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fawmwrti Weekly flew SATURDAY, KKI'EMBKK ‘AS. 1575. AGENTS OF THE MORNISo SEWS. The following ARent* ere authorized to receive subscription* in their respective locmlltiei for the Mormno New*: tJKOItGIA. BAVDWUTIIXK—E. A. Sullivan. Monv*N— K. M liinh. Bartow -Uvotx 1 ' C. Brown. leu 'wvii.i.r. -Roberta A Boyd. PtenvV Mia, Tattnali. C0.— .1. W. Jiasap. Qt iTHAW—II. 11. Kayton.K. M. Griffin. ATTArrul'i*—b. 11. Peacock. Blackkiieah— M. C. Wade. Bknoai.—Wil iam Iloiloway. Hewarh— Win. K. Gray. Olyattvti.i.e—.l. M. Clyatt. KimVTi.u-W. N. McDonald. Ta viajr a < reek—Dr. M. D. Moody. Htatekviu.* —U. M. Eiiflinh, Jr. St. Mary'* —John Beaactit. Mn>ii.aß<>raiv— P. A. Bryin. f>i m/k.kme—.John 11. Stephen*. Hohok*!—l B. McKinnon. GtEvnon*—J. M. John*. Mnsßoa—W. 11. Goodwin. St'Hi>riKi.i—Amoa Y. Kahn. Watc*'*" —J. W. Hii{hamith. TnoiTAaviu.i—W. C. Carton, Mine A. E. Mc- Clellan. Karnii.b—A. Crosby. Garoi—Robert -I. Smith. Scaievsv— C. C. Grace. Ciliut-F. P. Burtz. Ooeechke—J. R. Cooper. B*ikbruhe—W. J. Bruton. Bo*ton—J. Nevln* < 'arson. DaKlE.v—lt. W. Grubb. FLORIDA. Manatee—,l. C. Vanderipe. Wei.boun—A. W. McLeran. Houston —■•I. P. Morgan. Brookhviu.e—T. 8. (toogler. Eu-aviu.e—B. T. Leek. Lake Kita< e— James Hull. Fort Makion —8. M. Owen*. Hart s Road—B. .1. Farmer. Shady Grove—T. B. Hendry. Perrv—James A. Hodge. Oakwooo—Cha*. Hutchinson. Lawtet—T. J. Barrin. Vernon—J. K. Skipper. Walini-Samuel J. Kennard. WacAsaci—A. J. Weeks. Wuiti SruiNua—B. W. Ailama. Hattan viu.B— K. L. Sparkman, Monticello—Tboi. Siinmona. Madison—John Hart. *, Ja< aaoNviixs—Thoa. A. Britt, i'iiillip-WalAt*r, KtsWltutn iliisEsviut —M. E. Papy. Lake Benton—lt. F. York. Biuck Yard—J. V. Brain. SOUTH ( AHOI.INS. Beaceort—U. B. Lawton. Farm Branch—John D. Handera. Allendale —Harley A Cos. C* r Any agent whoae name la omitted will please notify us. Jtiahop Haven Only Wauls to Pray lor (•rant’s lie-election. That mouthing, meddlesome, menda cions old njonornaniac, “Gil. Haven," writeaft long letter to the New York Tri- Imne, in which he endeavors with character istic cunning and duplicity to shirk the re Hponmbility of his recent political faux f>aux in nominating Grant for a third term. He denies that ho formally norni nated Grant at the Boston meeting, or that he endeavored to commit the min isters of the Mothodist church, of which it was composted, to the support of the third term movement. He did make a little speech, in which he eulogized “the great soldier who saved the country,” and he called upon all good Methodists to “pray for the re-election of President Grant," to which they responded, “Amen.” Ho save: This is tho head and front and llank and rear of my offending. Nor is this > an offouse. Prayer carried our country into and through the great struggle a century ago. Prayer carried us into and through tho greater Htrugglo.a decade ngo. Prayer must carry us through the strug gles yet before us. Prayer is the Christian's especial privilege, the minis ter’s especial duty. I have prayed many a time in my pulpit for previous Presi dents, even for their election, and at tended prayer meetings for that purpose. Ho have thousands of ministers. If any body of Christians chooses to pray for the renomination and re-election of tho President, I don’t see what busmens tho root of tho world has to meddle with it. Wo withdraw to a place and a communion tho outside world does not care or dare to outer, and where reporters are ex cluded, even if present. This version of tho affair differs vory materially from that of the reporter# "l the press and of many MetL^flHK[ Jn ' are wqjl iutujp'a* -i place at t&i Hasten meeting, and who denounce the action of Bishop Qaveu as an impertinent and mischievous intrusion of politics whero such subjects are out of place. If Bishop Haven only wants to pray, and cannot find sufficient employment in praying for tho purdon of his own sins and the spiritual welfare of tho flock on trusted to his care, why let him pray. Wo are taught that only “the prayers of the righteous aval loth much.” Therefore there is no reason why evon those who drotul such a calamity as another term of -~’'ttadioal misrule under Grant, should objeot to Bishop Haven’s employing his time In praying for his ro-uominatiou. What all good men do object to is his attempt to drag politics into the pulpit nud to inaugurate n religious crusade. Negro- Radical Reform in South Car oliua. Chamberlain, the carpet-bag Governor oH-fouth Carolina, has of late made many professions of retrenchment and reform, until some of tho white tax payers of that unhappy State had begun to believe that ho was sincere. They havo now an example of his hypocrisy. A few days since the Lower House of the Legislature, a body which Chamberlain controls, rushed through the “supply bill,” voting a total tax of if 2,380,0(H), exclusive of cap itation tax, township school taxes and corporation taxes. This is upon a property basis, be it remembered, of no more than if 174,(HR),000, and is quite equal to the worst years of Governor Robert K. Scott's carpet-bag regime. To show how burdensome and unnecessary this is, it is only necessary to adduce the fact that for the five years 1850-55, when the taxable basis was $490,000,000, or three times as great as at present, and two-thiols of the taxes were laid upon slaves, the U>tal taxation far fir* years was only $2,057,101, or . .1f2J9,000 less than for one year under Ohambcrlaiu's reform government. In other words, the taxes of South Carolina in 1875 are more than fifteen times as great as they were in 1855. If Bishop Haven likes notoriety he must be the happiest man in America to-day. It is difficult to tell whether the Methodist or the administration journals are the most provoked with him. The third term advocates, however, are in a state of mind bordering on desperation. The ardent Bishop has seriously endan gered their prospects by giving it so strong a sectarian aspect, and has pulled the third term spook from its grave at a most inopportune moment, since that reappearance gives color to the suspicion that the President's message was a direct bid for a renomination. There, are a great many excellent people in the coun try who would have been able to recon cile themselves to almost any effective dispensation whereby Bishop Haven’s tongue should hare been tied forever, rather than have had it wag so loosely on that fatal day in Boston. There is, says the Norfolk Virginian, no likelihood that the constitutional amendments proposed by General Grant will ever make a practical issue. Tho constitution requires a two-thirds vote of Congress to propose constitutional and that they .shall before adoption receive the consent of thxee fourtks of the States. The Republican party has only p majority —not three fourths of the United States Senate, while the Democrats control a majority of the States, and the lower House of Congress. The “new departure” of the Republican party is simply a device for the Presidential election, and will be for gotten when it shall Lave served its tem- Mjferary purpose. The Northern Methodist Church. We are glad to say that there is a broad line of distinction between the Methodist Church North and the Methodist Church South. The one, fired by fanaticism, was the leader in the relentless war against slavery. It forgot its mission as the propagator of the Gospel to embark as a fierce crusader in the worldly inter ests of a political party. The other, true to its principles, re mained steadfast to the banners of re ligion, its sincere and devoted ministry ! preaching the Gospel of peace. The Northern branch furiously fanned the flame of hate, and urged on their sections to the extermination. The other quietly pursued its holy work and kept out of the arena of politics. Between the two there was deadly antagonism, and they parted, never more to unite, if the recent de monstration at Boston is the voice of the Northern church. For how is recon ciliation possible when these ministers-- two hundred of them -proclaim undying hate to the South, when they almost defy Grant as the destroyer of slavery and hold his continuance in power as es sential to the national safety. From such bigotry as this, anew and dreadful danger looms up. 80 far in the career of the country, the religious ele ment has not loomed up. Sectarian in fluences have not openly ventured to direct political action. If the Methodist Church North, rich, powerful and influ ential, presuming upon its power, en gages in the direction of the political affairs of the country, it is safe to say that other denominations, only a little less rich, powerful and influential, will have a word to say, and then may arise that most calamitous of all strife, a reli gious war. Grant himself, by the introduction in his message of questions connected with religion, panders to this pretension of the Northern Methodists and aggravates the danger. His nomination by Bishop Ha ven for the third term, and its unani mous endorsement, taken in connection with the message, has mueh the appear ance of concert between the parties. We believe that the Southern Metho dist Church is too earnestly engaged in its legitimate work to meditate upon such extraneous and dangerous questions. We believe they will be among the first to denounce such departure from relig ious propriety, and to rebuke those who, in taking so positive a political stand, convey an implied threat to all other de nominations, and endanger the harmony which ought to exist among all Christian sects. —llaleigh News. The Nov Yoik Herald’s Sagacious Remedy lor Cwsarism. Tho New York Herald has hit upon a novel plan for escaping the dangers of Ciesarism. The editor says : “ The danger of the third term arises wholly from the tendency of the enemies of Gen. Grant to make the war against Ciesarism a personal war upon him. Such a war will end as it ended in 1872. The friends of Gen. Grant whose ambition leads them to hope for his continuance in power have striven in every way to re awaken this feeling which was so success fully evoked four years ago. The ten dency of the Democratic party to fly into a passion, to do unwise and injudicious things, is so marked, even in the House, that already political critics speak of the restoration of the Bourbons. The way 10 destroy this impression is for Re publicans to accept Mi. Randall’s amend ment to the constitution as closing the whole question of Cfesarism, and for the Democrats to pass the amendment in suc.ki a form that it will extend Gqjm* term for two more yea** wor ds, let the aqienan: ic yi', 80 that Grant will Holdover until 1878. Jy\,eu cfc ' .'ward the tenure of the office w years and one term. Could any proposition be mere pre posterously absurd, or convey a greater reflection on the intelligence and patriot ism of Congress and the American peo ple ? If Congress can, by an amend ment of the Constitution, extend Presi dent Grant’s present term two years it can extend it for twenty years. If the proposition was not so utterly ridiculous it might bo called revo lutionary. It suggests a degree of truckling servility to Grant that by any other American President would be regarded with disgust. The Herald seems to consider its plan as a wonderful achievement of statesmanship and ventilates it in half a dozen editorials in the same issue. We will suggest an amendment to the Herald's plan. It pro poses to get rid of Caisarism by a com promise with Grant. By our plan, which is equally constitutional and statesman like, tho country will escape the danger of Caisarisni and get rid of Grant at the same time. Instead of prolonging his term two years, thus inflicting two years more of misrule, extravagance, corruption and outrage upon the coun try, let Congress pass a resolution ten dering to Gen. Grant one or two mil lions of dollars, and a general amnesty to the banditti by whom he is surrounded, on condition that he will abandon his third term aspirations and join his friend Steinberger in his Vice Royalty of Sa moa. Progress of the Cuban Rebellion. The report of the operations of the Cuban insurgents since last January, re cently received by the Cuban agent in New York, is of special interest, when considered in connection with the stress laid on Cuban affairs in the President’s message. The patriots have been most successful in the Eastern Department, and all the enemy has been able to do has been to protect the plantations at Guan tanamo and Santiago de Cuba. Thirty nine plantations were burned and three hundred and fifty Spanish volunteers de serted to the ranks of the patriots. Many encounters have taken place between the Spaniards and the Cubans in the large territory be tween La Trocha del Picano and the dis trict of Colon. Since the latter part of July there have been fought eighty-seven battles, so-called, which resulted in the burning of nine sugar plantations and thirty-one settlements by the insurgents, and the capture of a large number of rifles and horses. Their losses amounted to twenty-one killed and thirty-five wounded, which certainly shows a grati fying absence of bloodshed in the warfare conducted. It is charged against the Spaniards that they have organized bands of guerillas to attack small Cuban villages and kill all the men and boys above the age of ten, but this should probably be taken with qualifications. Our Wreck Register.— Congress last year established by law a system of gath ering, through the Collectors of Cus toms, statistics of wrecks, and the first report under this system has just been made, giving the returns for the last fiscal year. Every wreck in American waters is recorded, whether occurring to foreign vessels or to our own, and the State Department sends the reports of the disasters happening to foreign ves sels to their respective governments. Disasters to American vessels at sea are also recorded. It appears that during the year the number of disasters was 1,587, of which were total losses. There were altogether 888 lives lost by these disasters, whilst the value of prop erty lost was over ten millions of dollars. The disasters at sea and along the foasts are two-thirds of the whole, and the number of disasters on the lakes exceed those on the inland rivers. Who Is Responsible for the Dismiss*! of Henderson I Bull-headed and thick-skinned as he is, Grant is evidently chagrined at his ridi culous bluunder in dismissing ex-Senator Henderson from his position as assistant counsel of the government in the prose cutionof the St. Louis whisky ring frauds. He is very anxious that the responsibility of the removal of a fearless and faithful attorney shall be shared by the members of his Cabinet, and the most persistent efforts have been made by his organs and by \V asbington letter writers to im press the public with tho belief that the step was advised or approved by every member of the Cabi net, including Secretary Bristow. Espe cial pains have been taken to create the imj ression that the latter gentlemen most heartily approved the dismissal of Mr. Henderson. There are, however, contra dictory statements in regard to that matter. While the abjeef severity of the Cabinet is generally conceded, it i3 asserted that Secretary Bristow opposed the step, and only yielded his assent as the last means of preventing a Cabinet rupture. Senator Morton is credited in a St. Louis dispatch with this version of the affair, which is perhaps more near the truth than he of the ‘ ‘bloody shirt” generally gets in a statement of facts. According to Senator Morton, “when the Cabinet met President Grant stated that so far as Mr. Henderson’s de nunciation of him was concerned he did not care to say anything, and wished to leave the Cabinet members uninfluenced by his opinions or prejudices. All the Cabinet decided that Henderson must be discharged. Mr. Bristow arose and said that he was opposed to the dismissal of such a valuable counsel lor. Gen. Grant quickly arose from his seat and abruptly demanded: ‘Sir, do you sanction the infamous attack which Mr. Henderson made on me?’ Grant’s imperious manner seemed to overawe Mr. Bristow, and he replied that he did not approve the speech, and straightway voted for dismissal. Senator Morton said if Bristow had not thus vindicated the President from the aspersions cast on him his continuance in the Cabinet would have been impossible.” Thus it seems that Secretary Bristow was fairly bullied into consenting to the outrage on Mr. Henderson. If, as Senator Morton asserts, the portfolio of the Sec retary of the Treasury depended on his subserviency to the will of the offended Ciesar, it is fair to presume that the same considerations were not without their influence on the minds of the other members of the Cabinet. The Foster-IHaine Sensation. The authenticity of the Foster-Blaine letter, says the New York World, is now settled. It is genuine. Furthermore, it contains facts and not speculations. Mr. Foster has been interviewed, and not only admits having written the letter, but gives other interesting facts as to the inner movements of the new political secret society which it is claimed is to manage the next Republican National Convention. It appears from Mr. Fos ter’s statements that Grant hasjunited with this secret society and jumped upon the no-Popery’hobby to gain a nomination for a third term. Ascertaining this fact, Mr. Foster, as a friend of Mr. Blaine, writes of the situation, and urging him to join die new secret society on the sly, and thut-fee-0u an equal foot ing with Grant and 1a a position pete with him in the inner ring of al* Republican party. T&is secret society, Foster thinks, is to be the greqt powy il'f the next ltepubiican National Conven tion, and he is anxious that Mr. Blaine should be on the inside. The letter in some way having reached a newspaper office in Maine, was published, and the secret is out. Now comes Mr. Foster explaining the facts in the letter. In the course of the explanation it comes to light that this secret society is one of the means made use of to get the liberals back to Grantism, and furnishes an explanation of the sud den conversion of General Merritt from a bitter anti-Grant man to a supporter of Grantism. It was all brought about by his private initiation into this secret society. Having thus become a fellow member with Grant, he is nominated on the Grant ticket in this State. But Mr. Merritt’s membership did not prevent his running behind his ticket any more than his connection with a Know-Nothing lodge prevented his defeat as Supervisor in the days of that order. The letter having in some way miscarried, it does not appear that Mr. Blaine has been pri vately initiated, and therefore has not placed himself on an equal footing with President Grant in obtaining the support of this secret society, the power behind the throne in the next National Republi can Convention. Proposition of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Close after the resolution of Congress declaring that no subsidies shall, in the present condition of national finances, be granted to aid in private enterprises, comes a proposition from Mr. C. P. Huntington, Agent of the Southern Pa cific Railroad of California and Vice- President of the Central Pacific, who, in behalf of the former corporation, offers to build a Southern Pacific Railroad in the vicinity of the thirty-second parallel, on the conditions of the charter granted to the Texas Pacific Railroad Company March 3, 1871. The main difference be tween this offer and the plan so strongly urged upon Congress is that the South ern Pacific is prepared to build a road for the grants of public lands already made, while the Texas Pacific requires an additional subsidy in the shape of a guarantee of forty thousand dollars per mile. The act of March 3, 1871, granted to the Texas Pacific the right of way through public lands, with the use of all material necessary for the construction of the road, found adjacent. It also gave to the company a space of two hundred feet on each side of the track, and grounds for stations and warehouses. In addition, as a subsidy, twenty sections per mile of the public lands on each side of the road were given to the company, except in California, where the amount was reduced to ten sections. There were branch or connecting roads —one through Louisiana, with a subsidy in round num bers of five millions of acres, and the other, the Southern Pacific, of Cali fornia, which was dowered with the same privileges as were granted in the act of July 27, 1866, which, as far as the grants of land are concerned, are substantially the same as those just set forth. Checkmating Bishop Haves. —A Washington dispatch states that Mr. Springer, of Illinois, the author of the anti-third term resolution adopted by the House on Wednesday, was warmly con gratulated upon the success of his move ment by his fellow-members, and asked how he had come to introduce his resolu. tion, to which he responded : “I am a Methodist, but lam opposed to a third term. So when Bishop Haven down there in Boston the other day put Grant up for another term, I thought I would show the country that all Methodifts w&e not for Grant, and I wanted to just how .Congress stood on the sJe question. ” m LETTER FROM JACKSONVILLE. Paleontology —Ex - Governor Higgins— Heady tor War—Braise* and Blood—A Fool and bis Money—A Sol Disnnt De tective—Lots of Fun—Brevet Kinship— Everything except what has been Writ ten Before —Marine. [Special Correspondence of the Morning News.] Jacksonville., December 16, 1875. THE GREAT TRIUMVIRATE. A mistaken idea has insinuated itself into the minds of the human family, that all proverbs are composed of a wealth of wisdom. There never was a notion more vulnerable, or less in consonance with every-day experience, for fully three-quarters of the proverbs, which are generally accepted as indispu table truths, are remarkable for nothing but an absolute antagonism to all reason. For instance, the expression “from one you may judge all,” is calculated to de lude any one who puts faith in it, and, particularly, if the object to be judged be a carpet-bagger. This outgrowth of the late unpleasantness is capable of as many forms as there are colors in a Scotch damsel’s tout ensemble. The Florida variety of this breed of vermin is no more like anything else you have ever beheld than a nigger is like a statesman. This exordium must be our excuse for discussing another place of iniquity in the shape of a glori ous trio of abject mortals, Away out upon a Western wild some years since, a ge nius, existing under the cognomen of Higgins, by some inexplicable process of legirdnmain was created Secretary to the Territorial Governor of a reservation in the great West, Borne say it was Ne braska, others Utah: but we do not pre tend to be precise upon this point. Even Governors die sometimes, and upon the sudden demise of the Executive, Higgins promptly seized the reigns and inaugurated a de facto dictatorship. He ran the ma chine in a decidedly original style for up wards of five weeks, but the citizen ter ritorialists took umbrage, it is said, at a custom with which he struggled of ex tending a velvety left hand to his subjects, while his right paw was engaged in move ments which must be left to the imagi nation. The citizens of the United States who were under the domination of this self-made Governor, set measures in mo tion to dispossess him of the Guberna torial sceptre, with the ulterior motive of figuring him out. But the autocrat to ik time by the forelock and quickly hied him with his prophetic soul unto his uncle, in the land where eternal summer gilds the plain as well as the handsome. He was first noticed in Florida wielding a briar-root pipe, and it was ascertained that he revelled in the lucrative sinecure of Deputy Collector of Customs under the immaculate John S. Adams, who, par parenthesis, will lose his official head as Postmaster here shortly. Higgins main tained the habit he had acquired of myste riously keeping his left hand enveloped in a glove while his right dexter arm flew around in a suspicious fashion. We next hear of this ex-dictator as Clerk of Duval circuit, by appointment of “Gubner” Stearns and the intercession of his uncle, Randall. The price paid for this office by Randall is an unflinching obedience to the commands of Stearns. If ever the diminutive Randall attempts to thwart the will of our mediocre “Gub ner,” the Florida potentate has but to pronounce the cabalistic words, “Edward, I’ll oust Edwin Higgins,” to'work a com plete revolution in Jip’s tacifcs. Iu this way Stearns moulds the opinions of the Chief-'u.stice. We may recur to Higgins hereafter 7 WAR EVEN TO THE KNIFE. A fellow who misrepresents himself as a State detective invaded s one of the Laodicean mansions in the outskirts of the city on Tuesday night, and applied for board. The_jpr©prifetress, however, w, < ouhJjß ! ffl®l _ hpon payment in advance, out our hero displayed a ponderous badge, and_at_once began to kick and seriously disfigure the inmates. Th nymphs called in the police for the purpose of arresting the uproarious official, who refused to submit to the authority of the marshal. He claimed that he outranked the municipal guardians, but officer Rushing and another soon convinced him of his error. The high minded detective was courteously ten dered the freedom of the city jail, but tenderly declined to avail himself of the chance to reduce expenses and furnish security for his own safe keeping. The morrow dawned, the sun gloriously shone, also shone a bevy of female witnesses be fore the Mayor. The bruised anatomy of one was evidence enough to prove how violent had been the demonstrations of the prisoner. The testimony altogether was of a lively description, and the Mayor imposed a fine upon the bruiser for twenty dollars and costs, which was smilingly placed in the city exchequer. LOOK NOT UPON THE WINE. Clubs were trumps among the gamblers on Monday, and the rivalry was most enlivening. The old crowd became furiously jealous of the inroads of the new, and after frequent potations of aqua fortis the old invited the new in a saloon to inspect one of those chambers of death, the barrel of a pistol. A brisk row now followed, and two of the party started pell mell up the street, the pursuer discharging two shots at the pursued without any effect—more’s the pity. They turned the corner of Pine and Forsyth streets and made an incursion into a boarding house on the latter thoroughfare, much to the annoy ance of the guests and the ire of the owner. Here they continued their war fare until finally captured by the police and jugged. After expending the fumes of liquor in a certain measure they were released on bonds to the amount of sixty dollars, and very quietly deposited the requisite sum, which they modestly for feited by failing to appear next morning. I propose, within a few days, to investi gate these pickpockets thoroughly. They are an aggravated nuisance and unmitiga ted pests. TOLL, TOLL THE BELLS ! It is not everybody that is so well con nected in life as somebody else, and thrice happy is he who, like you and I, is not of an envious disposition. The most enticing temptation to fall into such a course is afforded in the good fortune of C. H. Springer, Deputy Collector of the port of Cedar Keys. He is one of the gentry commissioned by Secretary Bristow to look after his Presidential in terests in the South. The Morning News of a late date con tained the startling telegraphic intelli gence that the Prince of Waldeck (whose quota during the Franco-Prussian war was twelve men and a drummer) had died—a dispatch which attracted but little notice from every one else, but was sufficient to agitate Mr. Springer tremen dously. He claimed kinskip with the Prince, and out of respect to the memory of his deceased cousin, and in the ab sence of the Collector, the sympathetic deputy caused the Custom House to be heavily draped in mourning and the United States flag to be put at half mast. It was truly affecting and as beautiful as a sunbeam on the sea was this sponta neous tribute to a departed Prince. JOT, O ! YE PEOPLES. The order of the Supreme Court of the United States placing the Jacksonville, Pensacola and Mobile Railroad into the hands of the Radical oligarchy of Florida, is the funeral knell of that corporation’s usefulness. The road will be converted into a vehicle of unscrupulous jobbing and unblushing political engineering. A number of petty offices will be manufactured to make provis ion for the hungry horde of hangers-on who have foisted them selves upon this commonwealth. The only hope the people have is that in the contest for the loaves and fishes the dem agogues will fall out Of course the trip to this place indulged in by Chief Justice Bradley during the summer sug gests nothing, and perish the thought that the Administration at Washington desired to place a tremendous political machine in the hands of its emissaries. I may be in a position to enlighten the universe con cerning this manumvre at any moment. With the surplus negro voters of Georgia and this formidable power in the hands of the Radicals, the Conservatives may as well face the certainty of a hard fight for victory at the next election. PERSONAL. The celebrated billiardist, Maurice Daly, of New York, is registered at the St. James Hotel INVEIGLING A BUMPKIN. Felix is a pleasure-seeking scion of a wealthy sire who is wandering around Florida. He has one good qualification— that s plenty of money ; an i one evil trait —that san ardent admiration for spirits. He fell iu with a jolly crowd of strangers last week, while in his cups, aboard a steamboat, and caroused with them for several hours. They were such pleasant, agreeable companions that Felix imagined he never could forget their kind ness and attentions. But the innocent Felix was doomed to bitter disappoint ment. He discovered before it was too late that his friends, out of their regard for him, had relieved him of his watch and pocket-book. He encountered them a few days thereafter and being just drunk enough to be reckless, presented his pistol and demanded the return of his property. His friends explained that they were only taking care of his things for him. The explanation was satisfac tory and Felix is again defraying the ex penses of the entire lot. SWIMMING FOR LIFE. As the coasting schooner Magnolia was off New Smyrna last week one of the crew precipitated his weight into the small boat for the purpose of making it fast. It so happened that it was more loose than he had anticipated and turned him over into the sea as suddenly as he had jumped into it. The sailor, whose name is Isaac Graham, was in a critical position, as it would require at least three tacks of the schooner to ena ble her to pick him up. He performed the feat of shedding his shoes in the wa ter, and continued to float, although well nigh exhausted, until the vessel reached him. He is an excellent swimmer, and on one occasion, at St. Augustine, rescued a lady, who accidentally fell overboard, from drowning. Ad BIANUS. LETTER FROM THOMASYILLE. \ A Severe Spell of Weather—Northern and Western Winter Visitors—Hotel Accommodations Improved—Change of Proprietors ot the Enterprise—Grand Fox Hunt at lamonia Fake—A Good Word for the Gulf House. [Special Correspondence of the Morning News.] Gulf House, December 18,1875. When I left Florida, several days ago. there was a heavy frost on the ground, and the weather was quite severe. This state of things continued the entire route, and last night it was fearfully cold. The banana trees that I noticed all along the railroad, from beyond Live Oak, Florida, to this point, were blighted by the in tense cold weather of the past week, which old settlers say has been unusually severe, and is looked upon as an indica tion of a hard winter. VISITORS FROM THE NORTH AND WEST. There are many Northern and Western families located in Thomasville for the season, who tire delighted with the place and the climite. One gentleman from Wisconsin, however, remarked to me to day that if this cold snap continued he should go on to Florida. But he changed his mind when I told him I had just left the same kind of weather behind me in that higlily favored State. If Colonel Mitchell’s elegant and commodious uew hotel was, opea for winter boarders, as it certainly will le next season, the number of Northern md Western visitors here could be largely increased. The Gulf House is thoroughly furnished and well kept, but the proprietor t feels it to ha his duty to reserve his rooms for transient guests, of which he 'has a full supply. Winter visitors are therefore obliged to secure permanent board at private houses, which they can readily do, and in most excellent families. CHANGE OF NEWSPAPER PROPRIETORS. Calling at the Southern Enterprise office to-day, to see Messrs. Bryan and Chas tain, I found them absent, but learned that this old established journal, now in its fifteenth voh&me, is to pass into new hands on the first of January. Hon. O. P. Hansel], Mayor of the city, and Mr. W. E. Davies, the well-known druggist, have become proprietors, and being young gentlemen of untiring energy and marked ability, it is safe to predict that they will wake up our excellent and popular friend, Capt. John Triplett, of the Thomasville Times. The editorial chair of the Enter prise will be filled by Mayor Hansell, who is a talented young lawyer, and who will no doubt prove a valuable acquisition to the fraternity. Thomas county can well support two good papers, it being a very wealthy and intelligent community, and as these journals are on the best of terms with each other, it is proper to wish them the most abundant success in their future operations. A GRAND PRIZE FOX HUNT. The greatest sensation here at present, however, is the “Grand Prize Fox Hunt” which Judge H. W. Hopkins, with char acteristic zeal and public spirit, is work ing up for next week. The entries already made assure the success of the project, and show that a wide-spread interest is being taken in it, covering five or six counties in this State and Florida. The party will meet at Davis’s store, lamonia Lake, on Thursday morning next, and the sport will be kept up during two days, or until the judges decide upon the award of prizes. There will be three in number for the best dogs—first, second and third— and one for the man who comes in first and gets the “brush,” or tail of the fox. If any of the “Forest City” hunters want to enjoy some lively and exciting sport, just let them join this party on Thurs day next and they will have plenty of it. Judge Hopkins and his associates never fail of success in such matters, and Mr. Joseph Fuss is one of their backers. A GOOD WORD FOR THE GULF HOUSE. In closing this hurried epistle I cannot refrain from adding a word of commen dation for my friend Mr. G. W. Parnell, the efficient and liberal proprietor of the Gulf House, from which hotel I am now writing, and in one of the most elegantly furnished and comfortable rooms that I have ever occupied in a Southern hotel. This house is located directly at the de pot of the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad, and enjoys a very liberal patronage from the traveling public, being the regular supper house of the down passenger train. Although all the rooms are not furnished as elegantly as the one I am occupying, they qr£ comfortable and at tractive in every respect. A most pleas ant gentleman will be found for the pre sent in the office, who delights to attend to the wants of his guests whenever an opportunity presents itself. Chatham. A Game of Cards and its Consequences. A paper printed in Litchfield, Ky., narrates the fallowing: “Agentleman and his wife who reside in this county went a short time since to visit a neighbor, with intention to stay all night. After supper the host proposed a game of cards to his guest, to which the latter assented, and they sat down to play. The wife of the visitor, being religiously inclined, raised a remonstrance against the game, but this was disregarded by her husband. She then became much excited, and threatened to burn the cards if they continued to play. At last her husband turned to her and said: ‘lf you don’t want to see me play and can’t behave yourself, just get your bonnet and go home at once.’ She took him at his word, and all that night her lonely pillow was wet with tears of bitter an guish, called forth by the knowledge of her husband’s wickedness. Next morn ing the husband, who in the meantime had been nursing his wrath, went home and told his wife that she had disgraced him, and she could pack her traps and leave him forever. Remonstrance was in vain, and she sorrowfully de parted. That night the husband retired to his widowed bed—to think, not to sleep. Visions of the past happiness and regret for his hasty expulsion of his companion passed through his mind. Presently he heard a gentle tap at the door. ‘Come in,’ said he. The door opened, and his wife stood upon the threshold. ‘Betsy, ’ said he, ‘what are you doing out this time 0’ night‘Oh, nothing, ’ said she. ‘Make me some coffee,’ said he. This she pro ceeded to do with more than her usual alaority, and nothing more was said of their disagreement Now a deck of cards adorns the mantel-piece in their home, and every night after the supper dishes are cleared away, that husband and wife set down to a cheerful game of ‘old sledge,”’ I HANGING OF A MURDERER. Xick Thoinj>on, the Negro who Murdered Capt. J. 11. Hunter, on the Gallows— The Crime aud Its Penalty—Last Hours of the Doomed Man—He Dies, Like Others of His Knee, Singing Hymns. [Special Correspondence of the Morning News.] Quitman, December 17tb, 1875. This is one of the “Black Fridays,” fa mous in the criminal calendar, and has witnessed the execution of a negro for the murder of a white man. On the day of the 1874 October elec tion, Capt- J. H. Hunter, then the popu lar Representative of this county in the Legislature, was talking to an old negro, whom he knew well, in regard to voting, when one Nick Thompson, an officious and insolent negro, interfered, and in the heat of excitement drew his knife and stabbed Capt. Hunter, who died a few weeks after from the effects of the assault. The deceased was highly respected in this community, and his tragic death caused intense excitement. Still, great as was the aggravation, the people quietly committed the prisoner to the hands of the law, and he was tried at the Decem ber term of the Superior Court of Brooks county, found guilty, and sentenced to be hung on the 20th of last January. An appeal was taken to the Supreme Court, which prevented the execution of the sentence, as the case was not acted upon until the following August, when the verdict of the Superior Court was affirmed. Efforts were then persistently used to get anew trial, on the ground that important developments had been made, but without avail. The prisoner was re-sentenced to be executed at this place to- day, between the hours of 10 o’clock a. m. and 3 o’clock p. m., yet his counsel ceased not in their efforts to avert this terrible doom. Colonel James Atkins, of Savannah, and W. C. McCall, Esq., of Camilla, served the prisoner faithfully to the last in their attempts to prolong his life. Colonel A. was in Atlanta yesterday seeking a re prieve, and the other gentleman bore his unfavorable reply, to their client at 10 o’clock this morning. A telegram from Governor Smith to Sheriff Thrasher also gave the same intelligence, as it read: “Respite of Nick Thompson refused.” Every preparation for the execution had been made by Sheriff J. T. Thrasher and his assistants, and I must say that better or more complete arrangements could not have been provided for the oc casion. Everything indicated that the prisoner was to be hung in an orderly, humane and lawful manner. The scaf fold was erected within a hi -h enclosure, 18 by 26, put up at the end of the jail, and was very substantial. It was 18 feet high, with a broad platform about 12 feet from the ground, which gave a fall of 8 feet to the drop. This platform was reached by a 12-foot ladder, which was to be removed after the rope had been adjusted to the doomed man’s neck. The coffin was placed in the enclosure, where a guard was stationed at an early hour in the morning. The entire jail lot was also surrounded by a strong armed guard, in the event any attempt should be made to rescue the prisoner. Although a large crowd of white people came to town and the most of them were about the jail up to the time of the exe cution, but few negroes were present. The family and friends of Thompson, and the colored ministers of the town, visited him in his cell and remained some time, holding religious services. At the prisoner’s request they sang the hymn, “Hark! Listen to the Trumpets as they Call for Volunteers,” which was followed by prayer by the two preachers and Thompson, who was very enthusiastic in his religious exercises. He claimed to have been visited by the spirit of the Lord, which had prepared him for death. At the close of these services his wife and child and other friends took their fare well of him, and he was left alone in his cell for a brief time. Mr. H. M. Mclntosh, editor of the Quitman Reporters soon after visited him but found him unchanged in his from what he was a few days ago. He declared his innocence of any purpose to kill Captain Hunter; said God had for given the act, and he was ready and wil ling to die and go to heaven. He asked Mr. Mclntosh to write a brief letter to his infant child Ella, now two years and seven months old, to be given her when of age by her mother. He also sent a message to his wife in regard to properly bringing up and educating this, their only child. Soon after this interview I visited the condemned man, with other parties, and he greeted us with a happy smile, and said he was ready to die. As soon as we left him alone in his cell he commenced singing a hymn in a very cheerful manner, although he was to die within ten short minutes. At 11 o’clock he was brought out and walked up the ladder with a firm step. On reaching the platform he requested the colored preachers, who were in the enclosure to attend him in his last mo ments, to sing with him the hymn, ‘‘Did Christ o’er sinners weep ?” He then went off into a boisterous and incoherent invo cation to the Lord, hardly a word of which could be understood, as he appear ed deeply enthused with what he termed spiritual influences. Prayer was then offered by one of the preachers, after which Thompson prayed very quietly and distinctly, asking God to prepare him to meet his “just deserts.” The preachers then retired, and the Sheriff and his dep uties proceeded to prepare the prisoner for execution. His hands were tied behind him, his feet fastened together, the black cap put over his head, and the fatal noose ar ranged about his neck. The Sheriff then bade him good bye, and said, “Nick are you ready ?” To which he replied in a firm voice, “Yes, sir; let it go.” The hatchet was raised to cut the cord, and to the question, “Are you ready?” he again replied, firm and unmoved, “Yes, sir.” In a second the hatchet did its work, the drop fell, and Nick Thompson’s life on earth ended. His neck was bro ken by the fall, and after a brief quiver ing of his body, all was still, death hav ing quickly ended his sufferings. After hanging about twenty minutes the body was cut down and placed in the coffin pro vided for it, and handed over to his friends and relatives for burial. Nick Thompson came to this county from South Carolina in 1806, and had lived about here since that time. He told me that he was twenty-six years old, and that he had been married some four or five yens. He was a handsome, bright eyed, pleasant looking fellow, rather dark colored, weighed about 130 pounds, and was five feet and a half in height. Of his guilt there can be no doubt, as of the fact that he had an impartial trial and was defended and labored for to the very last moment most faithfully by his He met his fate as too many of his race do, although sincere in their professions, amidst a “flourish of trumpets" of a religious character. Even in the solemn hour of death a love of airplay pervades their hearts. To me the doomed man gave no evidence of Godly sorrow for the terrible crime he had committed, yet he declared that he was filled with the spirit and glory of God, and was ready to die cheerfully and joyfully. Phi Gamma. P. S.—As your reporter on this occa sion, it is due Messrs. Hall & Mclnto3b, of the Quitman Reporter, Dr. J. T. Davis, the next Mayor, Mr.tW. E. Barnes, Al derman to be, and Sheriff Thrasher, all most excellent and accommodating gen tlemen, that I should thank them thus publicly for favors kindly shown me to day. A boy in St. Louis was recently pre sented with a jacknife, with which, boy like, he cut and marked everything that came in his way, from the dining-room table to the cat’s tail. A few days after he had become the happy possessor of the knife, his father was startled by see ing two men bringing home the young hopeful in a very dilapidated condition. His face seemed to be cut and bruised and covered with blood. The father of course, was very much alarmed, and in quired of the boy who had hit him. “No body didn’t hit me,” the boy answered, between his sobs; “it was only a mule kicked me in the eye.” “A. mule kicked you in the eye, eh f” echoed the father, I told you a thousand times or more that mules and gunpowder were not fit things forjboys to fool with ? What were you doing to the mule ?” “I wasn’t foolin' with him at all,” said the boy; “I was only tryin’ to cut my name on his back.” FLORIDA FRUIT TRAFFIC, Another Epistle About Fruit Trantporta tion—Tbe “Florida Dispatch Line”— Re-Packia* Frnlt at Jackson ville— How to Pick and Park Oranges—Not a Private Speculation—. Send for Ciretilar. [Specia. Correspondence of the Morning News ] Jacksonville, December 18, 1875. In my previous letter on “Florida Fruit Transportation, published in your issue of the l()tb, I gave your readers my views in regard to tbe importance of providing rapid transit for properly packed Florida fruit designed for North ern and Western markets, and called at tention to the careless manner in which oranges and lemons were being packed and shipped by many inexperienced fruit growers in this State. Since the publication of that letter I have been handed several circulars and printed postal cards, issued by fruit deaiers at tbe North and West, and by railroad and steamboat companies, call ing attention to tbe same matter, and in similar terms. This shows that I did not over-estimate the importance of the sub ject, nor sound the note of warning too early in the ears of fruit growers. In this case, as in many others, “line upon line and precept upon precept” will be found profitable: and this shall be my ex cuse for again troubling your readers with a special epistle upon the subject. The Meekly Morning News penetrates into every portion of Florida, while the Daily Morning News goes to every busi ness point. There is, therefore, no better or quicker channel through which to reach the fruit growers and shippers of this State. THE “FLOBIDA DISPATCH LINE.” The efficient and clear-headed Superin tendent of the Atlantic and Gulf Rail road, Col. H. S. Haines, comprehending the growing magnitude of the fruit and vegetable traffic of Florida, and knowing that its development depended almost solely upon rapid transportation and a ready market, devised and inaugurated a plan by which these two much desired objects could be attained. In my pre vious letter, referred to above, I unfolded the workings of that plan. But now, almost in its incipient state, an important addition has been made to its purposes and operations. Capt. D. E. Maxwell, Fernandina, General Freight Agent of the Atlantic, Gulf and West India Transit Company’s Railroad; Major F. B. Papy, Tallahassee, Gen eral Freight Agent of the Jack sonville, Pensacola and Mobile Rail road, and Colonel J. L. lioumillat, Savan nah, General Freight Agent of the Atlan tic and Gulf Railroad, acting for their respective corporations, have become parties to the scheme put in operation by Colonel Haines, and hereafter they will act together under the name and title of the “Florida Dispatch Line,” having its headquarters for the present at least, in this city. By this arrange ment agricultural products will be given speedy transportation to the best North ern and Western markets. They have also established commission agencies in both these sections for the sale of con signments of fruit and vegetables shipped by parties who have no one to act for them in the disposal of their products when a market is reached! How this much needed systematized plan for secur ing these important objects is to be worked, and with what prospects of suc cess, the following will show. HE-PACKING AT JACKSONVILLE. One great drawback to success in the sale of Florida frnit in distant markets, in numerous cases, has been the decayed condition in which it reached the hands of the produce brokers. Much of this was due to carelessness in picking, packing and shipping the fruit. In my previous letter on this subject I referred to the decayed fruit which I saw on the Ockla waha and St. John’s river steamers, and yet it had scarcely gone a hundred miles from its original starting point. Could it fail, therefore, t r be wholly worthless on its arrival at a distant market ? This was on the great St. John’s river, the orange grove section of the State. But Captain Maxwell, in an official circular, has since confirmed my statement in re 'gard_tg_this.ii A attfij by givißg v t^hperTm" tendent, his own experience on the rail road. He says: “It has been our experience, this season, that shipments of oranges from Tampa, Manatee and all points on the A., G. and W. I. T. Com pany’s Railroad have scarcely ever reached this point (Fernandina) in good condi tion, which we attribute to the want of proper gathering and packing at the point of shipment.” He then goes on to give instructions as to how fruit should be properly picked and packed. It is safe to believe, however, that many fruit growers will continue to pack and ship their oranges in a careless manner. To meet all such cases, and that unnecessary loss may be avoided, no consignment put into the hands of the “Florida Dispatch Line” for transportation and sale will be carried beyond Jacksonville in a decayed or injured state. At this point the fruit will be re-packed and put in the best pos sible condition, after which it will be pushed forward to the nearest and most desirable market. This department will be in charge of Messrs. Hewett & Smith, agents “Florida Dispatch Line,” Jackson ville, Fla. Under this arrangement the quality of the fruit put into the Northern and Western markets will be greatly im proved and the prices advanced, while at the same time considerable loss and trouble will be saved the careless or inex perienced shipper. HOW TO PICK AND PACK ORANGES. As Captain Maxwell’s advice in regard to picking and packing oranges agrees with that given by a number of experi enced shippers, I will copy it here, and commend it to the attention of fruit growers generally: 1. Do not pull the orange from the tree ; when pulled, it breaks the skin and rot is sure to commence in a few days. Cut the orange, leaving but sufficient of the stem to prevent the trouble referred to. 2. After the oranges are gathered, place them in hills, like potatoes, and al low them to sweat, and then wipe them dry. When packed immediately after gathering, the sweat takes place in the packages, and more or less damages the oranges. 3. Ship none but the best. If there are four sizes assort them and pack each size separately. Mixed oranges never pack well, and are always sold at a dis count. 4. In packing, if in barrel, perforate it with holes. Place first a sheet of com - mon wrapping paper or newspaper in the bottom of the box or barrel, then a layer of oranges until the box or barrel is suf ficiently filled, so as to prevent the oranges being displaced. Do not keep barrels packed remaining on their heads. This last injunction calls attention to one great objection to the use of barrels for the shipment of oranges to market. Barrels are like circus gymnasts—they will “stand on their heads,” and that to the great injury of oranges packed in them, as the heavy weight upon the bot tom layers frequently crushes the fruit and causes the decay of that portion of the contents of the barrel. While barrels can be used ip many in stances for shipping oranges to friends, it is a settled fact that they are not suited to the shipment of fruit of this character for market purpo‘g g boxes, with partition- in 'the centre to divide evenly the weight of the oranges, are much more desirable, and will soon become the standard method for market able fruit that is to be shipped any great distance, NOT A PRIVATE SPECULATION. As I have previously stated, this new combination is the result of a desire to fully and satisfactorily meet the demands which the rapidly increasing fruit and vegetable traffic is making upon the rail road and steamboat lines of Florida. It is not a private speculation, nor a rail road monopoly. The objects sought to be accomplished by its operations have a vital connection with the future success of the fruit and vegetable business of this State. It proposes to supervise, when desired, the condition of all shipl ments seeking a market, and whenever they are found to be improperly packed, or In a decayed condition, to re-pack and re-arrange them for profitable and speedy sale. This will lie accom plished through a packing house in this city, and. by the use of ventilated fruit cars attached to fast trains, The managers, in their circular, state that they “desire to foster any effort that will enable the producer to advantageously pack his consignments, ship to best markets, secure highest prices, and realize honest returns in short est time.” Without some such plan of operation as that which the "“Florida Dispatch Line” has inaugurated, and to the support of which they seek to rally the fruit and vegetable growers of the State, in the future the agricultural in terests of this section of the country will become sadly demoralized. With such a plan in successful operation, the quality of Florida fruit and vegetables, which be ing put into the Northern and Western markets, will be improved, prompt sales secured and better prices obtained. If the railroad, steamboat and express com panies share in this good fortune, as they probably will, so much tbe better for all concerned. As I have merely given the main points of the proposed plan of operations, it would be well for all parties interested to write to D. 11. Elliott, Gen eral Agent, or Messrs. Hewitt & Smith, agents “Florida Dispatch Line,” Jackson ville, Fla., who will cheerfully send cir culars or give any needed information. Every fruit grower or shipper in the State should have one of these circulars for his guidance in shipping fruit and vege tables, as they contain a full tariff of prices. Sidney Herbebt. TELEGRAPHIC NEWS. Siiinmiiry of the Week’s Dispatches CONGRESSIONAL. Washington, December 16.—1n tho Sen ate there was tho usual number of memo rials and private bills. Conklin presented a memorial from praetifcal steamboatmeu and persons engaged in navigation, designating certain portions of the steamboat laws which should be changed. In presenting the memorial Conkliug said he took great pleasure iu laying this paper before the Sen ate, because it indicated particularly what changes should be made, and it also showed that the meu engaged in steamboats had some regard for the safety of those travel ing on steamboats. Spencer said that at the last session of tho Alabama Legislature, a committee was appointed to inquire whether corrupt prac tices had been used to secure his election to the Senate. As the Legislature which ap pointed this committee was not tho one by which he was elected to the Senate, he hail not appeared before it to answer the charges. He denied the charges of fraud and corrup tion, and said the Legislature which ap pointed this committee was elected by fraud the samo as the oue recently elected'in Mis sissippi. The Alabama election by which this Legislature was put in, was like that in Mississippi, and was part of a conspiracy to overthrow lawlul government in the South. He recognized the Senate of the United States as the only body having authority to inquire into his election, and his right to a seat in this chamber. lie therefore offered a resolution instructing tbe Committee on Privileges and Elections to inquire whether George E. Spencor, a Senator in Congress from the State of Ala bama, did use, or cause to be used, corrupt practices to securo his election to the Sen ate, and authorizing said committee to send for persons and papers, and sit during the holidays. Davis suggested that the resolution lie on the table and be printed. Conkliug said the Senator from Alabama had been assailed, and he asked for an in vestigation by a Senate committee. Ho hoped the Senator from West Virginia would not ask a postponement. Thurman said he knew nothing whatever of the caso, but it seemed to him that the resolution as drawn simply directod enquiry as to whether the Senator himself had used corrupt practices. The broader qiuntion as to whether bis election was secured by fraud was not covered by the resolution. Spencer said l\e would modify it to meet the views of tho Senator from Ohio. The resolution was then modified to read as fol lows : Resolved, That the Committee on Privi leges and Elections are hereby a ins true ted to investigate into and inquire whether, iu the election of Geo. E. Spencer as a Senator from the State of Alabama ,there were used or caused to be used and employed corrupt means or corrupt practices to secure his election to the seat he now holds, and that said committee be empowered to admiuister oaths, to send for persons and papers, to take testimony, to employ stenographers and such clerical assistance as they may deem necessary', and to sit during the recess of Congress if considered advisable, and to report the result of their investigation as soon as practicable. The resolution, as modified, was agreed to. The resolution which passed the House,to adjourn on Monday next to the 4th of Jan uary, was amended by inserting January sth, and passed. It goes to the House for concurrence. Morton’s resolution, appointing a com mittee to investigate the Mississippi elec tions, was discussed with considerable bit terness, without action. ALABAMA BONDS. New York, December 18.—A meeting of the holders of Ala. B \.na bonds was held here tu-hiy. Tho ooHnurttee-ftppmfited at a~pftv vious meeting presented a voluminous re port in relation to the direct debt, which is stated at $14,718,178. The total deduction from this amount is $2,780,000, leaving a balance of $12,032,178. The committee pro pose that in relation to the past interost up to January 1, 1876, the State give bonds payable in thirty years, interest to com mence fivo years after date. It aIBO pro posed that on the direct debt the interest should be paid at the rate of three por cent, for three years, and five per cent, for twenty seven years. The report shows that the re sources of tho State, if properly handled, are sufficient to very easily pay this amount on the direct indebtedness. An executive committee of three was appointed to man age and represent the interests of the bond holders before the Alabama Legislature in an effort to receive a better compromise than that offered by the circular of the Commissioners of tho Sinking Fund. It was resolved that one-eiglitli of 1 per cent, be charged on the bonds represented as an assessment to defray the expenses incurred by the committee. DESTRUCTIVE EIRE. Little Rock, December 29.—The Gazelle block is burned. It was a three-story brick, 50 feet front by 100 deep. The fire caught in the rear part pf Fred Haas’s cigar and liquor store, adjoining the Gazette office. Haas’s loss is estimated at SII,OOO. The loss of C. Woodruff', proprietor of the Ga zette, is $42,000. Insurance SIB,OOO. Most o f the presses and machinery were saved. T’ ' Ashley block, adjoining the Gazette U uiF in „ was badly scorched,but not seriously.r ’.f ’ The Gazette will reappear to-morro- - , morn" ing from the office of the late During the fire a heavy rain fell ** The court house, one of the Hn eat in th btatc, at Camden, was burped earlv (lay morning. The books and records, and tho papers pertaining to the clerk’s office were destroyed. The loss is not stated. OBTAINING GOODS UPON PAUSE REPRESENTA* TIONS. New York, December 18. Dickarhnfr Roeffler& Cos sold $27,000 worth of nnn a Ahlborn, and after collecting sl6 - 000, had him arrested, charging him with obtaining goods by misrepresenting his pe cuniary condition. A motion in tho Su preme Court Chambers to-day, to discharge the orders of arrest, brought up the ques tion whether merchants, after trusting the representations of persons seeking credit could compel them to make good their rep’- resentation under penalty ofjimprisonment. The question was decided in tho affirmative by Judge Donohue’s refusal to vacate the arrest. STEAMBOAT BURNED. New Orleans, December 18 Tho steam boat A. Pike, from Bayou Bara, with a full load of cotton, sugar and molasses, while lying at the wharf burned to the water’s edge and sunk. A portion of the cargo will be saved in a damaged condition. Mr. Bonnie, one of the clerks, with several of the crew, are missiDg. Othgrs, including two passen gers, were badly burned. The boat was in sured for SIB,OOO. She cost six years ago SIOO,OOO. Her cargo was valued at SIOO,OOO, insured as far as known for $50,000. MORE CATTLE STEALING IN TEXAS. Galveston, December 18, —Advices from Fort Clarke, Texas, of yesterday’s date, states that a party of Mexicans crossed the river below San Eilipe and stole eight hun dred head of cattle and fifty horses IV m Stricklan and Slaughter. The citizen H raising companies, and threaten to cross the river. Groat excitement preva ;, , H anf i citizens of San Filipo to-da- called on the assistance. aUtlloritlfc * * & AN ARKANSAS HANGING. Little Rock, December 18. W. B. Thompson was hung yesterday-"at Lewis burg for the murder of Mr;;. Stover, a widow. Thompson confesses the crime, but said he cud ;t at the instigation of a son-in-law of the decease',. On the scaffold he was cool and cohected, and smoked a cigar before put ting on the black cap • bid good-bve to the crowd and kissed his hand to the ladies. Six thousand people witnessed the execu tion. “babby.” St. Louis, Decamber 18.—General Bab cock has been sent for ana is expected here to-day to plead and have his case set. It will doubtless be certified up to the United States Circuit Court, January term,and come on after those of McKee and McGuire. The report circulated here that some important documents to be used against Bab cock have been purloined from the desk of the clerk of tho United States Court proves to be entirely unfouncied. l’amebique. Queenstown, December 20.—The Ville de Brest fell in with l’Amenque on the 3d of December in latitude 50, north, longitude 18, west. From that day until the 6th, heavy gales prevailed, with very bad sea. On the nth, however, the l’Amerique was made fast to the ville de Brest, and her passengers were transferred to the latter. The Ville de Brest sailed this afternoon for Havre. The 1 Amerique will go into dock. THE CANADIAN COMMUNE. Montreal, December 17.— This morning between one thousand and fifteen hundred desperate laborers again surrounded the City Hali, clamoring f or bread. Aide-man Greenier, CbairmAn of the Police Commis sioners, addressed the people and quieted tneiti, advising them to wait till to-morrow. ■ is not it is fearedi a not will be the result, \ CARPET-BAGGER VERSOS CARPET-BAGGER. Charleston, December 20,-The News and Courier this morning prints an inter view with Governor Chamberlain on tfl subject of the election of ex-Governor Moses and Whipper, colored, as Judges of the most important circuits in the State The Governor, after describing the trick-rv by which the leaders in the Legislature took advantage of his temporary absence from Columbia to precipitate the Judicial elec tion, which resulted in the choice of Wbin per and Moses, said : v “I look upon their election as a horrible disaster—a disaster equally great to the State, to tho Republican party, and greatest of all, to those communities which shall doomed to foci the full effects of the mob enco of Mosos and Whippet' upon the bench I did, a year ago, speak publicly of Whinner" who was then a candidate for iheverv position to which ho has now b-eo elected. Then I denounced him as in capable and utterly unfit for the office of Judge. Of Moses, no honest men can have different opinions. Neither Whinner nor Moses has any qualities which approach to a qualification for judicial positions, ihe reputatiou of Moses is covered deep with charges which are believed by all who are familiar with the facts of corruption bri bery and tbe utter prostitution of ail i jg official powers to the worst possible pur poses. This calamity is infinitely great,,' in my judgment, than any which has yet fallen on this State, or, I might add, upon any part of the South. Moses as Governor is endurable compared with Moses as Judge.” Question—“ What do you thiuk of Wig gins ?’• “ Answer — “He is not to be classed morally with Moses and Whipper; but, in ordsr to defeat Judge Maher, he haß consented to be the tool of the same combination which olected Moses and Whipper, and, as such tool, he will be expected to, and doubtless will, do their work.” Question.—“ What, iu your judgmeut, will bo tho effect of tho election of these three men ?” Answer.—“ The gravest consequences of all kinds will follow. Ouo immediate effect will obviously be tho reorganization of the Democratic party within the State, as the only means left, iu the judgmeut of its members, for opposing a solid and roliable front to this terrible crevasse of misgovern mont and public debauchery. I could have wished, as a ' Republican, to have kept off such an issue ; but I have a profound belief in tho logio of events aud a Providence, too, that shapes events, and I do not allow myself to think that tho good and honest men of South Carolina will find it impossible, be cause they are organized as Democrats, to give their help to whomsoever shall bo best able to undo the terriblo wrongs of last Thursday. lam free to say that my highest ambition as Governor has been to make tbe ascendency of the Hepublicau party in South Carolina compatible with the attainment and maintenance of as high aud pure a tono in tho administration of public affairs as can bo exhibited in the proudest Demo cratic State of the South; aud it was also my fondest hope, by peaceful agen cies, hero in South Carolina alono of all the Southern States, to have worked out,through the Republican party, the solution of the most difficult and one of tbe most interest ing political aud social problems which this century has presented. If these results shall not be reached, the responsibility for the failure will not rest upon me, nor upon the Conservative citizens of South Carolina, who have hitherto, with unvarying fidelity and generosity, stood by mo in my work ; but upon those, and all li'ko them, who dealt the cause of good government so deadly a blow on Thursday.” The Governor wont on to say that thero was tho gravest doubts, on constitutional grounds, of the validity of the judicial elec tion as to four out of the eight circuits— Whipper and Mosos being among the doubt ful cases. The action of the Legislature continues to bo the subjoct of groat popular excitement all over the State. m’donald’s resolution. Washington, December 20. —The concur rent resoluti. us which Senator McDonald" of Indiana, will offer in tho Senate after tho" holiuay recess, as a substitute for those re cently submitted by Senator Morton, an ~f which he gave notice to-day, have not uq, been perfected, and therefore could not aM presented to-day. The following is a rouglll draft of them, containing tho substance ] thereof, though the phraseology may be ' changed somewhat before their presentation to the Senato: Resolved by the Senate, the House of Rep resentatives concurring, That tho people of the United States constitute a nation and are one people in tho manner only and to tho extent provided for in the Federal Con stitution, and the amendments thereto. Resolved, That tho united colonies de clared and achieved their independence, and tho Federal Constitution was formed andg adopted by the several States lormerm comprising tlio Confederacy and called! the United States of America, tho chiefl purpose of which was to form a more perfec® Union, to establish justics, insure domostiJ tranquility and provide for the com mo* defence, and the powers not delegated by* to the United States nor prohibited by it -rka-SWG*?. TveTVf' fr:ilgvTd-to~TK~~g ufetT respectively and to tho people, a Resolved, That as the States wero at the time of the formation and adoption ol tho Federal Constitution each sovereign, froo and independent, except in ho far as such sovereignty had been oxpressly delegated to the Congress by tho articles of confedera tion, the rights reserved to tho States and to the people in the formation of tho Federal Government were sovereign rights which cannot be impaired without usurpation, and the only safe rule by which to administer tho Federal Govern ment with respect to tho rights of tho States and people is a strict construction of the Federal Constitution and the amend ments thereto and the assumption of doubtful powers. 110 Resolved, That in tho formatior - ~ Federal Government it was the c' - . ® to leave each State and the o' ear design sovereign as to all matters copl® mestic concern, and to °£ *' lCa or f} 0 " Federal Government confer upon the as to such matter sovereign powers the general r i*- as affect States, or as ve ! far ? ? f all tho to secure dome- might be necessary are defined J- aUc tranquility, Which powers its anwmV xl fhe E ederal Constitution and States “ Th ® People of the United acter ’ -oerefore, from the nature and char tin'- of tho ' r governments, State and na r al, and from their relation to each are ot a national unity in the ordinary sense of that term. Resolved, That it being the design to make the government formed under the Federal Constitution perpetual, tho rights of any State or any number of States tj secede from tho Union was not reserved, and so far as such right has been claimed to exist it should bo deemed forever settled against it by the results of the late civil war. CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEEMEN. Washington, December 20.—After the House of Representatives adjourned, im mediately upon the announcement of tho committees to-day, there was quite a gen eral interchange of opinion among the mem bers In regard to tho selections. Those who had been well provided for commended tho Speaker’s judgment, or said nothing; but the prevalent expression was one of dissat isfaction. The Speaker’s friends account for this by tho fewness of tho prizes and tho preponderating number of tho competitors for them. On tho other hand, there are many among tho Democratic members who severely criticise his selections for a con siderable number of tho prominent posi tions as unsuitable or as unfair to Congress men of extended service, who have been passed over in the distribution of chairman ships and important committee places to make room for new men without legislative experience. Of tho forty-seven cb ; r . manships, exclusive of the Com r-,R,. n on the Rules, of J tj J() Speaker is ex-oflicio chairman, *' are given to Western members ' south K d and Eastern third rate importance. • I . irteon < 81 * aro °* expenditures in the - committees on partments, etc., • , v ™ B Executive De given to Wests- dd of . the chairmanships same descr.- * u members, four aroofthe Souther® - Jtlon - and four or five of the imnnrtj- chairmanships are also un hukis at ‘ ft l6 West, therefore, ol’ i .“® *' rst place in the number chairmanships of the first and second class committees. Out of the total forty seven, Ohio and Missouri have each five chairmanships, Illinois four, Kentucky four, ■Di'fiana two, and Tennesse two. Virginia and Pennsylvania have three each; North Carolina has two, ana no other State lias more than one. The comp isition of the Pacific Railroad < .’ommittee by the vote on Holman’s anti-subsidy reaoiu.'.uu is as| follows: Chairman Lr mai Messrs. Throckmorton anti O’Neil voted against it. Messrs. Latteck, of Cab fornia, Lynde, of Wisconsin, Thomas, ff Maryland, Phillips, of Missouri, Garfield, of Ohio, ICassoD, of lowa, and Blair, of New Hampshire, voted for it, and Messrs. At kins, of Tennessee, Walker, of Virginia, and Platt, of New York, were recorded not voting. The friends of tho Texas Pacific biil claim that ‘a majority of the committee will be found in favor of their proposition. Trichinae— Fatal Effects of Pork eating in Indiana. — Indvmapoliz , Ind. , December 17. — Dr. Pettyjohn, having a medical practice near Westfield, on the borders of Hamilton county, some ten miles north of Indianapolis, day before yesterday brought Dr. Fletcher, for mi croscopical examination, a piece of pork tenderloin, and some portions of human muscle, which he believed to be .infested with trichinae. It was learned from him that a family named Beale ate freely of pork tenderloin, and soon after the entire family had become affected, some serious ly, and one, a little girl, fatally, with symptoms which he afterwards attributed to the presence of trichime. After the death of the little girl, he secured a por tion of the gastric nemius muscle, also s portion of the tenderloin, and the speci mens were submitted to a close micro scopical examination by both Doctors Fletcher and Chambers. In t> piece of the Liu-cie the size of a pin head. Doctor Fletcher found twenty of the little ver mins, of mature growth, and still show ing signs of active life. Aa yet only the little girl has died, but others of tliQ family are dangerously ill.