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GEO. T. JACKSON,)
Address all Letters to the Constitu
tionalist office, AUGUSTA. GA.
FROM ST. LOUIS.
Convention Proceedings—Colonel Tom
Scott Shows the Advantage of His
Road.
St. Louis, November 24.—1n the Con
vention, a lengthy letter from Col.
Scott was read, setting forth the ad
vantages to the eouutry at large, and
to the Government, from the Texas Pa
cific Road. The Committee on Resolu
tions then presented a long series of re
solutions, which were read.
Resolutions.
This Convention of Delegates,
duly appointed from thirty-one States
and territories, many cities and boards
of trade, merchants, exchanges, and
other commercial bodies, constituting
a body of eight hundred and sixty-nine
delegates, representing not only a large
proportion of the people of the U. S..
but of the active producing business
capital of the country, and now as
sembled to take action upon the con
struction of a Southern line of railroad
to the Pacific, do respectfully represent
to the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United
States, ,in Congress asssembled
that a Southern trans-continental
railway from the waters of the Missis
sippi, via El Paso, to the Pacific Ocean,
on or near the thirty-second parallel of
latitude, is imperatively demanded,
first, as a measure of sound states
manship, because it is only by constant
intercourse—business and social —that
the great States now growing upon the
Pacific slope can be permanently bound
in a common interest with our Eastern
and Southern communities, and it is
therefore sound policy and wise fore
sight to promote the most intimate re
lations between all sections of our
common country, a necessity already
recognized by the Government in its
grant of bonds and lands to the Union
and Central and Kansas Pacific roads,
and of lands to other trans-continental
lines on the thirty-second, thirty-fifth
and forty-seventh parallels, under the
belief that private capital would fur
nish the needful funds to complete
these highways, but owing to the great
commercial depression, they cannot be
built by individual capital, and the re
sponsibility still rests upon the Gov
ernment to secure the completion of at
least one additional trans-continental
line.
Second—As a means of national de
fense, because it is the duty of the Gov
ernment to have a line to the Pacific
unobstructed at all seasons of the year
for prompt transportation of troops I
and supplies, should trouble arise with
any foreign country, and the ports and
countries of the Pacific coast be ex
posed to insult or attack, such line to |
be sufficiently removed from our bor- j
der to enable us to be fully protected i
against movements of hostile forces.
Third —Asa local military necessity, !
because the experience of the nation i
in regard to the Central, Union ;
and Kansas Pacific Road, has J
proven that the rail and tele- j
graph facilities thereby provided ;
furnish the only sure means of I
intercepting and punishing hostile Iu- i
dians, and unmistakably indicate the
adoption of some method to prevent
constant depredations in western Texas,
New Mexico and Arizona, making life !
|nd property seeure, and establishing
there the same law and order that pre
pul all along the present Pacific line.
* Fourth —Asa measure of practical
Economy, because as already shown
by the experience of the Pacific
Road, the expense of maintain
ing a military establishment for ;
ithe protection of the Southern ter
ritory against Indian depredations
4-ill be largely reduced by enabling the
•veLtnnent to transport troops and
supplies at one-fifth of the present
tost, and by enabling it to dispense
|virh two-thirds of the present force,
through the facilities offered for the
rausportation and movement of
iroops, and thereby safe from eight to
ten millions of dollars per annum, and
at the same time provide more effi
ciently and economically for the care
find maintenance of the Indian tribes,
Also under charge of the Government, j
Fifth—As a commercial necessity to
twelve millions of people, inhabiting a
belt of country from four hundred to
seven hundred miles in width, and
sjtretchirg along the entire South At
lantic coast, the Gulf of Mexico and
Old Mexico to the Pacific Ocean, who,
by reason of their geographical po
sition, cannot share in the benefits con-
Iferred by the present Pacific line.
Sixth—As a direct saving to the peo
ple of the entire country, because it
will give a competing line between the
two oceans, both for the large local
and through traffic of this coun
try, and for the great through traffic
with the Sandwich Islands, India,
Japan, Australia and Western
South America, thereby confirming
substantial benefit upon the entire na
tioD, because, in this manner, the peo
ple of these United States will be best
protected against a monopoly to whom
they have loaned fifty-five million dol
lars of six per cent. Government bonds,
and made large grants of land to> build
the present Pacific line, end for whose
benefit the Government is now paying
yearly upwards of three million dol
lars additional out of the Treasury. A
corporation that has established arbi
trary rates for transportation, and is
now seeking to perpetuate itself as
a close corporation and control
the lines, and such as it is may
hereafter build iu its own exclu
sive interest instead of making them an
open highway, such as the people of
this country have a right to demand.
Seventh —Because communication
thus established with the rich and pro
ductive States of Old Mexico would
secure the large and lucrative traffic
now diverted to other countries, and
would thereby increase the revenues of
the Government, while at the same
time the connections made with lines
now projected from the capital of
Mexico to its northern border would
stimulate and develdpe this trade, and
enrich the citizens of our country by
exchange of our manufactured goods
for the products of her soil and mines.
Eighth—Because it is the duty of
the Government to protect the citizens
whose guardianship it assumes, under
the treaty obligations in the acquisi
tion of Mexican territory, in which they
were resident; and also all other citi
zens who have been induced by grants
made by the Government to’ aid the
building of railroads, to settle in the
Territories which those roads were in
tended to develop.
Ninth—-As a prudential and proper
act to encourage the people of the
South who may very justly and with
great force urge that, while §175,000,000
of the public money have been appro
priated in the Northern States and
Territories, since the organization of
the Government, there has been but
$9,000,000 expended in the % Southern
States and Territories ; because, not
only wiii the roads, as a means of
national defence, strengthen the mili-
'Augustn Ccmstihvticmaliet
Established 1799.
tary arm of the Government and at all
times perfect the security of our
Pacific coast against attack by
foreign powers and reduce the
expenses of its local administration,
bind our country more closely to
gether, facilitate communication with
the Pacific and with Old Mexico, de
velop new traffic and the agricultural
products and great mineral wealth of
Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. But
it will also, by the demand for rnanu
ufactures and production of every
description, including iron, steel, cot
ton, wool, timber and other material
needed in the construction of engines,
cars, bridges, machinery, buildings,
et'\, for the use of the road, and by
the laborers employed in building and
maintaining the same, give employment
to furnaces, mills and machine shops
of the country, and once more revive
and stimulate the depressed industries
of all sections ; and, whereas, to se
cure to the Government and people
these several advantages, and in ad
dition thereto, to seeure the return to
the people of 30,000,000 acres of laud
heretofore granted to build the thirtieth
parallel line, and save the building of
one thousand five hundred miles of
road, it is the judgment of this con
vention that it is not only right, but is
the duty of the National Government
to render such aid, properly secured,
restricted and guaranteed, as will se
cure the prompt completion of the line
referred to, and such extensions as will
give to all sections the advantages re
sulting therefrom ; now, be it resolved,
First, That a Southern line to the
Pacific Ocean should be built ou or
near the thirty-second parallel from
Shreveport, Va., El Paso to San Diego,
where it will make connections with the
waters of the Pacific in a safe and excel
lent harbor and connect also with the
railroad lines, now building from San
Francisco to the Southern part of Cali
fornia. There should also be construct
ed extensions from most eligible parts
of Texas and Pacific road to New Or
leans, Memphis and Vicksburg, and
from a point near the 103d meridian to
Vinita in order to reach the Mississippi
river to connect with every road and
harbor of the Atlantic coast, and with
every railway east of the Rocky Moun
tain slope.
Third—That to insure to the nation
the greatest benefits from this line of
road and to prevent its being con
trolled in the interest of any one part
or section of country, there should be
established such regulations as will
maintain the road from Shreveport to
the Pacific as an open highway and as
a competing line to all trans-continent
al railroads to be used on equal terms
by all connecting roads which are now
or may hereafter be built, simi
lar regulations to be applied
to branches receiving similar aid to
the Te XiiS anc * Pacific Trunk line.
Fourth—That it should be built at
the lowest possible cash cost, in order
that the people shall be protected
against undue or oppressive charges,
and shall be secured iu its use at the
lowest possible rates required to pro
tect the comparatively small capital
actually expended iu its construction, a j
result which can be greatly aided ;
by its construction at this time, i
when material and labor can be j
secured at prices much below those
that have prevailed for many years i
past, and that Congress shall at all
times reserve the power to protect peo
ple against speculation and oppression
in the use of this national highway.
Fifth—That the building of the main
line should proceed under such regula
tions as will insure the construction of
the road continuously from the point
of its preseut completion in Texas to
San Diego, iu California, or until it
meets an extension of the same line
from San Diego. 1
Sixth—That the construction of such
line and branches can be best secured
by the extension of Government aid to
the line and branches heretofore men
tioned in these resolutions in the form
of a guarantee of interest, not princi
pal, on a limited amount of five per
cent, construction bonds, payable in
fifty years, so that the entire liability
assumed shall not in any event exceed
£2,000 per mile per annum, nor the in
terest or actual cost of line and said
branches, such liability to be secured
by a first mortgage upon all the rail
way property and franchises of com
panies, and upon the bonds grant
ed by the Uuited States, and
any deficiency iu the earnings
of the line and branches to meet
the interest maturing on thege bonds,
while the road is in course of construc
tion, to be met by the deposit in the
United States Treasury of one-eighth
of the whole authorized issue and the i
sale of the samo if it becomes neces- i
sary after applying net earnings and i
proceeds of lands, and the sums due j
for Government transportation, mail
and telegraph service to meet the in
terest so maturing as aforesaid, so
that there shall be no outlay by the
Government. These bonds to be issued
only to the actual amount of cash
expended upon the road and branches,
and upon the certificate of sworn
commissioners, appointed by the
Government to supervise the build
ding of the line and its branches,
and their redemption at maturity
to be assured to purchasers and
holders by providing a sinking
fund out of revenues of the road and
its branches, to be paid by the compa
nies into the treasury of the United
States, of such amount as may be
sufficient to pay off and discharge the
entire bonded obligations of the com
panies on which the Government has
guaranteed the interest.
Seventh —That the President of the
Convention be requested to prepare an
address to the people of the United
States embodying the views set
forth in the preamble and resolutions
adopted by the Convention, and that
he be authorized to appoint a commit
tee of thirteen, who, with the President
of the Convention, shall present an
engrossed copy of the proceedings of
this Convention, together with an ad
dress to the President of the United
Suites, the presiding officer of the
Senate, and the Speaker of the House
of Representatives, and to take such
further action as, in their judgment,
may be deemed best to further the
objects and purposes of this Conven
tion.
Other resolutions, providing that
copies of these resolutions be furnish
ed to the Governors of States, the
Mayors of cities, and the commercial
and other bodies represented in the
Convention, and that tho Secretary
have the proceedings of the Con
vention published in pamphlet form
were also adopted. An amendment to
the report providing fora branch from
some point on the Texas and Pacific
road to the Gulf coast at Galveston or
some other point, was offered and
occasioned considerable debate, but
it was fiually rejected, and the
resolutions as reported by the
Committee unanimously adopted. Brief
and congratulatory speeches were then
made, on invitation of the Convention,
by Hon. R. W. Thompson, of Mary
land, Gen. Wm, Preston, of Kentucky,
and Judge Matthews, the President. —
After which, the Convention adjourned
sine die.
FROM WASHINGTON.
AN INDIAN WAR IMMINENT.
The Story of an Agent—Hostilities Ex
pected—Liberians in a Bad Way-
Curious Theological Students—De
partmental News.
Washington, November 24. — The In
dian Agent, Irvine, telegraphs that in
a recent altercation at Cameron Agency,
New Mexico, he was wounded on the
hand by an Indian, who, attempting to
escape, was shot by the guard, and
hostilities might be looked for at any
moment. His wound prevents him
taking an active part in the difficulty.
He recommends that affairs be placed
in charge of a military commissioner,
and telegraphs back to put the military
in full control, and give them hearty
co-operation in bringing the Indians to
subjection.
Official information shows that, in con
sequence of the war with the natives,
the Liberians were suffering, some of
whom, in the interior, are in a state of
starvation. Students at the Theologi
cal College, in sympathy with their
fellow-natives, give them encourage
ment in their attacks.
Orders have been issued to close the
departments on Friday. Sales of gold
by the sub-treasurer in New York have
beeD postponed to Friday.
Washington, November 24. — The
Secretary of State has issued an order
to the Diplomatic and Consular offices,
to display their flags at half mast and
adopt the usual symptoms of mourning
for thirty days.
FOREIGN DISPATCHES.
Death of an Artist—Turkish Forts in
Peril—Close of Navigation in Canada
—Wales’ Progress—English Politics.
Pakis, November 24.—Alexander Col
ier, painter, is dead.
Berlin, November 24. — The Turkish
forts at Garansko and Nicksic must
capitulate unless shortly victualed.
Montreal, November 24.—The canal
between here and Lachiue is blocked
with ice. Navigation has been closed
some days earlier than last year.
Bombay, November 24. — Wales and
suite have returned from Baroda. All
well. Wales went aboard the Serapis,
for Ceylon.
London, November 24.—The Post says
Hunt will resign as First Lord of the
Admiralty. Lord Lennox, member
from Chichester, will probably succeed.
FROM SAN FRANCISCO.
A TALE OF HORROR.
Sworn Statement of One of the Crew
of the Orpheus—How the Steamer
Pacific w r as Sunk.
San Francisco, Nov. 24. — One of the
crew of the ship Orpheus made a sworn
statement before a Notary Public, at
Port Townsend, in which he charges
the Captain of the Orpheus with having
caused the disaster. He says on sight
ing the light of the Pacific he was or
dered by the second mate to head for
them. In a few minutes thereafter the
Captain came on deck and ordered him
to again put the ship on her course.
About three minutes afterwards he was
ordered by the Captain to let her luff,
which he did. After this the Captain
signified his intention to speak the
steamer, for which purpose the lights
of the steamer were kept dead ahead
until the two vessels came in collision.
Then the steamer followed the ship and
the people on board the steamer shouted
and called upon the Captain of the
Orpheus to stop and rescue them, but
he did not heed their cries, and kept on
his course, and the steamer was soon
lost to view.
San Francisco, November 24.—The
race was postponed, and the Christmas
pool was declared off
FROM NEW YORK.
Anothei* Failure—Wallace & Cos., of
New Orleans, Give Gotham a Black
Eye.
New York, November 24. — Bass &
Clark, wholesale grocers, have failed.
Wallace & Cos., of New Orleans, dry
goods dealers, whose failure has been
reported, is said to owe nearly £250,000
here.
Accident to Pauline Lucca—Death of
the Amexucan Croesus, Wm. B. Astor
Pauline Lucca was thrown from her
carriage, in Switzerland, and received
injuries which will detain her six weeks.
Wm. B. Astor died to-day. He was
eighty-four years old, and has been in
ill-health a long time. The event was
not unexpected. During the course of
his life, the value of the property be
queathed to him by his father has
been constantly increasing, and i: is
almost impossible, at the present time,
to estimate its amount. It consists of
real estate in all parts of the city, and
is worth many millions of dollars. He
will be buried on Saturday.
Binghahpton, November 24. —James
Covert, eighteen years of age, who
plead guilty of felonious assault upon
a girl nine years of age, has been sen
tenced to twenty years’ imprisonment.
FROM PHILADELPHIA.
A Proposition to Shake Hands Over
the “Chasm.”
Philadelphia, November 24.—A move
ment is on foot to assemble a large
number of soldiers of the late war in
this city sometime during the Centen
nial. It is proposed to have the North
ern and Southern armies represented
by their leading Generals and thou
sands of the rank and file. It is
purposed to show the world, by a
grand impressive demonstration, that
the men who were inarms against each
other a few years ago are now united
in the celebration of the one hundredth
birthday of their country, and are in
spired by a spirit of patriotism and
feeling of a common nationality.
FROM LOUISVILLE.
Election of Grange Officers.
Louisville, November 24.—The Na
tional Grange election resulted thus :
Master, John T. Jones, of Arkansas;
Overseer, J. J. Woodman, of Michigan;
Lecturer, J. B. Smedly, of Iowa; Stew
ard, A. J. Vaugli, of Mississippi;
Treasurer, F. M. McDowell; Secretary,
C. H. Kelly, of Kentucky.
Port Huron, Michigan, November 24.
—The mill of the National Stave Com
ny was burned. Loss, £65,000; in
ad for £35,000.
AUGUSTA.. GA.. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 35, 1875
LETTER FROH ATHENS.
A Quiet Town, but Capable of Emo
tion—Municipal Affairs—Religious
Revival—J. W. Wallace, of Augusta—
Court Topics —Amusements, Profes
sional and Otherwise —The Board
ing House Question.
[From Our Regular Correspondent.]
Athena, November 24.
Mr. Editor : An oasy going, staid
old community like this, is not quickly
moved. It does not strain its eager
gaze at every passing bubble which
comes rippling to the surface in the
gushing tide of modern go-ahead active
ness, it does not smack its compressed
lips over the popular delicacies calcula
ted to tickle the sensitive palate of the
day, nor do the ringing symphonies of
sensation’s orchestra make much im
pression upon the Athenian tympanum.
Indeed, so smoothly and uninterrupted
ly do we pursue the -‘even tenor of our
way” that some rash person, whose
temerity far exceeds his respect and
veneration, has affirmed that we are
“old fogy;” but leaving this scoffing
individual to the contempt of man
kind, we must pass ou to the first figure
in our epistolary patchwork, which
shall consist of
MUNICIPAL MATTERS.
The city of Athens, under her new
charter, is governed by a Mayor and
Aldermen, and consequently enjoys,
along with her sister cities, the priv
ilege of holding annual municipal elec
tions. The present incumbent was
elected two years ago by a majority of
six votes over his opponent. Last
year there was no opposition to this
gentleman, and now, although one or
two citizens are prominently spoken of
for the place, no definite action has
been taken by the people. Two very
important issues are saddled upon this
contest. The one asks if the people
shall be compelled to sustain the inter- I
est accumulating upon the bonds of the j
Northeastern Railroad, which some j
affirm to be avisionary line; the other
clamors for the taxation of stocks and
bonds, so that real estate owners shall
be released of some of the burden. The
vital questions are much talked of,
anti are loudly called for by our
newspaper men as issues in the cam
paign which culminates December Ist,
but notwithstanding the urgency of the
case and the shortness of the time, no
steps are taken to perfect this, and the
average Athenian goes as quietly and
as unconcernedly about his business as
if these questions related to the Herze
govinian insurrection rather than to
the government of bis own city. You
would conclude theref ore that our com
munity is very slow to move in any
direction, but when it does swerve from
its quiet ways, it is shaken to the very
centre. Such a fact is now corrobora
ted when Athens io the spirit of the
age, is seen in thg very midst of a
RELIGIOUS REVIVAL.
Under the auspices of the Union
Prayer Meeting Society of this place,
assisted by J. A. Munday, Esq., the re
formed gambler of Atlanta, this revival
is assuming gigantic proportions. From
a very small number, the meeting in
creased in size so rapidly that now the
Opera House can hardly accommodate
the vast assemblage which nightly
flocks to the hall, and something less
than one thousand persons are present
at each session. Mr. J. W. Wallace, of
Augusta, presided at two of these
meetiugs, and by his able biblical dis
sertations and sweet songs aided very
signally in the good work. Although
his stay was a very short one, he has
won many hearts by his earnest and
charming efforts. There is a deep un
der current of feeling here, and it is
rumored, though the report lacks cor
roboration, that two eminent citizens,
descendants of noted State officials of
the past generation, intend to enter the
ministry. While speaking of religious
matters, it may not be improper to add
that Dr. T. E. Skinner, of the Baptist
Church of this city, has accepted a call
to Macon. Dr. S. is an excellent
preacher, extremely logical, highly cul
tivated, and socially is a most convivial
gentleman. He is one of the able men
of the Baptist clergy, and is an orna
ment to his community. From religi
ous matters we fain would call atten
tion to
RES JUDICATA,
but as there is nothing particularly
startling in the announcement that
Judge Rice is holding Superior Court
here, we leave the subject with a mere
mention of a little episode “iu pros
pectu” in a neighboring county, Oconee
by name. This county, recently chip
ped off from the body of old Clarke, is
quite an enterprising rib, for while our
Clerk of Court can show on his books
nothing higher than “simple larcenies,”
Oconee boasts of a bu nging on the 17tli
proximo. Yes, one Price, poor negro,
was so unfortunate as to make way
with his father-in-law in a little family
scuffle. Had it been bis mother-in-law,
they do say that the jury would have
recommended him to mercy, but, as iu
this instance, no such palliation was
enjoined, Judge Rice insists that Price
be taken out by the sheriff at Watkins
ville and hanged by the neck till he
be dead, dead, dead. This is said
to be the first time in the
annals of this county, in which a
prisoner has been called upon to suffer
the death penalty, and consequently
the matter is looked upon with some
little interest. The new court house
and jail, now being erected, are enter
prises much needed: At present the
town hall is much too small, and con
sequently cramps to a considerable
extent the administration of justice,
while the damp, dingy, dirty little
Chillon is unfit even for the entertain
ment of tramps.
THE STAGE.
Athens has been quite fortunate in
being favored this season by several
fine troupes for <qr boards. The
“Royal Yeddo Japs, :i in their astonish
ing feats, will next call forth our
amazement and small change. But
the juggler who jursi; now excites our
wonder and amazement is a certain ex-
Governor, who, however much whirled
around or tossed about in the tub of
public opinion, always comes out “right
side up,” chewing the cud of self
complacency. Kenc !
Notwithstanding the fact Jthat the
people and the papers of Georgia have
been pouring hot shot at him and his
clique about this board question, he
don’t move a peg eitiser way. At pres
eut the boarding house proprietors in
the city have accept and the inevitable,
but as all declare that it is simply ruin
ous to keep up such a course, the
whole thing will sooner or later be
revolutionized. There is great dissat
isfaction among the parents of many of
the students, and one representative
from Augusta has been compelled to
withdraw from college. He, of the
Dade county, coal mines,however, seems
to be as inexorable ,o the dictates of
common sense and reason, as Dombey’s
friend at Queen’s Oo irt, to the charms
of the bewitching R:tss Fox.
PICCIOLA,
NEW YORK GOSSIP.
How Conway and His Devil Appear
at a Distance—About that Griswold
Mystery—Literature aud Crime.
| [Correspondence of the Cincinnati Gazette.]
New York, November 19.
conway’s conceit.
Having noticed Conway’s opinions
concerning the existence of a personal
devil, I may express my surprise that
he had to go all the way to London for
them. I have seen similar statements
frequently in print, and almost the
same ground was gone over by a
public lecturer in this city two years
ago. I fail to see any power iu Con
way’s theories. Letting the Scriptures
alone, I am convinced of the existence
of a devil by what I see in my daily
contact with mankind. Had I never
heard of such a being, his reality
would be forced upon me by experience.
I cannot explain the crimes of mankind
and the social abomination of the day
even by the depravity of human nature.
There must be a main-spring of most
malignant power behind this. Some
of our readers may remember that
Voltaire, who tried long to deny the
personality of the Deity, was at last
constrained to write
Si l)ieu n'exist pas, il faut le Greater.
After much thought upon the subject
I am led to say that as visible nature
compelled the would-be atheist to ac
knowledge a God, so the horrid con
dition of society compels me to pro
fess my belief in Satanic existence.
The astronomer Leverrier said that
the perturbations of Saturn indicated
an invisible planet, and tbey led to the
discovery of Neptune. Let such an
argument bo applied to mankind.
GENERAL DEVILTRY.
The revelations of an Asmodeus for
a single night would be sufficient to |
illustrate the deep abominations of this
metropolis of sin. Wickedness in high
places is branded upon the history of
New York. L<s*>k, for instance, at the
episode of licSntiousness and suicide
connected wira the unfortunate Hinge
Roane. This would have been bad
enough had it occurred in Green
street or any other purlieu of
disrepute, but it is a Fifth
Avenue scene. The cry of hor
ror proceeds from anew and elegant
structure, built ou land worth £3,000
per foot. All around are the palatial
abodes of opulent gentry. Here are
such men as August Belmont, Marshal
O. Roberts, Edmund Morgan, John
Taylor Johnston, and the Stuarts, all
astonished to find such a system taking
root in the atmosphere of culture, re
finement, and piety. Tom Whitney is
a well-known business man, and one
would think that in getting up such au
arrangement he would have sought
some place where privacy would have
sheltered his scheme, but instead of
this, he spent it in the center of fashion.
Here it is that the wretched woman,
conscious of the fragile tenure of her
unioo with the young rake, watches his
expressions and conduct with the pal
pitating fear of loss, and with the pistol
daily before her ns the final resort. —
How her last words remind us of
Byron’s lines:
“Of this their mutual feeling she replied.
If it should be so—but—it can not be,
Or I, at least shall not survive to see.”
THAT GRISWOLD MYSTERY.
“ Where, and O where, is our South
street merchant gone ? Such was the
exclamation of business men and fash
ionables when George Griswold so sud
denly disappeared. Little remark
would have been made had it been one
of the common type of humanity, but
Mr. Griswold was the representative of
an ancient, though extinct, shipping
house, aud was much more than a
millionaire. This is as strange an epi
sode in social life as the Tom Whitney
affair, except its deficiency in the final
act of death. Mr. Griswold has noth
ing to do but to enjoy life. He keeps
the ancient office open in South street,
but all that is done there is his private
business. He has an income equal to
one hundred thousand dollars a year,
and knows how to use it. On Satur
day, the 7th, he has a grand, though se
lectdinuer, with a few convivial friends,
and at midnight a carriage conveys
him homeward. Strange to say leaves
it when near his residence and is seen
no more. He is advertise 1, and a re
ward of two hundred and fifty dollars
is offered for his body. As he had
fifteen hundred dollars In his purse,
and valuable jewelry on his person, it
is feared that he has beeu robbed aud
murdered. When this hue and cry has
reached its acme, Mr. Griswo and sudden
ly reappeares and astonishes the pub
lic by his story.
AN EXPLANATION.
Mr. Griswold professes great sur
prise at the excitement which followed
his disappearance. He tells us that he
fell in the street and that after rising
he went to the house of a friend where
he remained till he was sufficiently im
proved to return to his abode. lam
compelled to add in this connection
that the condition of a bon vivant at
midnight when under the influence of
strong drink is well understood by all
who know anything of human nature.
We also know that certain unmention
able establishments of sumptuous ele
gance aud with all the appointments of
gorgeous luxury are chiefly supported
bj the patronage of elderly men of
wealth. In such places men sometimes
remain concealed for several days, and
seldom, indeed, depart as long as their
money lasts. The names of the gray
hsaded rakes of this city are pretty
well known, and some are notoriously
abandoned in their habits. Their way
o! living is one which destroys sympa
thy and all the finer feelings of the
soul. Ask such men to listen to the
appeal for charity, and they are ready
to scoff, while cash flows readily at the
voice of the sensual pleasure. The
thousands spent by these men and
added to their influence in affording
protection, explain the bold front and
grand display shown by metropolitan
Nice.
LITERATURE AND CRIME
Those who know Zeno Burnaam are
glad to hear that he is in the Tombs.
He has been for ten years past a pro
professed swindler, and his brief sen
tence to State Prison was but trifling
ounishment for his crimes. His pres
snt durance, however, is for threaten
ag with death a* theatrical character
named Fiske, who has befriended his
ivife. This denouement reveals the
fact that he claims to be the husband
of one Mrs. Burnham, well known as a
newspaper correspondent of more than
ordinary ability. She, on the other
hand, denies the marital tie, which is,
as she alleges, a fraud, and she affirms
that Zeno has another wife living.
The affair has a strange and mys
terious complexity, which illustrates
the strange things of Metropolitan life.
On the other hand, here is Malcolm
Campbell, a lawyer, who puts a woman
named Pauline Fowler under arrest
•
because she threatens his life. The
woman in reply claims the man as her
husband, and charges him with aban
donment. He denies the statement of
marriage, but admits that he is the
father of her child. In connection with
these scandals, is a divorce suit in
which a former President of the Erie
Railroad, Robert H. Berdell, is defend
ant, and which is based on that only
cause which justifies the annulling of
the matrimonial bond. Taking the
state of society here in general view, it
seems enough to make one adopt Vol
taire’s expression, a little varied, thus:
Si Satan rt exis t pas, il faut le creater.
Knickerbocker.
THE COMING CONGRESS.
A Look Over* the New Body—The
Probable Leaders in the House, etc.
(Washington Correspondence of the Chi
cago Times. 1
Ali of the interest in the coming Con
gress concentrates, as a matter of
course, in the make-up of the Demo
cratic House of Representatives. The
new members of the Senate were called
here last spring, when they were men
tally weighed and photographed until
the reading public knew all there was
desirable to know about them. Of the
new House there are doubtless many
bright and shining stars, but their light
has hitherto been shed in obscurity. Of
the two hundred and ninety-two mem
bers of the next House one hundred j
and eighty-four are new members. The i
great majority of these have never
served in any national legislature, and j
are, therefore, easy victims to the rule j
of the more experienced parliamenta
rians who control the House. Of the i
re-elected members from the Forty- |
third Congress the Republicans have a
majority, the number standing sixty- i
eight Republicans and forty Demo- !
crats. This will be an advantage to
the Republican side of the House that
should not be under-estimated as expe- |
rience in the devious ways of the House j
is so necessary to the accomplishment
of anything by an individual member, i
If a newly-elected member could only
struggle with himself, keep his mouth
shut and his eyes and ears open during
one entire session, he would be of some
value to his district. However, it is
more than probable such a course upon
the part of a member would make his
constituents think that he was not a
statesman. The rural idea of a states
man is a creature who is always upon
the bulwarks of his country supporting
the Constitution, while he howls for
the equality of man.
The Hall of Representatives is a very
large room, whose acoustic properties
are simply horrible. Members who
live upon the outskirts of the hall are
as remote from the proper understand-1
ing of what is going on lower in front
of the Speaker’s desk as if they were :
in Baltimore. The uproar and con- ,
fusion, the running to and fro, the pri
vate confabs a'nd ceaseless racket that
lulls only for the most noted and sen
sational speaker, combined with the
most complicated set of rules ever
devised for the ruling of a parliament- j
ary body, are enough to drive the brain
of the average member distracted in
his vain endeavor to comprehend what
is going on. The majority of new
members follow
THE EXAMPLE OF JUDGE WOLFE,
a member of the Forty-third Congress, j
from Indiana. He was a quiet old |
party, not given to anything in the way j
of enthusiasm, except when cultivating j
Platonic attachments with fair bounc- j
ing widows. Wolfe was a man who j
knew he could never comprehend the j
business of the House, and so he had j
the good sense to never try. There
were several Democratic leaders near
him, who were continually under the
Judge’s eye when a vote was being
called. The way they voted the Judge
knew was safe for him, and whether
Congress was passing a measure de
claring war, or a measure to change
the name of Jehoshaphat Scrugginbot
tom to Adolphus Sweetblossom, the
old Judge had not the slightest idea.
THE REPUBLICAN LEADER.
Unquestionably James G. Blaine will
be the leader of the Republican minor
ity in the House, and a right lively
leader he will make. He is as quick
as chain-lightning, as witty and pun
gent as Voltaire, and as unscrupulous
as the devil. He possesses an almost
supernatural knowledge of the rules
through his long experience as ruler
of the House. He is very brainy, this
man Blaine, and when he has his legs
and is after a man, he can give Ben
Butler teu points and play him with
his left hand in villifying and con
signing au opponent to eternal infamy.
He was the one man in the House who
could pierce Ben Butler’s brass and
prod the marrow of the Essex states
man’s bones until he was ready to roar
for mercy. Ben Butler will not be in
the next House, so Blaine will really
have no man to contest the leadership
with him upon his side of the house.
The Republican minority will be more !
compact than was even the majority in
the last Congress. There were then
too many leaders. There was no one
man strong enough among them all to
wrest the leadership from the hands of
the children of mediocrity, rap them
upon the heads of their impudence, and
then assume the dauutless, irresistible
sway of them that the despotism of
brains and magnetic power never fail
to give.
Although Blaine is as thoroughly
hated as all men of superior natural
abilities are hated by the groundlings,
yet his readiness, intense vitality,
strong magnetic pow T er, make him
great as a leader in attacking
some particular measure. Where Mr.
Blaine is weak, fatally weak, is in his
excessive policy. He lacks that bold,
dashing spirit, that can take a “header”
in the dark of uncertainty, trusting to
his good angels to take him straight
through to success. Oh, no, he is not
that sort of a man. He wants to see
his way clear first, and meanwhile he
is the most subtle schemer in the Uni
ted States. This being quite generally
known, he is not trusted like more
blunt and outspoken men.
PROMINENT REPUBLICANS RETURNED.
Among the prominent Republicans
returned is old Judge Kelley, of Penn
sylvania. Surely Congress would not
be Congress without an occasional pig
iron roar from the protective chest of
Judge Kelley, the guardian angel of
the poor working man, and “the nateev
eeadustrees of our countree.” Then
there is Baby Garfield, who sobbed and
blubbered his way through his sad
Credit-Mobilier days. He will have no
more chances for divides as Chairman
of the Committee of Appropriations.
Wm. A. Wheeler, of New York, who was
Chairman of the Committee on Com
merce, was one of the best of the Re
publicans. Haile, of Maine, is a sort
of hammer-and-tougs blatherskite. It
is pleasant to know George F. Hoar,
with a Pucker spelled with a capital P.
New Series —Vol. 28, No. 96
will be in the next House. He repre
sents Prudence, Propriety and Prim
ness. He is the man who is always
rising, puncturing space with a boney
finger—his mouth works like cold
dough while he wants to know of the
Speaker what would be the effect, you
know, if the motion preceding the
question to rise antecedent to a mo
tion for the previous question, subject
to a motion to adjourn, were to be
raised, and it being discovered that no
quorum being present, that sundry mo
tions of order should be put, and
cries of “question” being raised, what
effect would all this have upon antece
dent questions already raised, and
hence upon consequent propositions.
I have seen Jim Blaine’s eyes roll in
agony as he has followed this man
Hoar through his sinuous twisting, but
he never failed to untwist the cold,
pudding-mouthed Hoar to his satisfac
tion. The true way for a Speaker to
do with him would be to say, “I think
so” to his every proposition, and if
that did not suit him, why, pound him
on the head with the gavel!
Among other Republicans in the next
! House tolerably known, are Kasson and
McCrary, of Iowa; Munroe and Foster,
of Ohio.
THE DEMOCRATIC LEADER.
This will depend largely upon the
question of the Speakership. Kerr
would make a magnificent leader upon
the floor of the House. He is the only
one of the Democrats who is strong
enough to cope with Blaiue. Sam
i Randall can’t do it. Little Cox can
poke fun; it would be cruel to ask more
of him. Iu looking over the Demo
cratic members who have seen service,
none aside from Kerr appear more
prominent for the leadership upon the
floor of the House than L. Q. C. Lamar,
of Mississippi. He is of the right tem
perament, and has that power of
erupting a volcano of high-sounding
sentences that inspires his followers
with the importance of the occasion
that is very necessary for the leader
ship.
THE FATHER OF THE HOUSE.
This is the title given to the member
who has served the greatest number of
consecutive terms. Upon the opening
day of Congress seats for different
members are drawn by lot. The father
of the House is, however, first allowed
to select his own seat. He is also the
man who administers the oath to the
newly-elected Speaker. Senator Dawes
was the father last year. Judge Kelley
is this. Fernando Wood has served
more terms than any member in the
House, but they have not all been con
secutive terms; hence Kelley’s prefer
ence for the venerated position of
father to a conglomerate body of ras
cals, wooden-heads and good men. Ar
range the proportion to suit yourself.
A CARD.
Branch Office, )
Piedmont and Arlington Life Ins. Cos. -
Auous'ca, Ga., Nov. 24, 1875.)
Messrs Editors : In your issue of 21st
inst, was a “card,” signed by Col. A.P.
Butler and others, reflecting upon the
honor and integrity of my Company, the
Piedmont an 1 Arlington Life Insurance Cos.
of Virginia. This card was also inserted in
the Edgefield Advertiser of 11th inst.
In justice to my Company, and its many
policy-holders in this section, I deem it but
proper to now hand you for publication in
your columns the following reply of Col.
VV. C. Carrington, the President of my Com
pany.
Col. Carrington’s card speaks for itself—
to contents of same I invite the attention of
the public, and especially commend it to the
consideration of the policy holders of the
Company in South Carolina and Georgia.
Very respectfully,
W. M. Hutson, Jr,
Gen’l Agt. P & A Life, Augusta, Ga.
A Card—Seeking Justice Only.
Office Piedmont and Arlington )
Life Insurance Company, }
Richmond, Va., Nov. 16th, 1875. )
I am pained and surprised at a “card” in
the Edgetield Advertiser, of the 11th inst.,
signed by Col. A. P. Butler, and others, in
which severe strictures are made on the
Piedmont and Arlington Life Insurance
Company, of Virginia.
lam pained, because names and charac
ters so honorable and upright should give
force to a war so unnecessary and unjust;
and I am surprised, because those so com
petent to do right, and so noted for justice
and fair-dealing, have been misled by de
liberate, wilful and malicious falsehood of
others, and have prejudged and condemned
the Company without an opportunity for
its defense. *
I am sure, from what I know of each
party signing that card, that there is not
one but who would scorn to be a tool of
others, or to do injustice to any person or
corporation, and that ali they need is to be
convinced of the error to make full repara
tion. To this end, I have, this day invited
the Chairman, Colonel A. P. Butler, to come
to this office, at our expense, and in addi
tion, a proper allowance for his time, that
he may know the facts and report accord
ingly. We have asked him to bring each
Policy, which has claims, with our pledge
to execute the contract to the letter, and
also to bring the statements of all moving
“behind the scenes,” that justice maybe
doue them as well as ourselves. We ask
him to come here because our records are
necessary to show the full facts, and our
records cannot well be carried elsewhere.
In short, we are ready, willing and anxious
to make a full exhibit to all interested, to
give reasons for all our actions, and to exe
cute to the letter all contracts, to redress
all wrongs, and to do justice and deal fairly
by every one interested in our company.
Can we offer more ? Will those who
threaten “Courts of Law,” ask more ?
I have no doubt that each one who signed
the unjust card honestly believed he was
right, for they are not the men to do wilful
wrong, yet the best men sometimes err.
Let us examine the assertions. They as
sert that the Company has grossly violated
its contracts. Is this a proper assertion?
They do not say they believe it, but assert
the fact. Who are the best legal judges of
facts? I should say the Courts; in fact, in
disputed matters the Courts alone decide
legal facts, and as no Court has decide i we
have “grossly violated contracts,” it cannot
be an asserted legal fact. Now, who is the
best judge of the legal and proper construc
tion of insurance contracts, in the absence
of legal decisions—those who do not under
stand the business, or those who do under
stand it? We assert at this office, we have
never violated a contract, and surely, when
insurance is our study and our business,
our opinions shall have as much weight as
those less informed on the subject; and
certainly our opinion should have the more
weight, when the opinions of others are
made up from statements of persons whose
malice, or self-interest, induces the asser
tions.
It is then not a legal fact that we have
grossly violated our contracts, but a mat
ter of opinion. Now, let us see if it is reason
able that we should violate our contracts!
We know the success of the com
pany depends upon our keeping con
tracts; we must bepresumed to know
what the contracts are; is it rea
sonable that we should destroy our
success by refusing to do that which we
agree to do? It is absurd to say we should
thus destroy ourselves—what nave we to
gain by such a course? Nothing, for we
would lose caste, lose business, break up
the company, lose our Diaces and pay, and
ruin our reputation as a corporation and
as individuals.
Since it is absurd to presume, whether
actuated by self-interest or principle, that
we would seek to destroy a oompanyin
which our honor, our intellect and money
are involved, surely it is absurd to suppose
*hat we would wilfully, “grossly violate
our contracts,” Then, of necessity, it fol
lows that if we refuse demands made upon
us, it is at least because, in our opinion,
we think that our contracts and justice de
maud that we should do so.
If we think so, would the public respect
us if we yielded to threats, and did what
our judgment forbids?
I have seen the manly spirit of too many
South Carolinians on fields of blood, at my
To Advertisers and Subscribers.
0n AND aptee this date (April 21, 1875.) ali
editions of the Constitutionalist will be sent
free of postage.
Advertisements must be paid for when han
ded in. unless otherwise stipulated.
Announcing or suggesting’ Candidates fot
office, 20 cents per line each insertion.
Money may be remitted at our risk by Express
or Postal Order.
Gobbespondrnce Invited from all sources,
and valuable special news paid forlf used.
Rejected Communications will not be re
turned, and no notice taken of anonymous
letters, or articles written on both sides.
side, and heard their honorable words from
history, and experience in person, to think
they would decry one who sustains his
honest convictions!
There is another view of the matter that
the public should see. If wo'yield to the
unjust demands of those who wish to re
tire from the Company; if we give them
more than they are entitled to, we defraud,
and take from those who remain and con
tinue to pay what Is their due. Is it right
that we should “ rob Peter to pay Paul ? 7,
It is our duty to give those who leave
and those who remain, full justice; to keep
our contracts—and that we have always
done, and always will do, according to our
conscience and judgment.
The card referred to next asserts, the
Company “contemplates still grosser vio
lation of its Agreements and is totally un
worthy our trust and confidence.” If we
do not deserve the first censure, and have
not violated our contracts, as I have sought
to show, surely it is unjust and harsh to
prejudge what we most solemnly deny,
and to herald a bad faith which has had no
shadow of test or trial.
It would be equally unjust to assert that
the Company was unworthy of trust or
confidence on the score of violating con
tracts. when that violation is a matter of
opinion, asserted by others and solemnly
denied by us.
We suppose, theD, this charge must refer
to the solvency of the company. On this
score, we assert that the company has
passed the rigid inspection of experts in
insurance departments, and has 1 cense to
do business, and is doing business in New
York, Pennsylvhnia, Ohio, Missouri, Ar
kansas, Maryland and other States. We
asset t, further, that the company is now in
better condition than ever, that it h ts paid
ali losses properly due, and is able to pay
all in future, and we pledge to the world
that so far as prudence, integrity, econo
my and business caution can go, the com
pany shall forever be able to meet ail
claims.
By our annual statement last January
we had a surplus of about $275,000 beyond
all positive and contingent liabilities; this,
too, on the restricted and unnecessary
basis of interest at four and a half per cent,
per annum, while every man knows interest
can never be less in this country than six per
cent., and if our contingent liabilities were
put on the latter basis our surplus would
have been fully $600,000.
We only ask justice; we pledge to give it
to all, and we appeal to an honorable public
to hear us before they condemn.
You will be told many things false. We
only remind you that truth can be always
found out, and ask that you will not risk
believing falsehood until you try to find
out what is the truth. We were told that
war would be made upon our Company—
that efforts would be made to ruin us, in
certain events; but our actions have been
from a conviction of duty, and for the pro
tection of the interests and funds of our
policy-holders. Being convinced of having
done our duty, we trust to the honorable
work! for justice, and open, fair play. We
should deem it hard fate to be condemned,
unheard by those in whose defence we have
ever acted, and we rely on the chivalry and
integrity of a South Carolina public to
maintain in the right the “ Piedmont and
Arlington Insurance Company,” which
stands as a monument against the former
sneers of the North, that the South could
not financier successfully, and which, with
your continued support, will be, as it is
now, the pride and boast of the South, as
one of the greatest successes of any age or
any country.
We again express high regard for those
who signed the card, and in no word intend
to reflect on them. We offer them all that
reasonable men should ask. all that justice
to others will allow, and hope they will
‘•come and let us reason together.”
In conclusion, w i ware and bog you to
look out for and beware of slanders and
falsehoods, and covert attacks on this Com
pany, and when such reach you, inform
this office, and you shall have the facts and
judge for yourselves.
Very respectfully,
C. Carrington,
President.
CRIMES AND CASUALTIES.
Suicide—Robbery of a Bank—Burning
of a Brewery.
Boston, November 24 It is believed
that S. S. Jackson, a prominent bank
er and real estate broker, suicided by
jumping from the Chelsea boat.
Detroit, November 24. —The First
National Bank of Monroe was robbed
of SIO,OOO.
New York, November 24.—David
Jones’ brewery was burnt. It was
stored with grain, malt and hops. Im
mense vat3 of beer falling caused the
walls to crush several tenement houses.
Loss of Jones, sole owner of the brew
ery and contents, $350,000. Insurance,
$250,000.
FROM CHICAGO.
Railway Rates Southward Reduced.
Chicago, November 24.— At a meet
ing of ticket agents, rates to a number
of Southern cities were reduced. Rates
to Atlanta, Charleston, Raleigh, and
other principal cities in that section,
were reduced two to three dollars, and
there was a reduction of three dollars
iu the immigrant rate to all points in
Texas.
——
Minor Telegrams.
New York, November 24.—1n the
match game of SI,OOO and champion
ship, six hundred points, three balls,
Cyrille Dion won by forty-eight in
nings, Maurice Daly scoring five hun
dred and fifty-seven.
San Francisco, November 24.—The
official returns for Oregon gives Lane,
Democrat, for Congress, two hundred
and sixty-seven ma jority.
Amsterdam, N. Y., November 24.
Eight hundred to one thousand knit
ters of woolen goods struck against a
reduction of ten per cent, in their
wages. The strikers have no organiza
tion and cannot stand out long.
Princeton, N. J., November 24.
Forty students were expelled for per
sisting in belonging to a secret society
against the orders of the Faculty.
Two-thirds of those expelled belong to
the senior class.
<i %
The Health of Cities.
[New York Express.]
The sixth report of the Massachusetts
Board of Health, in its statistics of the
present health condition of large cities
on both continents, has the following :
Estimated Deaths
Cities. Population. Per 1,000
New York 1,040,000 27.61
Philadelphia 775,000 19.54
Chicago 395,000 20.31
Baltimore 350,000 21.14
Boston 331,000 23.60
Paris 1.851,792 21.01
London 3,311.298 21.04
Berlin 828,000 32.03
New York, it will be seen, makes the
worst record in the country, and Bos
ton follows. The recent addresses de
livered before the National Scientific
Congress explained the cause of all
this only too fully. It is bad drainage,
or bad sewerage, crowded tenements,
living in damp cellars, sink-holes where
epidemics are bred, and the vioes in
cident to a population of over a million
of people. Our healthy location be
tween two rivers, accessibility to the
sea, pure air all around us, ought to
make a better record than this ; and
so it will, when people live as they
ought, and the health of the city is
properly cared for by all the municipal
authorities working as a unit for the
public good.
— —i ■
A fashionable young lady, fresh from
boarding school, came to her father’s
breakfast table; instead of speaking
English and saying “Good morning,”
she spoke French, and said, Bon jour.”
“Of course the bone’s your’s, if you say
so,” responded the practical old gentle
man, as he handed her the ossified
portion of a beefsteak.