Newspaper Page Text
ESTABLISHED 1799. [
CONGRESSIONAL.
proctje lings of the Senate anti House
Y es terd&y.
Washington, December 22.—The Sen
ate, soon after being called to order
this morning, resumed consideration of
the resolution of Mr. Mitchell, author
izing an investigation as to the ap
pointment of E. A. Cronin, Presidential
elector in Oregon, and after a brief
discussion, it was agreed to without a
division.
The question then recurred upon the
substitute for the preamble to the reso
lution, submitted by Mr. Bayard sev
eral days ago. Mr. Bayard spoke in
favor of his substitute, and said it was
not right to reflect harshly upon Gov.
Grover by tho preamble to the resolu
tion offered in advance of the investi
gation.
The Judiciary Committee of the
House considered petitions for the re
moval of political disabilities, with the
viow of presenting another omnibus
bill. The committee liad no official in
humation of the declaration by the
Louisiana committee that the members
of the Returning Board of that State
worn in contempt.
The Committee on Foreign Relations
discussed the Venezuela fraud, in which
Ortii, of Jndiuna, is involved, but had
no witness.
The Election Committee will not
meet until after the return.of tho In
vestigation Committees, though there
is a quorum present. The Republicans
are in a temporary majority. Public
opinion Is hardening that the election
will be thrown into the House and Sen
ate, with Til (Jen and Wheeler for Pres
ident and Vice-President, but a good
chance for Hendricks, in case it can be
clearly shown to more Republican Sen
ators that ho is elected. The Demo
crats, however, are determined lo
struggle to the end for Tildeu and
Hendricks on a count of the electoral
votes. | / 1 /
In tho House, the Speaker announced
tho following committees to confer
with the Senate committee on the sub-
ject of countiog the electoral vote :
i’aiae, of Ohio; Hunton, of Virginiaf
Hewitt, of New York; Springer, of Illi
nois; McCrary, of Iowa; Hoar, of Mas
sachusetts, and Willard, of Michigan.
To report on the privileges, powers
and duties of the House, in connection
with the same subject: Kuott, of Ken
tucky; Sparks, of Illinois; Tucker, of
Virginia ; Marsh, of Pennsylvania ;
Burchard, of Illinois; Seelye, of Mas
sachusetts, and Monroe, of Ohio.
The House passed the bill removing
t lie political 'disabilities of George S.
liawkins, of Ilorida.
In the Senate, Oregon was discussed.
The call showed no quorum, and the
Senate adjourned.
The War Department has advices
contradicting the massacre ?of Major
llandall and his Indian scouts.
LOUISIANA.
Wells Before the Committee Again.
New Orleans, December 22.—Wells
testified this morning : Was decided
as a partisan, but would not allow poli
tics to iulluence me to do anything
wrong ; did not throw out parishes and
polls simply because they were Demo
cratic ; did not know that any Repub
lican polls were rejected ; the claims of
my family against the Government ag
gregate $700,000 ; was not inti tenced in
my action thereby ; the letter of Mr,
Tilden, saying he would veto such
claims as mine, uid n>t influence my
course ; did not think being Surveyor
of Customs and President of the Re
turning Board were in contravention
of Grant’s order, that no Federal offi
cer shall hold a State office.
The evidence generally shows a lack
of system in the operations of the
Board and its clerks. No one know
what the other was about or how the
other did. The committee, iu execu
tive session, ordered Chairman Mor
mon to report tire members of the Re
turning Board in contempt, in refusing
to produce the records demanded.
FLORIDA.
'flie Supreme Court Sustains the
Democratic Governor.
Tali. ujasskk, December 22 —Tire Su
preme Court sustains the Drew de
murrer to the answer of the Canvass
ing Board, and grants a peremptory
order to the Board to re-cunvass from
the lace of the returns. This gives
the State to Tilden by a small major
ity, and of course elects the balance of
the Democratic ticket, including both
Congressmen. The Democrats arc qui
etly but heartily enjoying their victory.
The counsel for the Board-gave notice
of a motion to answer. The court ad
journed to 9 a. m. to-merrow, and an
nounced its determination to adjourn
die to-morrow.
FROM CHARLESTON.
Tha Congressional Committee—The
W. L. I. Welcome Oen. Banks.
Charleston, December 22. — The Con
gressional sub-committee of the House
Hie hbio taking testimony regarding
intimidation in the coast counties.
The Washington Light Infantry, who
visited Bunker Hill last June, and were
so hospitably received, welcomed Gen.
N. P. Banks, at their meeting this
evening. Banks’ remarks were heartily
applauded, and three cheers given for
Boston.
THE INDIANS.
Sitting Bull Again Routed— Massacre
°f a Federal Officer and Indian
Scouts.
ashington, December 22. —There
are unofficial advices that Lieutenant
Baldwin, of the sth infantry, drove Slt
ring Bull’s camp across the Missouri
r iver, and that Sitting Bull retreated
to Bad Lands; also, that Major Ran
'iall. of Gen. Crook’s staff, with forty
brows and ten Snake scouts, were mas
tered on the Big Horn. It is thought
at headquarters that these reports are
probable, as the situation makes them
possible, and the press heretofore has
Je,, n truthful iu its accounts received
lQ advance of official information.
the western union.
9rton Instructed to Resist tlie House
-All Originals of Dispatches to be
Destroyed Hereafter.
New York, December 22. —The Com
'Wrcial Advertiser understands that the
p° a rd of Directors of the Western
C nion Telegraph, at a special meeting
to-day, authorized their President, Or
toti, to make all proper legal and con-
Htitutional resistance to the demand of
1, - >l House of Representatives for pri
yate and confidential papers. The
b ard also resolved hereafter to de
“u'°y the originals of all telegraphic
dispatches at once, unless otherwise
fvfiuested by the sender.
§Jje GRimistrt Constitutionalist.
foreign news.
E S'r r , Wl !L'“‘'* Speech—Proper
SXL IWres-The Earner.,
Berlin, December 22.—Emperor Wil-
ParHament f ttie , seßsion of the German
Parliament to-day with a speech from
reference B 't *aid%aid °in
reieience to foreign affairs- “Tho
DQgotiation of the Powers upon the
Eastern question as far as proceeded
with justify the hope that efforts
noaoof 1 ? . mutuall y conciliatory and
imeutiou of the Powers im
mediateiy concerned, will be success
wllho, r SOlvlug ,. Uie Pending question
without prejudice to the good relations
now existing £££ nue,
by friendly disinterested mediation, to
lend her eo-operation for the attain
ment of this end.”
London, December 22.-Lord Cham
berlain has issued a memorandum
threatening to vigorously prosecute
theatrical managers who flagrantly
violate the rules concerning facilities
for the exit of their audiences. The
penalty of the act is $2 500.
,bir Robert Gove Booth, Conservative
member of Parliament for Sligo, is
dead.
London, December 22.—The Stand?
ai d’s Peeth special reports great irri
tation in Hungary over the firing upon
the Austrian vessel from Servian forts.
The journals demand Austrian occu
pation of Belgrade. Memorials are be
ing sent to the Hungatiau Ministry
urging the Austro-Hungarian Govern
ment to forcibly intervene in favor of
Turkey.
A Berlin special snj-s the appoint
ment of Midhat, Pasha, as Grand Vizier
is regarded at St. Petersburg as a chal
lenge to Russia.
The banking house of Baimhoff, St.
Petersburg, has failed. Liabilities, one
million rubles.
" -
* Pennsylvania.
Patriotic Address of tlie Democratic
State Committee.
Harrisburg, Pa,, December 22.—The
Democratic State Committee met to
day to arrange for an expression of
public feeling. A large number of
prominent gentlemen were present,
aud who desired to assist in the prilim
inary arrangements, were admitted,
and committees were appointed.
The following address was adopted
unanimously at the afternoon session
of the Democratic State Committee :
To the People of Pennsylvania :
We address you iu the spirit of pa
triotism which is common to all the
citizens of the Commonwealth. The
political condition of our country is
fraught with impending peril. The
expression by the people of their in
tention to support those constitutional
meaus which wilWmeet the issue made
on the question of the Presidency, may
prevent what otherwise we will deplore.
Whatever violates either the
letter or the spirit of tho Constitution
tends to weaken, and may destroy our
Government. There is not a question,
or a measure, relating to tho peace and
happiness of the whole people exciting
controversy and portending discord,
for which the Constitution fails to pro
vide. The election of President and
Vice-President of the United States is
a high and solemn duty of the people
of the several States. An attempt to
evade, in obedience to the popular will,
by any effort to distort the meaning of
the Constitution by misinterpretation
of law, to seek to set up' barriers
against tho face of this declared will, is
substituting revolutionary expedients
for Constitutional methods. The Sen
ate and House of Representatives of
the United States have, by the
Constitution, the sole and exclusive
power to settle all questions which re
late to the validity of the electoral
votes of the several States. In one
event the Constitution gives the House
of Representatives the power to elect
the President. We, therefore, earnest
ly invoke from you every effort cog
nizable by law in tho execution and
support of the Constitutional methods
by which is to be determined who are
the lawfully elected President and Vice-
President of the United States. We
invite those who feel the present dan
ger to aid in all lawful means which
may induce the Senators and Repre
sentatives of the States and people in
Congress assembled to obey the
plain intent and meaning of
the Constitution and the laws, and not,
in defiance thereto, to place in the
high offices of the Government men
whose title is tainted with fraud. As
free citizens of this Commonwealth we
suggest that you consider those meas
ures which such a contingency may
invite or command. We believe a large
number of citizens who are too patri
otic to be bound by the designs of the
managers of the present administra
tion of the General Government, are
prepared openly to condemn the dispo
sition they manifest to plunge the
trust committed to them for a speci
fied period of a Presidential term. If
the people will, with courage and
calmness and full faith iu their sover
eignty, as the source of all political
power, make these declarations, then
their servauts may listen and obey, be
lieving that these opinions are enter
tained by all honest and patriotic citi
zens. Wo declare that Samuel J. Til
den and Thomas A. Hendricks were, on
the 7th day of November last, elected
President and Vice President of the
United States. Self gratulation has no
part in this, our solemn statement, of
the fact upon which we intend to rest
our future conduct. We call upon the
members of both Houses of Congress
to adopt such lawful means as may
lead to the official declaration of the
fact that Mr. Tilden and Mr. Hendricks
have been elected, and we urge them to
resist, with all their power, the propo
sal to settle tho ascertainment of a
fact already accomplished, by a refer
ence of it to any other tribunal than
that already appointed to decide it by
the Constitution of the United States.
Tho report is signed by a committee
of fifteen of the most eminent Demo
crats of Pennsylvania.
Fay for Legislators.
Attorney General Lear has filed an
opinion with the State Treasurer, with
special reference to the payment of the
expenses incurred by a special legisla
tive committee appointed to investigate
the Reading Railroad Company, in
which he declares that all appropria
tions of money to legislators, beyond
the fixed salary of one thousand dol
lars for each session, are unconstitu
tional. According to this opinion, the
extra pay given to members of the
Legislature—about SBO,OO0 —should
have been withheld. The State Treas
urer will hereafter refuse to pay mem
bers more than SI,OOO a session.
Springfield, December 22.-Pre
liminary arrngements are progressing
for a Mas* Convention, January Bth,
similar to that in Indiana.
WASHINGTON ITEMS.
News and Gossip from the Capital.
Washington, December 22.—The
War, Navy and State Secretaries were
absent from the Cabinet to-day.
Two companies of artiUery from
Fort Reno have arrived.
It is stated that Mr. Ferry will re
ceive, but not receipt for, returns from
Louisiana, South Carolina, Florida or
Oregon, as the messengers could go to
the Treasury Department and get
money. All parties must wait till Con
gress decides which bears \he proper
papers. Ferry received the vote of the
Democratic electors to-day, but refused
to receipt. He will treat the Republi
can messengers from Florida In the
same manner.
Senators Bayard and Gordon, and
perhaps Thurman and Ransom, also
Speaker Randall, Congressmen Lamar,
Hewitt aud W atterson, go to-morrow
to New York, by invitation, to hold an
informal conference with Mr. Tildeu.
The Cabinet session to-day was brief
and comparatively important. There
were no official dispatches presented.
On the 14th of November, Mr. Hugh
W. Sheffey, of Staunton, made a mo
tion in the Supreme Court of the Uni
ted States for a writ of habeas corpus
in behalf of Madison Doom, confined
in a Virginia jail on conviction In the
United States District Court for viola
tion of the Civil Rights act. The Su
premo Court set the 20th of December
for the hearing of the case, but on the
19th of December, in view of the prob
able pardon of his client, Mr. Sheffey
moved a postponement. The President
yesterday pardoned Madison Doom.
This action forestalls the proceedings
in the Supreme Court, and as this is
tho only known case of imprisonment
under the Civil Rights act, the conside
ration of its constitutionality by the
Supreme Court is indefinitely post
poned.
The Agricultural Department will issue
no cotton statement this month. The
statistician of the Department makes
the corn crop of the Southern States
one million bushels greater than last
year. The total product is twelve hun
dred and ninety-five million bushels.
The quality of South Carolina and
Florida are slightly below the standard
and a slight superiority is indicated in
Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and
Tennessee.
FROM COLUMBIA.
Adjournment of the Senate and Rump
House.
Columbia, December 22.—The State
Senate and Republican House adjourn
ed sine die this morning. The Demo
cratic House is in secret session, and
its course is not known. The Con
gressional Committee are still active
tabulating the corrected election re
turns. The result will not likely be
reached for several days.
■■■ •
Chatham County Radicals.
Savannah, December 22.—The Re
publican County Convention last night
endorsed and Voted to support the
Democratic candidates for county of
fices ; also romoved Atkins, Collector
of the Port, and Wilson, ex-Revenue
Collector, from the County Executive
Committee for opposing Bryant, Re
publican candidate for Congress, at the
November election.
The Torch of the Incendiary.
Little Rock, December 22.—The fire
was the work of an incendiary. It
started in tho rear of Berry’s paper
ware house. Hayes’ mill was saved.
The loss will not exceed $20,000. This
is the sixth fire within six days. A
vigilance committee was formed to
day. There were two ineffectual at
tempts to fire houses last night.
Marine Disasters.
Halifax, December 22.—A three
masted schooner, with all sails set. was
reported on Wednesday in the basin of
the winds on her beam ends. All hands
supposed to be lost. The steam tug at
Windsor is laid up, and there is no
means of communication with the
wreck. It is supposed to be an Ameri
can vessel bound to Windsor.
St. Johns, N. 8., December 22.—The
schooner Topsy, of Carltou, off on a
fishing cruise, has not been heard of
for some time. It is feared the vessel
and crew are lost.
Liverpool Cotton Market.
Liverpool, December 22. —The circu
lar of the Liverpool Cotton Broker’s
Association, in its review of the trade
for the week ending last night, says
cotton was quiet in the early part of the
week, and the tendency of the prices
was in favor of buyers, but there was
more firmness on Wednesday and to
day (Thursday) with a very exteasive
business, and the quotations of
last Thursday are partially resumed.
American was very dull early in the
week and % of a cent lower, but the de
mand has increased and prices have
recovered 11-16 in Sea Island. The sales
have been moderate at steady prices.
Iu futures the transactions have been
comparatively limited, with little
change in prices.
Minor Telegrams.
Pottsville, Pa., December 22. —Four
men who entered the Centennial Col
liery, near Ashland yesterday, were
found dead this morning. They had
three kegs of powder with them, which
had exploded.
New York, December 22.—At a con
ference of prominent citizens last night,
at the residence of Wm. E. Dodge, a
resolution was adopted imploring all
who dispense|ho9pitality on New Year’s
day to proffer no intoxicating liquors.
Boston, December 22.—The forger,
James H. Sars, swallowed poison in
jail. His recovery is doubtful.
Laier.— The forger, Sars, is dead.
The death of his wife caused suicide.
Indianapolis, December 22.—This
afternoon the Floral Hall of the Expo
sition Building was discovered to be
on fire, resulting in the destruction of
Floral Hall, Agricultural Hall, and the
Music Hall. The green house of Thos.
Lewis, with his gardener’s residence
and the main building, were also dam
aged. _
A RIPPLE AT WALTERBORO’.
The Usurping ClerK. of Court Ejected
by His Lawful Successor.
(Special Dispatch to the News aud Courier.)
Green Pond, December 20. —Great
excitement is reported to have pre
vailed in Walterboro’ yesterday and
to-day. Martin, the Republican ulerk
of Court, refused to surrender his of
fice to Mr. Robert Fishbuino, the
Democratic candidate who was elected
by a large majority on November 7th.
Fishburne ejected Martin, who sent at
once to the Combahee for a force of
negroes to assist him in regaining pos
session. Some negroes went over, but
returned this afternooa despondent.
AUGUSTA, GA., SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1876.
EIGHT LEADING QUESTIONS.
WARD LAMON PROCEEDS TO CA*-
ECHISE THE CONSPIRATORS. - *
Grant and Chandler Under a Heavy
Fire of Interrogatories.
t Washington Special to the Chicago Timea.l;
Among the significant facts whkfc
have come within the knowledge of the
Times commissioner is the result of ft
curious conference between Grant and
Chandler ana Ward H. Lanton. The
gentleman will be remembered by Illi
nois people as a former law partner of
Lincoln’s, and United States Marshal
of this district during his term and
Johnson’s. Lamon has been a con
servative Republican and supported
Hayes during the campaign. Indeed,
so interested was he in Hayes’ success
that he consented to run for Congreai
ut his home in West Virginia, where he
has been settled for some years, in or
der to give the Hayes ticket the strength
of his name. He came to Washington
the other day, and gave the
people great uneasiness by
DENOUNCING THE SCHEME
to count in Hayes as a criminal blun
der, not only against the party, but
against the republic. He had not boefy
in town long when influential delega
tions waited upon him to cause a,
change in his views. He seems to have
been unmoved, however, but finally
turned upon the Hayes people ana
drew up the following questions, which
he laid before Grant and Chandler, at
a foimal interview, and demanded cat
egorical and explicit answers. The
subject was made a state secret, and
Lamon refused to acknowledge ever*
the fact; but the Times diplomatic
corps succeeded in obtaining the docu
ment laid before Grant and Chandler,
with the substance of the answers.
THE QUESTIONS WERE EIGHT IN NUMBER,
as follows:
1. Is there anything in the Constitu*
tlou or laws requiring the President to
be inaugurated at the seat of govern
ment ?
2. Who is authorized to administer
the oath of office to the President
elect ?
3. Is the taking of the oath sufficient
inauguration, at the seat of government
or elsewhere, to authorize such an inau
gurated President to act as such ?
4. When does the term of a President
expire—the day and hour.
5. The 4th of March, 1877, coming on
the holy Sabbath, and the President
elect is not inaugurated on that day,
but is on the day following, does this
cause an interregnum ?
6. If no interregnum, who is Presi
dent, and does the out-going President
hold over, or is the President of the
Seuate ex-officio President of the United
States ?
7. In case tho inauguration of tha
President-elect is deferred until March
5, and a pseudo-President or a usurper
should be inaugurated on the 4th, and
he should exercise acts of magisterial
and executive purport, would he or
would he not be regarded by law as
the President de facto for the time be
ing, and his acts accepted as legal ?
8. Should Tilden be quietly inaugu
rated in the city of New York on tho
4th of March, and take possession of
custom bouse, navy-yard, sub-treas
ury, etc., what would be the conse
quence?
To the first inquiry, Giant, who was
A GOOD WAYS GONE IN LIQUOR,
answered, with great solemnity, that
he didn’t know. Zach allowed that
the oath might be administered to Til
den in New York, in accordance with a
precedent settled when Vice-President
King took the oath iu Cuba many
years ago. Grant, however, doubted
whether, in the case of a President,
this would not be considered too vio
lent a departure from the customs of
the country. He was disposed to think
that. To the second question the
President held, that.
• AS THE CHIEF JUSTICE
has always performed tho ceremonial,
a departure would mean revolution.
To the third both Chandler and Grant
agreed that the oath was sufficient. To
the fourth they were of the opinion
that the term begins at noon on tho
4th day of March. As to the fifth in
terrogatory, Grant and Chandler wero
not agreed, but believed that there
would beau interregnum. As to who,
in that case, would be President, Grant
held that the outgoing official would
hold until the successor took the oath.
To the seventh neither Grant nor
Chandler would commit themselves.
They could not conceive of such a
state of things. In response to the
eighth, read solemnly by Lamon,
GRANT LOOKED THUNDER-STRUCK,
and Chandler said emphatically, “Hell
would be to pay !” This episode is
perfectly authentic, and the evil of it
is not yet over, by any means, as the
cabinet are to consult on it.
Governor Smith and R. L. Mott.
The Columbus Enquirer scorns Gov.
Smith roundly for re-appointing Col.
R. L Mott, of that city, “one of the
four Trustees of the State Lunatic Asy
lum,” at Milledgeville, on the ground
that Mott is a leading Radical. We
learn that, with a few abnormal excep
tions, it has ever been the practico to
have both political parties represented
in the management of this Asylum,
which consists of five—the appointing
party, of course, receiving a oontroliug
majority to itself.
An appointment of this character is
In the nature of a committee of a Leg
islative body where the uniform prac
tice is to give the minority a represen
tation. This practice is founded equal
ly in justice and sound public policy,
and we trust will always be respected
by Democrats.
The Enquirer denounces all such ap
pointments as a sort of moral treason
to Democracy. Now, we understand
the great business of Democracy, is to
establish and maintain a sound, honest
and benefieient government on well es
tablished principles of public adminis
tration. Not one of these principles
calls for the prescription of political
opponents from ail interest, care and
concern in the public administration.
It is Democratic duty not only to do
right, but to make reasonable provi
sions to satisfy the opposition that ail
is right. A universal and merciless
proscription from all influence or direc
tion in public affairs, would be ill
judged as tyrannical. Maeon Tele
graph.
Mr. E. J. Young, better known as
“Uncle Jenks,” of Thomas county, was
accidentally killed a few days ago by
the falling of a sapling upon him, a
knot of which struck him in the head,
fracturing his skull. He wa,s sixty-four
years of age.
MYSTERIOUS WILL MAKING.
PARALYZED IN GEORGIA AND
DYING IN MADISON AVENUE.
Fighting for the Estate of a Rich
Bachelor who Lived for Many Y ears
in the St. Nicholas Hotel—A Cross
made toy a Paralysed Hand.
[New York Sua.J
Jas. D. Ingersoll, a bachelor, 70 years
of age, had been in business as a shoe
commission merchant for forty years,
and had lived for many years in the
St Nicholas Hotel. He had no rela
tives nearer than second cousins. With
them be was on good terms. About
one year ago he told tho husband of
Mrs. Van Cleet, one of his cousins, that
he had made a will, and appointed him
an executor, and that the will was in
the keeping of his (Ingersoll’s) partner,
Mr. Richards. In April of this year
Ingersoll went to the South. Before
starting he riSenfloned the subject of
the will to one of the persons Darned in
it as executors, saying that it had not
been changed.
In Augusta, Ga., Mr. Ingersoll was
stricken with paralysis. In the same
hotel were Mr. Jaa. L. Phipps, a retired
New York merchant, of 239 Madison
avenue, and wile Mrs. Emma K.
•Phipps. Mr. and Mr*. Phipps are,re
puted to be worth at least 8200,000.
Mr. Ingersoll had known them for
thirty years. They at onto took charge
of him, as he was utterly helpless.
Mr. Ingersoll had oousins in Augusta,
and they say that they called at the
hotel and were denied admission to
their suffering relative. On the other
hand it is asserted that they neglected
him. Mr. Richards, the partner of Mr.
Ingersoll sent a clerk to attend to Mr.
Ingersoll’s needs and to take him to
New York. The clerk saw Mr. Inger
-Boli once, and was afterwards told that
Mr. Ingersoll desired him to return to
New York.
Mr. aud Mrs. Phipps brought Mr.
Ingersoll to the city, and took him to
their home in Madison avenue. Three
days aHer his arrival Mr. Phipps sent
for his own lawyer, who drew up a will
at Mr. Ingersoll’s request in Mr. Inger
soll’s sick chamber, devising all his
property, real aud personal, to Mrs.
Phipps. Before lugerßoll’s death Mr.
William B. Taylor, his banker, deliv
ered to Mrs. Phipps about 825,000 that
Mr. Ingersoll had deposited with Tay
lor &, (Jo. It is admitted by botn sides
that the oousins of Mr, Ingersoll vis
ited the Phippg mansion aud asked
permission to uurso Mr. Ingersoll.
Mr. Phenix Babcock, son-in-law of
Mr. Phipps, testified in the will contest
yesterday that he was informed by Mr.
or Mrs. Phipps, or by both, that ad
mission to the sick rooom was denied
to the relatives, at the request of Mr.
Ingersoll, who said that tney had neg
lected him.
After Mr. Ingersoli’s death, a tin box
id tho possession of Mr. Richards was
opened, and in that was found a will
dividing the property among his rela
tives, and leaving various small be
quests or keepsakes. The relatives
offer this will for probate, and will con
test the probate of the Phipps will on
the ground that Ingersoll, after his
stroke of paralysis, was not of due tes
tamentary capacity, and that undue
influence was exercised.
Dr. E. E. Maroy, of 396 Fifth avenue,
Phenis Babcock and others, testify that
Ingersoli’s right hand being paralyzed
he made his mark with his left hand,
being propped up in bed while the law
yer held the will on a book before him.
The will was then witnessed by Dr.
Marcy, Babcock and the lawyer.
Mr. Ingersoll’s property was about
$40,000 in cash and securities that
could be readily converted into cash.
The case has gone over to the January
term.
OUTRAGES IN ABBEVILLE.
Three White Men Shot At-Three
More Cases of Arson.
[Special Dispatch to the News ami Couri* r.l
Columbia, December 20.—The Abbe
ville l*ress and Banner reports that
three white men were shot at near
Greenwood within the past few days,
On Friday night Mr. Williß Logan and
others were standing around a Are in
the yard, when Mr. Logan was fired
upon and shot in the face. Mr. Silas
Jones, in the same neighborhood, and
Mr. John Davis was also fired upon at’
different times, though without effect.
The stores of J. and D. S. McCullough,
and W. J. Brock, with their contents,
were destroyed by fire on Sunday
night. Several arrests have been
made. Tho ginhouse of Mr. J. N.
King was burned last week, also by an
incendiary.
Dickens’ Poor Joke.— lt is a hitherto
unpublished fact, says the New York
Sun, that Charles Dickens, when
coming once through France by rail
from Marseilles to Paris, made a very
abortive attempt at a practical joke.
At Lyons a quarter of an hour was
allowed Tor dinner, and Dickens fooled
the passengers out of their dinner by
collecting around him all the waiters
and so confusing them by garbled
French, English and Italian, that by
the time they had extricated them
selves from the loudly querulous Eng
lishman, who pretended to have some
grievance against them, the bell was
clanging for “all aboard.”
mi .
An ingenious lawyer, the other day
made a good point in the New London
Police Court. It was in a case of rob
bery, and there was a $lO bill before
the Court for identification, and neither
party in the case would own it. The
lawyer took the bill, saying that if it
belonged to neither it might as well be
long to him, and started for the door,
whereupon the owner of it cried out
that the bill was his, and thereby lost
his case.
Our exchauges are calling Tor a Con
stitutional Convention. What is the
Convention to do ? What important
changes are to be made? It would
hurt everybody, we kuow, and as the
State is out of debt, and the people
have plenty of money to pay taxes
with, we suppose, wo had better have
one, and then the interminable fuss
will stop. It may be popular to advo
cate a convention, but we never do
things for effect.
It is about time for the /tepublican
assumption of superior virtue to be
abandoned. With the Belknaps, Bab
cocks and bosses, its Chandlers,
Caseys “cusses,” its whisky ring and
Returning Boards, the Republican
party is the most corrupt ever known
in the country, and the sooner it re
ceives the punishment it deserves the
better it will be for the country.—Bos
ton Herald ,
SOUTH CAROLINA NEWS.
The Cherry Hotel, at Pendleton, was
burned Friday night.
Daniel Brown, of Anderson, died
Friday night, 15th inst.
Mr. C. T. Latimer, of Lowndesville,
died Friday night of last week.
Andrew C. Hawthorne, of Due West,
died Thursday night of last week.
Last Friday the splendid mills of
Geo. W. Wilson, at Saluda river, were
burned. Loss, 88,000.
The Augusta Constitutionalist has
in every issue an-mtereetiag column of
“P-1. Notes.” What the “P. I.” means
we do not know, und we have seen It
often enough to have it explained, too.
—Abbeville Banner.
Abbeville Bannei':' Three men have
been shot at near Greenwood within
the past few days. On Friday night
Mr. Willis .Logan and others were
standing around a fire in the yard,
when Mr. Logan was fired upon and
shot in the face. One shot went
through a note book in ids breast
pocket, and bul; for the pocket-book
the shot might have proved fatal. Mr.
Silas Jones, in the same neighborhood,
was at another time shot at, without
being hit. Mr. John Davis was also
fired at, without receiving any damage.
Aiken (kwrier : It has been the
source of great pleasure to the verv
many friends 6f D. S, Henderson, Esq*,
the popular and talented member of
our Bar, to seo the marked improve
ment in his health during the past
week. Thrown suddenly upon his
back at the very commencement of
one of our most important campaigns,
the county was deprived, in a great
measure, of his service, whioh would ,
have been invaluable, although we had j
the benefit of his wise counsol and ad
vice almost daily from his bedside. To 1
see him again upon our streets and st
his post of duty, was a relief and grat
ification to all who know his value. He
returned to-day from Georgia, where
we understand he had gone upon a
mission, which we are sure will be fol
lowed by all the domestic felicity which
he so fully deserves. In his new char
acter we extend to him our heartiest
congratulations and the warmest
wishes for hiS'futUTe happiness.
Blackville Jfews ; Oil Monday night
last the store of Mr. J. A. Buckmeyer,
situated on the northeast corner of
Railroad avenue, was entered by par
ties unknown, and guns, pistols, and
ready-made clothing to the amount of
about s‘2so, were stolen therefrom. The
! rubbery must have been committed
after midnight, as various parties were
i Up till that hour, and passed the store
but discovered no signs of any thieves
about. The thieves were bold ones,
and did not eudeavor to do their work
secretly. They battered on the side
Joor with an axe, and endeavored to
bi eak the smtfil iron bar which extended
across it on to tho outside, and failing,
they broke the inside lock, and by
meaus of a piece of scantling forced
an opening for the passage of a small
boy, (doubtless one of the party)
who, after getting Inside opened the
front door and admitted the whole
gang. They were evidently bent on
traveling, and took what they most
needed, clothing aud arms. A few par
ties living near by heard the noise, but
supposed it was caused by the kicking
of a horse which was confined in a
stable in tho rear of the store, conse
quently, did not get up. Every effort
should be made to catch the scoun
drels who have been robbing our citi
zens for months, and when caught
justice should be meted out to
them. We learn that on Monday night
also, the gin house of Mr. John M.
Cave, who lives about one and a half
miles from this place, was entered and
cotton to the amount of 750 pounds
stolen. Tho thieves bored on the side
of tho window with an auger, and
forced it open and accomplished the
theft. On Htturday night some colored
men went to the restaurant of C. A.
Rivers, at Wiiliston, and after break
ing open the door, wero confronted by
the owner in person, when the leader
of the party, one Lewis McCreary,
threw a brick at Rivers striking him it!
the breast aud knocking him almost
senseless. Fearing detection they
fled. Rivers came down on Monday
and took out a warrant for the arrest
of McCreary. On Sunday night an at
tempt was made to break into the store
uf A. I’. Mauville & Cos,, at Barnwell,
but Mr. Brown, a member of the firm,
who was in the .store at the time heard’
the noise, and made preparation to
meet the thieves. No doubt they heard
him moving, for they left without
making any further attempt. What is
to be done? If robbers are permitted
to go about over the country from
place to place, not only property is in
secure, but life is unsafe. Organize and
hunt them down by all means, aud put
au cud to thievery.
THE FLORIDA VOTE,
One of the Republican Visitors Ad
mits that Tilden Had a Majority.
The following letter from General
Francis C. Barlow, ex-Attorney-General
or New York, one of the Republican
Committee at Florida, is published in
the New York World. It will be seen
that although an unwilling witness, he
coucedes Tilden’s election in that State-
New York, December 15.—My Dear
my own opinion clear as to the points
of contest of which I professed to have
a knowledge. A little calculation woul 1
have shown what it was. On the face
of the returns the vote was: Hayes
24.327; Tilden, 21,287. Certain addi
tions and deductions were agreed on
unanimously by the Board, which we
may assume to be correct. These con
ceded changes left it Hayes, 24 287-
lilden, 24,4,38. Then I should have
thrown out 219 Republican votes iu
Archer precinct No. 2, and also Friend
ship church precinct, in Jackson coun
ty, as a majority of the Board did
They also rejected Campbellton church
precinct, in this county, as to which I
do not know the facts, but will assume
that it was rightly rejected, as it does
not alter the result to which I should
have come. The two last precincts dis
posed of 121 Republican and 436 Demo
cratic votes, and deducting these and
the 219 in Archer, you get the following
result:
£ lldea 24,002
Ha J' es 23,947
Tilden’s majority 55
I should havo come to this result
after passing upon all the cases before
the board except Hamilton county. It
is this county which causes the only
doubt I have about it. The official
minutes of the board, as published in
the New York papers of December 13,
state that in some precincts of this
county (names not given) 83 Democrat
ic and 58 Republican votes were thrown
out. Ido not know the ground, but,
allowing it, you still have a Democratic
majority of 30. Then comes Jasper
precinct No. 2, where the vote was:
Democratic 328, Republican 185, as re
turned. About this case I only know
what appears in the minutes of the
boArd and in Cowgill’s letter and
Cocke’s protest attached to my re
port. The irregularities complained
of (abandoning the canvass when
half finished, and turning it over
to two lawyers, who complet
ed It the next day), would
justify the throwing out the whole re
turns; but what I am in doubt about
is whether the Inspectors iwere Repub
licans or Democrats. Cocke says in
his protest they were the former, and
Cowgill and the minutes say nothing
nboot it. I have heard and Cocke al
so says that they made affidavits in
aid of the Republican contest, and, if
so, I presume they weie Republicans.
In that case it should be presumed
that in the return as made they looked
after the interest of their own party,
and, at any rate, I do not think a
Democratic majority should be thrown
out because of Republican wrong-do
ing, if such were the oase. If this
precinct be rejected it would give a
Republican majority in the St*te. oth
erwise not. In the latter case the
Tilden majority would be so small that
perhaps soma of the Republican con
tests which the Board did not stop to
consider (probably because the major
ity had been reached on other
grounds) would have changed the
result, tr passed ifpffii. But there is no
use speculating about this, as the case
must be coosjdered as it was made up
by the Board. Leaving out the Jasper
precinct wo therefore see that, in my
opinion, there was u Tildeu majority,
even popijdetlqa that Campbel|to|i and
the first namt-d precinct in Hamilton
county sjioqld be thrown oqt, wtdeh I
do uoi say was rightly done. I eer
ily never had any doubt as to what
my own opinion was, except a* to this
Preciuot, upon which It happened that
I did hoe know fully what the evidence
was; but us 4 du jiot have the assu
rance to put my owp opinions above
those of the Board upon questions as
to which there was conflicting evidence,
I was not willing to give my own views'
without at tlie same time giving this
evidence; and Ueiuje my report was “so
long," iam not unwilling to express
my opinions, nor do I object to having
any one to whom they are of conse
quence know them.
Yours truly, Francis C. Barlow.
A NEW FORCE PROGRAMME.
CHAMBERLAIN CLAIMS THAT
GRANT WILL HELP HIM
NEXT WEEK.
The Usurper to Fulminate a Proclama
tion on Monday, to be followed iu
by an Ukase from Wash
ington—Rumors and Speculations in
Colombia—What the Congressional
Investigators are Uncle
Sam’s Money Goes.
(Special to the News and Courier.]
Columbia, December 21.—Chamber
lain’s new programme, it is said, is to
issue a proclamation on Monday for
Hampton and Simpson, aud the Con
stitutional House to disband within
three days. If his proclamation is not
obeyed, Chamberlain, it is claimed, has
the assurance from the majority of the
Cabinet, and from Grant himself, that
tho President will follow it up with a
similar proclamation immediately an
nouncing that if this is disobeyed he
will bring the whole land and naval
force of the United States, if neces
sary, to crush the insurgents. In short,
my informant says, Chamberlain and
Grant intend to carry out exactly the
same programme they did with reference
to the rifle clubs. It appears that
Chamberlain has given up the idea of
passing the treason bill, as the com
mittee made no report upon it again
to-day. His present plan is to stake
everything upon an effort to enforce
by the bayonet, without additional leg
islation, the recognition of his assumed
authority as Governor. There has
been a rumor afloat that the troops are
to be removed from the State House;
but it is, probably, premature. One of
the Republican sergeant-at-arms as
serts positively that they will be re
moved on Tuesday next. The Cham
berlain crowd anticipate no immediate
use for them after the publication of
the proclamation of the sham Governor.
Tho Senate Judiciary Committee
made no report again on Simpson’s
communication, nor on the cases of
the Edgefield, Laurens and Abbeville
Senatorp, and it seems pretty well set •
tied that, from the first, their sole
object has been in getting rid of trou
blesome matters by the pigeon-holing
process.
The Constitutional House will con
sider the question of adjourning to
morrow. They are still undecided on
the question, and it is impossible to
say what they will do. It is very pos
sible that the Senate and the Bayonet
House will adjourn sine die to-morrow,
and the Democratic Senators, it seems,
propose to stick with them to the last.
The Congressional Committee is still
engaged in procuring evidence con
cerning the missing returns. No result
was reached to-day, and experts are
now engaged in casting up the figures
obtained. The result is expected to
morrow.
Thirty-five of the Ellenton negro field
hands, brought here by District Attor
ney Corbin, and used by the Senatorial
Committee, have also been summoned
by the Republicans on the House Com
mittee, and have thus been paid three
dollars a day- and mileage by both com
mittees. These negroes have thus
been getting an average of fifteen dol
lars per day each, and have not even
testified before the House committee.
I am told to-night by a Republican
who knows, that the members of the
Bayonet House will be paid to-morrow
another 8100 each, and the attaches
860 each. Where the money comes
from is not divulged.
At the Democratic caucus to-night
the members of the House decided to
receive but 8100 of the 8400 authorized
to be issued to them yesterday in view
of the need of funds in other depart
ments of the Reform government.
Dunn said to one of the Democratic
Senators to-day that Chamberlain was
thinking seriously of abandoning the
field. I do not believe there is any
foundation for his assertion; the real
programme at present is that which I
have given above.
It seems pretty definitely settled
that the Constitutional House will take
a recess to-morrow,
The Senatorial committoe is still ex
amining Corbin’s outrage witnesses
with closed doors.
The prospectus of the Augusta Car 1-
stitutionalist appears in this issue. It
is one of the best, ablest and newsiest
papers in the State. J. R. Randall
a^ tDO j, oJ “ Mar >' l and my Maryland,” is
the editor, and a good one he is. Bill
Moore is city editor, and keeps things
lively.— Marietta Journrl.
SIX DOLLARS A YEAR
GEORGIA NEWS.
Mrs. Oates only drew 200 people in
Atlanta Monday night.
L. B. Kirkland, of Early county, has
lost a gin house. No. 76.
An old negro in Columbus fell into a
well Wednesday and broke his neck.
Columbus’s share of the cotton crop,
up to the 19th inst., was 49,625 bales.
W. Hames and Jo Heusely, of
McDuffie county, have gone to Texas.
Tom Dayton, of Rome, was fatally
shot by Bub Griffin on Tuesday. Wo
men.
A tame black wolf, captured on Ken
neeaw mountain, was on exhibition in
Conyers this week.
The matrimonial cyclone has struck
Marietta, and nine marriage licenses
were issued the past week.
The amount of Conference collection
raised and distributed in the South
Georgia Conference was $32,093.
Mr. Robert C. Johnson, of Baltimore,
and Miss. Kato Frazer, of Columbus
were married on Wednesday night.
The missionary collections in tho
South Georgia Conference were; For
home missions, $3,828 GO; foreign mis
sions, $1,939.
Generally the leading local article in
the Albany News is headed “Jail De
livery. They aco speaking of fixing
up the calaboose.
All the vacant dwelling houses in
Thomas ton have been rested; This
seems like an improvement and a re
turn to prosperity.
The residence of Mr. Reubon Thomp
,roci Warrenton,
caught fire Wednesday evening, aud
burnod to the ground.
The good people of Grec-nsboro have
presented their late pastor, Rev. Mr.
Hughes, with anew suit or clothes.
Mr. Hughes comes to Augusta next
year.
The teachers of the public schools of
Rome were paid off on Saturday last, at
the rate of cents per day for each
scholar. This was better than they ex
pected.
Colonel B. W. Jones is a candidate
Tor re-election as dookeeper of tho
next House. Colonel Jones should
have it. There is no better man in
Georgia.
The Great American free lunch eater
aud traveling correspondent, and prob
ably the best known newspaper man in
Georgia, “Col. a H. J.” was last heard
of :n Albany.
A fire in Greenville, Saturday, on the
west side or the square, burned ten
houses and two were torn down. Prop
erty well insured. Incendiary. Loss
about 813,000.
According to the report or the Com
mittee on Sunday Schools within tho
bounds of the South Georgia Confer
ence, there are 316 schools, 12 631
scholars, 203 teachers.
The fair for tho benefit or the Macon
Public Library was opened at Macon
on Monday night with a fine address
by Col. Thomas Hardeman. It prom
ises to be a social and financial success.
Ihe trustees of the Warrenton
Academy have secured the services of
Prof. John T. Malone, of Milledgeville,
Tor tho ensuing year. The spring
term will open on the 15th of January.
The first cow we ever saw working in
a wagon met our gaze Monday even
ing. Two oxen were yoked and
hitched to the tongue of the wagon,
while the cow harnessed was in tho
lead. The owner, M. M. Roberts, from
Lumpkin county, said she done good
service, and besides she supplied him
with milk on his travels.— Marietta
Journal.
The “salary grab” in Atlanta has
been fixed at tho following figures:
Treasurer, 81,000; City Attorney, $1,000;
Tax Collector and Receiver, SI,OOO ’ Re
corder and Auditor, 81,000; Sexton,
S9OO ; City Engineer, $1,200 ; Marsha!
perquisites and SSOO ; City Assessors
each S3OO. The salary of the City At
torney aud City Engineer have been in
creased S2OO each ; Sexton's reduced
SIOO ; Marshal’s, sooo, and Assessors’
S6OO. Net reduction, SBOO. Adopted.
Tho est Point Press is informed
that a freedman and his wife, living on
the place of Mr. R. W. Hudson, near
Long Cane, retursing from their work
the other day, found two of their child
ren, aged nine aud three years, respec
tively, dead—one with throat cut the
other having been knocked on the
head. A negro boy, about 14 years of
age, was seen to issue from the woods
about the time the parents came home
and was arrested on suspicion. If
guilty, he deserves the severest penal
ty of the law.
We call attention to the prospectus
01 the Augusta Constititionalist, the
old and well established journal, which
will be found in another column. Mr.
James R. Randall, the editor-in-chief,
is a poet and a scholar, and one of the
most brilliant and able writers on the
Southern Press, while the news and lo
cal departments of the paper are kept
to the highest standard of excellence,
ihe Daily Consti tutioxelist is fur
nished at the low price of six dollars a
year, which places it within the reach
of all who wish to keep themselves
posted on the excited and important
events which are censtantly occurring
—McDuffie Journal.
Caster’s Courtship.
The first time that General Custer
set his handsome eyes upon his future
wife was when ho was firteen years old
and going to school in Monroe Michi
gan. Here is the story:
“Going along the street one day the
rough, flaxen-headed, freckled-faced
boy passed a little black eyed, eight
year-old girl swinging on a gate. She
was a pretty little creature, her fath
er a pet, an only child, and naturally
spofied. She said archly, her little face
dimpling with smiles, ‘Hello* you Cus
ter boy!' Theo, trigbWd at’her oto
temerity, turned and fled into the house
It wus love at first sight with the
wild young savage of 15, and he then
and there vowed that some dav th-it
small girl should be his wife. And so
she was, but only after many lovers’
woes; for Judge Bacon, pretty lizzie’s
father was for a long time obdurate
towards the young man, who he feared
was fickle and unstable, and his daugh
ter and her suitor submitted mc>st
lented! ylO wiil until at last he re
The truth is that the Southern elec
tions were admitted peaceable until
e t r h aDd h 8 u l ,|otters discovered
that by the overthrow of the popular
vote in three States they might still set
J° r , the Buccess of the ticket
the people had rejected. They are tho
L°hL aU ltlti infamous plot
which, could it lead to the result they
expect would make popular elections
hereafter impossible.— Buffalo Courier ,