Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

THE WEEKLY SUN. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. „„ocopy. one year s 1 r, O „ , ~iv. MX months I po CLUII RATES. .-i iree oopios, one year, to tamo post "ottice at fel -10 each Jao , iv e cattles, one year, to same po3t „nics ’ nt HI 35 each G 7r, p en copies, one year, to fame post f,.Hce at @1 tZo each la 50 ~jf e cn copies, one y ear, to same po-t --office at SI Ift each 17 25 Twentv copies, one year, to same post „:tice at HI each 20 00 Subscriptions discontinued at the expiration ADVERTISING RATES: advertisements inserted at «tl per square (ten lines or less. In small typo.) first insertion, and j, y cents oacli subsequent insertion. Tim virgixius. The present phase of tho controversy regarding the Virginius and her passen gers and crew appears to be a more seri ous one to the United Stales than any of its previous aspects. The Attorney Gen eral of tho United States has rendered the opinion that she was not entitled to ( arry the American flag, and of course not entitled to American protection. This, as v o understand it, is not such a decision of the case as will govern tho courso of the Administration—the vessel having vet to undergo a trial as to her character in a court of admiralty. But it would bo it very strange act in the Attorney Gen eral to promulgate such an opinion, in ad vance of tho regular trial, if tho case was not so clear a one ns to leavo no doubt of its correctness. Indeed wo cannot fully understand how even tho most over whelming proof could justify such an an ticipatory opinion against tire claim of hi t own Government. But then wo aro neither a lawyer nor a diplomatist. J!e that as it may, tlio presumption is, in view of this opinion of the Attorney (tenoral, that the Virginias had no right to carry the flag, even when engaged in peaceful and legitimate commerce, much less when engaged in a hostile expedition against u nation with which the United States was at peace; that ouv Government bail no right to interfere with the pro ceedings of the Spanish authorities in their dealings with her; that the demand for her restoration was wrongfully made and wrohgfully enforced. This certainly puts the United States in a dilemma, and the fact that it was urged to make the de mand for the YirginiuS by popular clamor do • i not at all relievo the ease of its par pit sides. If the United States has wrong fully forced Spain to deliver up a vessel which was her lawful prize, of course the proper reparation will be her restoration, and this, under the circumstances, will bo an act of humiliation. Spain, according to report, will insist on this course, and, if the opinion of the Attorney General is sustained by the court trying the case, a submission of the Spanish demand to ar bitration could not prevent the one result which seems to bo unavoidable. The man who had the elephant on his hands was not a moro unlucky and distressed individual than Uncle Sam will bo with the Virginias in his keeping. However the affair may result in reference to the vessel, wo trust, for the sake of humanity, that there will bo no surrender of the res cued passengers and crew. GOOD I'llOM UTIL. Some of our Alabama friends are eon . ding themselves for the large emigration of negroes from their State with the hope that it will conduce to the cultivation of larger provision crops and less cotton. We (who have constantly deplored the emigration of so many Held hands to the cotton States west of us) have endeavored to solve this problem, and our reflection induces us to regard the proposition as a reasonable one. It is certainly because of their contracts requiring the payment of largo sums of money near the close of the year, that many planters ‘•pich” for the largest cotton crops they can manage. Some do not make any effort to raise com and other food crops sufficient for their use another year, but direct all their en ergies to tho making of enough ootton to meet their contracts entered into before the crops arc planted. It seems reason able that any chango which will relieve them of tho obligations incurred at tho 'commencement of the year will leave tlieai more free to pitch for smaller cotton and larger corn crops. Had the close of the war left the planters of the South in a condition to lnako otto crop without running in debt, wo imagine that tho con dition of our section would bo vastly bet ter to-day than it now is. It was tho credit system of farming and the obliga tion to pay the laborers out of tho pro ceeds of tho ootton crop as soon ns raised, that greatly augmented this crop and re duced that of other products. The de crease of the number of hired laborers will of course cause a corresponding de crease of the aggregate agricultural pro ducts; hitt as it will to the same extent WBscu the obligations incurred by the planters in advance for hire and provis ions, we believe that the loss in product ion will effect the cotton crop mostly, and that in nearly tho ratio of his release from debt will bo the planter’s release from his accepted obligation to raise much cotton and little grain. COT TO -V- Ueceipts for two weeks past have been unusually heavy, bringing tho aggregate -fully up to the receipts of last season to corresponding dates. But we do not ac cept this as conclusive proof that tho to tal receipts of the season will be as groat, as those of the previous season. We are disposed to accept the comparative falling »ff, up to a recent date, as a better crito -•touoftho extent of the crop than the extraordinary receipts of the last fort night. Why ? Because the depression caused by the-financial “panic" so mate rially affected the price of cotton as to in duce planters to hold it as long as they could, in the hope of an improving condt ti-»n of business and an advancing price of their staple. This hope has been par tially realized, and tho near approach of the close of tho year would not allow to a great many any further delay ; therefore there has of late been a rush of cotton to market. It is fairly presumable that pressing obligations will in a great meas ure have been discharged by the first of January, and that after that time the fail ing off in receipts will be as marked as the increase has been for the last two weeks, l'hat there is cotton enough iu the coun try to carry the total receipts up to these of 1872-3, wo do not believe. A similar reaction in receipts, following the falling off caused by the panic, is now reported in flour, grain and hogs. Not withstanding the reports of a diminished wheat crop, the receipts of the last few weeks have been unusually heavy, and tho number of hogs slaughtered is now said to be 45 per cent, greater than last season. We believe that this increase in receipts es breadstuffs and hogs is no criterion of •he aggregate supply, but has of late been * imulatail by cruses similar to those which have so singularly run up the late cot'on receipts. HARRIED. At the residence of Mr. Amos, iu La- Grange, on Tuesday morning, by Rev. M. •L Hardin, Rev. J. 11. DeVoiie, P. D.. of Griffin, and Mrs. Georgia Amos, of L\- Grange—ail of Georgia. [We are sure that from many fr ends in Columbus, Dr. DeVotio will receive hearty congratulations on this 1a; py event of his life, with earnest wi-hss for his welfare.] ' lumnr is current in Davis that Mar shal Bazine has lied from the country ; H,so a report that Henri Roncbfort has died at the Penal Settlement in New Cale donia. VOL. XV. -1 111(111 OLD ALABAMA JUDGE. He have heretofore had oecasiontoal i lude to the strange antics of Hon. E. 11. Kofis, Judge of tho City Court of Eufaula. t Alabama. The accounts before us show that on Thursday and Friday last he was cutting up in oven a more extravagant i manner than usual. Wo derive these facts from tho accounts of the News of : Saturday: After opening Court on Thurs i Judge Keils inquired of the Sheriff j 110 ila <l telegraphed to the Sheriff of Montgomery to arrest Mr. M. McNair (the judge’s son-in-law.) Tho Sheriff replied becau» he had a writ for his arrest, | baße 't upon an indictment, made by the Grand Jury. The Judge then asked if the Sheriff di.l not know that ho (Judge K.) had taken tho recognizance of Mc- Nair for hi i appearance. The Sheriff an -1 f, * ered thr ‘t Ire did not. The Judge said that it was the Sheriff's business to know; I “ n ibe thereupon made an order suspend | ing tho Sheriff, and another appointing a negro Bailiff as Sheriff. Not content with ; Biis, tho Judge quashed the venire of | jurors made up by tho Sheriff, and order ed his appointed Sheriff tomako new ones. ! The first panned made out by tho new ; Sheriff was also quashed because some of ' the jurors selected had signified their wil lingness to receive and circulate Eagle and j I’henix certificates. Finally the negro t Sheriff made up pannels composed of 21 [ negroes and 2 whites, which his Honor accepted. Tho News says that one of them is charged with larceny, another buglary, and a third with horse stealing. Tho next step of the Judge was to direct the dis missal of several cases carried np by cer tiorari from the Mayor’s Court—ail against negroes. The City Attorney ob jected, but the Judge said he was deter mine! to put the cases out of court, and entered upon his docket in each case, “Jury, and verdict of not guilty!” The Montgomery Advertiser of Sunday has a paragraph alluding to this conduct of Judge Keils, which may either bo founded ou reports distorting the facts as abovo given, or it may furnish the sequel to what ia reported above. We copy from the Advertiser: It was reported here yesterday that there had been quite a little excitement in Eufaula over anew attempt on the part of Keils, Judge of the City Court, to play the role of a Judicial tyrant. It. appears that the grand jury found a true bill against a son-in-law ol’ Keils for forgery. Keils pocketed the indictment, and Judge Wood, prosecuting attorney, demanded it. Keils refused to surrender it. An altercation ensued; which resulted in •Judge Keils ordering Judge Wood to jail for five days and to pay u fine of $l5O for each day. The upshot of the whole matter was that Judge Keils left the city, and Judge Woods did not go to jail. Keils is Judge of that Court which the people of Barbour county asked the last Legislature to abolish, and which would have been abolitihed had the House had time to act. upon tho Senate bill. O Vll STATES EX A TE. We are told that Gen. Toombs, in his Wilkes county speech, advocating a Con stitutional Convention, named as one of tho changes which ho wished to see effect ed, the giving of a Senator to each county in the State. This is one of the changes to which we are most decidedly opposed. It would add one hundred members to the Senate, and make that body almost as unwieldy as the House; greatly in crease the cost of each session of tho Leg islature; and, we bolieve, tend to lower the character of tho Senate in point of ability and independence of local cliques. It is apparent that a wire-working dema gogue can more easily control a nomina tion or secure an election in one county than in three. Local feelings or influen ces, over-riding considerations of the public good, can more easily oarry astray five hundred or a thousand voters than threo or four thousand. Tho present Senate of 11 members is a much more efficient and working body than the House with its 175; and the latter body, com posed of representatives of small constit uences, and being peculiarly the popular representative body, is competent to se cure attention to all local wants. The great State of New York, w ith its popula tion of over four millions, lias a Senate consisting of only 33 members; Alabama, very nearly as populous as Georgia, has only 33; and surely Georgia ought to be content with 11, especially as the mem bers of its lower House represent smaller constituencies than those of either New' York or Alabama. But we object to Gen. Toombs’ propo sition for another and more weighty rea son.. It would increase, instead of dimin ishing, the inequalities of popular repre sentation iu tho Senate. To give Coffee county, with its Hi.lo people, as large a representation in the Senate as Chatham with its 41,000 —to give Charlton, Echols, Glasscock, Johnson and Fierce, with pop ulations ranging from 1,800 to 3,000, as many Senators as Fulton, Richmond, Bibb and Houston, with populations counting from 20,000 to 33,000 each—does not seem to us to be a reform in the right di rection. There is nothing democratic in it, unless democracy means a representa tion of corporations instead of popular numbers. We believe that the character of the j Senate of Georgia has been elevated by the reduction of the number of its mem- j bers to 4 1; we believe that it is now more of a popular representative body than it would be under the proposed change, be cause the grouping of counties gives a better opportunity (though still an imper fectone) to adjust representation to popu lation, than would an arbitrary Senatorial representation of the separate counties without the least regard to population; anil we aro sure that the State will be saved an expense of $25,000 or $30,000 for each session by having a Senate of 44 instead of 130 members. Therefore we are decidedly opposed to Gen. Toombs’ proposition relating to tho Senate. DR. L. F. IT. ANDREWS. This well-known old editor anil citizen of Columbus has commenced the publica tion of a monthly magazine devoted to the religion which he teaches. It is printed in very handsome style by V. P Sisson & Cos , of Atlanta, and is edited with Dr. Andrews’ usual vigor and point. Those who believe in the Universalis! faith or feel interested in its doctrines, wili find this magazine entertaining and instinctive. It is entitled "Messenger of Covenant," a monthly religions maga zine, devoted to the defence and illustra tion of the doe!line of the "fluid salvation of men.” Terms of the magazine—$2 per annum a single copy. Six copies, $lO. len copies, $lO. Cash otders may, for tho present, be forwarded to the editor at A mer.cus. Lost. —The New York Times says ail hope of the safety of the steam ship ißtna’ia, of the Anchor Steamship lin\ which sailed from New York over seven weeks ago, has been given up. Her crew of forty-five men were all English men. ‘•Gath,"a Washington correspondent of tho Chicago Times , says it has been “no secret in official circles that the Presi dent's choice for the succession to his effive is Hamilton Fish. THE WEEKLY SUN. GEORGIA XEWS. T n tL ® I S. District Court, at Savau '’OaMkursday, Judge Erskine instruct ed the Clerk to enter the names of no persons as attorneys of record who are noi attorneys in that court. This pre vents the recognition of petitions in I bankruptcy, &c., filed by attorneys who ' “ nvo n°t been admitted to praclico in tho Federal Courts. A public meeting in Wilkes county, last 'reek, instructed the Representatives of the county in the Legislature to vote for ree call of a Constitutional Convention. yen. Toombs addressed tho meeting in i favor of tho Convention. Tho Georgian says that two baios of cotton were sold in Athens Thursday, that were grown and packed in the year 1837. Judge n. n. Tooke, ono of the most prominent citizens of Thomas county, | on Thursday last, aged 50 years. He had filled the offico cf Ordinary of the county ever since tho creation of the office. The gin house of Mr. J. M. Alston— the finest in Sumter county—was burned on.tho night of the 12th inst., with three bales of cotton andtlioseod from 00 bales. ; ft i* supposed to have been fired by an incendiary. M. H. McAfee was eleoted a Represen tative of Lee county, on the 17th inst., at 1 a special election held to fill the vacancy caused by tho death of Dr. n. B. Lipsey. Mr. McAfee is a Democrat. About 39 bales of cotton, belonging to Mr. S. Fatman, were burned on a platform I near the Tyler Cotton Fress in Savannah, ! on Sunday morning. It is supposed that I the cotton was fired by some ono smok- 1 ing. Col. T. J. Smith, Master of the Georgia j State Grange, had his hand seriously in- j jureil by falling against the saw in his j steam saw mill iu Washington county. T At Houston Superior Court last week, I Nelson MeGehee, negro, was sent to the j penitentiary for twenty years for killing ! Mr. Ferney Pool, near Henderson, a short | time since; and Nelson Wilson, negro, for 1 lifo, for killing Abram Razor, another ! negro. The gin-house of Mr. George Dend wyler, of Jackson county, together with thirty-six bales of cotton* was destroyed by fire on the 18th inst. The Perry Journal says that the Grand Jury of Houston county found a true bill “against Mr. Haight, manager of the Great Eastern Circui, for violating the Sabbath by unloading and putting up his canvas, etc., last Sunday. Also against several followers of the show for keeping gambling tables. A bill wa3 aHo found against Colonel Virgil Powers, Superin tendent of the Southwestern Railroad, for running a freight train on the Sabbath in bringing the circus to Perry. We re gret this very much, as Mr. Bowers is a Christian gentleman, and wo are quite sure he is not to blame for that infringe ment of the slalute. The cotton factory which Col. Howell was putting up near Atlanta, and in which the people of that place took great inter est. was burned Monday night. The Con stitution says that it was insured for $27,- 000, and this insurance will perhaps cover tho loss. Tho burning of tho factory is justly considered a public calamity. The origin of the firo is unknown. Tho jury in tho Bedell caso was dis charged at four o’clock Tuesday, after over one week’s investigation of the caso. The jury stood seven for acquittal, threo for manslaughter, anil two undecided. This makes tho second mistrial in the caso. A. L. Harris (“Fatty Harris," who acted so conspicuous a part in the forced re-or ganization of the Georgia Legislature un der Gen. Meade,) was tried for felony in the Superior Court of Fulton, and a ver dict of not guilty rendered on Tuesday. Wo behove that the charge hail reference to his conduct while a Stato Road official. W. L. Clifton, a convict sentenced to a term in Fulton county jail, but who was allowed “prison bounds,” was stabbed and killed by James Ratteree, near At lanta, on Tuesday. They had some dis pute about turning out iu tho road. RESOLUTIONS PASSED lIY THE UNION SPRINGS GRANGE. In viow of the advisory resolutions, adopted by the Convention Granges, as sembled here on tho 4th of this month, bo it resolved: Ist. That wo will so pitch our crops as to raise an abundant supply of provisions for homo consumption. 2d. That we will raise and prepare for market, or home use, as large an amount of .stock, such as horses, hogs, cows, &c., ns it is practicable for us to do. 3d. That wo will endeavor so to ar range our contracts with laborers as to embrace the whole time up to Christmas, so that what of the time is not occupied in planting, cultivating and gathering the crop, may be employed in repairing our farms and improving our lands. 4:h. That we will not employ a laborer who may at the time be under contract with another party, unless a certificate of discharge be presented from his former employer, anu that we will not employ a convicted felon until his sentence is ful filled. THE FLORIDA RAILROAD SQUAB. RLE. Special to the Morning News. Tallahassee, Fla., Dec. 21. —Attorney General Cooke and Secretary of State MoLin, who is the editor of the Sentinel, the Radical organ here, had a personal rencontre on the street yesterday evening. Cooke knocked McLin down twice, which ended the trouble. The difficulty grew out of certain com ments made by the Sentinel yesterday upon Judge Cooke’s letter to the Florid ian of last week, in which he repudiated tho idea that the State of Florid* is re sponsible for the four millions of bonds issued by Reed to Littlefield in aid of the Jacksonville, Pensacola and Mobile rail road, the proceeds of which were sent to North Carolina to pay Littlefields fraudu lent debts in that State The shock botwoen these two Cabinet officers is considered here as the opening of the ball in respect to this railroad squabble, which, it is hoped, will end in the State’s triumph. There is not much sympathy expressed for McLin hereabouts. Osceola. OFFICIAL VOTE OF VIRGINIA LAST NOVEMBER. The complete official vote of Virginia for Governor on tho 4th of November has been published. The vote is given by Congressional Districts, and compares with the vote for Congressmen in 1572 as follows : Governor. 1873. Conore-s, 1872. Cons. llep. Vist. Kemper. Hughes Cons. Adm. Ist 12.425 9,720 10 314 10.657 2-k1 12,81-9 14.738 10.329 15,633 3rd 14,792 12 481 12,514 13,082 4th 10.285 16.012 8.068 15,393 sth 11.737 9 239 8,075 9,175 tito 34,233 10,8*1 11,401 10,779 7th 15,095 6 748 10,894 6,738 sth 13 931 8,500 11.782 9 IS7 9th 15,401 0,202 10,325 6,324 Total... 120,738 93,4,9 93,728 95,907 Bv the abovo figures, James L. Kem per’s (Conservative) majority for Govern or over Robert W. Hughes is 27,239-8,- 908 greater than Walker’s (Cons.) majori ty for Governor in ISG9. In 1869, the total vote for Governor was 220,739 ; this year it was 214.237, or 6,502 less than in 1809. The increase this year over the Conservative vote for Congressmen in 1572 is 27,009; the decrease in the Re publican vote is 2, JOS. Gen. Johnston's Campaign. —lt is un deistood that Gen. J. F.. Johnston’s histo ry of his campaigns will soon be brought out. It will be a volume of about six hundred pages. It was currently report ed some t m i ago that the book will severelv assail President Davis in rela tion to the conduct of the war; but that is decie t, a id it is said by those who are well inform id that the General will con iine hi uself to an explanation and vindi oitiou of hisown military record.—Lonis cille Courier-Journal. Three cxlfish weighing six ponnds each, were ca ight in the St. John’s river, near Palatka. last week, the first of the kind ! -ver caught in Southern waters. The Hera.ll savs: “Captain Vogel, of the steamer Dictator, pronounces them genu ine codfish.” COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30,1873. SOUTH GEORGIA CONFERENCE. Correspor.fler.ee of the Sex.] Macon, Dec. 19, 1873. THIRD DAY. Coufereuce convened at nine o'clock with Bishop Paine in the chair. Prayer by Rev. E. Heidt. The rointifes of the preceding session read. The petition of Mrs. Thos. Capers from the list of Florida Conference claimants j to South Georgia was declined, by a vote ! of tho Conference. Rev. Walter Knox read a report from • tho Committee on the Bible Cause. Rev. W. A. Parks, Agent of the A. B. S., ! made a forcible speech, favoring the dis | tribution of the Bible, j Judge Sessions, of Pierce, objected to , tho statement that three hundred families ! : in Clinch county were destitute of the Bible. Rev. J. W. Galley affirmed the fact was j stated to him by the Bible Agent. Bishop Keener was introduced, and ad : dressed the Conference, first on tho neces . sity of District Schools among the Metho j dists, secondly on the claims of the West for men and means. The Bible Agents report shows the fol- I lowing work done in tho last four years | in the State of Georgia. Sermons and addresses delivered by the : District Superintendent of the A. B. S. | 312; Money sent to the American Bible Society $28,953; Numbers of volumes of tho Bible received 62,738 ; Families found destitute of the Bible 6,570; Destitute families supplied 4,728; Destitute chil dren supplied 2,51 G; Sunday Schools sup plied 2G2 ; New auxiliaries formed 85. The hour having arrived, the Confer ence went into the election of delegates i to tho General Conference. By request, the lay delegates were al lowed to retire to nominate their dele gates. The first ballot cast elected Dr. L. Pierce, Dr. J. S. Key, Samuel Anthony and J. W. Hinton. On the fifth ballot, Dr. J. O. A. Clarke was elected. The alternates subsequently elected are —Revs. T. T. Christian, George G. N. McDonel and Dr. O. L. Smith. Tho lay delegates elected are, Judge James Jackson, of Macon, B. M. Overby, of Stewart, W. H. Ellison, of Talbot, Judge Wm. M. Sessions, of Pierce, and Rev. R. W. LovetfJ of Scriven. Their alternates are, Judge J. J. Jones, of Burke, J. J. Allen, of Decatur, M. E. Eylander, of Sumter, W. D. Grace, of Taylor and J. K. Felder, of Houston. Bishop Pierce took the chair. 18th Question —What traveling preach ers are elected deacons? Revs. B. H, Lester, A. M. Williams and P. S. Twitty. 12th Question —What traveling preach ers are elected elders ? Revs. E. J. Burch, R. M. Lockwood. Question Ist—Who are admitted on trial ? Revs. Walker Lewis, Edward J. Smith, Pleasant H. Clumpier, James 11. Henderson. Dr. J. Lewis, of St. Louis, was announ ced to preach at Mulberry Street Church to-uight; R. F. Mixon at First Street. AFTERNOON SESSION. Conference met at three o'clock, Bishop Pierce in the chair, l’rnyer by Rev. 11. H. Parks. 20th Question —“Are all the preachers blameless in their life and official admin istration ?” The several district: wore called, and the several ministers passed in review, blameless in character and offi cial relation. Bishop Pierce took the chair. Rev. R. H. Howien and 1). Blalock, were granted a snperanuated relation. Revs. G. J. Pearce and George W. Kramer were transferred to tho North Georgia Conference. General C. A. Evans, of Atlanta, was introduced to the Conference. A large number of ladies were in atten dance to-day. We see many beautiful and interesting faces, some of whom we recognized from a distance. We saw Col. Sparks and Mayor Huff in tho body to day. S. FOURTH DAT. Macon, Ga., Dec. 20th, 1873. Conference met at 9 o'clock, a. m., Bishop Pierce in the chair. Prayer by A. M. Thigpen. President A. 11. Flewellen, of Andrew- Female College, read a report of his col lege. It was referred to the Committee on Education. The following local preachers were elected to deaoon’s orders: H. Thigpen,Walker Lewis, Hamlin R. Felder, Thos. Lane, Jas. B. McCullers, Charles It. Rockwell, John T. Lowe. Tho following named local preachers were elected to Elders’ orders: Henry J. Harvey, Charles R. H. Hays, Joseph Short, James J. Tooke, John W. Watts, William Harden. The ministerial credentials of Thos. It. Stuart, a local preacher in Randolph coun ty, were restored to him. Dr. J. S. Key took the chair anil called the Legal Conference. Tho minutes of the last Legal Confer ence were read. Rev. Geo. G. .McDonnell read his report as Treasurer of the Fund of Special Relief. Rev. T. T. Christian read a report, giv ing an account of the stocks and cotes of tho Legal Conference. Rev. D. R. McWilliams stated that Mr. Writ. Whitehead, of Harris county, de ceased, left in his will six hundred dollars to the M. E. Church South, for missions. The preacher of the Hamilton circuit was appointed agent to confer with the execu tor of the said estate. Rev. J. O. A. Cook read a report as Secretary of tho Preachers’Aid Society. Rev. R. W. Dixon was elected a mem bar of the Preachers’ Aid Society, vice Rev. Wm. 51. Kennedy, deceased. Rev. A. Wright and Dr. Clarke were appointed a committee to inquire into the Myers’ fund. Father Myers, deceased, left a fund to educate a young man at Emory College, who should neither drink, smoke nor chew, and of exemplary char acter. Dr. J. S. Key was elected chairman, Rev. S. D. Clemons, Secretary, Rev. T T. Christian, Treasurer, of the Legal Con ference another year. Bishop Pierce took the chair and called for regular business. Rev. A. 51. Wynn read a report from the agents of the Orphans’ Home. Adopted. Rev. S. Anthony, Agent for the Home, read his report. The Home is loeaied two miles from Macon. The property was donated in | part by Bibb county, It is worth five thousand dollars, with one thousand since 1 added in repairs. There are eleven in mates being well cared for and educated. The agent reported that since appointed ho had collected cash $4,500; cash due this winter $2,714 : cash due in five or ten years $45,110. The follow ing are the Board of Trustees appointed for the Home : Revs. S. Anthony, A. M. Wynn, Geo. C. Clark, John W. Burke, slessrs A. L. Max | well, L. SV. Jordan, H. 1,. Jewett, J. W. Chatham. SV. D. Williams, James Jackson, Revs. J. O. Branch, and C. W. Smith. The agent made an earnest and elo quent appeal for the Orphans. Rev. slr. Wilson, of Americas, arose (while he was speaking,) to make a donation—which gave new life to Uncle Sam’s speech. By vote of the Conference, each mem ber agreed to pay one dollar a year for the Home. Rev. T. T. Christian spoke iu favor of Orphan Home Societies. Judge James Jackson read the report from tho Committee on the State of the Church. It was an able document—striking at the worldly-miudedness of the church, and the questionable amusements of the day. Several resolutions were added recom mending the General Conference to make i the law more more specific, as all ortho- j dox Christians certainly disapprove these worldly diversions. Conference adjourn ed before the paper was disposed of. i 1 Bishop Fame made a few pointing re marks, as he expects to leave on Monday morning. lie spoke in the highest terms ! of Georgia Methodism, and the two Con ; feronees. lie was willing to endorse all j the favorablo reports Bishop Pierce had 1 made of his home Conference, lie would leave him in charge to wind np the busi- I ness. Tho three Bishops (Paine, Pierce ; and Keener) were on the rostrum to-day . most of tho time—presenting an imposing ; appearance. The audience room was I crowded with visitors, and the sessionhas | reached its maximum interest. S. Macon, Deo 22. FIFTH DAY. The report from the Committee on the State of the Church was resumed, and passed without disoussion. Several reso lutions were appended, recommending General Conference to make certain changes in the book of discipline, touch ing the encroachments the world is malt ing upon the Church, etc. A communication was received from a Committee of the Florida Conference, asking this Conference to send them sev eral young ministers. Dr. J, O. A. Clark offered anew paper on the re-adjustment of the line dividing the North and South Georgia Conferences, 1 recommending the delegates of this | Conference to confer with those of the ! North Georgia Conference. Passed. Rev. J. M. Marshall read tho report on | the Southern Christian Advocate. Rev. J. W. Burke urged the preachers to in crease the circulation, as the paper is not ‘ now paying expenses. Dr. Myers spoke in behalf of the paper. He said tho size of tho paper must be reduced unless its list of subscribers be increased to ten thousand. Rev. A Wright read the report of the Board of Education. The first paper was concerning tho education of young men to the ministry. Three are at College preparing for the Conference. The next was concerning the Institu tions of Learning under the patronage of the Conference. Dr. O. L. Smith was re commended to re-appointment as Presi dent of Emory College ; Rev. .T. S. Hop kins as Professor; Dr. E. H. Myers as President of Wesleyan Female College. Revs. W. C. Bass and C. W. Smith as Professors. Th ere aro several other Col leges and High Schools holding connec tion with the Church, but are under the management of laymen in the Church. • Bishop Pierce was requested to act as Agent for tho South Georgia Conference at the Florida Conference, to porfect cer tain legal papers of Fletcher Institute, located at Thomasville. Rev. S. Anthony was requested to act Agent of the Orphans’ Home next year. Rev. A. M. Wynn offered a resolution asking that the Sunday School Board be dissolved, and that a committee be ap pointed annually to attend to the usual business. Rev. Geo. Johnson read the report of the Committee on Books and Periodicals. Tho resolutions urge the preachers to sell at least ono hundred dollars of our own publications and secure a patronage among tho Methodists of their own books and papers. Bishop Paine remanded the case of np pealjfrom a Columbus District Quarterly Conference back to said Conference for a new trial. The case of appeal from a Brunswick Quarterly Conference was confirmed as decided by tho Presiding Elder. Dr. W. 11. Hollinshed, chairman of the Board of Finance, rend his report, show ing tho assets tor Conference claimants and the bishops to bo for next year as follows: Cons. col. bishops. Savannah districts, SI,BOO $350 Macon district, 1,700 340 Columbus district, 1,800 360 Americus district, 1,400 280 Bainbridge district, 1,000 200 Thomasville district, 1,100 220 Altaipaha district, 200 40 Total, $9,000 SI,BOO Rev. Geo. G. N. McDonnell read his report as Treasurer of the Missionary So ciety. l)r. O. L. Smith offered a resolution asking the ministers to take collections for missions in the spring instead of the fall. A resolution recommending the General Conference to divide the collections for missions into a Domestic anil Foreign Board. Savannah was selected ns the next place of holding the annual Conference. NIGHT SESSION. Rev. I. S. Hopkins read the statistical report. The first Friday in April, was named as a day for fasting and prayer. Resolution of thanks to the citizens of Macon for hospitality,to the Presbyterians and Baptists for the courtesy of their pul pits, and to the Railroads for reduced fare to members of the body, were passed. Fifteen hundred copies of the minutes were ordered published. As the business of Conference was closed. Rev. Geo. C. Clarke presented to Bishop Pierce a gavel, the head of which was made of live oak wood obtained from the tree on St. Simons Island under which John Wesley preached while in America in 1735; and the handle of the arm of a bench of the Great Bethel church where the first battle of the late war was fought. The Bishop accepted in his usual racy felicitous style. After singing and prayer by Samuel Anthony, Bishop Pierce de livered a few remarks touching the high office of tho minister, and the necessi ties of self denial, after which he read the following APPOINTMENTS : Savannah District —J O A Clark. P. E. i Savannah, Trinity, H H Parks. Savannah, Wesley Church and mission, A M Wynn. Springfield. N D Morehouse. Sylvania, J D slaulden. slillen mission, R W Rogers. Bethel, E J Burch. Alexander, 3 A Rosser. Waynesboro, G S Johnston. Herndon mission, W E Shackleford. Rethanv, T B Lanier. Louisville, J 5V Glenn. Sandersville, J F slixon. Washington and Davisboro, J J Boring and J W Domingos. Gibson, J E Itorie. Macon District —J W Hinton. P. E. slacon, Mulberry Street and Viueville, i J O Branch. East slacon and city mission, Walker Lewis and J W Burke. First Street, George G N McDonell. Macon circuit, C J Toole. lrwinton, A M Williams. Jeffersonville and Gordon. B H Sasuett, and one to be supplied. Fort Ya’lev and Marshallville. F A Branch. Crawford. W W Tidwell. Perry, W F Robison. Haynevilie. W 51 D Bond. Hawkinsville and Longstreet, R .J Cor ley. Pulaski, W II Rogers. Wilcox mission, to bo supplied by R M Booth. O L Smith, President of Emory College. I S Hopkins, professor of Emorv Col lege. E H slyers, President Wesleyan Fe male College. C W Smith and W C Bass, professors in , Wesleyan Female College. Columbus District— J B MeGehee. P. E. Coiumbns, St. Luke's, J S Key. Columbus, Girard and Trinity. J W Simmons. Columbus, St. Paul's, A Wright. Broad Street, R W Dixon. Catania, S D Clements. Hamilton, E R McWilliams. Talbotton, W Knox. Talbot circuit, L B Payne. B W Key. Geneva, W G Booth. Butler. E J llentz Glen Alta and mission, C C Hines. Cusseta, RF Evans. Conference Missionary, L Pierce. Americus District —N B Onsley, P E. Americus, T T Christian. Sumter, J T Ainsworth, Geo_C Thomp son. ESlaville, W Lane, It F Williamson.sup. Smithville, B H Lester. Oglethorpe, J B Wardlaw. Montezuma, to be supplied by II R Felder. Vienna and Dooly mission, G GEmbry, : E I Smith. Cntkbert, B F Breedlove. Weston, R L Wiggins, and one to be supplied. Stewart, J 31 Potter. Buena Vista, W W Stewart. Lumpkin, A J Dean. Agent of the South Georgia Orphans’ Home, Samuel Anthony. Dawson District —R B Lester, PE. Dawson, Geo C Clarke. Terrell and Morgan, J K Littlejohn and W F Bearden. Fort Gainey and Blakely, W M Hayes. Arlington, I* C Harris. Spring Creek mission, to be supplied by J B McCullough. Bainbridge, R L Honiker, Trinity, J W Weston. Decatur, T K Leonard. Cairo, J J Giles. Camilla and Newton, P S Twitty. Albany and mission, H P Myers. Leesburg, to be supplied by W 31 Rus- ] sell. Worth mission, S N Tucker. Georgetown, L G R Wiggins. Springvale, S R Vv eaver. Thomasville District— J 3L Austin, PE Thomasville, E A II MeGehee. Boston, W M Watts. Spring Hill, P H Orumpler. Quitman, S S Sweet. Morven, J E Sentell. Moultrie, C E Boland. Valdosta, J P Wardlaw. Lowndes and Echols mission, A P Wright. Nashvslle, L A Darsey. Stockton mission, W H Thomas. Waresboro, J B Culpepper. Jessup, J L Williams. Blackshear and Waycross, H W Key. Centre Village, to be supplied by S S Moore. St. Mary’s, W A Green. Camden, T S Armstead. Brunswick and mission, J A 0 Cook. Darien, R 31 Lockwood. Hinesville and mission, J M Jlarshall. Bryan mission, W 31 C Conley. Altamah.v District —J V3I Morris, P E. Scarboro, J J 3lorgan. Dublin, J 8 Jordan. Wrightsville, D O’Discoll. Eastman mission, D G Pope. Swainsboro, to be supplied by J R Ware. Conueheo mission, W J Flanders. Jacksonville, W F-Conley. Oconee, II C Fentress. Reidsville, J Spence. Holmesville, I F Carey. Ocmulgee, 3V F Roberts. South Coffee mission, to lie supplied. G J Pearce, G W Hardaway, G R Kra mer, W K 31c3Iichael and James Jones, transferred to tho North Georgia Confer ence. J F Henderson, transferred to the Ar kansas Conference. Conference then adjourned with the Doxology ami tho Benediction by Bishop Tierce. SUNDAY IN MACON. There was preaching to-day in all the orthodox Christian churches (oxcept the P. E. Church), eight in all, by the Metho dist clergy. Bishop Paine preached at 3lulberry Street Church and ordained the deacons; Bishop Keener preached at the First Street and ordained the olders; Dr. A. G. Haygood at the First Baptist; Rev. 11. H. Parks at tho Presbyterian. Bishop Paine preached from Isaiahl-18, “Come now and let us reason together, saith tho Lord,” <&o. His reasoning was clear, forcible and scriptural. The ser mon was a remarkable effort for a man of his years. Tho vast audience, with profound and reverent attention, sat. for over an hour, listening to tho words of wisdom and pathos, as they foil in trem bling accents from the lips of the venera ble servant —now the seuior Bishop in the Southern Methodist Church. We have heard the Bishop frequently. This was his happiest effort, and probably the last he Georgia. Bishop Keener preached from Gen. 22- 8, “My son, God will prepare himself a lamb.” The Church was crowded,and tho highest encomiums aro pronounced on the sermon. It was full of thought and unction. Most of the ministers went to hear him, hav ing heard the former. Ho is a graduate of Wesleyan University, under Dr. Fisk. He is a native of Baltimore, but bis field of labor has been iu Alabama, and New Orleans, his present home. lie was elected Bishop in 1870. He goes to Mexico next month. The grandest occasion that has occurred during the week came off this afternoon in the Mulberry Street Church. It v.as the anniversary of the South Georgia Conference Sunday School Society. Three or four schools were present, numbering nearly five hundred. The first and sec ond floors of the church were crowded. The most familiar hymns from the Ama ranth swelled out from a thousand voices in sweetest harmony with the organ. The speakers were Dr. A. G. Haygood and Bishop Keener. The Bishop has a smooth face, small dark-blue eyes, high, sharp forehead, of sanguine complexion; erect form andepaick step. He wields the most facile pen of any of the Bishops. Bishop Paine came forward aud pro nounced a blessing in a few words on the children, which closed those happy exor cises as the sun was sinking to her rest amid the radiant glory of a Western sky. The memorial service was held in Mul berry St. Church Sunday evening. The memoir of Wm. M. Kennedy was read by Rev. R. W. Dixon. Bovs. F. A. Branch, H. H. Parks, J. W Simmons, and Geo. Clarke spoke briefly of the memory of the deceased. He was a faithfnl man; died in his SGthyear, the 25th of his min istry. Kev. Wm. J. Parks, who died in Ox ford, was not a member of this confer ence, yet his memoir is in place here. Dr. O. L. Smith read the memoir. He was a preacher well-known in Georgia. His ministry; of over fifty years, extended over the greater part of Georgia. Kev. S. Anthony spoke feelingly of his old yoke-fellow in the gospel of other days. ilev. A. Wright spoke of his connection with the deceased in his early ministry— his indebtedness to him for godly and wise council. Dr. O. L. Smith called up several inci dents —one, his last talk before the public —which was to the children. His death was triumphant. A good man has gone. His place is bard to fill. Kev. S. S. Sweet read the memoir of Bishop John Early. We shall add nothing to what has al ready been in public print, concerning the great and good man. Bishop Paine addressed the congrega tion on the life and character of Bishop Early. It was most thrilling and interest ing ; full of incidents of bis early boy hood ministry in connection with John Early. He closed with an earnest exhor tation and an invitation to the altar. Several responded. S. BANKRUPT DECISION. Washington, Dec. 22.—The Supreme Court to-day rendered the following de cision iu the case of Wilson, as signee in bankruptcy of Yandeikoff Bros, vs. City Bank of St. Paul, certificate of dismission from the Circuit Court for 3linnesota : In thi3 case Vanderhoff Bros., owing the Bank, suffered their entire stock of goods to be soized on execution on a judgment obtained by default againstj.them by the Bank, and thus, as alleged, fraudulently preferred tho Bank over their other credi tors, against the provisions of the bank rupt act, and the assignee sought to have the proceedings of the sale on execution applied on the claims of the creditors. Ou those facts tho following questions arose, on which the] Court decided, and they were certified to this Court for answer : First, Whether or not it was j* the intention of the firm to! suffer their property to bo taken on executions with intent to give a pref- I : erence to tho hank, or with intent to de- I feat or delay tho Bankrupt Act, can bo : inferred from tho facts stated. Second, whether, under the facts,tho bank in their proceedings had reasonable cause to believe that a fraud on the Bankrupt Act was intended by tho firm, and third, I whether, under the circumstances, the j bank obtained by the levy and executions a rated lion on tho goods as against the assignee in bankruptcy. In their opinion tho court say that something more than the passive non-rosistauce of an insolvent debtor to regulate judicial proceedings, in which a judgment and execution are had when tho debt is due and ho is with out just defence to the action, is neces i sary to show preferment of a creditor or a purpose to defeat or delay the operation of tho Bankrupt Act. That the facts that he debtor under such circumstances does not tile a petition in bankruptcy is not suf ficient evidence of such preferenca or de sire to defeat the operation of tho aot. That though tho judgment creditors in such a curb may know the insolvent con ; dition of tho debtor, his levy anil seizure i is not void under the circumstances, nor any violation of tho bankrupt law. That a lien thus obtained by him wilL not be displaced by subsequent proceeding in bankruptcy against a debtor, though with in four months of tho filing of the bill, these propositions require the question certified to be answered. The first two in tho negativo and tho third in the af firmative. This decision overrules or largely qualifies what was said by 3lr. Justice Clifford in delivering the opinion of the Court in Buchanan vs. Smith at the last term. CORRESPONDENCE ON THE ISA NIC -11 UPT LA I r. Washington, ‘.Deo. 22.— Senator Hitch cock has addressed tho following letter to Senator Edmunds, Chairman of the Com mittee on Judiciary: U. S. Senate Chamber, > Washington, D. C., Dec. 20, 1873./ Boar Sir: —Regretting the failure of tho Senato to act prior to the holidays’ re cess upon the bill repealing the bankrupt aw, so far, at least, as to wipe out the present oppressive features of involunta ry bankruptcy, and fearing that such fail ure will aggravate tho financial suffering and to tho already long list of victims, I desire to obtain your opinion of tho feasibility of so amending tho bankrupt law as to make tho repeal of tho oppressive fea tures retroactive, and also . your opin ion as to the probability of the early pas sage of such amendment. Y’our reputa tion as a lawyer and position as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary, Committee, 'will give weight to your opinion, and such opinion, if affirmatively given upon each of tho proportions abovo named, will, I think go far to relieve public anxiety, and prevent useless and oppressive litigation. Faithfully yours, P. M. ITitchoock. To Hon. G. E. Edmunds, Chairman of Senate Committee on Judiciary. Senator Edmunds replied as follows: U. S. Senate Chamber,! Washington, D. C., Doc. 22, 1873. / Dear Sir: I have received your note of 20th inst., and say in reply, I do not pro fess lo speak for any person but my self. of course, but, so speaking, I have no hesitation in saying that any provision that may bo made respecting the forcing of debtors into involuntary bankruptcy, and proceedings thereupon, will, so.far as my voice goes, be retroactive in such a way that no person will gain anything by any oppressive steps towards debtors. ! Pending the consideration of the qnes tion, as all such matters relate to remedies which Congress mnyßako away altogether if it pleases, there will be no impropri ety in making any wise provisions which regulates the proceedings to just ends apply to pending casos, and I feel great j confidence that such'will be the opinion j of the Senate. Very truly, yours, George F. Edmunds. To Hon. r. 31. Hitchcock, U. S. Senate. MORE A G It Alt I ANTS M. Chicago, Dec. 22.—Tho laborers’ meet ing last night was disorderly. The senti meut that tho day is npproaching for an equitable division of wealth was loudly applauded. The employed will march to the court house to-night. Gravo conse quences are apprehended. New York, Dee. 22.—A Cincinnati spe cial says the attitude of the workingmen there causes a feeling of Insecurity anil apprehension. Cincinnati, Dec. 22.—Two meetings of laborers held. The German meeting de nounced the press as in league with capi talists. Carl Rosa, an Austrian agitator, said the condition of the workingmen was worse hero than in Germany. Tho Irish meeting contented itself with denunciations against the city govern ment. Both meetings siiruly attended. Chicago, Dec. 22.—The meeting of the Workingmen was addressed in English, German and Polish. They urged em ployment by the city when other” sonrees of work failed ; otherwise the city should supply tho necessaries of life. ILLINOIS FARMERS’ PLATFORM. Chicago, Dec. 19. —The Illinois State Farmers’ Association concluded its annu al session at Decatur last night after adopt ing a platform of which the following are the main points: They declare that every American voter should do all in their pow er to secure tho election of honest and competent men to office; that farmers are absolved from all allegiance to the old political parties; that, the repeal of the salary grab law should be retroactive; that large salaries arc antagonistic to (Repub lican principles; that tho civil service should be reformed. They favor improv ing tho navigation of lakes and rivers; oppose the protective tariff; deprecate the system of subsidies; favor a legal ten der currency issued directly by the Gov ernment and interchangeable bonds, bear ing the lowest possible rate of interest; demand a revision of the patent laws: in sist upon pientiial sessions of the Legis lature; assort the right of the State Legis lature to legislate for the control of rail roads, and opppose any attempt of Con gress to exercise such control. W. 0. Flagg was re-elected President, and S. M. Smith, Secretary, with a Vice- President from each Congressional dis iet. tr _ . . AS OTHER STRIKE. Phii.adel.phia, Dec. 22.— There is con siderable excitement along the wharves in consequence of a strike among the labor ers. All the steamship lines have given notice that on to-day they would only pay 20 cents per honr. All the men struck,de manding 20 cents per hour. TheAmerican steamship line paid 30 cents, in order to unload the steamer Pennsy.vania, which arrived on Saturday, and the hands con tinued work. The Clyde’s steamer line had obtained men at 20 cents. The strikers claimed the submission of the American line as a harbinger of success and seem determined to force those work ing at a lower rate to join the strikers. AX ESCAPE. New Yowl, Dec. 22. —Harry Genet, convicted of fraud in connection with a ring, has been in the custody of the Dep uty Sheriff since Friday. Genet obtained j leave to go up stairs to see his wife.. The ' Sheriff stepped aside. Genet non tit. no. 47. WASHINGTON .VE n s. Washington, Dec. -'.’.—The President 1 is expected to-morrow. : A delegation of colored persons is com | ing here to urge Congress to give them ■ their property rights in the Indian Terri- I torv and citizenship, together with courts I and a form of government to protect them. Capt. Mitchell, who was arrested last week for abstracting money from letters in Dead Letter Office, had a preliminary examination to-day and was held for action of Grand Jury. Congressman Waddell, of North Caro lina, is nmong the homeward-bound to day. The of Agriculture is much annoyed by persons sending money to pay postage on seeds, reports, etc., and therefore gives notice that money should never be sent to his department for any purpose. Washington, Dec.^23.—The Supremo 1 Court adjourned to the fifth proximo. j The President stated emphatically to- ; day that the nomination of Attorney Gen- j eral Williams for Chief Justice would not j bo withdrawn, and that ho had never con- 1 templated such a thing. The President and company returned here this morning from St. Louis. TEEEGRAPHIC ITEMS. St. Louis, December 22.—Grant, with the persons who attended the funeral of Col. Dent, from Washington, enjoyed a grand ? dinner given by Gen. Hawley, after which the gay party left for Wash ington. New York, Dec. 22. —The Baptist Church, corner of Nassau and Liberty streets, Brooklyn, burned; loss $500,000. Washington, Dee. 22.—Mascon Fow ler, Wm. Ramsey and John Whittlocks, convicted a year ago of Ku-Klnxism, have been pardoned. Judge Williams’ opinion covers a col umn. He argues the Virginius’ papers were obtained by false pretences and that the title of the vessel was in aliens. -VJJir TO IK ITEMS. New Yohji, December 22. Recorder Hackett to-day sentenced a man to twenty years imprisonment for committing rape on a girl eight years old. The Recorder regretted he could not impose the death sentence. Sheriff Brennan has offered $5,000 re ward for tho’arrest of Genet. Action has nlroady been taken by the Dis trict Attorney toward proceedings against the Sheriff for contempt of Court—for alleged disobedience of orders of the Court in reference to thecustody of Genet. In tho Court of Oyer and Terminer to day, Genet’s counsel said they would pro ceed to perfect Jheir bill of exceptions. THE nil) HE It CASE. Montgomery, December 20. In the case of the United vs. Louis Fritz, on trial before United States Commissioner Dresser, the testimony shows that Fritz confessed having in his possession a note given to Francis Widmer for tho sum of $2,500; also a note of Hend’s, late mail contractor, for $2,000, besides other notes amounting to $2,500 —nearly enough in the aggregate to cover the reported amount for which Widmer defaulted. Widmer’s administrator demanded these notes, and Fritz denied having them, and tho case against him rests outlie charge of making way with papers of value, etc. The case promises to involve soveral officials in a serious difficulty. IIOX. A. 11. STEPHENS AM) TIIE COIOEEI) HEX. Washington, Dee. 25.—A colored dele gation, composed of Geo. T. Downing, Frederick Douglass, N. W. Cnrrey, F. G. Barbadoes, D. A. Striker and Wm.* J. Wil son , had an interview to-day, by appoint ment,with Representative a! ll.'Stephens, of Georgia, who received the delegation in the most friendly manner. The dele gation report that in the course of con versation Stephens freely admitted that the colored men as citizens were entitled to full protection in their civil rights without any invidious proscription, but that it was the dutyj of tho respective States, and not that of tho Federal Gov ernment, to act in order to secure them. He stated ho was preparing a speech to bo delivered in the House of Represent atives on the Civil Rights bill, and in this his views were fully expressed. REQUEST VOin FOE UNCER TAINTY. Baltimore, Doc. 23.—1n the Circuit j Court for Baltimore City, to-day, Judge 1 Pinkney decided that a bequest to the 1 Bishop of Western Maryland in trust to bo used for tho erection of a mission church in the City of Baltimore was void, on the ground of uncertainty. The late ! Rev. Geo. Morrison, after making a nnm- : her of bequests in his will, declares, “the balance I desire to be left to the Bishop of Western Maryland, in trust, to be used for the erection of a mission church in the City of Baltimore." Bishop Whit tingham sued tho executor of Morrison to recover the bequest, and the court say there cannot be a trustee without cestui que trust, and if it cannot bo ascertained who tho cestui que trust is, it is the same as if thore were none, and the bequest is void for uncertainty. THE STEVEDORE STRIKE. Philadelphia, Dec. 23. —The strike of long-shoremen continues. The Southern Steamship Company had their regular force of twelve men at work yesterday, and also succeeded in getting six ad ditional men this evening at the reduced rate. Os these six men three were beaten last night after they quit work. Asa natural consequence, the Company is without extra stevedores this morning, inen willing to work being afraid to work, else, whereas they may bo protected by the presence of policemen during the day, they have pretty solid assurance that the strikers wiil be after them at night. This Company,will not yield, though they have three vessels in port at present, all being unloaded, and have others to or five in a few days. THE D Lit ELI. OMMI XT EE Washington, Dec. 23.—Messrs. SViison and Eldridge leave not later than Satur day. They will be accompanied by a a Sergeant-at-Arms. It is the intention of tho Committee, while avoiding State politics and complications, to investigate every action of tho Federal Court which it is claimed taints Judge Durell’s erinino. The Committee is not cramped for lime, and will remain in New Orleans until ail the facts are elicited. DEATHS FROM GAS. Cincinnati, Dec. 23. —Edward Sehuars Koegel, his child aud wife, recently front Baltimore, and natives of Prussia, were found in their room at the hotel, corner of Pearl and Central Avenue, tho two former dead and tho latter in a dying con dition, from inhaling gas which they had neglected to turn off before retiring. HRS. ALEX. AGASSIZ DEAD. Boston, Dec. 23.—The wife of Alexan der Agassiz,-son of the late professor, died last night of pneumonia, superindu ced by fatigue in her attendance upon her father-in-law during his illness. Mrs. Agassiz was a daughter of the late G. It. Kassel). WO At EX IS ELIGIBLE. Boston, Dec. 21. —City Solicitor Healy, to whom the question was referred, gives his opinion that women cannot legally serve on Boston School Committees, l our women were chosen to that position at the recent election. THE WAIt IX SPAIX. Bayonne, Deo. 24.—Ten steamers ar rived at San Sebastian for the purpose of embarking a force of Republicans under General Marionez, which is surrounded by | thirty-thousand Carlists and cannot escape capture exeeptby taking refuge on ves j sels. Complicity in confiscation and bank -1 rapt frauds, and conduct unbecoming a i Judge, are the charges against Judge Du j rell, which the Congressional Committee . is about investigating. TUB VIRGINIUS PRISONERS. Reported Extorted Confessions—Destitute Condition of tlio Prisoners. Key West, Dec. 23. —A special says the survivors of the Yirginius were kept in ignorance of their fate, and were visited by bogus priests, who exacted dying con fessions. They thought they were going to death, and upon the confessions of these poor wretched, it is said, Attorney Geneial Williams founded his opinion that tho Virginius had no right to bear tho American colors. The poor fellows supposed they were going to the slaughter house, but the presence of the Juniata, I and surrender to her officers led to most | extraordinary emotional demonstrations. On tho arrival of the Pinta at Santiago, orders came to the ship from Commander Brain for tho paymaster to issno all the blankets and pea-jackets in his De partment to tho prisoners, who wero hardly fit to be seen in their rags. This was speedily done, but as there was still great destitution or ders came for every man on board to give their own blankets and wearing ap parel in tho good cause, promise being made that all would be replaced. On tho arrival of tho ship at Key West, the offi cers and men cheerfully complied with this order, only preferring that it should be issued as a request, in which case they would have obeyed with just as much alacrity. Every heart was touched by tho pitiable condition of the prisoners. The poor fellows report that they wero barba rously treated. j They say that when officers from the Tornado boarded the Yirginius, one of them on hauling down the flag of the United States tore it into ribbons and trampled on it, asserting with an oath, “This is what I havo wanted.” The situ ation in Santiago do Cuba is reported still very serious A large majority of the inhabitants are in sympathy with tho Cuban cause, but volunteers control every thing with a high hand. Only a week ago twenty-five citizens at Santiago were arrested, and after a mock trial had been gone through with, without any evidence being adduced against them, were told to go home. On their way they were brutally waylaid and killed, only ono escaping. He was riddled with bullets and dangerously wounded. Americans aro continually in fear for iheir lives, and bitterly complain that nothing lias peon done to redress their wrongs. It is not safe for American offi cers to go ashore alone at Santiago. All along the river lino tho Spaniards are erecting new batteries. THE VIRGINIUS INVESTIGATION. Washington, Dec. 23.- It has been as certained from a prominent government official that the investigation as to tho character of tho Virginius will bo con ducted in New York, though the Govern ment is powerless to proceed against Pat terson, to whom tho register for that ves sel was issued, on account of the statute of limitations; therefore no punishment can bo inflicted. Two yearn having elapsed since ho obtained the papers, he cannot be molested; but had all tho facts becomo known within the two years, he would have been prosecuted for perjury. SPAIN'S DEMAND FOR .THE VIE GINIUS. London, Dec. 23.— Tho Times of this morning, alluding to the report that Spain has made a demand upon ,tlie United States for the restoration of tho steam ship Virginius and at Santiago De Cuba, says such action on the part of Spain would bo {premature, despite the opinion of the Attorney Gen eral of tho United Slates, that the Virgin ins had no right to carry the American flag. Spain must wait until the United States Court has settled tho case before proceeding further in the matter. TIIE VIRGINIUS TANGLE. Tone cf tho Havana I’ress. Havana, Dec. 23. —The IJiario La Marina to-day claims that as the* United States Attorney General has decided that the Virginius illegally carried tho Ameri can flag at the time of her capture, Spain must demand her restoration and that of her surviving prisoners. It infers from the decision that the Virginius was a pirate, and tho United States Government,,besides ’n restoration, must give Spain satisfaction adequate to tho offence of requiring her surrender. The Uiario demands tho same vessel [which received the Virginius at Baliia Honda to return her there, and the Juniata to bring tho prisoners back to Santiago, because the Virginius was the legal prize of tho Tornado, and the prisoners can, and should be tried only by Spanish tribunals. Spain is advised to'bo clement with them, and not to employ tho full force of law. The Diario concludes with^the hope that General Sickles will;no! withdraw his resignation. The los tie Cuba declares Spain now has tho right to demand satisfaction from the United States,'and the resignation of General Sickles is imperative, in view of the awkward aud ridiculous position in which he is placed. In order to enforce her demands Spain requires a more ener getic minister at Washington than Admi ral Polo. riio Diarl o, ia another article, bitterly complains of the homo Government, it says: “No Spanish nation exists to-day. The nation is represented only by egotis tical parties. There is no war cry. There fore'our traditional enemies put their feet on our necks. Had Spain been united the Washington protocol would never havo been ratified. Tho nation would never have permitted the shadow of such an outrage.” WAR OPERATIOXS IS CUBA. Key West, Dec. 24. —Advices from Cu ban sources relative to military move ment,? of tho Caban army state that in the attack on Manzanillo, on the Kith of November, tho Insurgents captured 23 rifles, SOO cartridges, a quantity of gold and Spanish bank notes, cloth, provisions, Ac., besides destroying ouo million dollars worth of property and capturing one hun dred prisoners, who wero parolied. The losses of the Spaniards wero estimated at over two hundred, while the Cuban loss thirteen officers and sixty privates killed and wounded. On November 20th, tho Cuban army went into camp at Banja, having made further captures of 150,000 cartrigos, 70 rifles and a numbor of horses. Cuban agents ia this city state that orders have been received that no more rifles are re quired by tho Cuban forean, as they have captured more than sufficient to arm all tho forces they can put .at nresent in the field. It turns out to boa mistake that tho Secretary of tho Navy has ordered all ex tra work to cease at the Navy Yards. The order is that extra hours of work shall cease. TELEGRAPHIC ITEMS. New York, Dec. 24.—Doland A Burrell, glove dealers, and William 11. Carpenter, miiiinery goods, suspended. The amount involved is believed to be about £300,000. The case of John W. Norton, charged with appropriating to his own use $115,- 000 of Government funds while employed in the Money Order Department of the PostofQce, came up yesterday, and a mo tion was made to squash the indictment on the ground that Airs. Norton had turn ed over all the property, on condition that criminal proceedings against her hus band should be abandoned. The decision is reserved. Boston, Doc. 21. At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Museum of Com parative Zoology to-day, resolutions rep resenting irreparable loss totke museum was sustained in the death of Prof. Agas siz wero adofctcd. Washington, Dec. 24.— The Execu tive office will be closed from now until after New Year’s day. Paws, Dec. 24.—Tho reportediflght of Bazaine is unfounded. New Yoiik, Dec. 24.- Stock exchange closes to-day and next Wednesday at one o’clock. St. Louis, Dec. 24. —Collector White’s lead and oil works burned; loss SOO,OOO. New Y’oek, Dec. 24.—ThonKfe C. Chisholm, a prominent Chicago graiu dealer, v/lio recently arrived here, has dis appeared. 8 ESA TO 7? IA I. Tit ASS POR TA TIOX COMMITTEE. Atlanta, Dec. 24.—Tho United States Senatorial Transportation Committee met at the Kimball House to-day. Col. B. W. Frobel made an argument in favor of tho Atlantic and Great Western Canal. Tho argument was well received by the Com mittee. Col. AleFarland, U. S. Engineer, made a report of the survey of the route! The Committee leaves to-morrow for Mo bile. Blank Contracts For the hire of Freedmeu for the year t 1874, for sale at the Sex office.