympathy
for the prisoner is expressed on all sides, hot
the feeling i9 general that he will be con
victed.
Easton's Accomplice.
Dallas, Texas, Dec. 4.—Joseph Lohnstein,
a cotton buyer, of Dallas, was brought to the
city yesterday from Sherman, charged by the
Texas Pacific Railroad with forgery and
swindling. It is claimed that' Lohnstein’s
operations covered upward of 4125.600. It is
alleged that he was in collusiou with Easton,
the defaulting railroad clerk at Sherman.
Fence Cutters Spreading Destruction.
Galveston, Dec. 4.—A special from Aus
tin says: "T. B. Harris, a stock raiser and
hanker of Tom Green county, informed the
Governor vesterdav that twenty miles of his
fence had ‘been destroyed by fence cutters,
and that 10,000 posts and two ear loads of
wire, together with hay and other property,
had been
I had severe attacks of gravel and kid
ney trouble; wag unable to get a medi
cine or doctor to cure me until I used
%>l> Hitters, and they cured me In a short
time.— A Distiiujuisfiecl Lawyer of Wayne
county , N. ¥.
ARTHUR’S MESSAGE.
LEGISLATION RECOMMENDED
ox PAUPER IMMIGRATION.
Cuba Expected to Pay the Claims Held
Against Her—-Strong Measures Advo
*atel in tlie Fight Against Mormon
ism Red nut ion of the Postage on
Drop Letters Advocated.
H ashingtox, Dec. 4, —The annual message
transmitted by President Arthur to the Con
gress of the United States to-day, is as fol
lows:
' Io f J te Uonjrenn of the United Staten: At
the threshold of vour deliberations I con
gratulate you ujion the favorable aspect of the
domestic and foreign altairs of this govern
ment. Our relations with other countries
continue to be upon a friendly footing.
With the Argentine Republic, Austria. Bel
kmrtn. Brazil, Denmark, Hayti, Italy, Santo
Domingo and Sweden and Norway no incident
has occurred which calls for sjiecial comment.
1 he recent opening of new linesof telegraphic
communication with Central America anil
Brazil iiermitted the interchange of messages
of friendship with the governments of those
countries.
During the year there have been perfected
and proclaimed consular ami commercial
treaties with Servia and a consular
treaty with Koumnnia, thus extend
ing our intercourse with tlie Danuliian
countries, while our eastern relations have
been put upon a wider basis by tlie treaties of
Corea and Madagascar, the new boundary
survey treaty with Mexico, a Trades Mark
convention anil a supplementary treaty of ex
tradition with Spain and conventions extend
ing the duration of tlie Franco-American
Claims Commission have also been proclaim
ed. Notice of tile termination of the fisheries
articles of the treaty of Washington was duly
given to the British Government, and the re
ciprocal privileges and exemptions of the
treaty will, accordingly, cease on July 1, IS.SS.
lhe fisheries industries pursued by.4l numer
ous class of our citizens on the northern coasts
both of the Atlantic and l’ucific Oceans are
worthy of the fostering care of Congress. When
ever brought into competition with the like
industries of oilier countries our fishermen as
well as manufacturers of fishing appliances
ami preparers of fish products have main
tained a foremost place. 1 suggest that Con
gress create a commission to consider the gen
eral question of our rights in the fisheries,
and the means of opening to our citizens, un
der just anil enduring conditions, the richly
stocked fishing waters and sealing grounds
of British North Ameriea.
PAC PER IMMIGRATION’.
A question has arisen touching the deporta
tion to the United States from the British
islands by governmental or municipal aid of
persons unable there to gain a living, and
equally a burden on the community here.
>ucli of these persons as fall under the pauper
class, as defined by law, have been sent back
in accordance with the provisions of our
statutes. Her Majesty's Government has in
sisted that precautions have been taken be
fore shipment to prevent these objectionable
visitors from coming hither with
out guarantee of support by their
relatives in this eountrv. The
action of the British authorities in apply
ing measures for relief has, however, in so
many cases proved ineffectual, and especially
so in certain recent instances of nceilv emi
grants reaching our territory through Cana
da, that a revision of our legislation upon this
subject may beylecnied advisable. Correspond
ence relative to the Clayton-Billwer treaty
has been continued, and will belaid before
Congress.
The legislation of France against the impor
tation of prepared swine products from the
l lilted states has been repealed. That result
is due no less to the friendly representations
of this government than to a growing convic
tion in France that the restriction was not
demanded by any real danger to health.
Germany still prohibits the introduction of
all swine products from America. I extended
to the Imperial Government a friendly invi
tat ion to send experts to the United States to
inquire whether the use of those products
was dangerous to health. This invitation
was declined. I have believed it of such im
portance, however, that exact facts should
l‘ learned and promulgated, that 1 have ap
pointed a competent commission to make a
thorough investigation *of the subject. Its
members liaio shown their public' spirit liv
accepting their trust without pledge of com
pensation: but I trust Congress will see in
the national and internal bearings of the
matter a motive fer providing at lcasi for re
imbursement of such cxitenses as they mav
necessarily incur.
The coronation of the Czar at
Moscow afforded to this government an
occasion for testifying its continued friend
ship by sending a special envoy and a repre
sentative of the navy to attend'tlic ceremony.
While there have arisen during the year no
grave questions affecting the status'in the
Kus-ian Empire 0$ American citizensof other
faith than that held by them, this government
remains firm in its conviction that the rights
of its citizens ahri ad should be in no wise
affected by their religious belief.
CUBA AND PORTO RICO.
It is understood that measures for the re
moval of the restrictions which now burden
our trade with Cuba and Porto liico are under
consideration bv the Spanish Government.
The proximity of Cuba to the United States,
ami the peculiar methods of administration
which there prevail, necessitate constant dis
cussion and appeal on our part front the
proceedings of the insular authorities. I
regr. I to say the just protests of this govern
ment have not as yet produced satisfactory
results. The commission appointed to decide
certain claims of our citizens against the
Spanish Government after the recognition of
a satisfactory rule as to the validity and force
of naturaliz'atiou in the United stales, lias
finally adjourned. Some of its awards
though, made more than two years ago, have
not yet been paid. Their speedy payment is
expected. Claims to a large amount, which
were held by the late commission to he with
out its jurisdiction, have lieen diplomatically
presented to the Spanish Government. As
the action of the colonial authorities,
which hus . given rise to these
claims was admittedly illegal,
full reparation for the injury sustained by our
citizens should be no longer delayed.
The case of the Masonie has not
vet reached a settlement. The
Manila Court has found that the
proceedings of which this government lias
comiiiaitied were unathorized, and it is hoped
that the government of Spain will not with
hold the speedy reparation which its sense of
justice should impel an offer for the unusual
severity and unjust action of its subordinate
colonial officers in the case of this vessel.
The Helvetian Confederation lias proposed
the inauguration of a elass of international
treaties for the referment to arbitration of
grave questions between nations. This gov
ernment has assented to the proposed nego
tiation of such a treaty with Nw iizerland.
Under the treaty of Berlin, liberty of con
science and civil" rights are assured to all
strangers in Bulgaria. As the United States
have no distinct conventional relations with
that country, and arc not a party to the
treatv, they should, in my opinion, maintain
a diplomatic repres nration at Sofia for the
improvement of intercourse and the proper
protection of the many American citizens
who resort to lhatcountry as missionaries and
teachers. I suggest that Ibe given authority
to establish an agency and Consulate General
at the Bulgarian capital.
The United States are now participating in
a revision of the tariffs of the Ottoman Em
pire. They have assented to the application
of a license tax to foreigners doing business in
Turkey, but have opposed the oppressive stor
age tax upon petroleum entering the ports of
that country.
The government of the Khedive has pro
posed that the authority of the mixed judicial
tribunals in Egypt be extended so as to cover
citizens of the United States accused of
crime, who are now triable before consular
courts. This government is not indisposed to
accept the change, but believe that its terms
should be submitted for criticism to the com
mission appointed to revise the whole sub
ject.
need for friendliness with Mexico.
At no time in our national history has there
been more manifest need of close and lasting
relations with a neighboring State than now
exists with respect to Mexico. The rapid in
flux of our capital and enterprise into that
country show s, by what lias already been ac
complished, the vast reciprocal advantages
which must attend the progress of its inter
nal development. The treaty of commerce
and navigation of ISIS has bee’n terminated by
the Mexican government, and in the absence
of conventional engagements, the rights of
our citizens in Mexico now depend upon the
domestic statutes of that Republic. There have
been instances of harsh enforcement of the
law against our vessels and citizens in Mexi
co, and of denial of the diplomatic resort for
their protection. The initial step toward a
bettor understanding lias been taken in the
negotiation by the commission authorized by
Congress of a" treaty which is still before the
Senate awaiting its approval. The provisions
for the reciprocal crossing of the frontier hv
the troops in pursuit of hostile Indians
have lieeu prolonged for another year.
The operations of the forces of
both governments against these
savages have been successful, and several of
their most dangerous bands have lieen cap
tured or dispersed by the skill and valor of
the United States and Mexican soldiers light
ing in a common cauae.The convention for the
resurvov of the boundary from the KioGrande
to the I*acifle having been ratified and ex
changed, the preliminary rcconnoissance
therein stipulated has been therein effected. It
now rests with Congress to make pro
vision for completing the survey
and relocating the boundary moniments.
A convention was signed with Mexico on July
13, 1882, providing for the rehearing of the
cases of Benjamin Weil and the Abra Silver
Mining Company, in whose favor awards were
made hv the late American and Mexican
Claims Vigil mission. That convention still
awaits the consent of the Senate. Meanwhile,
because of those charges of fraudulent awards
which have made anew commission neces
sary, the Executive has directed the suspen
sion of payments of the distributive quota re
ceived from Mexico.
CENTRAL AMERICAN AFFAIRS.
Our geographical proximity to Central
America and our political and commercial re
lations with the States of that country justify
in my judgment such a material iucrease of
our Consular corps as will place at each capi
sal a Consul General.
The contest between Bolivia, Chili and Peru
has passed from the stage of strategic hostili
ties to that of negotiation, in which the coun
sels of this government have been exercised.
The demands of Chili for absolute cession
of territory have been maintained and ac
cepted by the party of Gen. Iglesias to the ex
tent of concluding a treaty of peace with the
government of Chili .n general conformity
with the terms of the protocol signed in May
last between the Chilian commander and Gen.
Igclsias. Asa result of a conclusion of this
treaty Gen. Iglesias has lieen formally tecog
nized by Chili as President of Peru, and
his government installed at Lima,
SAVANNAH, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1883.
which has been evacuated by the
Chilian*. A call has been issued by Gen. Igle
sias for a representative to lie elected on the
13th of January, and to meet at Lima on the
Ist of March next. Meanwhile the provisional
government of General Iglesias has applied
for recognition to the principal powers of
America and Europe. When the will of the
Peruvian people snail be manifested, I shall
not hesitate to recognize the government ap
proved by them.
DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS.
Diplomatic and naval representatives of
this government attended at Caracas the cen
tennial celebration of the birth of tlie
illustrious Bolivar, and at the same time the
inauguration of the statue of Washington in
the \ enezuelan capital to the veneration iu
which his memory is there held. Congress at
its last session authorized the Flxeculive to
propose to Venezuela a reopening of the
awards of the mixed commission of Caracas.
'1 In; departure from this country of the Ven
ezuelan Minister lias delayed the opening of
negotiations for providing the com
mission. This government holds that un
til the establishment of a treaty upon this
subject the Venezuelan Government must con
tinue to make the payments provided for in
the convention of Isiiii. There is ground for
believing that the dispute growing out of the
unpaid obligations due from Venezuela to
France will be satisfactorily ad
justed. The F’rench Cabinet has pro
posed a basis of settlement which
meets my approval, but as it involves a re
casting of the annual quotas of the foreign
debts it has been deemed advisable to submit
th‘‘proposal to the judgment of the Cabinets
of Berlin, Copenhagen, The Hague, 4>ondou
and Madrid.
HAWAIIAN AND COREAX TREATIES.
At the recent coronation of His Majesty
King Kalakaua, this government was repre
sented, both diplomatically and by the formal
visit of a vessel of war. The question of ter
minating or modifying l lie existing reciprocity
treaty with Hawaii is now before Congress, t
am convinced that the charges of abuses and
frauds under that treaty have been exagger
ated, and I renew the suggestion of last year’s
message that the treaty be modified wherever
its provisions have proved onerous
to legitimate trade between the two countries.
I am not disposed to favor the entire cessation
of the treaty relations which have fostered
good will between the countries and contrib
uted toward the equality of Hawaii in the
family of nations. In pursuance of the policy
declared by this government of extending our
intercourse with the Eastern nations, lega
tions have, during the past year, been estab
lished in Persia, Siam and Corea. It is prob
able that permanent missions of those coun
tries will long be maintained in the United
states. A special embassy from Siam is now
on its wav hither.
Treaty relations with Corea were perfected
by the exchange at Seoul, on the lath of May
last, of the ratification of the lately con
cluded convention, and Envoys from the King
of Tali Cliosun have visited this country and
received a cordial welcome. Corea, as yet
unacquainted with the methods of Western
civilization, now invites tlie attention of those
interested in the advancement of our foreign
trade, as it needs the implements and pro
ducts which the United States are ready to
supply. We seek no monopoly of its com
merce and no advantages over other nations,
but as the Chosunese, in reaching for a higher
civilization have confided in this republic, we
cannot regard with indifference any en
croachment on their rights.
CHINESE MONETARY CLAIMS.
China, by the payment of a money indem
nity, lias settled certain of the long pending
claims of our citizens, and I have strong hopes
that the remainder will soon be adjusted.
Questions have arisen touching the rights of
American and other foreign manufacturers in
China under provisions of treaties which per
mit aliens to exercise their industries in that
country. On this specific point our own
treaty is silent, but on Hie operation of the
most favored nation clause we have like priv
ileges with those of other powers. While it is
the duty or the government to see that our
citizens have full enjoyment of every benefit
secured by treaty, 1 doubt the expediency in
leading in a movement to constrain China to
admit an interpretation which we haveonlv an
indirect treaty right to exact. The transfer
ence to China of American capital for the em
ployment there of Chinese labor, would, in
effect, inaugurate a competition for the con
trol of markets now r supplied by our home in
dustries. There is good reason to believe that
the law restricting tlie immigration of Chi
nese has been violated intentionally or other
wise by the ollicials of China, upon whom is
devolved the duty of certifying that the im
migrants belong to the excepted classes. .Meas
ures have been taken to ascertain the facts
incident to this supposed infraction, and it is
believed that the government of China will
co-operate with the United States in securing
the faithful observance of the law. The same
considerations which prompted Congress at
its last session to return to Japan the Simon
oseki indemnity seems to me to require at its
hands like action iu respect to the Canton in
demnity fund, now amounting to $300,000.
The question of tlie general revision of the
foreign treaties of Japan has been
considered in an international conference
held at Tokoi but without definite result as
yet. This governmentls disposed to concede
tlie requests of Japan to determine its own
tariff duties; to provide such proper judicial
tribunals as may commend themselves to the
Western powers for the trial of causes to
which foreigners are parties, and to assimi
late the terms and duration of its treaties to
those of other civilized States.
Ail) PROFFERED LIBERIA.
Through our ministers at London and at
Monrovia this government has endeavored to
aid Liberia in its differences with Great
Britain, touching the northwestern boundary
of that republic. There is a prospect of ad
justment of the dispute by the adoption of the
Mannuli river as the line.’ This arrangement
is a compromise of the conflicting territorial
claims, and takes from Liberia no country
over which it has maintained effective juris
diction.
The rich and populous valley of the Congo
is being opened to commerce by a
society called the International African
Association, of which the King of
the Belgians is the President, and
a citizen of the United States is the chief
executive officer. Large tracts of territory
have been ceded to the associations by native
chiefs, roads have been opened, steamboats
placed on the river, and the nucleus of States
established at twenty-two stations under one
flag, which offers freedom to commerce and
prohibits the slave trade. The objects of the
society are philanthropic. It does not aim at
permanent political control, hut seeks the
neutrality of the valley. The United States
cannot he indifferent to this work,
nor to tlie interests of ttieir
citizens involved in it. It may become ad
visable for us to co-operate with other com
mercial powers iu promoting the rights of
trade and residence in the Congo valley, free
from the interference or political control of
any one nation.
SOCIAL AND SCIENTIFIC CONGRESSES.
In view of tlie frequency of invitations
from foreign governments "to participate in
social and scientific congresses, for the dis
cussion of important matters of general
concern, I repeat the suggestion in ray
last message that provision he made for
the exercise of discretionary power liy the
executive in appointing delegates to such
convocations. Able specialists are ready to
serve the national interests iu such capacity
without personal profit or other compensation
than (lie defrayment of expenses actually in
curred, and this a comparatively small annual
appropriation would suffice to meet.
THE SI’ANISH WEST INDIES TRADE.
I have alluded in my previous messages to
the injurious and vexatious restrictions suf
fered by our trade in the Spanish
West Indies. Brazil, whose natural
outlet for its great national staple,
coffee, Is in and through the United States, im
poses a heavy export duty upon that product.
Our petroleum exports are hampered in Tur
key and other eastern ports by restrictions as
t > storage and by onerous" taxation. For
these mischiefs adequate relief is not always
afforded by reciprocity treaties like that with
Hawaii or that lately negotiated with Mexico
and now awaiting the action of the
Senate. Is it not advisable to pro
vide some measure of equitable retal
iation in our relations with governments
which discriminate against our own. If, for
example, the Executive were empowered to
applv to Spanish vessels and cargoes from Cuba
and Vorto Rico the same rules of treatment
and scale of penalties for technical faults
which are applied to our vessels and cargoes
in the Antilles, a resort to that course might
not lie barren of good results.
SECRETARY FOLGER’S EXHIBIT.
The report of the Secretary of the Treas
ury gives a full and interesting exhibit of the
tiuancial condition of the country. It shows
that the ordinary revenues from all sources
for the fiscal year ended June 30, IKS3,
amounted to 43'.H,287,51 05, whereof there
was received—
From customs 4214,706,49 ti 03
From internal revenue 144,720,368 08
From sales of public lauds. ... 7,055,804 42
From tax on circulation and de
positsof national banks 0,111,008 85
From profits on coinage, bullion
deposits and assays 4,4ii0.205 17
From other sources 17,333,637 60
Total 4398,287,581 05
For the same period the ordinary expendi
l ures were:
For civil expenses $ 22,343,285 76
For foreign intercourse 2,410,275 24
For Indians 7,362,500 34
For pensions 6*1,012,578 64
For the military establishment,
including river and harbor im
provements and arsenal . .. 48,911,382 93
For the naval establishment, in
cluding vessels, machinery and
improve ments at navy vards . 15,283,437 17
For miscellaneous expenditures,
including public buildings,
lighthouses, and collecting the
revenue 40,098,432 73
For expenditures on account of
the District of Columbia .. 3,817,028 48
For interest on the public debt . 50,160,131 25
Total 4265,408,137 54
Leaving a surplus revenue of . 4132,879,444 41
which, with an amount drawn from the cash
balance in the Treasury of 41,299,312 55. mak
ing a total of 4134,178,756 96,was applied to the
redemption of—
Bonds for the sinking fund . 4 44,350,700 00
Fractional currency for the sink
ing fund 46,596 96
Funded loan of 1881, continued
at 914 P‘‘ r Cffiß ... 65.380.250 00
Loan of July and August, 1861,
continued at 3'o per ceut 20,594,600 00
Funded loan of 1907 1.418,850 00
Funded loan of 1881 719,150 00
Loan of February, 1801 13,000 00
Loan of July aud August, 1861.. 266.600 00
Loan of March, 1863 116,850 00
Loan of J ply, 1882 47,650 00
5-20s of 1862 10,300 00
5-20sof 1864 7,050 00
5-2 US of 1865 9,600 00
10-40s of 1n64 133,550 00
Consols of 1305 40,800 0
Consols of 1867 235,700 00
Consols of 1868 154,630 00
Oregon war debt 5,440 00
Refunding certificates 109,150 00
Old demand, compound interest
and other notes . 13,300 00
Total $134,178,750 90
The revenue for the present fiscal vear, ac
tual and estimated, is as follows:
F’or the Qu’r F’or reinaiu’g
source, J hree < J u ?, r '
30, 1883 (ac- ters of the
tual). year (est’d).
From customs . $57,402,975 07 $137,597,024 33
From internal rev
enue 29,062,078 00 90,337,921 40
F’rom sales of pub
lic lands 2,932,035 17 5,007,3*4 S3
From taxon circu
latioD anti depos
its of national
banks 1,557,800 88 1,542.199 12
From repayment
of interest on
sinking fund of
Pacific R’y Cos. 521,059 51 1.478,940 49
From customs fees,
fines,penalties,4c 298,600 78 • 901,303 22
From fees cousu
lar.letters patent
and lauds 803,209 80 2,430,790 20
From proceeds of
sales of govern
ment property. .. J 112,502 23 107,437 77
From profits ou
coinage, Ac 950,229 40 3,149,770 54
From deposits for
surveying public
lands 172,461 31 827,538 09
From revenues
from the District
of Columbia. 256,017 99 1,643,982 01
From miscellane
ous sources 1,237,189 63 2,382,810 37
Total receipts.. $9f..9i>4U17 03{5247*088.082 97
The actual and estimated expenses for the
same period are:
For the Qu’r I Forremain’g
• (act’t) end- three quar-
Object, ed Sept. 30, | ters of the
For civil and mis-,
cellaneous ex
penses, includ
mgpublic build
ings, light
houses and col
lecting the rev
enues $15,385,799 42 $ 51,114,200 58
F’or Indians 2.623,390 54 4,126,609 46
For pensions 10,285,201 98 53.714,738 02
For military es
tablishment, in
cluding fortifi
cations, river
and harbor ini -1
provements and
arsenals 13,512.204 33 26,487,795 67
F’or naval estab
lishment, in
cluding vessels
and machinery
and nnprove’-
nients at the
navy yards . 4,199,299 09 12,300,700 31
For expenditures
on account of
the District of
Columbia 1,138,830 41 2,611,103 59
tor interest on
the public debt ; 14,797.297 90 39,702,702 04
Total ordinary!
expenditures {567,942,090 3315190,057,909 67
Total receipts, actual and esti
mated .$343,000,000 00
lotal expenditures, actual and
estimated 258,000,000 00
Difference $ 85,000,000 00
Estimated amount due the sink
ing fund $ 45,816 741 07
Leaving a balance of $ 39,183,258 93
If the revenue for the fiscal year,which will
euil on June 30, 1885, be estimated upon the
basis of existing laws, the Secretary is of the
opinion that for that year the receipts will
exceed by $60,000,000, the ordinary expendi
tures, including the amount devoted to the
sinking fund. Hitherto the surplus bus, as
rapidly as it lias accumulated, been devoted
to the reduction of the National debt. Asa
remit the only bonds now outstanding which
are redeemable at the pleasureol' the govern
ment are the 3 per cents , amounting to about
$305,000,000, the 4*5 per cents., amounting to
$250,000,000, and the 7 per cents, amounting to
$37,000,000. The 4 per cents, arc not paya
ble until 1891 and 1907 respect
ively. if the surplus shall hereafter
be as large as tip; Treasury estimates now in
dicate, the 3 percent. bonds may all be re
deemed at least four years before any of the
4*..; per cents, can be called in. The latter,
at the same rate of accumulation of surplus,
can be paid at maturity, and the moneys
requisite for the redemption of the 4 per
cents, will be in the Treasury many years be
fore those obligations become payable. There
are cogent reasons, however, why the national
indebtedness should not be thus rapidly ex
tinguished.
REDUCING TAXATION,
Chief among them ts the fact that
only by excessive taxation is such rapid
ity attainable. In a communication
to Congress at its last session, I
recommended that all excise taxes be abol
ished except those relating to distilled spirits,
and that substantial reductions be also made
in the revenues from customs. A statute has
since been enacted by which the annual tax
and tariff receipts of the government have
been cut down to the extent of at least
lifty or sixty millions of dollars. While I
have no doubt that still further reductions
may be wisely made, l do not advise the adop
tion at this session of any measures fora large
diminution of the national revenues. The
results of the legislation of the last session of
tlie Congress have not as yet become suffi
ciently apparent to justify any radical re
vision or sweeping modifications of the exist
ing law. In the interval which must
elapse before the effects of the act
of March 3, 1883, can be definitely ascertained,
a portion at least of the surplus revenues may
be wisely applied to the long neglected duty
of rehabilitating our navy and providing coast
defenses for the protection of our harbors.
This is a matter to which I shall again ad
vert.
MONETARY LEGISLATION.
Immediately associated with the financial
subject just discussed is the import
ant question, what legislation is need
ed regarding the national currency.
The aggregate amount of bonds
now on deposit in the treasury to support the
national bank circulation is about 4350,000,000.
Nearly 4200,000,000 of this amount consists of 3
per cents., which, as already stated, are pay
able at the pleasure of the government and
are likely to be called in within less than four
years, unless in the meantime the surplus rev
enues shall he diminished. The probable
effect of such an extensive retirement of the
securities which are the basis of the national
bank circulation would be such a contraction
of the volume of the currency as to produce
grave commercial embarrassments. How can
this danger be obviated? The most effectual
lilan.andonewho.se adoption at the earliest
practicable opportunity I shall heartily ap
prove, has already been indicated. If the rev
enues of the next four years shall be
kept substantially commensurate with
the expenses, the volume of circulation will
not lie likely to suffer any material distur
bance. But if on the other hand there shall
be great delay in reducing taxation it will
become necessary either to substitute some
other form of currency in place of the na
tional bank notes or to make important
changes in the laws by wljicli their circula
tion is now controlled. In my judgment
the latter course is far preferable. I
commend to your attention the
very interesting and thoughtful
suggestions upon this subject which appear in
the Secretary's report. The objections which
lie urges against tlie acceptance of any other
securities than the obligations of the govern
ment itself as a foundation for national bank
circulation, seem tome insuperable for avert
ing the threatened contraction. Two courses
have been suggested, either of which is prob
ably feasible. One is the issuance of new
bonds, having many years to run, bearing a
low rate of interest and exchangeable upon
specified terms for those now outstanding.
The other course which commends itself to
my own judgment as the better, is the enact
ment of a law repealing the tax on circula
tion, and permitting the banks to issue notes
Tor an amount equal to 90 tier cent, of the
market value, instead of as now, the face
value of their deposited bonds. I agree with
the Secretary in the belief that the adoption
of this plan would afford the necessary relief.
THE TRADE DOLLAR.
The trade dollar was coined for purposes of
traffic in countries where silver passed at its
value as ascertained by its weight and tiuc
ness It never had a legal tender quality.
Large numbers of these coins entered, how
ever, into the volume of our currency. By
common consent their circulation in domestic
trade has now ceased, and they have thus
become a disturbing element. They should
not be longer permitted to embarrass our
currency system. I recommend that pro
vision lie made for their reception by the
Treasury and mints as bullion at a
small percentage above the current market
price of silver of like fineness.
THE CUSTOMS DISTRICTS.
The Secretary of the Treasury advises a
consolidation of certain of the customs dis
tricts of the country, and suggests that the
President be vested with such power in rela
tion thereto, as is now given him, in respect
to collectors of internal revenue by section
3,141 of the revised statutes. The statistics
upon this subject, which are con
tained in his report, furnish of them
selves a strong argument in defense of
Ids views. At the adjournment of Congress
the number of internal revenue collection dis
tricts was 126. By an executive order dated
June 25, 1883, I directed that certain of these
districts be consolidated. The result has been
a reduction of oue-third of the number, which
at present is 83.
INDIAN AFFAIRS,
From the report of tlie Secretary of War it
wili be seen that in only a single instance has
there been any disturoance of the
quiet condition of our Indian trilies.
A raid from Mexico to Arizona was made in
March last by a small party of Indians, which
was pursued by Geu. Crook into the moun
tain regions from which it had come. It is
confidently hoped that such outbreaks will
not again occur, and that tlie Indian tribes,
which have for so man years disturbed the
West, will hereafter remain in peaceable sub
mission.
THE DEFENSELESS SEA CO A STS,
I again call your attention to the pres
ent condition of our extended sea
coast, upon which are so many
large cities whose wealth and import
ance to the country would in time of war in -
vite attack from modern armored ships
against which our existsdg defensive works
could give no adequate protection. Those
works were built before the introduction of
modern heavy rilled guns into maritime .war
fare, and if they are not put in an efficient
condition we may .easily be subjected to
humiliatiou by a hostile power
greatly inferior to ourselves. As
germane to this subject I call
youratteution to the importance of perfect
ing our submarine torpedo defenses. The
board authorized bv the last Congress to re
pori upon the method which should be adop
ted for the manufacture of heavy ordnance
adapted to modern warfare has "visited the
principal iron and steel works iu this coun
try and in Europe. Jt is hoped that its re
port will soou be made, anil that Congress
will thereupon be disposed to provide suita
ble facilities and plant for the manufacture
of such guns as are now imperatively needed.
MII.ITIA INSPECTION.
On several occasions during the past
year officers of the army have,
at the request of the State authorities,
visited their militia encampments for the in
spection of the troops. F’rom the reports of
those officers I am induced to believe that the
encouragement of the State militia organ
izations by the National Government would
be followed by very gratifying results, and
would afford it, iu sudden emergencies, the
aid of a large body of volunteers educated in
the performance of military duties.
THE NAVY.
The Secretary of the Navv reports that un
der the authority of the acts of August 5. 18-82,
and March 3, 1883, the work of strengthening
out* navy by the construction of modern ves
sels has been auspiciously begun. Three
cruisers are in process of construction—the
Chicago, of 4,590 tons displacement, and the
Boston and Atlanta, each of 2,500 tons. They
are to be built of steel, with the tensile
strength and ductility prescribed by law, and
in the combination of speed and endurance
and armament are expected to compare favor
ably with the best unarmored war vessels of
other nations.
A fourth vessel, the Dolphin, is to he con
structed of similar material, and is intended
to serve as a fleet dispatch boat. The double
turreted monitors i’uritan, Amphitrite
and Terror have been launched
°n the Delaware river, and
a contract has been made for the supply of
their machinery. A similar monitor, the
Monadnock, has been launched in California.
The Naval Advisory Board and the Secretary
recommend the completion of the monitors,
the construction of lour gunboats, and also
three additional steel vessels like the Chica
go, Boston auil Dolphin.
INTERIOR COAST LINE OF WATER WAYS.
As an important measure of national de
fense, the Secretary urges also the immediate
creation of an interior coast line of water
ways across the peninsula of Florida, along
the coast from Florida to Hampton Hoads, and
between the Chesapeake bay and the Dela
ware river, and through Cape Cod.
RECONSTRUCTION OE THE NAVY.
I feel bound to impress upon the attention
of Congress the necessity of continued pro
gress in the. reconstruction of the navy. The
condition of t he public treasury, as 1 have al
ready intimated, makes the present an aus
picious time for putting this branch of the
service in a state of efficiency. It is no part
of our policy to create and maintain a navv,
able to cope with that of the other great pow
ers of the world. We have no wish for for
eign conquest, and tlie peace which we have
long enjoyed is in no seeming danger of inter
ruption. But that our naval strength should
be made adequate for the defense of our
harbors, the protection of our commercial in
terests and the maintenance of our national
honor, is a proposition from which no pa
triotic citizen can withhold his assent.
POSTAL AFFAIRS.
Tlie report of the Posmaster General con
tains a gratifying exhibit of the condition and
prospects of lhe interesting branch of the
public service committed to his care. Il ap
pears on June 30, 1883, that tlie whole number
of post offices was 47,883, of which 1,632 were
established during the previous fiscal year. The
number of offices operating under the system
of free delivery was 154. At these latter offi
ces the postage on local matter amounted to
$419,523,052, a sum exceeding by $102,189,401
the entire cost of the carrier service of the
country.
DROP LETTER POSTAGE.
The rate of postage on drop letters passing
through these cilices is now fixed by law at
two cents per half ounce or fraction thereof.
In offices where the carrier system has not
been established the rate is only half as large.
It will lie remembered that in 'IBO3, when the
free delivery was first established bv law, the
uniform single rate postage upon local letters
was one cent, and so it remained until 1872,
when in those cities where the cai rier service
was established it was increased in order to
defray tlie expense of such service. It seems
to me that the old rate may now with pro
priety be restored, and that, too, even at tlie
risk of diminishing for a time, at least, the
receipts from postage upon local letters. J
can sec no reason why that particular class of
mail matter should be held accountable for
tlie entire cost of not only its own collection
and delivery, but the collection and delivery
of all other classes, and I am confident
after full consideration of tlie subject that
the reduction of the rate would be followed
by sucli a growing accession of business as to
occasion but slight and temporary loss to the
revenues of the post office.
GOVERNMENTAL TELEGRAPHY.
The Postmaster General devotes much of
liis report to the consideration in its various
aspects of the relations of the government to
the telegraph. Such reflection as I have been
able to give this subject since my last annual
message has not led me to change the views
which I there expressed in dissenting from
the recommendation of the then Postmaster
General that the government assume the
same control over Ihe telegraph which it has
always exercised over the mail. Admitting
that its authority in the premises is the same
as has ever been claimed for it, it would not,
in my judgment, be a wise use of that authori
ty to purchase or assume the control of exist
ing telegraph lines, or to construct
others with a view of enter
ing into general competition with
private enterprise. The objections which
may be justly urged against either of those
projects, and indeed against any system
which would require an enormous increase in
the civil service list, do not, however, applv
to some of the plans whieli have lately
provoked public comment and discussion. It
has been claimed, for example, that Congress
might wisely autuorize the Postmaster
General to contract with some pri
vate persons or corporation for tne
transmission of messages or of auv certain
class of messages at specified rates and under
government supervision. Various such
schemes of the same general nature, but widely
differing in their special characteristics, have
been suggested m the public prints, and the
arguments by which they have been support
ed and opposed have doubtless attracted your
attention. It is likely that the whole subject
will he considered by you at (he
present session. In the nature of
things it involves so many questions of detail
that your deliberations would probably he
aided slightly, if at all, by any particular
suggestions which I might now submit. I
avow my belief, however, that the govern
ment should he authorized by law to exercise
some sort of supervision over interstate tele
graphic communication, and 1 express the
hope that for attaining that end some measure
may he devised which will receive your ap
probation.
LEGAL FEES.
The Attorney General criticises in liis re
port the provisions of the existing law llxing
the fees of jurors and witnesses in the Federal
Courts. These provisions are chiefly con
tained in the act of February 20, 1853, though
some of them were introduced into that act
from statutes which hail been passed many
years previous. It is manifest that such com
pensation as might, when these laws were
enacted, have been just and reasonable would
in many instances he justly regarded
at the present day as inadequate. 1 concur
with the Attorney General in the belief that
the statutes should he revised by which these
fees are regulated. So, too, should the laws
which regulate the compensation of district
attorneys and marshals. They should he paid
wholly by salaries instead of in part by fees
as is now the case. The change would prove
to he a measure of economy, and would dis
courage the institution of needless and op
pressive legal proceedings which, it is to be
reared, have in Bonn; instances been conduct
ed for the mere sake of persorial gain.
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT AFFAIRS.
Much interesting and varied information is
contained in t lie report of the Secretary of
the Interior. I particularly call yonr atten
tion to liis presentation of certain phases of
the Indian question, to his recommendations
for the repeal of the pre-emption and timber
culture acts, and for more stringent legisla
tion to prevent frauds under the pension
laws. The statutes which prescribe the de
finitions and punishments of crimes relating
to pensions could doubtless he made more
effective by certain amendments and addi
tions, which are pointed out in the Secretary’s
report.
LIGHT FOR THE ILLITERATE.
1 have previously referred to the alarming
stale of illiteracy in certain portions of the
country, and again submit for the considera
tion of Congress whether some Federal aid
should not he extended to public
primary education, wherever adequate pro
vision therefor lias not already been made,
THE UTAH COMMISSION.
The Utah Commission has submitted to the
Secretary of the interior its second annual
report as a result of its labors in supervising
the recent election in that Territory pursuant
to the act of March 22, 1882. it appears that
persona by that act disqualified, to the num
ber of about 12,000, were excluded from the
polls. This fact, however, affords little cause
for congratulation, and I fear that it is far
from indicating any real and substantial pro
gress toward the extirpation of polygamy.
All the members elect of the Legislature are
Mormous. There is grave reason to believe
that they are in sympathy with the practices
that this government is seeking to suppress,
ami that its efforts, in that regard, will be
more likely to encounter their opposition
than to receive their encouragement and sup
port. Even if this view should happily be er
roneous, the law under which the
commissioners have been acting should
be made more effective by the
incorporation by some such amendments as
they recommend and as included in bill No.
2,238 on the calendar of the Senate at its last
session. I am convinced, however, that
polygamy has become so strongly intrenched in
the Territory of Utah that it is profitless to
attack it with any but the stoutest weapons
which constitutional" legislation can fashion.
1 favor, therefore, the repeal of the act upon
which the existing government depends, the
assumption by the National Legislature of the
entire political control of the Territory, and
the establishment of a commission with such
powers and duties as shall be delegated to it
by law.
AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS.
The Department of Agriculture is accom
plishing much in the direction of the agricul
tural development of tho country, and the re
port of the Commissioner, giving the results
of his investigations and experiments, will be
found interesting and valuable. At his
instance a convention of those interested in
the cattle industry of the country was lately
held at Chicago, 'The province of pleuro
pneumonia and other contagious diseases of
animals was one of the chief topics of discus
sion. A committee of the convention will in
vite your co-qperation in investigating the
causes of these diseases aud providing meth
ods for their preveniion aud cure.
ALASKA'S CLAIMS.
I trust that Congress will not fail at its
present session to put Alaska under tlie pro
tection of the law. Its people have repeatedly
remonstrated against our neglect to afford
them the maintenance and protection ex
pressly guaranteed by tlie terms of the treaty,
whereby that Territory was ceded to tlie
l uited States. F'or 16 vears they have plead
ed in vain for that which they should
have received without the asking. They
5 a , v ® ,J*° l* 1 "’ for the collection of
debts, the support of education, tlie convey
ance of property, the administration of es
tates, or the enforcement of contracts, none,
indeed, for the punishment of criminals ex
cept such as offend against certain customs of
the commerce and navigation act. The re
sources of Alaska, especially in fur, mines
and lumber, are considerable iu extent and
capable of large development, while its geo
graphical situation is one of political and
commercial importance. The promptings of
interest, as well as tlie consideration of honor
and good faith, demand the immediate estab
lishment of a government in that locality.
Complaints lately have been numerous and
urgent that certain corporations controlling
in whole, or in part, the facilities for the iu
ter-State carriage of persons and merchan
dise ovur the great railroads of tlie country
have resorted, in their dealings with the pub
lic, to divers measures unjust and
oppressive in their character. In some in
stances lhe State Governments have attacked
and suppressed these evils, lmt in others they
have been unable -to afford adequate relief
because of the restrictional limitations which
are imposed ou them by .the Fed
eral Constitution. The quaeUylt as
to how far tlie Nation me n t
may lawfully interfere iu the premises and
what, if an}’, supervision or control it ought
to exercise is one which merits your careful
consideration. While we cannot fail to re
member the importance of the vast railway
systems of the eountrv and their great bene
ficent influence on the development of our
material wealth, we should, on the other
ha.:d, remember that no individual and no
corporation ought to be invested with absolute
power over the interest of any other citizen
or class of citizens. Thcrightof the railways
to a fair and profitable return on their in
vestment and to reasonable freedom
in their regulations must be recognized, but
it seems only just that so far as its constitu
tional authority will permit, Congress should
protect the people at large in their iuter-State
traffic, against which the State governments
are powerless to protect themselves.
PROTECTION FOR THE FORESTS.
In my last annual message I called attention
to the necessity of protecting, by suitable
legislation, the forests situated on the public
domain. In many portions of the West,the pur
suit of general agriculture is oulv made prac
tical by a resort to irrigation, while successful
irregation would itself be impossible without
the aid afforded by tlie forests in contributing
to tlie regularity and constancy of the sup
ply of water. During the past year severe
suffering and great loss of property have been
occasioned by profuse Hoods followed bv
periods of unusually low water in many of
the great rivers of the country. These' ir
regularities were in a great measure caused
by the removal from about the sources of the
streams in question of tlie timber by which
tlie water supply had been nourished
and protected. The preservation of
such portions of the forests
oil the national domain as essentially con
tribute to the equable flow of important water
courses is of the highest consequence. Im
portant tributaries of the Missouri, the Col
umbia and the Saskatchewan rise in the
mountain region of Montana, near the north
ern boundary of the United States, between
the Blackfeet and F'latlicad Indians reserva
tions. This region is unsuitable for settle
ment, but upon the rivers, which flow from
it, depends the future agricultural develope
ment of a vast tract of country. The atten
tion of Congress is called to tfie necessity of
w tluirawing from public sale this part of the
public domain, and establishing there a forest
preserve.
INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITIONS.
The industrial exhibitions which have been
held iu the United States dutiug tlie present
year attracted attention in many foreign
countries, where the announcement of those
enterprises had been made public through tlie
foreign agencies of this government. The in
dustrial Exhibition at Boston, and the South
ern Exposition at Louisville were largely
attended by the exhibitors of foreign
countries, notwithstanding the absence
of any professed national character in those
undertakings. The Centennial Exposition
to be held next year at New Orleans in com
memoration of the centenary of the first ship
ment of cotton from a port of the United
States, bids fair to meet with like qualifying
success. Under the act of Congress of the
10th of February, 1883, declaring that Exposi
tion to be national and international in its
character, all foreign governments with
which the United States maintains relations
have been invited to participate. The pro
moters of this important undertaking have
already received assurances of the lively in
terest which it has excited abroad.
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The report of the Commissioners of the Dis
trict of Columbia is herewith transmitted. I
ask for it your careful attention, especially
for those portions which relate to assessments,
arrears of taxes and the increase of the water
supply.
THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.
The Commissioners who were appointed un
der the act of January 16, 1883, entitled, “An
act to regulate and improve the civil service
of the United States,” entered promptly upon
the discharge of their duties. A series of
rules, framed in accordance with the spirit of
the statute, was approved and promulgated
by the President. In some particulars,
wherein they seemed defective, those
rules were subsequently amended. It
will be perceived that they discountenance
any political or religious tests for admission
to those offices of the public service to which
the statute relates. The act is limited in its
original application to the classified clerk
ships in the several executive departments at
Washington, numbering about 5,t>00, aud to
similar positions in the customs districts amt
post offices, where as many as fifty persons
are employed. A classification of these po
sitions, analogous to that existing in the
Washington offices was duly made before the
law went into effect. Eleven customs
districts and 23 post oftices were thus
brought under the immehiate operation
of ihe statute. The annual report
of the Civil Service Commissioner, which will
soon be submitted to Congress, will doubtless
afford the means of a more definite judgment
than lam now prepared to express. As to the
merits of the new system 1 am persuaded that
its effects have thus far proved beneficial,
its practical methods appear to he adequate
for the ends proposed, and there has been no
serious difficulty in carrying them into effect,
since the 16th of July "last no person, so fal
as I am aware, has been appointed to the pub
lic service in the classified portions thereof at
any of the departments, or at any of the
post offices and customs districts above named,
except those certified by the commission to be
ttie most competent on the basis of the exami
nations held in conformity to the rules.
PRESIDENTIAL VACANCIES.
At the time when the present Executiveen
tered upon his office his death, removal, resig
nation or inability to discharge his duties
would have left the government without a
constitutional head. It is possible, of course,
that a similar contingency may again arise
unless the wisdom of Congress shall provide
against Us recurrence. The Senate at
its last session, after full consideration,
passed an act relating to this subject,
which will now, I trust,commend itself to the
approval of both houses of Congress. The
clause of the Constitution-upon which must
depend any law regulating the Presidential
succession, presents also for solution oilier
questions of paramount importance. These
questions relate to the proper interpretation
of the phrase: “inability to discharge the
powers and duties of said office.” Our or
ganic law providing that when the Presi
dent shall suffer from such inability, the
Presidential office shall devolve upon the Vice
President,who musthimself, under like circum>
stance, give place to such officer as Congress
may by law appoint to act as President. I
need not here set forth the numerous and in
teresting inquiries which are suggested by
these words of the Constitution. They were
fully stated in my first communication to
Congress, and have since been the subject of
frequent deliberations in that body. It is
greatly to be hoped that these momentous
questions will find speedy solution, lest emer
gencies may arise when longer delay will lie
impossible, and any determination, albeit the
wisest, may furnish cause for anx
iety and" alarm for the rea
sons fully stated in my last annual message.
PRESIDENT AND APPROPRIATIONS.
I repeat my recommendation that Congress
propose an amendment to that provision of
the Constitution which prescribes the for
malities for the enactmeut of laws, whereby,
in respect to bills for the appropriation of
public moneys the Executive may be enabled,
while giving his approval to particular items,
to interpose his veto as to such others as do
not commend themselves to his judgment.
THE CIVIL RIGHTS DECISION.
The fourteenth amendment of the Constitu
tion confers the rights of citizenship on all
persons liorn or naturalized in the
United States and subject to the
jurisdiction thereof. It was the especial
purpose of this amendment to insure to mem
bers of the colored race full enjoymentof their
civil and political rights. Certain statutory
provisions intended to secure the enforcement
of those rights have been recently declared
unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Any
legislation whereby Congress may lawfully
supplement the guarantees which the Con.-tf
tiou affords for the equal enjoyment by all
citizens of the L’nited States, of every right,
privilege and immunity of citizenship, will re
ceive my unhesitating approval.
[Signed] Chester A. Arthur.
Washington, December 3, 1833.
Railroad Highwaymen Foiled.
Memphis,Doc. 4. —Several spikes were drawn
anda switch displaced 25 miles west of here on
the Memphis and Little Rock Railroad yester
day, and when train No. 1 came along one car
was ditched. The train stopped and four men
armed with shot guns mounted the cars and
demanded that the doors should be opened,
which was refused by the train officials. The
express messengers, realizing the situation,
opened fire on tne robbers, who, in return,
fired a shorat Engineer William Cook. They
then disappeared in a dense forest, and after
20 minutes' delay the train proceeded.
"ltustness Embarrassments.
Liverpool, Dec. 4.—Samuel Williams &
Cos., cotton brokers, have suspended. Their
liabilities are small.
Imitations Accumulating.
Benson’s Capcine Porus Plasters have
the word Capcine cut in the centre. Don’t
be deceived. 25 cents.
CONGRESS’ SECOND DAY.
VIRGINIA'S CONTESTED SEAT
STILL ON THE TAPIS.
Senator Edmunds Trying to Eke a Lit
tle Boom Out of tile Civil Rights
Kedivlvus—Several Other Senators
Bent on the Same End—Court Abuses
in Texas.
Washington, Dec. 4.—ln the House this
morning after the reading of the journal, Mr.
Converse, of Ohio, said that he had been re
quested by Mr. Manning, of Mississippi, to
ask the unanimous consent of the House that
the question of his priina facie right to the
seat be referred to the Committee on Elec
tions, with instructions to report upon it at
the-earliest day possible.
Mr. Keifer, of Ohio, asked that the case of
Mr. Chalmers be also referred.
Mr. Converse put his request in the form of
a resolution, referring to the Committee on
Elections, all papers in the contested election
case from the Second district of Mississippi,
with instructions to report immediately
whether on the prims faeie of the ease as pre
sented, either Mr. Manning or .Mr. Chalmers
js entitled to be sworn in as a member pend
ing the contest on the merits and not effect
tiie final right to the seat. The resolution
was adopted.
The Delegates from the Territories then
appeared at the bar of the House and were
sworn in.
The revolution prepared in last night’s cau
cus that the rules of the last Congress be the
rules of the present Congress uutiltlie expira
tion of two weeks from the appointment of
the Committee on Rules, was adopted.
Tlie organization of the House was complet
ed by the adoption of a single resolution em
bracing the names selected by tlie Democratic
caucus for all offices below speaker and de
claring them elected.
Mr. Dunn, of Arkansas, offered a resolution
for the appointment of a committee of fifteen
members, to la- known as the Committee on
Rivers and Harbors, to which shall be re
ferred propositions for tlie improvement of
rivers and harbors. Referred to tlie Commit
tee on Rules when appointed.
A committee, consisting of Mr. Curtin, of
Pennsylvania, Mr. Blackburn, of Kentucky,
and Mr Iliscock, of New York, was ap
pointed to wait upon President Arthur and
inform him that the House was organized and
ready to receive any communication lie might
be pleased to transmit.
'Hie business of drawing for seats was then
proceeded with. When this was concluded a
recess was taken to 2:110 o’clock. At that hour
tlie committee to wait upon the President had
not reported, and tlie recess was extended to
3 o’clock.
On reassembling at 3 o’clock, Mr. Tucker,
of Virginia, oflered a resolution referring to
tlu) Committee on Elections, when appointed,
the certificates and all other papers relating
to the election of the Representative from the
First district of Virginia, with instructions to
report at as early a day as practicable which
of the rival claimants, Messrs. Mayo andGar
rison, for th® seat, has the pnma facie right
thereto, reserving to the other party the priv
ilege of contesting tlie case on its merits.
At this point the committee appointed to
wait upon tlie President appeared at the bar
of the House and announced that the ITesi
dent would communicate to tlie House a
message in writing. The President’s secre
tary, at 3:05 o’clock, appeared and presented
the President’s message.
Consideration of Mr. Tucker’s resolution
was then entered upon.
On tlie suggestion of Mr. Randall the matter
was allowed to go over until to-morrow, and
at 3:30 the Reading Clerk began the reading
of the President’s message. The reading of
the message consumed an hour and a quarter,
and then, on motion of Mr. Morrison, of Illi
nois, it was ordered printed and referred to
the committee of the whole. The House
then, at 4:50, adjourned until to-morrow.
IN THE SENATE.
The Senate was called to order at noon.
After reading the journal a large number of
bills ami petitions were introduced, among
them the following:
By Mr. Ingalls—To amend the arrears of
pension law by removing certain limitations
made on that act.
By Mr. Beck—Providing for the removal of
all disabilities imposed by the Fourteenth
amendment to the Constitution; also, au
thorizing American citizens to purchase
foreign built ships to engage in the foreign
carrying trade.
.By Mr. Edmunds —To provide for the fur
ther protection of the colored citizens of the
United States against tiie violation of certain
rights secured to them by the Constitution.
Also to establish a postal telegraph system.
By Mr. Sherman—To provide for the issue
of circulation by national banking associa
tions, allowing bills to he issued for fiO'per
cent, of the market value of their bonds.
Mr. Edmunds—'To amend sections 1756 and
1757 of the revised statutes. It abolishes the
iron clad oath and fixes one oath Tor all of
ficers alike, saving, however, all provision,
against rebel claims and all penalties, etc.
Also a bill to provide for the further protec
tion of citizens of the United Slates against
violation of certain rights secured to them bv
the Constitution. Tlie hill undertakes, Mr.
Edmunds said, to provide security for the
protection of the colored citizens of the Uni
ted Slates against inhuman, wicked and un
holy distinctions that in some of tlie States are
si ill made against them in respect to tiieir
civil rights, and to protect them consistently
with the late decision of the Supreme Court
of tlie United States. Also, another bill,
being a redraft of the bill reported by the
Committee on Judiciary some years ago,
dealing in general with the rights "of colored
citizens, especially with a view of securing
them a free vote and a fair count of all votes.
By Mr. Blair—A bill to establish a bureau
of statistics of labor, under the Department
of the Interior. Also, an 8-hour law, con
cerning all government employes.
By Mr. Logan A bill to appro
priate and expend the $50,000,000 de
rived from internal revenue taxes and
the sa'e of public lands lor the education of
all children living in the United States.
By several Senators—A number of bills
affecting the public lands in the Northwest
and affecting land grant railroads.
By Mr. Call—A bill for tlie erection of pub
lic buildings in Jacksonville and Key West.
By Mr. Hoar—A bill providing for a uni
form system of bankruptcy. This is the Low
ell bill’introduced in the last Congress.
By Mr. Logan—A bill to provide for pen
sioning prisoners of war who were confined in
Confederate prisons during the late war.
By Mr. Brown—To extern! the time in which
action can be brought in the Court of Claims
under the provisions of the captured and
abandoned property act for two years.
Recess was taken successively to 2:30 and 3
o’clock to await the report of tlie com
mittee appointed to wait upon tlie President.
Senator Wilson, of lowa, offered a joint res
olution proposing the following amendment
to the constitution:
‘•Congress shall have power, by appropriate
legislation, to protect citizens of the United
States in the exercise and enjoyment of their
rights, privileges and Immunity, and to
assure to them equal protection of’tlic laws.”
A bill was introduced to-day by Senator
Lapham, of New York, defining the words
“Confederate cruiser” in the act of June 5.
1882, establishing the court of Alabama claims
to mean “any organized expedition fitted out
under the orders or direction of the Confed
erate Navy Department, although such expe
dition had no ship or vessel at tlie time the
damage was done.” The bill also contained a
provision for the rehearing of any case involv
ing this question heretofore heard before this
court.
A resolution offered by Senator Vest
was agreed to, calling upon tlie Secretary of
the Interior for copies of all leases, contracts,
orders, regulations and correspondence bail
bv the department with any parties since the
last session relating to tlie*V cllowstone Park,
including a statement of all special privileges
granted, and of all applications for the privi
lege of building hotels, etc.
A memorial presented this afternoon by
Senator Coke relating to alleged abuses in the
United States District Courts of Texas, is
signed by A. J. Evans, United Slates Attorney
for the Western District of that Slate. it sets
forth that the United States District Judges
of Texas are failing to bold terms of their
courts as fixed by law; that they are ap
pointing tlieirsons, sons-in-law and brotihers
in-law to tlie places of District and Deputy
District Clerks in their courts, and keeping
them in office to tlie great wrong of tlie pub
lic. Among other illustrations of the charges
made, tlie memorialist mentions the fact
that the United State* District Judge for the
Western district of the State lias, in the last
three years, held only two terms of tiie court,
when lie should have held six, and that for
tills negligence there was no good cause. The
memorial prays for legislation to cure the
evil described.
Senator Edmunds’ bill to provide for the
further protection of the colored citizens of
the United States against violations of cer
tain rights secured to them hv the Constitu
tion, begins with a preamble stating that
doubt has arisen whether tlie laws of the
United States now iu force are in all respects
adequate to the protection of citizens of any
race, color or previous condition of servitude.
The bill provides that whenever in any case
now pending, or which may hereafter
be pending, in any court of any
.State on the issue shall exist or be
made, or any material question shall
arise concerning any civil right of person or
right of property which shall he assailed or
maintained or assailed or denied in
anv such issue or question on the
ground that such issue or question depends
upon, or is affected by, race or color or pre
vious condition of servitude, any person or
persons concerned in and party to such issue
or question the person or persons against
whom such issue or question shall lie made,
asserted or maintained, or against whom any
such denial shall be made on the
ground aforesaid, shall be thereupon
entitled to remove such cause to the Circuit
Court of the United States for the district
within the territorial limits of which such
case shall be pending for proceedings, trial
and judgment in the manner, and with like
proceedings as near as may he. as are pro
vided by section 638 of the revised statutes.
When a ruling or decision, interlocutory
or other, shall be made adversely to the civil
rights or claim of any person on the ground
of his race, color or’ previous condition of
servitude, or the race or color or previous
condition of servitude of any witness or
juror in sucli cause, 'the person
being a party to vaid cause
against whom such ruling or decision shall be
made, is thereupon entitled to remove such
cause to the Circuit Court of the United
States whenever a decision or judgment of
the State court with which such case shall be
pending shall proceed upon or be affected bv
any matter or ground of race or color, or
previous condition of servitude, of any per
son being party to, or witness or juror in,
such case, and the decision of such court
shall be adverse to such person by reason of
his raw or color or previous condi
tion of servitude, the person being party
to such cause against whom any such decision
1 shall be made shall be entitled to a review of
I PRICE #lO A YEAR. I
} 5 CENTS A COPY. {
United tlle i Sl, t ,renu * Court of the
l mted States, upon his writ of erfor. to be
sued out and prosecuted iu the same manner
as now provided by law lor writs of error to
the highest court of any State, and in every
such ease such writ of error may be sued out
and prosecuted as of right and without giving
anv new bailor other security, unless the
Justice of the Supreme Court ot the
l mted States allowing such writ
of error, or said court itself, shall
be of the opinion that the public interest or
safety require it. No law, usage or custom,
and no practice, decision or rule of any de
parlmeut of the government of auy State
i n .i 1 ma - now or hereafter exist, which
shall iu any mannerdiscriminate between tlie
rights of persons or property upon grounds
of race, color or previous condition of servi
tude, shall lie deemed valid.
Senator Sewell, of New Jersey, reintroduced
to-dav bis bill for the relief of ‘Fitzjohn For
t<*r, wl>jch passed the Senate at tlie last sea*
■ oujrn ‘ s3 ’ ,mt wari not reported from
the Military Committee of the House up to
the adjournment.
Upon reassemldingat 3o'clock, introduction
of lulls was resumed until the President’s
message was read. After its reception it was
read, and the Senate adjourned.
THE REPUBLICAN SENATORS IN CAUCUS.
A caucus of Republican Senators was held
this morning, but not more than 10 Senators
were present. Senator Sherman occupied
tin* ( hair in the absence of Mr. Anthony. A
resolution was unanimously agreed to au
thorizing the Chairman to name a committee of
7 Senators to the rearranging of the Republi
can membership of the Senate committees. A
resolution looking to the immediate election
of officers of tlie Senate was introduced, and
was the chief subject of discussion. Senators
Logan, Edmunds, l’lumb and Harrison were
among the speakers. Tlie weight
of opinion expressed favored delay in
the matter of electing the officers on
the ground that the last Congress
having passed the civil service law it would
not be consistent with civil service principles
for a majority of the Senate to occupy its
time at tlie opening of the session in a possible
struggle over tlie incumbency of tlie Senate
offices. It was further argued that there is
no pressing necessity for action at this time.
The resolution was thereupon withdrawn,and
the caucus adjourned subject to tlie call of the
Chairman.
Senators Malioue and Riddlebergcr did not
attend tlie caucus. Senator Sherman named
as the committee to rearrange the Republican
membership of the committee Senators
Cameron of Wisconsin, Hoar, Jngalls, Miller
of California, Harrison, Hale ami Miller of
New York.
DANVILLE EXONERATED.
Tlie Election Troubles Proven to Have
Been Precipitated by the Negroes.
Danville, Va., Dec. 4.—The grand jury of
the Hustings Court, charged by Judge Black
well with the investigation of the circum
stances of the recent riot, after a session of
nearly two days, this afternoon reported that
they had no presentments to make, and sub
mitted the following paper, which was order
ed to he recorded: “It appears to the jury,
who have examined forty witnesses, white
and colored, a large proportion being colored,
that on the third day of November, in the
afternoon of that day, a fight occurred on
Main street between C. I). Nbell (white), and
Hence Lawson (colored); that after the fight
was over and the combatants separated by
the efforts of colored Policeman Adams, a
white man named Leu and others, there was
a determination on the part of the crowd of
negroes assembled to intimidate tlie whites
by threats and menaces; that the efforts of
lioliceinen Adams, Freeman and Withers and
citizens Corbin, Oliver, Calloway, colored,
ami others were unsuccessful in prevailing
upon the crowd of negroes to disperse; that
they persisted in remaining upon the scene of
the fight and giving expression to remarks
calculated to excite the passions of the whites;
that at last the whites fired oil'their pistols in
the air, hoping thereby to cause the crowd to
and sperse; that the negroes did not then dis
perse but rushed upon the scene from
all quarters, advancing upon the whites
with drawn pistols; that firing thereupon
commenced; that llie whites used their fire
arms in defense of their ! ives, which were iu
imminent danger, anil by their courage anil
pluck in standing up against such odds saved
the lives of hundreds of people in this city,
and this is the unanimous sense of the jury.
[Signed] George C. Avers.
Foreman.
BIRMINGHAM Ll* IN ARMS.
Every Nook and Corner Searched in Vain
for the Negro ltavishers.
Birmingham, Ala., Dec. 4.—This city is in
a state of great excitement on account
of the presence of the State militia,
ordered here by the Governor to pro
tect a negro named Wesley Posey, who
brutally outraged a week ago the person of a
little white girl, the nine-year-old daughter
of a section boss named Doyle, living near
Oxmoore, six miles from here. The negro
was captured yesterday, identified ami placed
in jail. Last night a determined mol) went
to the jail for the purpose of lynching tlie
prisoner, and on being refused ad mittauce
battered down the doors but failed to secure
Posey, who had been taken away by the offi
cers. The mob did not disperse until all the
prisons in tlie city had been searched.
Four companies of State troops, after tiie
requisition upon tlie Governor, were ordered
to protect the prisoner, and arrived upon the
scene at 8 o’clock this evening. In the mean
time the mob had increased in numbers, ami
announced its intention to take the jail at all
hazards. They seem to be particularly in
dignant at tlie presence of the troops. Two
companies are from Montgomery, tlie others
being home troops. All are under com
mand of T. Jones, of the Second regi
ment of the Alabama State troops. Trouble is
expected to-night, as some of the mob are un
der tlie influence of whiskv and it is feared
will do something rash. At this hour all is
quiet. Troops are stationed at the jail, with
pickets thrown out and a Gatling and rifle
field gun commanding the building. Tlie
streets in the vicinity are crowded with men
discussing the situation.
A TWICE RUINED BANK.
The Exchange Bank of Montreal Again
Victimized by a President.
Montreal, Dec. 4.—At a meeting of the
shareholders of tlie Exchange Bank, E. K.
Greene, Director, acknowledged that the in
stitution is hopelessly insolvent in consequenec
of tlie proceedings of Thomas Craig, the
President, who Jiad oarried on transactions
without the knowledge of the board. Craig
did not appear at the meeting. Jt is reported
that he lias absconded.
Montreal, Dec. 4.11:30 p. m.—At a meet
ing of the shareholders of the Exchange Bank,
held here to-day, after a heated discussion, in
which the conduct of all identified with (he
bankrupt concern was denounced, Hon. A. W.
Ogilvey, Vice President, and E. K. Greene
and Archibald Campbell, Directors, were*
elected liquidators for winding up the busi
ness of the hank. A Statement was presented
at the meeting, which showed tlie loss to he
$809,533. The developments show unmistaka
bly that the shareholders will be railed upon
for double the liability anil that Craig,
President, has committed a huge robbery on
his bank. His mansion, costing $60,000,
and other real estate is all registered iu
liis wife's name, so that the shareholders
have no recourse oil him. lie has absconded..
The amount be took with him is not known.
Craig is the second General Manager of the
same bank who has fled after fleecing the
shareholders, who lost half their capital four
years ago by bad management ami the rob
bery of their bead official.
MEN WHIPPED lIY WOMEN.
Four of Them Deny the Soft Impeach
ment and the Case Still on Trial.
New London, Conn., Dec. 4.—The trial of
the eight w r omen who forcibly obtained an en
trance into a school house at Wequetequock
was begun yesterday afternoon. The evidence
showed that on the 25th ultimo the women
went to the building, found it guarded by
men. and resolved to hold Sunday school
services in spite of them. They armed them
selves with sledge hammers, axes and crow
bars. and forced an entrance. Tiie prosecu
tion claims that one of tlie women entered
the room through an aperture 18 by 20 inches,
ami, unfastening the windows, admitted the
others. During the melee several men
were injured. Twenty witnesses testified to
the alsive facts. Four of the women
testified to-day. They did not deny breaking
the window and door, but claimed a right to
hold Sunday school set vices. Thev denied
striking any of Ihe men. The trial will proba
bly continue several days, and tlie case is
watched with interest, as all the parties are
respectably connected.
IRELAND AND THE IRISH.
Lowell Induced to Take Action in the
• O’Donnell Case.
London, Dee. 4.—General Prior to-day
requested Mr. Lowell, United States Minister,
to apply to the English Home oflice for a res
pite for O’Donnell, with a view of obtaining
time to set on foot proceeding, for a commuta
tion of the death sentence Mr. Lowell en
tertained the request, and will apply to the
American authorities at Washington for in
structions in the matter. Mr. Russell, of
O’Donnell’s counsel, will wait upon Mr. Lo
well to-morrow, to submit to him the l“gal
grounds upon which will be based the appli
cation for a commutation of O’Donnell’s
sentence.
Dublin, Dec. 4.—The London correspond
ent of freeman's .Journal says that O'Don
nell’s frenzy at the conclusion of his trial
Saturday last was due to the fact that he was
not allowed to speak as he was promised.
He failed to hear the Court Registrar who
a-skeu him before the sentence of death was
passed whether he had anything to say, and
made no answer, when the Judge later ou
forbade his speaking. O’Donnell thought
that he was wronged.
England’s Squadron OH' China.
London, Dec. 4.—The English squadron has
arrived at Shanghai.
The demon of dyspepsia has been ex
pelled in thousands of households by the
use of Dr. Price’s Cream Baking Powder.
There would be no restless nights, no low
spirits, no grumbling dyspeptics, if all the
articles of our food were as wholesome,
nutritious and easy of digestion as those
made with Dr. Price’s Cream Baking
Powder,