Newspaper Page Text
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION.
Daily—one year oo
" six months 500
** three months 260
Tbi-Weekly—one year 6 oo
“ six months 250
Weekly—one year 2 oo
“ six months 100
Single copies, 5 cts. To news dealers. aK ote.
Subscriptions must in all oases be paid in
advance. The paper will be discontinued
at the expiration of the time paid for.
JAS. Q. BAILIE. )
FRANCIS COGIN, Proprietors
GEO. T. JACKSON.)
Address all Letters to the Constitu
tionalist office. AUGUSTA. GA.
CONGRESSIONAL.
Washington, December 13.—Senate-
West, of Lousiana, presented the me
morial of a thousand citizens of Lousi
ana against the alterations of the little
tariff bill in regard to wine. Referred
to the Finance Committee.
There was a Democratic caucus this
afternoon. The object has not trans
pired.
Nominations this a. m. do not in
clude the district Judge for Lousiana.
Davis, of West Virginia, submitted
a resolution citing the law requiring
reports to be made to Congress annu
ally of persons indebted to the Gov
ernment, a list of defaulters with the
amount of defalcation, &c.. and calling
upon the Secretary of the Treasury to
inform the Senate why such reports
have not been made. The Republicans
fought hard against immediate action.
Sherman moved its reference to the
Committee on Finance. The Democrats
returned several such resolutions buried
there already. It was finally postponed
until to-morrow.
On motion of Conover, the views of
the Secretary were asked on the impor
tance, practicability and probable cost
of improving the channel at the en
trance of Cumberland Sound, Florida.
Merriman, of North Carolina, intro
duced a bill to repeal section four thou
sand seven hundred and sixteen of the
Revised Statutes, which forbids the
payment of certain pensions. Referred
to the Committee on Pensions. To re
peal so much of section three thousand
four hundred and eighty of the Revised
Statutes as forbids the payment of the
accounts, claims and demands there
in named, and all laws and
clauses of laws forbidding the payment
thereof. Referred to the Judiciary
Committee. The bill refers to claims
or demands against the United States
which accrued or existed prior to the
13th day of April, 1861, in favor of any
person who promoted, encouraged, or
in any manner sustained the late re
bellion. It further authorizes the set
tlement of such claims and appropri
ates $400,000 for that purpose. After
executive session adjourned.
Confirmations: Pratt, as Commis
sioner of Internal Revenue; Tobey,
Postmaster at Boston; Duell, Commis
sioner of Patents ; Emery, Governor
of Utah ; Goddard, Postmaster at Port
land, Maine.
Nominations : R. M. Orrell, Postmas
ter at Fayetteville, N. C.; Sami. G.
Brad well, at Yazoo City, Miss.; J. D.
McAdoo, at Marshall, Texas; Wm. F.
White, Collector of Customs at St.
Mark’s, Fla.
House “-Appointments—Chief Clerk,
Green Adams, of Kentucky; Wm. Q.
Reeves, of Texas, Librarian ; Broad
head’s commission, as successor to
Henderson, has been forwarded to St.
Louis.
A Forthcoming Message on Southern
Affairs.
The message which the President
will shortly send to Congress on South
ern affairs will relate in greater part to
the late troubles in Mississippi, and
the mode of conducting elections in
that State, the information having been
gathered by persons designated for
that purpose.
Democratic Caucus—Shaping the Fu
ture Policy of the Democracy.
Col. Lamar presided at the Demo
cratic caucus to-day, with Banning, of
Ohio, and Robbins, of North Carolina,
Secretaries.
Mr. Waddell, of North Carolina, of
fered resolutions for the appointment
znent of the Chairmen of the Demo
cratic Executive Committee to consist
of three Senators, six Representatives
and three citizens of the District of
Columbia.
Cox, of New York, offered a resolu
tion providing for the appointment by
the chairman of a committee of eleven
membeis, to suggest to the caucus, at
a future day of meeting, such a line of
policy or action on public measures as
would best serve the interests of the
country. These resolutions, after de
bate, were severally agreed to. There
was harmony of views with regard to
the duty of the majority of the House.
All agreed that they should, as far as
possible, effect a reduction of taxation,
and that the Government should be
honestly and economically adminis
tered. Much responsibility devolved
upon the majority of the House, al
though the Senate was not politically
In accord with them. The country de
sired the stoppage or corruption and
wasteful expenditures, and the De
mocracy could not expect the
people to stand by them unless they
stood by the people.
No business apart from that above
mentioned was considered and the cau
cus after remaining in session an hour
and a half adjourned..
The Supreme Court.
The Chief Justice announced that
the Supreme Court would adjoun from
Friday next to the third of January.
Judge Bradley’s decision in the Grant
parish eases will almost certainly be
sustained when the opinion is framed.
The difficulty is with the manner of
framing it.
A Decision of the Supreme Court Af
fecting Florida,
Supreme Court—No. 3—Original-
State of Florida vs. Andrew Holland
and others. This is a suit by the State
to enforce its lien upon the Jackson
ville, Pensacola and Mobile Rail
roads, under a mortgage made
in 1870 in exchange for State bonds
issued in aid cf the roads. By this
exchange the State took three mil
lions of the first mortgage bonds of the
road and one million of the bonds of
the Florida Central Railroad Company
in consideration of its issue to the com
pany of four millions of bonds to
hasten the completion of certain roads
which had been consolidated in pursu
ance of the act incorporating it and au
thorizing the aid. The interest on
these bonds not being paid and a bal
ance remaining due on a trustee’s
sale, made in the interest of the State,
to the company of certain of the roads
consolidated, this suit was brought,
and the decision is that the defendants
ought to be enjoined from selling,
taking possession of or interferring
with the line of railroad extending
Lake City to the Chattahoochee river,
and from Talahassee to St. Marks, so
as to impede or obstruct the State in
taking possession and procuring it to
be condemned and sold in payment of
purchase money and interests claimed.
The receiver of the property hereto
fore appointed, is continued until the
property can be delivered up to the
proper authority. Mr. Justice Bjad
ley delivered the opinion.
Pincliback Snubbed.
The vote on admitting Pinchback was
due to-day by postponement from last
session, but though the candidate was
present, no official notice whatever was
taken of him or bis case.
Milton, Penn., December 13.—A fire
originated at the Riverside House.
Loss, §IOO,OOO.
3unustn Constitutionalist
Established 1799.
FOREIGN DISPATCHES.
GRANT’S MESSAGE IN ENGLAND.
The Mosel Disaster—Church and Ger
man News—-Progress of Wales—
Death of an Envoy.
New York, December 12.—A London
special to the Herald says the message
of President Grant ha3 been chiefly in
fluential in determining the purposes
of the government concerning the com
plications in Cuba. It has outwardly
removed the existing suspicion
that trouble was impending. It has
also relieved American bonds from a
pressure and a heaviness that was felt
by those who are engaged in their
manipulation. It may be added how
ever, that these securities are still fa
verishly held, because of the sug
gestions of the President concerning
the school question, and the operation
of the new political issues.. On the
whole, the message has been well re
ceived and especially that portion of it
which treats of the finances of the
government and the possibility that at
a not distant day the currency of the
country will be reduced to a basis that
will correspond with that of other
specie paying communities.
London, December 12. —A dispatch
received from Bremerhaven to-night
states that sixty-eight persons were
killed and thirty-five wounded by the
explosion yesterday on the quay of
the Mosel, and eight are missing,. A
passenger on board the Mosel has since
attempted to commit suicide, but was
prevented from consummating the fa
tal act. He will be examined.
More about the Explosion—Number of
Killed and Wounded—A Horrible
Story Pronounced Untrue.
Berlin, December 13.—The total
killed by the explosion is fifty-seven ;
wounded, thirty-three, mostly Bremer
haven spectators. It is reported that
the man who delivered the box had
planned the explosion to take place on
the ocean.
London, " December 13.—A report
came from Bremen to-day, that the
passenger who attempted to commit
suicide, and whose name is Thomas,
had confessed that there was another
case of explosive material on board the
Mosel; that it is provided with a clock
work apparatus which was timed to
explode it in eight days, when the Mo
sel would be in midocean ; that he in
tended to land at Southhampton, and
his object was to destroy the steamer,
so that he could claim large insurance,
which he had effected ; but a later dis
patch from Bremen pronounces that
horrible story untrue. The case spoken
of has been opened by the police and
found to contain nothing explosive or
dangerous as reported. t
Madrid, December 13. —Gen. Mori
ones, with twenty-five thousand men,
will conduct orerations in Guipuzcoa
against the Carlisle.
Berlin, December 13.—The Budget
Committee of the Reichstag finally re
jected the new taxes proposed by the
Government.
Santander, December 13.—Eight
thousand infantry, with cavalry aud
artillery, are expected here. All steam
ers in the Larbas were embargoed for
transport service.
Madras, December 13.—The Prince
of Wales, with his suite, arrived here
this morning and was enthusiastically
received.
Paris, December 13. —Dluf Stenesen,
Swedish Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary at Washing
ton, is dead.
Bremen, December 13.—The steam
ship Satier sails for New York to
morrow, in place of the Mosel.
Central America—A Federal Union to
be Formed.
Washington, December 13.—Informa
tion received from Guatamala is to the
effect that representatives of the five
Central American States will meet on
the 15th of January, with a view to
forming a Federal Union.
France-Election of Senators.
Paris, December 13. —The Assembly
continued to ballot for Seuators to-day.
The following were elected: M. De
Lavergne, Jaurez, Berthault. Royer,
Calmon, Oscar De Lafayette, Riemilly,
Luro and Fribert. Of these M. Royer
was the candidate of the Left. All the
others were nominated by the Left
Centre.
Weekly Review of the Grain Trade.
London, December 13.—The Mark
Lane Express in its review of the grain
trade for the past week, says the mar
ket in the French provinces were im
proving, while the tone in Paris was
quiet aud steady. The Belgian, Dutch,
German and llrussian markets were
steady.
Latest from St. Thomas.
Havana, December 13.—Advices from
St. Thomas to the 6th inst, report that
a Dutch squadron was expected to ar
rive there. The American schooner
Victor had entered the harbor dis
masted. Coffee was pienty in Etayti,
and the markets were quiet. The
Commissioner sent by San Domingo to
Europe to raise a loan had returned
unsuccessful.
GEORGIA.
Hon. Geo. 11. Pendleton Serenaded in
Atlanta.
Atlanta, December 13.—Hon. Geo.
H. Pendleton was serenaded to-night
when he made an eloquent, response to
an immense crowd. General Gartrell’s
nomination of Pendleton for President
was received with applause.
West, Edwards & Cos. Compromise.
The creditors or West, Edwards &
Cos., to-day accepted a proposition to
settle by compromise at fifty cents on
the dollar.
A LAND RING.
A Huge Land Swindle Come to Light-
Indictment of the Leaders of the
Swindlers.
St. Louis, December 13.—A stupend
ous land swindle has just been un
earthed in Southeastern Missouri. It
appears that deeds to lauds in North
ern Arkansas and Southeastern Mis
souri have been forged for some years
past, and that agencies for this work
were established in Cincinnati, Pitts
burg, Philadelphia, New York, and
Manchester, England. It is estimated
that deeds to cover one million two
hundred thousand acres of land have
been disposed of, the valuation being
twenty-five to thirty millions of dollars.
The land operated upon is owned by
non-residents, and as the records were
mostly destroyed during the war, the
ring had a facility to carry out an enor
mous swindle. Deeds have been sold
all over the United States and England.
The grand jury of Shannon county,
Mo., have indicted Dr. Thos. K. Hor
mau, Davis S. Bingham and Jas. L.
Lawton for complicity in the fraud.
Lawton seems to have been the leader
of the swindlers and operated exten
sively in England.
FROM NEW YORK.
Tweed’s Case—His Bondsmen in Court
New York, December 13.—A motion
was made by the District Attorney, in
the Court of Oyer and Terminer, to
forfeit the recognizances of William M.
Tweed in the various indictments found
against him for conspiracy and for
gery.
Mr. Dudley Field represented Mr.
Charles Devlin, one of Tweed’s bails
men, and when the latter was called on
to produce Tweed, his counsel handed
in an affidavit showing cause why the
recognizance should not be forfeited,
and setting forth that the plaintiffs
themselves made it impossible for the
bondsmen to produce the defendant,
and after the recognizances were en
tered into, the plaintiffs took the de
fendant out of the bondsmens’ hands,
and, on the civil suit, turned him over
to the Sheriff. That claim on Mr. Dev
lin was thus unfounded and should fail.
The District Attorney argued that it
was the duty of the court to order a
forfeiture, and Mr. Fields’ points
could be argued at the general term,
an 1 also that the bonds were merely
suspended by the imprisonment of
Tweed on civil suits.
The court reserved its decision until
Monday.
Funeral of the Father of E. S. Stokes
New York, December 13.—The fune
ral of Ed. H. Stokes, father of Edward
Stokes, took place to-day. As far as
could be ascertained Edward S. Stokes
did not attend the funeral although
application had been made to the Gov
ernor to allow him twenty-four hours
leave of absence from the State prison
in order to give him an opportunity to
be present.
On Trial for Smuggling Silks
In the United States Criminal Court,
before Judge Bendict, C. T. Lawrence,
indicted for smuggling silks through
the custom house, was arraigned and
pleaded not guilty to counts one, two,
seven and eight charging him with
forging, but refused to plead to counts
three, four, five, six, nine and ten,
charging him with passing false papers
on United States officers on the ground
that he had not extradited for that
offense. The Court ordered a plea of not
guilty to be entered for him.’
CROOKED WHISKEY.
More Victims—Henderson’s Successor
Why Glover Refused the Appoint
ment.
Milwaukee, December 12.—The ver
dict in the case of Burbock & Reynolds,
rectifiers, was guilty.
St. Louis, December 12.— Jos. Q.
Broadhead has accepted Henderson’s
place as the leading lawyer in the whis
key ring prosecutions.
St. Louis, December 13.—Mr. Glover
stated to a friend that he was unwilling
to succeed Henderson under restraints
imposed by the President’s telegrams
removing General Henderson; that he
considered an acceptance equivalent to
an endorsement of Grant’s right to re
move any one engaged on the prosecu
tion for the slightest criticism upon the
conduct of the President or his Cabi
net. In short, that he regarded an ac
ceptance under the circumstances as a
concession of certain privileges which
not only every attorney but every man
feels himself entitled to in this coun
try.
Developments of the Whiskey Ring in
Indiana.
Indianapolis, December 13.—The en
tire morning session of the court was
‘occupied in hearing the evidence of
John W. Bingham, whose appearace on
the witness stand was the signal for
some interesting revelations regardiug
persons and matters directly connected
with the Indiana whiskey ring of which
he was the leading spirit, and prime
mover. With reference to Mr. Hill, the
witness observed that he had known
him as a revenue officer for about two
years, and had told Lewis and others
of his employes not to fear the de
fendant in the capacity of a
Government official, as he was
all right. Witness paid the defendant
regularly on the first of every month
for not peaching on him, and his aver
age assessment for keeping the Gov
ernment officials “ mum ” was two
thousand dollars per week. These
bribes were given to him at Bingham’s
office, in Evansville. Bingham also re
lated in detail the circumstances of
his having given Simon T. Powell, Re
venue Supervisor, a gold watch and
chain on the occasion of the latter’s
visiting Louisville. He said that when
he presented the watch and chain
he did it for a purpose, knowing
the official character of Powell,
and that such a gift might
benefit him sometime. Bingham stated
that he had read occasional letters
from Hill with reference to the whiskey
irregularities but could not produce
any of them. He also observed that
one-third of the whiskey he manufac
tured was crooked, and even then he
lost so heavily as to necessitate the
shutting down of the St. Louis distillery.
Hiram Brownlee was given SSOO
by witness on the occasion of
his attending the marriage of Henry
Yeatch at Evansville. With reference
to Charles E. Marsh, railroad agent,
devoting a whole day as to whether he
would accept the bribe for making
false entries of whiskey shipped, wit
ness said Marsh did not hesitate thirty
seconds.
Gen. Yeatch was then recalled and
examined at considerable length.
Phillip Givins testified to the
shipment of p number of barrels
of whiskey from Patoka without
stamps, and when the matter
was reported, he said he could
not make a case out of it. With the
latter witnesses the evidence for the
prosecution closed, and the evidence
for the defense was commenced. Geu.
Veatch, Jas. H. McNeely, formerly
Postmaster at Evansville, and several
gentlemen from Evansville and Rock
port, were examined, and testified to
the good character of the defendant
before this indictment.
SAN FRANCISCO.
The $30,000 Race to Come Off Christ
mas.
San Francisco, December 31. —1 tis
now considered certain that the great
thirty thousand dollar race will come
off Christmas day, weather permitting.
All the horses are in good condition,
except Wild Idle and Grinstead. The
former will not run, and Foster is com
ing from Oregon to take his place.
Grinstead will no doubt be all right in
time for the race. It is probable that
not less than six horses will start.
New Brunswick, N. J., December 13. —
It is unknown whether Dr. Dunham, a
native of Savannah, Ga., found dead,
was murdered or suicided. There wore
no marks of violence.
AUGUSTA. GA., TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1875.
VIRGINIA.
Ballotings for Senator—Three In
effectual Ballots at the Morning
Session of the Caucus.
Richmond, December 13.—The cau
cus this morning spent an hour fillilus
tering, during which three ballots were
taken. The result in all three failed to
elicit anything deflate, as in each bal
lot different candidates were voted for,
the highest vote ranging from fifty-one
to fifty-four. Adjourned till one o’clock
p. m. •-
Afternoon Session-;Coming Down to
Real Business —No’Nomination Yet.
At the afternoon; session, after the
summary disposition of numerous
resolutions looking to bringing the
conference down to; real business, a
resolution was adopted providing that
all persons to be voted for should be
placed in nomination and the one re
ceiving the lowest vote on each ballot
be dropped, and the person so dropped
to be renominated only twice ; and if
any person be withdrawn after being
nominated he should be renominated
only once. Under this ruling the fol
lowing names were presented to the
conference : Messrs. Goodo, Letcher,
Johnston, Smith, Stuart, Flournoy,
John W. Daniel of Lynchburg, W. J.
Robertson of Albermarle county, J. W.
Sheffey of Smythe county, Robert A.
Coghill of Amherst, A. B. Cochrane of
Augusta, John T. Harris of Rocking
ham, and J. R. Tucker of Rockbridge.
A recess of one hour was taken for
dinner.
Nominations and Denominations in
the Senatorial Contest—No Result
Yet.
Richmond, Va., December 13.— Upon
the reassembling of the conference the
name of Judge Joseph Christian, of the
Supreme Court, was added to the list
before balloting waa resumed. The
names of Coghill, Flournoy, Sheffey,
Harris and Christian were withdraw/i
to be renominated in accordance with
the resolutions adopted this morning.
The eighteenth ballot, first this after
noon, was: Goode, thirty-two; Dan
iel, thirty; Johns ion, twenty-six;
Smith, fourteen; Letcher, twelve;
Roberts, .^eight; Stuart, five ; Tucker,
two; Cochrane, one. Cochrane was
dropped. Six additional ballots re
duced the number of candidates to
three—Goode, Daniel and Johnston—
the vote being about evenly divided
between them. Twenty-fifth ballot—
Goode, forty-three ;! Daniel, forty-one ;
Johnston, forty-seven. Daniel was
dropped. Robertson was renominated
the first time. Twenty-sixth ballot—
Goode, fifty-four; Johnston, forty
seven ; Robertson, twenty-eight. The
latter was dropped. Flournoy was re
nominated. Adjourned till ten a. m.
to-morrow.
A Brig Injured.
Norfolk, December 13.— Putin: The
Norwegian brig Nornon, from Havana
for Falmouth, loaded with sugar. Her
fore mast, fore and main yards were
carried away. She will have to dis
charge a portion of her cargo to ship a
new mast.
MASSACHUSETTS.
Heavy Failures Reported.
Boston, December 13.—Freeland,
Harding & Loomis have failed. Liabili
ties, $750,000. C. M. Freeland, a spe
cial partner, is also reported failed,
having endorsed for the firm for half a
million.
Municipal Politics in Boston.
The Convention to nominate what is
known as the citizens’ ticket for the
municipal contest to-morrow, nominat
ed Samuel C. Cobb for Mayor, with
eight Republican and four Dembcratie
Aldemen. This ticket and that of bolt
ing Republicans are alike.
PENNSYLVANIA.
Bishop Simpson Not in Politics.
Philadelphia, December 13.—Bishop
Simpson has denied the statement that
he had expressed an opinion on the
subject of the third term. He depre
cates any attempt to connect the church
with political nominations and elec
tions.
Minor Telegrams.
Washington, December 12.—The
President has recognized John De
Bruyn Hops as Vice-Consul of the
Netherlands at Savannah.
Salt Lake, December 12.—A meet
ing of Methodist ministers of this city
adopted resolutions protesting against
the action of Bishop Haven and the
Methodist preachers of Boston in
nominating Grant for a third term.
Charleston, December 12.—The
Camden races closed yesterday. Abdel
koree won the first race, mile and a
half dash, beating Bus) Bee—time, 2:51.
Sityry Long won the second race, mile
heats, beating Lettie H. three straight
heats—time, 1:51,1:52 %, Con
solation stakes were won by First
Chance, beating Katie Lee, Mollie
Darling and Eutaw—time, 1:49.
Philadelphia, December 12.—At a
meeting of the Catholic Total Absti
nence Union, of the Arch Diocese of
Philadelphia, to-day, it was resolved
that there will be no parade of the
Union on the 15th of March next, but
that out of love for American liberty,
and a desire to render to tho one
hundredth anniversary of Ameri
can independence all the honor due
the occasion, great efforts will be made
to make the annual parade on the
Fourth of July next, a memorable one
in the history of the Order.
Poughkeepsie, December 13.—The
moderate weather enabled all the
boats on the Hudson caught in dan
gerous places to reach secure harbors.
New Orleans, December 13. —The
seizure of Marshal Packard’s office by
J. F. Barrett, reported by special dis
patch from Washington, in the West
ern papers of the 11th lust., is untrue.
Barrett' who is alleged as seizing the
office, is reported in town, but has not
yet made his appearance.
Little Rock, Decemoer 13.—A col
ored woman named Laparte, who sued
the St. Louis and Iron Mountain Rail
way some time ago for two thousand
and four hundred dollars damages for
refusing her a seat in the ladies’ car,
obtained a judgment before the Circuit
Court of Alaskie county to-day for
one thousand dollars.
Providence, December 13.—The night
mail train for New York was thrown
from the track by a misplaced switch.
It was evidently an attempt to wreck
the train, as a bolt was withdrawn and
the switch changed by unknown par
ties. None were hurt*
I >' ' 0a
Two hundred words; a minute is
Moody’s linguistic pace,* but we know
a woman who could distance him in
fifteen minutes and sh ow no signs of
distress.— Boston News.
NEW YORK LETTER.
THE DYING BARRISTER AND THE
ESCAPED BOSS.
[Special Correspondence of the Cincinnati
Gazette.]
New York, December 9.— The flight
of Tweed and the approaching death
of O’Conor brings these two men again
before the public with renewed promi
nence. They were at legal war, the'
latter being one of the leading counsel
in the prosecution of the former.
O’Conor is steadily sinking. He is
under the care of Dr. Keyes, who is
one of the ablest physicians in the city,
and a partner of the well known Dr.
Van Buren. The leading dailies con
sider his case so important that
three reporters, each connected with a
morning paper, are hanging around
the house and sending down bulletins
concerning his condition. It is ridicu
lous to see how these reporters write
at random, and often with no regard to
truth, their chief object being to get up
a paragraph. For instance, one of them
published the statement that Judge
Peabody called and had an hour’s con
versation with the great jurist, who
said, etc. The fact is, the Judge made
merely a complimentary call, leaving
his card, and being not allowed even to
see “the great jurist,” who is kept per
fectly quiet. He is now through .with
this world’s cares, duties, and friend
ships. His course is about finished,
and all that he can ask is a few days
ministration from nurse and physician,
and then a place among the honored
dead. Great as O’Conor may be, he is
not as favored as some of the humbler
members of society, and described in
Gray’s Elegy. It can not be said of
him, “On some fond oreast the parting
soul relies.” No, he is in the hands of
hirelings—kind and gentle, of course,
but not like one’s own flesh and blood.
o’CONOR AND BENNETT.
Fort Washington is within thq city
boundaries, and yet is a suburb which
has never been marred by the opening
of streets. The latter, indeed, only ex
ist on paper, for the land is so hilly
that it were difficult to open streets,
even if they are wauted, which is not
the case, the old highways being suf
ficient. In this suburb reside such
families as that of the late Shepperd
Knapp; also the rich Connollys, the
Wheelocks and other magnates of
finance, but the leading names have
for years been O’Conor and Bennett.
These men were in some points very
similar, for while one resresented Irish
blood, and the other Scotch, they were
the same in their religion, which was
Romish. Bennett, indeed, was bred for
the priesthood, but had too much
of the dare-devil in him to en
dure its bondage. He bolted the
appointment made by his parents (no
doubt because of the stain on his birth),
and came to this country where he
gradually drifted into journalism. In
stead of becoming “Father Bennett,”
of the Church, he reached a more im
portant position as the great satanie
editor of America. Bennett and O’Conor
both purchased real estate at Fort
Washington when the prices were very
Tow, and their laud investments became
of great value. Connolly, who had
been a successful merchant, also bought
here, and this made the neighborhood
a very strong Roman Catholic centre.
In addition to this, Nelson Chase, for
whom O’Conor won the Jumel estate,
is under Romish influences. All through
this neighborhood, in fact, the Romish
Church has great wealth and power.
SOCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL.
The dying lawyer has had wealth and
fame, but never domestic life. His
wife and he were incompatible, and ho
gave her a handsome establishment
down town, while he kept his suburban
establishment. She died about two
years ago. It might have been said
that O’Conor was married to law, just
as Bennett was married to journalism.
They were so constituted as to each
care for little except his profession.—
Bennett’s married life was a virtual
separation, for he gave his wife $20,000
a yeg,r to enable her to travel, and
when, in after years, they reunited at
the Fort Washington residence, it was
much like an armed neutrality. Both
O’Conor and Bennett were giants of in
tellect, with nothing of the emotional or
sympathetic in their nature.
They also harmonize in their defense
of the secessionists, anil, were, during
the early part of the rebellion, danger
ous men. They had no patriotism, and
could hardly u nderstand the meaning
of the term. When the war was fin
ished, O’Couor gave no utterance of sat
isfaction at the result, but when Jeff.
Davis made a visit to this city, the
great lawyer called on him and took
him out to Fort Washington, where he
remained for several days an honored
guest. During his entire professional
life O’Conor has exhibited this prepon
derance of the intellectual over all else
in human nature. His intellect, how
ever, was solely absorbed by the law.
Ia this he was great, but in this alone.
PASSING AWAY.
The sudden and rapid mortality
which has occurred among our leading
men is a matter of notice. Astor dead
and O’Conor dying! How the mighty
men are sinking out of sight. Add to
these ex-United States Senator Hamil
ton Harris, and the distinguished Al
bany surgeon, James H. Armsby, who
had few equals in the State. This, taken
in connection with the recent death of
Vice-President Wilson, shows what a
galaxy has suddenly disappeared, and
yet such is the pressure of the onward
crowd that few men can be said to be
missed. When a man dies he sinks
into the ocean of oblivion and its waters
close over him. There is hardly a man
in this city who would be missed oui of
the business or political circles. An
able and popular physician would
be regretted by his patients, but in
this case the feeling would merely arise
from selfishness. Into every other va
cancy a score of candidates is ready to
leap; and the facility with which the
gap can be filled is almost the same,
whether the editorial, legal, clerical, or
political community be considered. The
most difficult place to fill, next to the
physician, is the first class preacher.
The Brick Church is now in want of
such a man, and $12,000 per year will
readily be paid, but where is he to be
found? No doubt there are plenty of
preachers adequate to the task, but no
man can be called until he is tested.
These first class churches do not care
to take anew preacher on trial, any
more than a Fifth avenue man desires
to break in a colt. They want one who
is broken to harness, and whose time
is known. Twelve thousand dollars
for the right animal.
TWEED.
The history of famous escapes would
form a volume of no small interest—
John Mitchell, Marshal Bazaine, along
with Sharkey, from the Tombs, and de
Latude from the Bastile. Add to
these Napoleon 111, from the Fortress
D’Ham, and the alleged escape of John
C. Colt, which some still hold to be a
fact. The difficulty with Tweed is
that his escape is the worst thing that
he could have done under the circum
stances.
It has revived the popular feeling
against him, which was slowly dying
away. The public would soon have
yielded to the plea of sympathy, and
would have been prepared for an abate
ment of the charge. The effect of such
a plea on a jury would have been very
powerful, but it is all lost now. In ad
dition to this, it is to be remembered
that, wherever he may be, his condi
tion cannot be less comfortable than
that of a boarder in Ludlow Street jail.
It is supposed that he may be con
cealed in this city. If such be the case,
how close must be that durance which
safety demands ? On the other hand,
if he shall reach a foreign shore, and
be exempt from the risk of extradition,
still he will be under a self-imposed
exile such as must be equal to impris
ment. I need not comment upon the
miseries of such a condition. It was
one of the most heinous of Napoleon’s
sins against humanity that he caused
so many Englishmen to spend weary
years of detention in France by refus
ing them passports. They were Known
as the detainees , and their sufferings
seem to have brought from heaven a
fearful retaliation in his own banish
ment to St. Helena. In view of this and
other crimes, I may say that I have no
sympathy with that man of blood.
But, to return to Tweed, his .escape
has seriously increased his punishment,
and, at the same time, relieved the city
of the cost of his support. The crimi
nal prosecution against him has al
ready cost $30,000, and not a dollar isl
recovered thereby. The civil suits wil,
go on just as well during his absence,
and, indeed, if anything, better.
PLACES TO HIDE.
There are many good places of con
cealment in this city; for instance, he
could be for several days deposited in
the vacant post-office, a place entirely
deserted, aud after night the entire
surrounding district is deserted also.
He could be accommodated aboard a
small steam-tug aud float round the
harbor for weeks. There are so many
of this craft that their motions would
not be noticed. There are numbers of
vacant houses where a man could be
concealed for almost any length of
time, but under such circumstances he
mast endure the penalty of a seclusion
which were vastly worse than the con
venient arrangements of Ludlow street.
Sheriff Connor will attempt to avoid
the penalty involved in his responsi
bility, and, indeed, if it be executed it will
be anew thing in the history of such
cases. Upon the whole the affair made
a temporary sensation which now has
passed away. It was the more thrill
ing because the news came Sabbath
morning and gave an excitement which
pervaded churches as well as legal cir
cles. In only one place of importance
was it not discussed, and that was
where O’Conor lay dying. The only j
escape of which he will be cognizant
will be that of the soul from an old
and worn-out body. The condition of
the banished members of the ring, such
as Harry Genet, Richard B. Conolly,
and others is one of punishment. We
have instances of criminals who have
returned from flight, unable to endure
banishment, and who preferred to ac
cept the chances of a term in State j
prison to the misery of a life among
strangers. Exile has alway been con
sidered a severe penalty.
Memphis Cotton Crop Report.
The crop report of the Memphis
Cotton Exchange for November gives
the following summary for that dis
trict, composed of West Tennessee,
North Mississippi, North Arkansas, and
North Alabamma. derived from ninety
four responses:
The committee reports that cotton
picking closed last year December 7,
while this year on December 1, we have
reported yet in the field 33 per cent.,
and to this date the weather is so un
settled that there has been little if any
picked during the past week. The la
bor last year at this date was reported
efficient, and by this report 50 percent,
is reported discouraged and indifferent
to saving the outstanding crop.
Our September report estimated 21
per cent, increase over last year; our
October report reduced the increase to
16 per ceut., and this report brings the
estimate down to one per cent, less
than last year.
The answers to queries are as fol
lows:
Has the weather during the month
been more or less favorable for gather
ing the crop than last November? Of
ninety-four responses, ten report the
weather very favorable; seven, more
favorable than last November; sixty
eight, very unfavorable, frequent and
damaging rains and not so favorable
as last November; twenty-one report
heavy rainstorms, and eight heavy hail
storms.
What proportion of the crop has been
picked, and when will all be gathered?
The responses show an average of six
ty-five per ceut. of the crop gathered.
The average date for the close of the
picking is: West Tennessee, Jauuary
7; North Mississippi, January 24; Ar
kansas, January 21; North Alabama,
December 25.
In regard to the yield, the report
says: In West Tennessee very great
loss has been incurred by early frost.
Cotton, owing to wet weather, failed to
open, and mostly rotted. In Arkansas
there has been serious loss on new
lands by frost. Throughout the dis
trict, great loss has resulted from heavy
rain and wind storms. Much anxiety
is expressed in regard to saving any
considerable portion of the outstanding
crop, owing to continued unfavorable
weather and many instances of the dis
couraged condition and indifference of
laborers. Forty-three per ceut. of the
entire crop is estimated to have been
forwarded to market by December 1.
In answer to the query: Do laborors
give evidence of stability? 43 report
laborers working well; 30 report evi
dences of stability; 34 report laborers
much discouraged by low prices and
inability to save the crop; 32 report in
difference of laborers by reason of hav
ing consumed their share of their orop;
13 report many as having abandoned
the crop; 41 report the tone of the la
borers’ morals bad.
In regard to the sowing of wheat,
rye and grasses, nineteen report good
progress in small grain and grasses,
and fifty bad progress, forty-eight as
signing as reasons too much rain, and
fourteen indifference of laborers. Six
reply so much corn not needed, and
fifteen none sown, soil not adapted.—
The estimated planting of wheat, rye,
and grasses is one per cent, less than
last year.
In reference to the yield of cotton,
as compared with last year, West Ten
nessee, with favorable weather, will not
exceed six and three-quarters per cent,
greater than last, North Mississippi
twenty-six per cent., and Arkansas for
ty per cent., while North Alabama, not
properly in this district, reports eleven
and a half per oent, less than last year.
New Series—Vol. 28, No. 112
SOUTH CAROLINA NEWS.
W. H. Cathcart, a highly respected
citizen of Winnsboro, accidentally shot
and killed himself about 4 o’clock on
Friday afternoon.
Decatur Alexander, a colored youth,
accidentally shot and killed himself
last week in Yorkvilie vicinage whilst
hunting.
The Senate, in executive session, on
Friday, refused to confirm the appoint
ment of N. B. Myers as Treasurer of
Beaufort county, in place of
Holmes.
The Rev. Edwin A. Belles, District
Superintendent of the American Bible
Society for South Carolina, organized
the Due West Bible Society, in Abbe
ville county, at the Associated Reform
ed Presbyterian Church, Due West, last
week.
Governor Chamberlain has investi
gated the charges made by the Waiter
boro News against Trial Justice Brock,
of Walterboro, of refusing to entertain
a motion for a non-suit when made by
the plaintiff in a cause and entering
up judgment against the defendant.
The charge was not sustained.
The members of Acacia Lodge No.
94 A. F. M., of Columbia, are making
preparations for celebrating the twen
ty-seventh of December—a day of re
joicing in the order.
Two colored men, Tom Parsons and
Lynch Ennis, got into a difficulty about
some theft committed on Mr. H. H.
Easterling’s plantation, three miles
from Barnwell, recently, when Lynch
shot Parsons.
In the United States Court, held at
Columbia last week, two citizens were
before it, for denying to a citizen (col
ored, of course), his legal rights ; the
indictment was quashed, on motion of
the counsel for the prisoners.
The Columbia Register thus speaks
of the impending crisis: “A handful of
Republicans, the most of them fat
tened plunderers, guiding a dark mass
of ignorant followers, to be continued
with approval, consent and encourage
ment in control of a once high spirited
and intelligent people, in almost abso
lute possession of their property, mak
ing up the record of their history,
shaping and debasing the thoughts of
generation after generation; or the
spirit, intelligence, honor, patriotism
and courage of that people, collected
into a focus, gathered into a power and
hurled with determination to extermi
nate the evils which oppress them.
That is the issue, and there stand the
parties to it.”
Judge Gibson and State Rights.
[Greensboro Herald .J
Avery interesting case involving the va
lidity of the Act of the Legislature during
the war, authorizing Trustees, Guardians,
and otlieis acting in a trust capacity, to in
ve>t in Confederate Securities, and receive
Confederate money in payment of debts due
them as such, come up at the adjourned
Term of Greene Superior Court, his Hon.
Judge Gibson, of Augusta, presiding. The
Counsel for Plaintiff evoked a decision of
the Supremo Court of the United States in
a similar case, carried up from the Shite of
Alabama, where the Courts had held the
Act unconstitutional and the Trustee liable,
and requested his Honor Judge Gibson to
charge it to the jury as law in the case.
This his Honor refused to do, assigning as
a reason the want of jurisdiction of said
Court in cases arising between citizens of
the same State, and very ably discussing
the grand old doctrine of local self gov
ernment. We were so much pleased with
Judge Gibson’s able and fearless charge on
this point that we solicited it for publica
tion, and herewith present it to our read
ers, inviting their careful and thoughtful
consideration to the principles enunciated.
His Honor said:
After reading the requests of Counsel,
and refusing or giving them as requested
by Counsel, I now charge you, gentlemen,
that in 1776, our Fathers asserted the right
of local self-government, and to each State
to regulate, control and manage its own
domestic affairs in its own way, and no re
spectable party or tribunal has ever
claimed the right to interfere with any
State in the exercise of this right prior to
1861.
The act of 1863, authorizing the recep
tion of Confederate money by guardians,
etc, was the legislation by ade facto legis
lature of the State, and in my opinion a dr
jure one. too, and it was what ev ry true
man in the State was doing with his own
claims.
The Act of March, 1866, only sanctioned
and approved the decrees, orders and judg
ments of Courts in relation to Guardians
and others, and also acts done in conformi
ty to and by requirements of existing laws;
and this Act received the Executive sanc
tion of one of Georgia’s ablest jurists and
purest statesmen—Charles J. Jenkins. All
these acts, too, if doubts or suspicions could
have rested upon them as acts of no author
ized Government, were vitalized by tho
Constitution and Ordinances of the Conven
tion of 1868, under which wo now exist as
a State. The decision in Wallace went
from Alabama, and as it went to the Su
preme Court of tho United States, it was
between citizens of different States of this
Union, and in a Stato too, whore a fixed up
Supremo Court of Alabama have declared
the Acts relied upon unconstitutional re
peatedly. Justice Field alludes very sig
nificantly to the f ict that the public policy
of the law is being passed upon and de
cided in a United States Court. I do not
recognize as authority bind ng in this
Court, any views of the public oolicy of
any law announced by Justice rield. In
fact, I have always understood the juris
diction of the United States Court to be
coniinod to citizens of different States, and
to questions where the Constitutional
rights of the citizens of the same State
have been violated.
I th nk I may safely assume, that one of
our Judges of the Supreme Court, if true
to the instincts of the pure blood which he
has inherited, will so decide; and another,
by his associations and the frequent rul
ings of his court, will maintain fearlessly
this doctrine of State sovereignty and the
rights of local self-government.
I will at least, in this and all other courts
over which I may preside, and if ever com
pelled to do otherwise, can and will only
read it as law announced by another tri
bunal. lam satisfied, myseif, that in 1862
and 1863, we were out of the Union, and
whilst some say we were overpowered, I
say we were conquered and whipped. Upon
this principle the constitutionality of the
Reconstruction laws can be maintained.
And besides, gentlemen, if we were in the
Union, we were traitors and guilty of trea
son, and no one can think for one moment
that with the foeliugs entertained by Thad
deus Stevens, Charles Sumner and Butler,
toward President Davis, Gen. Lee and Mr.
Stephens, but that some one<or aft of them
would have been executed for treason.
Maintaining as I do, tho right and power
of our Legislature, to determine this ques
tion, and to authorize guardians and ot hers
to do what every true man in tho State was
doing with his own claims, I charge
you, that if respondent, in good faith,
reoeived the money through himself,
or agent, in aoeordanoe with tho law of
the State, and that the money now pro
duced in court was the very money re
ceived in payment of the notes he'd by him,
or his agent, he is not liable to the com
plainant for said sum so received. If ho did
not receive it in good faith, and by virtue
of, and in conformity to, this Jaw; or if,
after receiving it, he used it or mixed it
with hia own funds, and the money in
oourt is not the very money he received,
he is liable to oomplainant for the amount
he received as guardian, with Interest,
after deduoting all legal expenditures, in
no case, however, to exceed the interest
and hire.
“You haven’t opened your mouth du
ring the whole session,” said an M. P
to a fellow member. “Oh yes, I have,’
was the reply, “I yawned through the
whole of your speech.”
“My native city has treated me
badly,” said a drunken vagabond, “but
I love her still.” “Probably,” replied a
gentleman, “her still is all that you do
loye,”
To Advertisers and Subscribers.
On and after this date (April 21, 1875.) all
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 foi
office, 20 cents per line each insertion.
Monet may be remitted at our risk by Express
or Postal Order.
Correspondence invited from all sources,
and valuable special news paid for if used.
Rejected Communications will not be re
turned. and no notice taken of anonymous
letters, or articles written on both sides.
ae " j
GRANT AND THE PREACHERS
His Renomination by Bishop Haven—
A Ferocious Blast Against the Pope
and the South.
[Boston Gh be, Dec. 7.1
The Methodist preachers and the
Methodist Sunday-school Union held a
joint meeting yesterday morning in the
Temple Street Methodist Episcopal
Church, the Rev. L. B. Bates presiding.
After devotional evercises, Prof. Wm.
Wells, of Union College, was intro
duced to address the meeting. He
spoke at some length on the subject of
“Bismarck and the Papacy,” reviewing
at length the train of circumstances
which led to the rupture which exists
between the German Government and
the Papacy, and in that connection
calling attention to the points on which
the German and French soldiers dif
fered in the Franco-Prussiau war. He
declared that to the school system of
Germany more than to any other
earthly thing, belongs the honor of the
German success. In concluding he
warned the people of the United
States of the danger which is threat
ening them and their free institutions
from the Papacy.
Biishop Gilbert Haven, in accordance
with an invitation extended by tho
preachers’ meeting a fortnight ago,
addressed the audience on the condi
tion of the South. He said that there
was one class of people In tho. South
who had been recognized as a Nation
ality by the Pope, and they would wel
come his followers to these shores, but
the race freed by the people of tho
North will never strike a blow against
constitutional liberty. Bishop Haven
said that there is to be a tremendous
political battle this year, beginning with
the election of a Democratic Speaker of
the National House of Representatives.
Ho said that the ministers of Boston
are in the field of battle; their words
are reported and the Southern papers
comment on them. The question is,
“Shall the Northern people rule the na
tion V” “Shall the Puritan or the Cava
lier be the ruler ?” “Shall Boston or
Charleston be the center ?” The Metho
dist Episcopal Church is the only in
stitution in the South to-day that rep
resents the American nation. You must,
he said, stand' by your church. There
are in the South nearly 300,000 members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
who know what they believe just as
well as the people of New England, and
better. They appreciate liberty and
those who gave it to them; they never
will be betrayers, and let the people of
the North never betray them. Tho
malcontents of the South know that
they were defeated by one man; that
man is President Grant, and if the peo
ple throw him over at the command of
politicians they will rue it. Pray,
brethren, that President Grant may be
re-elected. Pray for the true people of
the South, and you will find that thus
you will be able to keep down kindred
threatening powers, the slave power
and the power of the Papacy.” Tho
Rev. Dr. Sherman, of Brookline, moved
that the meeting vote that they had
heard the sentiments advanced by Mr.
Haven with great pleasure and hearty
approval. This motion was unani
mously adopted. All opposed were in
vited to rise, but not one person rose.
There was great applause.
HOW CIRCUMSTANCES ALTER CASES.
[Springfield (Mass.) Republican.]
Suppose a Homan Catholic Bishop
were to publicly advocate the nomina
tion of any Democratic politician for
the Presidency, next year; what a
howl would go up ! How that pious
Protestant, Mr. Thomas Nast, would
break out in cartoons! What severe
and edifying homilies we should havo
from all the organs that have received
Mr. Morton’s circular letter of tho
Republican inwardness, upon the evils
and perils of having a “ political
church” among us.
Yesterday there was a joint anniver
versary meeting of the Methodist Tract
Society and Sunday School Union
at Boston. The Boston Methodist
preachers attended in a body, and
there were between one and two hun
dred visiting clerical brethren from
other parts of the country. Rev.
Professor Wells, of Union College,
opened the hall by a vigorous
blast agaiust the Jesuits and eulogy
of Bismarck. He was warmly ap
plauded. Then Bishop Haven took tho
floor. power and tho Papists
were working together, he said. They
were working together, at that very
moment, in the election of Speaker.
The war wasn’t over. The Methodist
Church was the only organization at
the South that “ represented the Ame
rican idea.” He didn’t care for parties,
but he did care for the church and tho
negro, “ There was only one man that
had conquered or could conquer tho
enemies of American freedom and
American institutions, and those ene
mies knew it, both pro-slavery and ec
clesiastical, and if we threw him over
board we would regret it. He meant
President Grant” The bretrhen ap
plauded. Rev. Brother Sherman moved
that the meeting had heard the re
marks of the bishop “ with great pleas
ure and hearty approval;” and tho
vote was unanimous.
Yet Mr. Thos. Nast and the organs
won’t so much as roll up their fino
eyes.
REPUDIATING HAVEN,
[Courier-Journal.]
Secretary Vincent, of the Methodist
Episcopal Sunday School Union and
Tract Society, publishes a card, in
which he asserts that the Methodist
preachers who were present at the re
cent Boston meeting, where Bishop
Gilbert Haven spoke a word for Presi
dent Grant’s third term, have no sym
pathy with Haven’s political pronun
ciamento, and do not take the slightest
interest in politics. It is gratifying to
know that the Secretary goes back on
the Bishop, for it was not very credit
able for the Methodist Episcopal
Church to proclaim itself a political en
gine, whose power would be devoted to
electing Gen. Grant for a third term.
It is probable, however, that the two
hundred preachers who applauded Ha
ven’s wild speech became a little
ashamed of their fervor and desired to
take it all back. Their common sense
and patriotism should have told them,
in the first place, that Bishop Haven’s
proposition for the Northern people to
rule the nation and the Puritan element
to rule tne Northern people, and Bos
ton to be the centre of the new gov
ernment, with Grant at its head, was a
treasonable and revolutionary utter
ance which every American should
frown upon, even if it offended Bishop
Haven and President Grant. Bishop
Haven should at onoe be summoned be
fore an eoolesiastical council and be
regularly tried for fomenting discord
in the church, and endeavoring to re
volutionize the oountry in the interest
of one man.
No living vine-grower knew of
so abundant a crop as the present ofiQ
In France, .