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TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. Daily—one year $lO oo “ six months 6 00 “ three months 2 50 Tri-Weekly—one year 5 oo “ six months 2 50 Weekly— one year 2 oo " six months 1 oo Single copies. 5 ets. To news dealers, 2K ots. Subscriptions must in all cases be paid i advance. The paper will lie discontinued at the expiration of the time paid for. JAB. G. BAILIE, } FRANCIS COGIN, Proprietors 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.