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THE ATLANTA WEEKLY CONSTITUTION. DEC. 14 . 1875
>11 C01&TITTTTI05
WEEKLY EDITION.
TK<M« or »LB* BIPTIOhT
>Kk J. OK JrtT, Kith |
ffchly. »li l
THE NEW CONOHEB8.
SENATORIAL CAINS. I Hark Enwi, th* Celiloretaa
I Booth Amerfeen nflrotd king. Is dying of
The present number of senttors is 73, softening of the brata.
I owing to the menner that bijonct re-1 WHTnot exhibit the whisky ting it the
rons-rnclion mamtnins from LonUtan*. .1 u tbe highest product of Amer-
Of ibis number the dcmocmU now hsre ingenuity?
». ngnlnst 10 in the forty third congress.
A further g»in of nine in the next two most Emms-nmt minister
years .would revolutionize this important 1 here erer hid,
body. But taking it ns H is, nil dnngen I ComnraccT democrais ere eonrineed
of bayonet bills are doubtless passed ; I that their state is to be flooded with money
At noon to morrow win be assembled for Messrs. Bootu, Robertson, Sharon, 1 next year to send Mr. Jewell to the senate.
the first democratic bocse si represents
Urea that the coonur baa known More
Hamilton, Chrutiancy and Conover,
if not 'Alcorn, are net considered
Tax seres, twelve and twenty-four cent
oatage stamps are oat of issae and ran no
1M. JsmesL. Orr, of South CaroRnr, reHable ow
They are longer ba had a
THE CONFERENCE.
be lata depy-eeMb. speaker, was elected I not partisans, and will not rote for par-1 Nonrout harbor Is pat down as tat of
i 11857. and from that time to the yrta- Uxan or r.rolullonary measures. When tb*»ow ««»» harbors of the world: Nor-
0 .t then has been an Interregnum in they cut loose from the ndministmtioo I folk, Ssn rrsnel.eo, Rio Janeiro and Mel
w .ich war, desoUUoa, corruption, job on a measure It U in a minority, and bourne.
bery, bigh-hmndt d tyranny and rack leas I they will be apt to do an if tbe claims of I A rear Is s eery sensitise thief It seems,
1 >wmsk : nx bare played an imr orient I Pine back are premed to a rote, as It is I and shrinks from public gsxe
pot. The'forty f^trta coegreJcomes said they wiUbe. ' tagdamjeb Pity he dM not
Inah from tbe people to put an end ton'd I We believe tbe next two yearn will taatogthit (Ml week,
thin. It has been expressly com- surely give the democratic party the ad- ?**
mlstlotied to deutro, tbe rings ,hat S^f^k »m n^ td^ed. It
are an emeatlal part if erery I irol tbe senate. The south can be ld ™L klw . gmthuttol|kltTU(!nat .
department of tbe government-rings I on to furnish eight of tbe nine in the
that hare been in proceu of formation I next three years, as follows:
fur years, and that are thoroughly ia- Alabama, 1; Arkansas, 2; Fior-
bedded la the public terrier. It was Ida, 1; Louisiana, S; Mississippi, 2;
called Into existence to wages relentless and Texas. 1. If the senate should admit
war agatast thievery, recklessness, ex-1 Piocnback he would hold bis seat until
looks very much as though
Naval preparations sre at in going o’ at
Immense expense; but all this must be ex
plained and accoun' <1 for befere Lag.
Graa .’a “emergency ’ . rumlseato be a cost
ly
Mailt Annul Session of the North
Georgia Conference.
(Special to The Constitution.)
Gums, Oa, December!.
Her. W. J.Scott has been placed on the
list of snpcnnnasted preachers.
Peter A. Heard and wife will take charge
of the O phan’s Home.
The conference will not atjoaro before
Mon lay night or Tuesday.
W. o. W.
Griffis, December 4,1875.
At tbe close or my letter yesterday,
tbe following order was reached:
local preachers elected deacons:
Augusta district—A. C. Davidson,
Crawford ville.
Athena district—Nicholas Z. IGleia,
Watkmsville.
Gainesville district—L.L.Reid,Gaines
ville. W. M. Duncan, BtairaTiUe; J. C.
Bell Cleveland; J. J. Methrio, Nareoo-
Dalton district—G. »V. Moore, Me Le
mon's Core.
LaGranee district-W. S. Foster,Bow-
don; W. J. C. Timmons, Bourdon; J.
H. Callahan, WhitesvUIe; Owen H.
Smith, WbitesviUe.
Atlanta district—Warren D. Payne,
Montlectlo—Albert Gray.
Monroe—M P Malsby and DEC Tim-
Foetal Circle—W A Florence.
Emory—M Ctllgway, professor; AG Hay-
good, president.
AUGUSTA DISTRICT—B 7 SIGHASC, f X.
Augusta—St John's—C A Evans
St Luke's—C W Key.
St James—H H Parks.
Asbury—F A Kimball.
Jones'Chapel—W L Wooten, Jr.
Richmond—H A Seale, W E Shackleford,
supernumerary.
Brlalr Mission—supplied by E P Bonner.
Appling—B F Farris,
Tuomson—W T Hamilton.
— —g*- —*w * I I Alouu Iime 1 'OUJuuu acres of laud
travsgxnce,corruption,and all uncooellto. 1870, and tbe gain in Loubton. would g „ of ^ „ ph ,
tional and tyrannical measures. Every be only one. but Pinch s admission is al- >
dyn»ne T .;(e member ii pledged to this, together improbable. There ia no queo-
and if tbe new bouse falls abort of its tion about tire other routbern gains we _
high and responsible trusts, the I have named. They are as certain as ln Emms-mine burlness.'the
party ia power will be proportionately anything mundane can be. At the most I p,,*™ »u seem to think thst be “lived next
■ rengtbened, and the parly of tbe peo- I the democrats of tbe north will have to I door to a fool and sometimes stepped In.”
pie weakened. It will not tail us. Its famish bat two additional democratic I Tbi Sew y olk pribune, ullh tbe Ohio
pledges are fresh and its instructions senators Vacancies occur within two ta oi1o j i , hlok , ^ anj utcmpt
plain. I years in New Hampshire, New Jersey, | on the part of the democratic psrtj toevade
The first great duty of tbe new body I Oregon and Illinois, which should I the carreney U»u» will be rtguded wlih
will be the inauguration of an inexora- be filled with democrats. It I snaptc’oa.
blr, searching and systematic course of ta generaUy'cooceded by Intelligent ob- 0 ld Sc
investigation. Tbe t nemy see tbe hand-1 servers that the senate will therefore I Washington, but got out of the place, as
writing on the wall, and are trying to shortly become a check upon radical soon as possible. She found It easy enough
breakita force bv efforts in tbe seme dl-1 mbrule even if that organization should to be a sojourner there, bat hard to stick
Hta Tbe man who has pat the mo.t retain the executive office .nd regain the <* bex fame in soeh . moral at-
notoriona corruptionists of tbe period I house of representatives. But it can not pBc
Into ofllee as personal appoint menu, now regain power in thelatter.it should not I We hue heard a horrid rumor that Gov.
erica out “Let no gnilly man escape;’’ retain the executive department of the I Tiidenof New York has weakened on the
but tbe rose It apparent. No inveatlga- government, and it wUl assuredly lose its currency question since the election. It
ttnMAinKitnicd nnH-r such circumstances I power in the senate. Speed tbe day. I comra by the way of Dsrid A. Hells We
plant, which U now being exported for the
manufacture of pnptr.
If General Sclienck was not actuaTy a
should like to know the particulars.—Bos
ton Herald.
Ir General Grant’s iujunction touching
tbe whlskj fraud, to “lei no guilty man
The Governor Names the New Master | «*pe” 1« obeyed, he will have to call at the
penlten lary when* he next visits St. Louis,
lions instituted under such circumstances | power in the senate. Speed the day.
would be thorough and complete .
They will In the future, as ln the | TREASURER RENFROE. |
post, slop abort of tbe Icadiog vil
lain in tbe plot. Tbe whisky frauds,
for example, have been followed to
the threshold of the executive man
sion, but no one expects that the trail of
tbe serpent will be turther traced. Tbe
house, in dbeJienee to tbe imperative
commands of tbe people, must take up
tbe investigation where tbe radical offi
cials leave It. and pursue it without fear
or favor anti! all tbe thieves are exposed
nd punished. It cannot shiik if R
of the Exchequer,
Mr. Benfroe Is Sworn in and Will |
Demand the Office To-Morrow,
Tbe agony is over! Tbe interregrum
in the civil establirhment caused
by tt n removal, by operation of law
of CapL Jack Jones from tbe
I to find the most devoted of hit St wools
] Mead*.—Cincinnati Commercial
Whils Chief lattice Welle Is declining
presidential honors a little In advance of
their being thrust upon him, his associate,
Judge David Davis, Is secretly working ops
"movement'' In bis own behalf, with a view
to the While House.
cu in our article i
I yesterday morning. Shortly after the «•“ will make another effort to secure
uooo hour the following " “ ‘ * *
_ executive order | bishop, In sa election to be held next May.
was drawn and pr ■mulgatcd:
vnr srroixTi-o onnxa.
Elberton district—David L. Parrish,
Bell ton.
LOCAL PREACUEB3 ELECTED ELD IKS.
Athens district—James A. Bsugb, Put
nam county.
Gainesville district—George K. Qnil-
Usui, Cleveland.
Dalton diatrict-J K. Moore, HcLe-
more’s Cove.
La Grange district—John T. Whitaker,
WbitesviUe.
Atlanta district—James Prophilt, De
catur; Elijah IL Clarke, Decatur.
The application of John Bonner for
deacon's orders was not accepted.
ORDERS RECOGNIZED.
Joseph T. Crowell, deacon Methodist
Protestant church, Bowdnn.
W. M. Chapman, cider Missionary
Baptist church, Putnam county. Lett
the Baptists because he believed in open
communion.
IL L Harvey, elder, Old School Pres
byterian church, Atlanta.
Owen II. Smith, elder Hardshell Bap-
THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE.
An Elaborate Communication to (he
Forty-Fourth Congress.
The Record of American Progress
Through a Hundred Tears.
Sparta Factory Mission—Elam Christian.
Hancock—J L Place and 8 NewelL
MilledgeTille—G H PatlUo.
Baldwin—Wm R Foote. 1r.
Eaton ton—W D Anderson.
Putnam—W T Caldwell.
DALTOS DISTWCT—D."T. aaiUICK, P. S.
Dalton—T A Seals.
Dalton circuit—WG Hanson; J T Rich-
ardsan, supernumerary.
Ringgold—G W Thomas-I
Summerville—W P Lovejoy.
Subligea—'W L Yarborough.
Lafayette—W W Lampkln.
MeL-more’a Core—11 C Chit tlan, JB
McFarland, •npernumenry.
Spring Place—J 8 Embry. —-
Kettu—H M QuilUan.
Murray Mission supplied by John Oats
Calhoun and Ooihcaloga—Allen C Thom-
Gordon Circuit—Perry C Reynolds.
Kingston—J J Singleton.
Dalton Female College—W A Rogers,
president,
XLBESTOX DISTRICT—a G WOXI.IT, PE.
Elberton—Jas M Dickey.
Bethlehem—W T Lewis.
Albert—C A Mitchell and J W Qulllaln.
Jefferson—W A Farris
Mulberry—C A Conoway.
Caroewllle—W P Smith.
Danlelaville — J W G Watkins.
Homer—J L Perryman.
GlQavllle Circuit—J H Mxshburn, tr.
Toccoa—J J Morgan
Hartwell—W T Norman
ClarkiTUe-E A Gray .
oacaasvnxK district—r u pakkek, r, a.
Gainesville— D D Cox
Flowery Branca—To be aupplled byRP
Martyn. supernumerary.
Camming—M W Arnold
Alpharetta—J J Harris
Canton—R R Johnson.
Lawrencevllle—V V Harlan.
Lo/sruvllle—J H Bent ey.
Duluth—M H Rsks.
Roswell—J Chambers.
Cherokee—J N Myers.
Nor cross—W TLelne.
g air ns district—o w tarr jRorc.u, p g
A General System of Public Free
Schools for All the States.
Cuban Recognition Deemed Imprac
ticable and Indefensible.
The Resumption of Specie Payments
Still I'rged for 18*9.
General Recommendations Vpon the
Regular and Cnrrent Affairs
of Government.
prohibiting granting of any school funds
or school taxes or any part thereof either
by legislative, municipal or other author
ity for the benefit or u aid, direct or in
directly, of any religion, sect or denomi
nation, or in aid or benefit of any other
object of any kind whatever.
taxation of council niorCRTi.
In connection with this important ques
tion, 1 would also call attention to the
importance of correcting an evil that, if
permitted to continue, will probably lead
to great trouble in our land before the
close of Ihc nineteenth centu-
; ry. It is the accumulation of
vast amounts of untaxed church prop
erty. In 1850 I believe the church
property of the United States which
paid no tax. municipal or state, amount
ed to about $83,000,000. In I860 the
amount had doubled. In 1875 it is
about $1,000,000,000. By 1900 without
check it is safe to say this property wil
reach a sum exceeding $5,000,000,COO.
So vast a sum receiving all the protec
tion and benefits of government without
bearing its proportion of the burdens
and expenses orjthc same, will not bc
looked upon acquiescently by those who
have to pay the taxes. In a growing
country where real estate enhances so
rapidly with time as in the United States,
there is scarcely a limit to the wealth
that may be acquired by corporations,
religious or otherwise, if 'allowed to re
tain estate without taxation. The con-
temptation of so vast a property as ta here
alluded to without taxation may lead to
seqneatraUon.witboutcootrolof authority
and through blood. I would suggest the
taxation of all property equally, whether
church or corporation, exempting only
the last resting place of the dead, and
possibly with proper restrictions on
church edifices
OUR FORKING RELATIONS.
Although the choice of Dr, Eceieston at
would fulfill the expectations cf the I office oi treasurer, has been brought to I Episcopal bishop of Iona has Eeen duly coo-
1 an end and the people breathe esn_after firmed by .11 the required authorities of the
' ’ - I % H'wonof aoxHtti* fcuupccae. lcstei- I 7 .. 4 . ..
Resides laying fanre the rotten- ,i. y ttM . governor acted, And in the line ' turch ' i * , ‘ D ° w officially renotedthsthe
crave of tbe administration, the | tbit was^foreshadowed in our article I «<*“«« «be office. The council of the dies
house must be a barrier against
extravagance in public expenditures. It
cannot perfect p nillve reforms, but it
can prevent farther waste of tbe public
roomy, hince 1860 tbe ordinary expen
ses of the general government have i
creased from alx.y million, to nearly one I ^i^ffiSKr^.T^it^raTH | uVeV
hutitlicd and »cvenly*ninc million*, mo I by the moor*! of Juhn Jooes which
increase of two buod'ed per cenl, ^ J M P-Wcjmw* require, th.ll he
Uio'tgb the population hts increased onl>
forty p« r cent The bouse ibould de-
Stats or OroKoiA,
Fxecmva DirARTvtxT. •
AtUn’.M, Ut., Drccmher 5,1875.)
It U a alogular fact that the death of W
B A etor, confessedly the wealthiest Danin
the United 8tates, did not cause a ripple in
the monetary affairs of the country, while
Whereas. B> operation of law, a vacancy I every time Vanderbilt take6 uralf, all Wall
mand and secure material reductions in | «ntii the pest mretlnfcof the general assem-
tbe estimates for every branch of thr “ "
0il •
Ordered, that John W. Kenfroe, of the I ky riojf exposures, says: *Ttmay he well
county of WMblnrtou, be, a*>d he Is hereby for house of representatives to begin an In-
-.pomwd State treasurer,,«o bold arid office | Te „,g mUoIl „ u,e lulere.Ung point where
aevvlce- They-an and should be cm
down one quarter, tbua relieving the peer
pie Irom onerous taxation in limes that
are full of privation and financial cm bar
raaament
Tbe action of the democratic caucrn
yesterday afternoon, not only insurra
a prompt organ'xalion, but it betoki nr
nil that we have imperfectly outlieed.
Michael C. Km trusted toor-
My of tb‘s 8ta'e, and until bis av-cceaaor I this prosecution will p-obablj end. In no
shall be elected and qualified ; and It Is ether way will tbe whole truth come out in
a ni"man,Th.',apon LD giving 1, nd I »f<*m to be accepted by the country."
and securLy lo term, ol the law iu auchca G ov. Walks!, of Virginia, Upron-unced
I by..uK,p',«a W.HdStac’ro^uoadeut
at oikp upon the dLcbarge of the duties of I *he handsomest of all tbe prospecMve M.
•aid ofllee. Janr.4 M. Smith,
By the governor. Governor.
J. W. Warrbm,
Sec. Ex. Uep't
*'A tall, elegant figure, dark, brilliant
I eyea. and s!lve*y white hMr** is the strain of
I this writer, who add, “When one does see
Soon thereafter Ibe fact of the Rover- » ***“5 bandrome man the gush gushes It-
our'a action was made known to the self.
through the whole of bia political
rctr. and that will check ail extrava
gi-ucea of the radical managers lie i*
a man of inflexible convictions, purest
character, gentlest heart. No one evrt
doubted his inti grity, and yet be ha
Tax Ilavard catalogue for tbe years 1873-
art ies interested. 51 r. Iteufroe attended ««•«,.«-
ganlrc tbe committee, in a way that will [ I To'.how.’t'he^m.lT uTml^r of' .MeVts'm
uarartb ihe thieves whom he has fought
wealthit st cilizena of Waabingtoa, Lau- I year, and 1.1*7 tbe year before that. The
rent and Johnson :ounlie*. The bond I school hss 1CI Undents this year, an la-
uad, under the cirrumumcca ot the I crease of twenty over the last two years
etmrgincies, bun previously examined in the medical school tbe number o? stu-
TOOK THE OATH OF OS’FICE,
served in congress during n period I the same being administered to him by I w>c, « t le* »mong the students at Prlocftou,
when corruption was supreme in tbt I the governor, the officer duly authorized I » n ^do it effectually, he must sbolish the
o »c«r the ordigat’on. Mr Kenf roe I Greek alphabet Every letter In It Is a oys
llllM mniI , cct ived the congratulations of his hortjof ucel form to the student, and suggests tl-
liuns ms aoiiuy. lie wa« tuc aoiesi auu i fnt nds and we l«d fcUiO that the people ties for all amt* nf lft»r*rv nrMn .
moat active member on the oppoaitloi | „f ihe stale will find .qual cause for con-1 opfn Ja ^t^The cruTadc
must be made on these mischievous letters 1
tag powers make him a giant Ilia 1 »» •«“”■■“ , -Ctoelnnatl Commercial (tad.)
bands are clean. lie holds no back pay.
lie ia, in a word, u powerful rtalraman.
and an hone-t man He was Ihe choir*
of the ( osstitltiux Irom the onttci,
and we bnieve he was tbe choice m
Georgia. With such a man to guid-
and direct legislation. Ihc future o( tbe
party and of the country become-
brighter and better. We congratulate
our readers this morning on bia selec
tion. It will lead to a speedy or
ganization ot the bouse, and to such I ral assembly of tbl st te. and until jaar I about a year ago. Bis age waa forty-six
1 sarccvtov ta^elce cd and qualified, unless | years.
Isa Rabsis, of Albany, whose death
announced, was bora ta Charleston, Mont
gomery county, N. T., on the thirty-first ot
side of the last congress ta which he | gruiulaiion in tecuriogtbe service of so |
had a scat. His courage sad his resson
I ante and efficient an officer.
SIR HENKROS's COMMISSION,
I as treason r, was handed to him later in |
the day and reads as follows:
Baxjsxix P. Avxav, minister of the
United States ta China, b repotted to have
J,ra “ I died at hit residence In P-lrin. but without
further part iculart. He was a New York
M. Smith G wcr..urof aald slate.
Jb the Hon. John If”. Jiff roe, (iruti+g:
By vli«ueof the power ve«<4:d iomeby
bov, went to Oallfomla In 1840, and was for
hvrvby
Vhc I founded the Maryville Appeal In 1800,
atate I subsequently became editor of the 8an
mraldTffl'I “ Fre-cireoniWVudW^hw of the
of force until tire next meeting of the gene- I Overland Monthly when appointed to China
OUR NEW iKsAsURER.
Yesterday afternoon Hon. J. W. Rea-
fror, of Waahingtoo county, was sp
pointed treasurer of >be state of Geor
gia I y Gov. Smith, to fill tbe uucxplred
ten: of ex Treasurer Jones. The ap
pointment waa not altogether uuexpecl
ed, as public opinion had pretty well set
tied it that Mr. Iteufroe had tbe best
claims upon the place of tbe large num
her applying. Governor Smith has dis-
t iron and law. of this state.
Given under my band and the g elt seal
oi tbe at te, at tbe caiitalia Atlanta, this
fourth day uf Dcc mher, etgh'een bun-1 May. 18*2. He graduated at Union coPege
rcduudsttvuly fiv ,andof the Independ- In 1834,mnd afterwards began to practice
enee_ of -h- I ntted States ot America, the ...
| taw. Be settled at Albany and was elected
iber of the legislature ln 1844 4G Be
wai a member of the erostltntlooal conven
tion of ISt' and also of the convention of
played aoond wisdom, and gratified a I rats ot ibe slate, that Ihe treasury af-
very Influential section of the state by bis
one hundredth.
Janas M. Smith,
Governor.
By the governor.
N C. Ba«xett, Sec of State. .... _ ,
Ills understood that Treasurer Renfroc 1 w - He w *" » ot lh « supreme court
will formally apply lo ex-treasurer Jones from 18'7 to 1880 and wss United States
■or Ihe transfer of tbu office, papers, | senator from 18111 to 1867.
books, funds etc , tomorrow morning.
It ta vitally important lo tbe brat inu-r-
1t is whispered from Washington that
President Grant, having failed to ran down
fairs should at the earliest possible mo- the fox exiled Cuba, to now ta full cry after
inent, be re-directed into their proper I the fox called Mexico, and that the bounds
anticipated that which wa heard the other day at Key West
will be fully j on ri,e south Atlantic coast wlU
action. It ta a deserved compliment, I C Lanwta. It
both lo Mr. Rrnfroe himself, nod to I Captain Jones _
Washington county, of which he ta a cit- prepared to properly transfer his charge I wine rione the Rio Gn7de It Uimo
iron. tSfarm /raona, competant^ is -*-*-1
concerned, tbe otBce or treararer could I governor. As CapL Joaes bas said that I J W4r P°1' C J will 00 far condone the er-
not have been entrusted to better bands. I be considers it due to him to be beard be rors of hU admlolstralion and so far acrus*
Mr. Renfroe ia emphatically a self-made I ^>re the legislature we do not look for tom the people to tbe violation of a j?rrat
man and a man of first clasa business at* act,<m in . lhc P^mit^ upon constitutional provision so as to allow him
tainmenla. Hi, mroera. in life Us been ®r»I Mta ramora™
gratifying alike to hiomeif ttd friend, rereree. ^WejS jjfcg nominate him for. taW term It .filhe^
J. Rembrandt Smith, elder, Baltimore
conference; Isaac G. Parks, continued
in clast of deacons for one year.
J. F. Mixon, continued aa elder.
At 18 o’clock, the legal conference
held a session. W. H. Potter in Ihe
chair.
IL J. Adams, treasurer, submitted a
report, showing a balance in hand of
$134 35.
Rev. G. J. Pearce asked the appoint
ment of a committee to examine his
claims against the LaG range female col
lege, and Caleb W. Key, J. M. Richard
son, J. F, Lowe and J. £. Godfrey, ap
pointed. The committee were instruc
ted to report at next session, i[ found
impracticable at this sesekm.
Three shares of the Central railroad
stock were ordered transferred
to endowment fund of
EMORY COLLEGE.
The conference opened this morning
with religious services conducted by
Rev. J E Evans,
J Lewis sr., was granted a superan
nuated relation.
8 A Mitchell discontinued at his own
request.
The president of the conference was
requested to appoint Rev. E W Speer to
a professorship in the State University.
Tbe characters of the presiding ciders
and preachers of Ihe Augusta, Athens,
Elberton and Gainesville districts were
pas ed. As I close my report the Rome
district ta being called.
GRIFFIN notes
J. K. Godfrey preached an impressive
sermon on the subject of "God manifest
in tue flesh” or Christian life.
At night Ibe regular communion ser
vice was held. The church was crowd
ed. It was one of the most impressive
scenes I ever witnessed. Some two hun
dred or more partook of the Lord's sup-
>er. Revs. W. M. Crumley. J. B. Payne,
L H. Parks acd others officiating. The
prayer of Rev. John W. Knight at the
dose waa one of the most powerfnl ever
listened to. While it partook of his pe
culiarities, it made a deep impression.
An interesting meeting of the Widow’s
mnd Orphan's aid xociety was held, Rev.
C. A. Evans, president ta the chair. The
clerical members pay $3 and the lay
members $1 each, to support
tbe widows and orphans of
deceased ministers who died
in the work. The case of Mrs. Joebua
M. Parker waa brought before the aocie
ty. home $000 will be raised.
Upon making hta report as president of
Emory college yesterday, Dr. O. L.
Smith made a noble speech. He explain-
ed that he voluntar’iy retired from tbe
presidency because he preferred a lower
to a higher position, He heartily co
operated with the new president. The
fsenityand trustees were ta thorough
accord
Among the lay delegates present we
omitted to mention the presence of Hon.
Warren Aikens of CartersviUe, and Levi
Brothcrton of Dalton.
A letter was received from Rev. B. J.
Johnson, asking a superannuated rela
tion, which was granted.
Bishop Keener preaches in the Meth
odist cbnreh to morrow at eleven a. m.
The Sunday school mass meeting comes
offatSp. m.
Gurrix, Dee. fi, 1873.
Saturday Rev Crosbs W Smith, Wesleyan
Female college, Prof Doggett, Emory col-
lege. Dr De Votie, pastor of Bip 1st church,
Dr Barnwell, paalur of Presbytartan church,
were introduced to tbe conference.
Rev 8 C McDaniel, of Ihe Congregational
Methodists, was Introduced as a fraternal
mesatnger, anil addre aed tne conference
expressing his fraternal feelings for the
Method Uu.
Rev. A. U. llxygood offered a resolution
expressive of (be fraternal feeliDfts felt by
tbe Methodist Episcopal church, south, for
the ConcregaUoual Methodists, and request
ing the bishop to appoint three fraternal
messengers to the Congregational Method-
Ista, which was adopted unanimously by a
rising vote.
Ou motion of Rev. A. G. Worley, W. F.
Lewis was appoli ted to solicit subscriptions
for the Quarterly Review.
Dr F. C. Timmons wsa admitted on trial
and elected a deacon.
On moUoa Key. W. J. Scott waa super
annulled.
Tbe fo’lowiog were appo'nted a commit-
year*,
Washington county, and since that time,
has almoet constantly occupied some office
of honor and trust to which he was called
bv his fellow citizens. In 1870 he was
elected to represent his county in the
legislature, where bo served in 1871 and
73. Hero ho gave eminent satisfaction
| our next issue.
Presidxxt Babcock, who runs the exec
utlve department of the government of the
j United States in the interest of tbe revenue
I thieves, has telegraphed to 8L Louis that
I he is “absolutely innocent.*’ Joyce, too,
I looking out through the barred windows of
his cell in the state prison, where “tbe con-
I toller dok constantly nestles about the
to bis conrtituency by the consistency of that the pa-ty cut a ten foot way t cross the 0 , Ku , ^ wl ,„ me „„ th( .
Us curse, and hi. fidelity to principle. Okefenokee swamp. £ „ ^ the re:
OKEFENOKEE.
Cntting Through the Jungles.
(Special to Th. Constitution )
Homzbsvillx, Decsmber 4.
Newt hss been received at Homertvllle I
The Hegeaam boat west through finely.
Upon the expiration of bia term be took
a poaiikm ta tbe comptroller general's
office, where be remained until hta recent _
appointm.nL While ta the ooeaptaoll-1 Thisvy reln’fdbng allthe~ttmc
et a office Mr Renfoe was enabled to | “ “kTI
acquire aa intimate knowledge of tbe
bnuo- at in tbe variowa departments The
wings of Imagination to the realms of po
etry,” ctIm ia the rame words, "I am ■ab-
Th. work was accomplished In fire days L^iytaooeeu.:’ ’• So, too, McDonald.
One revere*gh» was spent ta the swoop | >n]u ^ the ot th4 COBrt> ^
Th. party came out writ but hungry.
The way ta now clear for the engineers
following.
The Okefaooke. swamp will soon be an
judgment in tbe aelection of hta I open hook.
A YOUNG IRISHMAN’. LUCK.
appointment iu every way ta a good one.
and is another Instance ot Gov. Smith's
claims to An lac-edulous world that he Is
"absolutelv tanoeenL" Tbe phrase
to be a favorite one with the official revenue
thieves, and only need, to be supplemented
by that stem admoaltioo of another men
of the ring “Let so guilty man escape, 1
establish the white robed purity of these
angelic members ot the Great ring, whose
T ux art c e. Which we copy from the j ,y suuiug a Brsde with a W ink, and a crime* ao unluckily have bean found out.
Valdosta Time*, give* a brief notice of
uae of the numerous exploration* of tbe
Okrfrix kr* swamp made by Tbu Cox-
Foriaue Alter a Long Liugaiioa.
An interesting will cum bss just been I
Tuxxx are different method* of escape.
Bora Tweed take* up hta bad aed walks.
ta sat oa by a
snTUTtoN parties. Tomorrow a more ** ul * d *“ courts of Providence, R. J. military commission.
.a. - e aboa( 1200.000, hld one daughter. The h “ ?
* I daughtsr, while walking on Westmta-1 **M-,ahed himself in Juba, he can live on the
r later street, met a young Irishman | f* 1 ot Die land, while hta Ameri-
engthy account will appear ot the one
1 tided to. The Carroll Times hi a pul
liahed.almost a.poge of lhc;letten thus far
Before we finish we shall be able to in- I named O'Rourke, who*, antecedent*
were not the best kind, but wbo was
rather good-lookisg, and not at all re-
] served is manners. He winked, she
smiled; they loved mud got married.
| Almonn's rage knew no bounds, for
form the people of Georgia praX’y
thoroughly this year about the swamp,
and there will be hardly any mystery
connected with it
Tun national execuUee committee ot \ be hated .Dtahmsw Ha refurad ro be
tbe democratic party nset in Washington
i officers teach him an appropriate dance.
Now we understand the tural per para
tloaa. Babcock must be defended by tbe
nattuu which he periled hta honor to swin
dle, If he did not peril hta life to save It
TnseoRuptlooof Schenek furnishes i
on Monday. Mr. Schell ta the Chair,
resolved
reconciled to his daughter, and made *«* «*■» for bom England,
a will leaving all hta property to two I Let the president appoint a commission of
Natsax Srasoc*. aaoudn-tawef Fred
■ old maids not related to him,
give the chairman gsoO a year to Mrs. O'Rourke. The
power to summon the national commit- daughter appealed Irom the will, and I waa amutadat KocheaJT x* v"
tea together al hta option. Anintcr after a tang Rogation the old maids LnlSday, for rohhta* the mSTta tate
• - » j01 .|ha«^ed v th. .^J,yl«ndmg ov„| aaraploJaeo! ^^
Ttta grangers cf Csliforeta are clrctrtatieg
Ta* troubtas of the state of Mhataeiptq . pxtltloa t rajtng the next tectalarore to
change of view* disclosed that a , - . , -
ity was ia favor of aa early convention— | f 60 - 000 *° the O Rourkea.
probably ia May—and Sl Louis and
Loutanile were taokad upon as tbe moat I BtT be aafely reckosed ee forever peat I ^ass a bOl “fixing the rate of uxocum'Ja
moat available pfldnts between which to There are now ten edlton ta the state kg!*-1 Uwyera’ feet where co special eemract ta
make a chotao. Matnre.
a* a «tmi. ii a iiaiuimiii, uu ruuilO. it U
Cox, P M Kljborn. J T Love, W A Dodge,
W 4 F QaillUo, W J Cotter, D Ke'tey.
At nicht the mlsiioniry meelng vu held.
Iotereiliog ipeeche* were made bj Bishop
Keeter and Dr. O. L. Smith. Orer $200
was railed lo the coogregitton for mission
ary porpose*.
(tunday’i procecdingi will appear io
another letter )
Tba conference wai opened this moroiog
with relirtoos services coudacted by Rev.
W. A. fiimmons.
Rev. G. J. Pearce was granted a super-
animated reiali n.
Rev. A. IL Bedford. of Nashville, was
introduced and made a regular boot agent’s
The following traveling preachers were
ordained deacons on Sunday: G W
Thomas, J W G Watkins, W L# Wootten, ir
W H Spier, A’ L Yarbrough, J H Bentley,
W R Foute, jr, G E Bonner,
W W Lambkin, and tbe following local
preachers: D L Parrish. W 8 Foster, W D
Payee, J F Holmes, D F C Timmons.
The .following traveling preachers were
ordained elders on Sunday: James
Rembrandt Smith, Heyden C Christian,
J R Pate and G K Qullliau, local preachers.
The morning hour to diy is being devot
ed to speeches and reports.
arronrrxKKTS roa ISTtV.
ATH*X*» DI9TKICT—T T PIERCE, P. K.
Athens—W H Potter, P A Heard, super
numerary.
Oconee St.-A W Williams.
Factory Mission —Supplied by G L Me
Cleskj.
Wa kinsville—W W Oslln and W H Tram
melL
Madison—A T Mann.
Morgan—J LLupo.
Greensboro—FG Hughes.
White Plains—W F fcmltb.
Lexington—L P Neese, E G Mar rah, su
pernumerary.
» intersTifle—C C Carey.
Washtagtoo—Jesse Boring.
Broad Hirer—J F Mixon.
Li: la River—D L Anderson.
Crawfordville—G W Hardawsy.
Lincoltoo— D Kelsey.
State University—E W Speer, Prof.
ATLANTA DISTKICT—4 S IT15J, P K.
Atlanta—1st church. W P Hanison; 6th
church mission and West End, W C Dunlap.
Fulton Circuit—O A Thrower.
Paynes*—'T H Timmons.
Eras and Oakland—J no H Harris.
Trinity—W F.Cook.
St Paul’s—W A Dodge.
Edgewood—W M Crumley,
Griffin—L J Davies.
Zebulon—T8L Harwell.
Fayetteville—Britton SanJers.
Jonesboro—J R Smith.
< McDonough—J W Yarbrough.
I Hamptoa—J D Gray.
3 Jackson—R J Harwell.
A Ocmuleee—I G Paiks.
Pleasant Hill—E II Wood.
B rnesville and Salem -W P River*.
Milner— R'chard W Rogers.
Culloden—T R Kendall.
Thomaaton and Rock-J B Psvce.
Upson—J RPate.
Forsyth—George C Gardner.
For-yth circuit—J TLowe.
Clinton—W T McMichaeL
LAGRANGE DISTRICT—4 W BE1DT, p IS
LaGrange—GeorgeG Smith
West Point-P if Byburn.
Newman—J H Baxter.
Troupe—Henry J E.l’s.
lx>ug Cane—J S Bryan, J P Howell super
numerary. -
Whitesvil?e—M H White.
Greenville and Trinity—W A Simmons.
Chalybeate Springs—James Jones.
Grantville— w J Cotter. —*■
WhPesburg—David Nolsn.
HoganavtUe-F M T Brannon.
Senoia—Leonard Rush.
Palmetto and Jones Chapel—Joseph Carr.
Fairburn-J M Bowden.
Carroll ten—W F QuillUn.
Bowdoln—E K Aikin.
Franklin-W H Speer.
Heard Mission w H Graham.
Missionary to China—Y J A'len.
District Superintendent American Bible
Society—W A Park a
President LaGrange Female College—J R
May c on
ROME DISTRICr— W P PLEDGER, P E.
Rome—W H LiRrade.
Rome Circuit and DeSota Mlssion-S P
Jones.
Forrestvllle—D J Weems.
Cedar Town—A M Thigpen.
Cedar Valley-Supplied J W Tray wick.
Cave Spring—D E L Timmons.
Van Wert-J W Lee.
Villa Itica—F T Reynolds
Ha raison Mission—Supplied by W W
Simpson.
Cartersv.lle—A J Jarrell, J T Norris, su
pernumerary.
Marietta—W F Glenn.
> cworth—W R Tate, sr., R H Jones, su
pernumerary
Powder Spi _
Dallas—G W Duval.
Dougla&ville—M L Underwood.
DanLOXEGA DISTRICT-4 WT STIPE, P E.
Dahlonega and Jones* Chapel-J D Ham
mond.
Porter Sf ring Mission—E L Stephens.
Dawsonvllle—J W Baker.
Cleveland—Ell Smith.
Narcoochee—W R Branham, jr.
Blairsville—Thos J Edwards.
Morgan Mission—J N Austin.
Eilijay—A J Hughes.
Jasper—J U Mashbum, jr.
Cltajton Circuit and Mission—George E
Bonner.
Transferred—W W Wards worth, to North
Mississippi Conference.
Isaac S Hopkins, Alabama Conference.
POUND DEAD.
An Itinerant Tailor Gives up the
Goose at Buford.
Homeless, Friendless and Unknown.
I Special to The Constitution.]
Buford. Ga., Dec. 8, 1875.
TUE DEAD BODT
of a man waa found in our town this morn
ing. From appearances he his been dead
several days. The body Is recognized as
thst of a man who has been la this section
several weeks, who looked to be
ABOUT SIXTY TEARS OLD,
and represented himself to be a tailor, and
who Slid he had been a major in the confed
erate army. There Is
NO CLUE
as to how he came by his death. It is sup
posed, however, that he had bsen drinking,
as there was a bottle found ln his pocket.
'there will be a coroner’s Inquest held
over the body this afternoon that may de
velop the cause. *
Another Account.
Buford,«Ga., Dec. 8, H75.
Yesterday our town was startled at the
report that a man was found dead inside of
the Incorporation. The citizens gathered
at the place and found tbe body to be that
of a man who hsd been in the settlement
for several weeks and whose occupation
was that of a tailor, going from place to
place, working at hie trade. He called his
name
c. m. rrrzGiBBON,
originally from Cork, Ireland, but from your
city to thU section. He said that he had
been married twice and hit last wife’s father
lived North Carolina. He clal mod to
have been a major
IN THE CONFEDERATE ARMY
under Gen. Cleburne. His appearance and
conversation showed that he had been
man of culture and reflaement, but had
given himself up tc hard drink. When last
seen ln town he was drunk, and was found
deod with
A BOTTLE or WHISKT
in his pocket. The coroner’s jury decided
that he caxre to his death from causes un
known to tbem.tbere being lo marks of rto
lence on his person.
Dr. A. M. Winn, of Lawrencevllle, Bak
ing the poet mortem examination. This
man was about sixty years of age. I send
this ao that if he has any relations or friends
in this country they msy have a chance to
know what bas become of him.
Yours, etc, Jtc.
ANOTHER SUSPENSION.
Judge Lynch Pays n S* o for Rape,
Conyers—W D
Covujgtoa—W R Iranhxm, Sr.
Newton—A W Rowland, and W A Can
dler.
Oxfiw* A G Hsjcood; A Mosul, iuper-
[Spcclal toTne i rutituUou J
Dalton, Dec. 8th, 1675.
Spring Place in Murray county, was tbe
theatre of intense excitement last night. A
negro who committed a rape near thst
place was brought in. Phe people were
greatly excited and threatened to lynch him
yes* erday morning, but at the solicitation
of leadisg citizens desisted. The town was
filled with people all day. The excitement
intensified by night and he was taken out
and hanged.
Vermont ought to be proud of tbe “roll
of dishonor”—Brigham Young, Columbus
Delano, Joe Smith, William P. KtHogg a&d
“Sylph” Babcock—when remembering they
were compelled to leave the itate in order
to *«plj their vocations.”—Rutland (Vl)
Globe.
Washington, December 7.—Aflcr the
committee had returned, and the choice
of seats accorded to the oldest continu
ous member, Kelly, of Pennsylvania,
drawing of scats occurred.
Mr. Mebaffy, reading clerk, retd tbe
message. The reading of the message
occupied two hours and five minutes. At
first it was listened to with considerable
interest and attention, but after tbe clerk
bad got past the paragraph relating to
education, church property acd the
Cuban question, tbe members began
gradually to leave their scats, retiring to
the cloak rooms, loitering listlessly in
the aisles, engaged in conversations with
each other, so that during the reading of
the latter half there were not probably
forty members in tbeir scats, and not
half that number paying the slightest at
tention to the message. In fact, were it
not for the monotonous tone of the
clerk’s voice, it might have been sup
posed that the house was indul ring in a
recess.
The Message.
To the Senate and Hou*e of llepntenta-
tire*: In submitting my seventh annual
message to congress in this centennial
year of our national existence as a free
and independent peo *!e, it affords
me great pleasure to recur to the advance
ment that has bc :u made from the time
of the colonies one hundred years ago.
We were then a people numbering only
three millions; now we number more
than forty millions; then industries were
confined almost exclusively to the tillage
of the soil, ”oow manufactures absorb
much of tbe labor of the country. Our
liberties remain unimpaired, the bonds
men have been freed from slavery.
We have become possessed of the re
spect, if not friendship, of all civilized
nations. Our progress has been gieat
in all the arts of science, agriculture,
commerce, navigation, mining, mechan
ics, law, medicine, Ac., and in general
education the progress is likewise en
couraging. Our thirteen states have
become thirty eight, including Colorado
which bas taken the initiatory steps to
become [a state a?d eight territories,
including the Indian territory
•nd excluding Colorado making a
territory extending from the Atlantic
to the Pacific. On the south we have ex
tended to the Gulf of Mexico,and in the
wen from the Mississippi to the Pacific.
America’s material progress.
One hundred years ago the cotton gin,
the steamship, tbe railroad.tbc telegraph,
the reaping, sewing and modern priming
machines,and numerous other inventions
of scarcely less value to our busi
ness and happiness, were entirely un
known. In 177G manufactories scarcely
existed, even in name, in all this vast
territory. In 1870 more than two mil
lions of persons were employed in mac-
factories, producing more than $2,100,-
000,000 of products; in amount annually
nearly equal to our national debt. From
nearly the whole of the population of
1776 being engaged in one occupation of
of agriculture, in 1870, so numerous and
diversified had become the occupations
of our people, that less than
six million, out of more than
forty millions were so engaged.
The extraordinary effect produced in
our country by a resort to diversified
occupations, has built a market for tb»
products of fertile lands distant from the
sea board and the markets of the world.
The American system of locating various
and extensive manufacturies next to the
plow and the pasture, and adding con
necting railroads and steamboats, has
produced in our distant interior country
a result noticeable by the intelligent por
tions of all commercial nations. The in
genuity and skill of American mechanics
have been demonstrated at home and
abroad in a manner flattering to *heir
pride. But for the extraordinary genius
and ability of our mechanics, the
achievements of our agriculturists, man
ufacturers and transporters throughout
the country would have been impossible
of attainment
The progress of the miner has also
been great Of coal our production was
small; now many millions of tons are
mined annually. So with iron, which
formed scarcely an appreciable part of
our products half a century ago; we now
proauce more than the world consumed
at the beginning of our national exist
ence. Lead, zinc acd cotper, from be
ing articles of import we may expect to
be large exporters of in tbe near future.
The development of gold and
silver mines in the United States and ter
ritories has cot only been remarkable,
but hss had large influence on the busi
ness of all commercial nations.
Our merchants in the last hundred
years bave bad a success, and Lave es
tablished a reputation for enterprise, sa
gacity, progress and integrity, unsur
passed by people of older nationalities.
This “good name” is not confined to
their homes, but goes out upon every
sea and into every port where commerce
enters.
With equal pride we can point to our
progress iu all of the learned professions.
LESSONS FROM THE PAST.
As we are now about to enter upon
our second centennial, commencing onr
manhood as a nation, it is well to look
back upon tbe past, and study what will
be best to preserve and advance our fu
ture greatness. From the fall of Adam for
his transgression to the present day, no
nation has ever been free from threaten
ed danger to its prosperity and happiness.
We should look to the dangers threaten
ing us and remedy them so far as lies in
our power. We are a republic whereof
one mao *s as good as another before the
laws. Under such a form of govern
ment it is of the greatest impor
tance that all should bc possessed
of education and intelligence enough
to cast a vote with a right understanding
of its meaning. A large association of
ignorant men cannot for any considera
ble period oppose a succesf ul resistance to
tyranny and oppression ’from the educat
ed few,but wii inevitably sink into acqui
escence to the will of intelligence,wheth
er directed by demagogues oi by priest
craft. Hence tbe education of the mass-
es becomes of tbe first necessity for the
preservation of our institutions They
are worth preserving because they have
secured the greatest good
tbe greatest portion of the
population of any form of government
yet devised. All other forms of govern
ment approach it just in proportion to
the general diffusion of education and
independence of thought and action.
FREE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
As the primary step, therefore, to our
advancement in ail that has marked our
progress in the past century, I suggest
for your earnest consideration, and
most earnestly recommend it, that a con
stitutional amendment be submitted to
the legislatures of the several states for
ratification, making it the dnty of each
of the several states to establish, and
forever maintain, free public schools,
adequate to the education of all children
in the rudimentary branches within
tbeir respective limits, irrespective
of sex, color, birth, place or religion, for
bidding tbe teaching in said schools of
Our relations with most of the foreign
powers continue on a satisfactory and
friendly footing. Increased intercourse,
the extension of commerce and tbe culti
vation of mutual interests, have steadily
improveed our relations with the large
majority of the powers of the world, ren
dering practicable the peaceful solution
of questions which from time to time
necessarily arise, leaving few which de
mand extended or particular notice.
The correspondence of the deportment
of the state with our diplomatic repre
sentatives abroad is transmitted here
with.
I am happy to announce the passage of
an act by the general coites of Por
tugal, proclaimed since the ad
journment of congress, for
abolition of servitude in the Portugese
colonies. It is to be hoped that such leg
islation msy be another step towards the
great consummation to bc reached when
no man shall bc permitted directly or
indirectly, under any guise, excuse or
form of law, to bold his fellow man in
bondage. 1 am of opinion also that it is
tbe duty of the United Stab s as contrib
uting towards that end, and required by
the spirit of fhc age in wh*ch we live,
to provide by suitable legislation
that no ' citizen of the
United States shall hold slaves as proper
ty in any other country, or be interested
therein.*
Chili has made reparation in the case
of the whale ship, “Good Return,”
seized without sufficient cause upwards
of forty years ago. Though she had
hitherto denied her accountability, the
denial was never acquiesced iu by this
government, and the justice of the claim
has been ao earnestly contended for that
it has been gratifying that slic should
have at l«?-t acknowledged it.
The arbitrator m case of the United
States steamer “Mon ti jo,” for the seizure
and detention of which the government
of the United States of Columbia was
held accountable, has decidul
favor of the claim. Thlj
decision has settled a ques
tion which had been pending foi
several years, and which while it (ontin
uedopen might more or less disluib good
understanding which it is desirable should
be maintained between the two repub
lies.
A reciprocity treaty with the king of
tbe.llawaiian Islands was completed some
months since. As it contains a stipula
tion that it shall not take effect till con
gress shall enact the proper legislation
lor that purpose, copies ot the instrument
are herewith submitted in order that if
such should bc the pleasure of congress,
the necessary legislation upon the sub*
ject may be adopted.
“VIRGINIUS* BELIEF VY
things, and recognize as one of the
powers of the earth, that body politic
which,possessing the necessary elements,
has in fact become a new power—in a
word, the creation of a new state as a
fact.
WHAT WOULD JUSTIFY RECOGNITION.
To eatablish the condition of things
essential to the recognition of this fact,
there mas; be a people occupying a
known territory, united under some
known and defined form of government,
acknowledged by those subject thereto,
in which the functions of government
are administered by usual methods, com
petent to mete out justice to citizens and
strangers, to afford remedies for public
and lor private wrongs, and able to
assume tbe correlative international
obligaliotJTTnd capable of performing
the corresponding international duties
resulting Irom its acquisition of the
rights of sovereignty; a power should
exist complete in its organization, ready
to take and aide to maintain its place
amongst the nations of the earth. While
conscious that the insurrection in Cuba
has shown a strength and endurance
which make it at least doubtful whether
it be in the power of Spain to subdue it,
it seems unquestionable that nb such civil
organization exists, which may be recog
nized as an independent government'ea-
pablc of performing its international ob*
ligations, and entitled to be treated as
one of the powers of the earth. A re
cognition under such circumstances,
would be inconsistent with the facta, and
would compel the pow er granting it soon
to support with force the government to
which it had really given its only claim
of existence, ln my judgment the
United States should adhere to the policy
and principles which have heretofore
been its sure acd safe guards in like con
tests between revolted colonics and tbeir
mother country, and acting only upon
the clearest evidence, shon.ri avert any
possibility of suspicion or of i i infla
tion.
the other. Under these circumstances
the agency of others, either by medita
tion or intervention, seems to bc the
only alternative which must sooner or
later be invoked for the termination of
the strife. At the same time while thus
impressed I do not at tLis lime recom
mend the adoption of any measure of
intervention. I sha’l bc ready at all
times, and a9 tbe equal friend of both
parties, to respond to a suggestion
that the good offices of the
United States will bc acceptable
to aid in bringing about peace honorable
to both. It is due to Spain so far as
this government is concerned, that the
agcncy.of a third power, to which I have
adverted, shall bc adopted only as a last
expedient. Ilad it been the desire of tbe
United States to interfere in the affairs of
Cuba, repeated opportunities for so doing
have been presented within the last few
years, but we bave remained passive and
have performed our whole du’y and all
internal ional obligations to Spain with
friendship, fairness, fidelity, and with a
spirit of patience and forbearance which
negatives every possible suggestion of
desire to interfere, or to add to the diffi
culties with w hich she has been surroun
ded.
In March last an arrangement was
made through Mr. Cushing, our minister
in Madrid, with the Spanish govern
ment for the payment by the latter to
the United States of the sum of $30,000
iu coin for purpose of the relief of the
families or persons of the ship’s company
and certain passengers of the “Yirgini-
us.” This sum was to have been paid in
three installments al two months eaub.
It is due to the Spanish government that
1 should state that the payments were
fully and spontaneously anticipated by
th&t government, and that the whole
amount was paid within but a few days
more than two months from date of
agreement, a copy of which
herewith transmitted. 'In pursuance of
the terms of adjustment I have direct-
eu a distribution of the amount among
the parties entitled thereto, including
the ship’s company and such of the pas
sengers as were American citizens Pay
ments are made accordingly on the ap
plication of the parties entitled thereto.
THE CUBAN QUESTION.
The past year has furnished co evi
dence of an approaching termination of
the ruinous conflict which has been
raging for seven years ia the neighbor
ing island ot Cuba. The same disregard
of the laws of civilized warfare and of
the just demands of humanity, which
have heretofore called foith expressions
of condemnation from the nations of
Christendom, have continued to blacken
the sad scene. Desnlation, ruin and pil
lage are pervading the rich fields of one
of the most fertile and productive re
gions of the earth, and the in-
cendiariea’ torch firing plantations and
valuable factories and buildings, is the
agent marking the alternate advance or
retreat of contending parties. The pro
tracted continuance of this strife stri
ously affects tbe interests of ail commer
cial nations, but those of the United
States more than others by reason of
close proximity, its larger trade and
intercourse with Cuba, and the frequent
and intimate personal and social rela
tions which have grown up between its
citizens and those of the inland. More
over the property of our citizens ia
Cuba is large, and is rendered insecure
and depreciated in value and in capacity
of production by the continuance of the
strife and the unnatural mode of its con
duct The same is true, differing only in
degree, with respect to the interests and
people of other nations, and tbe absence
of any reasonable assurance of a near
termin&ticn of the conflict must
necessity soon compel the states thus
suffering to consider what the interests
of tbeir own people and their duty to
wards themselves may demand.
1 have hoped that Spain would be en
abled to establish peace in her colony, to
afford security to the property and the
interests of our citizens, and allow legit
imate scope to trade and commerce
and the natural productions
of the island. Because of this
hope and from an extreme reluctance to
interfere in the most remote manner in
the affairs of another and a friendly
nation, especially of one whose sympa
thy and friendship in the struggling
imancy of our own existence must ever
be remembered with gratitude, I have
patiently and anxiously awaited the pro
gress of events. Our own civil conflict
is too recent for us not to consider the
difficulties which surround a govern
ment distracted by a dynastic rebellion
at home at the same time that it has to
cope with a separate insurrection in
distant colonv. But whatever causes
may have produced the situation which
so grievously affects our interests, it ex
ists with all its attendant evils, operating
directly upon this country and upon its
people. Thus far, alJ tbe efforts of
Spain have proved abortive, and time
has marked no improvement in tbe situ
ation. The armed bands of either side
now occupy nearly the same ground
in the past, with the difference from time
to time of more lives sacrificed, more
preperty destroyed, and wide extents of
fertile and productive fields and more
valuable property constantly and wan
tonly sacrificed to the incendia.y T
torcL. In contests of this nature,
where a considerable body of people
who have attempted to free them
selves of tbe control of the
superior government, have reached
point in the occupation of territory, in
power, and in general organization, as to
constitntc, in fact, a body polity, having
a government in substance as well as in
name, possessed of the elements of sta
bility and equipped with the machinery
for the administration of internal policy
and the execution of its laws, prepared
and able to administer justice at home
as well as in iu dealings with other
powers, it is within the province of those
other powers to recognize iu existence
as a new and independent nation. In
such cases, other nations simply deal
RECOGNITION NOT WARRANTED.
A recognition of the independence of
Cuba being, in my opinion, impractica
ble and indefensible, the question which
next presents itself is that of the rccogni
tion of belligerent rights in the parties to
the contest. In a former message to
congress 1 had occasion to consider tnis
question and reached the conclusion that
Hie conflict in Cuba, dreadful and devas
tating as were its incidents, did not rise
to the fearful dignity of war. Regarding
it now, after this lapse of time, 1 am un
able to sc? tLal any notable success on
any marked or real advance on the pari
of the insurgents has essentially changed
the character of the conlcst. ft has ac
quired greater age, but not greater • i
more formidable proportions. It is pos
sible that the acts of foreign powers aud
even acts of Spain herself, of this very
nature, might bc pointed to in defense of
such recognition, but now as in its pari
history, the United States, should care
fully avoid the false lights which might
lead it into tbe mazes of doubtful law
and of questionable propriety; and ad
here rig.dly and sternly to the rule which
has been its guide, doing only that which
ia right and honest and of good report
The question of according or of wit
holding the rights of belligerency must
be judged in every’ case in view of par
ticular attending facts. Unless justified
by necessity it is always and justly re
garded as an unfriendly act, and a gtulu-
Itous demonstration ot moral support to
rebellion. It is necessary and it is re
quired when the inti rest* and rights of
another government or of its people are
so far affected by a pending civil conllict
as to require a definition ot its relations
to the parlies there to, but this conflict
must be one which will bc recognized in
the sense of international law as war.
Belligerence, too, is a fact. The mere
existence of contending armed bodies and
tbeir occasional conflict!*, do not consti
tute war in tbe sense referred to. Ap
plying to tbe existing condition of affairs
in Cuba the tests recognized by public-
iris and writers on international law,and
which have been observed by nations of
dignity, honesty and power, when free
from sensitive or selfish and unwortey
motives, I f«il to find in the insurrection
the existence of such a substantial po
litical organization, real, palpable,
and manifest to the world, having tliv
forms and capable of the ordinary func
tions of government toward its own i>co
pie and to other state**, with courts for
the administration ot justice, with a
local Habitation possessing such organ
ization of force, such material, such oc
cupation of territory as to take tbe con
test out of tbe category of mere rebellious
insurrection’or occasional skirmishes,and
place it on the terrible footing of war, to
which & recogn ; tion of belligerency would
aim to elevate it. The contest moreover,
is solely on land, the insurrection hainot
moro?a res from spain.
The government of Spain bas recently
submitted to our minister at Madrid cer
tain proposals which it is hoped may be
found to bc tbe basis, if not the actual
submission, of terms to meet the require
ments of particular griefs of which the
government has felt itself entitled to
complain. These proposals have not
yet reached me in their full text. On
their arrival they will be taken into care
ful examination, and may I hope, lead
to a satisfactory adjustment of the ques
tions to which they refer, and remove the
jossibility of future occurences such as
lave given rise to our just complaints.
It is understood also that renewed efforts
arc being made to introduce reforms in
the internal administration of the island.
Persuaded, however, that a proper re
gard for the interests of the United States,
and of its citizens arc entitled to a relief
Trom the strain to which it has been sub
jected by the difficulties of the questions,
and that the wrongs and losses which
arise from the contest in Cuba, and that
the interests of humanity itself demand
the cessation of the strifa before the
whole island shall be laid waste and lar
ger sacrifices of life bc made. 1 shall feel
it my duty, should my hopes of a satis
factory adjustment and of the early res
toration ot peace and the removal of fu
ture causes of complaint, bc unhappily
disappointed, to make a further commu
nication to congress at some period not
far remote and during the present ses
sion, recommending wba* may then seem
to me to be necessary.
“kl ZONA I.tltUK”
The free zon \ so called, several years
ince established by the Mexican govern
ment in certain of the states of that re
public adjacent to our lion tier, remains
in full operation. It 1ms always been
materially injurious to hOLCSt traffic, for
it operates as an incentive to traders in
Mexico to supply without custom char
ges, the wants of inhabitants on this
side the line, and prevents the
same wants from beinj;
supplied by* merchants of the United
States, thereby to a considerable extent,
defrauding our revenue and checking
honest commercial enterprise. Dcprc-
ditiojs by armed bands from Mexico on
the people of Texas, near the frontier
continue. Though the tnnia object of
these incursions is robbtry, they fre
quently result in the murder of unarmed
and peaceably disposed persons, and s ~
„ company which proposed to lay a
cable from the shores of France to the
United States. At that time there was a
telegraph connection between the United
States and the continent of Europe,
though in the possession of Great Britain
at either end of the line, under the con
trol of an association which had.
large outlay of capita), and
a great risk, demonstrated
the practicability of working such means
of communication. The cost of corres
pondence by this agency was great, pos
sibly not tco larg : at the time for a
proper remuneration for so hazardous
and so costly an enterprise. It was how
ever a heavy charge upon a means of
communication which the progress in
the social and commercial interest of the
world found tobc a necessity,and the ob
taining of this French concession showed
that other capital than that already in
vested was ready to enter into competi
tion, with assurance of adequate return
for their out lay. Impressed with the
conviction that the interest not only to
the people of th*e United States, but ot
the world at large demanded or would
demand the multiplication of such means
of communication between separate con
tinents, I was desirous that the proposed
connection should be made. By certain
provisions of this concession, which
were deemed by me to bc ob
jectionable, particularly ono which
gave for a ‘Jong term of years the
exclusive right of telegraphic communi
cation by submarine cable between the
shores of France and the United States,
I could not concede thit any powc
should claim tbe right to land a cable on
the shores of the United States and at the
same time deny to the United States cr
to its citizens or grantees an equal right
to land a cable on its shores. The right
to control the conditions for the laying
of a cable within the jurisdictional
waters of the United States to connect
our shores with those of any foreigu
state pertains exclusively to the govern
ment of the United States, under such
limitations and conditions as congress
may impose. In the absence of legisla
tion by congress, l was unwilling on Hu-
one hand to yield to a foreign state
tbe right to fay its grantees
might land on our shores, while it de
nied a similar right to our people to land
on its shores, and on the other hand 1
was reluctant to deny to the great inter
ests of the world and of civilization the
facilities of such communication as wai
proposed. 1 therefore withheld any re
sistance to the landing of the cable on
condition that the offensive monopoly
feature of the concession bc abandoned.
and that the right of any cable which
bc established by authority of this
- may
religion, atheistic .or pagan tenets, and with an actually existing condition of
may send forth its lDg, nor has it any
means of communication with foreign
powers except through military lines
of its adversaries. No apprehension of
any of those sudden and difficult compli
cations which war upon the ocean is
apt to precipitate upon the vessels,
both commercial and naval, and upon
the consular officers of other powers,
calls for the definition of their relation
to the patties to the contest. Considered
as a question of expediency I regard the
accordance of belligerent rights still to
be as unwise and premature as I regard
it to bc at present indefensible as a meas
ure oi right. Such recognition entails
upon the country according to tiie rights
which flow from it, difficult and compli
cated duties, and requires the exaction
from the contending parties of the strict
observance of their rights and obliga
tions. It confers the right of search upon
the high seas by vessels of both parties.
It would subject the carrying of arms
and munitions of war which now* may
be furnished freely and without interup-
tion in the vessels of the Uuitcd
States, to detention and to pos
sible seizure. It would give
rise to countless vexatious questions,
would release the parent government
from responsibility for acts done by the
insurgents, and would invest Spain with
the right to exercise the supervision rec
ognized by our treaty of 1795 over our
commerce on the high seas, a very large
part of which in its traffic between tbe
Atlantic and Gulf states, and between all
ot them and the gulf states, and between
all of them and the states on the Pacific,
passes through the waters w hich wash
the shores of Cuba. The exercise of
this supervision could scarcely fail to
lead, if not to abuses, certaiffly to col
lisions perilous to the peaceful relations
of the two states. There can be little
doubt as to what result such supervision
would before long draw ibis nation.
It would be unworthy of
the United States to inaugurate the possi
bilities of such result by measures of
questionable right or expediency, or by
any intervention.
Apart from any question of theoretical
right, I am satisfied that while the ac
cordance of belligerent rights to insur
gents in Cuba, might give them a hope
and inducement to protract the struggle,
it would be but a delusive hope, and
would not remove the evils which this
goveinment and its people arc experienc
ing, but would draw tne United States
into complications which it has waited
long and suffered much to avoid.
The recognition of independence or of
belligerency being thus, in my judgment
equally Inadmissible, it remains to con
sider what course shall be adopted,
should the conflict not soon be brought
to an end by acts of parties tn era selves,
and should the evils which result there
from affecting all nations and
particularly the Uni'ed States continue.
In such event, I am of opinion that oth
er nations will bc compelled to assume
the responsibility which devolves upon
them, and to consider the only remain
ing measures possible,
MEDITATION AND INTERVENTION.
Owing, perhaps, to the large expanse
of water separating the island from the
peninsula,* the want of]barmony and of
personal sympathy between the inhabi
tants of tbe colony and those sent thither
to role them, and.the want of adaptation
of the ancient colonial system of Europe
to the present time, and the ideas which
the cventa.cf the present century have
developed, the contending parties appear
to have within themselves no depository
of common confidence to suggest wis
dom .when possion and excitement
have their sway, and to assume
the part of peace-maker.
In this view, in the earlier days
of the contest, the good offices of the
United States, as a mediator, were ten
dered in good faith, without any selfish
purpose, in tbe interest of humanity and
in sincere friendship for both parties,
but were at the time declined by Spain,
with tbe declaration, nevertheless, that
at some future time they would be indis
pensable Intimation bas been received
that in the opinion of Spain, that time
has been reached, and yet tbe strife con
tinues with all its dread horrors, and all
its injuries to the interests of the United
States, and of other nations. Each party
seems quite capable of working great
injury and damage to the other, as
well as to ail tbe relations
and interests dependent on the existence
of peaee in tbe island, but they seem in
capable of reaching any adjustment, and
both bave thus far failed, of achieving
soccere whereby one party shall possess
and control the island to the exclusion of
some instances even the United. States
porioffices aud mail communications
have been attacked. Renewed remon
riranccs upon tin* subject have been ad
dressed to the Mexican government, but
without much apparent effect. The mil
itary force of tins government disposa
ble for servi 'e in that quarter is quite in
adequate to effectually guard the line,
even at those points where the incur
sions arc usually made. An experiment
of an armed vc sel on the Rio Grande
for that purpose is cn trial, and it
hoped that if not thwarted by the shal
lowness of the river and other natural
obstacles, it may materially contribute
to the protection of the herdsmen of
Texas.
Cl AS MS AFFAIRS.
The proceedings of the joint cotnmis
aiun under the convention between the
United States and Mexico of July4th,
18GS, on the subject of claims, will soon
bc brought to uclo9c. The result of
those proceedings will then be commu
nicated to congress.
I am happy to announce that the gov
ernment of Yenc/.uhi has, upon further
consideration, practically abandoned its
objection to pay to tliu United States t hat
share of its revenue, which, &ome years
since, it allotted towards the extinguish
ment of the claims of foreigners gener
ally. 1 a thus reconsidering us determin
ation, that government has shown a just
sense of sell-rcspicl which cannot fail to
reflect credit upon it in the eyes of all
d ; siDteres.cd persons elsewhere. It is
bc regretted, however, that its payments
on account of claims of citizens of the
United States, are still so meagre
amount, and that the stipulations of the
treaty in regard lo the sums to bc paid,
and the periods when those payments
were to take place, should have been
signally disregarded.
Since my last anuual message, the c.\
change has been made of the ratification
of a treaty of commerce and navigation
with Belgium, and of conventions with
the Mexican republic for the further ex
tension of the joint commission respect
ing claims; with the Hawaiian Islands,
for commercial reciprocity; and with the
Ottomau empire for extradition; all
which have been duly proclaimed.
The court of commissioners of Ala
bama claims has prosecuted its important
duties very assiduously and very satis
factorily. It convened and was organ
ized on the 22nd day ot July, 1874. and
by the terms of the act upon which it was
created was to exist for one year from
that date. The act provided however,
that should it bc found impracticable to
complete the work of the court before
the expiration of the year, tbe president
might by proclamation extend the time
of its duration to a period not more than
six months beyond the expiration of the
one year. Having received satisfactory
evidence that it would be impracticable
to complets the woik within the time
originally fixed, I issued a proclamation,
a copy or which is presented herewith,
extending the time of duration of the
court for a period of six months from
and after the 22d day of July last. A
report made through the clerk of the
court, communicated herewith, shows
the condition of the calendar on the 1st
of November last, and the large amount
of work which has been accomplished.
Thirteen hundred and eighty-two
claims have been presented, of which
Gti2 had been disposed of at the date of
the report. I am informed that 170 cases
were decided during the month of No
vember. Arguments are being made
and decisions given in the remaining cases
with all the dispatch consistent with the
proper consideration of the questions
submitted. Many of these claims are in
behalf of mariners, depending on the
evidence of mariners, whose absence has
delayed the taking or the return of the
necessary evidence. It is represented to
me that it w ill be impracticable for the
court to finally dispose of all the cases
before it within the present limit of its
duration. Justice to the p&rties claim
ant, who have been at large expense in
preparing their claims and obtaining the
evidence in their support, suggests a
short extension to enable the court to
dispose of all of the claims which have
been presented. I recommend the legis
lation wnich may be deemed proper to
enable the court to complete the work
before it
I recommend that some suitable pro
vision be made, by the creation of a spe
cial court or by conferring the necessary
jurisdiction upon some appropriate tri
bunal, for the consideration acd deter
mination of the claims of aliens against
the government of the United States,
whicu have ctiaen within some reasona
ble limitation of time, or which may
hereafter arise, excluding all claims
barred by treaty provisions or otherwise.
It bas been Sound impossible to give
proper consideration to these claims by
the executive department of J tbe gov
ernment. Such a tribunal would af
ford an opportunity to aliens other
than British subjects to present
their claims on account of the acts
committed against their persons or prop
erty during the rebellion, as also tiione
subjects oi Great Britain, whose claims
having arisen subsequent to the 9th day
of April, 1805, could not bc presented to
the late commission organized pursuant
to the provisions of the treaty of Wash
ington.
THE FRENCH CABLE CONCESSION-
The electric telegraph has become an
essential and mdispenaible agent in tbe
transmission of business and social mes
sages. Its operation on land and within
tbe limit of particular states, is necessa
rily under the control of the jurisdiction
within which it operates. The lines on
the high seas, however, are not subject
to tbe particular control of any one gov-1
government to land upon French terri
tory, and to connect with branch land
lines, and enjoy all tbe necessary facil
ity's or privileges incident lo the use
thereof upon as favorable terms as any
other company, bc conceded as the re
sult thereof. The company in question
renounced the exclusive privilege, and
the representative of France was in
formed that understanding th»s rclin
quiahment to bc construed as granting
tbe entire reciprocity and equal facili
ties which had been demanded,
the opposition to the landing of the ca
ble was withdrawn. The cable under
this French concession was landed in the
month of Jnly, 1869, and has been an ef
ficient and valuable agent of communica
tion between this country and the other
continent. It soon passed under the con
trol, however of these who had the man
agement of the cable connecting Great
Britan.with this continent and thus,what
ever benefit to tho public mig-t have en
sued from competition between the two
lines was lost, leaving only greater facili
ties of an additional line and the addi
tional security in case of accident to one
of them. On these increased facilities
and this additional security, together
with the control of the combined capital
of the company’s line, also greater pow
er to prevent tne future construction of
other lines aud to limit the control of tel
egraph communication between the two
countries to those possessing the lines al
ready laid. Within a few montlis past a
cable bas been laid known aa
the United States direct cable,
counec iog the l’oiled States directly
with Great Brilaiu. As soon as this
cable was reported to be laid and in
working order, tbe rates of the then ex
isting consolidated companies were great
ly reduced. Soon, however, a break
was aunuonced in this new cable, and
immediately the rates of the other line
which had been reduced were again
raised. This cable being now replaced,
the rates appear not to bc reduced by
either line from those formerly charged
by the consolidated companies. There
is reason to “bclievej that large
amounts of capital, both at home aud
abroad, arc ready to seek profitable in
vestment in tbe advancement of this use
ful and most civilizing means of inter
course and correspondence. They await,
however, the assurance of the means
and conditions on which they may safely
bc made tributary to the general good.
CABLE FACILITIES SHOULD BE PROTECTED
As these cable telegraph lines connect
separate states, there are questions as to
their organization and control
which probably can h? best,
if not solely settled by
conventions between tbe respective
states. On the instance, however, of
international conventions on the subject,
municipal legislation may secure many
points which appear to me important, it
not Indispensable for tbe protection of
the public, against the extortions which
may result from a monopoly of the right o!
operating cable telegrams, or from u
combination between several lines.
1. No line should be allowed to
land on tbe shores of the United States,
trader the concession from another
power which docs not admit the right ot
any other line or lines lormed in the
United Stales to land and freely connect
with and opera’e through its land lines.
2. No line should bc allowed to land
on the shores of the United States which
is not by treaty stipulation with tbe gov
ernment from whose shores it proceeds,or
by prohibition in its charter or other
wise, to the satisfaction of this govern -
ment, prohibited from consolidating or
amalgamating with any other cable tel
egraph line, or combining therewith for
the purpose of regulating and maintain
ing the cost of telegraphing.
J. All lines should be bound tougivc
precedence in the transmission or the
official messages of the governments of
the two countries, between which it may
bc laid.
4. A power should be reserved to the
two governments either conjointly, or to
each, a3 regards the messages dispatched
from its shores, to fix a limit to the
charges to be demanded for the trans
mission or messages.
I present this subject to tho earnest
consideration of congrets. In the mean
time, and unless congress otherwise di
rects,! shall not oppose the landingof any
telecnphic cable which complies with
and alien:* to the points above enumera
ted, but will feel it my duly to prevent
tbe landing of any which docs not con
form to the first and second points as
stated, and which will not stipulate to
concede to tbia government the prece
dence in the transmission of its official
messages and will not enter into a satis
factory arrangement with regird to its
charges.
NATURALIZATION AND EXPATRIATION.
Among the pressing and important
subjects to which, in my opinion, the at
tention of congress should be directed,
are those relating to fraudulent natural
ization and expatriation. The United
States, with great liberality, offers its
citizenship to allilwbo. i in good faith,
comply with the requirements of law.
These requirements arc as simple and
upon as favorable terms to the emigrant
as the high privilege to which he is ad
mitted can or should permit. I do not
propose any additionsl requirements* to
those which the law now demands, but
the very simplicity and the absence of
unnecessary formality in our law have
made fraudulent naturalization notun-
freouent, to the discredit and injury of
all institutions, whether native or natu
ralized. Cases of this character arc con-
limully being brought to the notice of
tbe government by onr representatives
abroad ; also those of persons residing
in other countries—most frequently
those who, if they have remained in this
country long enough to entitle them to
become naturalized, have generally not
much passed that period, and have re
turned to the country of their origin,
where they reside, according all duties to
the United States by their adherence,
and claiming to be exempt Irom duties
to tbe country of their nativity and of
their residence, by reason of alleged nat
uralization. It is due to the government
itself, to the great mass of naturalized
citizen#, whose entire body suffer
in name and in fact, because
tbe high privilege of citizenship of the
United States should not be held by
fraud, or in derogation of law, and of
tbe good name of even honest citizens.
On many occasions It has been brought
to the knowledge of the government that
certificates of naturalization are held,
and protection or interference churned
vernment. In 1869, a concession was I by parties who admit that not only they
granted by the French government to 1 were not within the United States at the