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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, .